October 24, 2003

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Earlier this week, I sent an email to those involved in the ILS/b
weekend titled "What an experience/what a weekend." I would like to
elaborate on that for those who were unable to attend.  Here's what
happened.

After arriving in St. Petersburg, my title-SIR Brian and I were whisked
off to our accommodations at the Bayway Hotel, one mile away from the
Suncoast Hotel (the Host hotel). I guess keeping us there instead of the
Suncoast was to keep us out of trouble, or trouble out of us. After an
hour or so to unpack and relax, it was time to get going.

We hit the ground running last Thursday afternoon when the first
scheduled contestant meeting was held at 3 pm. We were told that we
should be there 30 minutes before all scheduled items. I knew right then
that this was to be an no-nonsense event and for that I was grateful.
Our local Sponsors, Roger Gregg & David McCammon had operated in the
same fashion and I respect the fact that timeliness was important and
expected.

After the meeting, we were shown to a large room that was called "The
Green Room" (guess why) where we we would be sequestered between events
at the Suncoast. Then it was back to the motel for dinner and a break to
prepare for the evening.

Thursday evening was the "Meet and Greet" with a large group of
leatherfolk in attendance. This included the judges and various regional
sponsors. The judges and staff were introduced, and Mike Zuhl gave out
awards. One of those was "Region of the Year", which was awarded to
Roger and David for our own Northern California region. It's hard to
believe that less than six months ago the previous sponsors for the
region had no plans in place for the Northern California contests. Roger
and David did an amazing job pulling this all together and making it all
look so easy. We are lucky to have this dynamic couple as part of our
Community.

After the awards, it was time for LeatherSIR 2002 Dale Bruenig and
Leatherboy 2002 Jose Gutiérrez to give their step down speeches. Jose
gave a great speech with many thank-yous. Additionally, he presented
Mary Elizabeth Boyd with a book of drawings he had done planning his
outfits for every appearance he made, which she had admired. Sir Dale
gave a moving speech and captured the audience's attention. He called
the previous year's boys to stand on stage with him at one point in the
speech.

Next came the contestant's number draw. This drawing determines the
order in which we would be presented throughout the contest. Our
regional sponsors asked both Brian and myself what number we wanted and
we both answered #1. It was truly eerie when that was the actual number
drawn for us. We were asked to all appear for a photo-op
 with our numbers displayed.

With the numbers drawn, our fates were set. Sometimes you have to watch
what you wish for, as you may actually get it. We eventually figured out
that being SIR #1 and boy #1 had advantages and disadvantages. The
advantage was that we were always onstage first. The disadvantage was
that we were always onstage first.

After a night of rest, Friday morning was time to be back at the
Suncoast to prepare for the basket auction, which would be held that
evening. Everyone was busy unpacking and arranging their baskets. Thank
God for our Sponsors' (Roger and David) skills at arranging a display!
In the midst of all this activity Brian and I were called back to the
Green Room to prepare for his interview. Being contestant #1, we began
to realize that we'd be the first in line for each part of the contest.

Brian's interview went well and I was waiting outside the room while the
interview was in session. Then it was back to the basket display - by
this time it was shaping up quite nicely. Somehow we had the best
location in the room to display our basket and it looked awesome.

Interviews of the Sirs went on through the afternoon and (to our
amazement) started running ahead of schedule. I was informed that i
would get my interview that afternoon instead of the next day as
scheduled. Around 5 pm I went before the judges for my interview as
Brian waited outside the door. Having both completed our interviews, we
headed back to our room for dinner and both felt proud of the job done
so far.

That evening was the basket auction with Lenny Broberg [IML1992] and
Frank Nowicki as auctioneers. Our pride grew even more as members of our
local community pitched in to show our basket as it was being auctioned.
Besides our Sponsors, Brian, and myself, we had Ray Tilton, Rod Wood,
David Shorey, and even Mr Marcus helping out. And our basket raised the
most money for the International Travel Fund! The basket action went on
throughout the evening but no other basket did as well as ours.

During the Meet & Greet on Thursday, David had received bad news about
his mother's medical condition. Unfortunately, he had to leave early
Saturday morning to fly home to be with her. Our thoughts and prayers
were with him through this difficult time, and we were sorry that he was
to miss the Contest.

Saturday morning the rest of the boy interviews continued as we were
kept sequestered in the Green Room. A photographer was sent to take
photos of each region's SIR and boy for an upcoming calendar. And he was
certainly creative in the way he posed us - as if I've never been in
those positions before!! (NO LAUGHING!)

Before we knew it it was time for dinner and the actual contest. We had
a dressing room back stage and were told that once it started it would
go so quickly that it would be over before we knew it. This seemed hard
to believe since the contest was scheduled to be over 3 hours long and
we wouldn't be able to see ANY of it (being stuck backstage).

The Contest consisted of four categories of judging. For the SIRs, those
were Interview, Leather Image/Speech, Fantasy, and Physique. For the
boys, the only difference was Servitude is judged in place of a Fantasy.

Having to be the first boy to go onstage to give his speech, I felt
somewhat nervous (the curse of being Contestant #1). I delivered the
speech, but couldn't wait to get offstage. Unlike some of the
contestants, I came in well under the 2 minute limit.

Our Fantasy was very hot, drawing on both Brian and my sexual
preferences. Richie Chameroy [Int'l Bootblack 2003] had created the
musical score, as well as much of the choreography. It all went very
well until the end when I couldn't figure out how to get offstage - we
hadn't rehearsed that part. With no other choice in front of me, I chose
to squeeze through the bars of the jail cell onstage, much to the
chagrin of the stage hands. I don't know what the judges thought of it,
but the audience seemed amused.

By the time the Physique portion arrived for me, I had become
comfortable being onstage. In fact, I felt rather playful and tried to
work the audience by putting my best side forward
 The leather jockstrap that Troy Anicete [Mr. SF Leather 2003] had designed
for me helped give me confidence that I looked GOOD!

While it is regrettable that we didn't have a lot of time to get to know
each other better, I feel honored to have had the privilege to get to
meet each contestant there. We are considered the best that each of our
regions has to offer, and that's quite an accomplishment. All throughout
the contest backstage, the camaraderie of the contestants was building
as we all pulled together to assist each other as needed. It felt like
we were not in competition against each other, but working toward a
common goal.

At last, it was time for the results to be announced. We all held our
breath as the announcements were made.  While Brian and I were a little
disappointed, and I would have liked for us to have brought home the
International titles, I respect the judges' decision. We support the new
International LeatherSIR and Leatherboy wholeheartedly, and I've already
invited them to come see how wonderful the River is and why we love it
here.

This whole experience has taught me so much. Only two weeks before the
International Contest, I was informed that I would be the Leatherboy
representing Northern California. The love and support of our community
that I have experienced firsthand was overwhelming and I now know what a
great thing it is. I hope that as my title-year progresses I will be
able to repay this in some way. This whole experience was an adventure
that I will never forget - what an experience, and what a weekend!

Your Northern California Leatherboy 2003,
roger hunt