Back in the days of my youth, even before I met my spouse and for a few years thereafter… I thought of myself as a “leatherman” whose interests followed to attend events like International Mr. Leather (IML), Mid-Atlantic Leather (MAL), and various smaller gatherings of guys in gear. Yep, I have the leather, but what do I do with it now?
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Every now-and-then, someone writes to me to ask, “I can’t seem to squeeze on standard patrol boots. What companies offer boots that will fit me?” Some have also asked, “do you know any manufacturer of tall patrol boots that have a zipper in them?” Some men prefer or want a zipper so that the boots are easier for them to pull on or remove. It’s darn hard sometimes to get tall boots to fit beefy legs. Most patrol boots come with one standard calf circumference (width), so from their perspective, you can either buy them as made and try to squeeze them on, or forget about it.
Boot manufacturers have strong concerns about zippers on backstays of boots, so I thought I would share their views as I have heard them, and address the overall question about patrol boot sizing.
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I finally had time to finish cropping photos for my “cop galleries” on my website from the pictures I took during Law Ride 2013 which was held in Washington, DC, on May 12.
The full gallery of the (relatively few) photos that I took…
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I am having a new pair of boots made to order! Woo-hoo! Why the excitement? You say, “come on, BHD, you’ve got tons of boots. Why a new pair and why are you so excited about them?”
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I have been riding a motorcycle for some 35 years. I have acquired a lot of gear to wear when I ride over the years … jackets, vests, chaps, pants, boots … you name it, I have it.
When I was a novice biker, like most young guys, I looked around at what other bikers were wearing and admired the tough-looking style and appearance of leather gear and boots. I admit, I was (and am) “a bit more enthusiastic” for leather than most other guys. But I was young, had a tight budget, and have always been frugal, so I was looking for what appeared to be good-looking gear but within my budget. Or shall I say, I was looking for “cheap.”
Leather gear is priced…
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Every now and then, I look at how other WordPress blogs are set up and explore possible additions or changes to try to make it look and operate more smoothly for my readers. One thing I promise I will never do is…
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Sunday, May 12, I rode with about 15 of my friends, some of whom are retired or active law enforcement officers, to the annual “Law Ride” which kicks off Police Week in Washington, DC. We rode to the staging area then rode in procession past the U.S. Capitol to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in downtown DC.
This is but one photo that I took —
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I cannot explain why, or believe that I have to explain at all… but each morning when I rise, I sit at the edge of the bed for a moment, close my eyes, and say to myself:
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Sometimes people send me email to ask my opinion on a certain pair of boots — new or used. I appreciate that people recognize that I have learned a thing or two about boots. I am happy to respond to questions as I have time.
Recently, I was asked my opinion about Justin Bent Rail model 363 boots, pictured here. “Are these boots a good value?”
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Some of my family — first cousins once removed (children of first cousins) — have reacted quite negatively to the news that I married a man.
I am having a conversation with a close, trusted, insightful and intelligent friend who pointed out, “until you married, they could pretend that your relationship wasn’t genuine. They probably reduced it to sexual relations, and since you are a private person and [your spouse] doesn’t like to socialize, your relationship was pretty much invisible to them. Marriage shattered those perceptions for them.”
What is complicating matters is that a few of my cousins (not many, just a few) blindly adhere to what their religion has taught them, which includes that marriage is a sacrament, and by the mere fact that I am gay (and not celibate), I am living in sin and will go to hell… not to mention that my state has redefined marriage.
I keep asking,
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