:: Edgeliving: Master Jim and slave marsha ::

:: Thursday, November 27, 2003 ::

Discuss Amongst Yourselves

If you haven't found it already, there is a link on the left hand side of the page called "Discuss Edgeliving." Clicking it will take you to a discussion board where you're welcome to post about what you read here -- or about anything else relating to M/s or D/s relationships. Right now, there's a great discussion going on about that old favorite -- "What's the difference between a submissive and a slave?"

So, please enjoy.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

--slave marsha

:: 11:25 AM [+] ::
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Alert the Media! Master Jim Has a Sense of Humor…

i hope i’ve given all of you enough time to recover from the swoon undoubtedly induced by the discovery that Master Jim has a sense of humor. If not, feel free to rejoin us when you feel better.

Seriously, it continues to surprise me to discover how people in the leather/SM community view my life with Master Jim. Those views often fall into one of two categories:

View 1. No one can possibly live in a Master/slave relationship on a 24/7 basis. Therefore, what we in the community see must just be an elaborate role play that is dumped the minute you hit the front door and the two of you secretly interact as equal partners. Because we all know that’s how it’s got to be.

View 2. This Master/slave stuff is serious business. No laughter or fun is allowed. Master Jim spends all day laying down the law and giving me commands in a stern and Masterly voice. marsha is some sort of brainwashed, animatronic figure (some assembly required) with no feelings, no sense of humor and no thoughts of her own.

Let’s take each of these views in turn, shall we?

The life i live as a slave is not role play. As Master Jim noted in His post, Master and slave is who we are. We don’t shed our identities as Master and slave when we hit the front door. (Although Master Jim, who at heart is truly a nudist, has been known to start shedding clothing before the front door closes. Okay, maybe that’s too much information, even for me.) i really do call Him “Master Jim” or “Sir” all the time. i really don’t use furniture at home, except when working at the computer or sleeping in the bed. i really am required to obey and serve Him.

But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t laughter and fun… which leads us to View 2.

Yeah, this Master/slave stuff is serious business. It’s about life and living our calling – and it doesn’t get more serious than that. But serious does not mean “without fun.” We really do go places and do things. Master Jim actually does things like riding roller coasters, and when He does, His scream is somewhat less than stern and Masterly. (Note: If there are any biological male boys out there who would like to serve by riding those roller coasters with Him, please submit an application to me. i hate the things.) He does not spend His day reeling off commands and demanding blow jobs. In fact, He's been known to take out the trash, cook a nice meal and even... wait for it... go shopping at a mall. i am a real, fully rounded human being who laughs and cries and feels joy and pain. I’ve been known to have a thought or two of my own.

All of this really leads to Master Jim’s main point – from time to time, we should stop and focus on the miracle of this Master/slave relationship.

And it is a miracle to me.

How did i, of all the people who are searching for an Owner, find one? An Owner who is ethical. Who is committed to walking the path of Mastery and slavery as far as He can. Who is willing to shoulder the unbelievable responsibility of owning another human. Who is strong enough to own me.

How have He and i maintained this relationship in the face of everything that so easily could have destroyed it? And managed to keep laughing?

i truly am blessed. i have been given the opportunity to walk the path of my calling, to grow as a slave. What i have been given is beyond “fun.” It is joy.

i am a slave.

In that single sentence is the joy of my life.

i’ll remember that, Sir. Thank You for reminding me.

--slave marsha

:: 3:43 PM [+] ::
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Master Gloom and slave doom

“slave doom!”

“Yes, Sir Master Gloom, Sir.”

“slave doom, what do you see on the path ahead?”

“Sir, Master Gloom, Sir. i see a dark trail strewn with rocks and boulders, pitted with deep holes. The path is most treacherous, Sir, Master Gloom, Sir.”

“slave doom, can you see no light? Not even a dim beacon to help guide the way along the perilous path?”

“Sir, Master Gloom Sir. The only light i ever see is the brief flicker of a match when you light the very occasional cigar. A light that is quickly extinguished, Sir, Master Gloom, Sir.”

“slave doom, I must find a way to light the path.”

"Sir, Master Gloom, Sir. Perhaps Sir, you should smoke more cigars, Sir, Master Gloom, Sir.”

*************************************

A dark and lonely path… a treacherous life-long journey… danger around every turn. In looking back through the posts on this website, I have come to the conclusion that Master Jim and slave marsha might be better known as Master Gloom and slave doom!

When this website was launched, I pledged that we would write honestly and openly about Mastery and slavery. An important part of being honest and open is not to ignore or minimize the difficulties one faces when choosing to walk the M/s path. Since there are so many problems and difficulties to choose from, it is very easy to focus on them when deciding on what to write. While there is no question that we must discuss problems, for it is the problems that will most likely end an M/s relationship, it is also important to celebrate this path and this way of life.

I am a Master and I own a slave. It is impossible to convey both the pride and the joy I feel when I write that statement. The fact of the matter is that even I, the Master and Owner of a slave, do not take time often enough to simply contemplate the rich meaning of that simple statement.

I am a Master and I own a slave. Amazing isn’t it? I own another human being who adores me, who serves me, who puts my will and desires over hers. In return, I offer ethical ownership, assume complete responsibility, and provide opportunities to serve. Together we are on an amazing journey, a journey filled with wonder and excitement. This website serves as reminder that there are many dangers along the way, but it is equally important to remember that more often than not, these dangers are far outweighed by the by a sense of contentment and fulfillment.

If I am to be open and honest and my M/s relationship on this website, it is important to tell you about another side to my M/s journey. That side is the enjoyment – the fun – that Mastery has brought into my life. I like being with slave marsha. I enjoy her company. We laugh, and have fun together. We ride Harleys. (Well, I ride a Harley and slave marsha is learning to ride on a Honda, but I overlook that.) We go out to dinner, we go to the movies, we watch DVDs (even some that are not porn), we go on non-leather trips and – gasp – we even go to Disney World and Las Vegas.

So despite all the problems that have been written about on this website and that we discuss in our leather presentations, our life as a Master and a slave is far from all gloom and doom. Maybe a better label for us would be “Master Occasional Gloom and slave partly doom.” But an even better label is simply this -- Master Jim and slave marsha. That is who we are. Two people who are trying our best to walk the M/s path even when it is not easy. Yes, there are and will be problems, but when the dealing’s done, there is more laugher than there are tears. Even more importantly, we are comfortable with who and what we are – a Master and a slave.

It is as simple and complex as that.

In leather,

Master Jim

:: 11:11 AM [+] ::
...

You Have Chosen...

Master Jim's post, "The Arena," is about choosing. About choosing to step into the arena of Mastery and slavery, even though we know we might fail. About choosing to try, because at least then we never have to wonder, "What if...."

i've been thinking about choosing, too... about one of the choices we make after we've stepped into the arena.

i'm a big fan of the Indiana Jones movies. One of my favorite scenes is the one where Indy and his father are searching for the Holy Grail, the cup which tradition tells us Jesus Christ used at the Last Supper. After the usual adventures, Indy and his father at last find the hiding place of the Holy Grail, guarded by an ancient Crusader. And of course, those of you who have seen the movie know that by this time in the story, Indy's father is seriously injured and dying, and only a drink from the Holy Grail holding the Water of Life will save him.

So, our hero Indy has to grab the Grail and take his father a drink of the Water of Life. The problem is, the Grail is "hidden" in plain sight -- there are hundreds of cups laid out along a shelf, any one of which could be the Holy Grail. There are tall cups, short cups, engraved cups, bejeweled cups, gold cups, silver cups. How to choose the right one?

No Indiana Jones story is complete without evil Nazis, of course, and this one is no exception. This time, the evil (but hot) Nazi woman demands the right to choose the Holy Grail, and the evil (and creepy) Nazi guy demands to be the first to drink of the Water of Life and gain immortality. So, Evil But Hot Nazi Woman makes her choice -- a gorgeous gold and bejeweled chalice. It is, in her words, "The cup of a king!"

Evil And Creepy Nazi Guy fills the chalice from the Water of Life, drinks...and, of course, dies a horrible, shriveled-up death.

The ancient Crusader guarding the Grail looks at what is left of Evil And Creepy Nazi Guy and says, "He chose... poorly."

Now it's Indy's turn. He looks and looks... struggles.. starts to choose and then stops... until finally, he makes his choice. The cup he chooses is plain brass. Not a bit of engraving or a single jewel. It is nearly invisible in the glittering throng of chalices laid out before him.

But Indy sees the infinite value in this simple cup. He knows Jesus Christ was a carpenter -- and as Indy says, "This is the cup of carpenter." Indy fills it from the Water of Life and drinks.

The ancient Crusader responds, "You have chosen... wisely."

For it is the Holy Grail. The cup that looks least like it should be the most valuable thing in all of Christendom, the one that no one would choose from among the glittering, priceless cups, is the Holy Grail.

So, marsha, you may be asking, what does this have to do with slavery? It's this: as slaves, once we make the choice to enter the arena of Mastery and slavery, we are faced with choosing who we will serve from a glittering array of possible Masters. And too often, i see slaves who are mislead by the external trappings into believing that they have found the Holy Grail of Masters.

Too often, we as slaves choose... poorly.

Finding the one we can serve truly is the Holy Grail for slaves. We want to find him or her, we long for that day. In our heads, we build up images of what our Owner will look like and act like. Because of that, too often, I see slaves snatch the first flashy, beautiful, bejeweled "cup" that comes to their hand, without thinking.

But the Holy Grail of Masters is not always the Master everyone is looking at or talking about. He or she is not always the one wearing the most leather or the hottest clothes. He or she is not always the one with the best body. And make no mistake about it, the Holy Grail of Masters is not always the one with the most slaves hanging around him or her.

Look hard for your Holy Grail. Do not be mislead by the glitter and the gleam. Don't neglect to look at the simple "cup, " the plain "cup." The quiet Master. The one who does not constantly seek the spotlight for him or herself (or for his or her slave). The one who goes about his or her Mastery with reserve, with dignity. Who lives it as a life, rather than playing it as a game for the amusement of the community.

Search carefully for your Holy Grail. Make your choice carefully.

And may each of us as slaves choose... wisely.

--slave marsha

:: 11:38 AM [+] ::
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The Arena

It should be obvious to regular readers of this website that I believe the path of Mastery and slavery is long and hard. Those just beginning the journey may soon be discouraged, while those well along the path will continue to confront problems and difficulties, any one of which could destroy that which has been built. I have seen individuals who met at a leather event or through a leather club attempt an M/s relationship, but soon go their separate ways. I know of two men who ended a 15 year relationship because one wanted to enter an M/s relationship and the other did not. I have seen several long-term marriages end because the two partners agreed to transform their marriage into an M/s relationship, but one of the partners was unable to successfully become a Master or a slave.

Why then in the name of the leather gods should people even try to walk this path? Why should anyone risk ending a relationship before it has a chance to grow? Why would anyone risk an established relationship for the sake of the unknown?

The answer is simple: many should not.

The reality is that too often individuals begin a Master/slave relationship with no thought as to what that relationship means. They have done nothing to examine where they want to go, much less how they hope to get there. They have not done any of the hard internal work necessary to successfully walk the M/s path.

But what about those who do lay a foundation, those who really have done an honest assessment of what they want and even have some idea of how they plan to go about achieving their goals? Unfortunately, even then, there is no guarantee of success. In fact, the failure rate for Master/slave relationships is much higher than the rate of success. Common sense then says go with the odds, become SM play partners, remain in your committed relationship, stay in your marriage -- whatever you do, do not risk all you have or might have on the uncertainty of an M/s relationship.

No, there are no guarantees, nothing to assure you of becoming a successful Master or slave, no refunds to be had if a fledgling or long-term M/s relationship fails, nothing to ease the bitter pain of losing a Master or a slave. Given these harsh realities, some might say let’s take the conservative path, let’s nail the M/s door shut, seal it off, advise everyone that it is too difficult, too dangerous. If we nail that door shut then we can make sure that no one will get a glimpse of the wonder, the possibilities, the fulfillment, the pleasure, the thrill, and yes, the rapture that may be touched on the M/s path. We’ll make sure that individuals do not risk what they have to find out who they are. After all, why risk failure even if it means not becoming who and what you were meant to be?

I hope you know that is not what I think we should do.

Not only did I not nail my personal door shut, I will not nail anyone else’s door shut. Despite the difficulties, despite the distinct possibility of failure, despite the potential loss of a lifetime of gain, I believe that those who believe they are Masters and slaves must begin the journey, they must walk the M/s path, they must try, even if they fail. In the words of the late President, John F. Kennedy:


“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, if he wins, knows the thrills of high achievement, and, if he fails, at least fails daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

At the end of the day, whatever happens to me as I walk this Master/slave path, I will know this: at least I dared to enter the arena.

In leather,
Master Jim

:: 9:00 PM [+] ::
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