vailian

I hate shopping for clothing-- shirts, suits, trousers, shoes-- but I had a couple of hours between rehearsals yesterday and really needed some new shoes.

Went to shoe store. That is always a good start. (Actually this is not true: I first looked at the shoe sections of 2 department stores, didn't see anything remotely like I wanted)

Saleslady (competent and eager) "Can I help you?"

Me: Probably not, I am notoriously difficult.

SLady: What are you looking for?

Me: Well, I want a pair of shoes and they have to fulfill certain criteria: 

They have to be leather. I don't like plastic shoes.

They should be black or at least dark blue or brown.

I need to be able to put them on without looking at them or touching them with my hands, while seated in an airplane.

They need to be able to cope with snow in Minneapolis and the beach in Honolulu.

I expect to climb modest mountians in them, in hot weather, but the tread on the soles must not be so deep that they capture the mud and doggy poo....and they should be able to survive the occasional mountain stream.

They shouldn't be heavy-- there are 90 steps up to my apartment.

Another essential: they must not look out of place on the stage of a classical music concert.

In addition, it would be nice if they were very cheap.

Saleslady: (speechless)

# posted by vailian : 11:03 PM