Well…
This is both hugely flattering and embarrassing.
Recently, our incomparable Bonnie wanted to make her blog list a little easier to navigate for new readers, so she asked everyone to nominate their favorites. Then she compiled a list of 40 MBS Readers’ Choice blogs, which she highlighted in orange on the roll so that newbies could find the well-read blogs more easily. Yours truly apparently was nominated several times and made the cut.
So yes, I am flattered and pleased. Why embarrassed? Because I’ve barely written a damn thing all year and I haven’t even touched this site for over a month. (sigh) What can I say? Life has interfered. I have been busy with work, and with other chores such as turning my clocks back. No, not an hour (it’s not Fall Back time yet) — I mean to 1950. Don’t worry. That’s all I’m going to say on the subject, aside from the fact that it has broken my heart and made me sick.
There hasn’t been much to write about; Covid still continues to put a damper on things, although we are fully vaccinated. We still practice a lot of caution, since John is vulnerable. And people who think it’s over are sadly mistaken. But I am hoping that as boosters improve and the strength of the disease weakens a bit, we can begin to live again. I would say at this point I am not scared of getting Covid; it’s like getting a flu. But I am terrified of the mysterious and unpredictable long Covid. A friend of ours has had that for a couple of years now, and her life is essentially ruined. She is only in her early 30s.
However, despite all this, we managed to have a joyous time a couple of weeks ago, when we attended the wedding event of dear friends. It was a three-day event at a resort/hotel (rehearsal dinner Friday, ceremony/dinner/dancing Saturday, buffet brunch Sunday); we came for two days of it. It was held outside, on a picture perfect sunny day, and people came from all over to attend. I would say about fifty people were there, and for those who couldn’t make it, the wedding was streamed live on Zoom.
It was so much fun to get dressed up, to see old friends and meet new ones, and GET HUGS! Lots and lots and lots of hugs! I quite literally had friends running across the lawn to fling themselves into my open arms. Damn, I’d missed that! The ceremony was beautiful, the bride was truly radiant, and hey, I even got to play a little — with the groom, no less! 🙂 No, I’m not going to provide details on who. IFKYK.
They had a photo area for all of us, so John and I took this goofy picture. I was holding up a sign that read “HIS,” but of course, Klutzy McDork held it up wrong.
After over two years of practically being hermits, this felt good. And of course, it made me want to attend the Vegas party over Labor Day. Sadly, the party scene is still very much divided and angry these days. Someone was called out and banned… and now there is backlash against the person who did the calling out, which is damned unfair and wrong. I know all parties involved… I know what and who I believe. But what I think doesn’t matter a damn in the overall scheme of things.
So… do we go? Do we not go? Sooo many people I want to see. But again, the Covid thing, the crowded rooms, the close contact. Ugh. I hate this. But I have a couple of months to decide.
For everyone who voted for this blog on Bonnie’s survey, thank you. Why do you read this? And what would you like to see? Obviously, things have changed — I can no longer write about shoot adventures and so forth. But I still have a lot to say. I just have to determine who wants to hear it.
Have a great weekend, y’all. Be safe. ♥
Erica Scott: Life, Love and Spanking 
Erica,
You shouldn’t feel embarrassed that people love you and your blog. As we’ve said for years, a little or a lot, whether joyous or sad, and everything in between, we look forward to reading your words.
I am, of course, delighted that readers nominated your blog. I didn’t vote, but had they neglected to add you, I would have done it.
We share your concern about Covid. It would be a miserable shame to hide inside for two years only to be wiped out now. We also attended an outdoor wedding recently. It too was beautiful, but in a cool, breezy, dampish PNW sort of way. But as you say, it felt liberating to be out among people again after so long.
As I said, I didn’t vote, but I’ll weigh in on your question anyway. I read for your perspectives. You view our world (kinky and vanilla) from a different place than I do. Your experience and insight cause me to think and occasionally to think differently. Take the recent Texas bruhaha. You know well the people involved and the dynamic among them. I don’t need an investigative report of who did what to whom. But as a longtime party attendee, how much responsibility do you think the host should assume for protecting the physical and emotional safety of participants? It feels as though there’s a line, but I have no clue where it belongs.
I read for your adventures, and not just the spanko kind. You are a keen observer of the world. Interesting things happen to you and around you. And you have a knack for chronicling those things in clever and fun ways that I appreciate.
I read for you. Over the past twenty plus years that I’ve read your carefully crafted words, I have come to care about the woman behind the keyboard. I celebrate your victories and mourn your losses. I await the next chapter in the story that is your life. I might say that Hollywood couldn’t write a story this good. Then I remember that you’re from Hollywood.
Yes, you still have a lot to say, and I am grateful.
Holiday hugs,
Bonnie
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Glad you had good time with John.
Not to change the subject but, you were mentioned in Jillian Keenan’s latest YouTube video.
It is a subject I think you covered some time ago but, maybe you could weigh in on the subject again with a blog post.
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I voted for you on Bonnie’s poll, Erica. Some cultures honor their torchbearers, the (slightly) older generation that went before. I think of many Asians cultures, many Native American ones. Our US culture does not do this wise practice. I’ve benefited from reading your archived posts. It thrilled me when you welcomed me to posting when I first published my blog, Butt Stuff. I revere you, Erica. Please share your pearls when you can.
Warmly,
Jean Marie
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Bonnie — and I am grateful for YOU! ♥
Regarding your question: (deep breath) I should preface this by saying I wouldn’t, and couldn’t, ever be a party organizer. So I’m the last one to tell people how to do it. But that said… I think the hosts do bear some responsibility in at least trying to make their parties safe as possible and to weed out people who have been reported multiple times. I don’t believe people who come forward as victims of assault/abuse should be shamed and accused of having an “agenda.”
In this particular situation, I think one of the things that distressed me the most was the long (and IMO, tone-deaf) post written by one of the organizers, saying, among other things: “We are all adults.” “I’m not your mother.” “You take an assumed risk coming to these types of events.” And worst of all? “Don’t like the people who come to my parties? Feel free to start your own.” I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I know damn well that this was the wrong way to deal with this.
Chibob — Really? Ooh! I haven’t seen that one yet; I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for telling me.
Jean Marie — Thank you so much! I’m happy to see your blog is well loved too. Speaking of which, I need to add it to my blog roll! ♥
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Hi! Erica, congrats for being so popular, you deserve it. Bye for now. Jenny.
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Jenny — thank you.
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