FastFreddy2

You are both walking into "blue trees" territory. You can call them any colour you like, but when the rest of the world calls them green, they're green. With that second picture, the only thing that's outwardly feminine, is the shoes. Shorts, tee-shirt, bob (bowl) hair cut - male. Okay, eye-liner not usually seen on men, as long as you forget Marc Bolan, Duran Duran and others. In my world, wearing footwear specifically designed for women, is cross-dressing, although you North Americans have a peculiar way of associating it with TV activity and male prostitution which is almost unheard of over here in the UK. Androgyny is either a foot in both 'camps', or a foot in neither. If I asked 100 people if they thought men wearing high heels had them with a foot in both camps, most would say yes. Those that didn't, would think both feet were in a different camp to "male". It's the way it is, not the way I want it. (We know the wife of a well liked/well respected member here, who has immoderate views on this, which are not exactly unique. Another two liked/trusted members here, had serious relationship problems with their interest in heels being a contributory factor. A third had serious resistance to his heel wearing, because his wife thought it was the first step to becoming a TV.) Some years ago I enraged a high heel wearer in HHp for saying the same thing. Some people don't like and some don't tolerate well, this truth. It's all very well our small clique of men into wearing heels saying/suggesting it's completely 'normal' (as it is to us). The sad fact is, this isn't considered normal by most other people, and they wouldn't even concede to it being androgyny or cross-dressing: we'd be classed as TV's or "gay's". For me there are no barriers to clothing styles. In my little bubble, folk can wear whatever they want, there's no such thing as men or women's clothing. That said, there's no style excuse for dressing badly. I don't understand men with beards wearing makeup. I don't understand large people (men or women) wearing inappropriate clothing for their size. That usually means trying to disguise a large frame, with an even larger outfit.... While skinny people doing the same is a significantly less common occurrence, wearing oversize clothing doesn't suits anyone. Not only do I want - as an ideal - desexualised clothing (completely androgynous), I support it. As far as that goes, one of my very few regrets, is that I didn't have the courage of my convictions when young enough and slim enough to get away with it as a style statement. Closer to the end of my life than the start, I am too late to "change the world". And as I've also mentioned before, had I taken that course in the 1980's, I would have died some years ago. The excesses of the 80's and 90's produced a very unhealthy environment for those in the 'art' and entertainment fields. I'm sure I would have succumbed, as so many did.

Works for me .....

I might be tempted by a platform, (got one pair with hidden platform) but these are a tad too high/thick.

Well posed..... Was the irony that he was wearing heels, but the photo doesn't show the heels? Sure he has on pointed shoes, but I couldn't see a heel. (I found a Tweeted picture that shows the heels - possibly 50mm high max.) Is >> this << where he picked up the taste for them?

I think you are being very generous there. I'm sure a number of people are now looking for new jobs .... Probably in a different industry.

Okay: Steve Madden leather ankle boot. 130mm heel, with hidden 10/12mm platform. New Look wedge suede ankle boot. 4 inch heel, and absolutely silent (ninja) when walking.

Her left thigh is in-line with the hidden "third" leg .... For the initial (perceived) left leg to be connected to the left thigh, it would need to be dislocated. It's not something that's immediately apparent because her knee is hidden, but the "third" leg is the one than isn't hidden. The two vertical blue lines indicate a straight leg, and has Reece standing or without her leg crossed. For the 'seen' left leg to be connected to her left thigh the knee bone (patella) needs to be offset as shown.

And while discussing Leibovitz .... Seeing triple! Photoshop fail leaves Oprah with THREE HANDS while Reese Witherspoon appears to have an extra leg in Vanity Fair cover shoot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz Full story >> here << Not what you'd expect from someone paid a lot of money to produce the ultimate "premium" image. I'm sure it won't have been done on purpose, though the publishers have more media coverage of the photo's than they might have anticipated ..... Not so good for the photographers career...

I think she put up the copyright as collateral against loans, but these were not called in, and the recent-ish sale of some of her property may mean they will never be called against a loan. In fact it looks like one of the financial backers of the "pawn shop" she hocked herself to, has suggested they might be willing to offer her a loan that didn't require she sign her life work away. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/arts/design/24artloans.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1 House sale. Her ego has her working in la-la land. With only two snippets of information here, it's not hard to understand she is a fool. I imagine the more one delves into her life and tendency to spend money, the more this conclusion would be supported. I've seen some of her work, when she was at the top of her game. Some of it I liked, but not much. I've no idea what her current work is like, if indeed she still does take pictures. Many creatives dry up when their lives are not full of angst. That said, she still has plenty to worry about - assuming she ever had 'debt' as a concern.

She won't die poor, but I'm not a fan. Bet she's got some phone numbers of some people I'd like to meet though ....

Litter, one of the many things that cause my temper to rise.... Not many days pass between me picking up bits of rubbish from the street I live in. Not loads, but the odd bit here and there. "Visitors", most guilty, tossing drink containers into the street when they drive off. Unfortunately, attacks on them with violence - completely inappropriate and illegal. (Not that I see them do it.) We are fortunate really. I know some streets in my old town, that look like people empty their bins into the street. I have seen rats running around there. It's pretty bad. In the town centre, I was taking some pictures of the Christmas lights, and found myself watching rodents running around. (One seen below.) Lovely sunny day today! Woke to it, and the change in mood is enormous. As previously announced, did Lakeside and Bluewater yesterday. Absolutely filthy weather to drive in, but Mrs Freddy suggested it was better to have a rainy day inside, than a sunny day. Okay for her as I drove. Had some nail-biting moments around the M25 with thick mist thrown up from lorries, but no disasters.... First stop was IKEA, looking for some chairs to go with the new dining table. I was in heels, and quite noisy ones as it turned out. Not only did we find two "serious maybe's", but we also found some kitchen units that might be suitable too. Result! Three pairs of shoes worn on the day .... (L to R) PU based ankle boot for wet weather. Wear all day boot. 'Princess' court shoes. Then on to Bluewater, which has a better 'ambiance' than Lakeside shopping centre. (Essex vs Kent.) Given how late we left IKEA, it was touch and go, but Bluewater has a much wider range of eateries inside the mall, where Lakeside has them scattered all over the place which is less attractive when it's raining. At Bluewater I wore quieter heels, which I kept on right up until around 10.30, when I tried on some courts. The place was empty, and a nice place to wear a delicate heel. Sadly, one shoe decided to rub, so after 15 minutes I put my boots back on. I usually carry pads to apply to skin to prevent blisters (or sore skin) but it's been so long sine I've needed them I now don't take them out with me. Maybe next time. Drive home was significantly more pleasant than the outward journey. Much, much less traffic, and no rain. A productive day out with me in a heel for over 9 hours.

I think Leibovitz is currently promoting a new book of her work. I don't know if that iconic (memorable) image is part of the her collection recently published. It would certainly add some heat to the promotional tour, unless she felt it had already been done to death in the 90's.

Well done! I did use Google to try an find the image I had in mind previously, with no luck. Even with your guidance, it took some finding: An image used for an ad campaign circa 23 years ago.

We've had "gale force winds" blowing most of the night and this morning so far (now past 11am). As I write, today's rain has arrived and I will describe it as 'monsoon' grade. I have a clear view of some 70-80 yards outside my back window, and the trees there look like they are obscured by fog, that is actually rain. Of course it could be worse. We don't live in a valley, so little/no danger of flooding. We don't live half way up a mountain, so no danger of being cut off by snow fall. But still not great weather for doing anything in a heel. There's a reason why ducks and geese don't wear high heels.

Okay. (I only have more 7's.) It could mean a couple of the pairs I have in mind would be too small.... (This list is an aide memoire for me) ASOS block heel boots (7) ALDO block heel boots 8 (but fit as 7) Nine West (stylish) block heel 7½. (very expensive shoe) Carvela (stylish) block heel 8 (very expensive shoe) Steve Madden stiletto 8. (These seem very strong.) ? New Look 'hi-tops' wedge 8. (Ninja grade silent walking) I'll do the pictures, and you can let me know if any are of interest. But yes, the ALDO leather ones are still here.

While doing a daily search for Loubies, those shoes came up again, with claimed "worn twice". Since they look like the wearer used them for running, I tried to find (what I think may have been) a picture for a tyre promo of some 30 years ago. It was an image of a "well known" track runner wearing red heels on starting blocks. The message in the ad ran something like "You wouldn't wear the wrong shoes on your feet, why use the wrong tyres on your car?" It caused a bit of a stir at the time, but I knew/know nothing of track athletics, so it meant very little to me. Anyone else remember it? As for blabbing details of bedroom activity .... At my age, the difficulty is remembering what I was doing 5 minutes ago ... Unless I made written notes at the time, no-one need fear any indiscretion from me!

I do, and am happy to sell them on at a very favourable price, but I fear they may be too big for your tiny little feet. I've got to be a bit busy today, but I can do a photo of a small selection you might be interested in, all likely wearable everywhere (one or two pairs maybe not) and for the most part they come with leather uppers. I also have the same boot you have already in a smaller size. The thing about these boots (mindful of their price of course) is that they were not designed and made with a 5'8" man wearing them as the wearer. As is the basis for the "Kinky Boots" stage production and film, us men need slightly more sturdy footwear or need to 'tread lightly'. I'm not in any way suggesting you are lardy or heavy footed, but inexpensive dainty shoes don't have a long life. The chap who does the minor repairs to mine and Mrs Freddy's shoes has told me (several times) that shoes made today for the fashion market "are crap". He advises me to buy and wear ASAP as they will likely fall apart without any help from me (or her) wearing them. "Buy them, wear them, throw them." So far that has only been the case with one particular style, but they were sitting in a box for well over ten years untouched before I discovered a heel had changed it's position while stored.

Much more suitable for a 5 inch heel and pointed toe shoe than a pavement, that's for sure.

While I have not been able to sell any shoes on Evilbay for some time, but I've had some extraordinary good luck with selling other things. A bike (I didn't really want to sell), a camera, and now a lens. Sounds odd but .... The bike was listed as a 'dummy' to reserve a cheap listing for another bike I did want to sell. Oddly, the bike I hadn't intended to sell, got sold! The camera was intended to sell (I have a replacement) but I wasn't expecting to get as much money as I did. Yay! Lastly, I placed a listing for a new 'kit' lens, and before I had time to complete the listing (add my own pictures) ... It had sold within 7 hours. It's unfortunate I can't move on shoes so quickly. I suppose if I were selling high heeled OTK boots in mens sizes UK 9/10/11 it would be no problem, but they aren't. In fact one pair are a (womans) UK 6. Got a 5½ inch heel though....

Carpeted with asphalt?

No 'outdoor' shoes worn in the bedroom, thank you....

And so it starts .... Pair No.3 ..... Looks like the inclement weather is keeping people busy elsewhere? I am planning to visit Lakeside or Bluewater later in the week ..... Anyone?

I have been pricing up Louboutins and keeping an eye out for a pair of Hot Chicks, by way of finding out just how high the "130" is in a larger size. Not got very far, but the details on an Evilbay listing indicates they are higher than anticipated: While looking Louboutin shoes (that come with leather soles) a lot of unwanted toe wear has become apparent, as mentioned: For example .... I would be crying, if after wearing any shoes, the toe area of the sole was this worn. If I owned a pair of £425 court shoes and I woke up to find them this worn after a night out, I'd be tempted to ring the Samaritans. They look like they've been used as running shoes! A very good reason to ensure they enjoy some level of protection if worn anywhere other than a red carpet. (Or bedroom.)

As expected, 4 hours of snow followed by (so far) 3 hours of rain. No need to travel out in this. It's not like there's any pleasure in getting cold and wet. I'm not a penguin. London and UK weather. Warmer weather is on the way, and Mrs Freddy has a couple of days off later in the week, so a Lakeside/Bluewater trip might be on the cards when travelling would be less of a challenge.

And nothing like the sunshine ..... Siberia is probably a lot wetter by volume, but it gets a (dry) summer too.