Posts made by MidValleyFarm

Report from the SEPDX opening party, at which I repp'd both HWDCII and HWBC items:

After the "interesting" conversation between my wife and I over the cost of a certain MF-produced bandana ("Yeah, but its limited edition…"), it was quite welcome for her to send me casually and merrily on my way back to Self-Edge PDX.

The hits of the night included beer by Bridgeport, a peek at the darning and chainstitching machines, a visit from Roy Slaper (who is quite tall in person, and who I heard ask, more than once, "Well, what's your favorite Murakami novel?")

Tyler (who I referred to as Zach several times over the evening, as I had been awake for the better part of about 30 hours by that point, exacerbated by free beer) and I nerded out over a few products, Kiya and I watched Roy think about fixing an armoire, I watched Kiya juggle a few hundred thought processes and relationships effortlessly and seamlessly, and in the end, I made off with the beautiful SE 1937 Zippo (purchased at a price more in line with my wife's thinking...).  A fun time was had by all.

@Finn666:

need more pics of those blue boots ??? please

No can do, Finn.  Privileged information and whatnot.  Be waiting, be watching.  They'll make their splash soon.

A single update picture of my 16-inch, longer-than-your-dick, heaviest-weight boots.  The NatCXL is darkening up a ton, and the Harvest Roughout takes a beating like a champ.  Next step is going to be a good cleaning, followed by a little conditioner for the uppers and a good thorough dubbing for the lowers, so that I can watch them wear back to roughout and see that contrast take shape.

Had to take the MBBs and HWDC Whites to the opening moment of SEPDX.  Picked up a Mister Freedom Bandana, talked to Tyler for a minute, gave Kiya all my food money (the bandana is totally worth eating top ramen for a couple weeks, though), and generally enjoyed the sights.

For anyone who is wondering about the Roy Portland shirts: they're real, and they're spectacular.  I'm tempted to buy one without telling my wife how much it cost…just like the bandana...

HC-IH-32

Jesus, what a summer…

Finally happened upon another decent camera, so here are some pics for the gang!

MBBs and HWDC Whites starting to meld nicely.

God, has it been a while.  Time for an update.  Apologies on the lack of…anything.  Been a hectic few months working graveyard and seeing the sun in only spurts.

Being a freightworker has its perks, though.  All the guys I work with are constantly amazed that I don't come limping out every morning.  Custom made, says I.

HC-IH-32 Returning from the netherverse:

God, has it been a while.  Time for an update.  Apologies on the lack of…anything.  Been a hectic few months working graveyard and seeing the sun in only spurts.

Being a freightworker has its perks, though:

HWB-45.  Boots arrived.  Pictures in the appropriate place.

Here's a hint, though, to get you all to go and find the 3 full-length shots:

IMG_1558 by MidValleyFarm, on Flickr

Let the games begin.

Snippet from the pictures thread: a nice day in the sun with the MBB's.

IMG_0226 by MidValleyFarm, on Flickr

HC-IH-32 with a more detailed update.  MBB's looking good in the sun!

IMG_0226 by MidValleyFarm, on Flickr

IMG_0228 by MidValleyFarm, on Flickr

IMG_0227 by MidValleyFarm, on Flickr

@bagley920:

Shoot yourself in the ass?

Not quite.  Like all my other jeans, my MBB's have finally gotten the one mark consistent to all of them: a hole where the lower snap of my Tanner Goods workman wallet is located.

Now they're mine for sure.

HC-IH-32 with a brief check-in.

Sweated like mad yesterday on an asphalt roof cleaning and moss treating.  The MBBs were good because they gripped the shingles and I didn't slide off to my death, but bad in that on an 80 degree day, on a 90 degree roof, they felt like 110 degrees.

I believe, though, that I can call "Numero Uno" on putting a hole in my MBBs.  Legitimate, didn't mean it, hole.

HC-IH-32

I believe I can call "Numero Uno" on putting a hole in my MBBs.

HWB-45

Whites Smoke Jumpers.  16" Double leather midsole, Vibram 100 lug outsole with steel toe plates.  Standard trim.  Brass hooks and eyes.  Standard heel.  Toe and Counter in harvest roughout, upper in Horween chromexcel, natural finish.  Leather laces.

IMG_0221 by MidValleyFarm, on Flickr

IMG_0222 by MidValleyFarm, on Flickr

IMG_0223 by MidValleyFarm, on Flickr

HC-IH-32 finally getting into the game.  MBB's with 3 days work wear.  No out of the package pics, literally opened the bag, put them on, and went to work (graveyard).  Tough to bend over the first couple of days, but much better now and exciting to see indigo starting to bleed where my phone and knife sit.  Finally a day off to get pictures.

Sat down in the sunshine this afternoon and thought to myself "I'm going to make a Cuba Libré, light a cigar, and make the balance payment for my competition jeans."

One drink, half a cigar, and an angry phone call to the bank about why they freeze my account every time I try to order something from the UK, and all is right in the world again.

Let the games begin…

@Snowy:

Sounds like a really enjoyable day trip. Even sounds like your partner enjoyed the oddity of it all, which is great

My wife has been intrigued by the whole deal since Christmas, when I ordered my HWDC MBB's.  Then the boot deal came along, and I had to figure out how to tell her I was going to be dropping another few hundred dollars on a single pair of boots.  Luckily, she knows me well enough at this point to know that a) my dedication to quality and attention to even smallest details is second to none, and b) there's no stopping me. 

She got some new insoles for her work shoes, so the day was a success for her as well.

To recap the day, whilst holding back on the fun specifics:

Today was classic Oregon: overcast, sun peeking through, bright clouds, reasonably warm weather for a Northwest March.  My wife (interested to see the physical manifestation of many, many "how does this look" moments with my laptop thrust in her face) at the helm and me dressed in my selvedge and crafted best, we headed south down the Willamette Valley and further on to Eugene.

Baker's is nothing as one would expect.  From the massive selection on their website, it would be easy to imagine a sprawling outdoor goods emporium packed to the brim with boots and Filson gear.  Rather, Baker's is modest, small, even, and sparsely filled.  It is the clean and relaxed little brother to Cabelas and the suave specialist to Orvis' lifestyle brand madness.

For the most part, we were the only customers in the store, and as soon as I mentioned the Heavyweight competition, both the highly-praised Kyle and the astoundingly knowledgable Josh sprang to life and got me sized, measured, sized again, and then dove into leather choices and soles and whatnot.  In the end, we settled on Natural Chromexcel for the shaft and a leather called Harvest Roughout for the toe vamp and heel counter, a leather which Kyle said had previously been Japan-only, but that he had struck a deal with Whites to be able to offer it.  Its something along the lines of a roughout Red Dog, but a little lighter in color.  The conclusion was that it should darken to about the same as smooth Red Dog with some oiling and wear, should I choose to waterproof them like old school boots.

That's all I'm going to say about what I've got planned.  Josh, Kyle, and I all decided that they'll certainly be among the most unique boots to come through Baker's, and that they certainly fit the spirit of the competition.

My thanks to Josh and Kyle, and my onlooking, bewildered wife.  If, somehow, Oregon crosses your path, and by chance you end up several hours off the beaten path, then by all means, swing into Bakers.