SEIZE THE BOOTS

A Life, a Loss, and a Boot Lust Gift to Us All

BY BOB MILLER

The centerfold of this issue of THE FIGHT has dozens of pictures of tall boots representing the hundreds that will be for sale at Leather Thanksgiving at the Hotel Indigo in downtown LA this year. 

It also carries the story of Steven Ng, a beloved San Francisco community member who unexpectedly passed away on the morning of July 28, the very day of the Up Your Alley street fair.

I had known of Steven for over 20 years, seeing him at events, but we officially met for the first and only time on the afternoon of July 27 at his home in Alameda. He knew of me, too. When I arrived on his front porch, our handshake was intentional and lingering. At 65 years old, we both searched for the history we might have shared, but soon decided it didn’t matter. We would accept this moment as our first, regardless of any past near-misses.

Our longer-than-usual handshake ended, and my partner Mike and I moved inside to join the crowd. We signed the guest book—always a good idea for a perennial invitation—while Steven returned to conversation with his husband Mark and our mutual friend Jim, who had arranged for us to attend this annual, day before Dore leather party.

And what a party it was! More than 100 men, dressed in leather and boots, socialized in the backyard and on the waterfront deck of his grand Victorian home. None of us knew that our generous host would be gone forever in a matter of hours. Looking back, it was as if Steven got to host his own triumphant wake.

I tell this brief story for two powerful reasons.

Life is Precious. Seize the Day

First and foremost, let’s all heed the call to Carpe Diem. Life is rich, precious, short, and fleeting. As I reflect on that day, I remember how much my body ached walking up to Steven’s house. My Mike often burns his candle at both ends.  Mark and Jim are well into their 80s. It could have just as easily been any one of us living our last day.

In August, we also lost Stanford Altamirano, the beloved founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of this very magazine, after a battle with cancer. No doubt everyone reading this has their own recent story of love, life, and loss. So again, I urge you: Carpe diem, everyone!

The Legacy of the Boot Lust

The second reason I share this is because, a month after Steven died, his family and close friends engaged CLAW to sell his shockingly vast collection of boots and gear.

Thanks to his family’s generosity—and Steven’s legendary obsession—hundreds of people will get the chance to buy the boots they’ve always wanted for a fraction of their retail price, with all profits supporting important leather community charities. We are very proud to be charged with this important work.

I only knew Steven for a moment, but through this process, I know a few things about him quite well: He carefully collected very specific types of boots in all sizes for decades. He was corresponding with many people from all over the world. He would be thrilled to know that so many people are getting the boots he loved, thanks to his expertise, his shrewd buying skills, and his powerful boot lust.

In case I have buried the lead a bit, here it is again: THERE WILL BE HUNDREDS OF HIGH-END BOOTS FOR SALE AT GREAT PRICES at our Thanksgiving event at the Hotel Indigo in Los Angeles.  Seize today by making plans to join us then! Find out more and book your room at clawinfo.org.

Yours in boots,
Bob Miller
CLAW Co-Founder and President