Cuddling on the
Wild Side

Jeffery Payne, International Mr Leather (IML) 2009, is helping to raise money for the SSC Fund. Please go to this link every day until the end of July and vote… http://www.refresheverything.com/sscfund

From the Facebook Event Page:

With one click of a button every day during the month of July, you could provide a $50,000 grant to the SSC Fund to assist individuals within our community with the purchase of hearing aid, as well as provide Sign Language interpretive services at our events. There is no cost to you except for 1 minute of your time each day during the month of July. Think about it: 1 minute x 31 days = $50,000. Can you think of an easier way to raise $50,000 in 31 minutes of your time? Click on the link above to cast your first of 31 votes this month and thank you in advance for your continued daily support of the SSC Fund.

Spread the word…

IML 2010 was my 3rd IML and the best one I’ve been to so far. Yes, IML is a sex-filled, heathenistic paradise, but that wasn’t what made it so great. It was all the people that I met, in great part because of Facebook, Twitter and other online sites.

My roommate for the weekend was a sexy beast I’d originally met on BigMuscle, but had never had a chance to meet up with. He’s an awesome guy and we had a lot of fun over the weekend. This is the second time I’ve roomed with someone I’ve never met, and both times it’s turned out great. Maybe I’m just lucky though.

The Vendor Market this year was a little sparse. The booths that were there were great, but many porn studios (outside of the bareback ones) were missing. There were a few others I noticed that were missing too.

The parties this year were just as good as always. Some of my friends threw a CODE party for the first time. It was the only naughty party officially hosted in the hotel. They’re going to be having more at other events over the year too.

Apparently my work at the gym and with my trainer had paid off. I seemed to be getting a LOT more attention this year than past year. I definitely wasn’t complaining. Something I also realized this year is that I’m not that great at getting guys back up to my room. I’m an expert flirter and will do most anything in public, but suck at closing the deal.

IML is my favorite event of the year, and I highly recommend everyone go at some point in time. Even if you’re not big into leather/kink, it’s worth it to experience.

Some more pics from IML below….

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I got back from IML last night and had an amazing time, which I’ll go more into detail with later. I did want to let everyone know the results.

Coming in as the 2nd runner-up is my good friend Jack Duke, Mr Texas Leather. He spent a lot of time preparing and I’m very proud of how well he did. The 1st runner-up is Lance Holman, Mr San Francisco Leather. I have no clue who he is.

The winner though is Tyler McCormick, Mr. Rio Grande Leather. He is a transgender man in a wheelchair. The first question people have when they hear that second sentence is, “Did he win because of those things?” I didn’t attend any of the contest, so I wanted to check with those that did. Everyone I talked to gave me a resounding “YES!”

Yes, he may be trans and in a wheelchair, but he’s still a fellow leatherman, and that’s all that should matter. Give support to our new International Mr Leather.

I would like to congratulate all my other friends that competed. Y’all did an amazing job and even just getting to IML is quite the accomplishment!

And if you still have any questions, check out this video of him below, especially his speech.

IML is less than a day away for me and for many it’s already begun. It’s a time of year for leathermen and everyone else to get together for a grand time – from the parties to the vendor mart to late night rendezvous. Last year I had the fortune of meeting Mr Marcus while just sitting in the lobby of a floor. I was hoping to talk with him again this year, but he has since passed.

For me, IML is about seeing my old friends and meeting new friends. Yes, I may have sex with some, but the best part are the friendships that last years. Mistakes are made and things are learned, but it’s a great time.

One of the hardest parts of getting ready for IML is the packing. I was/am a Boy Scout so I still have the mentality of Be Prepared. Those pesky airlines and their 50 lbs weight limit don’t agree with that philosophy so it’s a fun game of balancing desires – what toys to bring, what gear, do I bring clothes…

If you’re going, let me know. I’m always up for meeting readers, even if just briefly. Also, feel free to send me any stories you have from IML and I’ll post them throughout the weekend.

I’m finishing getting ready for IML right now. I’m going to try to post a lot of updates this weekend. Some will be short like this from my iPhone. Others will hopefully be longer and better. Let me know if there is anything you want me to check out while at IML in Chicago.