Shooz
So Ditzy Spice wants to see my shoe collection... mine's real simple:
Total number of shoes you own:
a. 2 pairs of work shoes
My favourite pair are what you see on the right, after I polished them yesterday afternoon. As you may already know, I have a weakness for nice (and hence expensive) things, but have been trying to cut back for the past year or so... These are Loakes, and cost about S$400 a pair, which ordinarily is ridiculous by my standards, but actually my 2nd pair of exactly the same model... and each pair have lasted me for at least 3 years of being worn almost everyday. Plus they are easily polishable, such that you can see the reflection of the red brake light of my family car in the photo... I can just imagine some people going "pansy" by now..
b. 2 pairs of Nike track shoes
c. 1 pair of really crummy but comfy deck shoes / moccasins
d. 1 pair of red Trail slippers, complete with a bit of the icky stuff trapped between the grip patterns (you can see them in the photo above as well)
e. 1 pair of grey Bata (I think) slippers, ah pek style, complete with the squeaking sound when wet.. haha
f. 1 pair of Teva sandals
g. 2 pairs of army boots... heh
The last shoe you bought:
My red and silver Nike track shoes mentioned above.. bought in Feb 2005. The story behind them can be found here.
How many shoes do you have under your work desk:
Heh.. 1 pair.. the army boots, cos I had to participate in SAF Day ceremony on 1 July, and haven't brought them home yet.
Note: Not passing on to anyone else... hope u don't mind..
But I'd like to tell a shoe story of a slightly sad kind... My parents are by nature thrifty people. In secondary school, we were all made to wear white canvas shoes so it was alright, but going into JC, I knew that shoes would be what distinguishes the in ones and the outcasts.... during secondary school, the "nicest" pair of shoes I had was a pair of Nike Tennis shoes, without the "Air"... I felt so conscious all the time when with my neighbours and richer friends...
During our family trip to the USA after I finished my O Levels, I begged and pleaded with my mom to get me a really cool pair of Nikes... she finally relented, but also bought 2 pairs of cheapo Reebok shoes which she made me wear on most school days... I think the sentiment which best sums up how I felt then was "ashamed"...
OK, I didn't write the story very well, and it's not going anywhere, but I just wanted to externalise how traumatising these things are to kids sometimes... I'm never ever making my kids go through the same experience man.. my parents do come from a different generation, one where you really believe and can see that hard work and thriftiness gets you someone in life.. Not me... the working years have shown me that wearing a nice suit or pair of shoes, or speaking in an accent (not referring to me)can get doors opened for you and seats in first class (indulge me lah) and to know people who can get more doors opened for you...
And to top it all off? The cool Nikes mentioned above lasted till September 2004, when I finally threw them away in Australia cos I had no more space in my luggage... that's 12 years for you man.
posted by Woof! at 3:26 PM
8 Comments:
There's something wrong with your font size.
Anyway, I do agree with you on this story about shoes and kids and how life is. It's funny how things turn out this way. I grew up from a humble past. And I am still growing out of it.
Bright side is, you grew up alright and also you have the freedom to indulge in 400dollar shoes .. you never know, maybe your classmate who had those branded nice shoes could only afford a 100 dollar pair now...
You'll make a wonderful dad. Maybe next time I will propose to you :)
I can totally appreciate why you buy good leather shoes (esp the all leather kind). Once you've had it, you'll never want the regular ones!
I didn't grow up rich, so I couldn't have whatever I wanted, and my parents were really thifty people. Even today, they'd still tell me, "Don't anyhow spend ah". But it always brings a smile to their faces when I take them to a nice restaurant, buy them gifts, or to somewhere for a holiday. Show your appreciation while you still can!!!
PP: I'm waiting! :D
Nuanda: U don't say... tho u also Tiffany ring all lor!
Lynne: Wait till ure folks hear u got a XK8! hahaha...
Haven't bought lah .. maybe next year, or when I move to a warmer climate (am eyeing Houston, TX). XK8 can't perform when winter lingers for almost 6 months of the year, sigh ...
BTW, forgot to mention that you are damn "high maintenance" man, S$400 for shoes?! *faint*
I also used to wear cheapo Reebok shoes hor. And I realise you can never be cool enough.
By my parents' standards, they were expensive. The first and last expensive pair of shoes my mum bought for me. From then on, I had to work for everything else. To say I didn't grow up rich is an understatement, more like poverty grew up with me. Talk about humble beginnings. *wailing*
I love this post! Your story reminded me of the scene in About a Boy where Hugh Grant buys this boy a cool pair of shoes.
For myself, I have to admit I didn't grow up poor, but I am familiar with the adolescent yearnings for 'cool' items and to be told 'no' when asking for them. It's only when I grew up that I realised how silly it was to want to have THAT particular brand of shoes which everyone else was wearing.
Lynne: I know u haven't bought lah... MDX... and I'm not high maintenance - I think the shoes are expensive too!
SF: thanks for the sharing.. I know we can never be cool enough, but u also don't want to be uncool right?
JG: I def watched About a Boy, but can't remember that part.. have a good trip!
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