Ben Coates, one of our team liaisons who works with the Leopard Trek team is known as flip-flop. That is because if there is no snow on the ground, he is wearing flip-flops. I happen to love flip-flops. I like the sound they make when you walk, I like the tan lines they leave, I like that it means it is summer etc... I own lots of flip flops. Maybe not as many as Ben does, but I own lots of them.
That is a tan line!
But, alas I have had to concede that flip flops are not always perfect for my job. Airplanes, walking around factories etc... There is just a bit too much freedom in the flip flop. (As my english friend Matt says, "America, taste the freedom!" Not sure that is entirely appropriate in relation to footwear, but I said it nonetheless.
Also, somewhere along the way I decided to be a little more grown up in relation to my job, so I have made the adjustment to reflect that in my footwear. It's one of those little concessions that I have made along the way to being an adult. Along with not making motor sounds when I go down the hallway.
The standard.
So, I fell back on what has been my 2nd favorite footwear in my life. The Converse Chuck Taylor shoe. What a fantastic shoe! Comes in lots of colorways, so that I can decide what my mood is that day. Black and brooding or sinister, grey as an accent, blue or red to show some passion, yellow if I need a pick me up, etc... Yep, it goes like that. Plus, they come in high tops, and low tops both. It is a bit like a thermos bottle, the thermos bottle just knows if it is supposed to keep things hot or cold. They are really versatile. And, they are cheap. The local Payless shoes always has them on sale for like $29US. How can you go wrong?
They are a bit like what Steve Martin used to say about a trash bag, "Always, no never, no always carry a litter bag in the car. It's not too big, doesn't take up too much space... and when it is full, you can just throw it out the window." Of course I would not really do that, but I like it as humor. On top of that, Steve Martin used to wear an arrow through his head in his stand up comedy. That's funny.
You know, high top - low top - black - colors - not too expensive - wear them out and get some more. Steve Martin could have said that.
This guy is a little more obsessed than I am, but not by much.
So I tend to wear Converse with just about anything. Blue jeans, big baggy shorts, etc... I am particularly fond of the long shorts and tall socks and high top Converse. I know, your laughing right now. Try it though, it just makes you feel good.
I am on an airplane right now (low top grey - I'm dressed up). There are lots of people around me with loafers. I have never owned a pair of loafers. I do not think they would look good with long shorts and tall socks though.
I would say though, that neither flip flops or Converse make a very good bike shoe.
Surrender Dorothy! Time for some oatmeal.
That is not a flip flop tan line.
