Monthly Archives: July 2010

Come on!

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Do you ever find yourself at your computer saying, “come on, come on, work already!” This happens to me more often when I look at certain websites that are slow to respond. My patience wears thin waiting for it to load. If those websites only had ears. LOL!

My internet connection is very fast, so that’s not the reason for slowness. Some websites are hugely complicated with internal functions that cause them to be very slow to load. For example, Lycos email, which was one of the first free web-based email systems out there, recently “upgraded” to “Zimbra” email which is absolutely horrid! It is so damn slow, it frequently times out and you can’t get anything done. I have finally migrated totally off of all of the old “free” web-based email systems that I once used (that includes “Excite Email” which has also been ruined by “Zimbra”). The nitwits that run these systems have destroyed their ease of functionality, not only with stupid “upgrades” that don’t work, but also with advertising that comes with sound. Arrrggghhh!

Fortunately, my Apache2 server on my own computer is humming along great, along with my network and other applications, so no complaints there. But web-based applications that are function-heavy? Fuggetaboutit!

This is one major reason why my website is written pretty much in straight HTML with just a few small javascripts and CSS style sheets. The Boots Wiki is written in PHP, which functions rather quickly, even though the scripts are large. But I am trying to keep it simple, so pages load quickly and the site doesn’t bog down, driving visitors away from frustration. I aim at the lowest-common-denominator, which includes people who still have dial-up internet access and who use outdated web browsers like Internet Explorer.

An early tease: I am seriously contemplating a total re-design of my website, so if you have suggestions about what you want to see, don’t like, or new features to add, let me know. Thanks.

Life is short: no time for slow internet applications. If you can’t make it load fast, then don’t look for me to use it.

Post-Work Benefits

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I went to a meeting yesterday morning, then checked in on my aunt, but as soon as I got home (about 11:30), my partner and I got busy on more projects. Work-work-work, but we were productive.

We ordered a new sofa for our family room a couple weeks ago. It will be delivered in another week or two. Meanwhile, the delivery service does not remove old furniture, and it was in such bad shape it wasn’t suitable to donate to charity. (It was literally falling apart.) Being the frugal sort that we are, we didn’t want to pay someone to pick up our old sleep sofa that the new one will replace. Instead, we dismantled it, and I used my power saw to break it down into smaller pieces so it would all fit into my truck so we could take it to the transfer station (most people call it “the dump,” but in snoburbia where we live, we call it a “transfer station.”)

Thank goodness I had the foresight to bring the sofa outside before cutting it apart. When I used the saw on it, the stuffing inside the seat and back started to come out. Small yellow clumps of sofa stuffing started blowing everywhere. We were able to contain most of it, but I sure am glad we didn’t have the sofa disintegrate inside the house, or it sure would have been a mess to clean up.

We got the sofa taken completely apart and stuffed into the back of my truck, and off we went to the transfer station. It was amusing, and perhaps reminiscent of an old I Love Lucy episode, because some of the stuffing was flying out the windows of the truck as we were driving down the road.

Anyway, we got it unloaded fairly easily. We were sweating like crazy, so we decided to take a shower when we arrived home. We enjoyed our two-headed, two-man shower. Ahhh…

Life is short: enjoy the benefits of your labor.

Weight-Loss Benefit of DIY

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“DIY” means “do it yourself.” I’m that kind of guy. I do a lot of construction and repair work myself. I’m pretty handy at carpentry and electrical trades, and haven’t (yet) caused a flood from plumbing work.

Lately, I have been diligently knocking off items on my partner’s famous “honey-do list.” What’s that? “Honey, since you’re off work, do this, do that….” That’s the list to which I referred in yesterday’s post.

I have repaired one of our decks, by removing old, rotted boards and replacing them with a wood composite product. Each new board has to be precisely cut to fit its location. Lots of bending, lifting, sawing, screwing, etc.

I replaced a roof over a porch on one of my rental properties. I installed new windows on the first floor of another rental house. I repaired some leaky plumbing in yet another.

All-in-all, when I am not spending time with my aunt, I am working. Despite the heat. Despite the physical discomfort.

The side benefit of all this work is that in the last six weeks, I have lost 22 pounds — without even trying. This exercise helps a lot. Plus, I continue taking hour+ walks every morning, and swimming 50 – 75 laps on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. That, and I am in better control of what I eat, as far as foods that put on pounds. And with all the heat, I am drinking A LOT of water, so the weight-loss isn’t all water-weight. In fact, if I were not so “well hydrated,” I probably would weigh even less.

My jeans are riding much lower on my waist. My boots don’t feel as tight on my legs. My jowls don’t appear as pudgy. Though my mid-section needs to loose more, at least what I am losing seems to be evenly distributed, and not from the areas that don’t count (face and legs.)

I do not tolerate lectures about “healthy eating, diet, and exercise.” I know all that. What’s “healthy eating” to many is not so healthy for me, due to a chronic condition that I have. I can’t eat most vegetables or fruits, so what’s left makes it harder to choose foods that also aren’t loaded with calories. But I’m trying… and that’s the best I can say.

Life is short: when tired and sore from doing repair work, try to remember the “side benefits” of DIY.

Keeping The Peace By Forgoing Fun

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Relationships, even one as rock-solid as I have with my partner, require work and attention. They require ongoing, clear communication. They require flexibility, understanding, and a willingness to listen and resolve differences.

Lately, I’ve been torn between trying to find time for even just a little bit of fun, such as taking a ride on my Harley, with the onerous, exceptionally long list of projects to do at home. You think I was kiddin’ the other day when I said that the “honey-do” list grows longer with each project that I complete? Not true… it really does.

A friend wrote to me and urged me to remember that the projects to do at home will always be there. The list never will be completed. There will always be things that need to be done. The question, then, is what “has” to be done “now” vs. what should be done “sometime.” Meanwhile, he urged me to take a ride for an hour or two. Take some time for “me” and re-energize my inner biker soul.

I have had to reconfigure my schedule to accommodate many visits with my aunt to ensure she is well cared for and has everything she needs. I have had to postpone working outdoors when the weather is horridly hot and humid. I have had to spend more time on some projects that I thought would not take as long, thus throwing the schedule out the window. (Preferably a window that has to be replaced, so if I break it, it’s no big deal [small joke].)

Meanwhile, my partner comes home after a long day at work and observes what, to him, is not much progress. He complains and feels stressed. His mother will visit at the end of the month, and he wants everything done at our house “now” before she visits — so everything will be perfect.

I have learned that arguing or justifying delays doesn’t get me anywhere. Instead, I pick my battles: what I really “have” to get across, vs. just sucking it up and letting him relieve his tension.

He may verbalize his concerns in a manner that isn’t fit for a G-rated blog. However, I observe an hour later, he has internalized an understanding about what’s going on and is then able to have a calm conversation about schedule adjustments. Rather than fight, I choose the right time to talk about it. Not when he is emoting, but when he has figured it out in his head. Doing that keeps the peace at home.

However, it means I give up a lot of what I might rather do. I’m not riding. I’m not doing much with my hobbies or interests. I haven’t even attended a public hearing on community issues in over a month. I don’t even respond to email on the day I get it much any more (unless it’s urgent or related to an income-producing project). I never had time for chat boards or IM, and thank goodness I have not developed that expectation among my friends, because there is no way I could do that.

When am I writing this post? At 4am… I have an hour’s quiet time before my partner rises… then the day moves into work…work… work.

Keep the peace, keep the relationship solid. Adjust, give… and it will all work out. It’s not easy juggling these tasks with trying to have a life. At the moment, my life is on hold until after the MIL visits… then perhaps I can have a little bit of a break. Perhaps….

Life is short: choose your battles.

How To Get Really Tight Cowboy Boots On

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I was scanning what entries into Google bring visitors to my website, and I saw a visitor from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, enter: “how to get really tight cowboy boots on.” I guess this strugglin’ cowboy is having some trouble as he prepares for the Calgary Stampede. The Stampede is a series of events (including a huge pro rodeo) held every year in Calgary. This year, the Stampede is July 9 – 18. My buddy Clay who lives in Calgary has told me a lot about it, and I have vowed one day to have him take me to it. But not this year, dang it.

Anyway, back to the question: how do you get really tight cowboy boots on?

Quick answer: you don’t. If the boots are so tight that you can’t pull them on, then they ain’t gonna fit. Period. End-of-story.

There is a long-told myth about placing your feet into plastic grocery bags, then sliding them into the boots. That may work when trying on new boots, but not for regular wear. Plastic doesn’t breathe. You put your feet into plastic bags and then into boots, and you’re asking for trouble. Your feet will bake and swell if you actually try to walk around with bags on your feet inside boots. If you struggled getting the boots on, you’ll practically have to cut them off when you’re ready to remove them. Don’t fall for that old trick — it really doesn’t work.

If the boots are only slightly tight and are made of all leather, it is possible to have a cobbler stretch them. But a cobbler can do only so much, like 3/8″ (1cm) max, and it takes weeks to do it right. Boot stretching can’t be done overnight. If your boots need more of a stretch than 1cm, then you just have to face it: wear another pair of boots. Tight boots cannot be stretched much.

By the way, it is also a myth that squeezing on tight boots and walking in them will stretch them. The boots may become more flexible at stress points, but they won’t stretch by wearing them.

Take it from a guy who has worn boots exclusively for more than 40 years, and who owns and wears a lot of cowboy boots. If the boots are too small, you need to get a larger size. I figure if you’re in Calgary for the Stampede, there are a lot of places to buy boots locally. Get a new pair. I’m sure they will look great.

Life is short: wear boots of the proper size.

Hot Boots!

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Yes, there is a website by that name, and I beg the forgiveness of the website’s moderator, Larry, for taking a tangent on the title.

I am referring, of course, to the weather. This week where we live, it has reached over 100°F (38°C) each day, with humidity of over 70% — meaning that it’s just a sauna outdoors.

I am doing my best to avoid it and remain indoors where it is air conditioned, but I have work that has to be done to repair our decks, errands to run, on which I go using my Harley, and my aunt to take care of.

Most guys I see are wearing shorts and sneakers, but some wear those dreaded sandals and worse: flip-flops. Not at the beach, mind you, but around town. I abhor those things, not only for how silly they appear, but how dangerous they are. But I digress….

Some people have asked me, “you say you wear boots all the time: even in this heat?” Yes, I do. Even when it is hot as blazes outside. Of course, I wear boots while riding my Harley, but also as I go about my daily business.

With a boot collection of the size that I have, fortunately I have many choices so I choose boots that are light on the feet, and have plenty of “breathing room” around the calf. A padded insole and cotton/wool socks help absorb sweat. (Yes, I always wear socks: actually socks keep your feet cooler by absorbing sweat than wearing boots without socks do.) But even with lightweight boots, my feet still get hot.

What do I do? I change my boots often. I’ll run an errand, then change boots. I work on the deck, then shower and change boots. I may change my boots during hot weather six to eight times each day. Why? Mostly for comfort. Dry, cool boots are comfortable. I heat them up when moving around, then take them off and put them in a place with good air circulation and out of the sun. The insides will dry naturally, while I wear another pair during waking hours.

This week alone (since Sunday), I have worn 40 different pairs of boots. Too many to name all of them. I vary from biker boots while riding my Harley to cowboy boots when I am not to work boots when working on the deck. It’s all good.

They say that you should “rotate” boots regularly. I don’t know that turning them around and around does a thing, but changing often sure helps. (giggle. I’m always a stickler for exact definitions of words in American English.)

Life is short: wear boots, and change them often!

First Time for Dehner Boots?

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So you made the purchase of a cool pair of Dehner (brand) police motorcycle boots. Very handsome boots, for sure! Congratulations on your selection of a great pair of boots.

As a Dehner-boot wearer myself (see my collection), let me share some insights on how to break in these boots properly, so you can wear them for years, comfortably, and laced right. (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen non-cops wearing bal-laced Dehner boots that are laced wrong — either tied like sneakers with laces in an x-pattern, or tied at the top, not in the middle.)

Dehner boots are classics, but the stock boots, which are most common, have plastic shafts (the company calls it “Dehcord,” but plastic is plastic) which if not broken properly at the ankle, may break wrong and cause problems with comfort by rubbing and causing sores on the back of the ankle.

I have created a tutorial video that explains what to do right after you open that Dehner box, pull out those tall black boots, admire them, but before you put them on for the first time.

Yep, that’s right: don’t pull them on your feet right away. Watch this video, follow these procedures, then be very happy with your new boots.

Life is short: break in your Dehner Boots right!

If your browser does not handle this embedded HD video well, See it on my YouTube Channel.

Oh Officer?

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Ooops… it finally happened. I had someone confuse me with a motor officer. Here’s the story…

Last Friday, I rode my Harley while going about errands and grocery shopping for my aunt. I also wanted to break in a new pair of lug-soled Dehner patrol boots. It was comfortably warm, so leather breeches would be too hot to wear. I chose a pair of cloth breeches instead. I wore a t-shirt and a vest on top. Nothing I was wearing had insignia of any law enforcement agency on it. However, I do realize that striped breeches inside motorboots gives a message that others may misinterpret.

While in the grocery store, I was moving rather quickly up and down the aisles to get the various items that my aunt needed. After gathering all the items, I went to the self-checkout register and began using it.

A woman came up to me, and said, “gee, you’re fast. I saw you and kept trying to reach you, but you moved to fast to catch up with. Officer, I have a question….” then she prattled on about something regarding what the police do with mentally disturbed people. I swear, she didn’t even pause to take a breath.

I finally had a chance to get a word in edgewise, and said, “Ma’am, I’m not a police officer, but I understand the breeches and boots might have confused you.”

She stopped, then looked me up and down and said, “well, I thought you were, because my brother is a motor officer and wears a uniform like that.”

I really didn’t want to get into a prolonged discussion, so I just said, “well, again, I’m sorry for any confusion. These are indeed police motor breeches and boots, but you see, I am not wearing any insignia and I’m not a cop. I ride a motorcycle almost every day, and find this clothing to be comfortable and practical, which is why cops wear it. It just works for me, that’s all. Again, sorry to cause confusion.”

She replied with, “well, you even had your sunglasses propped up on your head like cops do, your hair is cut like theirs, and you walk the same way they do, so no wonder I thought you were a cop.” Then, believe it or not, she kinda bopped me on the shoulder and said, “I wish you were a cop. You have a nice smile, and you’re making time for this old lady to ask you a dumb question.” With that, she spun on her heel and walked away. … left me with my jaw dropped and wondering what just happened.

The customer in the lane next to me said, “hey, man, those are nice boots. They look good with those … what’d you call ’em? Breeches?”

Hmmm… he was a very nice looking guy.

I finished checking out as he did, and he walked with me to the parking lot. He admired my Harley and asked a bunch of questions about the bike and the boots.

I mounted up and rode off with a smile on my face, yet with some bewilderment, too, regarding the incident that started the whole series of events.

Life is short: wear what you like, but don’t intentionally misrepresent. If someone makes an assumption, clarify!

Happy Independence Day!

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Today is Independence Day in the United States, marking our nation’s 234th birthday. Happy birthday, America! Here’s a recent photo that serves this day well (that’s me on my bike in the background).

This morning, I will accompany two friends to be sworn in as our nation’s newest citizens. I coached them as they studied for their citizenship test. These friends have worked hard and have been very patient — one for ten years, one for twelve — to earn the privilege of becoming a U.S. citizen. Their ceremony will be held at Ft. McHenry, which is in Baltimore. Nothing is more special than to have such a ceremony than at the location that served as the inspiration for Frances Scott Key to write the poem that became the lyrics to our national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner.

Unfortunately, after the morning celebration is over, I have to rush right back home and get to work on that long-list of honey-do projects around the house. The Warden requires it. So no crab feast at my brother’s this year. I’ll miss it, but I’m doing what I have to do.

Life is short: celebrate the birthday of the United States!

Dehners’ First Ride

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For a long time now, a boot store that I like was offering a great price on Dehner Patrol Boots. I figured that the sale would have to come to an end, so I decided to buy a pair of these boots with a 1″ wider calf and lug soles on them. The boot store does not carry Dehner Boots with lug soles, but can arrange to have the Dehner Company put them on and have the boots shipped to the buyer directly.

I like big lug soles on my boots because they help a lot when I need to maneuver my big, heavy motorcycle in tight spots. For example, yesterday I went to our local post office, and the only parking space available was on a slight downgrade. There was so much traffic around, I couldn’t back myself into the spot. I knew when I came out, it would require a lot of strength and traction to move the bike out of the space. These boots performed superbly: like a snow tire, the soles gripped the pavement and helped me to push my bike out of the space. Had my sole slipped — even a little bit — it would have been very likely that I would have dropped the bike. That’s enough of a reason why I wear lug-soled boots when I ride my Harley.

Now… to the video. Some readers may be “of a certain age” (like me) to remember the TV show “CHiPs” that was aired from 1977 to 1983. The show featured a couple of Dehner-booted bike cops. Every now-and-then, they would have a camera trained on one of the cop’s boots from behind, as he was operating his bike — usually chasing a bad guy.

I have that image in my mind — of a Dehner Boot on a bike while riding. I have produced similar videos like this before, but this is the first one while I am actually wearing “Dehner” (brand) boots (not something else) on this model of Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Enjoy the “bootcam” video. Try to figure out where my camera was. I assure you, though, that my hands remained firmly on the grips, and I didn’t let go. Also, I didn’t have a passenger or someone riding beside me. Okay — go figure where my camera was. I’ll reveal the answer later.

Life is short: get booted and ride!