AirmaxUK

Some great responses here - the other thought I had is that unless you're a part of the fetish community then it must be quite difficult to really understand how the gear makes you feel different. And not understanding sows the seed from which is grown prejudice. Personally, wearing gear has several effects: I've never had the stereotypical body image - few people do - but everyone fixates on them. Wearing cool or interesting/unqiue gear offers a way to stand out and be noticed. Generally I tend to go for gear that is different or unique, and am attracted to those who're the same. That extends to everyday life - I tend to dress how I want, stand out, not to fit in. It's always a good excuse for a conversation starter at events. Also certain gear can be practical, and enhances activities. Armoured bike gear for instance mean that "rough" can graduate to "extremely rough". Rubber is an interesting one - the look/feel/smell/taste is very much amazing on the senses, but full coverage (inc a hood) adds to the thrill of making a truly anonymous encounter. I associate latex with a barrier and playing with someone in full rubber is like the opposite of someone wearing a condom - you can't experience their skin except their cock/ass/mouth are the only exposed parts. It leaves those parts unprotected. There are places that do made to measure latex and leather. I have a Vanson bike leathers which were made to measure. Places like Bob's Rubber, latex catfish and libidex do made to measure, but my experience here is that measuring yourself and buying online isn't as good as made to measure in person. What's missing is off the peg in XXL+ sizes, and cuts that suit dadbod/bear shapes rather than V-shapes. My partner wears M/L in regular clothing (eg Superdry). When you go shopping for gear he's an XL/XXL. Many places don't stock anything bigger than XL off the peg. Through lockdown we've experimented with making our own rubber. Using t-shirts, vests, jocks and shorts as patterns to get the shapes of the panels and then cutting and sticking the latex with the correct glue. It's really had to get a professional finish but we learned a lot doing it. Thinking back, in the 70's, when I was a kid there was a TV programme called "Mr Ben". (See link below) I often wonder how many guys my age watched that and grew up believing that you could really be a knight if you just have the right gear. I bet it put a lot of us on the path to escapism through fetishwear! And for those interested - the Skinhead/sports party at Woof was great. Link to Mr Ben video: youtube.com/watch?v=KJuj_ZT8pjU

No posts recently as I've been enjoying Berlin Leather Fetish weekend. On the train from Alexanderplatz to Nollendorfplatz (where most of the events are), two guys are sat a few seats away. They have voices that kinda carry and speaking English they stand out to me. I gather from the conversation they are both living/working in the city for a period and hooked up last night. #1: Hey we should go to "Der Boiler" (Sauna) tomorrow - it'll be fun. #2: Maybe not - its leather weekend over Easter. #1: So, it'll be busy? #2: Those fetish guys will be around and they will totally ruin it. They only dress up in the fetish gear because it's like putting on a costume to try and polish a turd. #1: Yeah, I know. Hate that. My thoughts: Gay men have been discriminated against for so long but why do we find it so easy to turn on each other like that? Most guys dress in fetish gear because it turns them on - I think there likely are a few who benefit from what it can hide, but it's not the reason people are into it. If you try shopping for fetish gear it is very hard to get anything in larger sizes or cut for the 'fuller figure', especially in London and Berlin. Made to measure is the only option. and lastly, Fuck 'em: I'm about to get my gear on and head out to Woof for the afternoon. Not only polishing this turd, but rolling it in glitter and enjoying every minute.

Was there a couple of times for the Tuesday Cumunions in Nov/Dec. I liked the less twinky, slightly older and more rufty tufty crowd. I was planning to go this month but I had some work stuff I couldn't get out of, so I'm looking at getting there for the May one.

My cynical answer is that because, it seems maybe 90% of guys online are here for only gratification and/or tittilation. Fewer are here to make friends or arrange to meet. He may be looking for the modern equivalent of phonesex? Less cynically: On the other hand, telling someone or acknowledging how hot they look or whatever actually doesn't cost much time and strokes their ego, while giving out some positive vibe/energy makes both parties feel better, so I don't think it's a bad thing. Some of us appreciate compliments, even from far off, as they don't come often enough! But, I agree, it can be a distraction if you are trying to arrange meets. As always being open and up front about what you're looking for helps. I have also had a few great meets with guys who messaged me from afar but were planning a trip to London or Berlin.

I bought my ticket as soon as it was announced! So, I'll be there. I note that although requirements have been officially lifted for C19 testing, some venues are still asking for a negative same-day test to protect their staff. I think there is some worry that venues may be unable to open if the staff are not available.

Photos that look like they're quite old. Giveaways include background details like: CRT TV/Computer screens, old mobiles, VHS tapes. Photos that are inconsistent - eg: seem to be taken years apart. Focusing on setting up something that is very prescribed in too much detail the first time meeting. Focus on "what will you do to me" with no thought on "what I can do for you". Unwilling to contact off the app/website eg by phone or text. No linked friends on the site/app. Recently created profile (eg that evening) - on its own more of a yellow flag, but combined with others...maybe a red. Asking inappropriate questions - eg: where do you work, anything financial, anything about family. Any hints they are off their face.

BBRT you can add the mobile-web-app as an icon on your iPhone - it's just a shortcut to their website, really. I think the apps vary a lot depending on your location as some are more popular than others in different regions. You also have to factor in what kind of guys you're into. My advice is to try a few out and explore, but be ready that the apps are for many guys just a tool to wank off over the *idea* of meeting someone. After exchanging messages for a while, you'll discover a whole new world of excuses why guys can't actually meet despite talking about it... can't accommodate... no transport... looking after a relative... pet is sick... actually they're minding someone's kid... covid isolation... waiting for the cable/telephone engineer to arrive... baking something and can't leave... stolen bicycle... sudden power outage... car won't start... can't afford petrol/gas...

I had a bit of an experiment with temp tattoos from Inkscape. I used their custom print to do a QR code for Linktree and then linked my various profiles. The problem was that it ended up needing to be quite big to get the resolution/definition so it can be read reliably.

That reminds me - a friend mentioned that you don't have to have the penicillin shots in your butt - they can give you tablets instead (particularly if you can't tolerate penicillin). The downside is that it takes a bit longer to resolve. So next time I needed it, I asked about having tablets instead. The nurse said "you have to do some sort of penance for your actions" - It could have been said in jest, but the tone said otherwise. I insisted on seeing the doctor and complained: They gave me the tablets instead.

It likely depends a lot on where you are and the local NHS trust/provider. I live in a small town, and in my clinic the medical staff are generally fine, but the member of staff you see after a diagnosis to talk about contract tracing is a totally different matter. She thought I was being evasive because I couldn't tell her who I'd had anon encounters with and it spiralled down from there. She pretty much demanded to know who my BF is because "it was very important he is aware he's been put at risk by your behaviour." Actually he was the first to know. The conversation ended with her telling me that "if you don't change your attitude you'll only end up in the clinic again" as I left I said "well, certainly I hope so because I'm obviously getting a lot more fun than you are...".

Im headed to SOP this Sunday 13th Feb - my second visit since reopening as I've been kinda busy. Would be really awesome to meet other BZ guys. Message me on here or add yourself on my BBRT Party Ad if you're planning on going. Andy

Im headed to SOP this Sunday 13th Feb - my second visit since reopening as I've been kinda busy. Would be cool to meet other BZ guys. Message me on here or add yourself on my BBRT Party Ad if you're planning on going. Andy

So this is a trip to meet one particular person rather than going cruising... Sameday/overnight within the UK: West London to Kent, Hull, Sheffield, Salford, Bristol and Blackpool. Weekend trips to Brussels, Antwerp, Eindhoven, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne. Most were OK: Always, I have a plan B in case it goes awry. The most unreliable seem to be Central London or Birmingham or Manchester where guys have more choice and are less inclined to plan a meet in advance unless it's special, like a niche fetish interest.

Yeah, I went... Was there early as I thought it might be busy. It wasn't as busy as some of the birthday specials I remember, but it was busy enough to be fun and not so busy as to drive anxieties about crowds. They had their inflatable pool, but no sling set up in the darkroom. There was a bit of a slow start as the floor remained dry to begin with - I think everyone was still socialising and catching up. I saw and spoke to a lot of guys I haven't seen around in a couple of years. In terms of cruising and play, it seemed a little more cliquey and not quite the free-for-all that I remember, but then it is the first one and guys may just be settling back into it.

**DIng** Yay! I got a message on BBRT"....Awwwww just *another* message about CumUnion parties. So does anyone know anything about the people behind CumUnion and are they linked with BBRT at all?

There were some comments made earlier about concerning the speed of BBRT. When I used BT (British Telecom) as my fixed line ISP there were a lot of problems with BBRT being laggy which went away if I connected through a VPN or used a different ISP connection. Now with Virgin Media and it isn't laggy at all. Also, if my iPhone connects to a WiFi network that has filtering on it preventing access to BBRT, and I forget and try to access it, then the device seems to cache the DNS of the filter's prohibited landing page and even disconnecting from that network and rebooting the phone, the site still comes up as blocked. It seems to be persistently cached and needs a 24hr rest before it will work. For me, the most annoying thing is that the GPS location seems to get stuck.

Usually finish my preparations at home with vaseline or crisco. Add a plug for the journey. Take a small container of silicon based lube to use in the darkroom/sauna as the free stuff is usually water based and doesn't last long. I found that when cruising sleazier places guys like to finger you and see if you're already loaded, if it's just lube they tend to walk away, but if it smells/tastes of cum they they'll top it up. In a pinch, frozen cum can be useful.

They used to have a 'birthday party' in early January, which was free entry. It was a great party - usually packed to capacity - however I'd be annoyed at the guys who came to the free party once a year but not support the club in the other 51 weeks.

My top tips for SOP are: Bring a complete change of clothes including footwear. Maybe bring a washcloth so you can dampen it and wipe yourself down. Bring a small towel to dry/wipe yourself. I believe Kings Cross Station has public showers (for a fee). Other options are local Gyms if you have a membership. I know someone who wears total coverage rubber and drives there and back in it. He stops at Heston services on the way home to shower and change out of it. I think it is something of a thrill for him to walk through Heston in full rubber. Usually the cloakroom guys put all your stuff in a black bin liner while it is stored. They usually let you take the bin liner home to keep your wet gear separate but I always bring my own just in case... Consider where you'll keep your stuff when in the venue. The guys in the cloakroom usually have some small ziplock bags that will keep your cloakroom ticket dry and hold a small amount of cash. The bar takes contactless, so I use my Apple Watch for payments. The free lube sachets are pretty awful water based which washes off (especially at SOP). Bring your own. Wash/rinse your gear as soon as you can - it WILL go nasty very quickly. Some expensive Nike sneakers (notably Nike Air Max Plus TN) have adhesives which come unstuck when soaked in piss. Rinse them thoroughly as soon as possible to avoid them coming unstuck and falling to bits. I've found that leather seems to go hard and dry after a soaking at SOP. If I do wear anything like a harness, I put waterproofing on the leather, but rubber is a much better option. Cheaper gear with plated steel rivets/poppers/eyelets/rings go rusty. Rinse them asap afterwards or get good quality ones made from stainless steel. A personal request - please don't drown yourself in a ton of Lynx/Axe when you get changed : it is a small venue and it ruins the atmosphere for everyone else. Personally I've found that rinsing off using the sink in the bathroom and then towelling off is more than enough to get me home on the train without anyone noticing. Not that I'd care if they did! Although one time I do remember some people I know from work got on the train after a football match at Wembley as I was on my way home from SOP, rather wrecked. Lastly, a plea: please don't hog the sling or pool! There's only one of each and we all want to have a go...

I Posted this in the London forum, which will be of interest to Watersports fans:

Just saw this on Twitter and it made my day... anyone from here going to the reopening?

I used to do the putting stuff in the socks trick, but I had a bottle of poppers leak and caused a nasty burn to the skin and actually melted a hole in the polyester football sock where it leaked. Took a long time to heal and left a scar... Most bars in London do contactless payment, so an Apple Watch is useful for contactless payment, rather than mess about with cash.

I'm in a similar situation. Overall, everyone has to assess risk and outcomes and behave accordingly. The frustrating thing is that the actions of others have a bearing on you. I was on the train the other day and there were a lot of Chelsea supporters on the train making it quite crowded. NONE were masked. Talking about it they were of the opinion that Omicron wasn't so bad and it would be better to 'get infected and get it over and done with'. That made me quite anxious as my approach to risk is somewhat different considering my additional role as a carer. So... to mitigate the risk, I will take a 3 day break and test before resuming. I think I am reaching the point of accepting that everyone has varying assessments of risk and that's not going to change. If I were not in the position I am in, my attitude would be more relaxed and I wouldn't want to miss out on things in life. But I can't help thinking masking up on a crowded train is just polite. 10/10 Buckinghamshire / London

Anyone else get issues with ThisVid where when you click on a link, the page starts to load and then stops. Cancelling the page load usually gives you a page you can watch but some of the thumbnails are missing. Seems to be worse some days than others.

I believe the whole thing of "leagues" if awful. Telling a person that they are not in your league as a put down has a crushing effect on their self confidence and feeds their insecurities. Once that happens a few times a person will begin question if they are worthy of engaging with another because they are not in the 'same league'. Perhaps he's had that experience previously? In reality we all have strengths and weaknesses - both physical and in our nature/character - and that takes time and effort to discover in a new acquaintance. Is someone said they thought they were 'below my league' I'd tell them what attracts me to them to reassure them and try and build their ego and self confidence/assurance.