Interlude

September 15, 2013 - Just a quick note to show off the "caveman" flogger that Sir Tatsujin Paris designed and that was built by him and Papa Scott of "Floggers know best", as well as the Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack 2013 medallion, the ICBB contest medallion, and the ICBB 2013 First Runner-Up medallion.

Sir Tatsujin Paris holding the "Caveman" flogger

The three medallions I have earned in 2013

ILSb-ICBB - Day 3

Working on the blog in my room.

August 31, 2013:  Today is the day.  I cannot believe they set an 8 a.m. mandatory workshop for the contestants to meet with the 2012 titleholders about their title year.  It was very informative, although a lot of us were yawning and trying to wake up.  I was stunned to learn that Boy Bamm Bamm spent $10K of his own money during his title year traveling to the various regions.  I knew that it would cost a lot of money to travel as a title holder but not that much money.  I will need to plan more fundraisers so I can accomplish the traveling I want to do whether or not I win the title.

Outfit for Open Shine

After the workshop, I went to the bootblack stands to set up my kit for open shine and to work on the mate to my technical boot.  I was supposed to rehearse the Mid-Atlantic fantasy but Sir Robert Bowden decided that he had explained my role well enough that it was not necessary for me to be there since I was involved in an activity for my own title.  He is a very caring Sir!  Ruin was one of my customers and I chose the leather bra \she was wearing with cut outs to work on.  It might have taken a bit longer than necessary to work on it but we were having some fun with it. *evil grin*

I am not sure it was such a bright idea to sequester the contestants from 3 p.m. through the time for us to go on stage to hear who won.  The pups went a bit crazy and were chasing each other and stealing Philthy Pup's squeaky toy.  *giggles*  We did appreciate the dinner that was served buffet style in our area but the staff were not sure what to think when they brought out the food.

Sequestered contestants. (taken by boy quinton)

Sequestered contestants  (taken by boy quinton)

The Mid-Atlantic family fantasy was a lot of fun and I am glad that I was included in it.  Sir Robert had cast boy quinton as a newbie to the scene who did not really understand what he was asking for.  Boy Ivan was the boy in service to Sir Robert and I was his girl.  At the beginning, I stood by his chair, holding his vest, while he played with Boy Ivan.  We noticed boy quinton at the edge of the stage, asking to be a part of the family.  Sir Robert took off his shirt and put on the vest and Boy Ivan brought boy quinton to him.  Sir Robert threw him onto the table and I handed him the caveman flogger (made by Papa Scott of "Floggers know best"  and Sir Tatsujin Paris, who had designed for our own use).  The crowd really liked the flogger when it was used on boy quinton.  Sir Robert gave it back to me and I put it in its case.  There was more play, including wrapping boy quinton's head in saran wrap.  The finale was when Sir Robert shoved boy quinton's head under my skirt.  I went with it and grabbed the chair so I could grind against his face.  The men walked off the stage with boy quinton on a leash; I waited a beat or two and then used the mop I was holding to sweep some of the debris from the playing off of the floor.  There was a lot of laughter at that part. *giggles*

The bootblacks gave their speeches after the intermission and Syr Evan held both my cane and the microphone for me during my speech.  I used eight languages during the speech, including ASL as a part of the introduction.  It was under the two-minute time limit and I did not stumble during the speech.  I feel that I did my best with it and with everything that I did this weekend.

I won First Runner-up and, while I am disappointed, I gave everything I had and left it all on the field.  I had so many wardrobe changes that some people commented positively on it, wondering how I had been able to bring so many clothes.  If Sir Tatsujin Paris had not driven us from Baltimore, it would not have been possible to do.  Thank you, Sir, for your love and support this weekend.  I would not have been able to concentrate on competing as I did without it.

2013 ILSb-ICBB titleholders (Sir George Saltzman, boy Gattor Bate, and Paul William Grosart)

ILSb-ICBB - Day Two

Personal Interview outfit

August 30, 2013 - The day began with a trip to IHOP for breakfast.  It was good and hearty with Eggs Benedict and tea for me, and the Breakfast Sampler for Sir Tatsujin Paris.  Then back to the hotel to update my blog and dress for the personal interview.  All of the contestants were gathering in the same waiting room across the hall from my own hotel room, so I got to see some of my friends, as well as the other bootblacks.  We talked and laughed while waiting and, a few times, had to be shushed by the Den Daddy.  *giggles*  I brought over my chocolate/bacon muffins for people to munch on while they were waiting for their own interviews.  Mine went well and I kept my handshakes of the judges firm.  In fact, Queen Cougar mentioned the strength of my handshake.  I hope it was not TOO strong; I was not trying to crush anyone's hand.  I guess it was my nervousness showing through.

Technical boot outfit

Next, was technical boots at the bootblack stand.  THIS was more like it!  All of us bootblacks relaxed into what we knew so well - working on boots that needed some loving.  I concentrated on my boot and, before I knew it, Sir Greg was calling it down on the five minutes.  I finished up with a minute to spare and felt like I had done a good job.

Outfit for the Technical Interview

Writing down on the "tech form" what I had done was very different.  I had never done this before and I had to mentally repeat the steps I had just taken while working on the boot, and then explain why I did it that way.  This was a good preparation for the next event - Tech Interview.  In this interview, I had to explain verbally to the judges what I had done to my technical boot and why I had done it that way.  There were also some questions about my philosophy on being a bootblack and the differences between various regions in the United States.  I made the judges laugh a couple of times and that has to be a good thing, right?

There was another rehearsal for the night's contest.  For us bootblacks, it was going to be easy: walk through the regional family introductions, then watch the contest.  I can do this!  I am glad we went through the change in outfits at home. It made it so much easier to do when the time actually came.  I love it when a plan comes together.  I loved getting to see some friends between my own contest parts.  I have some awesome Leather friends in this community.

Mama Vi kissing her legal counsel

Sir Khiki in her "happy place"!

During the first night of the actual contest, it was half of the Sirs and boys doing their fantasies, speeches and the jock presentation.  Tomorrow night, the bootblacks enter into the mix with our speeches.  We sat together with Sir Greg and watched, enjoying this part of the contest where we could just observe and be entertained by our fellow contestants. 

Outfit for the first part of the contest.

Sir Tatsujin Paris looking yummy.

ILSb-ICBB - The First Day

ICBB 2013 class, with Ruin (ICBB 2012) and Sir Greg (IMBB 2009)

August 29, 2013 -  The first item on the agenda was the Bootblack Brunch in the hotel restaurant.  I got to meet all of the other bootblack contestants (Kyle, Paul, Philthy Pup, Brooklyn, girl Dale, and Scout), as well as the ICBB handler and helpers (Sir Greg, Lady Minx and Syr Evan).  The joke of the day was when Sir Greg could not recall that Syr Evan was ICBB 2009, which was the same year HE was IMBB.  *grins*  I gave out my gift bags and Paul gave out leather bootblack flags for us to flag bootblack if we wished.  Philthy Pup and Brooklyn immediately ate their chocolate/bacon muffins and said they were good.

Brunch outfit (can't rotate it!)

Sir Greg emphasized that we should be early for each scheduled item on the agenda for the contest to make sure that we were not disqualified.  Where is the White Rabbit and his watch? *giggles*  This is really not a problem for me since I tend to be early to everything.

At the joint meeting of producers, judges and contestants, Jeffrey Payne and others went through what was expected of the contestants (be on time, please!) and it was noted that the Rocky Mountain Leather Sir was withdrawing because of illness.  To support his title Sir, the Rocky Mountain Leather boy also withdrew but they were both remaining for the contest to support the rest of us.  I wanted to cry because it would be so hard to have come so far and not be able to finish the journey.  I hope he is able to recover and continue his Leather life.  We received our event badges and programs.  I was excited and humbled to see all of the ads of support from the Mid-Atlantic Region (THANK YOU SO MUCH!)  Since I had already put in my basket for the silent auction, Sir and I went to the Leather Library to look around and see Mama Vi Johnson. 

We had a rehearsal of the introduction/meet and greet function in the afternoon, which turned out to be just the contestants listening to how things would go smoothly and simply (we all hoped!).  Because it was early, a second rehearsal was cancelled and we just had to show up for the actual event.  I took a nap before the evening events so I would be fresh for my duties as a contestant. 

The Mid-Atlantic Title Family - ready for introductions

Behind the curtain at the stage was so dark I just asked my fellow contestants and contest wranglers to push me in the direction I needed to go.  I was happy to get on the stage and off of it without falling on my face; that would have made keeping my dignity a bit difficult.  *giggles*  We received the No. 8 as Mid-Atlantic Title Family and I received my contestant medallion from Ruin.  Sir Tatsujin Paris said he was not able to take still pictures because of the lack of light but he was able to get a video.  At  the Meet and Greet, I spoke with my judges and even got to spend some time with Sir Khiki.

The last event was the roasting of the 2012 titleholders.  WOW!  It was harsh at times and I wonder if Sir Jack Duke will ever have another date after all of the comments.

My outfit for the Dallas Eagle Roasting

Dallas Experience

In our room in Dallas TX

August 28, 2013 - Sir and I arrived in Dallas TX last evening.  We drove down and started our trip Monday morning (very early in the morning!) and spent Monday night at a hotel in Dickson, Tennessee.  There was an interesting homey restaurant called "Farmers Marketplace" which served only buffet style meals for a set price.  It was home cooked food at a reasonable price.  The only issue I had with it was the country music that played over the sound system.  However, the food was good and I managed not to fall face first into my plate during the meal from fatigue.  After all, we had been on the road for about 14 hours when we finally stopped in Dickson.

When we arrived at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dallas, we were both tired but happy to be here safely and without too much trouble. The clerks at the check in desk were a bit confused by our arrival since most folks for the ILSb-ICBB event were not due to arrive until August 28th.  They were extremely helpful and a bit stunned at the amount of "stuff" that we hauled out of the car to take up to the room.  Sir decided they deserved one of my chocolate-bacon muffins as a reward for their encounter with a Leatherwoman competing in a contest about which they had no clue.  One of the staff was so curious about my Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack title vest that she had to come and ask me what it all meant.  I gave her a condensed version of what a bootblack was and she wished me good luck in my competition for ICBB.  I organized our outfits for the week in the room and discovered that the closet was really not big enough to handle the amount of clothes a contestant needs for this event.  *giggles*

I noticed late last week that Sir John Krikorian had posted about a sushi restaurant here in Dallas that he recalled with fondness.  Sir and I went there for dinner and it was a wonderful experience.  The Sushi on McKinney is a bit far from the hotel but worth the drive (about 20 minutes away by car).  We had the black cod bento box, which included fish, shrimp tempura, and sushi, as well as miso soup.  In spite of the heat, I also had hot green tea, which was perfect to clean my palate between bites of wonderful food.  My soul, as well as my tummy, was very happy and we went to bed last night content.

Bento Box Dinner - Yummy!

Mid-Atlantic Family Send Off Party

The Mid-Atlantic Leather Family 2013 (with send-off cake!)

August 3, 2013- Hooker & Boys hosted the Send Off Party at Hooker Hilton in Baltimore MD for the Mid-Atlantic Leather Family 2013.  It was a cookout and fundraiser for the travel fund to Dallas TX for Sir Robert Bowden (Leather Sir), boy quinton (Leather boy) and me (Community Bootblack) for the International Leather Sir/boy - International Community Bootblack contest at the end of the month.  Our supporters came out en masse to donate what they could and to cheer us on with their encouragement and the hope that we will come home to the Mid-Atlantic Region with the international titles. Cowboi Jen and Tina came down from Philadelphia PA to add their voices and area to the happiness of the party.  Boy Darren (who drove down for a visit to Baltimore MD from the Midwest area) joined us with Sir John Krikorian, Boy John and Boy David.  boy quinton came with his Daddy and his partner from Delaware.  I cannot name all who attended but they included friends and extended Leather family.  Before we got down to the serious (!) tradition of the send off cake, Sir Hooker took a moment to wish David Pug Spellman a Happy Birthday with a special cake just for him.  Everyone at the party cheered and wished him a better year.

Happy Birthday, dear Pug!

Sir Hooker started the introductions and send off speech and then handed the microphone to Sir John Krikorian to finish up.  And then the fun of "sharing" the cupcakes that comprised the send off cake began -- ending with the regional titleholders decorated with icing!  Fun and silly times.  *giggles*

Belton Moore makes wonderful send off cakes!

Sir Hooker

A hug from my Title Sir!

Let the icing of titleholders commence!

Is there enough sugar?

Nina Love, Mid-Atlantic Leatherwoman, iced!

Baltimore Pride Parade

Mid-Atlantic 2013 Leather Family on the march.

June 15, 2013 -  Once again, the entire Mid-Atlantic Titleholder Family for 2013 was together for an event.  I had brought the huge Leather Pride flag with me from Philadelphia PA and Sir Hooker gathered enough Leatherfolk to carry it in the parade.  It looked so awesome going down Charles Street behind the titleholders.  I found it interesting to try and march behind the Leather color guard, while waving and throwing beads.  It is a lot harder than it looks from the sidelines!  I had found some rainbow tights at Hot Topic and I wore them in the parade.  I received a lot of compliments on those tights.

Boy David in the color guard.

Ready to march with my beads.

Leather Pride Flag in Baltimore MD. YAY!

Before the parade started.

Jaki and me, sitting on the sidewalk, waiting for the parade to start!

 I was happily surprised to see my son on the sidelines and he even met up with us afterwards and hung out with us.  In fact, I learned later that he had hung around with Hooker & Boys for a while at the Pride Block Party.  I was too tired and went home to rest.

My son is so tall!

Even when he slouches, he towers over me.

My son, Sir Hooker, and boy quinton

Mid-Atlantic Family Fundraiser

May 31, 2013 - Nina Love, boy quinton, and I worked the crowd at the Triple L in Baltimore MD to raise money for our travel funds.  Nina sold cigars, while boy quinton sold the jello shots he made in Delaware.  He drove down with the jello shots in a cooler so they were nice and cold for those who indulged in the wonderful tastes boy quinton created.  I started the night selling some of my chocolate rum balls, which were nicely aged.  Then I set up the stand and worked on the leather gear of the wonderful Leatherfolks who came to the party to support the Mid-Atlantic Leather Family of 2013.  Thank you so much to all who came and enjoyed the evening with us.

Preparing the chocolate rum balls for selling.

boy quinton and his wonderful jello shots

I had to stand on the stage to be as tall as Sir John Krikorian.

Bringing up a shine on Sir John's boots.

Working on a pair of wingtips!

Layers!  It's all about the layers!

Checking out Debbie Jones' boots.

Giving Debbie's boots a shine.

Working on boy quinton's boots.

Can't have the Mid-Atlantic Leatherboy 2013 run around with

 unshined boots.

Working on Sir Hooker's cowboy boots.

Working on AJ's leather pants

A massage with the cleaning of the pants.