MIR2011 - First Report

Spending a few moments in the hotel sorting pix (I worked hard today!). Here are some of those that caught my eye, and I should have a few more in a day or so. Being a judge here was probably the most fun I've had at one of these things. Both the judges and the contestants each brought unique perspectives and sorting it all out was not at all easy (I didn't think it would be but to try and do it is something else). I would have enjoyed even more time to get to know everyone involved, but time was short and we all did our very best. I also couldn't help but think back half a decade to what it was like as a contestant and how tense, exhilarated, confident, and unprepared I was. This event I think brought me full circle and helped me to complete that journey. Enough of that for now. Enjoy some pix!

Contestant from Italy (Francesco!) answering a question from the judges: "Which other contestant would you like to be stranded on desert island with and why?" Dang if I've forgotten the answer. I think I'd go sailing to a deserted island with him!

G-man, eventual MIR winner, relaxing during the first day of the meet

Eddie stealing the show . . . what's that he's spilled on his suit???

Some guys backside (hmmm, who could it be . . .)

pants by squeeze.dog

Eddie, our Emcee, and friends performing a rather twisted parody of Ladi Gagga . . .

Three of the 9 contestants. White seems popular this year.

Two exceptional outfits. The man in white came in second place.

Okay, I like this one especially . . .

It's a Start

Welcome! I've taken the leap and decided to give the blog system a try. I can't say how it will turn out, how often or what I will post but what the heck, why not. This blog is about rubber, specifically men in rubber, and more often than not about me in rubber and some of my rubber adventures. Some of you may know me better by my usual name, aqualaboy. I am often seen traveling in rubber clothes, wear rubber to work (underneath) or just plain sleep or work around the house in it.

I've just arrived in Chicago where I will help judge MIR, a major rubber title event. More on that next week and the experience of it, which should be interesting after having competed in more than one rubber title event in the past.

Scene from last year's MIR (2009). I think that's Tommy being dipped by that sailor.

Photo by aqualaboy.

The Theme of today's post is:

RUBBER BOOTWEAR

When you grow up in the snow like I did, rubber boots are a necessity but I wanted it to snow just to have an excuse to wear my green rubber boots to school, and then stomp in the slushy streets coming home. Since then I've accumulated a room full of rubber boots. What can I say? Heavy rubber boots are men stuff. They feel great to wear and look great.

Rubber japanese toe-boots, or Jika-Tabi (Tabi boots), by Earth Atom. They may look odd but with the right kind of toesocks can be comfortable and that rubber is exceptional.

Unlined rubber hipboots. Made in Germany by Blackstyle, they have an inseam of 40 inches and were sold as custom one-offs when the original purchaser failed to follow-through. My good fortune I guess!

Czechoslovak miners boots, "Siberian" from YellowCab (an online shoe company, if they are still in biz). They are very stiff, but with thick socks are a lot of fun, and I have a thing for yellow and black.

Doc Marten's. Photo taken in Oslo.