Here in San Diego, the first message I received from International Mr. Leather in Chicago during Memorial Day weekend was: “Travis made top 20. Didn’t win. Going to the party now.”

Travis is Mr. San Francisco Leather, whom I got to know at the Leather Leadership Conference in April. Mr. San Diego Leather, Lee Butler, will be running for IML in 2008, so I cheered for Travis this year without the San Diego faithful losing their little leather minds.

Second message was: “Oh my God! Miss USA fell on her ass.”

Obviously she needed a drag queen to teach her how to walk in those heels. Where is Miss J. Alexander when you need her?

The final message was, “The L.A. guy won.”

Remember, I made fun of Mr. L.A. Leather’s name, Mikel “Gerle,” which to me sounds like “girl.” Now he’s International Mr. Leather. How dare we find humor in your name, Mr. Gerle? We look forward to you supporting our San Diego leather community every chance you get over the next year.

International Bootblack chosen at IML this year was “Spot” from the Great Lakes Leather Alliance. That’s right, “Spot.” Spot, as in: “See Spot jump.” “See Spot run.” “See Spot clean those boots with his tongue, blacken them, spit on them and buff them shiny enough to piss on.” “Atta boy, Spot.”

Of course, no leather contest would be complete without drama. This year’s bitch session had to do with all top-20 contestants being American. It couldn’t possibly be that Americans scored highest in the interviews. It couldn’t be that everyone else sucked (and not in a good way). No, those American judges fixed the contest this year.

How interesting the bitchers didn’t mind the year all top-three finishers were non-American. Funny how that works.

“Let’s plan next year right away.” 2008 will be the 30th anniversary of IML, May 22-28 in Chicago. The Palmer House Hilton is the host hotel and reservations can be made after July 1, 2007, at www.imrl.com. Updates on International Mr. Leather 2008 will be posted frequently on www.imrl.com. As I said earlier, Lee Butler will be representing “America’s Finest City” next year, so let’s have America’s finest leatherfolk there to cheer him on.

Get over to Pleasures & Treasures to celebrate its one-year anniversary. Why, it seems only yesterday Pleasures & Treasures was just a little, old craftsman-style house across the street from Albertson’s on University Avenue and Mississippi Street. Today it’s a grown-up leather boutique full of clothing, accessories, toys, slings (for sale and rent), consignment items and art work. Owners Tim and Bill and the staff have created a comfortable space where you can ask embarrassing questions stress free and bring your friends and lover(s), too. Let’s join them in celebrating on June 16 from noon to 6 p.m.

As part of the Pleasures & Treasures anniversary, a fund-raiser will be held all day Saturday, June 16, from noon to 2 a.m. Twenty-five percent of the total sales will be donated to Special Delivery. This is their way of giving back to the community that has helped support them. Please attend and spend, so money can be raised for this charity.

The San Diego boys of Leather raised $200 at their Memorial Day barbecue for the Leather Realm. They’ll be presenting the check at Family Feud between the Leather Realm and Club X board of directors on June 16 At Shooterz at 6 p.m. Let’s hope they have new questions this time around!

On June 17, the Eagle is hosting a bus trip to L.A. for the Tom of Finland Party, “Tom’s Bar,” at the Faultline. “Tom’s Bar” is always a hot party and the men are fine! If you’re in L.A., go! If you’re not in L.A., get a bus ticket from the Eagle and go!

See ya In the Pit! inthepitsd@aol.com