Monthly Archives: February 2008

Fetish or not a Fetish?

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For the third time in as many days, I’ve had people write or comment on some things I have posted or written elsewhere on the Internet saying that I must have a “boot fetish” and/or a “leather fetish.”

According to Wikipedia, Fetishism means a sexual admiration of an inanimate object.

Well, I certainly like boots, and I enjoy my leather. Do I find boots and leather sexually attractive? No. Do I find a man wearing boots and leather sexually attractive? Maybe — it depends on the man wearing them. Sure, I may say that a guy who looks good in boots and leather is “hot,” but to me that’s just the same thing as a straight man saying that a bikini-clad woman is beautiful. Does the straight man in this example have a bikini fetish? No more so than I have a boot or leather fetish (in my own opinion.)

Do I find my partner sexually attractive? Always. And when he is in boots and leather, it just adds to the enjoyment of the experience. But he is attractive to me for his mind and his integrity, honesty, and thoughtfulness, much more so than what he wears (or doesn’t wear, as the case may be.)

Some insist that I must have a boot and leather fetish because I have “so much” of it (124 pairs of cowboy and motorcycle boots is a lot, I admit). But I really do wear them for the reasons they’re made: as footwear. Not sexual wear. As for leather? Yeah, again, I have a fair amount of leather garments, which I wear when I ride my motorcycle, for warmth, around the house, and also when I enjoy more intimate relationships with my partner. To me, it’s not that I am IN leather that gets me aroused. It’s just fun to have fun with my partner when we’re both in leather. I get well aroused with him without leather just as easily (and often.)

So I disagree with those who claim that I have a “boot fetish,” “leather fetish,” or whatever. I wear boots because they are practical for what I do and where I go, I like how they look, and I like how they feel. I wear leather for the same reasons, as well as for warmth and protection when I ride my motorcycle.

Also see my related follow-up blog post titled “An Avocation” for additional information.

Good Day for a Ride

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Man, it’s warm today! It’s over 70F, and for mid-February in the DC area, that is very unusual. I had some chores to do around the house on this holiday, like try to fix a leaky faucet and some other things. I also was contacted by someone who is interested in looking at my Harley, which is up for sale as I’m lookin’ at a new one. I’ll ride my ol’ Dyna over to his place later and perhaps work out a deal.

I’ll miss the Low Rider. We’ve been all over the country together, two-up with my hunky partner. Sturgis South Dakota, McAlester Oklahoma, and many points in between. Not to mention the many miles I’ve ridden with my biker buds. Yeah, I’ll miss this great bike, but after 15 years, it is time to move on. I just hope the guy buys it — then I can get my new one. I promised my partner that I wouldn’t get a new bike until the old one was sold. Meanwhile, I’m going to go for a ride on this nice day, in boots and leather, of course!

Chocolate Whipped Cream is Fun

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Okay, after last night, I can validate that chocolate whipped cream is fun. Enough said; this is a G-rated blog. But man, the belated Valentine’s night with my partner was g-r-r-r-r-e-a-t!

Today is a day to catch up on stuff; corporate and association tax returns; and other stuff. Doin’ it in Naked Leather Jeans and Tall Wesco Harness Boots, typical weekend attire for me. Oh… why do they call it “Naked Leather”? Simply because the leather is not lined, so you feel the slightly rough cowhide on your own skin. A nice feeling!

Gotta get goin’ to what’s on my list, in leather and boots all the way.

You Look Like a Good Solid Man in Those Boots

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At a local grocery store this morning, I was escorting my elderly aunt to the car with bagfuls of groceries when I was stopped by a old fart doing a petition drive for a referendum to put a question on our ballot in November to ask if a law that was passed by our county that prohibits discrimination against transgender people should be repealed. I have mentioned this in previous posts.

The misguided old man said, “you look like a real good son, and a good solid man in those boots. Do you want to allow men to use women’s bathrooms?”

I blew up. The law that was passed by our county (unanimously) simply says that transgender people should be included among the protected classes that are already included in our county’s civil rights laws. Existing law also says that operators of public facilities, such as gyms and spas, can designate who can use certain rooms such as restrooms that are purely personal and private. Therefore, this new law does not require operators of public facilities to permit men to use women’s bathrooms or vice-versa.

Thus, when this misguided old fart approached me complimented me on my boots, he was assuming that I would want to join their hateful, spiteful, narrow-minded misinformation campaign because, as he said, “you must be a real solid man.” He sure had another thing coming! I told him just what I thought of his mean-spirited campaign, especially that he is engaging in fear-mongering by taking advantage of seniors to spread misinformation.

I thought the old guy was going to have a cardiac arrest by the way he sputtered and fumed and carried on in response to what I said in a calm but factual voice. I’m so sorry for this man, and his few mean-spirited, misguided so-called friends whose humanity is only smaller than their narrow minds. Pictured here as well are the boots I had on today. I guess Justin Square-Toed Cowboy Boots look like a “solid man’s boots.”

Cowboy Boot Clunkin’

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There’s something special about the sound of that “clunk” when walking in a quality pair of cowboy boots. Today I put on my Lucchese Black Cherry Ostrich Boots to wear to work. While I don’t dress cowboy (jeans, flannel shirt, hat) at work, the boots look good with dress clothes and they make a great sound on the sidewalks and in the office as I move around. Always reminds this Bootman what’s on his feet! And these boots are darned comfortable, too. Lucchese Boots are known for comfort and these boots are no exception.

One reason why I have so many cowboy boots and motorcycle boots is to have a variety of choices to select from for boots to wear every day. I often change boots two or three times a day, or more frequently on weekends. Boots, to me, aren’t a “fetish” as they are practical, every-day wear. As I’ve often said, “life is short: wear your boots!” Enjoy this day, which is special ’cause you’re in it!

My valentine

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Today is a Happy Valentine’s Day. A very happy one indeed because I have the pleasure of sharing the 14th of February for the 14th Valentine’s Day we’ve been together with the man of my life, my love, my very own Valentine. This man means the world to me. His love, compassion, intelligence, romance … all are so very special. He has a great head for finance, is solid and strong, reliable, and caring. He has a gentle side which is quite adorable, especially as I see him care for me, his mother, and the creatures in our forest. My mere words on this little blog can not express how very much I love him with all of my heart and soul. BikerBeef, BuffTuff, or whatever he goes by on-line, is merely an expression, and I am so very fortunate to have the “real deal” each and every day as we enjoy our home, our families, and our lives together. What a treasure it is to have my very own Valentine’s Day, each day I get to look deep into my partner’s eyes and say, “I Love You A Whole Much!”

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.