FastFreddy2

The British weather is still trying hard to prevent us [the Freddies] venturing far outside. The media keep telling us we are deep into a 2 year drought, the likes of which we have not seen since 1976. [i remember that year, It was a loooooooong hot summer, a good time to holiday in the UK.] While the first 3 months of the year were damp, I'd agree they weren't wet. Plenty of mist around, plenty of cloud cover. But very little wet stuff dropping. Recently, things have changed. We have an olde saying about weather for this month; "April showers", that for the last few days "April monsoon" would be more appropriate. A couple of serious hail-stone storms .... Rain coming down hard enough to strip new leaves off trees .... The reason for mentioning this, is the impact it's having on my [current lack of] enthusiasm for wearing heels outside. When I'm abroad in the sun, I love walking about, and people watching in general. At the moment, the cool wet weather has me stuck inside - staring at the rain. We had been invited to dine with two friend who have seen me out in heels, tonight in one of the nicer parts London. I had expected to meet them, and some more of their friends, wearing heels. Unfortunately, while they are eating at a fairly popular Polish restaurant, the menu has meat with every dish and I don't do meat. Consequently, we've had to decline. [Mrs Freddy eats meat, and would have enjoyed the 'feast', but little point in me travelling 30 miles to watch 7 other people eat?] My time will come.

So, 5 pairs disposed of. Had a count up, so far, 21 pairs sold on the auction site. Taken around 4 months..... Probably going up to sell another couple of pairs over the next 3 or 4 days. Getting to the stage where those not sold, (and unwanted), are going anyway. There just isn't any point in having shoes or boots stored here, that I'm never going to wear. ....

I may have another couple of camera phones lined up. Again £90 items, but both options have better reviews than the Nokia 500, which was globally slated for its unreliability. The Nokia suffered with the problem I had experience of; hanging. The only way to get the thing awake afterward, was to remove the battery. Far from ideal. Here are the options compared: http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Orange-San-Francisco-II,T-Mobile-Vivacity/phones/6843,6618 My network is T-Mobile, but Orange and T-M are essentially the same company sharing both their networks. I could own and use either. The Orange phone looks to have the edge with the camera, though auto-focus isn't something I want. It only adds lag [delay] to the photo snapping. I'll have to check them both soon. My old phone, really is on its last legs. ....

Diesel fuel has crept up to £1.48 per litre locally. Talking to a buddy earlier today, he mentioned passing a London garage offering fuel at £1-90 a litre during a recent fuel shortage scare. He also mentioned the price didn't stop people queuing to buy it..... My recently acquired super-frugal lifestyle, is bugging the heck out of Mrs Freddy. She took some holiday time last week, and we did very little. In fact the accidental, a one hour visit to a local outdoor shopping precinct, was probably the highlight of our time together. While the wintry weather persists, I've little enthusiasm for trekking anywhere, anyway. The days are getting longer though, now still some light around at 8.30pm. The Sun will get here soon though. If it gets to dry and warm, I may have to dust off a pair of heels. ....

Sold another pair. Still not managed to arrange recycling for the two damaged pairs, or taking the other two pairs to a charity shop. I have decided to add another pair of heels to the charity bag though. Maybe it won't take a whole year to get my collection down to a realistic level.

I would agree. "Opportunity", would help to encourage the curious or interested men out there to try them on. More triers, would lead to both more wearers, and greater general acceptance. But not in my life-time.... Without doubt, I could see a change as being possible, but it's something that would have to be [high] fashion led. Vivian Westwood might effect a change overnight, but she's not part of my social group so no chance of bending her ear. ....

Sold another two pairs, of around 10 listed. In a years time ......

I have asked several men I've met, who like wearing heels, that very question. Can't say I recall getting an adequate answer. In fact, I would say that for the most part, most produce a facial expression that indicates they doubt the sincerity/motivation of my query. It does [without doubt] take cojones for men to wear heels in public places. But experience tells me that once familiar with the situation, embarrassment and fear, get significantly less. ....

Well you're certainly putting most [if not all] of us, to shame with your 'exercise' regime! It certainly puts anything I'd done, into your shadow. May I ask how [what sot of venue - street/treadmill] and why, so much walking? Yes I am jealous, that only did you make the opportunity for yourself, but plainly made the most of that opportunity. And there's nothing wrong with your taste in footwear either. .....

Some additions made. Currently 30+ items listed. Not all shoes though.

Having decided I didn't want to attend what seemed like a marriage of convenience, I've not been in touch with my foreign girlfriend for some time. I feel like a bit of a coward really, not telling her earlier, but if it mattered - I'm sure she would have chased me up. The other dilemma was my footwear. Mens or womens? Actually, I'd already decided womens ......

Another two pairs sold. Sadly, at practically 'give away' prices. The silver lining to the situation? Two less pairs stored and unused....... I have two other pairs waiting me remembering to take them to the recycling bin outside a local shoe repairers. And another two pairs - I decided today - weren't worth the effort of listing, so will be appearing in a charity shop quite soon. [both older style New Look boots.] Did another wave of photo's this afternoon. Mrs Freddy passing a comment regarding the apparent quantity I must have. [if she knew how many I actually had, I suspect she might be a bit less tolerant about all this. On reflection, I can't believe how many pairs I bought over the last 4 years.] Worse, unless I live to be 120 years old, I'm never going to live long enough to wear all the shoes and boots I plan to keep! Will list another 3 or 4 pairs later [sunday] and will attempt to get the 99p 'disposals' up during the week. More news if/when there is some. .....

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -- Confucius Before I went daytime public, I spent a lot of time walking in desolate areas, at night. It wasn't unusual (at the time) for me to walk a couple of miles a week in heels. The intention was respond to my long suppressed need to enjoy wearing them, and to help me become proficient in heels so as to not draw attention. It was months before I went out in daylight. Was worth the wait though ..... ...

Got another free listing weekend. [sales must be low?] I'm not getting any faster at producing the listings, but re-listing unsold stuff is pretty much instant. I'll have two busy days taking photo's, with equally busy evenings/nights editing images and composing 'sales' spiel. In the vain hope I'll be paid for making some room. [ie selling some of my shoe/boot collection.]

Still not finished listing everything ....... Will send you both a single item number, and you can search the 'other listed' against my member name. I've about 5 more pairs to go on, but a bit busy looking after a 9 year old grandson at the moment. [school holidays y'know.]

I've uploaded a fair number, but also included some bits that are less shoe related. I've got some other bits [including shoes] to put up at 99p that I fully expect to sell for that, so I'll do you both a list of shoes/boots when it's all done.

The thought had more than crossed my mind. I remember with some disappointment, the chap I met in Debenhams Oxford Street, now probably two or more years ago. I'd spotted his slightly unusual walk, [heeled boots] and approached him - after some considerable debate with myself before making the advance. As reported before, he was fairly non-responsive, despite my cordial introduction. He never showed here, and it was the only site I had suggested. It leads me to believe, there is the potential for a magnitude [at least] of difference between the numbers we know, and the 'closet' heel wearing men. Meaning; we think we might have contact with up to 100 men wearing heels in the UK. We members could easily believe in a x10 growth, to past 1000. Given the 'open door' opportunity the internet gives to remote purchasing, I think 10,000 has the prospect of being a more realistic number. Given there's 56,000,000 people living in the UK [and maybe closer to 60m] lets look at my 10,000 proposal...... 50% of 56m might be women. Leaves us 28M males. Lets propose a further 50% are either too young, or two old to wear/be interested in heels. Leaves us 14M males in the central age group. 1% of 14,000,000 would be 140,000 men. My 10,000 figure then, is actually less than a tenth of 1%, so lower than 0.1%? Which in Statistic's parlance, is not a significant number [in any sense]. Put another way, you'd need 14,000 male heel wearers to even get on the radar. Given we all know there'll never be anything like that number of visible male heel wearers, one has to conclude they must prefer to stay in the closet? And why not? There's a lot of excitement to be had with a 'guilty' secret. [I've heard. ] ...

Couldn't happen. The better styles in my size wouldn't reach the sales floor.

I find, offering the bill, can sometimes cut through the 'haze' of confusion over presents? I'm a bit jealous you are out an about in heels. And out enough to wear them out too! Lack of pennies is making me something of a hermit. Mrs Freddy is getting a bit frustrated with me being reluctant to spend money on anything other than paint and building materials - at the moment. I need another paying job to change that! I don't do the Lottery, so no salvation expected there. No rich relatives either..... Perfect job would the shoe department at House of Fraser. [i'm easily pleased. ] ....

I will PM you a listing. Got another free weekend, so have relisted some of the non-sold items. I'd anticipated that might be the case. Check later this week [Tuesday+] to see the relists, and a couple of other new styles on offer. There was [and is again] one or two pairs I thought might tempt you? I hope to list a couple of pairs I've owned for a very long time, that my [growing] feet won't get into any longer. About half of the sold shoes/boots, went to men BTW. ...

Sold another pair...... Of about 12 listed over a 2 week period. Folk just aren't spending money. Maybe the wrong time to sell boots? Nope. Just sold a high street branded pair, for pretty much what I paid for them a bit over a year ago. Seller ratings around 4.7 out of 5, so it's not like I'm a poor seller. Guess buyers need to be tempted by 'gift' level pricing. ....

This selling on an auction site malarkey, is very frustrating. Must have put over 30 pairs on, and managed to sell about 8 pairs. Many got added to watch lists. One particular pair had maybe 5 watchers, with perhaps 50 views. No bids? The shoes almost new [worn once possibly] on sale for about a 10th of their original selling price. Oddly, some pairs I thought were almost unsellable, sold. One pair I declared as a recent purchase that didn't fit [too small] sold for at least twice what I paid for them, and my purchase price was there for everyone to see. [Why didn't my buyer get them for less money when they were originally on sale?] Also sold some computer gear. Seems easier to sell older stuff, (so far). I'm not getting this at all........ ....

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/579445-men-in-tights-no-never-oh-no http://e-mancipate.net/ Entertaining maybe .......

I'm lovin' these: Sounds like they live in a very very very small world. Well done you, for managing the situation to your advantage. "He who dares - wins!" ....