I finally had a night off of my rush from work, community meetings, and campaign events. Last night, my partner and I got “reacquainted” with our very own in-house date night. I’m not going into more detail, but let’s say this was sorely needed by both of us. I love my man, and when he boots up for me, all the better. Woof!
(I’m in Chippewa Firefighter boots that have the yellow Vibram plug in the sole. My partner has on Champion Attitude cavalry boots.)
I’m so glad that conference I attended here in my home town is over. It’s hard to attend a very time consuming conference in the town where you live if you go home at night. Life doesn’t stop. Well, anyway, it’s over, so I’m back to my routine, which includes leatherin’ up and enjoying Wescos.
Every now-and-then, I’ll step outside for a break, and sometimes when I do I’ll set up the camera to take some pics so I can update my website. It really is an avocation of mine and is fun.
Wescos are good quality boots, and since these 19″ Wesco Harness Boots were made custom to fit, they feel great. But I have to admit, they’re not the most comfortable boots I own. But with leather, on the Harley, and when I don’t have to walk or stand too much, then they’re just fine.
Great to be back in the ol’ routine. Lots to catch up on.
There is a common assumption among many in the gay world that all men who enjoy leather also always are into BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, and Sado-Mascochism, sometimes referred to SM or S&M). According to Wikipedia, BDSM “defines a spectrum of behaviors, including dominance, submission, punishment, masochism, bondage, role play, and a large variety of other activities, frequently sexual in nature.“
And while it’s true that many men who are into BDSM are into leather and uniforms which fulfill their role playing for such activities, I contend that it is not true the other way around: not all men who are into leather are into BDSM. Many guys into BDSM use leather products, such as restraints, collars, whips, paddles, and similar items as part of their sex play. Some who enjoy BDSM have told me that they get much more of a sexual charge in certain “SM scenes”. I’ll leave it at that; this is a G-rated Blog.
As for me, I have witnessed actual torture in some parts of the world. I have observed man’s inhumanity to man. It was dreadful, frightening, and I felt woefully deficient and horrible if I couldn’t put a stop to it. What I saw was so repugnant and horrifying that I had nightmares for years following. I tried to help those who were tortured recover from their wounds, both physical and mental, and my “mental wounds” will never go away.
Because of my own experience, I could not consider engaging in BDSM activities, nor would I find it interesting, “fun,” or sexually stimulating. In fact, if my mind is diverted to memories of those past witnessed events, I lose all interest in whatever I’m doing, turn pale, my stomach starts turning, and I need to sit down and do something to bring my mind back to reality and the current day.
Do I think BDSM is bad? Do I think poorly of men who engage in these activities? No! I truly believe that everyone can do and enjoy what they like, as long as the activities are consensual, safe sex is practiced, drugs aren’t involved, and that there is a complete discussion among all participants beforehand. Honestly, I think one of the best writers on the topic is John Pendal, Mr. International Leather 2003. Read his writings (click on the index page then “Harness” columns).
As for me? I’m into leather because I’m a Biker, I like it, it feels good, is durable, warm, comfortable, and looks good on me (or I feel that it does). Are the Leathercops going to confiscate my gear because I’m not into BDSM? Ha! I’d like to know who they are and for them to try. That could be fun!
I get home from work most days about a half-hour before my partner does. I go shed the work clothes and (especially in winter) put on the leather and tall boots. Some days I put food out for the birds and squirrels in the feeder in our back yard to save my partner the time, especially if it’s cold or wet, as it was yesterday.
So here I am, in Wesco Motor Patrol Boots which have Vibram 100R non-marring soles. But I forget that it’s wet and before I know it, dirt and leaves get into the sole treads (as shown.) ooops…. What’s worse, I don’t have a way to hose off the boot soles since our outside water faucets are turned off to prevent freezing. Without thinking (sometimes that’s my middle name), I walk into the house and start dinner preparations.
The dirt dries, falls out… ooops. Clods galore, wherever I have walked. My partner is none too happy about that, and makes pronouncements, “At this specific date and time, you will vacuum the basement stairs!” and continues to grumble. Well, he has a point. Perhaps if I feed the birds, I should go do that in my dress clothes with leather-soled boots so I won’t be as likely to pick up all the dirt in the soles of boots with big treads. Okay, BB, that’s my plan. Meanwhile, I’m sweeping, vacuuming… such is the life of a Bootman.
Man, I hate the cold. But cold weather does give me a good reason to be in leather from head to boot. Pictured is exactly what I’m wearing today — long-sleeved leather shirt, naked leather jeans, Chippewa Hi-Shine engineer boots. I’ll thrown on a biker jacket of some sort, too, before venturing into the cold. We have to run some errands today, and leather is the way I’ll be going. Leather is warm and practical.
To those guys who are afraid of going out dressed in boots and leather: get over it. Nobody cares. Your money is as green as anyone else’s. Go for it — enjoy your leather. I guess that’s one good thing about getting older. I remember when I was in my 30s I was quite self-conscious about what other people thought, and only wore leather when I rode my motorcycle. Now that I’m more mature, I realize that nobody gives a darn and I can wear what I like. So I do.
Sometimes some guys have asked me about living in boots and leather. Some people seem to be concerned about what other people might say or think. I guess that’s why I consider myself lucky to live in a large metropolitan area, and in a county composed mostly of forward-thinking progressive people who don’t try to force others to conform to narrow moralistic points of view.
Thus, on Saturday as I head out to pick up some grapefruit at the local Catholic church’s monthly sale, take my elderly aunt grocery shopping, and then go kick some tires on a new Harley that I’m thinking about buying, I have on my really comfy “naked leather” jeans and my Chippewa firefighter boots as shown in this pic. I’ve got on a t-shirt and flannel shirt, and will wear a parka. It’s still below freezing. I will likely switch to my warm leather jacket and vest later today when I go to the Harley dealer. Living in boots and leather? No sweat. Really, nobody notices and most could care less.