I woke up this morning tingling and with a smile. The only thing to do today to focus on preparing my mind and my body for the journey it`s going to go on tonight. I made my way to the bath and filled the tub with hot water, Epsom salts and exotic oils, I soaked and let my muscles warm up and relax as fully as possible. I washed and luxuriated in the heat. I towelled off and oiled my skin and found something comfortable and simple to slip into.

Relaxing with green tea and herbs to soothe my stomach, and a very light brunch, I paint my face… thinking of photographs and rope, I powder my breasts and my freshly shaved sex as well as powdering my nose. I rub a little more scent into my skin.

I`m thinking off an on, wondering how I`ll be tied… will I get to be suspended, will I fly in the rope, will I fight it, will I make love with it, will it be a struggle or a seduction, or both. What will my body do in the bondage. Will I get to that deep quiet place. Will endorphins find me and soothe my pains. How will it go.

I put aside a silk japanese Kimono, vintage, a gift from a close friend given to her by her Japanese mother, given to me. I put aside a satin Chinese cheongsam dress. In case I want the comfort of cloth and fashion in the ropes… options. I`ll also bring shoes. I don`t know if I`ll be bare or with those… but  they are clothes and shoes I love, and like an extension of myself.

I want to honour the man that is going to put me in rope… I think he has an appreciation for some similar aesthetics as I do. So I take brush and india ink and script his moniker in kanji on a piece of ivory rag paper bonded with silk embossed with the pattern of plum blossoms. The pattern is subtle, in the weave, looks plain ivory until the light catches the weave of the pattern of branches and buds. The large black character of his name is not bad, for my awkward brush work. I take a carved stone stamp that has the character for `scholar` engraved on it, and stamp it at the base of his name-kanji. signed it. Mounted it and added a piece of rough cord so it can be hung if desired.

I also found in my collection of treasures which collect dust, a red Japanese paper maché demon mask… and it seemed appropriate, *smile*, so I will bring that as well to my esteemed host and guide.

It`s about time to leave… going to get my rope cherry popped, and hoping to fall in love with yet another textile.