During the thread about application fees a couple of weeks ago I changed my opinion on it, realizing that approach is also good for the safety and piece of mind of the Mistresses when meeting a sub for the first time. The wise Domina M made this comment: "I remember the events of 2008 and literally why I left New York."

Also a couple of weeks ago I visited fetlife. I'm far from active, but sometimes if nostalgia hits me I'll check to see if someone I knew years ago might be active. Around a year ago I reached out to a Mistress I was a regular with years ago, just to see how she was doing. She answered my message, still plays a bit, but moved out of the city years ago. We have exchanged messages, talking about old times, but it hit me: the last time I saw her was 2001 at a dungeon. Yesterday I realized with Domina M's comment the last time I sessioned at a dungeon could have been (gulp) a couple of years before 2008, when NYPD raided several locations. I vaguely remember the raids. By that point I began seeing dominant female bodybuilders that offer kink, and independent dominas that did tours to the city. It's funny how nostalgia clouds memories.

So yesterday I went online to see if Black 'N Blue, DDI and others were online. They are, for sale, old copies from the late '90s or '00, '01. I saw ads for Arena Blaze and other closed dungeons, plus ads for at least four Mistresses I saw regularly... 25 years ago! Three of the four are retired. One is the Mistress who just got in touch with me.

The point of my story is that sometimes something that happened a long time ago seems like yesterday, except when you are reminded with pictures and stories that it happened a long time ago. (And I'm reminded of years when I get up with occasional aches and pains in the AM.) The scene, from what I read here and other sites, is very different than my memories of it.

I'll keep all of this in mind the next time something is posted here about on application fees, deposits, ID checks, etc. that seem to be vital today, and I feel the need to comment on today's scene.