Lucchese Crazy

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Lately I’ve just gone off the deep end… such is the life of a Bootman.  I bought a pair of Lucchese Classic boots in September in dark grey, that I really like.  They are sturdy, well-constructed, and exceptionally comfortable boots.  They’re for dress occasions, such as for wearing to work.  These boots hold a prominent place in my bedroom boot closet, and I look forward to wearing them to work.

The company from which I bought them, Grapevinehill, sells boots via Amazon for very good prices — much lower than from the manufacturer direct or from other on-line sources.

I liked those dark grey Lucchese Classics so much, I bought not one, but two more pairs in brown and light brown.  I dunno, call me crazy, but … these boots arrived last week and they are just as great as the grey ones.

What I like best about them is how rugged they are.  The leather is firm.  They don’t flop around when you take them, off, as the cheaper, low-end Lucchese “1883” boots do.  They make a classic sound when you walk in them.  And I’ve noticed that others notice.

So for fall, I’ve gone with autumn colors for some new classic cowboy boots.  They’ll all look good with dress clothes for work, or with jeans, which is my customary attire when I’m kickin’ around the neighborhood (provided I’m not on my Harley or in full leather.)  These boots are great, but their smooth leather soles aren’t suitable for the traction I require when I ride my bike.  They also don’t quite match my leather (LOL!)  But I am an all-around, equal-opportunity Bootman, so I wear different boots for the different things that I do.  And because I change boots two, three, or four times each day, these boots will get plenty of use when rotated through the collection.

Life is short:  wear boots!

When Did You Choose To Be Straight?

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Here is a video that was posted on YouTube that I became aware of through a friend (former supervisor).

The video is on-street interviews asking the fundamental question of random people the interviewer meets on the street, “when did you choose to be straight?”

I think that’s a great come-back for those small-minded people (especially the religious wrong) who run around saying that “being gay is a choice” or “the gay ‘lifestyle’ is a bad choice” … and so on.

Let me be clear:  I am gay.  I did not choose to be gay.  I was born that way.  I didn’t know I was interested in having a man for my lifemate until I was much older.  I went through the usual motions of dating girls and such through high school and college, and realized that I was being deceitful.  It was unfair to the women who I dated that I really wasn’t interested in more than conversation and enjoying activities together like a movie, a hike, or going out with friends to dinner.

So next time someone mouths-off about “being gay is a choice,” simply ask them, as this interviewer did, “when did you choose to be straight?”  … see what they say.  They may come to a realization of their own, from a perspective from which they had not thought before.

Update: This post was edited to remove political content. This is not a political blog. A comment was provided that was political in nature. That’s why I edited this post, to remove my own political commentary such that the comment is no longer pertinent to this post (and therefore was not approved for posting). If you wish to comment on politics, please visit another blog.

Walking Works

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I went to see a surgeon the other day to arrange to have a hernia repair.  Yep, I have a small hernia which will require surgery to fix.  I got it from all the friggin’ work that I do around the house and on my rental properties.  I have to face it, I’m not getting any younger.  Oh well, it’s small, doesn’t hurt, and for the moment, it’s a good thing because it releases me from the ongoing, perpetual, long list of projects that never cease to end around our house.

While I was there, the doc remarked about my significant weight loss.  I was last weighed at the health plan office back in May.  On October 12, my weight had dropped by 30 pounds.  I knew I needed to lose weight, and the diet-and-exercise recommendation that we always hear is what did it.

When I took my “summer vacation,” (that is, when I was laid off my job this summer before being offered a new one), I vowed that I wasn’t going to pile on the pounds, snacking away whilst whiling away the hours on a computer.  I made a promise to myself to work at weight-loss with some of my “free” time.

That’s hard for me to do, because I’m not a gym rat.  I hate gyms.  Ever since grade school where the gym teacher and classmates teased me incessantly for being a klutzy runt, I hated working out.  But I knew, deep down, that’s what I needed to do.  My twin brother-the-jock gently reminded me and encouraged me on this matter.

I can’t stand to use weights or machines or whatnot related to workouts and weight loss.  Call me cheap, but I will NOT pay for a gym membership.  Fortunately, the benefits of being a life member of the alumni association of the university from which I graduated, I am able to use all of their recreation facilities for free.  So I go swimming once a week.  Unfortunately, that’s not enough, and I am not a runner, so running on the track was out.  Unfortunately, I can’t get there during the week (open swim time for alumni is only in the evenings… too late for me.)

So I began walking.  At first, I would walk around my neighborhood.  Then I began changing it up, and walking further down the road.  I walked to my Aunt’s home, three miles away.  I walked … and walked … and walked.  My partner bought me a pedometer so I could count my steps.  I “upped” my steps from an average of 5,000 per day to, now, an average of 20,000.  That’s ten miles, more or less.  I walk up and down stairs instead of using an elevator.  Each morning at home, I walk the full length up and down three flights of stairs in my home for about 20 to 30 times.  (No “stairclimber” for me!  I do it for real, and make good use of the steps by carrying stuff, like rearranging my boots from my upstairs closet to my basement storage room.)

Diet-wise, that’s always a challenge because of my severely restricted diet due to chronic conditions I must live with.  I can’t eat most vegetables, salads, beans, tofu, tuna fish, yogurt, or such.  Facing multiple “runs” to the bathroom when I eat such things, I decided to forgo eating lunch instead of eating “healthy” crap that would make me sick.  I now have a small breakfast composed of a plain (home-made) roll w/o butter or margarine, and orange juice.  I drink about six large glasses of water throughout the day — on hot days and when working strenuously, I double that.  Then I prepare a regular, but sensible dinner for my partner and me.  Dinner isn’t diet junk — it is real food, such as chicken, beef, or home-made, light pasta.  But I limited my portion sizes and left off the condiments, such as mayo (a weakness), since I can’t use mustard or ketchup, relish, or anything else.  Salt & pepper add to taste, and I even keep those in moderation.

Most folks, including me, need a caffeine shot in the morning.  Not being a coffee or tea drinker, I might have gone for a soda.  I was finding that diet sodas, even Coke Zero, gave me the trots–must be the artificial sweetener.  So I just went “cold turkey” and when I really “needed” caffeine, I drank caffeinated water that my partner found for me in the store.  I don’t like to use bottled water, but in this case, one-half of a bottle of caffeinated water in the morning would stave off the caffeine withdrawal headache.

All-in-all, this worked for me.  I dropped 30 “real” pounds.  I think I finally found a weight-loss plan that works for me, and I intend to keep it up, because it’s part of my regular routine now.  When I get a craving, I drink water.  It fills me up and I lose my hunger pangs. 

Life is short:  manage yourself in ways that work for you.

Blog Adjustments

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So Blogger “upgraded” me to their new advanced system, which is a PITA to get accustomed to using.  It’s hard to format content like I used to.  Line breaks seem to add themselves or remove themselves at-will.  But here it is and here I am, so I am adjusting.

While I was at it, I adjusted the template to a slightly newer, more readable format, and put on a new header composed of some of this summer’s photos of my various activities … boots, leather, boots, motorcycle riding, etc.  Just me, doing my “thing.”

I hope readers like it, or will let me know features that they would like to see or not… leave a comment, or write a message that comes directly to me.

Life is short:  Keep blogging!

Bootmen of Da’ ‘Burgh

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This past weekend, my partner and I drove to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, to visit his mother who lives there.  My partner did a number of chores around the house to keep it in good shape (and he told me not to, so I wouldn’t aggravate a hernia that I just discovered).  We also gave his Mom some company as she lives alone and gets rather lonely.

It was a quiet, peaceful, visit.  While I was “up bear,” I had the distinct pleasure of meeting a friend who contacted me at first through this blog, and then through many hundreds of emails over several years.  It never worked out until this trip to be able to meet in person.  We sat atop Mt. Washington enjoying a bright, sunny afternoon on a lovely day, while taking in the view of the picturesque city skyline.

What a wonderful guy, from his comfy Justin cowboy boots to his broad smile on his handsome face.  

Life is short:  enjoy it with friends!

Tied Up

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I sense this will attract my buddy “SJ” from the UK who is into bondage.  Sorry, bondophiles, the title to this post is misleading (deliberately).

I’m just busier than a beaver and don’t know where I’ll have the time to get everything done.  But, then again, that’s me.  Mr. “can’t-say-no.”

Last week, I replaced batteries in smoke alarms for over 50 senior pals.  I made ravioli from scratch for my partner and me, but also brought some to a friend who recently broke her foot.  I baked six loaves of bread — also for senior pals.  I made a couple videos and updated my website.  I wrote letters kvetching on behalf of some of my friends who were wronged.  And each day, I visited my lovely aunt at least once, often twice.  I took her to get a blood test one day, which is quite an undertaking considering how frail she is.  And at almost each visit at my aunt’s home, I would find a note that a caregiver left for me indicating yet something else that I had to get at the grocery store.

I did repairs at three properties that I own and rent as affordable housing to community heroes.  Fortunately, the repairs were minor and mostly preventive in nature, but nonetheless, they each required time, tools, skill, and (of course) work boots!

I attended a public hearing and several other meetings with community groups concerned about certain local matters.  I tried to make peace, or if not peace, at least let each side be heard.  I missed a meeting of officers for a group in which I participate, as my aunt’s needs had priority.

Then I packed up with my partner and went to visit his mother in “da ‘burgh” this past weekend and while I am writing this before I left, I am absolutely certain that I was quite busy and enjoying very noisy meals (giggle).

I am anxious to begin working at my new job … my start date is imminent yet not precise.  Meanwhile, the honey-do list grows twice as long for each item that I scratch off.

So, this is my form of bondage:  to my community, my family, my partner, my friends, my home, my investments, and my hobbies.  Not bad things… just BUSY!

Life is short:  keep out of trouble!

Tucking Pants Into Boots

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Search results that brought a visitor to this blog

Another google search using the question “is it gay to tuck your pants into your boots?” directed a visitor to this blog.

Oh cripes, gimme a break.  Insecurity rules among young-uns.  Go tell a motorcycle police officer this stuff….

This is what Kevin described in his comment to last Friday’s post on this blog. This type of query on the internet is another indication of “fear of label” — that is, homophobia by fear of being called gay, simply by tucking jeans into one’s boots.

Sheesh, this is absolutely ridiculous. I learned from Kevin’s remark, and believe it, that some guys are really afraid of having that label applied to them because it can very well mean trouble. Name-calling has led to some vicious attacks resulting in bodily injury and death — simply because someone is “accused” of being gay by the way he talks, walks, or what he wears. This must stop!

If you’ve got a hang-up due to “fear of label” about wearing boots with jeans tucked into them, then don’t.  But if you have courage enough to seek more information and if you’re man enough to wear your boots with jeans tucked into them and with pride, then see this page on my website: Jeans and Cowboy Boots.

Life is short:  grow up if you worry about such matters.

Thanking My Community Heroes

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It’s the last day of Fire Prevention Week here in the good ol’ USA.  Throughout the week, I have been doing a number of things related to fire safety.

Last Saturday, I went on a major motorcycle ride in honor of fallen firefighters.

On Sunday, I brought my partner to the bedroom, blindfolded him, and turned off the lights.  Then I yelled “fire” and we practiced our home fire drill.  (Get your mind out of the gutter!)

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I visited senior pals and changed batteries or entire smoke alarms as needed.  Smoke alarms last only ten years, so if the alarm was older, I put up a new one.  

Also on Wednesday, I had a chimney sweep come to our house and clean our chimney, and a service technician check over our furnace as winter heating season will soon be upon us.  

On Thursday, I dropped by my local fire station for a visit, and to thank the firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics who are there every day protecting us.

On Friday, I blindfolded my partner again… oops… not for fire prevention activities….

Life is short:  thank a firefighter!

Homophobia Hurts Straight Men, Too

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I thank my friend Kevin for pointing out the following opinion piece in a recent edition of The Christian Science Monitor whose title is:  “Homophobia Hurts Straight Men, Too.”  The full article is here.

The main point of the article is made at the top, where it says, “men rarely sustain intimate, long-standing friendships with other males after childhood. And the reason might surprise you: According to a large body of research, they’re afraid of being seen as gay.”

The article describes a time, not that long ago, where it wasn’t strange or uncommon for adult men to enjoy physical closeness: a hug, holding one another with arms around shoulders, etc.  But not today.

Today, you can barely shake another guy’s hand before he steps back to establish a large physical distance from you.  It saddens me that men have distanced themselves physically and emotionally from each other for about the past three decades — for fear of being labeled as gay.

The article further demonstrates how name-calling from school carries into adult life.  In school, kids call each other all sorts of names.  But none are intended to be as hurtful as being called “gay, queer, or fag.”  The expression, “that’s so gay” refers to actions or behaviors — anywhere from wearing jeans tucked into cowboy boots to having another guy ride as a passenger on a motorcycle operated by a guy.

A paragraph in the middle of the opinion piece spoke directly to this matter.  It said, “But to fight intolerance against gay boys, we also need to acknowledge its toll on straights – and our entire culture. Homophobia hurts all of our boys, by driving a wedge between them. Sharing your deepest feelings with another man? That’s so . . . gay. Or so we’ve been taught.”

That’s what bothers me a lot about the straight guys I know.  I sense that they would like to be more open and demonstrate greater sensitivity, but society has taught them through homophobia to back off, clam up, and “be a man” by being the strong silent type.  

Oh cripes, gimme a break.  Guys have feelings too, and should show them (besides losing one’s temper.)

The summary of the article is so true, and telling:  “And you can hear the message still, at any school or playground, where they call each other homo, fag, or queer. That hurts the gay kids most of all, as the awful death of Tyler Clementi reminds us. But it hurts the rest of us, too, by limiting the ways that men can act and feel. And that’s bad news for all American men, and for anyone – male or female – who loves them.”

Come on, straight guys, GET OVER IT!  You can’t and won’t “become” gay by associating with other men who are gay, or by enjoying physical closeness with another guy beyond a handshake.  It’s okay, being gay isn’t a disease and isn’t contagious.  A boy is gay when he is born, as I was (though I didn’t realize it until adulthood.)

Life is short:  get over your hangups, and enjoy close camaraderie with other guys!

Cookin’ Up A Storm

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Here I am, doing what I love to do… spending a rainy day in the kitchen with my partner making pasta, sauce, and bread.  I love to cook and prepare meals that freeze well for the busy week when I don’t have as much time to cook our dinner.  

I believe in making our own food when we can, or at least preparing a meal from ingredients we harvest from our garden or buy at the grocery store.  I prepare a hot meal every evening for my partner and myself.  

We never eat out.  It’s too expensive and wasteful.  Further, with my odd assortment of food allergies, there are so many things that I can’t eat, preparing my own food ensures that I don’t accidentally ingest something like mustard, which can throw me into anaphylaxis. 

Life is short:  prepare your own food! (and wear leather while you’re at it!)