Blood Sports Program with Midori & Frank Strona Review by Jefe

© Society of Janus http://www.soj.org

Note: This is an abridged program review. To read the full review, see the May GP issue.

I have attended a good number of Midori's programs in the past, I've been to Frank Strona's piercing program at SOJ a couple years ago. Frank is very instructional while Midori is more inspirational. Frank had arrived early to set up his gear, and 15 minutes before the program started, Midori was not to be found. Naturally no-one was concerned, and almost on cue, as the program was scheduled to start Midori arrived with Michael, who must have been driving that night, since Midori was in space by the end of the program, and in no shape to drive, and her "boy" Huck. If you've never seen Midori, no description will be sufficient, if you have you'll know that I can't do her justice, but would be remiss if I didn't try. Huck wore black leather shorts, black army boots and a T-shirt that said "Daddy Loves Me" Midori wore long black leather pants with a double silver button at the crotch and a blue latex sport top with a big "O" exposing her cleavage.

While Midori and crew settled in, Frank began to talk about what Blood Sport is. He noted that you can draw blood with many implements besides blades and needles. He mentioned tin foil, a dinner fork, most certainly whips, and a variety of abrasive surfaces. One of the things that he really likes about drawing blood is that the erotic content can have more to do with the power exchange of the activity than the specifics of the activity itself. Health and safety are a primary concern with blood sports. Frank didn't discuss much about emotional safety, but my personal experience has been that this can be very precarious territory for both top and bottom, and deserves at least as much attention as physical safety. Frank did mention that it is very intimate play, more so than intercourse. He noted that while he'll "fuck anyone" he won't do blood play unless he gets to know someone quite well. The primary health concerns are Hepatitis C and HIV. This is not an activity for casual partners. It is advisable to know your partner quite well, to know their health history, HIV status, are they a "bleeder", taking aspirin, even what they wear to work (white shirts with no undershirts don't work well the day after a heavy blood letting on the back). He stressed the importance of negotiation, much more extensive than for other types of play, especially don't take for granted that the other person understands things the same as you do. Simply the word "cut" can mean different things to different people. Again, from my own experience, the "know your partner" and "make sure that you each understand what the other person means during negotiation" both extend to the emotional as well as physical aspects of negotiation much more than one might expect.

Remember, you can never promise that there won't be a scar. In addition to knowing your partner, he recommended a solid knowledge of first aid and anatomy, as well as having a first aid kit nearby. Oh, and don't wear that fancy $1,400 favorite fetish fantasy outfit to do a cutting, wear something that you can expect to get stained with blood. While Midori often likes to just scratch the surface until it bleeds, Frank likes to cut as deep as 1/8 inch into the skin. He knows people who cut " down, but would never suggest that anyone else do so. If you are cutting and see body fat (it is colored white, and is noticeable) you have made a mistake. CALMLY notify your partner that they need a stitch or a butterfly and clean and close the wound. If you get a needle stick or cut while drawing blood from your partner get to the City Clinic and begin the PEP (post exposure prevention) program within 48 hours to minimize the risk of contracting illness from blood borne pathogens. For Midori often the sexiest part is seeing the blood start to come out, but Frank, more often, enjoys the way the skin raises around the wound the next day. To practice cutting, use fruit. It is a good idea to keep your skills sharp by using your tool of choice around the kitchen, it helps you to be comfortable with it in your hand. As Midori pointed out, know the safety, know the technique so the primal can come out and the technique is second nature "skills should fall back, like walking or breathing, not done for their own sake, but to achieve a higher result." If you can cut a "cigar ring" out of a banana skin without marking the banana underneath, you should have a good comfort level with your blade skills. In preparation for your scene, it is a good idea to have an annual STD screening done, and remember that Hepatitis vaccines need to be renewed. Know that it is best to eat a light meal about 3 hours before being cut. When you are ready to begin, there are a variety of tools to use for cutting. Disposable scalpels are a best choice, they come pointed or curved. Midori likes the curved ones for doing free-hand images, though for her demo she used a small pocket knife. X-Acto blades will work, but they are not as sharp and not sterile/clean, they tend to have oil on them which makes control more difficult. Frank thinks the best scar comes from an old fashioned straight razor, but be sure to clean it well with anti-bacterial soap first. He also suggested a "neck shaver" from a barbershop as working very nicely. Any cutting edge that isn't designed as disposable and "single use" should be cleaned first with Cavicide and rinsed well with saline solution (unless you have access to an auto-clave, which would be best) The disposable scalpels come with a plastic cap, as do needles. It was suggested to never re-cap these items, but in case of emergency, a technique was demonstrated which I will not attempt to describe. Needles are available either veterinary or medical grade, though the difference wasn't much discussed, and another favorite are lancets, or very short needles which are available at Costco.

Midori and Frank each have websites, and both teach extensively in the area and nationwide. Frank will be teaching blood play again at Mr. S Leather soon. Please check with them for more information about upcoming classes and other blood sport resources:

www.fetishdiva.com

Supplies

http://www.choicemedinc.com/products.html (professional piercers catalogue)
www.fettersusa.com/