So tonight I am going to see the WOW show rehearsal. With Science Guy’s Mum as she is in Welly for a few days. I will be meeting her after work for the first time. And I am not nervous at all. Not one bit. I have high hopes for the evening.
And at the risk of being a cliche, when it comes to all things wearable, my real love is shoes. Strappy sandals, heels, flats, boots, knee-highs, kitten heels, round toes, flip flops, wedges. There is something about shoes that attracts me like a magpie to shiny flotsam. I also love the process of preparing ones feet for wearage. The pedicuring is a lovely monthly treat. And I don’t think this makes me a foot fetishist, rather a purveyor of plantar adornment.
I used to work in Hammersmith and on the way back from the gym in the mornings (yes, really) I would walk under the flyover where a homeless man would be most days. I used to give him a smile, maybe some coins, fruit if I was organised (just to show my colours, I was a regular donor to Shelter as well). One morning he was strumming a guitar, and as I walked past he started singing a little ditty about my shoes…’ red red shoes…red red shoes…she’s walking away wearing reeeeed reeeeed shooooooooes’. Every time I wear red shoes I think of him.
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Did I tell you RRB is David’s nickname for me, and my other email address? It stands for Ronnie Red Boots after the way he reacted to my killer pair of red winter boots the first time we had a real DATE! He was most amused. He is a little horrified that I have more than 5 pair of shoes… why is it guys think shoes are only for a reason? My sister and her daughters are the shoe queens… between them (girls are 15 and 19) they could give old Imelda a run for her money.I was watching ‘Queer eye for the straight guy’ ( I hardly watch telly but I watch THAT sometimes ) and one of the guys said (in his most camp accent) my mamma said red shoes were only for whoores and chillen… hey I’m glad I have a childish streak ! I think it all started with Dorothy in The W of Oz… lipstick red shoes that sparkle too… how we NOT have a love of shoes after THAT movie!!!. Love Ronnie
I do and don’t miss the London beggars. I remember how shocked I was when we first arrived there – how many there are, and the state (and smell) that most of them are in. My fav interaction was as I was dashing down the stairs into the tube station at Piccadilly Circus. The regular bum there droned out his usual “Spare change?”, I mumbled something like “Sorry, don’t carry cash” (true story), and, like lightening, he shot back with “It’s ok, I also take credit”. I had to keep on dashing, but laughed like a maniac all the way down the escalator. I almost wished I’d taken the time to stop and give him something – anything – just for making me laugh. Then I got on my train, where no-one looks at each other, smiles, talks ……
There is a special feeling I get from red shoes :) I do think Dorothy is responsible! Did you know that Toto in Latin means ‘everything’? I Love the idea of Dorothy on her journey and she had everything she needed with her the whole time.