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