You will have to forgive me. Things have been . . . well . . a bit tumultuous. (Laugh out Loud)
I overdid it a tad, I must say, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Between Feb and April I was in a whirlwind of activity/travel - May I chose to just stick to bike week here in Myrtle Beach and IML (International Mr Leather). I recently had to turn down judging at International Deaf Leather that is in July and I am very regretful because that is one event I have definitely wanted to attend. Terry Morrell (International Deaf Leather 2009-2010) is very dear to my heart and if I could go I would. It came down to 2 simple titleholder downfalls - money and health.
June, July and most of August I am staying here in SC. As recently elected President of CLAWS I do have a lot of work here ahead of me but basically it came down to the fact that I am spending all of my paycheck on airfare and hotels and trips - and had none left over. Silly Dakota! I knew what I was getting into. If only could win the lottery ! So we all say. Plus I have a few doctors appointments I need to make, you know, maintanance stuff and all that . .
But never fear. I will have more time to update this website on all the trips I did make!!!
(Joe Watkins, Me, Ben Carter Mr SECC Leather 2011)
12 Days of Christmas!!!!!!!!
So, December 10th kim and I took a nice drive up to Baltimore, MD to attend Hooker and Boys famous fundraiser 12 Days of Christmas (this was year number 12 too btw!) and were glad to have Rodney (of Baltimore's OUTloud Leather line fame) hosting us for the weekend. Sir Steve (Rodney's partner) was a judge at my Ms Reading Leather contest and honestly if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have run for American Leatherwoman.
So, we settled in and then Rodney took us to the newly christened Leon's Leather Lounge (Triple L as its known lol) for their famous happy hour where I got to meet the new Mr Maryland Leather 2011, Alex. More new blood!! Yay!! Also joining us was boy dana from Onyx Southeast - a longtime friend. We had great some great conversation and then I got the call - Mama Sandy was going to be staying at the hotel next door - so of course I offered for her to come out for a cocktail with us!
So we did. Sir Hooker left her in our capable hands and Rodney took us next door to one of their favorite restaurants then we went BACK to the Triple L. Lets just say there was Jager, a bear, and a boy dancing without his shirt involved!! Laugh out loud!
(More to come with pics soon!!! Promise!!)
Since July I attended the Trident knights Anniversary run at the end of August (where kim and I had our first year commitment ceremony anniversary party) and I was delighted that boy bryan (American Leatherboy 2010) was able to come. As always we had a blast with many of our brother clubs in the South East. If you ever want to come to an event to raise hell and have fun (and all moneys raised go to Low Country AIDS Service) this is one to contemplate. We also won best cocktail party (EG! lol)
In September I was head Judge at the resurgence of the South Carolina Leather Contest where there was one contestant for Mr/Ms and one for the Bootblack. I am glad to say they both attained their goal and I hope they represent South Carolina well!! Here is the website for more information http://www.TheSCLeathecontest.com congrats to Dan C. Mr SC Leather 2010 and to pat r. SC Bootblack 2010.
I took October and november off from traveling to concentrate on home stuff (Grandma had to have some procedures done, et cet)
and in December we start back on the road . . . next stop 12 Days Of Christmas in Baltimore!!!!!! yay!!!! Then MAL, and don't forget the 3rd Annual MR SECC LEATHER contest!!!! Special guest Judges include Mama Sandy and Sir Hooker! Special guests include Michael Brandon!! And I (and kim!!) will most definatley be there!!!
Until 12 DAYS - be good, or be good at it!
If you are curious as to how I still have the sash . . . lol
In July of 2010 there were no women contestants for ABW. Due to circumstances, I was asked to retain the sash and represent for another year. I was very upset to think there would be no one to take the sash with Louie and Bryan and keep the family whole so I agreed. I have since then received an overwhelming amount of support from my local community of SECC and the community at large that I will do my best to help keep the title alive and rebuild it as much as I can. We are moving ABW weekend to October to help keep conflicting major events from being a deciding factor in people's travels and are overhauling the whole system. I make a solemn promise to do better with my website and overhaul it the best I can as well!! So keep checking back!!!
Finally! An update!!!
You will have to forgive me . .Since I last updated I performed at IMsL, volunteered at CLAW, and witnessed history at IML as a trans gendered wheelchair bound champion won the title of International Mr Leather, just to name a few things! I been sick a few times, worked my ass off to keep up with my job and funds, and not to mention taking care of my household and spending a little time with kim as well!!! It has been one wild, fun, incredible ride as I met so many new people I am now proud to call part of my family as well as being re-affirmed in my belief in my own area of SECC.
In Florida I was given an award I feel like I didn't deserve, but was voted on by my peers. Nothing makes you feel more honored . . .and to me, humbled, that people actually cared enough to feel like I deserved such a thing. Personally, I feel like I don't/can't do enough!!! But we can only do what we are able, and I will keep doing what I am able to do well past my stepdown.
Next weekend I give up my title. I won't give up what I won, however - I won friends, family, and dared I say respect from my fellow leather folk. I also will not give up my journey. After my stepdown kim and I will be attending an SECC sanctioned event in August; I will be head judge at the resurgence of the South Carolina Leather contest in September; we will be heading to Baltimore in December so I can perform for Sir Hooker at the 12 days of Christmas; and that is just the rest of this year! Not to mention the Aids Quilt coming back to Myrtle Beach in December as well.
I will post more pictures and stories about the different events, and of course my stepdown next week. Right now I have to prepare myself for the last hurrah. I couldn't have asked for a better title family, either - what Alex and Johnny have done and what they have been through - in our travels separate and together - thank you for being you, and putting up with a bull headed sash partner!! And of course kim putting up with me - not only me going out of town without her, but everything she does for me at home so I can - she is the best.
Regardless . . .I promise to update more often now that I will have more 'time!' Lol!
See you all soon!!!!
Dakota
MARCH IN LEATHER
I took this month to concentrate on my home clubs tenth anniversary bash. I am a charter member, and it was CLAWS who brought out the leather woman in me just waiting to happen, so I wanted to make sure the weekend was a special event for everyone who attended. We inducted our founding members Paula Smith (American Leatherwoman 2000) and Ken Phillips as honorary members. Lady D had contacted me last year about coming so I arranged for a discussion during the day and a demo for late night by this wonderful lady with lots of history. We have several new associates and members that have only been in the club for two years or less so I thought it would be a good idea for her to discuss her beginnings in the lifestyle and her first thoughts and reactions. It began as such, and grew into a wonderful yet sad picture of the evolution of leather and the different guards, and how certain respects are falling by the wayside.
When she spoke about the motto "Each one Teach one" it really stuck a cord in me.
With the advent of the computer we can get loads of info way to much of it, and way too fast, with some it not even being correct - we still need to take the time for the newcomers to see their confusion and take their hand and help guide them down the path. As a newcomer ten years ago I blazed on the scene without a wit about me and took a long time for me to realize what the hell I was doing! I had a few people there that helped me but the majority of my club were newcomers too and we all kind of stumbled together. The Internet helped me, and books, and when I went to runs I found those like Lady D and Sir Bruce of First Coast whom are my mentors and I learned by example, by watching,and asking questions.
The first five years of my journey I stumbled blind. Part of it was because my personal life went to hell, and it affected everything else. Life was (and still is) a harsh Mistress and the cruelest teacher - yet the best one there could be. She stripped me down, whipped me hard, and forced my submission. There had been a time when I was walking down the street with barely a roof over my head and a couple of pennies in my pocket. It was my own fault, I can't say it was anybody else's but my own. I struggled to get back on my feet and was in the midst of doing so when my father developed cancer. I decided to move to Charleston and help try to take care of him. A year and a half struggle he went through ups and downs and in the end after only a few months after I moved down there he passed away. The hardest thing ever is watching someone die. After that I decided I needed to step up in my life and become something he could be proud of as a person. I realized I wasn't going to be exactly who and what he wanted but if I could at least respect myself then other things would follow. I brought myself back to the fold of my club, and worked hard on learning. I became Sergeant-at-Arms in '05, and it took a couple of years for me to learn my position, but I believe I have grown along with it and am finally almost where I need to be.
I started to go to runs again in '05 (Having gone to Menamore and Tradesmen in the beginning I hadn't been to any in a while) and I met and got to know many great leatherfolk in the southeast, many whom are now very dear to my heart. I sat back and learned, and let myself be taught. I didn't set out to win the title of Ms Reading Leather, I went to PA to support my leather brothers who live there and the Reading Railmen. I didn't set out out to win the title of American Leatherwoman, I went to represent an area and groups of people who believed in me and whom in return I believed in as well. And now, here I am. I will continue to learn as I continue to "Each one Teach one".
I didn't mean for this to be a personal note - It didn't start out that way - but upon reflection, I am going to leave it for all of you to read, because it is going to grow into something more at a later time, and I do not mind at all anyone knowing my journey.
MEANWHILE - I will get back to CLAWS tenth anniversary weekend!!!
MORE TO FOLLOW - CHECK BACK TOMORROW!!!
Mr SECC Leather Contest 2010
(February 12-14th)
This has become one of my favorite events. The first annual Mr SECC Leather contest was a huge success, thanks to the officers of the South East Conference of Clubs! And this year was much anticipated. I was returning as a judge, and also Alex my sash husband was slated also to be a judge and Johnny boy was to be judges boy. Kim and I packed the truck up that Thursday (we always try to go up Thursday to relax before the events) and I mean we packed that truck up!! lol! It is only a four hour drive to Augusta, Ga thank goodness.
It was my first time judging and I wanted to make sure I did a good job. Luckily I had other, experienced judges such as Alan Pinrod second runner up to IML as well as Stephen James President of AMCC (who was a judge at my Reading Leather contest) and my sash husband, Alex. Last year Kim and I helped with registration and I also performed.
We pulled in and sighed with relief. We had heard bad weather was coming and wanted to get there and stay put. Thursday night we went over to the Filling Station with Jerry and other early arrivals (like my leather brothers from Onyx and First Coast) for their 'Survivor Party'. We relaxed, had a few drinks, while 'Survivor - Heroes vs Villains was on all the t.v.'s. Also Bob Graves, one of the producers for IML was on hand, and he would be raffling off packages for IML the whole weekend as well.
Then to bed for a somewhat early night . . .
The two handsome Sir's on each end were the den daddies for the weekend - my good friends Bruce Ross and Tom Priest of the First Coast Leather Society.
I decided not to enjoy the pig pen that Friday night . . . I didn't want to interact with the contestants (yet!) in a way that was 'improper'. . . .we woke up the next day, and lo and behold!!!! Someone had mimosas!!! We met to go over some things with Sam Evans, a producer of the event, and basically freeze our balls off. I mean, I lived in snow growing up, it doesn't bother me, but I came down south for several reasons . . . warmth being one of them!!! I then made a point after the final interview (for the contestant who came in late because of weather - poor guy!) to attend the demos. I only missed the hot wax demo by Master Regi (but made up for it later on!) and it was a very heart wrenching discussion with Michael Brandon. He really has been through a lot, and I commend him for his honesty. After that was a discussion with my sash husband Alex (good job!!!) and then a Hypnosis demo with Lady D . . . Hey Jim! (George Tresche, a good friend from New Orleans, who Lady D convinced his name was Jim) They went so well they actually ran over their time limits and I rushed to Jeff's Farewell cocktail party leaving kim to finish with Lady D's demo.
Congratulations to Jeff on a fabulous year! Great job! (Jeff, pictured left, with Master Regi)
The scenes were all well put together, all keeping the audience enthralled and entertained. One of the good things about this venue is . . anything goes!!! You should have seen some of these fantasies! my description wouldn't do them justice!
So, after more hard deliberation, we all went back to our respective rooms to get ready for the formal dinner and parade of colors. It was a very good dinner, with me still hard at work!
Rating the contestants overall for the whole weekend was a tough call as well. (Picture, left - Jerry Ramsey, President of SECC and fellow CLAWS member, me, Kim, and Rick Hettinger, fellow CLAWS member and SECC go to guy)
After dinner we prepared for the the formal leather - on stage question. We took our chairs and waited in anticipation. There were less than ten points seperating the contestants, we were told - this was the final decision! In all, the contestants did a fabulous job! But there can be only three, two, and One!!!
Michael Brandon did an excellent job as the MC for the evening. Jeff did a wonderful job in his step down speech, and then it came down to. .
Tanner Sullivan of Trident International as second runner up, Eddie Vizcaya as first runner up, and Larry Johnston as Mr SECC 2010!
So with the afterglow of the winners still basking in all their glory, I went to change . . and to have some fun. Master Regi was doing an encore wax demo and Kim and I had to attend. Tanner had volunteered to be the waxee again and Kim wanted to pour some wax! Master Regi did an excellent job as a demonstrator. We then left to go to the dungeon . . . as I entered I zeroed in on my sash husband torturing our Judges boy (unfortunately Johnny was detained by weather but I volunteered Glenn, from the South Florida Boys of Leather, to be his replacement) I quickly jumped in on the action and we alternately used small rubber flogger type toys on his nipples to 'tickle torturing' him. What fun!!!
The night progressed a little longer, then fatigue took over and Kim and I and we went to our room.
But the fun is far from over, not by a long shot!!!!!!!!!!
\
MAL 2010
(Mid Atlantic Leather Contest January 2010)
So, our first event for the year of 2010 - a nice eight hour drive to the District of Columbia (no snow this time!) for the Mid-Atlantic Leather Contest. My club brother (Mr SECC Leather 2009 and MAL contestant) Jeff and his partner Jerry were so kind to let us stay at their apartment for the weekend to save us a few dollars - a quick Metro ride and a short walk to the hotel no problem at all! We got in Friday afternoon and quickly connected with Jerry, Rick and other fellow brothers of SECC that came to support Jeff. I enjoyed perusing the leather vendors and quietly made out a wish list to myself. It was so good to walk into the lobby and see so many of my old and new friends from across the country! and it was also great to have my girl and personal paparazzi, Kim, with me.
Friday night we just kind of chilled and went to the Green Lantern for the CLAW nation gear party. My sash husband Alex and his partner Loren was there as well as other titleholders whooping it up and having a good time. Johnny boy was there for the weekend but he had other duties that kept him from enjoying himself too much (judges boy!).
We had a great time that night and I believe CLAW nation raised a great bit of money! The next day we went to the hotel to see what was going on and look who we found!
Danny Noel, doing his part for the MAL travel fund! lol! We spent some free time wandering around DC and I got to see the White House
and other key buildings that no good American should go without seeing. We then went and found a great Thai restaurant (Tom Yum Goong soup - my favorite!) then there was puppy play in the Lobby, and the most anticipated event (besides the actual contest) the Onyx cocktail party! Kim and I were the first ones through the door!
Later that afternoon we got ready to go to Leather Tea. Let me tell you, when we were walking down those stairs and came upon leather folk standing on either side and applauding us as we came in - a priceless experience! But, as you know, there is no rest for the weary as I ran around introducing Jeff to people I knew, as well as posing for pictures, getting ready for the parade of colors, and answering a myriad of questions - once again, I did not get to eat! I saw those awesome sliders and barely got to bite into one before I was asked to do something else! Lol!
I knew three of the six contestants and I was pulling for all of them but Jeff and Matt Bamford (Bam! Bam!) were closest in my heart. Afterwards we went back to hotel lobby and mingled with the crowd for a while, then despite many urgings to go to several different events going on (I had really wanted to go to the Code event, and was invited to the women's play party) I was exhausted and sore and starving! So we grabbed something to eat and went back to the apartment.
Saturday we woke to rain. Instead of walking to the metro and then to the hotel we quickly opted for a cab! We had breakfast with Jerry, Rick, Paula Smith, Sam Evans, and The First Lady of Leather (another of my ABW judges along with Danny Noel) Mary Elizabeth.
They had several buses that the Ohio Boys of Leather were in charge of filling up with leather folk (and entertaining them for the ride) and so we were on our way. However . . .
It was still raining, and we had to wait in line before they would even open the doors to the club where the contest was being held! A long line of leather folk getting wet . . . hmmm. Not to mentioned that we had heard the first bus carrying Mary Elizabeth somehow got tangled up in the procession of vehicles that were carrying the President to church . . .how fitting since she is the first lady! lol!
We quickly got seats upstairs since there were none left open downstairs and plus it was a better view. Alex and Loren (streaming live with Leatherati) joined us along with the rest of the contingent from SECC. There was a tribute to the Centaurs MC (who did an awesome job of hosting and putting the weekend on!) and Mary Elizabeth got the contest going. It was a tight race, let me tell you, I didn't envy the judges any! There were some excellent entertainment during the interludes and the contest went quickly and smoothly. Then came the time for Kips step down . . .
And the winner is . . . . Matt Bamford!!! I am so very proud of him and Jeff, and although I was disappointed that Jeff did not win, I am happy that Matt won and am sure he will do a great job as Mr MAL 2010. And Jeff getting second runner up out of six - not too shabby! You represented us well!!!
After the contest we went \back to the hotel, where we ended up in Kip's room, and of course one thing leads to another another impromptu flogging ensued (not Kip this time tho! Thank you to boy Kevin) and then Kim, Kevin and I all went to dinner with Alex, Loren and Ron Moser.
Back to the hotel for some more mingling, talking to International Mr Deaf Leather Terry and meeting other folk . . .an impromptu beating session on Kevin with my sash husband Alex . . then back to the apartment to get some rest. 8 hour drives are so much better with some good rest!!
I think I drove home . . at least part of the way!!! Next . . . Mr SECC Leather 2010 contest! See ya then!!
As 2009 ends . .
It has been one hell of a year for me. I would have never imagined I would have won this title a year ago. The support I received from my club and my area was so phenomenal. I got hurt pretty bad in April (tore ankle ligaments playing volleyball) and I was out of work for two months - with no pay - but there was no doubt in my mind that I was still going to go to New Orleans and do the best job I could do representing the people that helped to send me. I don't make a whole lot of money, it is true - and I have responsibilities - but I still believed that I could bring something to the title of American Leather woman that no one has or could, whether it was my look, my beliefs, my talents, my attitude; as well as bringing the South East Conference of Clubs into the rest of the leather world and connecting them. I had a little bit of a set back when me and my household were forced to move - not because of anything on our part but the house we were renting had a bad foundation and started flooding badly every time it rained. This created mold, and ruined several pieces of furniture, and beyond that the health risks of the mold to my 90 year old grandmother who has emphysema, COPD, chronic Bronchitis as well as diabetes was just too great. Luckily something fell into our laps and we managed to get things together to buy our own home. We closed on New Year's Eve and moved the majority of our things New Years day. This all occurred within 3 weeks!!!
Needless to say we are very lucky and blessed. It may have put a damper in our funds a bit but my schedule stays the same - I just wish I could do more. Thank you again everyone for all your support, and I only hope to continue to try to fill the shoes left to me by my predecessors!! Now on to 2010!!!
Bare Essentials
December 11th, 2009:
Once again I boarded a plane, this time my destination was Los Angeles, California. I decided to fly out of Myrtle Beach, so I went ahead and worked until 11:00 am. My flight was not until 1:45. The problem? When I woke up that morning, my phone was dead. No charge. Zip. Nada. The only way I could get the sucker to work was to plug it into the wall and keep it plugged in. No problem, after I got off work I went to the sprint store, and after a test or two they decided the battery was bad and gave me a temporary one and ordered me a new one. Disaster aborted! (So we think . . )
I get to the oh so huge Myrtle Beach International Airport (insert sarcasm here! lol) and have some time, so I plug the phone in to charge the replacement battery as much as I can. Time to board the flight comes, and since it is Myrtle Beach, we walk outside to walk up the stair into the what seemed like a 30 seater plane. first tip off of the how the trip would be would be when the heavy set, non uniform wearing (and only) stewardess said in a very thick country accent "Ya'll want the long version or the short version?" Of what I assume was the spiel they give before the plane takes off . . . . and she continued to half way tell us where the exits were, and to tell us stories about the sixties . . .but I digress. After a VERY bumpy ride I exchange planes in Atlanta for an comparably uneventful ride into LAX.
Alex's handsome husband Loren was so kind to pick me up after I grabbed my bag (ACK! having to pay to check your bag is highway robbery!!!!!!!!!!!) and we headed to their apartment in the city. Thank you guys so much for your hospitality!! I apologize at this time for the lack of pictures for this blog, my personal paparazzi (and wife/girl . . girlf? wifrl?) couldn't go . . .but don't worry, we more than make for it during MAL! You can see pictures from "Bare Essentials" on Leatherati.com, as well as Jeffery Payne's website, and Randy Carmenaty. Speaking of . . .
So after Loren and I picked up a pizza on the way and when we got there Alex and Johnny Boy (yea! the American Family reunites!!) were putting the finishing touches on wreath for the Avatar Wreath Auction at the Eagle ( no rest for the weary! ) and away we went. I got to see West again, and Jeffery was there and of course Dave Rhodes was covering for the Leather Journal. And so good to see George Wong! We had a few laughs, a few beers, then time to crash!! The Wreath Auction went over very well with Loren and Alex offering a dinner for many with the wreath for whoever won.
The next day I woke up waaaay to early (as usual) but stayed quiet until everyone else woke up. Loren had a nice brunch planned and had invited some friends over but before that he decided to spring a Leatherati interview on us!!! So, Mimosas in hand we answered his questions and I think it went fairly well (shameless boy, Johnny!) Besides me being the opening number (as a surprise bit) at the last minute I learned i was to be a model as well . . so with a little trepidation Alex took me through a rainy SoCAl where I looked critically at a few items but as soon as I put on the red Xena type corset I felt confident. The rest of the day I spent in quiet mode as Loren and Alex (Busy guys!) had several meetings they had to attend so I tried to shut my eyes for a minute or two.
That evening we pulled up to Oil Can Harry's and I shuffled my bag of drag to claim my space in the impromptu dressing room and we all gathered for some group photos. I me several other titleholders, and it was an altogether amazing group of people.
The rest of the evening went by in a blur. My performance was quite a surprise but I think went over well!!! After which I didn't get dressed right away, as I was the last model to go on stage and there was yet to be an intermission with Bonnie Pointer performing (and yes, everyone was so excited!!!!) but I did not get to watch as I went ahead and got ready, along with Jeffery Payne who was second to last.
There I was, in my platform boots and Xena outfit (thank you Willie for the loan of your red flogger!) on stage, then torturing the masses and finally posing with the current IML and two former ones (all very handsome men as you can see!!!)
Thank you guys for letting me use these pictures!!! So after a full night we went back to Alex and Loren's apartment I laid on the couch to rest my eyes (my flight was to leave at 6:00 am!! And the next thing I remember is Alex looming over me telling me we were gonna be late!!! I was already dressed and ready to go as Loren sped through the hills to get me there in time. I gave my guys a quick hug goodbye then got fussed at by the people at the gate for cutting my check in time close. I have never seen an airport so busy at 5:00 am!!!!
The flights home were iffy . . . I was delayed in Atlanta due to fog so instead of getting in at 4:15 I didn't get in til 6:30 pm. . . and by the way, my phone battery never worked the whole time unless it was plugged into the wall!!!! My battle with sprint is another story . . .
Congrats to Randy for an awesome fundraiser that benefited the LGBT homeless youth. Thanks for having me there! Maybe next time I can bring my girl and stay a while!
Up next, a brief blurb on our forced move and to my most recent journey to MAL.
See ya soon!!
