My Leather Bootblacking History.....
For those in the Leather Lifestyle, do you reflect on the journey you took to get to where you are today? i want to take this opportunity to reflect on those who helped me on my Bootblack History.
The first person i want to mention is slave Eric. slave Eric is in Master Chuck’ leather family, the same one i am in. The family was together at the Rochester Rams run a few years back, and we all learned from him how to polish boots. This was the first time i have ever polished boots and learned any of the techniques.
The next person i want to thank is black. i consider him the Godfather of bootblacking. He also has taught a lot of Torontonian Bootblacks their craft. black also was one of the judges in one of my competitions. When he was in my chair, i had him purring :D
The next person is boy joe. A fellow bootblack in Toronto, he was also a judge in one of my competitions. He was ecstatic that i found a trick a judge uses to see if the bootblack is paying attention!!!
Another bootblack from Toronto is boy eli. Boy eli lead the second workshop i went to, and helped developed my craft further.
Boy Alex....what can i say, He won the first contest i was in, and ever since i met boy alex, i always have a great time catching up and finding out more about the bootblacks in Toronto so i can be caught up!
Another Toronto Bootblack is slave cub. i also learned bootblacking from him, but in addition he suggested i public bootblack and to run for any bootblacking competitions. Later that year, i did!!
BooBoo is an IMBB winner, and was a guest Bootblack at the first workshop i went to in Toronto. He was the one that taught me about grease boots and how they are different from polish boots. Ever since then, i love to grease grease boots!!!!
Master Jack ( or as i known him back then Black Jack) was a competitor at my 1st IML. He got 2nd runner up and only beet me by 1 vote!! Since then we been talking and he encouraged me to run for the NABB contest for the second time. i am glad i did.
Elegant! If black is the Godfather of Bootblacking, Elegant is the Godmother of Bootblacking. Even though we have never met, i have asked her for some advice, and she gives it freely. i highly respect her and her knowledge, and hope one day that we get to meet, and hope i learn more form her!
Gabe M. For those who know Gabe, you know how much a flirt he is. But deep down, he is a great man with a huge heart. In my need at GLLA, i needed some finger cots, and he went to get some for me when i needed to be bootblacking. i will never forget that, and apreciate him. i just wished we could spend more time with each other.
Bootdog.... IMBB winner the 1st year i competed at IML. Since i met him, i want to live up to his standard of competition and his warmth and friendship as a friend. i have appreciated his friendship we have. The following year, i wanted to be like bootdog at IML, and did my best to be a Big Brother to the other contestants, especially those who were there for the first time. i hope our friendship continues.
Ben... Ben from Chicago contacted me to see if i could bootblack for the WindyCity Boys Troupe on their bar night. i was humbled by their invitation, and appreciated the opportunity to bootblack.
Jeff and Eddie. A couple in Columbus who opened up their home for me when i bootblacking in Columbus. They also were gracious to give me my first business cards for my bootblacking when i competed at IML.
Chris, also from Columbus at the time, also opened up his home for me when i was in Columbus.
Sir Merrill. He helped me realize who i am as a bootblack and why i compete.
Mr. Leather Toronto education series, Detroit Area Rough and Kinkfest, LIFE Detroit, and KNOCK. These education based institutions allowed me to teach at there venues. Teaching allows me to grow as a bootblack, and it challenges me to make sure i know my stuff.
There are a few i need to spend more time on and without them, i would not be where i am today as a bootblack.
The first is Frank. He was the owner of WOOFS and sponsored me at my first IML. When i was first asked to bootblack at WOOFS, i was privileged to black his boots. It was then that people asked me if i was going to compete at IML. Right there he said he would sponsor me!!! i am so grateful for his support...also quite a hot man!!!!!!
The next is Lady Justice and the Justice League. When i was in Columbus bootblacking, i was introduced to Lady Justice. Since then, i have been asked to bootblack for them as much as i could until i was unable to travel. i am grateful for there support of my bootblacking and their friendship. i was privileged to get from Lady Justice my second piece of Earned Leather, a leather vest that i still ware today. Later on, i found out it was the first piece that Lady Justice ever gave, and i am honored to be the recipient of the Leather Vest.
Daddy Dawg and David Hawks. David Hawks is a past IMBB winner and was running the IMBB the two years i was competing. Daddy Dawg was the Den Daddy and Daddy to David. They both cared deeply about their bootblacks and made sure they were ok when competing. With me, they went well beyond this, and talked to me when i felt i wasn’t getting any votes. They talked to me about confidence and the fact that even though i did not look the ‘typical’ bootblack, who there were people there that appreciated fine work. They were also there for me and concerned at the last IML i competed when there was a possible TIA attack. i cannot say how much i care about the two of them and how much they mean to me. Unfortunately David’s last year running IMBB was this year and i was unable to make it. i hope i see the two of them again, i need to give them a hug.
Marc, aka Bootglove. Marc was a Leather Uncle to me in every sense of the word. When i was no longer collared and competed at IML, he was my main source of support. Not only those, as an Uncle, he put me up at a motel right before IML so that i wasn’t rushed, and provided me with bottled water and Izzy pop!!!!!! i will NEVER forget him. Unfortunately, Marc passed away from kidney failure, and i miss him severely. If i compete at IML again, it will be hard not to see him there
BullmanX!! Sir Paul allowed me to do some of his boots to see my skill and what i learned. i was so green, i wasn’t sure i was good enough. Sir Paul was the first boots i worked on that was not in my Leather Family. Once i finished the boots, he was impressed. He suggested that i should public bootblack and see if i could black at the Eagle here in Detroit. Sir Paul took some photos of me bootblacking, i used a pic for my business cards. He has been a long time friend and Mentor and values his opinion. Unfortunately for me, he moved to DC area, and i miss him greatly.
Next are Sir Scott and Sir Iain. My former Sirs. They helped foster and nurture my bootblacking skills. They also provided me my first bootblacking kit which parts of which i still use today. They allowed me to experiment with their boots when i needed to learn new skills, or trying new techniques. Sir Iain had gifted me the pair of Doc Martians boots that i worked on extensively. These boots have a long line of history to them and helped inspire my Bootblacking and Spirituality workshop.
Master Chuck. Sir has been quite patient with me is a big understatement!!! However, without him, i would not have continued with bootblacking. i have the distinct privilege of having Sir as my Demo Top when doing my Bootblacking and Spirituality course. This included the second time i taught the class, i was privilege to black him main pair of Boots. These are the pair of boots that was gifted to him and was worn at every collaring, decollating, family function there is. i am privilege to be one of two people who are allowed to black those boots, and when i do, i drop into sub space. i hope to be able to black Sir’s boots for a long time .... at least until there is a Dom to collar me who needs me for their boots!!!
There have been many people who also contributed to my leather Bootblacking journey, and have left their mark on me. i appreciate everyone who came into my life. Please take time to thank those who contributed to your Life, Leather life, and to those who helped make you who you are today!!!
