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Rick Perry, metrosexual? Texas governor gives up cowboy boots and riles critics

High-rise cowboy boots have proven to be the curse of Gov. Rick Perry's macho image as he has had to give up his manly footwear in favor of more, shall we say, conservative oxfords and loafers.

As the New York Timesreported, "The governor, who had appeared on the cover of Newsweek in 2010 with boots emblazoned with the Texas battle cry 'come and take it,' said he had stopped wearing them because they worsened the back problems that dogged him during his failed run for president in 2012."

"I lament the fact that our governor could now pass for a West Coast metrosexual and has embarrassed us all with his sartorial change of direction.”

Political pundits question that perhaps the sartorial switch, softening that Wild West image, has more to do with a possible run for president in 2016 than a pain in the back. Perry has also taken to wearing thick-rimmed glasses more commonly worn by hipsters that some commentators have said makes him look smarter.

Nevertheless, the governor's fashion turn equates with turning his back on the state's official shoe. A Texas House resolution that Perry signed in 2007 designated cowboy boots as the state footwear of Texas, in honor of their role "in the mythic romance of the Lone Star State."

The governor's new approach to fashion has fired up at least one elected official. State Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson writes in a note to Austin American-Statesman columnist Ken Herman, "Tell Rick that boots can be purchased with normal heels. I lament the fact that our governor could now pass for a West Coast metrosexual and has embarrassed us all with his sartorial change of direction."

The New York Times also reports that bootmaker to the governor Rocky Carroll has a solution for Perry. "I’ll just lower the heel," he said. "I do that all the time. I do work for orthopedic doctors. I’ll fix them all for him."

Love the cowboy boots, hate the back problems. Gov. Rick Perry makes a footwear switch.

Rick Perry wearing cowboy boots and a suit

GOP12.thehill.com

Love the cowboy boots, hate the back problems. Gov. Rick Perry makes a footwear switch.

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The 'Brothers' Are Back

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson spotted with film crew in Austin

Getty Images

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson were seen on South Congress Avenue in mid-November.

One of Hollywood's favorite duos, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, were spotted on South Congress in mid-November with a camera crew.

Nobody is exactly sure what these two are up to, but that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from churning. Some say it's for their upcoming Apple TV+ series, Brother From Another Mother. It'sa 10-episode comedy that is a "heartfelt odd couple love story," according to The Wrap, quoting an early press release. It takes place on a ranch in Texas, so filming around town would make sense.

South Congress Avenue certainly doesn't look like a ranch, though. The actors looked foppish, Harrelson in an all-maroon suit and shiny leather shoes, and McConaughey in a loud, royal purple patterned shirt.

Another theory was that they were shooting Salesforce ads, and someone in the same thread suggested (without a source) that what they were filming wasn't a narrative feature.

And of course Reddit is doing what it does best:

Reddit discourse about Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson McConaughey and Harrelson starred together in the first season of True Detective.reddit.com

Reddit discourse about Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson McConaughey said on Access Daily that his mom started the rumor that he and Harrelson are half-brothers.reddit.com

But even though no one knows for sure what the two are doing here, we do have reason to believe that the two real-life best friends and former EDtv and True Detective co-stars are still around. According to an insider, who can't say much because the project is still in the works, the two are "still shooting a bunch of stuff around town," though where they'll be next is a mystery.

And remember, "Time is a flat circle. Everything we have done or will do we will do over and over and over again — forever.” So if you don't catch them this time, sounds like you'll have another chance.

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