Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Philadelphia Leather Pride Night

Titleholders call at PLPN 2013


November 9, 2013 - Sir and I traveled to Philadelphia to coordinate the bootblacks for the 5th Philadelphia Leather Pride Night.  We arrived around 2 p.m. and set up the bootblack stands at the Voyeur for the event.  I began working at 4 p.m. on those volunteers who needed some leather loving before the event started at 7 p.m.  I was joined by Raquel and, much later, by Oil Tam Sam (IMBB 2013).

Working on Security guy, Mason, boots

Working on boots

Loving on Clay's leather uniform. YUM!

Rare white leather chaps!

These chaps needed lots of love!



The lovely drag king also had some black chaps.









































































I found out just before the evening started that a marvelous bootblack, Tim Starkey, had died around noon.  Although I knew he had been fighting kidney and liver failure since June, it still hit me hard and I cried while Sir and Nikki (Ms. NJ Leather 2013) held me.  He was such a wonderful man and he will be missed by many in the Leather community.

Sir Robert Bowden and I speak about Tim Starkey's life.
Tim Starkey and Mama Vi Johnson

Mr. Maryland Leather Contest

November 1-2, 2013 - Pug and I worked the bootblack stands in Baltimore, Maryland for the C.O.M.M.A.N.D. MC's Mr. Maryland Leather Contest.  I worked the stand at the Grand Central on Friday night's Meet & Greet, making sure that anyone who needed it, had their leathers worked on and loved before the weekend began.  It was my first time in Grand Central and I was impressed by the beautiful layout of the upstairs bar and dance floor.

Saturday was the contest and Pug and I manned the stands during the contest for all who wished for some leather loving. The newly sashed Mr and Ms New Jersey Leather titleholders attended and I was so happy to see them.   David Puhl won the contest and he will be a wonderful titleholder.

*I have no pictures to post since Sir was not carrying his camera Friday night and did not attend the contest.

Leather History Conference 2013

 Quilt of Leather Flags


October 25-27, 2013 - Sir and I traveled to Winston-Salem, NC for the third Leather History Conference.  We arrived later than expected because I had to attend a hearing in Maryland Friday morning and rolled into the host hotel around 6 p.m.  We checked the bootblack stand area and discovered that there were already stands in place so no need to unload the ones we brought from Maryland.  tidbit (NC Community Bootblack 2012) and Bella (IMsBB 2013) had set up the stands and were taking shifts during the weekend.  Also on hand were Boy River and Pug.  This was a very lucky thing for me since I become very ill on Saturday and was not able to do much from about 2 pm until we left Sunday morning to return home.  I hated not doing as much as I usually do to coordinate bootblacks for this event but my body refused to cooperate. *sighs*

Working on Pup Tank's boots


I did get to attend the story telling session for Sir James Michael Allen from South Africa.  Wow!  He is very high energy and it is very clear how much getting the word out about his personal mission means to him.  Passionate does not do him justice!  I was honored to sign the South African flag that he wanted those who attended to sign for him.  I hope someday to visit South Africa and see the Leather community that is growing there.

Signing the South Africa flag.

Sir James Michael Allen (SA Leather Batman)

Sir and I talking to the Leather Batman

Mr/Ms New Jersey Leather Weekend

Baltimore Leather Folk receiving notice that the New Jersey Leather Family loves us!


October 18-20, 2013 - Asbury Park, New Jersey feels like a second home to me in the Leather community.  So, being asked to coordinate the bootblacks for the Mr/Ms New Jersey Leather Weekend was an honor and I accepted quickly and gratefully.  Even more fun was being asked to organize a bootblack mosh pit for the Saturday schedule of classes during the weekend.  I gathered together a great group of bootblacks and even worked out a schedule for them so everyone got fairly equal time to shine.  Half of the tips were donated to the winners' travel fund.

Friday Meet & Greet, with Boy Roger of Keystone Boys of Leather

Parade of Colors, representing the Bootblack Brigade

I love working on the Leatherfolk who attend events in Asbury Park and I am a bit astonished at times that they remember me and welcome me so warmly.  We spent Friday and Saturday nights at the Empress Hotel, with Raquel and Pug sharing a room with Sir and I to cut down on the cost.  I made up meals to cook in the slow cookers to help with cost of eating and, in fact, we ate only two meals that were not prepackaged by me at home.

I was so happy when Keith and Nikki won their titles!  They are awesome Leather people and I am certain they will represent New Jersey with pride and lots of sexy fun.

Keith and Nikki, Mr and Ms NJ Leather 2014

Monday, October 7, 2013

Philadelphia Leatherwomen's Bar Night (3rd one in 2013)

October 4, 2013:  Sir and I rode up to Philadelphia PA for the third bar night of the year for Leatherwomen of Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.  The Pit in the Bike Stop was set up for the Leatherwomen to have fun in women-only space for the evening.  I set up my kit and immediately had women step up to the bootblack stand for some loving.  I spent the next three hours working on leather, as well as teaching a new baby bootblack, Emrys, how to care for a skirt, a corset and a pair of boots.

The energy in the Pit was very welcoming and I enjoyed it immensely.  I worked on Nikki Wireman's leather chaps and, for my efforts, I was subjected to having my breasts kissed, licked and chewed.  Oh the horror!  *giggles*  She is running for Ms. New Jersey Leather in two weeks and I hope that she does well.  Her chaps looked really good and I had a wonderful time working on them (and on her!).  Nikki was presented with a poster containing the hot Leatherwomen picture that advertised the second bar night, signed by those women who had been present for all three bar nights.  I hope it brings her much money for her travel fund (since I really believe she will win).

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Pittsburgh Leather Pride Weekend


September 20-22, 2013: Sir Tatsujin Paris, Raquel and I went to Pittsburgh on Friday to spend the weekend enjoying the Leather community, as well as presenting classes on Saturday.  Ann Robertson opened her heart and her home to us, giving us a place to spend Friday and Saturday night (as well as naps between the afternoon and evening events).

Friday night was the Meet & Greet at the Blue Moon bar.  It was a packed house and I loved seeing so many Pittsburgh folks whom I had met in Washington DC and Baltimore, Maryland at prior events.  This is the fourth year for the Pittsburgh Leather & Fetish competition and it was clear that the Leather community in Pittsburgh is growing and excited.
Raquel, me and Nina Love at Blue Moon

At the Meet & Greet Friday night.


Saturday, Raquel and I presented classes at the Blue Moon bar in the afternoon.  I started with Leather Care, trying to cram my years of experience as a bootblack into a 1.5 hour class.  I discovered afterwards that I actually went 2 hours.  Raquel then presented a class on how to be a top, as well as a bottom, while working as a bootblack.  It was an eye-opener to many that a bootblack could be a top and that a scene that is hot and sexy could be incorporated into having leather worked on while a person is wearing it.

Working on Mike's chaps

Sir's cowboy boots

A boot on the chest is a wonderful thing!


Saturday evening, we went to Cattivo for the contest and to be available as bootblacks for anyone who wanted to have their leather worked on.  There were four contestants for Mr. Pittsburgh Leather & Fetish and one contestant for Ms. Pittsburgh Leather & Fetish.  I was amused by the fact that at least two of the male contestants had attended the bootblack classes after their interviews.  Clearly, the draw of leather, as well as bootblacking, is strong in Pittsburgh.

Doc is in the house!

Mike and Ron (OMG is he TALL!)

Instant Minion and her mother (she is awesome!)

Doc and her Sir, and me.

Raquel, Johnny Flex and his boy.

Johnny muffles his boy!

Sir Tatsujin Paris gets into a picture with us!













































Sunday morning we all woke up with symptoms of the flu so Sir decided we should just go home and skip the BBQ at the Leather Central which was scheduled for the afternoon.  We arrived home safe and glad to crawl into bed after an amazing weekend.  I look forward to more trips to Pittsburgh PA. Yinz  be safe and have much fun, Pittsburgh Leatherfolk!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Black Rose - Leather Panel

September 17, 2013 -  I was privileged to be part of a panel discussing our Leather journeys with Lady Cherly and Sir Ed Moore.  Being the only s-type in the panel, I was told to sit in the middle of the panel.  Both Lady Cherly and Sir Ed Moore had earned their covers and I felt a bit overwhelmed to be there since my personal Leather journey is still short in comparison to theirs.  It was interesting to learn that there is more heterosexual Leather activity in the West and Mid-West than on the East Coast.  Sir Ed Moore spoke of his decades in the DC gay Leather community (including how he got railroaded into becoming 1995 DC Drummer at the DC Eagle) and his wish to see the various parts of the BDSM and Leather communities come together to strengthen each other and learn from each other.  Lady Cherly talked about the cross-pollination between the gay military and the bikers after WWII.  I tried to bring hope into the discussion by talking about what the bootblacks in the community are doing to preserve Leather history and traditions, as well as crossing various lines to ensure that all persons who wear leather know how to care for it (or to at least come to us bootblacks for such care!).  There was a good crowd for the class and the questions asked were thoughtful and I personally think we could have gone on for hours!