Leather UNITED

Pride, what does it do to you?

So I went to Milwaukee Pridefest this past weekend. I was not prepared for the experience I have to say. I was blown away by the crowds of people, the friendliness and the sense of pride they have. The part where it was held was amazing. Plenty of room to move lots of people. The entertainment was good but the attendees made it. I met a friend that lives there, Bruce aka "Brutus the Rott" and he was my tour guide and co-conspirator. We decided to go in gear on Saturday, and couldn't go ten feet without bing stopped for a pic.

The bars were a blast as well and I did become accustom to the Wisconsin pour.  Then it was Sunday. The parade Brutus was official photographer.  I decided to see if the bear group would let me match with them. They said yes and gave me a "sleepy cap" and a flag to carry .  Their theme was "bears in Dreamland, Dreaming for a Better Tomorrow". 

 

I was touched by how friendly they were, but floored by the crowds. Families with kids, supporters, all together cheering us on.  It touched me then and even more now.  After walking the parade I came back up to watch the rest with the crowd.  At the end was the Pride Flag. I had not seen one in person this large, only in pictures.  It moved me, I was choked up. I felt pride and unity that I have only felt at Inferno before or with my FD at 9-11.  It started that thought again, I need ! No have to give back to the community.  Not sure the road but a journey of 1000 miles begins with one step.  I contacted Mr. Friendly to see about starting a chapter outreach in Toledo.  It starts with a drop, but over time those drops of water can erode the oldest of establishments.

I leave you with this image, not the best maybe for you, but I took it, it was my brothers I meet who opened up to me, it is our pride, it is the start of me.

So it has been a while since I posted. I hope to change that. Things have been a bit crazy. Strange times in the cycle. I have injured my back, recovering from that. Enjoyed both CLAW and IML. Bought new toys, to which I will post pictures and review of eventually (Grin). So what is new? Lots to pile througth so bear with me as I step through it piece by piece. Hugs, Tugs and Smoke for ya.

2013 in Review....

So it is 2013 now. I have read a lot of status updates of friends on here. Lot of people seems to have had a bad year, but some have not. I have heard people complaining about everything, others saying what a great year it was, and other say basically said grow up and be grateful for what you have (those tend to be the ones that have had a good year so a bit of a grain of salt there). So here is my version of the year for me.

Looking at the good and bad things putting them down on paper and reviewing them, I have to say that yes overall it was a very bad year for me. While there were things that went well, they are far out shadowed by the things that did not and have left me less than what I started the year to be, except for my weight. I have let people/companies walk over me without doing much about it. I have probably said things I shouldn’t have to people. I have had old acquaintances find me and I have lost friends and family. I gained weight that I had lost, I tried to better myself but in some respect failed, I have tried to do good deeds but who knows if they succeeded. So, as I sit and look back, no it wasn’t a very good year for me.

So what for this next year? Plans? Goals? Resolutions? Not sure. Only thing I have decided is that this is the year of me. Not that I am going to be self-centered, but I think I need to repair me. I need to do things that I enjoy and that help me as well as others. What will this entail? I don’t know yet, but I will be making changes. What will be the end game? I am hoping a better person that treats me as well as others. So if I am quiet, if I am loud, if I am defiant, if I am resolute you will know why. It is a process.