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

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).

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!

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 - Part 2

August 28: One more day before the contest starts.  Sir and I are settling into the hotel, getting last minute things to ensure the stay is smooth and comfortable.  We got to meet some of the other contestants, including Brooklyn Davenport, Paul Grosart, Scout, and Philthy Pup.  The Leather folk were arriving in batches and the lobby of the hotel was crowded with people in leather.  LOTS of cow in the house!  *giggles*  Dallas, are you ready for this?

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!

The Floating World

August 16-18, 2013 -  This was my first time at The Floating World and I went there to present three classes, one of which was on leather care.  I did very little bootblacking and that was a different experience for me.  Generally speaking, I spend most of my time at an event working at the stand and spreading the love for leather to those who sit in my chair.  However, it was my skills as a presenter that were on display this weekend.  AND, I got to attend some of the workshops!  Whee!  I attended a class called "Sacred Touch Experience" and it was interactive.  Very interesting class and one of the participants revealed that he found me to be an "old soul" who was a "healer in a past life."  The experience of touching someone that I did not know and opening myself to see beyond the outer shell was very informative and I enjoyed it a lot.

I got to attend part of Laura Antoniou's class and bought her latest two books AND she signed them for me.  That was a good time and the participants in her class were lively in their interactions with her. *smiles*

I found that two of my classes were well received - Leather care 101 and Legal Issues for LGBT relationships.  Both classes were small but the participants asked a lot of questions and I believe that they came away from the classes with new information and a need to follow up on what they learned.  I am a happy teacher!

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!

Mid-Atlantic Women's Motorcyle Rally

Rocking some sexy hose as a newbie at MAWMR

Temporary tattoo by a facepainter at MAWMR

June 21-23, 2013 - Sir and I drove up to Gettysburg PA for the Mid-Atlantic Women's Motorcycle Rally (MAWMR), which has been held yearly as a fundraiser for local charities involved in breast cancer support.  This year was the first year that Tracey Black, Mid-Atlantic Bootblack 1999, asked another bootblack to help her out with working the event and raising funds.  I asked if it would be okay for me to raise funds for B.A.C.A., as well as the other charities, and she was okay with that.  We ended up raising $419 for HOPE and PinkOut and $145 for B.A.C.A.  The entire weekend resulted in the event raising over $37,000 for breast cancer support, while having a lot of fun.

Tracy and me, ready for Friday dinner

Parade of Lighted Bikes Friday Night.

Many of the bikers included stuffed animals as riders!

It was awesome to be amongst approximately 200 women and their bikes.  I even got to ride as "bitch on back" for the Parade of Chrome.  I brought a pair of black boxers I had snagged from Derrick at the Triple L and wore them with my new leather chaps and a tank top.  We rode about 10 miles and it felt so wonderful to be riding a motorcycle again.  I have missed riding with Sir Tatsujin Paris on his bike.

Trip and I before the Parade of Chrome

I loved being on Trip's bike!

Spike, a very butch veteran, was fun to flirt with and she liked my work on her New Rock boots that she came back with the other two pairs of boots to have me work on them as well.  I also worked on some purple Ariat cowboy boots, which was my first time working on this brand of boot.  I had some Meltonian shoe cream that matched the color exactly!  Then there were the flame boots that needed a lot of love and a bit of repair.  The owner was not ready to give them up.

Final result on the flame boots.

Cbecking the damage

Conditioning the boots

Cleaning some pretty brown cowboy boots.

Cleaning one pair of Spike's New Rock boots

Spike's boots match her name!