SHOE FETISHISM

Growing up I've pretty much always hated shoe shopping. My mom used to drag me to Payless and I would get some cheap knock-off of some Reeboks or Nikes. They would fall apart in literal weeks due to my then active lifestyle. This continued for years in elementary school.

Then came 5th/6th grade. Shoes all of a sudden became a status symbol. In fact I think even socks became a part of this. No longer would we wear those hiked-up tri-colored tube socks that were so popular in the early-to-mid 80's. I eventually talked my mom into letting me get 'expensive' Nike shoes. They were of the 'air' varietal. I remember them now and I think I was ridiculous for wanting them. They were mid-top and had this ugly hot pink fabric along the ankle area. They also had that clear gel pocket for cushioning. What was I thinking?

So continuing on with the story...when I got home my father was pissed off at this purchase and demanded they be returned. I think they were $65 at the time, which in retrospect was probably a lot of money. Not sure what that comes out to taking into account inflation. So, I wore the shoes once, and that was in my bedroom when I brought them home. Then my dad saw the receipt.

These experiences taught me to really hate shoe shopping though. I've always had to just go right into the store and find exactly what I'm looking for or I leave. I can't stay in there for too long or I get antsy. I definitely can't try on more than 2 pairs of shoes during one sitting either. Fortunately, I think this aspect of my life is changing.

I'm finding that I'm interested in a larger variety of footwear. I like all the unique color combinations and almost appreciate some of these shoes as high art. I love my new Asics and I feel like I should get 2 more pair in other colors. I'm accessorizing like a teenage girl. I'm even looking online for my next purchase idea. Yesterday while I was in Berkeley getting a haircut, I stopped into the Adidas vintage store and came so close to buying this pair of white and loud green shoes. In some ways I regret not trying them on and eventually buying them, but I've been spending way too much money lately.

Time to save, but I don't know how much longer I can hold on before buying another pair.