January will be a busy month for local leathermen, bears, admirers and wannabes. Before we go there, let’s finish off 2007 with a big bang.

The San Diego Eagle is always a good place to start since it is our local leather bar. Sir Nicolas and the gang have been putting up with leather drama for many years and this would be a good time to say “thank you” before the 2008 drama begins. If you’re one of the smart few who pick up the GLT on Thursday then get to the Ink & Steel Party, which happens on the fourth Thursday of every month. Ink & Steel refers, of course, to tats and piercings for you “leather-lite” who couldn’t figure that one out. Actually, if you couldn’t figure that one out you may want to head over to the Redwing and ask Adam to give you a crash course in Leather 101.

Once you’ve completed the course, make your way to Pleasures & Treasures for your first piece of cowhide with that “new car” smell. Theoretically one should “earn” that first piece of cow hide, but you must have something new to kick off 2008. Do yourself a favor and purchase some new “used” leather. P&T has a consignment room in the back so you won’t have that “I only wear this once a year” look. Pleasures & Treasures has a coupon in this week’s GLT so there’s no excuse for anyone to go into 2008 looking like Easy Rider. Let’s hope Pleasures & Treasures start carrying flight suits for us “leather lazy.” Hear that Bill? Flight suits!

Just because you have a harness with matching arm bands, don’t think you’re ready for the next Leather & Lace Ball –-which we’ll talk about in a bit. You’ll want to try out your new, “used” leather on a more forgiving crowd, so make your way to Rich’s for the New Year’s Eve-eve-eve, HI-BEAR-N8 Party presented by LLBear with special guest DJ, DJ Nikno. So, all you complaining about the music – dancin’ bears will have a different DJ for the HI-BEAR-N8 Party this Saturday, Dec. 29. There will be party favors, prize-giveaways and a champagne toast, so don’t go getting your fur in knots over the $10 cover charge. Remember, you get what you pay for, so let’s up the ante a bit and drop some coins for better music and good times.

Now, about that Leather & Lace Ball I mentioned earlier. The ball is in Northern California each year and is one of those things where you must be on the invitation list to even know the location. The ball was started some years ago by a Bay Area leather person and his lipstick lesbian wife. Confused? Yes, I said his lipstick lesbian wife. They’re one of those “don’t ask don’t tell” couples. The ball changes date and location each year and has a strict invite policy: No invite, no entrance; no additional guests. Divulge the location or don’t RSVP and you’re off the guest list – forever! The ball this year was on a sizeable estate in Northern California. It featured a swing-band quartet in one room, a hip-hop DJ on another section of the estate and a line-up of comedians, singers and performance artists in another section. The menu was just as incredible and ranged from mini gourmet pizzas and burgers to puff pastries filled with caviar. Obviously, I can’t go into too much detail about the Leather & Lace Ball but if you’re old enough to remember the awful Cruise/Kidman movie Eyes Wide Shut … you’ve got the idea. Sure, I wish I could get you ALL an invite but I’m trying to hang onto mine and at this point none of you are worth me getting off the list. Private, over-the-top parties … we need some of those in San Diego.

Speaking of parties, there’ll be lots of them happening this weekend. Whether you’re at The Eagle, Pecs, Redwing or Rich’s please be safe! We want to see you in 2008. Happy New Year!

See you “In The Pit.” Write me at Inthepitsd@aol.com.