Yearly Archives: 2008

Booted for slick roads and walks

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Winter never seems to be lacking the ability to surprise. Late yesterday afternoon, the temperatures were just below freezing and it began to rain. Thus, every drop that fell froze. That made for treacherous conditions on walkways and roads. Because of that, they suspended the operations to pick up seniors to bring them to vote, because nobody wants anyone to suffer a fall.

After spending a few more hours countering the nit-wit homophobes who were spreading misinformation and lies in order to scare seniors into signing a petition to bring a transgendered anti-discrimination bill to a referendum (promoting the “Decline to Sign” efforts), I went home, had a late dinner, and called it a night.

This morning, the ice build-up had caused intermittent power outages, the schools and federal government were on a two-hour delay, and I thought we’d have a heck of a commute. But we left at our usual oh-dark-30 time and it was no problem getting to Metro. Unfortunately, the power was out at the Metro garage, but I always carry a flashlight in my briefcase, so I was all set. Beats the yuppies trying to use their cell phones as mini-flashlights. Metro ran on time and I was at work early!

Boots I’ve got on today? Chippewa Firefighter Boots are very comfortable, look good (especially since I gave ’em a shine yesterday), and have a great tread sole to provide traction in wet and slick weather. They also look good with dressier clothes that I wear to work.

Getting out the vote

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Today I have been given the day off work to volunteer during our state’s primary elections. I pick up seniors and drive them to the voting polls, and then bring them home. I have 100 people on my list throughout the day for whom I will be providing transportation.

How am I dressed? Jeans, parka (it’s cold!), and my Chippewa Firefighter Boots. Comfortable boots with a great Vibram sole will get a workout today.

While I won’t be electioneering (persuading for a particular candidate), I will be advocating for the “decline to sign” campaign. Homophobic jerks in our county are attempting to scare senior citizens into signing a petition to bring a transgendered bill that was passed by our county to referendum in November. If these backwards-thinking ding-dongs have their way, they will collect enough signatures to require voters to affirm or deny our county’s anti-bias bill that was passed unanimously, and cause a big civil rights fight this November. These thoughtless dumb-dumbs should fail in their quest to acquire enough signatures, and I’ll do my best to educate my friends to decline to sign.

Thick socks, tall boots

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The thermometer indicated that it was 13F this morning before I left for work at oh-dark-30. Ouch! I just wish Mother Nature wouldn’t fool with my head. It was in the mid-50s on Saturday, perfect for a great mid-Winter ride on my Harley. Then the wind blew in strongly and the temps plummeted on Sunday. But it is February, and this is the DC area, so I’m not surprised. At least we didn’t get howling winds with snow or ice as happened elsewhere in the country.

I’m wearing tall cop boots today, pants over, at work. I just like the feel of tall boots on my legs, even though you can’t see the boot shafts. And because it’s so darn cold, I have on thick poly/wool socks which keep my feet warm, but not so hot as to cause my feet to sweat. Just right.

There are some Bootmen who enjoy wearing boots without socks. Funny, the few times I’ve gone sockless, my feet have sweat like crazy. I detest sweaty feet. I don’t like the grimy, slippery feeling or the smell. (I’m just not one of those guys.) So it’s always socks + boots, and tall boots when it’s cold. Or when I’m on my Harley. Or, heck, just when(ever) … until it gets hot again, then the boots tend to get shorter.

Eulogizing

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I haven’t blogged in several days because work had me in Nashville in charge of an event. It went well, but kept me really busy. The spirit of my dear friend who died last week was with me, and she would have been with me in Nashville had she not had to have surgery.

The return from Nashville to my home in Maryland on Friday night was an almost-disaster, with US-scareways canceling my return flight so I had to switch over to Delta and endure a layover in Atlanta. I got home at 1:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.

After a fitful sleep, my partner and I headed over to the church where a memorial mass for my friend was held. Soon enough, the church was packed. Many dignitaries from all over the state and nearby jurisdictions were there. Bike cops lined the entrance and directed traffic, and a local fire company put up its ladders in a formation above the church driveway.

I had spoken with my friend’s husband and family and expressed my personal thoughts and love during formal visitation and also by phone, and shared my own eulogy for my friend and mentor during the service. I followed a couple elected officials whose eulogies were rather uninspiring, thus putting the pressure on me even more. I think I did okay. Thank goodness for years of public speaking experience, as I was composed and spoke fondly of my friend, using humor and joy, without breaking up (until I got home later.)

I shall miss my friend in many ways, but her legacy continues to move me forward. I just ask myself, “what would (M) do?” and then do it.

Buy one pair, get two pairs free!

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Today I’m in Nashville, Tennessee for a gig I’m doing for work. We arrived early, and walked down to Broadway for lunch. After lunch, we strolled Broadway and stopped in a couple of boot shops. One of them was offering a special, “buy one pair, get two pairs free.”

Well, this Bootman couldn’t resist! And I got two people who work with me booted as well! They picked out a pair of boots for themselves, and I picked out these really great looking Dan Post brown wingtips. When we divided out the cost, these boots only cost me $85. Wow! A great deal! And like all my other Dan Post Cowboy Boots, they were comfortable right away. And they feel really great on my legs. I’ll be booted at my event in these boots tomorrow. I’m a happy Bootman tonight!

Sendras at the office

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Sendra cowboy boots are just plain ol’ cool. These are the boots on my feet today at work. They are very good looking, comfortable, and make an excellent “clunk” sound when I walk in them. I’m glad they aren’t that tall (only 12″), because the shafts are narrow and if the boots were taller than that, they would squeeze my calf.

I’m mulling over what boots to wear and bring with me on a business trip to Nashville tomorrow through Friday. And to top that off, I hear there are great boot stores not far from my hotel. Oh man, what’s a Bootman like me to do? Check back… I’ll tell ‘ya.

Clearing the head

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I remain saddened and am grieving for the loss of my dear friend who died unexpectedly on Feb. 1. But it’s no fun moping around the house, and my partner doesn’t know what to do with me when I get this way.

Sunday afternoon was exceptionally pleasant and unusually warm for early February. So I booted up in my tall brown Wesco harness boots, leathered up my legs and body, and went for a ride. My partner filmed me doing some spins in a parking lot, which I’m using as a sales vid since I am selling my current Harley so I can get another one soon.

I also shot a vid and posted it on YouTube of the boots on the bike. I had always fantasized about the “boots on bike” thing since CHiPs back in the ’70s. I got to do my own. A nice ride in boots and leather on a nice day helped clear my head and prepare me for a difficult week ahead.

Life is short

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My mentor, friend, and hard-working local elected official about whom I referred in my blog post on Wednesday, died unexpectedly today as a result of complications from her surgery. I’m devastated.

Just remember, tell those you love that you love ’em, each and every day. Life is short. Wear your boots, wear your leather, but most of all, love those you love like there’s no tomorrow.

I love you, BikerBeef!

Vintage Frye Boots

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Frye boots are legendary in the boot world. When I was developing my boot fetish as a teen, it was the ’70s and Fryes were definitely cool boots! Lots of guys at school wore them. And they were affordable! About once a month, a shoe store in town ran a sale, and for $40, I could get myself a pair of these boots. I saved my pennies and bought, literally, dozens of these boots between 1970 and the late ’80s. I wore them everywhere — rode my motorcycle with ’em, stomped in mud with ’em, to work, to meetings, to school. I just lived in these boots.

Unfortunately, they really aren’t that comfortable and when I discovered that other boots were more comfortable, I wore Fryes less. But my passion remains, and about 10% of my boot collection is composed of Fryes.

And I can tell that I’m not alone, because every month as I review the statistics for my most viewed boots on my website, Fryes have consistently been ranked #1. About ten times as many visitors to my website looking at boots look at Fryes than any other maker or style. I really wonder why. Give me a comment with your thoughts.

Riding in the cold

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I love to ride my Harley, but when it’s really cold out, my current windscreen-less bike lets the cold air strike. But that’s what leather and tall boots are for!

I picked up my bike from a routine service visit late yesterday afternoon, when temps were above freezing, but barely so. I have to admit, under all that leather, I have on wool long johns, two t-shirts, and a flannel shirt. Layers indeed work best. And while this pic shows me in a Muir Cap, of course I wear a full-face helmet when I am on the road. That also provides protection from the biting cold.

As long as there isn’t ice, snow, or water on the roads, I’ll ride. Well, as long as it’s above freezing. Below that, no matter how much I bundle up, I just get too uncomfortable to enjoy the ride. Sooooooon… oh how I dream, Spring will break. Dream on! Let’s boot up and ride!