diary of a small bootblack

Woof!

2012-02-06T08:48:00.001-08:00

If you liked it then you shoulda put a [cock]ring on it.

International Ms Leather 2012 is HOT HOT HOT!

2012-02-01T11:40:00.001-08:00

San Francisco, CA -- Every day at IMsL Weekend is an adventure!

THURSDAY registration and play spaces open (ALL weekend!), and attendees can jump feet first into the weekend with classes, the smokin' Seduction performances, the Seduction After Party and Speed Tricking! And new this year--the Littles Slumber Party and Petting Zoo.

FRIDAY starts our vending and educational intensives! Plus our charity silent auction adds more shopping flavor. Speed Tricking continues, and our ever-so-popular Hospitality Receptions take the day away! You can get your boots and leathers made lovely by our IMsBB contestants and special guest bootblacks, and enjoy the IMsL Contestant Interviews as well. Display your colors during the Opening Ceremony, roast the outgoing titleholders, enjoy a Uniform Party by the D.U.C.! And the contest structure for the bootblacks has been changed and updated, and it’s more exciting than ever--be there to cheer them on as they take the stage for the first time Friday night for Speeches and Pop Questions!

SATURDAY continues with wonderful 90-minute workshops, the sexy Boots and Cigar Party, our IMsBB contestant interviews, and, the reason you’re all here, our internationally revered IMsL and IMsBB contest with another amazing opening number designed by Skeeter! Our IMsL contestants will participate in an all out, hot and steamy contest as they answer pop questions, give speeches, strut their stuff in hot wear and entertain us with their fantasies on stage.

SUNDAY doesn’t let you down though! The contest may be over, but come and enjoy our keynote brunch with Tristan Taormino. After filling your belly and mind, come Make Play Happen with hands-on education. And to leave you feeling right, party with more of our Hospitality Receptions, our Wind Down Party with special DJ--Gayle Rubin, and AfterGlow Party!

We have a line-up of fantastic workshops for 2012. We’re honored to have 25 nationally and internationally renowned educators and experts, including, but most definitely not limited to: Hardy Haberman, teaching 'Interrogation and Abduction'; Lady Hilary with 'How to Get the Most out of a Leather Event' and 'Impact Play: Implement of your Choice'; Q will show you it’s 'Not just Boots, Not just Leather'; while Lamalani covers Rope Bondage. And for folks new to IMsL Weekend, Lolita Wolf will share tips on how to make the most of the experience with two sections of 'IMsL 101'. But don’t let us tell you -- come see for yourself! http://www.imsl.org/newsite2010/mainpages/workshopsandpresenters.html

Additionally, IMsL could not happen without our fantastic volunteers, and we want to reward folks for helping us put on a wonderful event! Volunteer 8 hours to receive a 40% discount on a Weekend Package. Volunteer 16 hours to receive a 75% discount on a Weekend Package. Volunteer shifts will be assigned based on your preferences and what shifts are available, so don’t put it off! The earlier you sign up, the better chance you have of getting the shifts you want! http://imsl.org/newsite2010/mainpages/volunteer.html

So join us, register now! Volunteer now! Participate in the largest event for leatherwomen...and EVERYONE that loves ‘em!

International Ms Leather Contest
International Ms Bootblack Contest
March 29 - April 1, 2012
San Francisco, CA
www.imsl.org

Southwest Leather Conference!

2012-01-26T14:26:00.000-08:00

Oh, where do I even begin!? Southwest was so amazing!

I've never been to the southwest area of the US, at all, ever, so the terrain was beautiful and fascinating. During the course of the conference, I didn't get to really rock out outside, as I was judging the bootblack contest and teaching so I was running around indoors a lot!

Southwest was my first opportunity to judge a contest this year (my other was GLLA and I unfortunately missed out because of my Ridiculous-but-Magical Knee), and honestly?, I really loved it. I enjoyed having to be analytical and attentive to the bootblacks in a different way, and I liked being able to hear everyone's stories. (Voyeur, remember?) Also, congratulations are in order for Bear, the new Southwest Bootblack 2012!

I also got to run amok with my IMsBB brother, Jayson, and , uh, take care of the current Ms SF Leather...

(Image courtesy of my sash-husband, IMBB'11 Jim)

Jim and I also decided to rent a convertible and drive up to the Grand Canyon. We were warned a few times about what to expect, but our (misguided) adventurer hearts went anyway and well...

We are awesome.

Thanks for the wonderful and magical time, Southwest!

Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend!

2012-01-25T14:30:00.000-08:00

It feels like it's been forever since I was at MAL, but it's only been a week or so! Hopefully my recap won't be too wonky... I shall number it for clarity!

1. MAL is ... super sexy. I developed my usual whiplash from being surrounded by so many hotties.

2. I had so many amazing people sit in my chair! Great conversation, and super sexy boots. Good times.

3. I finally got a Wesco shirt (thanks, Henry!), and I'm a little obsessed with it. It makes me feel like some sort of secret Wesco super hero, because of the logo being so crisp and pretty.

4. I also added some days to my trip so I could stay in DC and see wonderful people. I've found that during events themselves making time for people is hard, but seeing people during my downtown pre- or post- events is best.

5. I am always struck by how very short I am when I wander through the hotel lobby of a men's event. But this also places me at perfect, uh, other heights.

6. What also strikes me is that I have finally been around the country enough and met enough people that I am starting to know people at every single event. That started a few months ago, but it's just so wonderful to know so many great people and be able to build community with them.

2012 Travel Schedule!

2012-01-05T13:59:00.000-08:00

January 13 - 15
Mid-Atlantic Leather in DC
I'll be bootblacking!

January 20 - 22
Southwest Leather Fest
I'm judging and teaching!

February 9 - 11
Providence Fetish Fair and Fleamarket
I'll be bootblacking!

February 17 - 20
Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire
I'm coordinating the bootblacks!

February 24 - 26
Seattle Boot Weekend

March 23 - 25
KinkFest in Portland, OR

March 29 - April 1
International Ms Leather 2012
Step-down

So far, I've managed to cover everything but the following trips:

Seattle Boot Weekend - $300
Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire - $56
My trip back from IMsL - $170

There are a few ways to help me seal the final financial deal of my title (and keep in mind 20% of donations go to the Women's Leather History Project!):

1. If you want to get a piece of art out of the deal, you can order a print here: Society6: Katie Diamond Any art prints related to leather or boots or sexuality have a note that 20% of those proceeds go to the WLHP. And the rest will go to my travel fund!

2. You can click here to donate directly to me via PayPal:

3. You can sit in my chair when I bootblack at an event!

Thanks so much!

Volunteer at IMsL 2012!

2012-01-05T07:48:00.001-08:00

Applications are now being accepted to

Volunteer at IMsL 2012!

IMsL could not happen without our fantastic volunteers, and we want to reward folks for helping us put on a wonderful event!

Volunteer 8 hours to receive a 40% discount on a Weekend Package.
Volunteer 16 hours to receive a 75% discount on a Weekend Package.

Volunteer shifts will be assigned based on your preferences and what shifts are available, so don’t put it off.
The earlier you sign up, the better chance you have of getting the shifts you want!

Sign up now at www.IMsL.org
click on REGISTER then click on VOLUNTEER

Save money and have fun as part of the IMsL team!

International Ms Leather / International Ms Bootblack
March 29 - April 1, 2012
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway Hotel
San Francisco, CA
www.IMsL.org

Final Stretch Fundraising

2011-12-19T16:16:00.000-08:00

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;After&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

After counting out the events I've been to in 2011, I decided to make an interactive map so folks can see where I've been. I do love visuals!

So far, I've managed to cover everything but the following trips:

Seattle Boot Weekend - $300
Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire - $56
My trip back from IMsL - $170

There are a few ways to help me seal the final financial deal of my title (and keep in mind 20% of donations go to the Women's Leather History Project!):

1. If you want to get a piece of art out of the deal, you can order a print here: Society6: Katie Diamond Any art prints related to leather or boots or sexuality have a note that 20% of those proceeds go to the WLHP. And the rest will go to my travel fund!

2. You can click here to donate directly to me via PayPal:

3. You can sit in my chair when I bootblack at an event!

Thanks so much!

Oooh!

2011-12-15T08:09:00.001-08:00

I played with suede cleaner last night and I liked it! I wouldn't carry it in my kit necessarily, but I like that I have it.

It's been a while...

2011-12-13T18:56:00.001-08:00

Since I posted dirty stories about my exploits. I'll do that soon!

ANNOUNCING IMsL JUDGES!

2011-12-13T16:49:00.001-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IMsL, LLC

Announcing our Judges!

San Francisco, CA

International Ms Leather is pleased to announce our esteemed judges for our 2012 contests!

Introducing our International Ms Bootblack 2012 Judges:

International Mr Bootblack 2011 Jim Deuder

International Ms Bootblack 2010 Jayson Daboi

Great Lakes Bootblack 2007 Riley Johnson

Secret Judge

Introducing our International Ms Leather 2012 Judges:

International Mr Leather 2011 Eric Guttierez

International Ms Leather 2010 Mollena Williams

International Master 2008 Master Rick

Sir Cougar

Arli Nikkel

Colten

Our head judge Sarah Humble

We’re grateful to have such incredible judges on our roster, and can’t wait for the steamy hotness of our 26th year!

Our IMsL contestants will participate in an all out, hot and steamy contest as they answer pop questions, give speeches, strut their stuff in hot wear and entertain us with their fantasies on stage. And the contest structure for the bootblacks has been changed and updated, and it’s as exciting as ever! Learn more at http://imsl.org/newsite2010/mainpages/contestrules.html

Want to throw your heel or boot into the ring? Go to www.IMsL.org to request an application.

Additionally, our EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION is up and on! To get a great rate to attend the hottest leatherwomen’s event in the country, visit the IMsL website now. You’ll also have the chance to sign up to volunteer with us -- a great way to lower the cost of the event, and be a part of a great team, making a great event happen!

Sweating in anticipation? We are too! Save the date now - March 29 - April 1, 2012 at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway hotel in San Francisco. You don't want to miss what we have in store for this special weekend!

Glenda Rider

Owner/Producer

International Ms Leather Contest

International Ms Bootblack Contest

March 29 - April 1, 2012 SF,CA

www.IMsL.org

Seattle Boot Weekend in February!

2011-12-07T09:25:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

December 6, 2011

For Immediate Release

EVENT: Seattle Boot Weekend 2012

DATE: 24/25/26 February 2012

LOCATION: Seattle, WA

WEBSITE: http://bootweekend.weebly.com/

(Seattle) — International Ms Bootblack 2011 kd has confirmed that she

will be attending Seattle Boot Weekend 2012.

The Center for Sex Positive Culture (CSPC, formerly known as The Wet

Spot) is Saturday's host venue for a very generous rate of $25 per

person for Saturday’s workshops and play party.

Seattle Boot Weekend 2012 will run Friday, February 24 through Sunday,

February 26, 2012.

The event will begin with the official Meet and Greet at The Cuff

Complex (1533 13th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 323 1525,

www.cuffcomplex.com) (7pm - 11pm Fri, Feb 24.) Out of town and local

bootblacks and boot fetishists will meet and mingle at the bar on

Friday evening - we will have plenty of bootblack stands on hand to

accommodate the plethora of bootblacks who will be attending.

Saturday, February 25th will feature a bagel and coffee brunch from

11am to Noon, workshops about boots from Noon to 6pm, then a boot play

party from 7pm to 1am. Bootblack stands will be available all day and

during the play party. Admission to the workshops and play party is

$25, which will be held at the CSPC, 1602 15th Avenue West Seattle,

WA 98119.

A special Sunday Boot Brunch at a local brunch venue will finish the

weekend (11am-2pm. Sun, Feb 26.)

In order to reduce costs and streamline the schedule of the event,

there will be minimal announcements, no live auction and no

fundraising during the Seattle Boot Weekend. Bootblacks will keep all

their tips, so please tip generously to help cover their expenses and

defray their travel costs.

Special guests at the Seattle Boot Weekend will include International

Ms Bootblack 2011 kd, NW Community Bootblack Dylan 2011 and a

number of current and past bootblack titleholders.

Additional guests, events and workshops during Boot Weekend 2012 will

be announced during the coming weeks.

Are you the next IMsBB / IMsL?

2011-11-27T01:58:00.001-08:00

Are you the next International Ms Leather or International Ms Bootblack?

Think you've got what it takes to be the next International Ms Leather or International Ms Bootblack?
Sure you do!

Join the IMsL family and become a contestant in 2012.

The weekend in the life of an IMsL/IMsBB Contestant:

- Thursday arrive and meet Amy, the Contestant Coordinator also known as hand-holder and cat herder extraordinaire. The afternoon is filled with a tour of San Francisco, group dinner with the Producers, then the evening show, Seduction.

- Friday Interview, rehearsals and lots of bootblacking, and Opening Ceremonies.

- Saturday more bootblacking and the BIG SHOW!

- Sunday, brunch, rest, and hopefully play!

You will leave with the experience of a lifetime - that we promise!

Go to www.IMsL.org

Click on CONTEST INFO, BECOME A CONTESTANT.

Don't wait!

The application deadline is January 1, 2012.

More Leather Mask photos!

2011-11-26T12:33:00.000-08:00

Leather Mask Ball!

2011-11-26T12:16:00.000-08:00

The Leather Mask Ball was AWESOME last night! When I snag more photos, I'll post 'em.

Updated Current Travel Schedule

2011-11-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

November 4 - 6
Philly Leather Pride
Saturday - teaching with IMBB'11 Jim Deuder!

December 2 or 3
Bootblack Round Table in NYC
[Still figuring out deets]

December 9 - 11
Twelve Days in Baltimore

January 13 - 15
Mid-Atlantic Leather in DC
I'll be bootblacking!

January 20 - 22
Southwest Leather Fest
I'm judging and teaching!

February 9 - 11
Providence Fetish Fair and Fleamarket
I'll be bootblacking!

February 17 - 20
Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire
I'm coordinating the bootblacks!

March 23 - 25
KinkFest in Portland, OR

March 29 - April 1
International Ms Leather 2012
Step-down

Queer Invasion!

2011-11-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Despite the first Snowpocalypse of the season, Queer Invasion was a major success! The event was still pretty packed, and my class was full. I'm so grateful to Scout for organizing such a grand event (Happy 10th QI!), and letting me talk about the Sexy of Boots.

I sadly won't be able to be at the next Queer Invasion, but I highly recommend checking it out. The next one will be on January 21, 2012, at The Society. You *have* to RSVP in order to attend, so please do.

Aigle Noir

2011-10-22T13:12:00.001-07:00

Poster for the Montreal Eagle's Halloween bash:

I didn't know...

2011-10-15T11:46:00.001-07:00

...that Nike was a leather family.

My work at the Leather Archives and Museum!

2011-10-14T07:22:00.001-07:00

Go see the show! It's still up!

Bootblack Heaven

2011-10-14T07:20:00.001-07:00

I would have taken more pictures, but I was too busy wiping the drool from my chin.

Shine with Pride at Philly Leather Pride!

2011-10-10T15:40:00.000-07:00

Me and my sash-husband will be repping and teaching at Philly Leather Pride!

Epic San Francisco Trip

2011-10-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

So now that my brain is back inside my head, and not totally addled from my red-eye flight, I figured I'd give an update about Folsom, and my Epic San Francisco Trip.

I arrived on Thursday, September 22, early for Folsom weekend -- often referred to as the High Holidays of Leather, which makes me giggle. I got to spend time with Q (IMsBB'09) and folks, and bop around to various folks homes and evening festivities leading up to Sunday of the fair.

My days were packed packed packed, but Sunday was definitely the most intense! I started out at a Leather Brunch in the Castro, and then made my way to the fair to check in at the Boot Stands and volunteer area. The fair wasn't too painfully packed just yet, but it was getting there... I made my way to Venus' Playground, to check out the scene and chat with folks before my demo. It was definitely more spacious at VP, thanks to the roped off area. I usually throw myself into shared-spaces without a blink, but I'm a tiny person, and VP was a nice, separate area to be able to wander and sit without being consistently bumped. You gotta be all about the bumping awkwardly into strangers for a fair as packed as Folsom.

I'd say my demo went well...! Anyone have any feedback? I had to cut my time in half, so I just rocked an 18 minute "this-is-what-sexy-bootblacking-looks-like" demonstration... I say I think it went well because quite a number of folks wanted to see how they could sit for me next. (insert salacious eyebrow wiggle)

I added a few extra days on my SF trip so I could bootblack at my friend Allie Moon's book launch - Lunatic Fringe! [Three words, people: Lesbian. Werewolf. Erotica. WHABAM!] It was great to support Allie, and do something that I love at the same time. Erotica + book event + bootblacking + whiskey = Happy kd.

I had a few days back in Maine to pause for a hot second and remember what month it is, and now I'm on a bus to Logan Airport in Boston to head to American Brotherhood Weekend and Femme Boot Pride in Chicago...

up up and awaaaaayyy!

Ties

2011-10-02T19:43:00.001-07:00

I have a little bit of a fetish.

I am the Bionic Woman! (Oh, and a FetFest post)

2011-09-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

First things first, an update on my knee, since you all have been such good viewers on this regularly scheduled program:

I am the Bionic Woman. It's true! Apparently, on my MRI, I no longer have an ACL. Yup - the muscle is frayed away. We're not sure how long this has been the case, but my theory is that I damaged and then subsequently snapped it last summer. Being the Bionic Woman (or rather, an idiot, depending on your perspective), I iced, elevated, avoided the hospital, and instead just continued to ride my bicycle as much as possible once the swelling went down.

Well, as life would have it, one's leg has moments of being unstable without an ACL. It is, ya know, a pretty relevant muscle. Throughout the past year, I've had a few episodes of unsteadiness, which I just took to mean my knee hurt. When I collapsed before GLLA, carrying luggage down my front stoop, I was just having another one of those episodes, with more swelling and pain than usual. Thing is, even a few hours after that incident, my leg was swollen and I couldn't entirely move it (as in, like, do a jig! or squats! or...walk up stairs!) but I wasn't in pain. At all. (Sidebar: Yes yes, masochists, I get it - perhaps my pain tolerance is a little askew.)

Long story short, my doctor, after manipulating my leg and examining my MRI, called me "Ripley's Believe it or Not" (seriously, he did), and told me that his diagnosis was that I should stay as far away from surgeons as possible, and instead? Bicycle my little face off. That's right - he wants me to exercise *more*.

Like I needed an excuse to bike more...

Anyway, I still shouldn't do things like climb Mount Everest, go line-dancing, play soccer and/or frisbee, or go chasing after small children in an Escher painting. Forward motion only, please. But I can still bicycle, jump daintily into the arms of attractive leatherbears, and get on my damn knees in a dirty dungeon.

And now, I was at FetFest:

It was great! I've been on the campground they use for a number of events, and it's always a great way to submerge yourself into your kinky culture. What better way to feel at home than to be able to wander over to other various subculture camps, completely topless? At least that's one of my highlights.

I was volunteering with my lovely sash-wife, Sara Vibes, for the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom. I've been a volunteer of some kind at every event thus far, and it's my favorite way to exist. I like having a role, and places to be. I enjoy the schmoozy nature of title-holding, but the truth of the matter is, I prefer to get my hands dirty. I should be bootblacking, flyering, talking up an organization, setting up a table for promotion... I do all these things in my usual life, title-holding isn't any different for me. Being able to really rock all these skills and more always make me happy!

My only sadness is that a lot of the events (and there were a lot of them!) overlapped in such a fashion that I didn't really get to attend the things I wasn't directly involved in. I would have liked to have seen how other camps (we were attached to the Queer Village, but there was a Rope Village and a Sex Village and a Poly Village... you get it) did their thing.

My next stop...

I'll be at Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco! I've never been so I'm excited to pop my cherry. I'll be doing a demo on bootblacking (or what I like to call, Fucking Without Sex), at 3 p.m. at Venus' Playground, and will be at various parties and meet'n'greets. Find me!

Additionally, I'm staying a few extra days to attend and bootblack at my friend Allie's BOOK RELEASE! How cool is that?

Up, up, and awayyyyy!
- The Bionic Bootblack

p.s. Don't actually call me that.

p.p.s. Okay, I lied, totally call me that. I have a Wolverine Complex.

Leather Page comic - leatherladybear

2011-08-29T18:06:00.001-07:00

The first comic is up!

A Knee Update

2011-08-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

By now you may have heard that the day before I was supposed to leave for Great Lakes Leather Alliance, I took a tumble and damaged my right knee. Essentially, what happened was probably bound to happen at some point in the next year ...

Some backstory:

In 2007, I tore my left ACL playing ultimate frisbee. It was a frustrating process, but because of my bicycling-addiction, I had a pretty speedy recovery (read: about 6 - 8 months). There's a pretty high rate of ACL-tearing in female-bodied-folks who are super athletic, due to several factors, one of them being wide hips, yadda yadda yadda...

Additionally, there's a pretty steady rate of hurting the *other* knee at some point, because the stronger knee (read: non-surgery knee) winds up compensating during the recovery period.

Even though I quit frisbee and the more hardcore sports I was doing (because my right knee had started to feel funny... surprise surprise!), I still managed to do some pretty consistent damage to my right knee throughout the past year, and I guess it decided to give up last Wednesday. (I was carrying luggage down my front stoop stairs and just collapsed.)

So, what does this mean?

Well, with the exception of missing GLLA, I'm going to be back on my travel schedule this coming September. I took the doctor's recommendation, and decided that resting and icing and ibuprofen-ing was probably in my best interest, and I already feel worlds better than I did last week. I've decided to not have reconstructive surgery until after my title-year, if I have it at all, and instead wear a hearty brace.

So, what does this really mean?

Please be gentle with me. I am a tiny bootblack, and I love leaping into everyone's arms, but for the time being, we must treat my knee like a delicate flower. I've had knee troubles since my surgery in '07, but knowing that something really is wrong with my right knee, I need to be a little more cautious than my bouncy ways normally permit.

I'm not saying I don't want someone to beat the crap out of me or decide they can't negotiate a take-down scene with me -- I just need initial loving to be careful. I know that I have a large amount of people I like to tackle hello, and unfortunately, we must pretend to be pretty princesses for now.

Thanks for being so amazing, community and family. The past few days have been smooth due to the aggressive loving you all have given me, and the (at times, demanded) care you have laid on me. Love!

A current travel schedule!

2011-08-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

September 1 - 4
FETFest in Maryland
(Doing boots!)

September 22 - 26
Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco
(Confirmed! Doing boots!)
((I'll also be sticking around until September 30!))

October 6 - 10
American Brotherhood Weekend in Chicago
(There to support my ABW family!)

October 20 - 23
I'll be rockin' out in Montreal for Salacious!

October 29 - 30
Queer Invasion in Connecticut
(I'm the presenter!)

November 4 - 6
Philadelphia Leather Pride
(I'm presenting with my sash-husband, Jim!)

November 11 - 13
Transcending Boundaries
(Not primarily a BB event, but awesome nonetheless!)

November 18 - 20
Hopefully presenting in Montreal
Trying to figure out how to teach!

November 25
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The Leathermask Ball
(Lyndon and I will be rockin' out in my hometown!)

---- 2012 ----

January 13 - 15
Mid-Atlantic Leather
(Doing boots!)

January 20 - 22
Phoenix, AZ
Southwest Leatherfest
(Confirmed! I'll be presenting and judging)

February 10 - 13
Providence, RI
Fetish Flea Market
(I always do boots!)

March 21 - 25
Portland, OR
KinkFest

Stickin' around on the West Coast between...!

March 29 - April 2
International Ms Leather - Step Aside
www.imsl.org

My art is at the Leather Archives and Museum!

2011-08-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

Check it out!

So, this happened:

2011-08-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

So give me some time until we can properly resume our regularly scheduled program...

My first tip of my title year

2011-08-09T02:32:00.001-07:00

The half hour after getting of the stage, I went to the Boots and Cigars party at IMsL... Everything is very much a blur, still, but I do remember being approached by Bootdawg and being handed what he called "my first tip of my title year" - a 2011 silver dollar. I've had this tip on my person in some capacity since.

My friend Matt (of the famed boot shaped glycerin soap!) created a great little coin protector out of leather for me. Check it out!

Isn't it great? It's in my pocket right now.

Speaking of bright colors...

2011-08-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

Daddy got me a whole bunch of awesomely colored parachord so I can lace your boots up right! Lace flagging is sexy.

Illustrated Hankies

2011-08-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

The beginning... My test hankies for illustrations!

ILSb / ICBB

2011-08-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the International Leather Sir and boy / International Community Bootblack contest in San Francisco... It was my first time back in the IMsL host hotel since my own title-run! That was a little bit of a mind-fuck, to be honest... I think we sometimes develop associations with places (did I say sometimes? I meant, we develop associations. Period.), so it was sort of jarring to be there for another event...!

It was nice to be able to witness another bootblack contest, from the outside. Congratulations, SF Luna!

I'm attaching some fun photos of the event that I took, in and outside of the hotel.

This is Spencer the Sock Monkey. He is my traveling companion, so I don't get too lonely.

I'm just a sucker for city-scapes!

Sara Vibes, IMsL2011, being sexy at the Mr. S Leather VIP Party, in their new Locker Room.

Luna, our new ICBB2011, rocking out with her tech boots.

Leo, Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack 2011, also workin' his tech boots.

Some sexiness from the, ahem, Interpersonal Skills section of the ICBB contest.

Interpersonal Skills - butt!

Jay, Northeast Community Bootblack, with his Interpersonal Demo Top.

I love this pic - Northwest Community Bootblack, Dylan, uses his mouth to buff his demo's boots.

Red Warrior, ICBB2010, gives her step-down speech. She makes a great Frodo! :)

Lastly, Lamalani (IMsL2009) and I before the contest begins.

Airport thoughts

2011-07-27T12:43:00.001-07:00

Sometimes when I'm sitting in the crowded melee of an airport, I wonder: am I doing my title justice? Am I really supporting and aiding and rocking my community? Am I doing them proud? I think the stress of travel brings out the nerves.

Respect your pidgeon top.

2011-07-18T20:20:00.000-07:00

Silly doodle from today:

Doin' some fancy math

2011-07-18T17:01:00.000-07:00

For those of you that know me closely, you know I'm all about two things: integrity and transparency. They're very related, but for this moment, I'm gonna focus on transparency.

In the interest of being transparent, I will say that it is fundraising time again, and in a hardcore way. The truth of the matter is, travel funds are not that large. They don't necessarily cover all travel, and most of the time, I have to do a fancy-dance combining several types of airlines and buses and the helpfulness of friends to get somewhere.

I've finally really figured out what the rest of my title-year looks like in terms of travel, and essentially, by the mid-October my travel fund is gone. That is, if I do all the events I've been asked to do--which I want to because that's the point, yeah? ::grin::

I spent a good chunk of today figuring out what some of my more significant trips would potentially cost. This is coupled with the fact that I also realized that a lot of my more non-northeast travel happens later in my title year, making it so the more expensive trips are post travel funding. Does all this make sense?

Additionally, it was real nice to be able to hand a check for $100 to the Women's Leather History Project within my first month, and I wasn't able to do the same for the month of June. I'd like to change that!

My goal is to raise another $500 by August 1. I think this is do-able, and then I can cut the WLHP another check, and not go broke this year! Whatcha think, y'all?

There are several ways to donate to my travel fund:

1. If you want to get a piece of art out of the deal, you can order a print here: Society6: Katie Diamond Any art prints related to leather or boots or sexuality have a note that 20% of those proceeds go to the WLHP. And the rest will go to my travel fund!

2. You can click here to donate directly to me via PayPal:

3. You can sit in my chair when I bootblack at an event!

Thanks a million, folks. Any questions can be directed to me here or via my email: imsbb2011@imsl.org

Updated Travel Schedule!

2011-07-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

For y'all!

July 27 - August 1
International Leather Sir/boy and Community Bootblack
(I'll be your resident boot uncle!)

August 12 - 14
Toronto Leather Pride
(I'm teaching and doing boots!)

August 18 - 20
Great Lakes Leather Alliance
(I'm judging the BB contest!)

September 1 - 4
FETFest in Maryland
(Doing boots!)

September 14 - 19
Dark Odyssey: Summer Camp in Maryland
(Tentative)

September 22 - 26
Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco
(Confirmed! Probably doing boots)

October 6 - 10
American Brotherhood Weekend in Chicago
(Tentative - trying to figure out travel!)

October 20 - 23
I'm trying to make some BB mischief in Montreal!

October 29 - 30
Queer Invasion in Connecticut
(I'm the presenter!)

November 4 - 6
Philadelphia Leather Pride

November 11 - 13
Transcending Boundaries
(Not primarily a BB event, but awesome nonetheless!)

November 18 - 20
Montreal
Trying to figure out how to teach!

November 25
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The Leathermask Ball
(Lyndon and I will be rockin' out in my hometown!)

---- 2012 ----

January 13 - 15
Mid-Atlantic Leather
(Still confirming!)

January 20 - 22
Phoenix, AZ
Southwest Leatherfest
(Almost confirmed!)

February 10 - 13
Providence, RI
Fetish Flea Market
(I always do boots!)

March 15 - 19
Portland, OR
KinkFest
(Almost confirmed!)

March 29 - April 2
International Ms Leather - Step Aside

Art art and more art!

2011-06-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

I've opened up my old locker of illustrations, and also started drawing with more fervor and frequency, and have been putting these illustrations up on my Society6 website. Prints, shirts, and other goodies are available there, with 20% of the profits on leather and boot drawings going to the Women's Leather History Project, and the rest to my IMsBB travel fund!

Ridiculous

2011-06-15T13:29:00.001-07:00

International Mr Leather

2011-06-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

It's long overdue if you ask me, but here, finally, are my thoughts on International Mr Leather! Because I'm a nerd, I shall place them in numerical order.

1. The joy of watching Jim Deuder, my boot-grandaddy and now, my sash-husband (are we incestuous, or what?) rock out at the competition was just wonderful. He licked every pair of boots he blacked. It...was...amazing.

2. Hot leathermen. 'Nuff said.

3. I finally got to meet, in person, some folks I've only had the opportunity to meet online or hear about. I often feel passionately about our community (in case you didn't notice), but pleasant reminders of our loveliness still stun me.

4. Thank goodness for Pony, International Mr Bootblack 2009. I mean, seriously. She fed me, made sure I got everywhere I needed to be, made sure I got at least 7-8 hours of sleep, and is just incredible. Thank goodness for her.

5. Hot leathermen. Uh huh.

6. Though, I do admit, in regards to #2 and #6, I often forget the following things about myself: a) I am short. b) I may be a tiny bear but I am still female. I think I confused a lot of said leathermen when I woofed at them. Or made them giddy. It's still up for debate.

7. Being able to hang about the IMBB contest and watch the contestants was wonderful. I consider myself a true voyeur - I am so down with just watching. Being a nerdy voyeur, I really enjoyed watching people's styles and personalities.

8. Also, thank goodness for the American Brotherhood family. The ABWs are simply divine. I also feel very taken under their wings whenever I am around them, and I hope to return the favor as soon as possible and as frequently as I can.

9. Back on #6, another wonderful thing about being a ladybear is when you are indeed seen as the ladybear you are. Many times, I'd meet a leatherbrother for the first time, and our greeting was growly and joyous. It would surprise whoever introduced us, and it would remind me that my queers are totally rockin'. Open-heartedness is really the basis for everything, I believe. Maybe that sentence is cheesy. But one could argue this whooole post is cheesy.

10. The opening of "A Room of Her Own" via the Women's Leather History Project at the Leather Archives and Museum was so successful, and I'm so proud to have been there and to have been a part of it. To be a part of it!

Well, I think 10 is a good number to end on... Obviously there was much more to the weekend, but being able to quantify and qualify it all in words is sorta beyond me. Here's a picture of the WLHP A Room of Her Own pin instead.

Next few months for y'all

2011-05-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

I was hoping to have a calendar of events I could embed onto the blog, but apparently that's too tech-savvy for blogger... So to keep it simple, here's a list of the events I know I'll be at in the next few months! (I'm certain I'll add things!)

May 26 - May 30
International Mr Leather in Chicago

June 11
Boston Pride
I'll be on the Ramrod float!

June 18
Portland, Maine Pride

July 1 - 4
TESFest in New Jersey

July 27 - August 1
International Leather Sir/boy and Community Bootblack

September 1 - 4
FETFest in Maryland

September 14 - 19
Dark Odyssey: Summer Camp in Maryland

September 22 - 26 (Maybe)
Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco

October 6 - 10
American Brotherhood Weekend in Chicago

October 29
Queer Invasion in Connecticut
I'm presenting!

November 4 - 6
Philadelphia Leather Pride

And then we're suddenly in 2012, which is way too intense for me to post now. ;)

$100 raised already!

2011-05-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

That's right - you read correctly! It's only been a month, and all y'all have been amazing and made it so I've already raised $100 for the Women's Leather History Project!

I want to keep this trend up... So I'm making it my goal to raise $100 for the project every month of my title year (and perhaps beyond!). 20% of all my travel funds go to the Women's Leather History Project, and the rest goes to travel.

It means tons to me that y'all have been so generous. It takes the burden and stress off of traveling all around repping IMsL/IMsBB, and makes me giddy that it has the added bonus of preserving our history.

So, click below!

In other amazing news...

2011-05-19T14:40:00.001-07:00

Look at this amazing card I got!

Snoopy starts his adventures...

2011-05-19T14:38:00.001-07:00

In Boston!

Nerdy Photos and Thoughts

2011-05-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

I have WLHP palm cards! Find me and we can talk more about awesome leather things.

I have managed to fit all my toilettries and vital bootblack supplies into a carry-on TSA approved travel bag. My nerdy packing brain is exploding in nerd-gasm. I wish I could fit more, but I've managed to even bring smaller tins of colors and such.

In other less nerdy things, I was in Boston this past weekend for several things... I was happily drinking whiskey at the FLAG (Fits Like A Glove) party on Saturday. It was a fun send-off party for International Mr Leather, which is coming up fast. I've been to the Ramrod a few times, but in the context of going downstairs to Machine, for performances and Dyke Night. I plan on making the Boston Ramrod a frequent stop for me this year, as Boston is only 2.5 hours from Portland. I feel pretty strongly about doing my best to rep Portland, but also see myself as a New Englander rockin' out the New England circuit.

In a similar vein, I stuck around Boston on Sunday to attend the MOB Meeting. It was awesome meeting with them, and talking about what my next year is gonna be like, what the title means, and ways to participate in my title-year... I also got to end my evening drawing people at a small MOB play party, so my Sunday ended pretty sweetly!

It was great to have my sketchbook and drawing materials at a play party again... There was a period in the beginning of my kink exploration where the way I felt comfortable at play parties was to have my drawing materials with me. The buffer of having something to do was really great, plus I was able to approach people to participate as an "active voyeur." At the end of someone's play or fuck session, they had a drawing ready for them! I plan on bringing my materials with me to all my events - just to see if I have the time, plus it's such a good way to participate with folks.

I made my own travel kit!

2011-05-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

It was messy!

Look at how tiny and cute my 'new' tins! (They are half-size, bee dee dubs. Shoulda taken a size reference photo!)

Looking Back

2011-05-03T15:04:00.000-07:00

(This post was originally written for Leland Carina's blog)

Why do I look back? Because the context of the environment I now exist in as a women, as a leatherwoman, and as a dyke has a history. A history that is, in the interest of candid full disclosure, older than I am.

Why do I look back? Because as an artist, especially as a female artist, I also believe that there is no going forward without understanding where I am coming from. I cannot create, nor simply exist as the person I am today, without understanding that people have come before me.

Why do I look back? Because it is important to honor the voices, activism, and creativity that has come before me. Let’s be clear: no idea is a new idea, it is simply an idea that has new packaging. And the best way to properly understand and implement an idea is to fully comprehend its history.

I don’t think I would have these foundational feelings about history if I wasn’t a feminist and an artist. As someone who went through the canon of art school, I can safely say that art history is just really goddamn important. And I’m not talking about learning about the art of Ancient Greece--I’m talking about the past twenty to thirty years of art history. Understanding who has created work in a similar medium and voice to you is key to understanding your own context as an artist. It lays a foundation of the how, the who, the when, and the why.

The same goes for our leather history. It’s not necessarily about encasing our histories in amber. It’s not about locking files in a cabinet for years to come, in a temperature-moderated facility. It’s about accessing information, relying on the work others have done before us to do the work we’re doing today, and considering ourselves as part of something bigger than us.

These reasons, and more!, are why 20% of the profits I’m raising for my travel fund this year are going towards the Women’s Leather History Project at the Leather Archives and Museum. I can talk a big talk about history all I want, but it takes funds to preserve that history, and I want to do what I can.

Being Real

2011-05-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

I'm currently on a Megabus, on my way back to Maine. I spent the past weekend in Manhattan with my mother and little sister. Visiting with my family can be difficult - they don't really know (or ask) about the majority of what I do with my life. This makes conversation trying and tiring, and it's a lot of listening and asking questions on my part.

For the most part, this sort of conversational dance isn't new. Since I was very young, my rule has been, "less is more." My family didn't talk about sexuality. We didn't talk about complicated situations. We don't discuss politics, or religion. I developed, at a young age, the ability to give enough information to satisfy without going into explicit detail.

Example: for a while, I worked as the Communications Director of a nonprofit. Specifically, a nonprofit that did voting advocacy work with disenfranchised youth of color. At family gatherings, when asked, "So, what are you doing now?" I would say, "I'm the Communications Director of a nonprofit." If pressed further, I'd say, "Oh, we work with young people." If further, "We work on local issues." And, if it ever got that far, "Oh, on voting issues."

Inevitably, this would lead someone in my ridiculous bio-family to say something to the effect of, "OH MY, well, you know Obama won because of the BLACK VOTE, RIGHT?"

Case. In. Point. Less information is best.

Visiting this weekend with my mother and sister, I didn't do much talking. I don't tend to in family situations. And the conversations that did occur were exhausting. How do I explain to my family that, actually, I'm doing really relevant work? It's just not, you know, the work they imagine? I received a lot of misplaced but well-intentioned lectures about the "direction of my life."

By the time Saturday rolled around, I was beginning to feel a loss of self. I began to take their advice seriously; I began to believe I was directionless and unmotivated.

Then: I went to Submit Party in Brooklyn with my sash-wife, Sara Vibes, and her girlfriend, Indigo.

Thank goodness for my leatherfolk. I mean, seriously. It helped to be with friends and chosen family. And the darkness of the basement dungeon, lit only by red florescents, helped!

Yes, it totally soothed my ego to be announced at the party. I spent the three days before that evening being questioned about my own authority in my own life. But it wasn't about being celebrated for a title. I spent almost four hours talking to amazing, incredible people. My peers. My real community, and in essence, my real family. I immediately felt at ease. I was with my people. We don't always agree on everything, but we come from a place of mutual respect, integrity, and honesty. I could breathe.

So, thank you. Thank you for looking me in the eyes when I speak. Thank you for truly listening, and being available. Thank you for asking the right questions, but also challenging me on my own stuff in a way that is supportive and from a place of love. Leatherpeople, you rock my socks.

My Travel Fund!

2011-04-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! A quick update!

I'm officially starting to raise money for my travel fund, and I've confirmed with the Leather Archives and Museum - the Women's Leather History Project is going to receive 20% of all the money I raise this year!

I have more formal language, plus a "what does this mean, kd?" blog coming up, I promise! I'm just traveling until Sunday and need two seconds to sit still and get it all together. I'll update y'all with more information as soon as possible!

In the meantime, you can click here to donate now!

Bootblack Doodles

2011-04-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

Not many folks know this, but I had been considering running for IMsBB for two years. I've been attending the event since 2008. Last year, on the flight back across the country after IMsL, I started a sketch-diary to organize my thoughts on bootblacking. Here's one of the pages! I'll be sketching and updating throughout my title year.

Pressed between the pages of my sketchbook

2011-04-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

A little piece of history, giving me joy:

It begins

2011-04-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

Our flight was delayed by 5 hours in Phoenix yesterday, which means we didn't arrive in the great state of Maine until about 3:30 AM. I was lucky, and got to sleep till noon today, but found myself unable to be productive... The exhaustion was overwhelming, but the main sensation was mostly surreal.

My house looks the same. My kitchen is the same. My car still has a bizarre unexplained semi-flat tire. I still have a mountain of work to do in the next few days for several clients, and my email inbox is utterly terrifying.

Yet something has changed. I can't quite explain it, perhaps it will become clearer as this year goes on. I feel calm and directed, and perhaps more pensive than I have been before. Not like I needed help thinking! Sometimes I think too much.

I know--not the sexiest first post! But there you have it... I'll be using this blog as a platform to post pictures, thoughts, and other magic about my journey. Feel free to comment and repost things as you wish!