FastFreddy2

The Outing (evening out) Part I. Recap: I had decided some time ago, if ever the opportunity arose to go see Ludovico Einaudi live, I would go. A chance enquiry found me with access to tickets but with only a week before the gigs. I'd asked Mrs Freddy if she was interested, and frankly, she'd rather do the ironing. Faced with going alone (never so much fun) I asked my 'sometime walking companion'. She was delighted to go, so I bought the tickets while they were still available. [All his UK gigs are Sold Out before the performances.] Also, the added benefit of going with my friend and her new hip, was access to a Blue Badge, free parking (saving £5) but also allocated parking in a large space. I pre-booked that too. Lastly, I have been waiting for the opportunity of going somewhere, I could possibly wear a court shoe. The theatre, distant cinema, or some other private do would be the only situations I might feel comfortable wearing a court shoe ... This fitted the bill. The evening. We travelled down into London by car arriving around 5.20pm. We parked on the street, avoiding double yellow lines (no parking allowed) by stopping at a conveniently empty Blue Badge space within sight (just) of the Barbican entrance. Blue arrow indicates Stage School entrance. Rusty orange arrow, Barbican entrance. There was a group of around 15 rowdy students gathered outside the School entrance. I started the evening wearing >> these << which I've worn out before, but not anywhere so intimate. Once parked I put on my heels, and had a quick look for the restaurant I booked earlier. This involved a walk of around 200 yards up a road in broad (sunny) daylight, and back, past the students outside the Stage School. We walked up the opposite side of the street, and I was happy walking in these heels though it didn't stop one or two passers-by looked at my feet. I'll never meet them again, and I checked for rear facing cameras, none seen. What had obviously given the game away, was the sound of the heels. Usually I'm out in quite noisy environments, but not so along most of this street. So restaurant found, we then walked back towards the car, and into the venue to see if we could collect our tickets. We were told "not until later", as we were still a bit early for ticket collections. With about 15 minutes to lose, we decided to have a walk around the venue to orientate ourselves. History suggests I get everywhere late, and knowing where to get into the auditorium might prove useful later on. Walking around, we found the entrance on what I knew was our floor, and stumbled past the in-house eatery on the way to the toilets. The food looked tempting ...... In the toilet, I had my first negative experience. I've mentioned before, these can be awkward places, and this one was. There was a black guy (early 20's) standing by the basin, I assumed washing his hands? I used the toilet, and left the cubicle to find this fella still at the sink. The whole room measured something like 15ft x 8ft max and was full of sanitary ware. Just him and me were standing at the 3 sinks, where he had been for a while already. He at the left sink, me having passed him and sink no.2 to get at sink no.3. I had my camera under my arm, which limited arm movement. I waived my hand under the tap outlet expecting water to be produced, and none came. I noticed the black rubber ball shape on the floor, and started pumping. HA! water. The chap two paces away, who I'm sure had not stopped watching me any time he could, now also started pumping his rubber ball. He made a sound like air being sucked through his teeth, which I believe is a cultural thing indicating annoyance. Not sure it was aimed at me (obviously wearing heels) or his needing help to understand how the taps worked? Anyway, hands washed, I left. Back out in the open, I found my companion and we walked back through the eatery, which was surprisingly empty. I tried hard to keep my heel noise to a minimum, but I think my efforts were pretty pointless. We decided the food looked too good, and we could sit outside on a terrace. Sunshine, greenery, and fountains, all too good to give up for a hot restaurant. I phoned them and cancelled our reservation. We ate what was a forgettable meal, but the surroundings were great. I should have taken a photo, but sadly I didn't. [Duh.] Here are some from the web. We needed to collect tickets, return to the car and move it inside to the main car park (a mistake - hindsight tells me) and get back into the refreshments area immediately outside the auditorium. I planned to change my shoes, and spend the rest of the evening in a court shoe, so we had to return to the car. First job then was to leave the security of my seat, and walk the whole way back to the front of the building via the booking counter, past a much busier venue than I'd seen perhaps 40 minutes before. Once away from the hard Food Hall floor, I was back onto carpet and a much quieter walk. We to the Booking Office and collected out tickets. It was at this point, we should have been advised about the car park arrangements, but we weren't. If I remember, the tickets had been marked to include a parking reservation, but no-one passed us an exit pass. [i was later to find out I would need one to leave the car park I was minutes away from entering .....] Once outside I was back to making some noise with my heels, but with the gaggle of students gone, we just walked straight back to the car without incident. It was a simple matter to drive further up the road and park inside one of the main Barbican car parks. Finding our "reserved" spot was easy, and the internal foyer entrance was only fifty yards away on our level. Once again the chance was missed to tell me how I should leave via a 'pass'. [i did ask.] After some seemingly time-consuming mental deliberation, I changed into my courts. Apart from the security chap in his office 15ft from my parked car, the place seemed empty, desolate even? I left the car briefly to make sure I could walk comfortably in my shoes, before returning for my companion. This may have been the point I was told my shoes were obvious. .... Unhindered, we both walked away from the car down the small ramp that led us along the level concreted car park roadway to the foyer doors. These were perhaps 40 yards from the ramp, further back down the road we had just driven along before parking. At the foyer entrance, the doors were pushed open, and we were quickly inside. .............

I would normally only go to the (expensive) cinema, to see a movie where expanse of scenery or inter-galactic furniture makes it worthwhile. Watching two fellas and a women walk around the streets of the UK or US can wait for DVD or the TV. I've seen some trailers, and it looks promising, if not predictable. Sounds like it might be worth a visit.

Good (short ) report, and great news about wearing heels in public. Not looking for any spoilers, but might go see the same film. Any good?

I wish it did. But you're supposed to push down with the ball of your foot and your ankle at right-angles or even at a slightly more acute angle (to ensure you don't shorten your tendons I believe.) As may be expected (since I do off-road), I ride a mountain bike. The saddle is usually positioned quite high, to maximise the low cross-bar. Were I to try peddling in a heel, I doubt my seat post would be long enough ..... I do like the idea of cycling in a heel though. Somewhere in my photo albums, is a picture of a lady cyclist in a heel, stopped at traffic lights. I remember it well.

Not only bid, but now paid for. And while I think about it, I now remember I bought (circa 2001) a Marin Rift Zone for £1000, that was originally, something like £1299. I got it cheaper as it was 'last years model', though I had already waited 2 years for the right colour and price point combination. I rode that bike once, around the block where I lived. If I remember correctly, "Foot and Mouth" stopped me using it the first season I owned it. Then in 2002 I suffered a life changing injury, that did just that, it changed my life (and not for the better). Some years later I sold the bike at a significant loss, thinking I would probably never ride a bike again. It's been a long journey getting to where I am now, thinking it is possible - and safe to try. I'm looking at riding this new purchase, rather like someone might 'get-back-on-the-horse'. One of the numerous steps I'm taking (and have taken) to get my life back. Had a 5 miles ride over the weekend around paths and a park, and pretty much an 8 mile one yesterday, both on a nice but inexpensive bike. Already had my first re-experience with dog poop stuck in the tyres...... No wonder I like cats. No other dramas, and the 8 miles didn't seem hard either. Not bad after a 12 year hiatus. The newer bike has a higher ride height and with the suspension travel it has, it'll enthuse me to do some of the more stupid things I used to do; like descend steep hills or traverse difficult (off-road) terrain. I have promised Mrs Freddy, I'll be using this one. ......

My bid of £795 won. Gobsmacked!

Been in and out more frequently over the last couple of months. While I managed to snag a couple of pairs of bargain priced sandals (still awaiting photo's) early in the year, I remain disappointed since. Seems their H+S department have decided they must have a 'no really high-heels' policy. Shame. Bit of aside .... but their jeans have taken a bit of a dive too. I've been tempted, and bought in the past. For some reason (buying demographic probably), their mens rise height has been lowered. Meaning, more hipster than proper waisted styles. Also, 'faded' colouring, rather than 'new' seems more prevalent? Who -in their right mind- wants to look like they get their clothes from a charity shop, when they have a choice not to? Though thinking about, I don't think I've seen these styles in charity shops. I suppose clothes that look that worn, go straight for re-cycling (as rags). Yes, I get that wealthy people are happy to pay silly amounts for ripped up 'designer' styles, but "fool and their money"? (As D.P. says, "It cost a lot of money to look this cheap". ) My take, is to the "Emperors' new clothes" fable. These people should be told they look ridiculous.

Finally sold something, but not shoes. An chip programmer I haven't used for 15 years..... Last one listed was offered at £49 and didn't look like it sold. [You can never be sure, as I think some sales occur after the listings close.] I got £30 less fees, for mine. Hopefully the buyer will be happy with it. It could be worth more, the listing had a week to run, but I'll be glad to see the back of it either way.

Does this show where the movement is? ie. up/down or side/side? Before putting in the new bath, I re-mapped the floor supports; typically joists. I knew there were two RSJ's supporting the whole upper floor, but hadn't realised the centreline of the bath, ran directly over one of the RSJ's. I have two spreaders that came with the bath. I placed these at far ends of the bath directly over joists that butt into the RSJ. Over time, the joists have sunk slightly, so the floors fall away (downward) from the floor board sitting on the RSJ. To counter this, the original builders installed some timber supports that follow the joists. I took off a central support from the original bath, and re-used that in the middle of the new bath. The underneath of the new bath has chipboard bonded into the fibre glass to support the weight inside the bath evenly. [As is common. This isn't required on a steel bath.] So, I have a longitudinal RSJ, with floorboards laterally over. Above that, 3 blocks also laterally, following the butted joists. I have 3 supports, circa 20 inches/60cm apart longitudinally, providing stable lift to the underneath of the bath. The upper (40mm) edge of the bath, is prevented from sinking by a ledge, around three of the four sides. (With 4th side being supported similarly after final installation). The three sides will be 'bonded' in as before, but this time with bacteria resistant silicone, rather than very sticky and very solid decorators caulk. I think in your place, I'd be looking for any movement from the bath support system. Because I completely removed my original bath, I was able to install a ledge the bath initially sits on, to give me the correct height and position. I then adjust the 5 support legs, so the underneath of the bath carries weight. The idea is the bottom and sides carry load on 60/40 or 70/30 ratio. I'll never know if this is what I'm getting, but the first try with the caulk produced 'null' movement anywhere that could be detected. If I had used ANY type of silicon with my first sealing attempt (that was supposed to be a temporary measure) I doubt I would have removed the bath again because it was so stable. I'm wondering if one of your support legs isn't carrying its share of the weight load, or is sitting on a floor that doesn't have a directly supporting joist underneath. Meaning, it can flex? The way to check, would be to use a laser level, and first mark positions of the legs with bath empty. Fill bath, and check position of the marks against the laser line. (I shouldn't suggest this, but you could buy an inexpensive laser level if you don't own one, and return it after 'trying-it-out'? Think this has been done before. ) Or just install a £5 piece of chipboard across the whole (original) floor, effectively spreading any load whatever the circumstances. I can't see 19mm chipboard on top of 19mm boards allowing deflection? I'd double check your bath support legs haven't unwound themselves too. I will be checking mine again in 2 months, to qualify if there's been any settlement in the system. As far as lateral movement is concerned, the decorators caulk I used (and advised previously - 5mm to 20mm depth on 3 sides), I doubt I would have needed this stuff anywhere other than along the long (170cm) side to keep the bath in place. It was tough enough to pull the wall down! Seriously, there is a VAST difference in product ranges. I have used some 'superior' branded products that were completely useless, and some less expensive ones I found could do anything. Unibond seem to be very good overall, and the gear I mentioned earlier (Dow Corning) came with very good reviews. With something producing the problem you have, I would respectfully consider ramping up the silicone budget if you haven't already. I would imagine a 10-15mm deep vertical bead around 2 edges of a bath [ie between bath lip and wall] should hold it firm. I don't mean a sealing bead along the top of the bath and the wall, I mean between the bath lip and the two walls. I'll do some photo's of my setup later. Hopefully the repairs will be concluded today. I'd very much like to be using the bath I bought, nearly 3 years ago now.

Ah, parrots, I hadn't realised.

Naughty boy. A very forward young lady, telling you there was to be a second date. I bet you couldn't believe your luck when she said to wear heels!

As I (now) fancy myself an expert in bath sealing ....... You must have too much movement in the up/down or side/side plane ..... Up/Down, you know the sealant should be applied (and allowed to go off completely) with the bath half-full of water? I understand why, but my bath is currently supported on 3 sides, (will be all 4 when fully installed) and in 3 places along the bottom too. [And these in turn sit on top of an RSJ. Movement - how?] It's some of the reason the caulking was so successful .... No stress movement.... Side/Side, must be uneven support? No chance to tether the bath to a wall? I had originally planned/bought to use, some Unibond "Weather-Guard Outdoor" Extreme Repair Sealant, that not only comes with a 35 year warranty, but very good reviews. Good quality products don't come cheap (£9-29 Homebase) but it's flexibility takes some beating, at +/- 50%. Since I don't need that amount of flexibility, and I have another use use for the tube anyway, I'll be using Dow Corning '785' Bacteria Resistant Silicone. Again, not the cheapest product on the market @ £6 a tube, but also comes with very good reviews. Movement at +/- 20% which is hopefully, +/- 20% more than I need. My bath has a 40mm vertical rim. I managed to get between 5mm and 20mm of slightly flexible (Unibond) caulk down 3 sides. The bath did not move - at all. In some places I had to use a fine saw blade to disconnect the bath from the wall.....

I hope he came with a warranty!

Unless 'we' share the same number, who mentioned your phone number? I said give him mine ..... The opportunity of talking to someone with a shared interest? As I have said many many many times ...... Even train-spotters form groups and meet up for social activity. Why is it that men who are interested in wearing a heel, seem so keen to isolate themselves from others with the same interest?

I've mentioned before, I used to spend a lot of time out in the fields on a mountain bike. (Getting covered in mud, usually, often after falling off! ) I've very recently started cycling again, in a very small way. I like my bike, but I have a taste for something more exotic. I'm currently bidding on a used (but 'as new') bike, I expect the bidding to reach £950. In the past, before I became a homeowner, I shelled out £520 for a Mamiya camera lens. [That incidentally, I've used twice.] What's the biggest amount of money you've spent, on a hobby or personal interest? Anything that was an avoidable cost can be included. For example, buying a car, or a bedroom suite, aren't really avoidable. Buying a speedboat to sit behind the car, now that would be avoidable.

Having repaired/strengthened three of the four corners (waiting for the fourth to harden a bit while I'm writing this), these cracks were always going to happen. At least two corners were hollow, with a paper-thin covering making it look like they were made correctly. Taken me some considerable time (and patience) to make them solid. "Buy cheap, buy twice?"

In my town, talking to an unusually dressed person, might be seen as an act of bravery. Talking to to an unusually dressed person in a pub (and there's no fancy dress policy), would be taken as one-chatting-up-the-other. Write my phone number on a bit of paper, together with the words; "Text me." Carry it with you, and next time you see him, walk up from behind him and say; "Excuse me, I think you dropped this?" and hand him the note. Job done. It'll probably come to nothing, but life's too short to miss opportunities like these surely? I've had two encounters. The first was an unmitigated failure. the second had me chatting for 25 minutes in a large store, while he tried on and bought 5 pairs of heels. I even have photo's, but have yet to write it up. But I'm not known for my shyness.

Mentioned elsewhere, I finally wore one of my Top 5 to a do a week or so ago. A pair of court shoes I bought perhaps 3 or 4 years ago from SELECT, a budget range girls fashion store. One shouldn't expect much for £10, but they fitted really really well, and looked good too. Wore them from about 6.30pm until around 11pm, and they are likely going to the charity shop. [Full report in "Outing" thread, when I get time to do the write up.] Quite a lot of the plastic covering on the inside of the shoe has peeled, and there's also some cracking on the upper. Disappointed/unhappy about this.... Soles and heel tips show very little to no wear at all, but the uppers look like they've been worn for some time. Consequently, I'm on the lookout for a replacement leather court shoe. Got a couple of patent ones, but I doubt they'll ever get worn outside of some sort of fetish gig (so never then! ) Since I have done a public walk in courts, I might be tempted again, but next time in better quality shoes.

Still crying. The brush-on tanking membrane I bought, quotes "two coats" being required. So far I've applied 4, and there's still places I can see the wall through it. The original kit was around £78, and I had to spend another £62 on a second tub of goo to get coat no.4 on the walls. Each coat has had me throw a paint roller, and every second coat, a paintbrush. Most people wouldn't have bothered, and certainly there was no tanked walls behind the tiles I removed. OCD has a lot to answer for. While prep'ing the bath for the re-install, I found two of the corners of the bath had cracked. I'd bought a fibreglass bath, as these are usually more resilient to minor abuse. The replacement bath at my previous dwelling was steel, as will be my next one. I'm currently trying to repair the cracks, and reinforce them so further damage is prevented. As long as the cracks don't progress, they'll be hidden. Given the time it's taking, I would have preferred to have bought a second bath. Except that it would have to be identical of course (since I've shaped my opening for this particular bath) and an identical bath might come with the same problem; weak corners. I suspect Mrs Freddy is thinking that if I hadn't have 'trial fitted' it so many times (about 10) I might not have this problem. I'm thinking, if I hadn't caulked it in, I might not have this problem...... Ho-hum..... ....

It now looks like 120 "Sales" have arrived with 106 happy customers, 1 Neutral, and now 13 Negatives. Although they still have some listings, I don't understand how? Their 'positive feedback' rating is just under 88%. Very poor. I've not bothered to list anything when given an opportunity the last two times, but listed a couple of bits today (Thursday). I will be pleasantly surprised if anything sells. School holidays and (soon to be) return to school with the cost of uniforms, study books and stationery, all keeping wallets thin. Oh well .......

I'm biting my lip now ......

Is there a members club?

A photo would be good. He obviously isn't shy.

Have message and responded. I'm worrying unnecessarily. Keep us up to date with your progress. As before, happy to meet up somewhere worth travelling to. That excludes just about every town on the A1[M], though Hatfield does at least have the Outlet Mall, called Galleria. Not seen any shoes at TK Maxx there I liked for some time, but there's plenty of coffee stops, and lunchtimes provide plenty of eye-candy for those interested in heels.

No PM received yet. The shoe I posted above, might be ideal - if it fits. Most ALDO stores do not keep the larger sizes in stock, and they sell fast (wonder why?) P.S. I'm pretty paranoid about wearing a heel. I would always prefer to meet a complete stranger somewhere neutral, away from where I lived. If there was a problem, I don't want to find myself bumping into someone who knows one of my oldest secrets, anywhere near where I live (and obviously, where I can be found). I remember my second "all welcome" heel meet, that happened to be in Watford, which is somewhere you might find me fairly frequently. Not until I knew I was amongst like minded people, did I put any heels on. You've obviously had some conversation with this fella, and it seems like you are comfortable meeting up close to home. I could meet up somewhere for a coffee, but Stevenage isn't a place worth travelling to for shoes. Watford possibly might be, as I indicated before, but Luton would be better yet.