We come together this weekend as a tribe. We are different in so many ways, leathermen, rubber gimps, raunch pigs, bootblacks yet we are one tribe, united by one thing: the quest for joy and freedom in our sexual expression. 12 months ago, I came to this space to seek that joy in the form of polish, grease, sweat and passion. How will you seek that joy this weekend? How will your actions fill others with joy (among other things)? This year has shown me, overwhelmingly, the power of connection. Personal, emotional, sexual, intellectual, and soulful connection. Connections that go beyond appearances, age, experience, Old/New Guard, fetish interest, Dominant/submissive, or politics. This to me has been my joy. I have found deep connections with people I never expected to. When I was willing to let my guard down, step outside my comfort zone, and trust others, I was rewarded with truly gratifying experiences, and bonds that will last the test of time. Having to sum up my year in such short form has been a daunting task, but I hope to do myself and my experiences justice here. This year, and this title has been a vehicle of extreme personal growth for me; an experience that has fundamentally changed me. To sum it up, I feel as if I have entered this year as a bootblack, and have completed it as a leatherman. Every single one of you, in your own way, has contributed to my growth and learning, and mentored me to become the man I am today, and I thank you all for that. Some people in particular deserve an extra special thanks. First off, to Bo, my 'sister', thank you for your friendship, your smile, your mentorship, and for always treating me as your equal, and nothing less. To my partner, Andrew, thank you for believing in me, and supporting me, I couldn't have done this without you. To David Hawks, thank you for keeping this contest alive. You do so much for us bootblacks, and ask for nothing in return, and I appreciate that. And Finally, To boi alex Dunlop, thank you for showing me what brotherhood was all about. I know there are so many more, and I will have to thank you each in person. As we gather here this weekend, I would encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone, and open your mind to experiencing your tribe in a different way.