Boots’ Contemplative thoughts

So, GearBlast:UK.  This monster of an event that actually only exists because I was stuck for something to put my energy into one time when I was unemployed.  Now though I have a full time job and I’m definitely not alone in this venture.

2009 burnt me out and I don’t try to hide that.  We came back in 2014 with a lot of the same crew that helped put it together back in 2009, but with a different venue and a better idea of what we were doing.

I firstly want to explain the reason for the follow up blog.  I wanted to give personal thanks and to show my heart to all who want to read this.

I was tasked to do this in the first place by one of my closest friends, playmates and true kindred spirit RocketPup/ScubaCCS.  He created and coined the name ‘GearBlast’ a decade ago.  Then back in 2008 he was so impressed with my ability to host a Hallowe’en party he asked me to host a GearBlast unlike any that went before it.  So it’s down to him for giving me this purpose.

After the first event, it could have all ended there, but for one man.  Rubbiker77.  He wanted me to come back into the fold after he had been the driving force behind subsequent GearBlast:EU events during our gap.  This was the essential spark which drove the last three main events in the UK and I deeply thank him for this, he gave me the motivation to rejoin this wonderful enterprise.

Throughout all the events my husband ZX6Rlad/Colin has been my rock, he has without a doubt taken on the most responsibility from my shoulders and just ran with it.  Taking on more and more each year, the tasks that I can’t juggle, especially with regards to promoting GearBlast.  I love you with all my heart.

Another long suffering partner in this venture is Rubbot/Rubbah/Jules whom I met for the first time when he offered to help handing out promotional leaflets for the 2009 event.  He’s been a close friend ever since and he’s always pushing me to do better.  I call him my safety net for a few reasons, he word checks the torrent of words I put out there; says the stupid things on purpose because he knows what the internet is like (so I don’t have to suffer the embarrassment of having to correct typos and stupid statements) (he’s not editing this btw, totally unfiltered!) but most of all because he’s always there to support and catch me when the stress levels rise.  He’s one of the few who can diffuse an imminent explosion.  So for being protection personified, Jules you are a saint and I hope you’re always a part of my life.

More recently several good friends have offered support in various forms; Devilkink for some great ideas which have made GearBlast a richer, more complex animal, Xanto for just being a lively puppy who is always willing to help out and be so constructive and supportive (plus along with Devilkink and Rubbah collated the tunes for the night)!  Gizmoes for his experience in running events and setting up graphic identity plus his expertise in merchandising (and his patience, generosity, cake making skills, photography and (along with Trigger) for lugging so much of our crap around!!)

All the staff provided great feedback on the run up to the event and for helping to set up and just getting shit done!!!

I also want to acknowledge Andy Rossi of PupSocial who, although he wasn’t able to join us this year, was extremely supportive during setup and for allowing us to use their lighting and a few other bits.

My final (phew!) thanks are to everyone who either attended, wanted to attend or who helped to spread the word about our event.

The kind words post-weekend are what makes this all worthwhile.  I’d like to collate all the feedback for reference to remind me of why we/I do this, though it would be even better if I can share those thoughts/reviews with everyone in the world.

I’m proud to be part of this and I’m proud of every single person who made the effort to come along, get in gear and just enjoy themselves.

What I am going to summarise with is the joining force that unites us. It is the common denominator in all that we do, and that my friends is ‘GearHeart’ is it the heart for gear, the passion for gear, loving every aspect of gear and enjoying with others of a like-minded passion.

Next year and future events will be about the #GearHeart starting with a contest.  Anyone is welcome to participate, we want to see something creative which is a visual representation of the ‘GearHeart’ it can be a logo, photo, photo manipulation, video, drawing…anything as long as it is original artwork. 

The best entry will be used in the promotional material for GearBlast:UK 2017 and possibly even for all GearBlast Events.

We also want you to use the hashtag #GearHeart (Twitter, FaceBook, Tumblr, et al) when you recognise the creative use or expression of gear, be that artwork (photography, drawn, sculpted), created costumes, modifications, stories, poems, anything which truly reflects what it is to have the GearHeart.  I honestly think GearBlast is summed up best by these two words and I hope it becomes intrinsically linked to GearBlast.

Thank you for reading my ramblings, please feel free to react here or on FaceBook, I do love to hear your reactions!

Peace, love and gearhugs!!

~Boots

Chicago Trip (1/5)

It was mentioned briefly (and I'm certain not maliciously) that my blog posts are rather 'lengthy'

I admit I tend to ramble on quite a lot, so I'm going to practice the art of succinct articles.

Buuut, our trip to Chicago and GearBlastUSA cannot possibly be summarised in such a way, so instead I've divided it up into five themes over five blogs, which should appeal in their own ways.

Food, experiences, people, play and GearBlastUSA, that is five blogs including this one!

I wanted to give an overview and a bit of background for the trip before I get into the details.

In the beginning there was a meek twentysomething guy, confused about what he really wanted, who found friends online.  One of those friends who emerged all that time ago was ScubaCCS.

The following decade would see this friendship grow (amongst others) but this friendship would result in more.  A sense of worth that gave me more perceived value in our community.  I'm talking of course about GearBlast.

ScubaCCS aka Rubcovr aka RocketPup has visited the UK several times now but the first such visit included a surprise trip to a Halloween Party (which we coined as Pervyween) which seemed to have an effect on the creator of GearBlast.  Rocket asked me to host a GearBlast in the U.K and in 2009 I did it.

That Legacy continues today with GearBlastEU and a return trip (and five year gap) to GearBlastUK in 2014.  This combination encouraged Rocket to host a standalone event in the U.S and so GearBlastUSA was born.

Meanwhile after years of chatting and encouragement to come and visit Rocket finally got the answer out of me I'd been promising for years.  I'd booked the flights and we'd be joining Rocket for GearBlastUSA.

I needed to go through all that because I wanted to highlight what a change in attitude this trip has proved in myself and shown in a tangible direction.

I'm an incredibly shy guy, but my online persona has given me the confidence to be more, to be who I truly feel I am.  GearBlast events have done this for me and it's the best feeling in the world to see it enabling others like me to push themselves further too.

As I write this, a lot of my new friends are preparing for IML and the respective GearBlast being held there.  I hope they all enjoy their time and don't easily forget us during this fun time.  Regardless of what things happen in the present, there will always be the events that have gone and the others to look forward to.

This point I'm trying to make in not too short a terms is that though the following blogs will contain thoughts and images some will aspire to, I am really just like most other guys, making their way though life with the support and feedback of friends.

Just because I am who I am right now, doesn't mean you can't have something of your own to be proud of.  Life is what you make of it and even though I say I'm lucky, I have had to force some issues beyond what fate would insist upon.  This may not make 100% sense but then if I explained I'd be rambling and long winded.

Next stop food!

Contemplation and headspace

Hey All,

It's been a while since I blogged anything.

Historically I've just rambled on and not provided any photos, I'll try to do better this time!

Last blog post was about how YOU have a valued opinion and a part to play in this community.  Our community is far reaching and varied and spills over into other communities, and what I have to say tonight kinda follows on from this theme.

For those who have been paying attention, my husband, myself and a few good souls have brought an event back to life and after plenty of long evenings of preparation, chasing for answers and eventually a lot of running around and a few good stories the weekend came and went ....and so did a few guys at GearBlast:UK :P

Alongside all of this I was honoured to be hosting a couple of friends who had travelled from Australia and the United States staying with us for 15 and 11 days respectively but whilst they were here, I felt so very comfortable and accepted.

This, as it turns out was an over-riding theme amongst many who attended GearBlast:UK, many felt they discovered something new about themselves and that this fetish venue wasn't as intimidating, nor the guys who turned up to be judgemental at all.  This is exactly the kind of thing we were hoping for, but never expected.

One thing I do really appreciate is how many genuinely decent guys we met for the first time and hoping it won't be the last, my regrets total three for GBUK.  One that I didn't bring it back sooner, second that I didn't manage to make it 100% for everyone (always room for improvement) and third, that I didn't have enough time to spend with everyone.

I didn't get a lot of a chance to enjoy it myself but even so here I am on the far right (pup in Hockey gear) with a few other pups.



I'm not here to talk about that weekend though ...surprisingly..oh okay a little bit.  This post is more about the events and feelings which began the weekend which followed.  It became one of the best I've had in a long time.

In addition to my husband, GadgetAU and RocketPup, we also had Rubbot, S10Boi and Rubberwulf over for the weekend for some rubbery fun whilst Rocket was still in the country and what a weekend it was.  Sorry we couldn't accommodate anyone else, I'm seriously not trying to rub it in.

I'm not sure if what happened to me was planned or whether it was the specific influences that were present at the time, but I found myself letting go...

Letting go of my human inhibitions,

As per the previous weekend I was in full rubber a few times, in fact I enjoyed Rubber, Leather, rubber under leathers and rubber again, and leather again, but the one time I was in rubber and allowed to wear RocketPup's Wet-Hot Puppy Hood is where I managed to achieve (for me at least) the elusive pupspace.

Despite my reputation, photos, stories and many conversations with various people I have only managed to get into the pup mindset once or twice.  I didn't know it happened, or how it happened but it has renewed my love of pup play and I want to do it again.

I have come to some realisation in the last few days of what I really want, and what I can really provide personally as I think being pretty established within this community, onlookers who dont' ask the questions can easily make assumptions.

I'm not a Top, an Alpha, Sir, Master or even an expert on the fetishes that I participate in, I'm certainly not an expert and am just learning my craft,  learning about myself and what I enjoy.

My preferred role is submissive, Pup, Gimp, Drone, Toy, Object, Biker...

I can and often do top guys, and I enjoy doing it for those who have imagination and a devious mind, so I guess you could call me a switch, but that is an essential for me - that I feel my effort, enthusiasm and imagination can be reciprocated.

This has always been the case though, it's just that my recent revelation has been that I can indulge in this side of me fully without wanting to be in control or having input into what happens as well, and for that I am eternally grateful.

The key to all this?  Allowing my friends to look after me, not having any expectations and trusting fully that they know my limits and how to get the best from their plaything.  I hope to enjoy this side of me more and more but something I do need help with is my pup side.

Being so prominently 'pup' online I get put on a pedestal and others try to emulate me.  I know this, not because I'm big headed, but because I've been told as much by many.  Though I have fun in gear (and that gear usually involves a pup hood) the headspace isn't there, I can pretend to be cute or sexy, playful, naughty etc, but more often than not, it's playing up for the lens....camera whore that I am.


It's not to say the scenes you see in photos are staged, but the 'look' is acted to a degree, it's still me and it'd be tough to tell the difference considering I'm always wearing some kind of mask or hood, but for me it's not genuine...I wish it were....very much so.

The weekend following GearBlastUK, pupspace was real in my head, I have no way to explain it other than it felt right, I didn't think about the gear, or my human body, or anything that was said to me, I just wanted to sniff things, licking people and happily wagging my tail, not thinking about what happens next.

This has got me thinking, and after talking with my husband I've decided to start looking for a trainer.  Not an owner, because my heart belong to my husband and I will never love anyone else, though I have love for my closest friends both in real life and online.

Previously I thought I could do things for myself, but I think right now I really need a handler or trainer to help me get the best from my pup side, maybe I can help other pups grow in time but first I need to keep developing this part of my personality.

Some of this I can pick up from other pups who visit, but I know that I need some discipline to be able to develop, and dominance to ensure I follow it and enjoy it.  I guess there may be some guys who might suggest they would fit the part. Consider first that I am still human and the first part of accepting training is respect.  If you don't keep my respect as a human it's unlikely you'll meet the pup.

I hope that i find the right trainer for me to help me explore and learn more about my body and mind in pup mode.  I think it's exciting and theraputic to indulge in it.

Right I think I've rambled off enough of my thoughts for one night.

I should add that if you want to see photos from GearBlastUK 2014 follow the link to Flickr on the first image.  If you want to buy merchandise please go to gearblastuk.myshopio.com and if you fancy coming next year bookmark this link www.gearblast.co.uk or send me an email (link on the homepage) asking to be added to the mailing list!

Hope you enjoyed reading this insight into my little big headed indulgent little world, hope I haven't steered anyone wrong in the past or offended anyone in my present, I certainly hope to expand my future! *wags n lixx*

~Boots