June 1 - 17

Getting back home was a little surreal, but after a whole bunch of laundry and starting back to work, I was beginning to feel the drop. Now I had to start looking at events to go to, places to contact, investigating various options, and trying to budget for all of it. Fortunately there were plenty of local events I had already committed to, to keep me occupied while I figured that out.

6/1/12 : Scotch and Cigar Social @ The Eagle, Portland

This was an unofficial welcome home. Lots of folks heard I was going to show up, and showed up themselves. Lots of congratulations and pride in me being able to bring the title back to the North West. I did not do a single pair of boots.

Also during this week thank to the magic of Don Hood and Tarsus, I was able to get my patch sewn onto my vest that I bought. It fit perfectly, and was very happy with how it looks. Someone recently pointed out to me though that with the image being made from boot material, I might try shining up the cap and heel of the boot.

6/8/12 : Beartown - Bearpocalypse @ The Jupiter Hotel, Portland

My first time blacking a pair of boots since IML. I gave myself that time to reset and make it more fun again. Did a few pairs on people I didn't know and a couple of regular folks came back for a spin. And of course the place was thick with bears and cigar smoke. Yum.

6/9/12 : Portland Leathermen Potluck @ Private home, Portland

I had been asked a few months back to help host this particular potluck with Les Lewis. His partner Rick was out of town on business, and I was conveniently close to him to help. Of course now he was telling people that Mr. IMBB 2012 was hosting with him. This was a nice relaxed gathering of men, who were also very congratulatory and proud I had won.

6/9/12 : Dirty Playground @ The Sindicate, Portland

On the tail end of the potluck was a queer play party over at one of the local dungeons, in which I had also agreed to do boots for a time. I was able to get there, do my boot shift and even got to play with one of my friends for a good amount of time. Nothing gets my blood flowing like a good impact scene. This is a queer play party that has recently got off the ground and I wanted to make sure to go by and support them.

6/16/12 : Pride Play Party @ The Sindicate, Portland

This was my Oregon title family's joint event - a play party the night before the Portland Pride Parade. Ms. Tracey, Tarsus and I hosted a dungeon night to try to raise funds for our respective charities. We had a good crew of people working with us, and the setup and tear down was ridiculously easy. Turn out was not tremendous, but given it was also Pride weekend, it was not surprising. I did manage to play with a newer guy to the scene though, which was a lot of fun.

6/17/12 : Portland Pride Parade @ Portland, OR

One of my last obligations as the Oregon State Bootblack was to march in the Portland Pride Parade - and despite the pacific north west's constant threat of rain, the sun came out and made it all better. We marched through the downtown streets ending at the fair, and I was accompanied by my lovely wife as well*. Hurray!

* The man in the picture with me, Dominic, is not my wife.