and so to yet more musings on the subject of footwear. it was so, fairly recently, that i felt a need to procure some new shoes. my main (or primary, look you see) pair, purchased with some fanfare off of the wastelands of Southend, eight or so months prior to this post. whereas they remain reasonably serviceable, i felt it was time for a new pair.
but this was no vanity purchase. despite not being totes busted a substantial amount of the grip, or tread if that is the correct word, off of my previous pair had worn off. some may argue such is not all that much of a problem, and wanting a decent level of steadiness whilst walking just makes one a big fanny. perhaps this is true, but with the icy conditions of late i shall take the accusation.
i would say that them Sketchers i previously bought were just fine. exceedingly comfortable and did all what i asked of them, except for the tread thing. getting another pair struck me as the likely best way to go, based on comfort and cost. but then the subject of getting some new shoes came up in conversation with my good friend Codename Magic, and he was most enthusiastic about me trying Shaq shoes.
yes, as in the Shaq, the one out of the class computer (video) game Shaq Fu, and i think he gone done some films and did some basketball stuff too. on the basis of the latter it would have been so that, had i been asked, i would have taken it as a given that he had some trainer (or "sneakers", if american) endorsement deal, but no, i was unaware that he had his very own brand or product.
my chum told me the story behind the shoes. indeed Shaq did have some mega deal with some company what made shoes. however, an encounter with a parent, frustrated at the cost of the end product of this, led to him deciding to make a more affordable line of shoes, figuring making them accessible to his fans was the right thing to do. fair play, and on the basis that he gone done them in my size i was happy to support such a lovely story.
how are they? well, they are not too bad. i would not say they are the greatest things what i have ever placed on my feet, but rather likely they are some distance away from being the worst. getting used to the higher up back part, i think "ankle section", has been a challenge. from memory i think i had some trainers like this back in the 80s, when all things American looked smart and we, the kids, wished to wear them.
whereas i appreciate all shoes require some "breaking in", so to speak, these ones felt particularly rigid and tough. hard, if you will. it took a few days of some solid walking, for instance, to get the left one to not be as painful as it could be. at first i thought the plastic (or what have you) vent thing on them was cutting in, perhaps as a design or manufacture mishap, but after a week or so (five days, maybe) it appears to have become more flexible. unless of course i busted it, but it looks like it should.
certainly it is so that they are predominantly white. perhaps this is an indication of me spending far, far too much time in Essex of late. now that i think, over the Christmas just gone i did find myself having that wretched EastEnders show on the tele, if only via not bothering to change channel. perhaps i am slowly turning into one of them soft southern types. let me order a pint of shandy somewhere, see if i like that. my alternate choice were a black pair. these would have been bought, except the whole heel was some sort of red gel thing. presumably this is in place for some form of absorbing pressure or what have you, but i simply did not like it.
should i find myself in downtown Los Angeles (man) wearing these, then indeed i am aware that i shall by default be considered a member of the "Blood" community. my understanding is that they pledge allegiance to that social club with some red on their clothing. i think their rival club, the Crips or how one spells it (not Crisps, but hello, Faye) favour blue. as it happens no, i do not have any plans to find myself in this predicament, or situation, but yes, i am aware of where my loyalty shall have to be if, in unexpected circumstances, i end up there.
provenance and outlay? i got these off of that nice Mike Ashley fellow via his forum, Sports Direct, with a low cost, as was promised. just 5p south of £30, for the specifics. quite a satisfactory purchase, overall, and i am happy to have become an accidental ambassador for the Shaq. doubtful that he would be proud to have me describe myself as so, but also unlikely he would be upset.
be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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