How lazy I've become (part of an ongoing saga):

For christmas i asked for "cowboyish" boots.

to clarify, i am not now, nor have i ever been a cowboy. i am just too lazy to tie my own shoes.

i live in southern california, where the weather is fine and it is not unheard of to wear flip-flops in the early days of november. there is an ease to sliding one foot into a readily available thong sandal that makes those midnight trips outside to drain the dog that much easier. it was with much consideration that i came up with the idea of getting said boots. i hate to wear my shoes untied and ruin the laces by slopping around in a shoe that barely keeps my feet in. mocassins and clogs are just not for me-that's all that need be said. and i considered some loafers, only briefly, as they have become so stylized that it is hard to find one that doesn't make you look like ali baba or an italian lothario.

you're thinking to yourself "in the choice between giggolo or pecos bill, and you went with pecos bill?!" but hear me out. The boot is a wonderful piece of footwear, historic even. mine in particular were not particularly cowboyish, they have a rubber sole, a rounded toe, and a flat half inch heel. there is no ornate stichwork. they're more wellington than "howdy pardnuh" and honestly, for being the most expensive shoes i've ever owned, they are easily the most comfortable.

the other consideration was the future. i am convinced, through my time in the navy, that a properly maintained pair of leather boots (shoes) can last a lifetime. the problem is usually the sole. i have a pair of dr. martens that i love, and have worn-in wonderfully, but you cannot resole those boots. i've asked around. but these boots can be resoled.

plus they give me a reason to wear boot cut jeans. (finally, i have one) so look for them at the bottom of future pictures of me, hopefully for many years to come.

P.S. i also just bought a pair of chelsea boots for work as it was time to replace my much abused synthetic oxfords. less westerny, but still slip-on. (tieing your shoes in the dark at 345 am can be more complicated than necessary)