Monthly Archives: March 2012

Parting with a Pair of Wesco Harness Boots

Posted on by

Wesco boots are the toughest, baddest boots on the planet. Guys who wear them know that these boots are durable, rugged, and good-looking. The boots attract attention from lots of people, straight and gay — the knowing stares from people who recognize quality when they see it.

I have owned this pair of tall black Wesco harness boots for about six years. Relatively speaking, they are rather young in my boot collection.

Regretfully, though, I have to part with them. Why?


They don’t fit me any more. Arrgghh… one of the consequences of my chronic health condition has affected the calf circumference of my legs. They have not ballooned, but even a half-inch (one measly centimeter) makes all the difference in the world.

I pulled these boots on the other day, and then soon enough my right leg, followed by my left, began to throb. I could feel the blood pulsing. While the boots fit my 10D feet just fine, the legs — not.

What was upsetting is that I had these boots made custom to my size, including my calf circumference, back in 2006. I am unhappy that physically, what fit me only six years ago will not fit me now. Well, they do fit, but not comfortably. I could not wear these boots and take a long ride on my Harley without my legs hurting.

I sat down with my partner and explained how I was feeling, and with mixed emotions I accepted his honest assessment, “look, it is not likely that your legs will get better, even with medication, changes in diet, and working out as you have been doing. It’s time to ‘fish or cut bait’ (an American expression for ‘time to make a decision’).”

I knew that he was right. The boots would collect dust on the shelf of my boot closet. That’s not good for me — creating more dust-magnets — and not good for the boots that should be worn with pride and strength. These boots are so darn rugged, they will outlive and outlast not only me, the original buyer, but probably well into the next century, provided the boots are cared for as I have taken care of them.

If these boots could talk, they would say, “take me out and ride!” So rather than prolong the agony of hope that my condition may eventually change, I decided to list them on eBay, and move them on to someone else who will be able to wear them — hopefully as designed for motorcycle riding, but in any event, get enjoyment out of them.

I put these boots up for auction on eBay. The auction ended on March 18. I was happy with the results of the auction. I hope the boots are happy in their new home.

Life is short: wear the most rugged, durable boots on the planet — and always wear boots when you ride a motorcycle. Sneakers for the gym, and flip-flops for the trash.

Wesco Boots — Differences Between Harness and Engineer Styles?

Posted on by

I received the following inquiry about Wesco boots, requesting to know if there is any difference between the harness or engineer style of Wesco boots. I thought this was interesting, so I posted the question and my answer here.

You have informative videos regarding boots. There are two things I don’t skimp on; firearms and footwear. I am new to the sport of motorcycling and decided on Wesco boots and so I am wondering for riding comfort, would you recommend the engineer or harness? For the costs, I would like to know if there are any differences or not.

My reply?

Thank you for your message and compliments on the videos. I think you made a good decision to buy Wesco boots to wear while riding your new-to-you motorcycle.

There is no difference in comfort between Wesco harness boots and the engineer style they label “Wesco Boss.” What makes the difference in comfort is the fit. Wesco boots run true-to-size, but if you get taller boots — 16 inches or higher, then getting them custom measured to your calf size is important. For me, that’s where the comfort situation comes in.

But if you are looking at boots that are 12 inches high or thereabouts, then calf circumference is not usually an issue. The foot size for both engineer style and harness style is the same. It’s really a matter of personal preference.

As an experienced motorcyclist, let me share an observation about Wesco boots and motorcycles, as well.

If you are riding a standard cruiser or touring bike — that is, a bike where you sit up rather than hunch over such as on a crotch rocket or sport bike — then Wesco boots should work fine because the shifter peg on those types of bikes has enough room to accommodate the large toe box found on Wesco boots (harness or engineer).

If your bike has a small displacement (engine size <750cc or so) OR is a sport model where the operator is positioned in a forward-leaning position, then you may find the shifter difficult to operate with large-toed boots. The toe boxes on Wesco boots is larger than other motorcycle boots, such as those made by Chippewa. You may find it difficult to fit your toe under the shifter to shift up to first gear. This happened to me when I rode a buddy’s 650cc bike while wearing a pair of Wesco Boss (engineer) boots. I struggled to get the bike into first gear, because there was not enough room to get the toe of my boot under the shift peg to lift it. Something to think about. Good luck, ride safe.

Life is short: remember to repeat after me–boots are for motorcycles, sneakers are for the gym, and flip-flops are for the trash.

Easing Into Riding Routine

Posted on by

The weather forecast for yesterday was spot-on. It was 55ºF (13ºC) at oh-dark-30 when I leave my home to drive to the downtown of my hometown where I work. Time to get the Harley out and ride!

But preparation for a safe ride is the key to a pleasurable commute.

Anticipating the good weather, I got my Harley ready for the trip the night before. I spent an hour going making sure that every nut, bolt, and cable was secure. I checked the brakes, lights, horn, sidestand, chassis, and tire pressure. Man, those tires lose air quickly, but fortunately I have a small air compressor, so I put in air to bring the tires back to recommended pressure. All set.

In the morning, I pulled my truck and my partner’s car out of the garage, and then my Harley which is parked behind them. I donned my heavy leather retro chaps, gray biker jacket, gloves, helmet, and took off.

Oh, what boots was I wearing? I decided to wear my Wesco Motor Patrol boots. So comfy, tall, and protective. Vibram 430 lug soles provides good traction. The foot of the boot looks dressy with nice clothes, so no one ever noticed that I had tall boots on all day at the office. Truly, NBD.

I was a bit surprised that condensation was visible on some of the less-traveled roads which had cooler surfaces. But the main road — the road on which I travel the longest distance of five miles (8km) — was perfectly dry.

I still don’t like to ride in the dark, but at least my new rear light bar lit me up brightly to be more visible to vehicles behind me. I even had a county bike cop pull up next to me at a stoplight and wave. “Nice morning to ride!” he said. “Yessir, have a safe day!” I said back. He smiled, then the light changed and I watched him pull out in front of me, observing the glint of a shine on his patrol boots reflected from a street light.

It’s still something to get used to again, this riding-to-work routine. I need about 15 minutes more in the morning to get ready. I felt a little sore last night, but I’m sure that is transient. I have not ridden that much during the past few months of winter.

The best part? Free parking for motorcycles in the public garage near my office. I worked long and hard to support the legislation that our county council passed which provides that benefit to us bikers, so I truly appreciate taking advantage of it.

Life is short: ride!

Tracing Roots

Posted on by

I thought I was a genealogist, amateur at best, but nonetheless, I thought I was doing pretty well keeping up with my father’s side of the family. I swear, they drop kids (on Facebook) faster than Italians change governments … which is rather often! (LOL!)

Unfortunately, my father’s family records only go back to when his parents arrived in the United States from Italy (still single, but married soon after arrival) in the early 1900s. Now that’s not to say that we don’t have a lot of records moving forward! 503 family members (including spouses, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren) have come forth from my paternal grandparents — and I know who all of them are, and who is related to whom. That’s a rather big feat. I do, however, need to make a trip to Italy in one of my spare lives to do some more research.

As I began this post, I *thought* that I was doing pretty well, until…
Continue reading →

Troubled Soul

Posted on by

I do not receive messages like this often, because most people who disagree or do not understand my website do not take the time to send me a message. They usually surf on, which is normal behavior among educated and civil adults. But it happens sometimes. Thus is the risk of having a public website.

“Steve” from Kent, Washington, writes:

Name: steve
EmailAddr: stevebesc@xyz…
Location: here
Message: Just finished a quick peruse of your site, and haven’t stopped laughing. I hope you’re joking with all that decades-too-late Village People crap.

==================================

REMOTE_ADDR=67.168.50.8

My response?

He may be coy in trying to hide where he’s from, but I have enough protections on my website and email that I know where the writers originate — purely for my protection. This guy wrote “here” when his IP address reveals that he used a computer whose IP was based in Kent, Washington, USA. Kent is a small suburb of Seattle, located south and east of the SeaTac airport.

He found my website looking for information about Lucchese boots, and whether the 1883 line of boots by Lucchese has pegged soles, as their higher-end Lucchese Classics do. But instead of finding the answer to that question on this blog or my website, instead he chose to write a message that demonstrates that he is seriously troubled.

I regret this guy feels that way, but if he doesn’t understand or like leather, that’s his business. However, his message is reflective of today’s lack of civility. More people these days seem to enjoy thinking that they are hiding behind a veil of anonymity when they post or send messages like that one. It is a shame there are so many. (Have you read blogs or comments on YouTube videos where the account owner does not moderate the comments? For gay guys, most of the comments are really, really rude and nasty.) All this behavior does is generate feelings of pity for such people, and prayers for relief of their anger and sorrow.

Life is short: remember and apply what your Momma taught you — if you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.

The Legacy of Resilience

Posted on by

Today, March 4, marks the date when my father was born — 101 years ago. Wow… while his brothers and sisters were known for living long, extraordinary lives, my Dad had to pack an extraordinary life into 58 years. He passed away almost 42 years ago, when I was a little guy of 11 years.

Of the memories that I have of him, the strongest is how resilient he was. Let me explain, and how his legacy of resiliency carries me forward today.

The dictionary defines resilience as:

…that ineffable quality that allows some people to be knocked down by life and come back stronger than ever.

I think of my father’s history. He was the third of 22 children. He had to start working to make money for the family when he was 11 or 12 years old. He went to school, worked in his father’s store, and when he got older, he worked a second job — all to support the family. (His brothers worked, too. He wasn’t the only one who did what had to be done to support his family.)

When he grew up, he got a job that today would require a college degree. But he didn’t have one — he didn’t have the time nor the money to go to college.

He worked and worked and worked, and while working he learned at least four or five languages besides English and Italian, which he spoke at home with his parents. He had a natural ear for languages and also a natural ability with mathematics.

His first employer discovered that he didn’t have a degree and hired someone else who had a degree and gave my father the boot. Rather than dwell in despair, my Dad found another job, quickly, where he was able to employ the use of his language skills and mathematics. He got tutoring from two professors at Columbia University, even though he was not a student. He became quite knowledgeable about applied mathematics in the field of economics.

His job transferred him to Washington, DC, in the late ’30s. He bumped into my mother on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, dated and married a year later. They got busy having children — my oldest brother and sisters.

Then World War II broke out. Dad, and eight of his brothers, went to war. He served our country with distinction and honor, and came back home alive.

Upon his return, his employer assigned him “temporarily” to work with a new organization created as a result of WWII where he was again able to employ his language skills — which increased while serving in the Army — and his newly-acquired skills in applied economics.

However, that organization told him point-blank that if he didn’t have a college degree, that he would not be able to continue working after the initial short-term assignment.

My Dad picked himself up and enrolled in night school. Long before on-line college courses, the way for an “older” student to get a degree was to go to class at night. My Dad took a double-load, worked full time, raised 5, 6, 7, children, and earned his degree.

The organization promoted him, and he took an assignment that placed him in Europe for six months each year, and six months at home. He became a diplomat, and a great one at that.

My Dad serves as an example and legacy to us all — and for his resilience, dedication and commitment, we have benefited.

I observed those behaviors and actions — even as young as I was — and listened to the stories about my Dad as told by my mother and siblings. He was a marvelous example of leadership, commitment, and of love.

Currently, I am facing some huge challenges both personally and with my partner’s health. But if anything, I am resilient. I will survive. I have faith, and I believe. All for the legacy of my Dad.

Happy 101, Dad.

Life is short: live the legacy of resilience.

Marriage? Not So Fast

Posted on by

Yesterday, the Governor of the U.S. state where my partner and I live signed legislation that was passed by our state’s General Assembly to make it legal for same-sex couples to marry in a civil procedure, such as by a Justice of the Peace or by a Judge in a county courthouse.

When will my partner and I marry?

Woah… wait a minute…. The negative noodles of nabobbery and hatefulness have a delay tactic in place. An amendment to the legislation that had to be included in order to gain passage makes the law take effect on January 1, 2013, provided the law makes it past a referendum process.

You see, the nabobs of negativity (so aptly named by a former state Governor) inserted an amendment in the legislation that makes the law take effect in January. That’s because they recognize that another law in the state allows “citizens to petition for redress through referendum” which is a long way of saying that negative nabobs will now be circulating a petition to put this law on the ballot for approval during the general election on November 6.

This frosts me — what right does anyone have to put the rights of minorities to a public vote? If they did that, for example when the law was changed to give women and Blacks the right to vote, then probably to this day, neither women nor anyone not of a minority could vote. This is why we have representative government, not government-by-the-whole.

Some of the primary leaders of this referendum petition in our state are Black. It makes me perturbed and angry that one minority group can be so directly and loudly opposed to providing fundamental rights for another minority group.

Really, just how will MY marriage destroy yours or decimate the sanctity of your religious institution?

Marriage is NOT a sacrament. It is a civil matter. The new law that passed in our state was very clear to allow any religious institution or clergy member the option of not participating in same-sex marriages.

That’s fine — I don’t want to be married in a church — especially in any church where it’s two-faced hypocritical members say, “we love you, but we don’t approve of civil recognition of a marriage to the man you love.” (Followed often by much worse, hateful language.)

Well, we are closer than we ever have been. I envision months of patient persuasion among those of us who support civil marriage among same-sex couples. If you can’t vote against the referendum, at least don’t vote for it.

Life is short: keep the faith focused on what’s right and what’s fair.

Lern 2 rite

Posted on by

I received the following message via the hotboots website:

how many pairs of boots do u onw, i own about 7, i wonder if u can send me some pics of ur favs to my email?

How did I respond?

There were a variety of things that went through my head, but I remained courteous with this reply:

Hello, thank you for your message. All of my boots are shown on my website, as well as the answer to your question on how many pairs of boots I own.

http://www.bootedman.com

Cheers,

BHD

What I really wanted to say is how annoyed I get with text-messaging communications. The word “you” is “you” not a single letter “u”. The noun “I” is always capitalized. The word “your” is “your” not “ur.”

And send pictures of my “favs” to his email? Heck, that’s what my website is for. If you want to see my boot collection, check out the cowboy boots or my motorcycle boots or my work boots. They are all there.

I don’t have time to send photos via email. Just visit the website. And while you are at it, learn how to write with full words in complete sentences. I know that I sound intolerant of text-speech, but that is who I am — an old codger who does not communicate by texting. Yep, I block texting and do not send text messages, so I do not favor the short-hand abbreviations that frequent texters use.

Imagine… if this dude were to communicate that way in a professional setting?

Which brings me to a lesson that a recent young job applicant learned. He had applied for a job with my company, and I participated in his interview. He showed up on time (good), was dressed casually but in clean clothes (well, okay), but he could not articulate a single sentence. That is, his method of communication was as abbreviated has he has trained himself to communicate via text.

What really frosted the interview team was that his smart phone chirped during the interview and he had nerve enough to pull it out, read the message and send a reply — all while pretending that he was paying attention to us and that we didn’t see what he was doing.

Needless to say, this kid didn’t get a second look. Turned down flat. I’m all for giving opportunities to the younger generation, but there are some rules of decorum that should be followed. Arrive on time, dress appropriately, and turn off that damn smart phone during the interview! Then, if you really want to impress the interview team, after the interview is over, send a hand-written thank-you note using complete words and full sentences — in the mail, using a stamp! That would blow people away.

Meanwhile, think about how your way of communicating comes off to others. If the others are your seniors, then consider that they may not appreciate short-form text-speak.

Life is short: spell your words out and write coherently.