As I sit here at 7:36 in the morning… there is a very light rain falling outside.. that is hiding the sun light and making the most wonderful noise. I have a cat laying to the left of me and a warm fire in front of me. My husband is safe and sound to sleep upstairs and the world is perfect. We spent our first Thanksgiving in our home… away from our home. It seemed like a very large endeavor to cook and invite people over. I am deeply missing my friend Errin Vuley. She is the most amazing person that had such a deep impact on the world. I know she can never be replaced. Not in my life… not in my husbands… nor in Dana’s. Since her death we have been blessed to be close to Dana and have spent countless hours watching movies, having meals crying, laughing and just loving. I have to say that I am so very very proud of Dana. For anyone that knew Dana the person he was 7 years ago isn’t the person he is now. He was broken seven years ago… without the tools or the skill set to put himself back together. I would like to say there is blame that could be places for this damage… and there is. But, you know what the past is the past and the hurricane that blow through his life and wrecked it shall never be allowed to enter his life again. Why? Because Errin gave Dana something very special. She gave Dana the ability to love fully, without expectations. She gave Dana the ability to focus on and heal himself. To pay attention to what is hurting and to heal. I am so very proud of the person that Dana has become. It is because of Errin but also because of his support system and the love that people share for him. I have seen friends rally around him… and I look at these people… and I think… god I am so fucking grateful for Errin Vuley! She had the most amazing family… and the most amazing friends. While I miss her … I am more sorry for the world because she isn’t in it anymore! There are very few people that are just solid and good to their core. And, she was one of them. Dana has become one of them… While he can still the cranky old black man… Errin use to tease that he was… but, because he is working on himself… he is also responsive to therapy, direct about what his current needs are, identifies what his boundaries and comfort levels are, and aware of his own needs. I am SO proud of him!

I always hear leather people throw out words like “honor, integrity and respect…” … You know for the most part it is a bunch of hot air. I have seen what that hurricane looks like… I have seen the disaster that it can leave behind. I have been part of it. You know what we aren’t perfect none of us are… but, atleast identify your own mess and take responsibility for it. I am proud of my chosen family. For the most pat they are non-kinky… but they are open and accepting and loving and caring. And, if something happened to me today I would rest in peace knowing that the people that I truly and deeply loved would take care of Jason, my family, and each other. Errin Vuley gave me that… she opened her heart, her family, her friendship… and she gave without reserve and without demands. Truly I think that Errin would have given Jesus a run for his money.

I miss you Errin… and as the rain stopped just now… and the sun is shining on my face… I am reminded again of just how much I miss you.

Love,
Saliena

We are putting the vidoeo together this week. I will be sending them on Monday. If you could please send me your address jnsguzman@gmail.com. To cover shopping (if you are local we can figure out a way to get them to you) we are asking for 6.00 to cover the CD and the mail charge. And, we are also asking for a sliding scale donation to paypal of 5-20 (or more) plus the cost of shipping. All money raised (outside the shipping cost) will be going to Dana. Paypal account name is SouthernBash@gmail.com. Or if you just want to donate use the same account.

Also keep an eye open we are putting together errinvuley.com. It will be a place to keep her memory alive. People will be able to share their memories, donate to her husband, look for support. We are all struggling with the lose right now.

Take care,
Saliena Guzman

Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still

Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used, put no difference in your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word it always was
Let it be spoken without effort, without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was

There is absolute unbroken continuity, what is death but a negligible accident
Why should I be out mind because I am out of sight
I am waiting for you at an interval
Somewhere very near, just around the corner, all is well
Nothing is past, nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again

My Dearest Angel Love,

It is 5:00 AM and for the life of me I can not get back to sleep. I have this big hole in the center of my soul and it is empty. And, no matter what I do… I have been unable to fill it. The world has lost the most precious of all souls.
I have spent hour up hour in the last few days trying to make logical sense of WHY. Why did this happen to you? A person that never gave anything but good to the world around her. Someone with real strength, bravery, bravado, heart. Someone I wanted so badly to be like. Someone I am so very grateful to have time with.
I meet you on your wedding day. You husband was Jason’s oldest and dearest friends. And, you looked so amazing and beautiful that day. I was just in awe of you. But, as soon as I saw you… I knew you would be come a fast and close friend. You truly fostered a relationship between Dana and Jason. We knew that they had a friendship that could stand the test of time. It had already withstood so much more. You brought Dana out of the Darkest moments of his life and you made him a better person. I have been so reassured of this since you passing. The Dana I once knew would have crumbled under this loss. But, the Man you helped mold him TRULY understands true and deep love for himself and others around him. The love that you gave to him… the love that you so freely gave to us all. Please know that Dana has an army around him that will help protect him and shelter him and foster all of the most amazing person that you helped him develop into.
As I sit here… tears will not stop streaming down my face. So, many people knew you as an activist, a voice in a community, a leader. I only knew you as a friend. Yet your life was testament to your activism. I am so very proud of the person and the life you lived.
Last Sunday was the last time I saw your face. And, these past few days I have tried everything I can to turn back the clock and make it last Sunday. I have bargained with God, the devil and anyone else who would listen. I have failed my friend. So, I have captured those few moments. And, I have sealed them into the very center of my soul. You looked amazing, your energy was huge and your laugh was easy. You were at the most amazing point in your life. I am so very grateful to have had those last few moments. I know there were 300 people at your memorial that would have paid anything to have had that time. And, you know what… they are the most precious gift I have from the Universe. The cruel mistress that she is.
The things I am going to most miss about you Errin
You and Dana at our pool chilling almost every weekend this past summer.
Yoga for Curvy Girls… even though we hated the class…. It was one of the best memories I have of you.
Talks about gender and marriage and being an invisible straight girl.
You calling me Angel Love.
Our double dates to watch reality TV. LOL Where the hell else am I going to find a couple that love ANDC and So You Think You Can Dance.
Our fake factors… and wondering who was going to make the first flake out.
Camping… not sure I can ever do it again. I only went because you wanted me to. And, I loved it.
Your laughter… it was the most easy laughter I have ever heard. Someone said at your memorial service… everyone laughs… but when you laughed they could FEEL it.
Conversations about she who shall not be named.and the many ways we could plot her demise.
You watching a scary movie on Halloween. Hilarious… I have never seen anyone get up and go to the bathroom 124 times in a 90 min span.
Watching you drink… because… well you couldn’t do it. Two light and fluffy drinks and you were done.
You laughing at and having conversations with yourself. Did not matter that noone around you got the joke or the punch line. You did… and that was all that was important to you.
Watching how deeply and intensely you loved Ethen these past several months. Wishing I would have had some time like that with my kid brothers. And, so grateful that you did. He will become a better man because of it.
Sharing so many great moments with you at the James Joyce.
Trying to find and catch a Koyate…
Sharing the most amazing friendship with Pamm... and having the ability to share that with you.
Watching you at the lake rock that two pieces suite.
Wishing you would have had the chance to be a mother… because no one loved children more then you did.
Having one true Femme friend… now I am left with all boys … yet again in my life.
Mostly I am just going to miss you. At the very core of my being I don’t see how I can go on. You taught me and Jason how to be a better couple. How to forgive and how to open up. I am a better person for having known you.
Standing in line at what you commonly called “the Dyke Kroger” tonight… Jason said that you would have given Jesus a run for his money. I laughed… and thought surly that isn’t true… Jesus would not have stood a chance.
I go into the world … attempting to fill this void. Attempting to not be pissed at the man that caused the crash and then took off… attempting to not be pissed at God/Universe for taking you from us… Attempting to be more forgiving and loving… only because I have known you.

I do truly miss you… and thank you for your friendship and for your impact. I will never be same …. But then again I would want to be.

Love,
Saliena Guzman

The memorial service... I can not say enough about it.
300 people attended... standing room only.
Jason and I were honored to sit with the family.
We were able to experiance the love and devestation of the the ones who loved her most.
From the pulpit ... the floor was opened....
Every person... one at a time stood up...
Sharing their stories...
Of a life cut short... but, full of the most amazing light and love.
Today I find these moments... I cry and laugh all at the same time.
It is bittersweet.
How can she truly be gone?
It was last Sunday that I last saw my love angel... her nickname for me.
I am still broken... but, a broken heart... can still beat...

Dana is processing... he has lost the most important person in his entire life.
Yesterday at the service he said. "She meet me at the darkest time in my life... and she saved me again and again." Never has a statement been truer. But, at the same time. I feel that Dana is at a point where he will pick up the pieces. It is going to take a very very long time. But, I have never seen friends rally for anyone they way the are rallying for him. It makes me so very proud.

Anyway... today is the first day of not doing anything... Just taking some time to ourselves.

Going back 10 years there was group of friends the core being a strong 4-5 people we all ranged in age of 22-24. So, we were a tight group Jason was the serious one… I was the party girl… and Dana was the introspective one. We all mixed well and hung out very often. Jason and I dated once of course it did work out. Dana and Jason stayed in touch and I kind of went off and did my own thing. Over a number of years Jason and Dana had a falling out and spilt company as well.



Fast forward 6 years… Jason and I ran into each other at Pride 3 years ago. He had gone through a number of changes and I had gone through a number of changes and we did not recognize each other. After talking for about 10 mins we made the connections and the light bulbs went off. Through re-connecting and talking Dana came up in conversation. We found him through some common friends and reconnected with him. That was about 3 years ago.



Dana was dating the most amazing woman… and the day I met her was on her wedding day. Her name was Errin Vuley. Errin Vuley was the sunshine of the world. She was beautiful and full of life… she did not profit work. (work with her non-profit … she was the CEO at Goal – A Girl’s Journey…). Errin was just the most amazing person. She had a laugh and a smile that was contagious. Everyone that knew her loved her. There was noone that came in contact with her that wasn’t touched by her. When I meet her she instantly became my best friend. Her and Dana and me and Jason would hang out every chance we would have. We recently bought a house that has a pool and Dana and Errin where over ever weekend this past summer. We went camping over the summer… there is just no end to the amount of beauty this woman brought into the world. Goal closed it’s door a few months ago and Errin never thought a negative thought… she looked forward and while it is extremely hard to find any job in non-profit right now… she got an amazing position with the Points of Light Foundation. She went on her first business trip last week and met Neil Bush. Her and Dana had fallen behind in their bills but this new position bought a raise and she was so excited.



Last Sunday we had brunch with them at the James Joyce. Errin looked so beautiful. She talked about her new job and how she was fitting into “cube” world. Dana had recently gone through some depression and he was coming out of it… with the help of medication. They were getting caught up on their bills. Life was good for them. Maybe the best I had ever seen it.



Tuesday November 17, 2009 a driver on Memorial Drive side swiped a SUV.. which swiveled to miss being hit… but, go hit anyway. It switched lanes… and slammed into Errin’s car.. and then she got hit from behind. The police said she was killed instantly. (Which for the life of me I hope is true and that she did not suffer…) The car that started the accident took off and (as far as I know) hasn’t been found yet. But, in that instant so many lives changed. Errin was killed and the two people in the car behind her were airlifted to Dekalb Memorial. When I got the call from Dana I was lost. I did not know how to handle it. I still don’t know how to handle it. We spent Tuesday night with her family and Dana. Thursday we went over and cleaned their house so that when Dana did come home he did not have to worry about cleaning. Dana is in shut down mode and is unable to function. The memorial service is on Friday and we are all just trying to survive right now.



After all of this … Dana’s friends are trying to look at how exactly we get him through the next few months. We are doing a fundraiser for him and trying to raise enough money to help him make the mortgage for a couple of months. But, with it being the holidays we are just trying to help him in anyway that we can. So, with all that being said… if there is anyone that deserves help this holiday season it would be Dana Prosser. Errin was such an amazing person… and she loved Dana so much… she loved everything so much… she was the Breath of Life that keep us all going. Now we are attempting to find a way to get ourselves on life support.

My best friend was killed in a hit and run accident yesterday morning... Driving on her way from work... we have spent the last 24 hours doing anything and everything we can to help her husband (Jason's best friend...)....

I am at a loss...

Dana lost a wife...
I lost a friend...
The community lost an activist...
We have all lost something...

No major event going... just enjoying the most amazing weekend. The weather is amazing.. my home is warm... and clean... my heart is is a good place... and I am looking forward to the holidays with family and friends.

So here we are… two days after a major release. And, for some reason I am not super busy… shhhhhhhhh…. Be very very quiet… what is that noise? Nothing… Really NOTHING… I mean no major fires…. Where oh where are the fires…. There are none… LOL I am so not sure what to make of that fact! Go QA Team!!!

Anyway, let’s see… what else is going on.

I have two more steps to fulfill and then I return to full NORMAL life… Almost… just not 100% there yet.

I have been taught a number of very important lessons recently. The main one… is live life for today. I am not promised tomorrow… and I can not change yesterday. Here I am today… live in it… love it and enjoy it.

I am super grateful for the friends I have. For the job I have. For the love of my life. I can not imagine what my life would have been life without him. I mean I honestly have to say it might have sucked. Well honestly I know it would have sucked. I am not sure what good fortune smiled upon me at Pride three years ago. But, here we are … married… home owners… calmed and life full of fun and love.

Super lucky girl that I am….

Anyway… one more class tonight… and then there is only one more step…. Oy… Why isn’t it over yet?

So far... weekend high/low lights... in the -/+ style

+ Gathering at the Eagle with friends of Rob Gentry... listening to stories... laughing, crying, enjoy the LARGE turn out of gay men.... they really are still around and show up of their brothers... this really did my heart well to see.
+ Getting to see Heinz... he is handling cemo well... better then men half his age... got to give hime a big hug and tell him how important his influance on my life has been.
+ Watching Daddy get hit on by all the gay boys... yummy...
+ Helping a dear friend process through her pain... and just happy to know she had a small moment of closure with some ballons and memories.
+ My backyard with my Daddy and some irish coffee...
++++ Having a firepit to enjoy in the backyard with all the above.
+ Getting Tutors Season 1 and watching our way through it.
+ Brunch with some dearly loved friends
+ Kitten snuggled in my lap as I cruise around the internet at 6AM
+++++ GO JACKETS!!!!!!! Number one overall!!! Now if we can beat UGA's ass at Thanksgiving!!!
+ Poker on sunday...

Guess it has been a weekend of more positive the negative... I am digging on that..

Only cysts... I was so happy to hear that... still painful... but, nothing i can not handle...!

.... I started bleeding. It isn’t time for my cycle. I thought I might have scratch or a old scar that opened. 2 days ago I started bleeding… and it hasn’t stopped. I called my doctor this afternoon. Tomorrow morning I am going to go in for an ultra sound… Hopefully it is nothing… my worst fear is that it is something. Something that haunts me so closely it is sometimes like a second skin. I fear cancer worse then I fear death. Just seeing what my mother went through it… Yes I am scared… I am sure it is nothing… but, just in case it is… send me good energy please.

Please distribute widely.
A celebration of life for our friend and leather brother, Rob Gentry, has been planned.
Date and time: October 17, 2009 4 - 6 PM
Place: Atlanta Eagle
There will be food available courtesy of the Eagle as well as a cash bar for anyone wishing to lift their glass in honor of Rob.
Donations in his memory will be accepted and will go to the Atlanta Eagle Defense Fund.
If you knew Rob and would like to say a few words at the gathering, please contact Pamm or pupnitro@hotlantarubber.com

So here it is Tuesday afternoon. Tonight we get to go and play poker with a couple of our friends. Really looking forward to that. This weekend was kinda cool… we went to DomCon where we stayed for the South East Olympus contest and we watched as the very worthy Lloyd Russell Foundation received a very deserving award. It did my heart well to watch my dearest friend receive the award and accept it on behave of the foundation.

Sunday was kind of cool… I had to work early Sunday morning… but, after that was done I got to go play some poker and Daddy and I went to see Surrogates… which I have to say … had A LOT of potential but fail really really short. Then Daddy and I wondered around downtown Decatur and found this wonderful little place called Pharm House and the food was cheap and WONDERUL…. And they have ½ price bottles of wine on Sunday and Wednesday. The food was excellent and the weather was amazing… and the company of my husband is always a blessing.

Other then that work has been insane… but, the good news is that I feel like I am finally on top of my position. I feel like I contribute to my company… and like I am truly part of a team…. But, for some reason I have this feeling that it is time to move on. I have been with my company now for almost 3 years. And, that is one of the longest amounts of time that I have ever been with any company. Kinda of sad I know… but, I have always moved around. It is just what you do in IT. So, I am trying so hard to stay still… we will see how long that last.

On a good note … I have lost 11 pounds in three weeks. With A LOT of hard work. I am working out 5 times a week. Doing 3 cardo days and 2 weight training. And, I MUST tell you … I hate the stair master… it is a BITCH… My thighs are constantly killing me…. But, I feel good. I am eating better…. And I think it is starting to show.

I have a surgery date of Jan 5th. My goal was to lose 15 pounds by that date and to be in better health. Well I am almost there and the date is still 80+ days away. So, I am setting a new goal… I want to lose 25 pounds… and be in excellent health. Because, it is going to take A LOT to recover from this surgery… but, thanks to Pamm and my husband I will be in very good hands… and next summer I will be rocking the bikini top…. Ohhhhhhhhh yeah……

I know it sounds kind of vain… but I am really looking forward to the bikini top….

Someone asked me the other day… “Do you think that DaddyS side of you will ever come back…?”….. I told her I have no idea what the future holds… but, in my skin right now… I can almost for sure say that side of me will not be back anytime soon. The femme side is out and she is dangerous…. WOOT!

Some people are just plain stupid.... Each day I wake up and I am grateful I did not wake up stupid...

Greetings Everyone,

So, I have taken a few days off to gather myself. To reflect on my Bash weekend and to put some thought it where I want this event to go. What I want it to become. Next year is our five year anniversary. It is so very very hard for me to believe that it has been five years. Year after year this event has grown larger and larger. The first year we had 25 people and I thought that was great attendance. This past weekend we bought almost 80 of like minded kink, queerness, energy and I have no idea how to top that! Okay… I am TOTALLY lying… I have a lot of idea on how to top that.

This past weekend we brought it some of the best headliners that The Bash has ever had. We saw Lee Harrington teach classes from Rituals and Roles to Breath Play to breath taking bond, bootpig taught us how to water our inner bottom a to make sure our need and desires are heard and understood, we had Sam reach into his inner dark space and share that with us, Lady D shared about the ability to hypnotism, Phoenix shared the beauty of cutting with us, and Pamm taught us the flip side of that knife, and who could forget Red and dillion’s class on genital worship. I mean really how do you top that?

Well you go for year number five.

Thank you for the past four years. I have to do some self reflection and gathering on next years plan. I think there might be some changes coming to Saturday night’s line up. We are looking to have more of an artistic flare to our show. We will be doing a photo gallery and a poetry slam. We are going to change the drag king show and incorporate some more themed performances (don’t worry yall… the drag kings and ladies will still be performing…!) we are just going to shake it up a bit.

But, seriously for the most part the past 4 years of Bash events have been nothing but a pure pleasure for me as a producer. I know you all always want to offer help and volunteer. But, please don’t take it the wrong way when I say I am a control freak. And, rather the Bash is a success or a failure I really do want it all to be on my shoulders. It is my child and my labor of love. And, each year I see all of you out and enjoying yourself and each other… well there is nothing more as the producer I want.

I love you all dearly… thank you so much for everything!

As far as next year…. As soon as I have a solid date I will let you know.

Also if there is anyone else out there who wants to put an event together… please let me know. I am more then willing to lend my support.

XO,
Saliena

Please note... I am not a deeply religious person. I was raised Catholic... and believe in the soul and the universe... and the path we all take together. I believe energy and spirit return to were they started from.

This poem was written by a mother who lost her only daughter on 9/11. In many ways it reminds me of my mother... and it makes me smile.


It and others can be found at http://annnelsonmemorial.tripod.com/poems/lifesplan.htm

Life’s plan

To every life-there is a purpose-
For every life- there is a plan
That is made with God the Father
To refine the souls of Man.
For the Soul – it is eternal.
For the Soul will never die.
It makes its home in heaven.
It dwells with God on high.

But from time to time it visits
The earth where we are now.
It comes to do God’s bidding…
Before his will it seeks to bow.
For the soul learns many lessons,
As it lives in shells of clay.
When its tasks have been accomplished
The spirit simply flies away.

When it returns to heaven-
Its true and rightful home-
It does not forget its loved ones
Who still struggle down below.
It continues to assist them
And to guide them as they go.

For the war of Good and Evil
Has ever been with Man,
And each soul that He created
Will be a part of God’s great plan.
They will choose their weapons and their leader,
Until death has found its maker-
But it will be the small clay temple
That will fall into the dark.
The Soul will rise above it
And return once more to God,
Where it can pursue its chosen pathway
And aid those who battle on.

Some lives are short and joyful,
They leave behind much loving pain.
They are treasured for their sunshine-
The contrast they contribute
To the drizzle and the rain.
But they, too, must fight their battles-
Sometimes the greatest ones of all-
For their loss will spur their loved ones
To answer heaven’s call.

And so our dearest daughter,
As we stand at this place of rest-
We know that you’re beside us-your soul is truly blessed.


It is the small clay temple that today we lay to rest.
To us it is a treasure,
For it held what we loved best.
It helped us see and hold you
To love you as only humans can,
As we wait for the fulfillment
Of God’s great refining plan.

Yes, God’s plan is great-
Be it hard for us to see.
We must trust that he is with us-
That he guides our destiny.
He will heal our pain and sorrow.
He will reunite us all at last,
When the joy of our tomorrow
Obliterates the past.

He has freed our cherished loved one,
He has brought her spirit home,
But he does not leave us without comfort,

To weep- to drift- to roam.
We can feel her love and presence
As we talk to God above.
She can hear our supplications
And heal us with her love.

For she lives with God in heaven
And hears our every word.
She sends us love and comfort
Through the sun, the sky, the bird.
She sends us joy and healing
Through the butterfly so gold
She sends us her sweet blessings
Through songs and stories told.

We must lift our eyes to heaven
If we want to see her face.
For she lives with God in heaven,
A grand and wondrous place.
From there she loves and guides us-
Much better than before-
We must only change our focus
To enter heaven’s door.

She stands along beside us
As we gather here today.
Her heart does gently guide us
As we lay to rest the clay
Of the little shell and temple
That held her spirit while on earth,
But like the yellow butterfly
Her cocoon’s been left in birth.

She can fly and she can flutter-
She can be with us here at will.
She has conquered life and death.
No more can terror kill.

Her passing will be noted
By all the Sons of Man,
For it was written in the beginning
When she and God did write her plan.

For-
To every life there is a purpose-
For every life there is a plan
That is made with God, the Father,
To refine the souls of Man.

Weekend High Lights and Low Lights

Friday Night
+ Being able to raise 360.00 for the Atlanta Eagle.
+ All of the HOTNESS at the Atlanta Eagle on Friday night.
+ Strong jello shooters an 1.5 hours before leaving the Eagle.
+ Yelp.com doing a write up on the Atlanta Eagle… and my hot bare chest husband being mentioned in the article!
+ Flirting with a ftm Drag-King named Baby Jesus… who was a total hotness…
+ Energy shared at dinner with my closest friends and new ones…
+ Even though he was never my favorite person… seeing someone this weekend from my past and the SELF board… knowing he is okay and that he and his partner are doing well.
+ Selling raffle tickets and biting a hot boy’s thigh under his kilt.
+ Boots … boots… and more boots
- Our boot black being sick and having to go home.
- Not getting home till close to 2:00AM and having to be back up at 6:00 AM.
+ Very little drama in the whole evening.

Saturday

+ Almost sitting on Meghan’s face while she was sleeping. (lol… LONG story)
+ Waking up in my husbands arms.
+ JJ being out a lot of the weekend… 
- McDonald’s for breakfast.
- Not being able to afford a new whip.
+ Sitting back and watching as the Bash takes for as it does every year. Knowing that this is truly a labor of love.
+ Lee Harrington reminding me to breathe about 10 times that day.
+ Flaming Mashmellows 
+ The show… SO MUCH FUCKING HOTESS!
+ Watching as people enjoy really really good food created by Pamm.
+/- Spending time in the kitchen with Pamm… knowing this would be the last time we do that…. Always been kind of a safe space for me at my event.
+ Sharing stories with Kris and Kendell… Cracking the fuck up over some recent conversations.
+ Spending time with bootpig…. Always way to short… and damn it 1763 doesn’t have an elevator!
+ +++ My husband in uniform… and being told several times over the weekend how happy we look.
+++++ Being able to leave the Bash in the hands of my wonderful staff… and knowing the event and the venue would survive without me…
++++++++ Seeing my family… and my nephew who is 14 months old. Watching as his kissed our kitten and keep saying “Heyyyyyyyyyy”… *kissing,,,** Heyyyyyy…
+ Watching my younger brother become a man and a really good daddy all at the same time.
+/- Bitter sweet moment with all of my family in my house… but, my mom not being able to be there with us.
- Forgetting to tell my dad about the visit of red birds to my backyard.
+ Sharing my house with my family and feeling really grown up.
+ Playing with one really hot boy… and one really hot girl….oh and getting to CANE both of them… yummmmm… I fucking love hurting with canes.
- Our BFF’s not being able to be there because their basement flooded again.
+ Grateful that everything ended up okay and they were able to get a pump.

Sunday

+ Driving in and hearing Purple Rain… the blue grass version.
+ Sam’s come play dead for me class.
- Saying good bye to all my friends again.
+ Hanging out and having beer and swimming with our BFFs.

This is a reminder that the Bash kick off party is at the Atlanta Eagle this Friday starting at 9:00 PM. The party is open to anyone and everyone who wishes to attend. Come hangout with us have a margarita, enjoy the jello shooter girls and boys, Live music starts at 10:00 and the dance floor is ALWAYS happening at the Eagle. We are also doing a 50/50 raffle and the local bootblack dale has agreed to give all money raised to the fundraising event.

The money being raised on Friday night as well as throughout the weekend will be going to the Atlanta Eagle Legal Fund. Our goal is to raise 500.00 (or more) throughout the weekend.

So, come out show support and love for a bar that has done so much for us all. And, support the Bash! If you have any questions please email southernbash@gmail.com

Thank you so much!
Saliena Guzman

Greetings Everyone,

So, as the owner of the Bash I know this past year has been HARD on everyone. Between the markets crashing, the bank failures, 10% of the population losing jobs it has been hard. Hard paying bills, hard making the bills, hard buying children the basic necessitates to send them to school. Let alone spending money on going to the dungeon or buying new toys… but, as owner of the Bash… I feel that just because you can not afford to attend my event… that should keep you away.

I can not tell you how many emails I have received from people who WANT to be at the Bash but simple can not afford it. It is not that the Bash is an expensive event. You get 3 meals, a play party, a kick off party and an entrainment section… all for 80.00. And, being someone who has travelled to a lot of national events trust me when I say 80.00 (most tend to start at 125.00 and go up) is a STEAL. But, never has the leather or non leather world faced such an economic down turn (atleast not in my lifetime).

So, with that being said I have tossed around a few ideas in my own head and this is what I have come up with. I am going to give away 3 free packets to the Bash. Which includes everything from the kick off party (which is free so encourage everyone you know to come to the Eagle) to the play party to the food. The only thing you have to do is send me your story by Sept 20, 2009 Why do you think you should be selected? What is the hardship you are facing? What are you hoping to learn for the Bash? What can you contribute to the event?. Me and a panel will go through the stories on the 21st and contact the winners of the packets on the 22nd. If you have already paid for the Bash and your story is picked your money will be refunded to you (minus the processing fee for Paypal).

With all this being said… please don’t apply for this award if you can afford to pay for the Bash. I don’t want to lose the space for someone who can afford it. At the same time I don’t want to keep people away from the Bash because of money. This is going to be an amazing event and I want everyone who wants to be there to be there.

I am proud of this event. I hope that you are to. I can not wait to see the turn out and the energy.

Please submit your story to southernbash@gmail.com.

With Heart,
Saliena Guzman


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