Seattle, WA – This past weekend I had the pleasure of heading up to Vancouver BC to help our friends at Priape celebrate the 5th anniversary of the opening of their store there on Davie Street. Of course it was also a good opportunity to reconnect with my boy Chris after the debacle that was the end of IML weekend in Chicago. Trust me, don't ask. Suffice to say, we needed a nice, quiet weekend together to center and ground. Although it was somewhat of a working weekend for me, I would have chosen to be at the events anyway and I'm always up for modeling hot new gear, saying a few words on the microphone or doing a little rigging to entertain the crowd. And the schedule permitted for plenty of down time with my boy. Truth is, Vancouver and Seattle are sister cities, at least in the eyes of my leather community. I was happy to be back up north and thrilled to be helping Priape celebrate five years of valued involvement and contributions to our northwest leather tribe. It came as no surprise to me the Priape chose to celebrate this anniversary by supporting a fundraiser hosted by the current Mr Vancouver Leather, Doug Mitchell, and by sponsoring a party for the community at the Pumpjack, our local leather bar.
After arriving and settling in at Chris' Friday evening, the boy and I had a pleasant dinner and headed over to the Vancouver Men in Leather (VML) Social at Numbers. The Vancouver Men in Leather have taken to adopting themes for their socials and the theme for this past social was captured by the phrase, 'Up Your Kilt', so I donned my Utilikilt for the occasion (pictured above courtesy of Bar Piersdorff). The social was held in the 'leather loft' at Numbers, which provided for good social interaction with an intimate feel. I even got to help out by volunteering to wear the object-to-find in the 'golden cock ring' game. It was a fun time.
Saturday afternoon I hung out at the Priape store to meet and greet the customers, sign headshots and generally interact with the folks from the community. I was pleasantly surprised how many people came out to meet me, ask questions or get things signed. I was not surprised, however, when Auntie Tia came in from the island to visit with me. Tia's definitely part of the family, and we rarely miss an opportunity to see each other whenever we can. She stayed most of the day before leaving to catch the last ferry out. Priape is the exclusive retailer for Nasty Pig clothing in Canada, so I got to wear some really sexy and comfortable Nasty Pig shorts while I was there (pictured left); and now I want to get a pair, or two. I also got to meet and hang out with Jordan, the model Priape lined up to help model fetish gear and serve as my rope bottom later that night. I was pleased.
Saturday evening the Pumpjack Pub, in association with Priape and the current Mr Vancouver Leather, Doug Mitchell, presented a Silent Auction fundraiser for BCPWA's 'Average Joes' social and support group for gay men living with AIDS. The silent auction raised $2110 thanks to the many contributors, volunteers and supporters.
Later that night, Jordan and I joined Priape directeur-general Daniel St-Louis on stage to model some of the new sports and military inspired fetish gear the premier Canadian kink fashion house is launching this season as part of Priape's 5th Anniversary celebration. Afterwards, Jordan and I closed the show with a little educational display of full suspension Shibari rope bondage (pictured above courtesy of Bar Piersdorff). Which reminds me, I've posted bunch of images from Bar in a gallery entitled 'Priape's 5th in Vancouver'.
