The Contract (ePub)

and a set of hand tools. From that point on, I've never bought another piece of bondage gear I couldn't make myself. Really, all I need is a quick glimpse of a particular piece of equipment, and I can come pretty close with a fully-functional and matching design in very short order, be it in leather, rubber or metal.

On my next birthday, I'll have been around for 66 years, and truly, I suppose you could say that the actual JG-L thing has been in existence for a little over 45 of those years. I toiled away in obscurity for the first 10 years or so, but then finally, in 1988, decided to hell with it and "came out". That happened at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City by Constance Enterprises, at the 3rd Dressing For Pleasure Ball and was an exhilirating experience that I still remember fondly.

I don't make a big splash about my scene interests with family and vanilla friends, and so only some of them are aware of who and what JG-L is and does for fun. Most only see small facets of the whole picture and seem satisfied that it exists; but my hobby doesn't come up and smack them in the face, for I don't make a big issue of it. If they ask, I tell them a little bit. The more they ask, the deeper they get.

One of my sisters actually accompanied me to the next DFP event the following year, in 1989, and we had a fantastic time of it.

As far as other acquaintances are concerned ... most have some suspicions, and a couple, a more detailed awareness, but again, I don't reveal my hobbies to them without being prompted to do so. As matters have evolved, the vast majority of my friends are in the scene, and they of course have a much clearer picture of who and what JG-L is and does. No one but me though has the full picture, and I suppose that's true of all of us.

Most of my designs are original, although I'll be the first to admit that there really is nothing new under the sun. I've just taken some everyday pieces and ideas, then perverted them from their original function by redesigning and/or reassembling them in somewhat, well, unorthodox configurations and/or uses than was the original intent of the designer.

JG-L isn't a full time affair, but now that I have I retired from my "real world" job, I'll go at it with more dedication because I know that folks out there enjoy my drawings, designs, and the stories I write. My interests certainly haven't made me wealthy, and if anything, they've made me poorer than I should be, just like any dedicated hobbyist. I've spent a tremendous amount of time, money, and energy on my interests and figure that I probably have about $20,000 invested in hand tools and small equipment alone, to say nothing of the amount of money I've spent on supplies used to create the harnesses and ancillary gear. Then, there's the equipment that makes it all function as I want it to. Wealth from JG-L? More like owning a boat ... i.e., a hole in the water, into which one pours unending amounts of money, blood, sweat, and not a few tears.

As to personal statistics: on the 13th january, 2012 I'll be 66 years of age, am five foot, eleven inches tall, and shrinking. I weigh 165 lbs., and so given that weight and height, have a relatively slim build and with no typical middle aged pot belly or pear-shaped behind. My rapidly graying hair is below shoulder length and most of the time worn in a pony tail. I dye it gray to cover up my blonde roots. Eyes are blue and I've worn glasses since I was 12 years old. I've been told that I have a deep voice (comes from my days as a Drill Instructor in the RCAF), and that I could manage to do the BBC news in the proper "sotto" voice.

I've been married to the same wonderfully understanding lady for the last 29 years and we elected not to have kids, having gotten married a little later in life than most. When she married me, she was fully aware of my warts ("scene" stuff), and over the nearly 30 years of our marriage, has been very accepting of my kinky clay feet. I'm very fortunate to have such an understanding partner.

She has no interest in the scene and does not play, even though aware of my strong interests and desires, and there's a big pile of those! I'm sure she does what most wives do when asked; the comment being, "Oh! That's just his hobby. A male thing, I guess."

I'm very thankful for her understanding and acceptance of the JG-Leathers side of my person for without them, I'm not sure JG-L would exist. She's a wonderful lady to put up with me and all of my interests.