How (and why) to Ramble on your goat sideways
I'm a terrible person
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Lately I've been noticing that I'm just the right amount of clumsy that I trip over things, and drop things, but just the right amount of coordinated to catch myself, or grab what I drop before it hits the ground. It's an odd thing.
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I think the ONLY free pass I can give on that kind of thing is when you feel like ****. Either really sick, or maybe something like post surgery. Which really in both cases you shouldn't be out in public anyway. Otherwise, put on some clean clothes and a decent pair of shoes. Not house slippers or crocs.
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Well, I myself have been paying ever so slightly more attention to my manner of dress, given my swanky new surroundings. (Silk Hawaiian shirts, as it turns out, go quite well with dress slacks.) But shoes remain a problem.
For the past decade or so, I've owned nothing but Timberland Titan workboots, in black. They're comfy as hell, and quite durable, but not the most fashionable things in the universe. The great trouble I have, however, is that very few stores actually stock shoes in size 14, and those that are to be found are mostly either athletic shoes (which I despise) or workboots. Many finer-looking shoes are available via mail-order, but I'm rather particular about the fitment of my shoes, and I'd really prefer to try them on for fitment prior to purchasing. (This is why I've been buying the same boot over and over for years now. Once I found that I liked it, it became a simple matter to just mail order another pair every year or so.)
I'm flirting with the idea of something like a Giorgio Brutini 660591:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/92609-how-why-ramble-your-goat-sideways-41v-k9cgqvl._sy395_.jpg?dateline=1382822859)
Or even this somewhat more utilitarian offering from Skechers:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/92610-how-why-ramble-your-goat-sideways-41rsp3edzkl._sx395_.jpg?dateline=1382822859)
Or something along those lines...
But before I buy anything, it occurred to me to wonder "what sort of shoes are the people around me wearing?" And then I realized that I had no idea whatsoever.
For the past decade or so, I've owned nothing but Timberland Titan workboots, in black. They're comfy as hell, and quite durable, but not the most fashionable things in the universe. The great trouble I have, however, is that very few stores actually stock shoes in size 14, and those that are to be found are mostly either athletic shoes (which I despise) or workboots. Many finer-looking shoes are available via mail-order, but I'm rather particular about the fitment of my shoes, and I'd really prefer to try them on for fitment prior to purchasing. (This is why I've been buying the same boot over and over for years now. Once I found that I liked it, it became a simple matter to just mail order another pair every year or so.)
I'm flirting with the idea of something like a Giorgio Brutini 660591:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/92609-how-why-ramble-your-goat-sideways-41v-k9cgqvl._sy395_.jpg?dateline=1382822859)
Or even this somewhat more utilitarian offering from Skechers:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/92610-how-why-ramble-your-goat-sideways-41rsp3edzkl._sx395_.jpg?dateline=1382822859)
Or something along those lines...
But before I buy anything, it occurred to me to wonder "what sort of shoes are the people around me wearing?" And then I realized that I had no idea whatsoever.
Last edited by Joe Perez; 10-26-2013 at 06:32 PM.
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Well, I myself have been paying ever so slightly more attention to my manne of dress, given my swanky new surroundings. But shoes remain a problem.
For the past decade or so, I've owned nothing but Timberland Titan workboots, in black. They're comfy as hell, and quite durable, but not the most fashionable things in the universe. The great trouble I have, however, is that very few stores actually stock shoes in size 14, and those that are to be found are mostly either athletic shoes (which I despise) or workboots. Many finer-looking shoes are available via mail-order, but I'm rather particular about the fitment of my shoes, and I'd really prefer to try them on for fitment prior to purchasing. (This is why I've been buying the same boot over and over for years now. Once I found that I liked it, it became a simple matter to just mail order another pair every year or so.)
For the past decade or so, I've owned nothing but Timberland Titan workboots, in black. They're comfy as hell, and quite durable, but not the most fashionable things in the universe. The great trouble I have, however, is that very few stores actually stock shoes in size 14, and those that are to be found are mostly either athletic shoes (which I despise) or workboots. Many finer-looking shoes are available via mail-order, but I'm rather particular about the fitment of my shoes, and I'd really prefer to try them on for fitment prior to purchasing. (This is why I've been buying the same boot over and over for years now. Once I found that I liked it, it became a simple matter to just mail order another pair every year or so.)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/92611-how-why-ramble-your-goat-sideways-bb1zkht.jpg?dateline=1382824188)
Though my every day wear boots are my Scarpa Kailash. By far the most comfortable boot I've ever owned. Excellent support, breathable while still being waterproof, and just feel nice on your feet. I can wear them all day without any thought to comfort at all. I found myself still wearing them at 3am this morning just sitting around, when normally I'd have my shoes off as soon as I get inside.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/92612-how-why-ramble-your-goat-sideways-s9diacs.jpg?dateline=1382824188)
I do sometimes slip on my running shoes when I'm feeling lazy when I need to run to the store. Asics GT-2160. Insanely comfortable running shoe.
Check into Frye boots. They have several pairs similar to that first image you posted. They are a pretty pricey boot, but you get what you pay for in this case. The build quality is amazing, and they look great. I've read many reviews of people saying they are boots you won't have to replace but every decade, aside from a resole every now and then. I've had a pair of Frye engineer boots for about 3 years and they have held up amazingly well.
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I had some Frye semi-dress shoes many years ago that I bought from an upscale store that was going out of business. They were very well made and very comfortable. I would love to have some again but have never run across the brand in stores since then.
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I wear cheap dress shoes. Since the cheap ones look like hell in short order, I "paint" them with Kiwi color polish about once a month.
Women notice shoes. Wear work boots if you must, but wear decent dress shoes if you want to impress a date. They don't have to be expensive Italian loafers, but sneakers will make a poor impression.
Women notice shoes. Wear work boots if you must, but wear decent dress shoes if you want to impress a date. They don't have to be expensive Italian loafers, but sneakers will make a poor impression.
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Joe, NYC has a high level of shoe awareness.
Also be aware that in a few short months you will be slugging through the dirtiest slush/snow the world has ever seen. Some use little rubber slip ons, others just a dedicated snow shoe. Either way, nice shoes are still a requirement.
Also be aware that in a few short months you will be slugging through the dirtiest slush/snow the world has ever seen. Some use little rubber slip ons, others just a dedicated snow shoe. Either way, nice shoes are still a requirement.
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Once again, **** ebay, **** paypal, and **** me for being stupid enough to continue using these ******* tools. I have plenty of ebay history, yet out of the blue paypal is now saying there is up to a 21 day hold on incoming money for something I sold yesterday "while I establish an ebay sales history". Why the ****!? I've sold at least 4 items in the last month alone. I'm not shipping the **** until paypal decides to stop being ******* stupid and gives me my money. I don't care if the buyers gets pissed off. I have a perfect sales history up till now I guess.
What are some decent alternatives? I know someone has brought them up before, but apparently I wasn't listening at the time. My *** was probably hurting too bad from being repeatedly tag team fucked by ebay and paypal.
What are some decent alternatives? I know someone has brought them up before, but apparently I wasn't listening at the time. My *** was probably hurting too bad from being repeatedly tag team fucked by ebay and paypal.
Last edited by NA6C-Guy; 10-27-2013 at 10:12 AM.
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"This is a widget wrench."
We use the word wrench in rather puzzling ways, particularly when a modifier is placed in front of it.
In some situations, the modifier describes the intended use of the wrench. A pipe wrench, for instance, is used for turning pipes. And a spark plug wrench is used to install spark plugs.
In other situations, the modifier describes the nature of the wrench itself. A crowfoot wrench is not intended to be used on crows' feet, nor a box-end wrench on the ends of boxes.
What's more, this peculiarity seems to carry over into other languages as well. At least, those languages of cultures which have developed the wrench.
An alien mechanic visiting our world for the first time might be perplexed as to the probable application of a monkey wrench.
We use the word wrench in rather puzzling ways, particularly when a modifier is placed in front of it.
In some situations, the modifier describes the intended use of the wrench. A pipe wrench, for instance, is used for turning pipes. And a spark plug wrench is used to install spark plugs.
In other situations, the modifier describes the nature of the wrench itself. A crowfoot wrench is not intended to be used on crows' feet, nor a box-end wrench on the ends of boxes.
What's more, this peculiarity seems to carry over into other languages as well. At least, those languages of cultures which have developed the wrench.
An alien mechanic visiting our world for the first time might be perplexed as to the probable application of a monkey wrench.
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"Monkey" is originally a nautical term. Similar to the term "jury rigged". You may also be familiar with another phrase with racial origins. Since the Brits developed the wrench, and they are a seafaring nation, the name stuck.
Past writings indicated someone named "Moncky" invented the wrench, but that has since been proven false. My dad always told me that it's named because only a monkey would use such a tool.
Past writings indicated someone named "Moncky" invented the wrench, but that has since been proven false. My dad always told me that it's named because only a monkey would use such a tool.
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For what it's worth, I dislike being cold.