Boxes - My ICBB 2015 Speech video

Thoughts on my weekend at ILSb-ICBB 2015

I am now in the air, literally, as I attempt to gather my thoughts about the experience I just went through. No one could have prepared me for the roller coaster ride I was going to embark on once I arrived in Dallas. Forget the excitement of no water or AC in our hotel, which was beyond the control of anyone there. It does provide common ground for the Class of 2015... the only commonality of our collective experiences. The months of preparation have finally paid off, SW Leather Trident had arrived and was ready to take Dallas by storm. 

Meeting our classmates face to face finally, after chatting for weeks. I truly felt like we were experiencing something special during the medal ceremony. Emotions were high, and you could truly feel like we were united. Then, walking down that center aisle and up on stage hearing my name announced as 'representing the SW region'....I can't describe it. I was not alone, and I was not doing this for myself. I WAS representing my entire family that were back home in AZ, NM, and NV. Hearing my friends and family cheer as I walked to that stage, it took every ounce of willpower to not cry. It was a good thing the staff kept preaching to us to smile.

My original intention in writing this was to share my entire weekend, but I am struggling to find the words. So I will hit the highlights. I first thought that the best part of the weekend was meeting, for me, a legend... Master Jack Peace. I loved finally getting that chance, however the best part happened on Saturday night. As we waited in the back for our turn on stage to give our speech, my nerves got the better of me. My speech was absolutely gone. The staff was amazing, the calmed me down and encouraged me. It was my turn on stage and as I walked down that aisle, my eyes focused on the stage so I could not see the love of my life. The cheering of my friends and family let me know that no matter what happened that night, all would be well. I took the microphone in my hand, took a deep breath and opened my mouth. I poured my heart and soul out to those listening. I was so focused on getting the microphone back onto the stand and off the stage before bursting into tears that I did not hear the crowd. It was later that I heard the applause on the video. I broke down inthe arms of one of the staff members back stage. I was done, there was nothing left. I truly felt like I had messed that speech up totally. I was so ready to apologize to my family and producers for disappointing them. Then it was time to return to the stage for the announcement of winners. I had convinced myself that Briar was going to win the Golden Brush award that I was absolutely in shock when it was my name announced. OH my gawd....this award did not come from judges....it came from my peers. I am still in shock over it. Then to share that excitement with my family....what a thrill. It actually was anti-climactic to find outI was First Runner up.

I know Briar will be an amazing ICBB2015, and I will be right there ready to help her in any way she needs. I am honored to have shared this weekend with her, and to get to know her.I am returning to my SWLSB-CBB family ready to continue our work. There are bootblacks to be birthed and raised in AZ, NM, and NV. I have some really exciting ideas for our region, and look forward to sharing them with everyone soon.

There are so many people to thank. I could not have done what I did this weekend with the loving support of Daddy Tyr. She believed in me when no one else did, she would not let me quit when I wanted to walk away. She allowed me to compete in March, even though she felt it was not in my best interest. I hope she feels differently now. To Mom & Dad, you supported me even though you didn't quite get what was happening. Your love and acceptance means the world to me. Thank you. Daddy Mark and Rocko...how do I thank you? You put up with health emergencies, transportation issues and my stubbornness. I love you both and hope we can continue working together to make our region strong. Sir
Joe and boy Tater, you showed me what it meant to be family, and you are both
Leathermen I am proud to call family. Sir Bill and Garrett, the months before this weekend were rough, but you stood beside not only your partner but by Daddy and I. Thank you. To Sir Greg and Syr Evan, thanks are not enough. You have made a difference in my life, I hope to be able to pay that forward. Jeffrey Payne, I am so grateful for everything. I love you. To the entire staff and volunteers of ILSB - ICBB2015, you are awesome!!!!!!!!!

A very special thank you must go out to the men and woman of the ILSB - ICBB class of 2015.....you are truly an amazing representation of what it means to be leather. Your home regions have every reason to be proud of you! Sir Tug, boy Jim and Briar, I am ready to assist you this year with anything you may need. Our home is always open for you. Each of you are so deserving of the title you now wear.

Contestant Medallion, Golden Brush Award, 1st Runner Up Medallion

BOXES (My ICBB 2015 Speech)

This past weekend was ILSb-ICBB 2015 in Dallas, TX. I am still processing the entire weekend, so will post those thoughts soon. I wanted to put the video of my speech here, but can't figure out how to do that. So will post the text of it.

Boxes - an amazing invention used to store items.  However, they were never intended to store people. Society truly enjoys putting human beings in a box. When people fight against being put into whatever particular box society wants them in, they are then labeled a rebel.

For many years, I had been sealed in a box that had been labeled by others. After meeting Daddy Tyr, she broke the seal on my box (chuckle) and removed the labels that had been placed upon me. As our relationship blossomed, she encouraged (chuckle) and yes, sometimes pushed me to step out of that box. It was only when I climbed out of that box during the SW Leather Contest in March that I finally felt accepted for me. This acceptance brought about a transformation in every aspect of my life, most especially my bootblacking. Society wanted to label my box lover, caregiver, slave, bootblack, mother, sister.  Fuck those other labels, I AM CHERIELLE, nothing less!

We - you, you, you  and every member of OUR community have already been labeled as outlaws and rebels, so I declare this the YEAR OF NO BOXES. Let’s live our life authentically, without fear of what others think. Because when each of us live our lives according to OUR truth, we will be able to make a positive change in our world. The way I see it, we can’t see outside the box when we are still in it.

SO, I challenge you to break…. No…. EXPLODE out of whatever box you have been put in, THRIVE and help others to do the same!