The 2007 San Diego Leather Awards were spectacular once again. There’s nothing like seeing big, tough leather people get all teary, which was the case when the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mark “Hawgs” Holmes. Also, a big congrats goes out to our lady Caryl for winning the Community Choice Award. She works hard and is one of the most beautiful women, inside and out. She’s a woman that straight men want to f*ck and gay men want to dress up as. Thanks, Mark and Caryl! Now the rest of you get off your ass and do something!

The Mr. San Diego Eagle Contest followed the award ceremony, with Russ taking the top spot. The Mr. Redwing Contest will be held on Feb. 24 at the Redwing Patio Bar. The winner gets $200 cash and can compete with Russ for Mr. San Diego Leather 2007 on March 17 at Rich’s. If you’re ready to step up and take on the role of Mr. San Diego Leather, applications are online at www.mrsandiegoleather.net.

The day after all the leather activities was Super Bowl Sunday. The game was exciting and Prince was f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s. Then there was the Snickers commercial, with two men ending up in a lips-barely-touching-almost kiss. If the actors had been Heath and Jake, it would’ve been hot, but it was still entertaining in an ugly-straight-guy-kissing sort of way. Sadly, I hear Snickers has caved to the flip-flop, puka-shell wearing A-gays who found it offensive. Those guys need to loosen up, have a good laugh and leave the rest of us to enjoy life and laugh every once in a while. Offensive my ass!

Speaking of asses, everyone’s welcome to fall on theirs at Buster’s Leather Skate Night on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Skateworld is the place, located at 6907 Linda Vista Rd. (near Fashion Valley), and $10 covers the entrance and blades (or skates for the 40-plus crowd).

We’ll be snatching the sash from Buster’s clenched fists on March 17 at the Mr. San Diego Leather Contest. Leather Pride Week officially begins on March 8 with All Club Night at the Joyce Bears Community Center at 8:00 p.m. The following night, the Ms. San Diego Leather contest will resurface after a brief hiatus. On Saturday, March 10, there will be a contestants’ meet and greet at the Eagle at 8:00 p.m. Ms. San Diego Leather will be chosen at Numbers, with a VIP reception beginning at 5:00 p.m. and the Ms. Leather contest, including the slave auction, at 7:00 p.m. After the contest, the women can go off and play together while the men head to the Redwing for a cigar social. OK, how sexist is that?

Leather Pride Week picks up again on Thursday, March 15, with the Salute to Mr. San Diego Leather Dinner at 7:00 p.m. at the Park Manor Suites. This is a new and well-deserved special event to honor a man who has worked through diversity and adversity for an entire year. The tickets are not part of the package and must be purchased separately for $25 online at www.mrsandiegoleather.com or at Pleasures and Treasures or The Crypt.

The Mr. San Diego Leather Meet & Greet will be on Friday, March 16, at 8:00 p.m. at the Eagle. Finally, the Mr. San Diego Leather Contest will be held on Saturday, March 17, at Rich’s. There will be a VIP reception at 5:00 p.m., with an amazing Tom of Finland art auction and other talented local artists. The Mr. San Diego Leather Contest will follow the reception at 7:00 p.m. with the “sashing” of the new Mr. San Diego Leather. L.L. Bear will be right after the contest, so you can find out if your “date” has rhythm or not. If he ain’t got rhythm, leave him on the sideline and pick out a piece that does. No one wants an erratic pounding. The next morning, slap on your face and head on over to brunch at Park Manor Suites at 10:00 a.m. Yes, it’s early, but if you’re lucky you can go back home for round two with your date. Just don’t eat too much!

Check www.mrsandiegoleather.net for updated Leather Pride Week information. See ya In the Pit.