To say that Michael Anthony's motto is "...measure twice, cut once" would be a gross understatement. No eye-ballin' or thumbnails allowed. He's a maniac for details. He's got at least five or six different lining leathers he uses for his boots. He picks a different one depending on the top and vamp material, color, price, weight of the boot...stuff like that.

Michael Anthony: Some people would call me...ummm, what's the word..?
JJ: ...anal
Michael Anthony: Yeah that's it. I'm anal.
JJ: Yep.

I'm gonna go up to Michael Anthony's boot shop today. I packed up my tools last night....I could use a cup of coffee.

Well...it's 10:00. I have no idea what to expect from that press release. I faxed a copy to my mom..that's a sure bet for at least one call. My e-mail's down, so my message letting the bootmakers know I got my front page updated is sitting uncomfortably in my outbox right now. Waitin'....ugh.

I just sent out 68 copies of a press release (about my web page)...hope SOMEBODY calls me tomorrow.

Rise and shine. Mr. Dale Linn gave me a call this morning....he wanted to check in on my bootmaking. He uncovered some small women's lasts, round toe, high heel...they sound sweet. He says he'll bring what he has to Brownwood. He's been mailing lasts all over the place...California, Canada. He told me that they're putting together a new boot company in Nocona...aim to put out about 50-60 pairs a week. He's rounded up a bunch of the old Nocona Boot Co. folks to come back and help put the boots together. Sounds as if some of the bootmakers were just getting used to retirement. Dale says he only wants to work a couple days a week. He just back from a fishing trip.....caught fish so big (400lbs...yikes!), he had to thow 'em back.

Well, I found a pile of western shirts...great pockets...great snaps, every one of them too big for me. The afternoon was pretty slim on boots. I saw a few, but nothing very groovy. Those vintage Acmes aren't gettin' any younger...can you say "dry rot"?

Here's Malvina's Tips For Shopping the Vintage Fashion Expo...from Retro Magazine's "Tip Tray". She's a pro. The only tip I have to add is...

11. If you are looking for vintage cowboy boots, you'll need to look high and low...literally! I usually find the boots sitting on the floor under a clothes rack's lowest rod, half buried under a pile of circle skirts (or some other 1950's garment of sizable yardage)...OR look up!...the boots will be on the top shelf disguised as hat stands (again, half covered up). If you plan on wearing them it's always polite to ask the vendor the approximate size of a boot before dismantling their elaborate displays.

I'm going to put some final touches on the "field trip" I've been working on...then I'm gonna head into San Francisco. Today's the last day of the "Spring" vintage clothing sale. It's twice a year, and I think I've missed it for last two years running. It can be quite a scene. That rockabilly crowd is serious about their get-ups. Ya know, a girl's gotta find just the right dress to show off her figure AND her favorite tattoo.

I think I've been typing out html code since about 6:00 this morning. I did hike the dogs around a bit, but now I'm back at my desk. I've got my newest "field trip" almost finished. I've got the stereo turned up real loud.

Dwight Yoakam sings about misery better than anybody.

Rain, rain....go away.

Michael Anthony is featured in this morning's San Jose Mercury News. I read him the online version over the phone this morning...he laughed a bit about the quotes the reporter picked up for the article....they make him sound just like he's from California.

I'm gonna go tromp around in the rain today, and see if I can find Michael a real newspaper. There is supposed to be a photo in it.