Mistress Kang: Sorry for the delay, I will post the full checklist once I have whittled it down on some particular items. As of now I have mostly figured out how I feel. I am still on the fence on a few items.
Mistress Zhao: Your response in a way sums up the reason the Fortress seems entirely perfect to me(this also applies to the enthusiasm of Mistress Kang's response regarding my checklist.) Overall I can tell that no matter who my first appointment is with I am in good hands, considering that all at the Fortress seem to be involved in a way that is beyond BDSM being "just a job", so to speak. Your description of it as a journey is particularly apt to my situation, it very much seems to be a journey for me at this point where I have had "tastes" of it to whet my palate, but any real BDSM activity has mostly been partners acquiescing my requests without true personal enjoyment. It would be nice to dive in headfirst and get the full experience.
As a general thread response: Thank you to everyone who has responded. All comments have been very helpful in laying down the foundation before i take the leap and schedule my first appointment.