tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post7115308551663742851..comments2024-03-18T10:29:46.055+00:00Comments on Ken Armstrong Writing Stuff: What My Shoes Say About MeKen Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775956557261111127noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-7100623158111477762017-01-29T17:27:11.197+00:002017-01-29T17:27:11.197+00:00As I began reading I thought, "Yep, Ken has t...As I began reading I thought, "Yep, Ken has that 'southern girl' gene which makes it mandatory to put others first." I swear it's in our DNA. :) But for the record, I do tend to shop like a guy: know what I want, go into store, pick up, purchase and leave in as little time as possible.<br /><br />Your sharing put a smile on my face today. I'd backed away from news feeds as I couldn't stomach any more of our newly elected Dictator's mandates. (No, I didn't help him onto his throne). And there you were,reminding me that I know more WONDERFUL people than orange haired know-it-all's-who-actually-know-little. Thanks friend.hopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03306622656461205674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-66097427625267040632017-01-29T15:22:04.507+00:002017-01-29T15:22:04.507+00:00Jim: We do think alike on some important things. ...Jim: We do think alike on some important things. Doc Marten shoes can be really hard to break in. Perhaps that's another reason why I'm still trapsing around in these ones. :)<br /><br />Claire: I felt the same when they failed. For the cost of them, they should do better than six months. As I said in the thing, my new habit of sitting with my feet pointed and my toes bent over would test the mettle of any shoe. You are right, though, and I agree.<br /><br />Just for completion, here's the first post I wrote, years ago, about how I first encountered a DM shoe. :)<br /><br />http://www.kenwriting.com/2008/03/is-there-dr-marten-in-house.htmlKen Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07775956557261111127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-6654690241734094752017-01-29T15:06:00.064+00:002017-01-29T15:06:00.064+00:00I appear to be the only one thinking, if I bought ...I appear to be the only one thinking, if I bought a pair of DMs and they only lasted 6 months, I'd be asking for a replacement pair!?! <br />My DM shoes (I wear these more often than any other pair of shoes I own) I bought when I was 22 years old. I'm 42. They are battered looking, but don't have any leaks in. I suspect if I bought a pair of DMs these days they would not be made to the same standard or durability. I think this is a shame, I'd like to trust a brand of shoes to actually be quality. I'm not sure that's possible these days. <br />Claire Boyleshttp://www.success-matters.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-212842974059107082017-01-29T14:27:56.436+00:002017-01-29T14:27:56.436+00:00A year! I’m not sure I own a pair of shoes that’s ...A year! I’m not sure I own a pair of shoes that’s less than ten years old and I’ve two pairs that belonged to my dad that are still perfectly wearable and Christ knows how old they are. Mostly when I go out these days I wear trainers and I own one pair. I bought them online and they cost me £8 and that was probably including shipping. So less than a pound a year. Like you I’m also not short of a bob or two and could easily buy any pair of shoes my little heart desired. If only I could find a pair that pleased me. And that’s my problem. I can’t find a pair of shoes that are comfortable and there’s no way I’m spending £60+ for something that’s going to cripple me. I don’t remember having this problem when I was young. Okay it took a couple of weeks to break a new pair in but when that was done it was fine. For the last twenty-odd years, however, I’ve struggled. I did have two pairs I bought from Clarks, canvas shoes, and I loved them and literally wore them until they fell to pieces but fashion moves on and I’ve never seen anything even remotely resembling those which puzzles the hell out of me because it’s shoes for crying out loud—how many variations on a theme are out there? I’m a little jealous of you with your Doc Martens. It would be so nice to walk into a shop and just say, “I’ll have those in an 8.” (Actually I’m a 7½ wide.) <br /><br />I do understand totally about not putting yourself first. If Carrie needs something she gets it (and she usually does get it without batting an eye or feeling the slightest bit guilty) but I make do. There’re lots of things I’d like but over the years I’ve learned that things don’t really make me happy. This laptop doesn’t make me happy but what it enables me to do does. It’s a tool and nothing more but it’s a tool I can’t do without. (Well, I could but I wouldn’t want to.) When I was having problems with my Samsung at the end of last year Carrie bought me a reconditioned HP to work on while I restored the other. So now I have two working laptops, a 12" tablet and a desktop PC which is probably older than yours but it still works but I still doubt I’ll buy another pair of trainers this year.<br /><br />As I said Carrie bought me this HP. She also bought me the Samsung and the tablet (also a Samsung) and the tablet before that and the desktop is her old one. I’m not actually sure when I bought my last computer. I think she realises that it’s easier for me if I think of these as presents rather than something I wasted money on. I do not like wasting money. I really don’t understand fashion. I have never been in fashion. I’m rather glad I’m the age I am because I can dress to be invisible and no one cares what my labels say. Not that they say anything exciting. <br /><br />It does probably come down to self-worth. Am I not worth a new laptop or a new pair of trainers? Yes and no. I do believe I have worth but I think people get confused with buying stuff. The things you own aren’t a good measure of who you are. If you stopped wearing Doc Martens I wouldn’t think any less of you. That’s not what it’s about. And don’t get me started on Trump. <br /><br />For your information the euphemism my parents used for breaking wind was “trumping”. Just saying.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-47273831683156595202017-01-29T10:36:07.030+00:002017-01-29T10:36:07.030+00:00Sensible. :)Sensible. :)Ken Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07775956557261111127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-66947747640571662582017-01-29T10:32:16.029+00:002017-01-29T10:32:16.029+00:00How about this? You buy that new pair you need, bu...How about this? You buy that new pair you need, but keep the pair you've already got. You can keep using the older pair on days when it's not raining and you don't need to be smart. Eventually when you do retire the older pair, buy a new pair. Rinse and repeat.anyabikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17768890246877444705noreply@blogger.com