In thinking about what to write as I restart my musings on this blog, I reflect on what inspired my website’s name … bootedman.com.

It is amusing to think back to 2004 when I was diligently cataloging my boot collection, taking low-res digital photos of my boots, and using a primitive HTML coding processor offered by my ISP at the time (my cable TV provider.) As I was developing that crude first-attempt website, I had a number of conversations with Larry of hotboots.com fame, and his exceptionally creative and technically adept husband, Bill.

Bill urged me to create my very own website, on my own domain, and suggested ways that I could improve my web-building techniques.

So there I was, thinking to myself, “what web domain name would work for what I want to do, and what is not already taken?” I thought long and hard about myself…

…and it came to me: I am a “Boot Man” or “Man in Boots”. Both of those domains were taken, as well as variants of them. But as I was thinking about alternatives, my (then partner, now spouse) said, “heck, YOU are the BOOTED MAN.” No question about it. The domain was available; I bought it… and began the long, tedious, and time-consuming but fun hobby process of creating my own website on my own domain.

The website has morphed and grown a lot over time. Without boring you on the history, you can read it here.

But it all comes down to who I really am — a booted man.

I like boots. I wear boots. Every day. Everywhere. I do not own a pair of shoes. I dislike shoes. I detest to the point of vile revolt things like flip-flops and crocs. I even dislike sneakers. I just don’t like ’em and they shall not disgrace my feet.

I cannot put the finger on why I feel this way, but I do, and I don’t fight it. I embrace my “inner booted man” … as you can see from the website and many posts in the eight-year-plus history of this blog.

Does my sexual orientation have anything to do with it? I personally do not think so. While some gay men like boots, especially guys who enjoy wearing leather and uniforms (sneakers and flip-flops are unacceptable with such attire), the vast majority of men who wear boots are straight. No big deal. Being gay or straight or in-between doesn’t matter when it comes to boots.

There are amusing situations where some straight guys are afraid to wear boots for fear of being called gay. I do not understand why some men think that way, but that’s their problem, not mine.

Anyway, yep, I am A Booted Man. Happy to wear my boots every day and show my boot collection on my website.

Life is short: wear boots and be proud to be … a booted man (or booted woman.)