Buster is the new Mr. San Diego Leather 2006. No, not the bearish, balloon-blowing porn star from Grey Rose Video Productions. We keep that Buster tucked away until we need a hot bear to shake his groove thang on top of a box at L.L. Bear. Buster, the new San Diego Mr. Leather, is a handsome, baldheaded, bearish man, who sounds like the other Buster – but we don’t yet know if he gets off on balloons rubbing between his thighs. We can find that out later.

Before we get to who won the contest, let’s talk a bit about the week leading up to the contest. First of all, thank you to the Mr. San Diego Leather committee for putting up with a bitchy, overworked, haggard producer.

San Diego Leather Pride begins on the Wednesday before the contest. This year, the first event was All Club Night at Shooterz. Last year, we called it The Leather Olympics, but seeing how the International Olympic Committee guards the trademark name, we felt it better to change it to All Club Night. Isn’t it odd that there can be Special Olympics, Dog Olympics and Rat Olympics but not Gay Olympics? What if there were gay dogs or gay rats or gay people who are special? In any case, we changed the name so they couldn’t come after us. Whew, I was so worried about that.

This year’s All Club Night saw about five or six teams compete. The Rubber Dawgs were there looking sexier than ever in black and red rubber. The San Diego boys of leather were there taking charge, as all good boys usually do. The pansexual Club X had a team, and if you don’t know what “pansexual” means, then look it up in the dictionary. I’m sure it’s in there. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were there getting glitter and makeup on everybody and everything that came within 10 feet of them. The rodeo folks were there. I’ve never seen so many cowboys at a leather event – and without Ennis. Damn those cowboys for getting my hopes up. At the end of the night, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence tied and painted themselves into a victory. That’s right, folks, don’t f**k with the power of the prayer.

Thursday night, boy ron was chosen the Knight of Leather. The Knight of Leather spends the year as the liaison between the leather community and the Imperial Court. It’s a San Diego thing ’cause no one else in the country cares if the leather community and Imperial Court get along or not. Can you imagine putting up with sashes and tiaras for an entire year? Way to go, San Diego, for building those bridges. Let’s all join hands. I feel a “Kumbaya” moment coming on. The rest of the evening was spent with various title people acknowledging the accomplishments of other title people. Even the current International Mr. Leather, Michael Edges, was there to pay tribute to the outgoing Mr. San Diego Leather, Dutch. It was obvious during the evening that people just love Dutch. He’s one of those guys that no matter what happens, you just can’t help but love him. Got to give the guy credit for trying to hold it together for most of the evening. Dutch can get a little emotional, and the evil, bitchy producer forbade him to shed a tear – real leather men don’t cry. Maybe girls don’t cry and leather men do. Good luck at IML, Dutch.

Friday night was the Meet ’n’ Greet at The Eagle, and Sir Nicholas had the boys grilling up burgers and wieners – in the rain. If Sir Nicholas says grill, then we grill. The Eagle was packed with people meetin’ and greetin’ all night long. Well, at least until they found somebody to get to know better. Of course, the town party-throwers had to get out the slings and cages for a night of debauchery. These boys know how to have a good time, and if you do one thing this year, get on their invite list!

As you know, Saturday was the Mr. San Diego Leather Contest at Rich’s, and Sunday was the Victory Brunch at Baja Betty’s. I’m gonna let our new Mr. San Diego Leather tell you about the contest from his point of view in the next issue. Stay tuned…

There’s always something happening in town, and if you have an event you want listed or want to give me a piece, write to inthepit@aol.com. Until next time.