International LeatherSIR / Leatherboy
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Taking in Mid-Atlantic LeatherSIR/Leatherboy
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| Date: | Aug 20, 2007 |
| Re: | Mid-Atlantic LeatherSIR/Leatherboy and Community Bootblack Jul 14, Baltimore, Maryland |
| From: | International Community Bootblack 2006 Henry James |
As a titleholder I get the chance to see many of our Leather communities and share in their rituals, customs, and good times. It makes me a very lucky bootblack, and few places made me feel as lucky as Baltimore. Not sure if it was Friday the 13th or the buzz surrounding the Mid-Atlantic LeatherSIR, Leatherboy, and Community Bootblack contest, but the crowds were out in full force, and the smell of leather was in the air.
This weekend Mid-Atlantic crowned a new LeatherSIR, Leatherboy, and their first ever Community Bootblack. Congratulations to those the winners, Sir Eric, boy Luke, and Bootblack Eric on their new titles. These will be contestants to watch at ILSb/ICBB in October.
I would also like to personally thank Hooker and his family for some of the best hospitality I have experienced during my title year. Never once did I lack for food, drink, and merriment. I am going to have to add it to my list of yearly vacation spots for sure. They all went above and beyond to make me feel welcome and loved. It was wonderful, and I can’t thank them enough.
Bootblacking can be a hot experience. It has a kinetic energy all its own, and in the right environment with the right people, it will blossom, bring people together, and create a atmosphere of brotherhood and excitement. And in the city if Baltimore that is exactly what happened.
Never fails, at some point in the night, the polish was out and there was a bootblack class happening in the back of the bar. Volunteers sat in the chair while I rummaged through Eric’s kit and taught how to put a high shine on boots. The other side effect is that a few also learned just how wonderful it is to sit in the chair and receive boot service from another. If you can’t make them all bootblacks, at least make them bootblack junkies.
Off to San Francisco for Dore Alley and Northern California LeatherSIR, Leatherboy, and another new Community Bootblack contest.
Henry James
International Community Bootblack 2006