Woofs to Clay!

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Today I’m doing a special shout-out to a very dear friend who lives in Calgary, Alberta. “Calgarymn” Clay is such a wonderful, thoughtful, kind and caring man. He’s also a hunky cowboy Leatherman, too.

I’ll never forget that when I was becoming active on “Boots on Line” (and on-line community of men who like boots and share information about them), I observed that Clay was posting pictures and engaging in dialogue with a lot of guys. I was awe-struck at first, and perhaps a bit infatuated (I admit it), and came to think, “wow, this guy is really cool! He always has something nice to say, and has a great sense of humour.” His quick wit and style endeared me to him.

Then he sent me a message in reply to something I posted. I was flabbergasted. “Who, me? Why would this guy who is such a stud want to have anything to do with this inconsequential guy from Maryland?”

We began to exchange email, and soon thereafter we developed a warm and fast friendship. I got him booted in a pair of Dan Post roughout cowboy boots that he wanted. He looks great wearing them. Besides his striking classic cowboy style, which is cool, he’s also quite good looking in leather, too. A man who shares my passions.

He started creating videos about the same time that I did, but he was always better at it. There’s something about how he displays his passion that sizzles. He and I have shared a lot of vids with each other, and I even kidded him in one of mine for “not” giving me an idea for it. We laugh about that to this day.

Guys who have a deep and sincere heart, who live each day with the best of intentions to enjoy life and help others, and who have abiding personal integrity, tend to gravitate toward one another. As I blogged about before, our mutual friend “AZ” has those qualities. Clay certainly has those qualities as well. He has a richness of character that is far above the norm, and to which I aspire in how I live my life and care for my family and friends.

Today I give a special “shout-out” to my “booted bandito” next brother, Clay. Man, I am so richly blessed. With “AZ” and Clay as my rocks and soul brothers, what more could I ask?

Life is short: wear your boots and leather (though my interests purely are as an avocation ~~~. I think with that one, AZ and Clay have a bridge they can sell you!)

Live in DC? No way

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Some people have asked me if I ever would consider living in the city of Washington, DC. My answer always has been “no way.” Here’s why: the United States Congress. Why do I say that?

Primarily for the benefit of visitors to my blog from other countries, let me give a brief civics lesson.

Washington, DC, also known as the District of Columbia, is not a state. It is a federal district that was created by Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. Government, in 1871 to be the seat of the Capital of the United States. Article One of of the United States Constitution provides for a federal district, distinct from the states, to serve as the permanent national capital. The United States Congress has supreme authority over Washington, D.C.; residents of the city therefore have less self-governance than residents of the states. The District has a non-voting at-large Congressional delegate, but no senators. (Source: Wikipedia, cited under the GNU General Public License.)

And there’s the rub: while the DC City Council can pass all the laws it wants, everything the Council does is subject to review of Congress, and can be changed or killed at the whim of any Member of Congress from any state. That’s what really bothers me. Meddling by Congress in local affairs is abominable, and happens all too frequently. Sure, go buy a machine gun — a gun-nut Congressmember from Indiana who is in the pocket of the NRA is trying to force that to happen in DC.

How would you like it if your state legislature, or city or town council, passed some legislation and a bozo Congressmember from another state for purposes of political grandstanding steps in and interferes with it?

That’s really why I could never live in the city of Washington, DC. Congress meddles too much in local affairs. It is shameful, and some Members of Congress have no shame.

There are some other reasons why I would never live in DC, as well — taxes are exorbitant because there is not much of a base to tax. 22% of the land in the city is owned by non-taxable entities, such as the federal government, embassies, religious institutions, and non-profit organizations. Homeowners bear a significant tax burden as a result.

I have often commented on the actions, or inactions, of the local city elected officials and appointed leadership, but being active in my home county in Maryland in these affairs, I realize how politics is portrayed by media spin, and the truth is often in the middle somewhere. However, I just couldn’t bear to live in a place that continues to elect Marion Barry to office — first as Mayor then now as a City Councilmember. What a buffoon. He is a politically savvy guy, but a (?) nonetheless.

Sure, I enjoy showing my nation’s capital to the world through photos and giving tours to friends and family. But I never would want to live there. Give me The Free State (Maryland) and my county that has a casual and mature kind of tolerance. Let me rant and rave to my elected Representative in Congress, and my state’s U.S. Senators. Let me engage in the political process regarding legislation pending before my state’s General Assembly. Let me testify about legislation being considered by my County Council. Anytime. But when state or local legislation passes, let it stand. Don’t let a politically-motivated ding-dong from another state come tell my state or county elected leaders that they’re going to change our laws. No way, no how, not where I live.

Last Day of Summer

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Today is, officially, the last day of astronomical summer. Autumn officially begins tomorrow mid-day. It has been an exceptionally delightful week, weather-wise. Moderate day-time temperatures with low humidity, and cool, brisk mornings. Sure feels like autumn to me.

Thus, the leathers are breaking out. Yesterday when I was at the bike cop rodeo, I just dressed “biker” and wore my red-piped leather chaps and a matching red-piped shirt under my Motocross leather jacket. I soon took off the jacket and put on my vest, which I wore the rest of the day. Since I knew that I would be on my feet a good part of the day, I wore my Chip Firefighter boots, which are very comfortable to stand in for hours, if necessary.

By mid-day, I took off the leather shirt and just wore the vest with a t-shirt, but I kept on the chaps because they just felt good, and weren’t hot.

Today, I was running all over doing a lot of things. I took my elderly friends grocery shopping early. I had on my naked leather jeans and Chip Hi-Shine Boots with a long-sleeved t-shirt. Later as it warmed up, I changed into jeans, short-sleeved t-shirt, and my old, previously-mudded but very comfortable tall Chip Engineer boots. I hopped on the Harley and hung out at the local fire station for a while, preparing for Fire Safety Month activities (in October.)

After that, I came back home, prepared lunch for my partner and me, and then took off again on my Harley to run several errands. It was such a beautiful day! Sunny, warm, and perfect for jeans, t-shirt, and a vest. On my way back home, the boys (that is, my boots), found a little mud. Ooops. (smile)

My partner laughed when he saw me, and helped me take off the muddy boots and jeans. I went inside and got very creative in my kitchen. I made a huge lasagna from scratch (except store-bought noodles). I made the lasagna in advance, since it’s always better upon second heating, after the flavors have a chance to mix during cooling after the initial cooking. When all that was done (two hours later), my partner and I soaked in our hot tub.

I put on a pair of leather jeans again, and a pair of Wesco boots, and my Stompers Boots t-shirt. I then prepared dinner, which we enjoyed outside on our deck. After that, I had to go meet some neighbors about a project that will start tomorrow in our neighborhood. I am so glad to live in a community where I can be dressed in leather and a Stompers shirt and nobody says a thing.

Last day of summer has been great… and I look forward to Autumn, when leather is more a regular part of my daily wardrobe outside of work.

Life is short: wear your boots and leather!

Motorcycle Cop Rodeo

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I enjoyed viewing a motorcycle cop rodeo today. The day was gorgeous; bright, sunny, and comfortable — not hot, not cool.

There were 120 officers who were competing in the event, which was a great turn-out. Cops came from all over the East Coast, but most were from Virginia. I enjoyed speaking with a number of them about a variety of things — mostly about their jobs, but we also talked about their bikes, uniforms, and boots.

I really enjoyed it.

Update, Sept. 26: Since I notice that internet searches for “Cop Rodeo” are landing on this page, I added this link for the pictures that I took (this is a link).

Leather Gear Guide Published!

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I am pleased to announce that my Complete Guide to Leather Gear will be published soon in a major magazine that serves the Gay community. (Not a porn mag; this is a serious, topical, monthly publication with a wide circulation.)

I had to edit the article to a shorter form, and then submit it. Their editors did some work with it, but did not change very much of it at all. I’m pleased with their work. I am thrilled to have this work published!

Who woulda thunk back in high school when I was struggling to write my next composition in English class that over many years hence, not only would I have had articles published in mainstream magazines, some chapters in some academic and technical books, but also in a major Gay magazine? Not me! I wonder if what my English teacher would think? (LOL!)

Nonetheless, having this work published in a major Gay magazine is quite achievement about which I am very proud. I owe this achievement to several things:

  • First and foremost, the great foundation of education that I received in one of the best school districts in the country. I especially want to thank my Latin teacher for teaching me English! (Seriously, I could not write well at all until Latin helped me learn about my own native language).
  • My partner’s patience while I was working on this Guide and not insisting that I do more “honey-do” projects.
  • Several friends who reviewed and contributed to the Guide for me in both words and pictures (especially my buddy Chris for his editing and buddies AZ and Paul for their photos). I couldn’t have done it without them.

When the mag his the streets, I’ll announce it here.

Focusing on Priorities

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I’ve mentioned in some past posts that living with me can be like living with “Taz” — the Tasmanian Devil from the Looney Toons® cartoons. Here’s an example.

Yesterday after work, I was asked, expected to attend, or invited to five functions, meetings, and a public hearing. While none of them were essential to my community leadership position, nonetheless, I was ‘expected’ to be there… everywhere… at about the same time.

Tonight, there is yet another public hearing (that I would just attend and share some thoughts, not preside over)… then some of my bike cop buddies are setting up for a skills competition that will start in earnest tomorrow. They asked me to come help out. I also have an ongoing, regular meeting of a Board of Directors of an Association that I am supporting that is meeting tonight, too. And to top it off, an elected state official asked me to “drop by” for a cookout — and perhaps to twist my arm to get involved in yet another activity? (Likely).

Well, it all comes down to priorities. I gently declined or just didn’t show up where some people thought I might be.

Last night, my priority was my partner. I had been so busy over the last several weeks that he wasn’t getting much attention. The most critical thing in a relationship (gay or straight) is paying attention to the one you love, your “other half,” your soul-mate, your best friend. I hadn’t been doing that, and he has been showing that he noticed. Rather than run off to another meeting, I stayed home. I prepared a nice steak dinner on the grill and we sat on our deck, enjoying the cool, “autumn-tease” evening. My partner and I had a good conversation, and our relationship is back on track (not that it was falling apart, but shouldn’t have been ignored.) After dinner, I took just a few minutes to indicate availability of my “Real Bikers Wear Boots!” bumper sticker, but then turned the computer off and just sat with my partner, doing what he wanted to do (watch TV, which bores me silly but that’s what he enjoys).

Tonight, my priority will be my lovely elderly aunt, who needs more help these days. At 93, she is doing exceptionally well living independently, but she’s having some problems. So instead of playing local or state politics, or riding with the cops, or attending yet another meeting, I will be spending time with her, to prepare her for some next steps in her life. It won’t be easy for her, nor for those who love her, but my priorities remain solidly with family. That’s what’s important.

Keeping focused on priorities and those you love … that’s what I’m doing. Life is short — sure, enjoy your boots and leather, but remember to show those you love that you love them, each and every day!

Coolin’ Off, Leatherin’ Up

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When I went outside to get the morning newspaper at oh-dark-thirty, it was 52°F (11°C). Man, that’s quite a drop in the morning air temperature from a few days ago.

I had already put on warmer clothes and tall, black, Chippewa Hi-Shine boots to wear today. Tall boots help keep me warmer, too, but don’t get hot inside the office and are comfortable in which to walk.

As I was getting ready to ride the Harley, I got out the good ‘ol trusty, worn and durable biker chaps and put them on. They felt good; I haven’t worn them while riding the Harley in several months, because I haven’t needed to. I still didn’t need much of a jacket; my lightweight “shirt-jacket” worked just fine. I donned a pair of lightweight gloves, and I was off. Comfy ride this morning in the brisk air.

As I was dismounting my iron horse at the Metro station, a couple of young guys who were walking by said, “nice bike, cool chaps and boots!” … and they meant it. I said thanks, and thought again to myself how fortunate I am to live in a community that accepts us as we are, and doesn’t resort to making childish, ignorant comments. I guess, also, their momma taught them well: if you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say it; if you do, then do!

I am looking forward to leather-weather returning so I can get back in gear and enjoy the variety of leather gear that I own.

Life is short: wear your leather!

The Gay Genes

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It’s kind of a joke around our household — whenever my partner gets excited about a home decorating show on TV or something like that, I just zone out and say, “I didn’t get those gay genes.”

Yesterday, I was glued to various TV stations watching news about the impact of the most recent hurricane off the Gulf of Mexico, while my partner was reviewing the newspaper ads in the Sunday inserts. I noted that this Cat 2 storm had a surge of a Cat 4 hurricane while he noted that Jacklyn Smith designs have replaced Martha Stewart at KMart.

Today I decided to try out a new video camera that I received, and it took me a while to mount to my Harley for the right “boot shot”. Meanwhile, my partner is watching the latest Candice Olsen home design show, and was all excited about some product she was featuring. I’m changing into cop breeches and boots, and he’s going on about just where such-and-such an object would work with the decorations in our basement rec room. We might as well have been on different planets.

I just never got those “gay genes.” That is, provided, that gay men are supposed to be oriented more toward fashion and design. I really leave all that stuff up to my partner. I admit it, I’m clueless when it comes to design, color schemes, what “works” where, etc. And on top of that, I don’t really care. (But I don’t have to care since my partner is so good at it.) My genes remain oriented to more typical male things, like boots, bikers, and leather gear.

Oh well, my partner and I are quite different in our interests, but not our goals and values. That’s what’s important, ultimately. Who cares if Martha Stewart’s towels are no longer in KMart, other that Martha? Meanwhile, I’ll keep focusing on hurricane recovery efforts. I know that this is where I will be spending a lot of my time at work over the next weeks and months.

Help others as best you can. If you want to help those affected by the hurricane, donate cash to a trusted charity. Don’t send canned goods and used clothing. Believe me, I have seen how much of a disaster it is when unrequested donations pile up, get wet, then moldly, then have to be dumped in a landfill. Instead, donate money that helps people get what they need wherever they are, as well as support the economy of the affected areas.

Meanwhile, keep your boots on the ground (or on a motorcycle) and enjoy life!

We’re Taken

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You know, it’s funny, but when you do something like have a new profile posted on hotboots.com, you’re going to get some attention. That’s fine, that’s what it is there for. I like boots and wear them every day.

A bunch of guys wrote to me to compliment me on that profile. I have to thank my best “boot bro’s”, AZ and Clay, for helping me with it. It is more representative of who I am.

However, about a dozen men have written to me in response to it suggesting things that are sexual in nature. I have had to reply and say that I am in a permanent, monogamous, happy yet closed relationship, and I am not interested. My partner and I don’t play with others, period, end-of-story. We enjoy playing with each other, but consider our relationship the equivalent of a marriage and therefore, we are true to each other and don’t stray, openly or behind one another’s back.

A booted attorney with whom I consulted, and who is active on that board, said that simply having a profile there, as well as a website and blog, suggests to some that I may be open to sexual liaisons. Thus, I have changed some wording in my intro in this blog, on my website, and asked Larry to add a sentence to my profile on hotboots — all to make it clear where I stand.

I love to make friends with guys with whom we share similar interests in boots and leather from all over the world. I am very pleased to have conversed with more than 500 guys over the years who I have met through hotboots.com, and met some of these wonderful men in person. But being friendly and talking about shared interests is my limit.

Since so many gay relationships are open, or guys play behind each other’s backs, or in multiples, etc., it may be hard for some people to understand that in our case, we are exclusive to each other. Thanks for understanding. Write if you like, because I enjoy a good conversation or answering questions. Just don’t ask for anything sexual. Ain’t gonna happen with this guy who remains head over bootheels in love with his one-and-only man.

It’s a Date (Not a Number)

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Last night, a bunch of us with flags flying rode our motorcycles through our county in memory of the events and the people affected by what happened on September 11, 2001. By the way, as we were queuing up to ride, a sunbeam broke through the otherwise heavy overcast and shone on me. I truly believe that my Mom was smiling on me this evening. Man, I still miss her since her death on September 11, 1998, but am glad to know that she is still thinking about me and bringing me sunshine on a cloudy day.

Now, to the point of this post: September 11, 2001, is a date, not a number. It just drives me nuts to see it referred to as “9/11”. That term was invented by the media several weeks after the attacks, and has stuck because the media and people in general look for the lazy way out (short-hand) to refer to memorable events.

President Franklin Roosevelt said, “December 7, 1941, is a date which will live in infamy” when he spoke to the nation after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. Every year, we remember “Pearl Harbor Day” — NOT “twelve-seven”. Those of us old enough to remember talk about where we were when President Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. We don’t call it “11/22”. Okies refer to the 1995 “Murrah Building Bombing,” and the rest of us call it the “Oklahoma City Bombing,” not “4/19”. Get it?

So that’s my blog post for today — to ask that if you refer to the attacks on the U.S. that happened seven years ago, to call them that — the attacks that happened on September 11, 2001. Please don’t call it “9/11”. And remember, three locations were involved, not only New York’s World Trade Center. It also drives be absolutely bonkers when people only talk about NYC and forget that a plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and brave souls aboard United Flight 93 commandeered the plane and lost their lives when the plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on its way to who-knows-where, on that same fateful date.