A Leatherman Biker

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Or am I a “Biker – Leatherman?” Either way, or as the kids say, “whatever….”

I have always enjoyed wearing leather. I wear leather clothing regularly, and not always while riding my motorcycle. Leather is an investment. Good quality, custom-made gear isn’t cheap. There’s no sense in having the gear if you only wear it once or twice each year to a leather fashion show or stand around posing in it at a bar.

Most guys have a leather jacket or two, and wear them regularly. Some guys (with or without a motorcycle) have other leather garments: chaps, pants, vests, and shirts. Yeah, I’ve got it all… and wear it when the weather is suitable.

The other day, a box arrived at my door. I had been waiting ten weeks since I ordered it — a new pair of traditional “retro” motorcycle chaps. Chaps are great for wearing while riding a motorcycle, as they provide warm and protection, and look good, too. (Info on why bikers wear chaps is here.)

My first leather investment besides a jacket was a pair of chaps from a guy who called himself “The Leathermaker.” He made custom-to-fit chaps that had a solid band across the back, and a custom closure across the front. The chaps zipped closed on the outside seam, which bikers like me prefer because an inside zipper is liable to scratch a motorcycle’s paint.

I loved those old “Leathermaker” chaps. Alas, my size has changed since I bought them in 1977. Yeah, 33 years later, it was time to upgrade. I had always wanted another pair of chaps just like those, but since D. Lyn Sterling, the guy who made those chaps, died in 1987 (reference), I thought chaps made like that were history.

Well, not… while surfing the 665 Leather website, there they were. At the time I was looking, 665 was offering a 15% discount off of any one item. It was time to act.

These chaps are hot. Woofity-hot. And really cool-lookin’, too. I can’t wait to go out and ride with them… soon.

Life is short: wear your gear!

The Intoxicating Smell of New Leather

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Okay, I admit it: on those occasions when I have visited a store that specializes in selling leather gear, such as jeans, chaps, breeches, shirts, and such, I find the smell intoxicating. Same is true the very first time I open a box in which new leathers arrive — the aroma is quite something.

Some leatherdudes take it up another notch, and describe a certain reaction that they get below the belt line. I’m not that way. I’m not saying that reacting to the smell of new leather with a rise below the waist is bad. I’m just saying that the smell alone doesn’t cause me to have such a biological reaction. Perhaps it once did, years ago, but now that I’m in my 50s, I … (digress….)

The look, the feel, and the smell altogether takes a leatherman to a different dimension, at least momentarily.

…then you try on your new leathers, look at yourself in the mirror, and take it all in. How they feel, how they look, how the leather creaks as it breaks in new creases, and how it smells. Yeah, quite the feeling as the senses of touch, sight, hearing, and smell all come together.

I didn’t mention taste, ’cause I really am not into that. There are all sorts of chemicals with which leather is treated during the tanning and finishing processes to make it shiny and soft, and those chemicals aren’t something I want to ingest. So I don’t.

But four senses out of five are great to have working for you when you’re experiencing new leathers. Come back tomorrow and find out what I got!

Life is short: wear leather!

Hot Weather Biker Boots

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If there is a “more traditional” boot worn by bikers, it is the engineer style boot with one strap across the front, and a wide, round toe. I have a number of engineer boots in my collection that I often choose to wear while riding my Harley. They’re comfortable, take abuse well and look, well, “biker-worn.”

Last week, a new pair of engineer boots entered my stable. I found a good sale on a pair of Chippewa “Bomber Jacket” boots. These boots are brown, which is unusual for an engineer boot, and is one of the reasons why I bought them. Also, they are 11″ high. All of my other engineer boots are 17″ high. I usually prefer the taller boots; however, when the weather is toasty hot, then a shorter boot is better because it’s cooler, yet still protects my ankles and legs.

The only thing surprising to me about these boots is that the top of the boot shaft was actually narrower than any other engineer boot that I own. I had to open the buckle at the top so I could put my foot into each boot, then re-buckle it to close. Frankly, I prefer just to pull my boots on and yank ’em off, so having to unbuckle and re-buckle them is a pain-in-the-ass feature that I don’t like.

Also, while the boots came with an insole, the supplied insole was kinda cheap and soon became uncomfortable within the first hour that I wore these new boots. I replaced the manufacturer-provided insole with some good quality gel insoles, which made the boots feel much better.

The boots run a little large — common for Chippewa engineer boots — so there was plenty of room for a good quality gel insole. It took up the extra room anyway and made the overall fit better.

I like these boots. The appearance is different. The color of the leather is interesting. The leather itself is as soft and grainy as an old, well-worn bomber jacket — thus the name.

Life is short: wear boots!

Website Downtime

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For the third time in less than a month, the server that hosts my website went down last evening. Back on June 16, the server was down for well over four hours. That’s disappointing, because thousands of people visit my website every day. When the server is down, people get an error message due to a “timeout” and go somewhere else.

Oh well, the world won’t end. It’s not like I have an on-line store and rely on sales from visitors. I just get disappointed when this happens, because the hosting service ordinarily is exceptionally reliable and has offered 100% “uptime.” This is the same hosting service that Larry of hotboots.com has used for about 12 years, and he recommended it highly.

I have been so pleased with their service and features that I am hosting five other websites on their servers now. I am hoping that I don’t have to migrate all of my websites to other servers due to this company’s servers becoming unreliable.

Meanwhile, if you have visited my website and experienced a timeout error, please come back.

Life is short: have no downtime.

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!