February 2008

Nike whore no more (or How the Shoes Changed the Workout)

Ever since I was a young buck-ette and old enough to have a job and pay for my own shoes (about sixteen years now), the only sneaker I would put on my foot was a Nike.  They were comfy and they looked nice.  I never had a problem with them.  Even when I was living in Mexico, I searched until I found a store that had my brand.

Recently, my knees have been killing me and I noticed that my feet were just kinda squishing out of my shoes.  It was time to retire the current pair and get some new kicks.  Lady Foot Locker was having a 2 for $89.99 sale and I thought it would be perfect.  So on Sunday, Lovey and I went to the mall to indulge my feet.

Neither of us like crowds so we went early.  It was about 11:15 am when we arrived.  We hate the mall.  We don't go often and as such, didn't know where the LFL was.  An overly helpful security guard told us where it was and then dropped the bomb: they didn't open until noon.  Aargh!  There was no way we were going to walk the mall for 45 minutes nor would we leave and come back.  Fortunately, Lovey mentioned the Sports Authority kinda next door to the mall had shoes and we could check it out.

As per my norm, I went straight to the Nikes.  I was not happy at all about the prices.  Lovey insisted that I look at some other shoes and I'm so glad that I did.  Oddly enough, depending on the shoe, I wear a different size.  Or, I should say that it's odd to me because I've always worn the same brand.  I tried on a bunch but settled on a pair of Avia and a pair of New Balance.  Not only did I still get two pairs, but I paid less than I would have at LFL!

This morning, it was me, the Avia, and Shaun T.  I can't believe the difference!  I could've gone another hour.  Not even once did I feel that nasty twinge in my knee.  Hooray for new shoes and I may never buy Nikes again.

 

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QotD: My <3

Who or what do you really love?

I walked forty-seven miles of barbed wire, I got a cobra snake for a necktie
A brand new house on the road side, and it's a-made out of rattlesnake hide
Got a band new chimney put on top, and it's a-made out of human skull
Come on take a little walk with me baby, and tell me who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Around the town I use a rattlesnake whip, take it easy baby don't you give me no lip
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

I've got a tombstone hand and a graveyard mind, I'm just twenty-two and I don't mind dying
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Now Arlene took a-me by my hand, she said "Lonesome George you don't understand,
who do you love?"
The night were dark and the sky were blue, down the alleyway a house wagon flew
Hit a bump and somebody screamed, you should've heard what I'd seen
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Yeah, I've got a tombstone hand in a graveyard mine, just twenty-two baby I don't mind dying
Snake skin shoes baby put them on your feet, got the goodtime music and the Bo Diddley beat
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

I walked forty-seven miles of barbed wire, I got a cobra snake for a necktie
A brand new house on the road side, and it's made out of rattlesnake hide
Got a band new chimney put on top, and it's made out of human skull
Come on take a little walk with me child, tell me who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Thanks, George Thorogood and Bo Diddley

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QotD: My <3

Who or what do you really love?

I walked forty-seven miles of barbed wire, I got a cobra snake for a necktie
A brand new house on the road side, and it's a-made out of rattlesnake hide
Got a band new chimney put on top, and it's a-made out of human skull
Come on take a little walk with me baby, and tell me who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Around the town I use a rattlesnake whip, take it easy baby don't you give me no lip
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

I've got a tombstone hand and a graveyard mind, I'm just twenty-two and I don't mind dying
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Now Arlene took a-me by my hand, she said "Lonesome George you don't understand,
who do you love?"
The night were dark and the sky were blue, down the alleyway a house wagon flew
Hit a bump and somebody screamed, you should've heard what I'd seen
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Yeah, I've got a tombstone hand in a graveyard mine, just twenty-two baby I don't mind dying
Snake skin shoes baby put them on your feet, got the goodtime music and the Bo Diddley beat
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

I walked forty-seven miles of barbed wire, I got a cobra snake for a necktie
A brand new house on the road side, and it's made out of rattlesnake hide
Got a band new chimney put on top, and it's made out of human skull
Come on take a little walk with me child, tell me who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?

Thanks, George Thorogood and Bo Diddley

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Life: You must be this tall to ride.

Some days are spent in an eternal click-clacking climb up the first hill.  Some days are a hands-up, no seat belt freefall down the biggest slope on the ride.

Things have been so random lately.  Not necessarily random bad, just random.

School started.  Lovey's teacher is normal.  Mine is, well, not.  I feel bad for people in the class who weren't able to attend the live chat because if they just go by what the assignment says, they'll be lucky to sqeak by with a C.  She wants so much more than it says.  I'll just be fortunate that I was able to attend.

Kiddo's bus driver got lost yesterday.  They apparently have a problem hiring and keeping drivers.  The driver got mad at the kids for, I guess being kids, and called the cops.  Kiddo watched two of her FEMALE friends (no more than 14 years old, good students, good kids in general) get HANDCUFFED and put in the police car and driven away.  Is it just me or is this ridiculous?  Those were city cops, by the way.  A "school police" officer was there also.  He was still there when I arrived at 5:20 when Kiddo is usually at home no later than 4:45.  I politely asked him what I needed to do to get my child out of this situation.  His brilliant response complete with stupid facial expression? "Uh, tell her to get off the bus."  Thank you!  My tax dollars hard at work.  By the way, school lets out at 3:40 so nearly two hours of drama and trauma.

Things are not all bad.  I still have a job, albeit one that I do not love.  I cannot even go into what transpired today alone to make me feel this way, but suffice it to say that I have to deal with things that are ridiculous.

I still got paid last Friday.  I will still (hopefully) receive a bonus this Friday.  I will still receive my tax-free loan repayment from Uncle Sam before the middle of next week.

My mother called me and in her random way tells me the story of how her husband's great-grandfather used to be the president of the country he is from (not this one, lol).  He had land that the government seized and built a rather large facility on.  There seems to be some sort of settlement for the family to the tune of a large chunk of change.  I don't know why she is telling me this.  I refuse to get my hopes up that I will finally "hit the lottery" and be relieved of working because I have to and be allowed to work if, when, and where I want to.

The Florida lottery is up to 20 million dollars.  Yes, I will blow 10 dollars that could be used for better good and buy tickets.

(Sorry guys) I have an appointment with my GYN today.  I'm hoping he can explain a few things like why my last few periods have been excrutiating when I've never had a problem with them before, why I wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat when the air is at 64 and I'm naked, and why I have a declining drive.  Perimenopause anyone?  Wonderful, no?  I'm only 34 dammit.

Speaking of getting old, I was listening to Sirius and they were playing Sweet Child O' Mine (Gunners).  I looked at the station and it was Classic Rewind.  CLASSIC REWIND!  After I was insulted, I realized that the song is nearly 20 years old.  How's that for a slap in the face?

Still, with all this, I love my life.  I love that I have family who cares.  My extended family cares (Lovey's family).  I love that my brother is all kinds of wacky but he's true to himself and to BMX racing.  I love that I have a job that pays me a stupid amount of money even though I put up with some dumb shit.  I love that I have the opportunity to go back to school and get a degree in something that actually interests me.  I love that our family trio has our health.  I love that we have a roof over our heads, even if it's in a city that I can't stand.

I love that you will listen to this and not tell me how silly I am.

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QotD: Hard to Say I’m Sorry

Is there anything you've done that you wish you'd apologized for, but didn't?

Eleven years ago, I missed a flight from NY to PA.  Because I missed that flight, my brother drove out to get me.  Because he drove out to get me, we both were not home when my father passed.

I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye, Dad.

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