IML Diary: December 2003

December 4th to 8th - "Catacombs", Rome, Italy

Thursday December 4th - Flew to Rome: my first trip to Italy. Think they have the best food, coffee and architecture but the WORST driving I've EVER seen! (And yes, I've been to Paris.) It's worth keeping your eyes open when they drive, though, because you never know when they'll turn a corner and say: "...and there's the Coliseum!" (above). Friday December 5th - Met the Leather Club Roma at the Sphinx leather bar.

Saturday December 6th - Walked around the centre of Rome during the day and saw some of the more famous buildings, churches, steps and fountains. In the evening I attended Catacombs leather event at the Frequency club. Pictured: Giving my speech at Catacombs on the theme of "working together", translated superbly into Italian by Peter from Liverpool. (left, above)

Sunday December 7th - Leather brunch at Rome's Lesbian and Gay Centre, along with members of Leather Club Roma (LCR), Lello (Mr Leather Italia) and Daniel Dumont (from MSC Belgium). Professional caterers, fabulous food and VERY strong coffee! Pictured (above) with me: Alfred Mayer and Vincenzo who are members of LCR.

December 13th - BLUF meeting and The Hoist Christmas Party, London, UK

Photo credit: Dave Harris Saturday December 13th - Attended a party for Breeches and Leather Uniform Fanclub (BLUF) members at the Hoist. There were a lot of Muir caps on show. This is me with Kurt, the Hoist DJ.

Photo credit: Dave Harris Saturday December 13th (continued) - There were lots of guys visiting from abroad that weekend, including Don and Lee from California.

Photo credit: Dave Harris Saturday December 13th (continued) - At 10pm the Hoist opened its doors to the public for their Christmas party and I handed out champagne. Here are two more visitors from the US: Kevin and Jay from the Magnet health centre in San Francisco.

December 18th - SM Gays Christmas Party, London, UK

Photo credit: Dave Harris Thursday December 18th - The SM Gays Christmas Party, also held at the Hoist. My duties included supervising a tombola in aid of the Spanner Trust and cutting the SM Gays Christmas cake (above).

Photo credit: Dave Harris Thursday December 18th (continued) - SM Gays is a not-for-profit organisation, so any excess money is donated to charity. At the party I was asked to hand over a cheque from SM Gays to the the Food Chain, who supply meals to people living with HIV.

Photo credit: Dave Harris Thursday December 18th (continued) - One of the attractions at the party was "Spanking Santa". Of course, people asked if IML would visit Santa's grotto. I replied that I couldn't while my collecting jar for the Spanner Trust was half-full. One whip round later, my jar was stuffed full of notes and I had to visit Santa to be spanked. It's a hard life!

December 14th to 30th - "Mr Belfast Leather", Northern Ireland

Photo credit: Dave Harris Saturday December 27th - Two days after Christmas Dave and I flew to a sub-freezing Belfast, Northern Ireland so that I could emcee the Mr Belfast Leather 2004 Contest, organised by the Men of the North club. Above: Belfast Town Hall covered in Christmas lights.

Photo credit: Dave Harris Sunday December 28th - The contest was held at the Custom House Bar. 140 very cheerful men packed out the bar to watch four contestants bid for the title. Above: John with the four contestants.

Photo credit: Dave Harris Sunday December 28th (continued) - The winner was decided by crowd vote. Colin Blair won and qualifies for a place at IML 2004. Left to Right: Brian Willis (Mr Belfast Leather 2003), me and Colin (Mr Belfast Leather 2004).

(For a list of my other diary entries please go to FULL INDEX)