Category Archives: leather lifestyle

Who am I Now?

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I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and musing with some friends and my partner… asking myself, “who am I now?”

My life is settled. I have a wonderful partner; regular full-time job that I enjoy; nice home in the quiet suburbs; a Harley (and a 4-wheeled vehicle too); great family, good friends, and a wonderfully accepting and tolerant community. I lead a busy civic life, and enjoy having opportunities to help make others’ lives just a little bit better each day. I am a fortunate man in many respects.

Am I the guy dressed in leather going to a leather bar? Not (any more.) Am I the cowboy entering the gay rodeo? Not (any more.) Am I the guy showing up at the gay pride festival? Not (any more.) But you may find me in boots and leather around my community and at home, and perhaps on my website or a few other places around the ‘net. I may not get out much, but I’m not dead (yet).

I am… the colleague who explains where to meet when the fire alarm goes off… the neighbor who helps you fix that broken window… the friend who commiserates the loss of a pet cat… the Road Captain who leads you on a fun and safe motorcycle ride… the homeowner’s association President who gets the county to repair your broken sidewalk… the civic activist who will be with you at a public hearing on local development issues and who testifies before local and state legislators about issues that will improve our community… the “nice young man” who escorts you to the polls to exercise your privilege to vote or who helps you compute your income tax return and file it… the fundraiser for local charities… the gentleman who organizes volunteers to install safety items in your home, and twists arms of local vendors to supply the materials… the cousin who shares your joy at the birth of your latest grandchild and updates the family tree… the nephew who takes you grocery shopping… the brother, uncle, and great uncle who loves you more than you’ll ever know… and the partner in every sense of the word to his one-and-only man.

Yeah, I guess I have changed, from a guy who played a bit in leather, but uses it now for riding his Harley than going out to leather bars. The former cowboy who if he rode a horse today couldn’t walk for a week. The guy who might sit and watch “CHiPs” re-runs on TV but now is so involved in the community, with friends, and with family, that he doesn’t even know what’s on any more (and doesn’t care).

My focus and interests have changed. Is it maturity? Is it age? Is it accepting that I am fulfilling my parents’ desires for a life fulfilled? I dunno. I muse. I wonder. But you know, I love my life and for that, I thank God, my family, my friends, and most of all, my loving and abiding partner. He really made it all happen for me, more than he will ever know.

Life is short. Wear your boots. Love those you love even more.

Going leather-less on the new bike?

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My new Harley Road King comes with a rather large windscreen. My old bike didn’t have one, so I was accustomed riding full-bore into the wind. Even on a warm day, I could wear a leather vest and full-face helmet and everything would feel just fine.

When I took my first real long ride yesterday, it was about 84°F (29°C), which is comfortably warm. As I was riding, I found that I was getting uncomfortably hot while wearing my thick leather vest over my t-shirt. I had to ditch the vest or sweat to death. (I tend to sweat a great deal when even slightly overheated.)

Hmmm… I wonder… now that I have this windscreen, I may have to ride “leather-less” when it’s warm out. I am as comfortable in leather as my own skin. I have always worn some leather while riding my old bike. I guess this is another adjustment I will need to make. Well, perhaps just wear the vest and no shirt. That would be a hoot. But for now, I guess I’ll just be well-booted and wear a t-shirt. No gloves, either. They make me sweat like crazy, which is a clammy feeling I detest. I’ll just have to be extra careful and be comfortable.

Being an Out and Open Leatherman

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Yep, I enjoy leather. I always have, since I got my first motorcycle while in college. Being a biker is a fairly easy “excuse” to wear leather and tall boots. But that’s only for public impression, for those who don’t really comprehend an interest in leather.

As I’ve blogged before, my interest in boots and leather is an avocation — a hobby — and something that is pleasurable. It’s comfortable, durable, and forgiving for my body type. I wear leather almost every day, in public, and as readers of this blog are aware, display my gear on my website.

Being so out and open in my community and as a minor public figure is not a problem. That’s because my community has a casual and mature kind of tolerance. But being out and open on the Internet has occasional consequences that have to be dealt with. For example, some guys who visit my website but don’t read the FAQs perceive that I may want to “play” with them, a code word for having sex. Or that I might want them to visit to do things with or on my boots. A few have sent me email messages suggesting we get together.

That’s a consequence I accept for being so “out there.” Actually, in a way such a come-on is somewhat flattering to me as an older, greying, bearish man. I am quite able to respond by saying, “thank you, but no thanks.” There hasn’t been a one who has failed yet to understand the second line that I write, “I am in a monogamous relationship with my life partner, and we don’t play with others.” A few may think this sounds harsh, but it is just a description of my reality and my life. My partner is my one-and-only, and I never have nor will do anything to cause him to question my integrity and commitment to him, and to “us.”

Life is short: wear your leather and your boots, and enjoy life!

Why We Are Not Going to IML

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Time is rolling around again for the International Mr. Leather Contest (IML) to be held in Chicago. It’s always held over Memorial Day weekend.

My partner and I had talked about it for years, and finally went for the first — and last — time in 2007.

Why do I say, “and last”? Well, events like this are really for younger, single men who enjoy staying up late for socializing. I’ve never been a night-person my whole life. Even with a “disco nap,” I find myself still dragging after about 10pm, and most things don’t really get going until midnight and last long after that.

Further, while it’s interesting to see so many men in leather in one place, the crowds are sometimes overwhelming, such as at the bars. Not having our own transportation, getting to the bars that are friendly to leather folk in Chicago had to be by bus.

Plus, it’s just darned expensive. Airfare, hotel for four nights, eating out, and even a soft drink at the bar … it all adds up. They stretch out IML two days longer than Mid-Atlantic Leather (MAL) and it just makes it more expensive to stay for the duration of the event. (Many guys don’t).

I also have to say that being in a monogamous relationship makes a big difference, too. Most of the guys who attend IML are there for sex with other guys. We weren’t. We had great sex with each other while we were there, but we have that regularly at home. Location doesn’t matter — to us.

So, as I said, “been there, done that, got the T-shirt and the boots shined.” We made the best of it last year, but won’t be returning.

If you like, check out the photos that I took at IML 2007 and posted on my website.

Backup Leathers and Boots

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I tend to be rather absent-minded. I guess it goes with my lifestyle of doing a thousand things simultaneously.

Yesterday when I arrived at my local Metro station on my way home from work, I went to my partner’s car in the garage, retrieved my motorcycle helmet, and put my briefcase inside. Because it was so warm, I left my leathers which I had used that morning in the trunk.

La-la-la, I rode my Harley home on a warm sunny day, changed clothes, put on jeans and my bullhide Nocona boots, then fed the birds. I got soaked because I forgot to turn off the anti-deer motion-sensitive sprinkler. Changed clothes and boots again, this time wearing Justin snoot-toed cowboy boots. I then put the sprinkler on the front lawn to water our new sod, and tripped over the hose and got wet again. Changed clothes and boots, this time wearing Champion Attitude Firebird cowboy boots. I then went over to my aunt’s house to replace some burned out fluorescent tubes. One of the tubes shattered and when I got back home, I had to change clothes so that I wouldn’t hurt myself on residual glass shards. Changed this time to Dress Instep Dehner Boots, having had bad luck with cowboy boots that afternoon and having viewed so many pairs of those gorgeous boots at the Blue Mass yesterday! (I’ll blog on that tomorrow).

After cooking a great dinner for my partner and myself, I spent time processing some photos and video that I took at the Blue Mass. I enjoyed feeling the tight grip of my Dehners as I was oogling cop boots on my computer screen. Anyway, soon enough, bed time rolled around. It was only this morning when I realized that my favorite biker jacket and chaps, as well as my briefcase, were still in my partner’s trunk… at the Metro (since he leaves before I do.)

Fortunately, I have a lot of leather gear, so I just put on my Taylor’s Leatherwear Jacket and my red piped chaps (which I hadn’t put away since wearing them on Sunday), and off I rode… back to Metro. Now my partner’s truck has two sets of leathers in it. I must remember to retrieve all that gear from my partner’s trunk when he gets home later, else he may think I’m trying to turn his trunk into an accessory leather gear closet!

Hangin’ Out at Home in Leather

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Leather doesn’t HAVE to be black; it doesn’t have to be worn (only) while riding a motorcycle. Leather is comfortable, practical, and just nice to wear.

I have mentioned before about reading stories from guys who are afraid to wear boots in public, for fear of what others may say. I am quite fortunate in that the community where I live has such a casual kind of tolerance that nobody, really nobody, cares what’s on your feet or your body. And I’m old enough to have grown beyond caring what other people may say about what I wear.

I go to a lot of public meetings. Hang out with cops, firefighters, and elected officials. Meet my neighbors at various community functions. They all know me, and know that I’m just a guy comfortable in his own skin, as well cowhide. LOL!

For example, yesterday after I got home from work, on came the brown leather jeans, tall brown Wesco harness boots, and a t-shirt. I got busy around the house with stuff, both inside and out. Neighbors drove by and waved. One stopped by to ask a question. They didn’t give a second glance to what I was wearing. Really, nobody cares!

Those who only wear leather once-a-year at events like Mid-Atlantic Leather or International Mr. Leather are missing the boat, in my opinion. Yeah, they may like how they look in leather and the persona they put on. But it’s all a fake. They quickly change into blue jeans and sneakers during transit and at home. Come on, guys! If you’ve got it, wear it. Why invest all that money in leather gear if it just hangs in your closet or remains folded in a trunk? Enjoy it!

Life is short: wear your leather, wear your boots! Have fun!

Beautiful dawn stroll

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While I’m not a city boy, and generally after working all day in the city I look forward to high-tailing it out to our suburban hide-away, I still recognize that I live in a very special place in the world. There’s nothing quite like Washington DC anywhere else in the world. I’ve been to 56 countries, and have seen many beautiful locations. I still feel quite a bit of pride in how pretty Washington is, especially in the Spring. When the ornamental cherry trees bloom around the city, it’s spectacular.

Today, my partner and I got up well before dawn and drove into the city, found a place to park near my partner’s office, which is just a block from the Tidal Basin. Even though it was very early and very cold (35F), there still were a lot of people out — though I wouldn’t say that it was crowded.

I leathered up from head to boot and we took a nice stroll. I posted a gallery of photos on my website. We enjoyed our short visit, though I was back home and back to work on my long list of things to do on the weekend by 8:30.

Booted and Leathered garden stroll

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I just love to stroll in our gardens. My partner has such a great vision for landscape design. Hellebore (Lenten Rose) bloom in February and keep the flowers through May. Daffodils galore have been in bloom for a couple weeks and we anticipate having them for many more weeks to come. Both of these flowers add beauty and color to our deep, dark forest park in the back yard. And best yet, the deer don’t eat them. I’m in my Chippewa Motor Patrol Boots and my White Striped Leather Jeans. Enjoying Spring!

Leather ‘n Spring

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I enjoy the Spring. Enough chill to make leather a great choice for outdoor wear, but enough warmth that you don’t have to bundle up too much.

Lately I’ve been busier than a beaver in working on a political campaign. Supporting my friend, the candidate, occupies every spare minute of my time. I’ve not had any time to do any updates of my website but hope to try to take a few pics for it this weekend.

Unlike some people, I still try to get about eight hours of sleep every night. That leaves just so much time during the day — especially considering that my full-time job takes up a lot of that daytime time!

My partner and I are not going anywhere for Easter. We will be working around our house and enjoying a quiet dinner for two at home. I look forward to preparing Prime Rib and all the trimmings. Yum.

Baking in Leather

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One activity I love to do when I can find the time is to bake. Especially when I can make something that my partner loves, such as his favorite — a lemon meringue pie. My little buddy Guido (in photo) gives guidance.

I’m in boots and leather, as usual. I wear my leather almost every day. I meant it in my blog entry of February 19 that I don’t see wearing leather as a fetish thing. It is a practical, every-day thing to wear as I go about my daily life — at home or in the community.

Life is short — wear your boots (and leather!)