Which is worse: the fact that I know Hangin' Tough is a New Kids on the Block song or the fact that I referred to them as NKOTB?
My sister just IMed me that they're performing on the Today Show this Friday and tried to see if I could guess the group from the song title, which I did in all of two seconds. No, I never owned a tape, CD, notebook, lunch box or any other stuff marketing them. And aside from Jordan Knight (a member) and Marky Mark (not a member, but somehow related to one of them), I couldn't name a single one.
Tell me there's not a reunion tour in the works......I might have to defect to Canada.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Talkin' about the dog wash...yeah!
This morning we took Maddie to LaundroMutt, a sort of do-it-yourself dog wash in Cambridge. I've taken her a few times before, but dragged Tom this time so he could experience how hilarious this is. Totally pegged for yuppies with dogs called Fluffy and Muffy and those of us who don't want to pay someone to do something they can do themselves, but also don't want their house to look like WaterWorld when they're done.
You have to get there just before it opens - no exceptions, because it gets crowded fast. You decide which of several different degrees of salon care you want (ranging from a simple hose-down to a more elaborate "wash, dry and fold" - their words, not mine!). They have huge stainless steel tubs for the washing -- dog walk up detachable stairs or ramps. The hoses provide both water and a shampoo/water mixture (today, Maddie got Wild Berries). Then you roll up your sleeves, don a huge apron suitable for a standard laboratory, and get to work. You can choose to simply towel dry when you're done or, if your dog can handle it, use a dryer apparatus that's similar to a vacuum (Maddie hates it, so towel/shake dry it is!).
$15 well spent and a lot of laughs. For another $8 they trim her nails!
You have to get there just before it opens - no exceptions, because it gets crowded fast. You decide which of several different degrees of salon care you want (ranging from a simple hose-down to a more elaborate "wash, dry and fold" - their words, not mine!). They have huge stainless steel tubs for the washing -- dog walk up detachable stairs or ramps. The hoses provide both water and a shampoo/water mixture (today, Maddie got Wild Berries). Then you roll up your sleeves, don a huge apron suitable for a standard laboratory, and get to work. You can choose to simply towel dry when you're done or, if your dog can handle it, use a dryer apparatus that's similar to a vacuum (Maddie hates it, so towel/shake dry it is!).
$15 well spent and a lot of laughs. For another $8 they trim her nails!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Release the hounds.....er, marathon letter!
After a decade of doing it the old-fashioned way, I've finally succumbed to my faithful fans' requests that I save some paper and stamps and send out my annual "marathon letter" via email.
This was actually a more difficult decision than you would think. For ten years, I've literally made a production out of my fundraising letter: updating my website with photos, producing mailing and return envelopes, and writing and designing the letter itself. And over that time, my supporters have told me how much they look forward to receiving it every year.
When I hit "send" on the first group of 50 earlier today, I couldn't help but think how blah emails look. Is this really the future of fundraising? Guess I better brush-up on my web design skills.
This year's letter reads as follows:
**********
Dear family and friends,
They say time flies when you’re having fun, and I know many of you question my sanity when I tell you how much fun running is! But here I am, eleven years of stepping to the starting line on the third Monday in April, running the 112th Boston Marathon as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team.
The past decade can be described in so many ways: grueling, inspiring, challenging, humbling…. But most of all: fun. And throughout those years, you have fueled my fire and helped me to raise nearly $80,000 for cancer research at Dana-Farber. Thank you for your support and encouragement!
As one of the more long-standing veterans of the DFMC team (nearly a dozen of us last year running for our tenth consecutive year), I have had the amazing privilege to visit Dana-Farber on numerous occasions and meet with doctors, researchers and patients. It is on this frontline that I can see firsthand how important our fundraising efforts are in the search for a cure.
Last night, I heard from a woman not much older than I. She is married, has a successful career, a happy marriage and two young children. And she has brain cancer.
Normally a private person, she shared with us the shock of the diagnosis. She underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiation, including a drug that just five years ago was not available to brain cancer patients. She has exhausted all current treatments and is now waiting for the next drug to be approved. Imagine living your life wondering if the drug that could save you will arrive in time.
Over the past decade, you have read about friends I have lost, treatments that didn’t arrive in time, and about those who survived and continued to flourish. I hope that by sharing my personal stories, as did this young woman last night, I have shown just how critical your continued support is -- and why I will continue to run and run.
Please take a few minutes today to visit my website, http://www.racedirectors.com/H/marathon.html, and support my 11th marathon run. 100% of your tax-deductible donation funds Barr Program researchers at Dana-Farber, ensuring novel approaches in basic cancer research.
With thanks and appreciation,
-Heather
PS: As I have every year, I will be wearing the names of your loved ones, cancer victims and survivors, on my marathon-day singlet to spur me forward. Be sure to send me an email at hkispert@alum.wellesley.edu so I can include them.
This was actually a more difficult decision than you would think. For ten years, I've literally made a production out of my fundraising letter: updating my website with photos, producing mailing and return envelopes, and writing and designing the letter itself. And over that time, my supporters have told me how much they look forward to receiving it every year.
When I hit "send" on the first group of 50 earlier today, I couldn't help but think how blah emails look. Is this really the future of fundraising? Guess I better brush-up on my web design skills.
This year's letter reads as follows:
**********
Dear family and friends,
They say time flies when you’re having fun, and I know many of you question my sanity when I tell you how much fun running is! But here I am, eleven years of stepping to the starting line on the third Monday in April, running the 112th Boston Marathon as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team.
The past decade can be described in so many ways: grueling, inspiring, challenging, humbling…. But most of all: fun. And throughout those years, you have fueled my fire and helped me to raise nearly $80,000 for cancer research at Dana-Farber. Thank you for your support and encouragement!
As one of the more long-standing veterans of the DFMC team (nearly a dozen of us last year running for our tenth consecutive year), I have had the amazing privilege to visit Dana-Farber on numerous occasions and meet with doctors, researchers and patients. It is on this frontline that I can see firsthand how important our fundraising efforts are in the search for a cure.
Last night, I heard from a woman not much older than I. She is married, has a successful career, a happy marriage and two young children. And she has brain cancer.
Normally a private person, she shared with us the shock of the diagnosis. She underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiation, including a drug that just five years ago was not available to brain cancer patients. She has exhausted all current treatments and is now waiting for the next drug to be approved. Imagine living your life wondering if the drug that could save you will arrive in time.
Over the past decade, you have read about friends I have lost, treatments that didn’t arrive in time, and about those who survived and continued to flourish. I hope that by sharing my personal stories, as did this young woman last night, I have shown just how critical your continued support is -- and why I will continue to run and run.
Please take a few minutes today to visit my website, http://www.racedirectors.com/H/marathon.html, and support my 11th marathon run. 100% of your tax-deductible donation funds Barr Program researchers at Dana-Farber, ensuring novel approaches in basic cancer research.
With thanks and appreciation,
-Heather
PS: As I have every year, I will be wearing the names of your loved ones, cancer victims and survivors, on my marathon-day singlet to spur me forward. Be sure to send me an email at hkispert@alum.wellesley.edu so I can include them.
The Magic Number: 22456
Okay folks, the moment you've been waiting for!
Look for runner #22456 on April 21st at the Boston Marathon wearing a crazy pyschedelic Dana-Farber shirt -- you might just recognize her!
Look for runner #22456 on April 21st at the Boston Marathon wearing a crazy pyschedelic Dana-Farber shirt -- you might just recognize her!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
If I had all the free time in the world, what would I do?
Free time? Me? You've got to be kidding. If there's one thing I have a hard time with, it's saying no! But what if I had more time? What would I do?
Take golf lessons. Actually this is a little bit like cheating -- we're actively trying to find a local course where we can take semi-private lessons. I haven't played in quite a few years, and Tom really only plays 1-2 times a year. We're receiving more and more invites, however, to play in charity tournaments, so it's time to shake off the cobwebs!
Go hiking. Tom and I spent one summer doing several hikes, most of them in the Presidential Range in New Hampshire. The first time, we had the totally wrong gear and were sent back down because the weather changed. After that, we wised up a bit and came better prepared. There are a few mountains I'd like to try, Mount Washington being at the top (although I just read a rather scary article regarding all the reasons not to!). I'm not terribly interested in really killing myself and going for serious mountains like some of these avid climbers -- I'm much more the hiker. I'm kind of chuckling to myself -- didn't I just write about how Girl Scouting wasn't my cup of tea?
Travel more. Again, kind of a given. But where do I want to go? Back to France for the Tour de France (although not nearly as exciting without Lance). To Scotland, the land of my ancestors. To Nova Scotia - more ancestral searches. To Quebec to stay in the Ice Hotel. Back to Italy to relive Under the Tuscan Sun.
Learn how to cook. Ummm.....nah! I'm so much better at washing dishes!
Take golf lessons. Actually this is a little bit like cheating -- we're actively trying to find a local course where we can take semi-private lessons. I haven't played in quite a few years, and Tom really only plays 1-2 times a year. We're receiving more and more invites, however, to play in charity tournaments, so it's time to shake off the cobwebs!
Go hiking. Tom and I spent one summer doing several hikes, most of them in the Presidential Range in New Hampshire. The first time, we had the totally wrong gear and were sent back down because the weather changed. After that, we wised up a bit and came better prepared. There are a few mountains I'd like to try, Mount Washington being at the top (although I just read a rather scary article regarding all the reasons not to!). I'm not terribly interested in really killing myself and going for serious mountains like some of these avid climbers -- I'm much more the hiker. I'm kind of chuckling to myself -- didn't I just write about how Girl Scouting wasn't my cup of tea?
Travel more. Again, kind of a given. But where do I want to go? Back to France for the Tour de France (although not nearly as exciting without Lance). To Scotland, the land of my ancestors. To Nova Scotia - more ancestral searches. To Quebec to stay in the Ice Hotel. Back to Italy to relive Under the Tuscan Sun.
Learn how to cook. Ummm.....nah! I'm so much better at washing dishes!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Girl Scouts seeking a new image
This article caught my eye in a recent philanthropy newsletter I receive -- Girl Scouts is building a new image. My mother was a Girl Scout and, I believe, stayed in it through senior year of high school to receive the Gold Award, its highest honor. I was a Brownie and eventually made it to Girl Scout, collecting a few dozen badges. But somewhere along the way, I became more involved with Rainbow and scouting dropped.
I was in Rainbow before the Internet really had a presence, so I'm somewhat amused to find a website for them. And it looks like they're going for the same thing -- attracting the modern day girl.
Two very different experiences. As I recall, Girl Scouts focused more on skills, particularly outdoor skills, and cookie sales. I remember it being clique-y, painfully so. Aside from visiting Prime Computer in Natick (now I'm showing my age), not a particularly memorable time in my life.
Rainbow was far more tuned into service, especially within your community, which had a much stronger appeal to me and has greatly shaped my passion for volunteerism as an adult. Through Rainbow, I broke out of my shyness (can you believe I ever was?) and learned I was a relatively good leader, a more than capable public speaker, and even found a use for those twelve years of piano lessons. More importantly, I felt like I was continuing a legacy begun by my grandfather, a 32nd degree Mason, and continued by my father, a past Master Mason. Before I reached my majority, I was awarded the Grand Cross, its highest award for service.
Too often, I hear comments that Rainbow, the Masons and their affiliated organizations are cult-like. Au contraire, these organizations have opened up their membership to all. Yes, they're steeped in tradition and a hint of mystery, but the doors that it opened for me as a teenager were incredible.
I was in Rainbow before the Internet really had a presence, so I'm somewhat amused to find a website for them. And it looks like they're going for the same thing -- attracting the modern day girl.
Two very different experiences. As I recall, Girl Scouts focused more on skills, particularly outdoor skills, and cookie sales. I remember it being clique-y, painfully so. Aside from visiting Prime Computer in Natick (now I'm showing my age), not a particularly memorable time in my life.
Rainbow was far more tuned into service, especially within your community, which had a much stronger appeal to me and has greatly shaped my passion for volunteerism as an adult. Through Rainbow, I broke out of my shyness (can you believe I ever was?) and learned I was a relatively good leader, a more than capable public speaker, and even found a use for those twelve years of piano lessons. More importantly, I felt like I was continuing a legacy begun by my grandfather, a 32nd degree Mason, and continued by my father, a past Master Mason. Before I reached my majority, I was awarded the Grand Cross, its highest award for service.
Too often, I hear comments that Rainbow, the Masons and their affiliated organizations are cult-like. Au contraire, these organizations have opened up their membership to all. Yes, they're steeped in tradition and a hint of mystery, but the doors that it opened for me as a teenager were incredible.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Brrrr......
What's that expression about March coming in like a lion, out like a lamb. Well, if the cold air that's seeping through my office windows is any indication, we're still on the lion end of things. I'd take a nice dose of global warming right now. Of course, Tom, at the other end of the spectrum, is sitting in an office that is sweltering. It's days like this that we wish we could swap.
TGIF!
TGIF!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
What Starbucks could have learned from MobyDick
There's been a number of articles lately about Starbucks and its lackluster performance. Former CEO Howard Schultz returned earlier this year to help turn the company around. Somewhere there was a tipping point at which they built one coffee shop too many. In most cities to which I've traveled in recent years, finding a Starbucks is a heck of a lot easier than finding McDonald's (can we say cannibalization?). And once you're inside, it's not just about coffee -- over the past year or two, you could buy lunch, music, books (can we say overextended?).
As the economy slows down, perks like grande non-fat chai lattes (my personal favorite) are the first to go. Stores will close, jobs will be cut. As for its product, last month, Starbucks shut down every store to get back to basics and make sure its barristas knew....well, how to make a good espresso.
Starbucks, as you may know, was named after the first mate in Moby Dick, the story of Captain Ahab's obsession with exacting revenge on a white whale that bit off his leg. The story is narrated by Ishmael, who answers the call of the sea by enlisting on the Pequod. For those of you who managed to get through secondary school without reading this classic, I won't ruin the ending, but rest assured only one of these men survives.
The question remains: is Schultz Ahab or Ishmael?
Years ago, I had a summer job at a PR firm that had Coffee Connection as its account. Its owner, George Howell, had an ambitious plan to take on Starbucks. He saw two empires, West Coast and East Coast, meeting at the Mississippi. We know who won that battle! It'll be interesting to see if Schultz can turn around Starbucks for this battle.
As the economy slows down, perks like grande non-fat chai lattes (my personal favorite) are the first to go. Stores will close, jobs will be cut. As for its product, last month, Starbucks shut down every store to get back to basics and make sure its barristas knew....well, how to make a good espresso.
Starbucks, as you may know, was named after the first mate in Moby Dick, the story of Captain Ahab's obsession with exacting revenge on a white whale that bit off his leg. The story is narrated by Ishmael, who answers the call of the sea by enlisting on the Pequod. For those of you who managed to get through secondary school without reading this classic, I won't ruin the ending, but rest assured only one of these men survives.
The question remains: is Schultz Ahab or Ishmael?
Years ago, I had a summer job at a PR firm that had Coffee Connection as its account. Its owner, George Howell, had an ambitious plan to take on Starbucks. He saw two empires, West Coast and East Coast, meeting at the Mississippi. We know who won that battle! It'll be interesting to see if Schultz can turn around Starbucks for this battle.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The RollerCoaster Economy
Today's NYT has one of the best explanations for the current fix we're in, and it all seems to come down to the housing market. It started this mess, and it's the only thing that will end it.
Basically, prices and rates were so good in the real estate market that everyone put their eggs in that basket. Lenders got greedy and lowered both their rates and standards. Supply and demand hits, rates go up and presto -- foreclosures. Perhaps I'm oversimplifying, but you get the gist.
The market is awful right now -- at least ten months of inventory, buyers can get nearly any price they want if you're a motivated seller, but from what I understand from my realtor, it's becoming much much harder to qualify for mortgages in the first place.
Gas and oil are outrageous -- we fully expect to pay upwards of $70-80 within a month or two to fill our SUV. We sold the Saturn around Thanksgiving -- it was reaching the age at which we would have had to put more money into it to maintain it that was worthwhile, plus we love the 4Runner. However, I really miss that gas mileage. I'm seriously going to look into the possibility of riding my bike to work this summer.
On a totally different track, the NYT had a great article on Obama's speech yesterday. The national election is just fascinating this year! Tom and I are both still registered independent, but really like what we hear from Obama.
Basically, prices and rates were so good in the real estate market that everyone put their eggs in that basket. Lenders got greedy and lowered both their rates and standards. Supply and demand hits, rates go up and presto -- foreclosures. Perhaps I'm oversimplifying, but you get the gist.
The market is awful right now -- at least ten months of inventory, buyers can get nearly any price they want if you're a motivated seller, but from what I understand from my realtor, it's becoming much much harder to qualify for mortgages in the first place.
Gas and oil are outrageous -- we fully expect to pay upwards of $70-80 within a month or two to fill our SUV. We sold the Saturn around Thanksgiving -- it was reaching the age at which we would have had to put more money into it to maintain it that was worthwhile, plus we love the 4Runner. However, I really miss that gas mileage. I'm seriously going to look into the possibility of riding my bike to work this summer.
On a totally different track, the NYT had a great article on Obama's speech yesterday. The national election is just fascinating this year! Tom and I are both still registered independent, but really like what we hear from Obama.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Commuting
My commute never has a dull moment, and for that, I must thank the following for their participation:
* To the drivers who scream down our road going at least 40 on a one-way street. Congratulations. You have truly proven that having two exhausts on an otherwise normal car does make you look like an idiot. Thank god for side-mirrors that bend in.
* To the City of Somerville for the "fustercluck" that is Somerville Avenue. I understand that the 100 year-old sewer system needed to be replaced. However, I can't understand why the same section of the road is ripped up, paved over, then ripped up again a few weeks later. I've replaced all four tires, two gauges, and found a 3-inch construction-grade nail in one of the aforementioned new tires. And if you're going to repave, could you at least cover some of the potholes that are ruining my suspension?
* To the police officer stationed at this fine construction site talking on his cell phone. Sir, if lawmakers have decided that the Average Citizen is too distracted to talk and drive at the same time, then you shouldn't be talking while directing us in our driving.
* To the sanitation workers holding up a detour road with their dump truck. Call me silly, but if countless cars are being redirected down this road to avoid aforementioned construction, let's use some common sense and start the trash collection after the school/work morning rush.
* To the compact car who tried to barrel down the street that is in theory two-ways, but with parking is far too narrow. I've got news for you buddy: my car is bigger than yours and has a V8.
* To the jogger who wisely hit the walk button, but then foolishly jay-ran anyways. Thank you, you've wasted 40 seconds of our lives.
* To the mother who caused us all to miss a light change because she was screaming at her kids in the backseat. When I was a kid, the phrase "don't make me pull over" put the fear of god in you. I'm willing to bet it still does today if you use it every now and then with enthusiasm and follow-through.
* To the woman who had a parade of traffic trailing behind her forever. A little less texting, a little more driving.
* To the driver who beeped at me when I zoned out at the light. Mea culpa!
* To the cyclist who passed me four times over the course of five miles. Buddy, you make me nervous when you veer into traffic to avoid the same potholes I'm watching. But next time I'm following you -- clearly you know a few shortcuts I haven't found yet.
* To the drivers who scream down our road going at least 40 on a one-way street. Congratulations. You have truly proven that having two exhausts on an otherwise normal car does make you look like an idiot. Thank god for side-mirrors that bend in.
* To the City of Somerville for the "fustercluck" that is Somerville Avenue. I understand that the 100 year-old sewer system needed to be replaced. However, I can't understand why the same section of the road is ripped up, paved over, then ripped up again a few weeks later. I've replaced all four tires, two gauges, and found a 3-inch construction-grade nail in one of the aforementioned new tires. And if you're going to repave, could you at least cover some of the potholes that are ruining my suspension?
* To the police officer stationed at this fine construction site talking on his cell phone. Sir, if lawmakers have decided that the Average Citizen is too distracted to talk and drive at the same time, then you shouldn't be talking while directing us in our driving.
* To the sanitation workers holding up a detour road with their dump truck. Call me silly, but if countless cars are being redirected down this road to avoid aforementioned construction, let's use some common sense and start the trash collection after the school/work morning rush.
* To the compact car who tried to barrel down the street that is in theory two-ways, but with parking is far too narrow. I've got news for you buddy: my car is bigger than yours and has a V8.
* To the jogger who wisely hit the walk button, but then foolishly jay-ran anyways. Thank you, you've wasted 40 seconds of our lives.
* To the mother who caused us all to miss a light change because she was screaming at her kids in the backseat. When I was a kid, the phrase "don't make me pull over" put the fear of god in you. I'm willing to bet it still does today if you use it every now and then with enthusiasm and follow-through.
* To the woman who had a parade of traffic trailing behind her forever. A little less texting, a little more driving.
* To the driver who beeped at me when I zoned out at the light. Mea culpa!
* To the cyclist who passed me four times over the course of five miles. Buddy, you make me nervous when you veer into traffic to avoid the same potholes I'm watching. But next time I'm following you -- clearly you know a few shortcuts I haven't found yet.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Fainting goats
Ah....sigh.....
I feel somewhat badly about getting such a kick out of this, but this is truly one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Tom has been laughing so hard he's crying.
National Geographic
Unknown 60-minutes like story
Yes, they really do exist (wikipedia is always the ultimate source!)
I swear, if we had these animals, I would have an uncontrollable urge to hide around corners, then jump out and say boo!
I feel somewhat badly about getting such a kick out of this, but this is truly one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Tom has been laughing so hard he's crying.
National Geographic
Unknown 60-minutes like story
Yes, they really do exist (wikipedia is always the ultimate source!)
I swear, if we had these animals, I would have an uncontrollable urge to hide around corners, then jump out and say boo!
It's the economy, stupid...
We went off-grid this weekend up to VT with Tom's company. Totally off grid except for watching snowboarding clips in the lodge while everyone else was skiing. Imagine my surprise to watch TV last night and hear the latest financial woes of Bear Stearns.
I caught up today with the NYT and Boston.com, and I just can't help myself. Read these clips from our fearless leader today talking about the economy.
"One thing is for certain, we're in challenging times....But another thing is for certain: We've taken strong, decisive action."
The president.....praised Paulson for working with the Fed and showing "the country and the world that the United States is on top of the situation."
"....Our financial institutions are strong....[and] our capital markets are functioning efficiently and effectively."
"When need be, we'll act decisively in a way that continues to bring order to financial markets,"
"In the long run, our economy is going to be fine....Right now we're dealing with a difficult situation."
Hmmm.....that and a quarter won't even get you a cup of coffee in this economic climate!
ps -- hey, I figured out how fun linking key words to articles can be!
I caught up today with the NYT and Boston.com, and I just can't help myself. Read these clips from our fearless leader today talking about the economy.
"One thing is for certain, we're in challenging times....But another thing is for certain: We've taken strong, decisive action."
The president.....praised Paulson for working with the Fed and showing "the country and the world that the United States is on top of the situation."
"....Our financial institutions are strong....[and] our capital markets are functioning efficiently and effectively."
"When need be, we'll act decisively in a way that continues to bring order to financial markets,"
"In the long run, our economy is going to be fine....Right now we're dealing with a difficult situation."
Hmmm.....that and a quarter won't even get you a cup of coffee in this economic climate!
ps -- hey, I figured out how fun linking key words to articles can be!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
A slave to fashion...
I resisted the temptation of blogging for awhile -- it's yet another time sink. But I'm getting terrible at keeping up with personal email, and find myself summing up weeks, if not months of activity in notes to friends as "never a dull moment." Hence the title of my blog. So, I'll try this for a bit, maybe tell a few folks, then we'll see whether I can live up to it.
A slave to fashion, huh? What, pray tell, happened now?
Getting out of my car yesterday, I caught a patch of ice and slid an inch or two. No harm, no foul. Until I walked a few yards and heard the unmistakable crack of the heel of my boot.
Normally I'd be royally pissed. However, I'm secretly filled with glee that they got this far.
Every year, I buy a new pair of black, high-heeled boots that I wear nearly daily during the fall and winter until it's warm enough again to go sock-less and wear fun spring/summer shoes. I'm a slave to fashion.
Last year, I bought this pair of boots somewhat late into the season, refusing to pay the higher prices earlier on. I stopped in a shoe warehouse (DSW? Shoe Factory? can't remember), thought the price was right and snagged them. Just a week later, I was walking out of my office and CRACK...the heel broke. That time I was pissed! I can't stand spending money on the same thing twice, so I found a cobbler (Tom was and still is thoroughly amused that they still exist!) at South Station who thought he could fix them for $25 -- a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a new pair. But he warned that he couldn't guarantee how long they'd last. I think a year is pretty darn good!
So I spent my day at work yesterday walking gingerly as the heel proceeded to bend further and further, with no alternative shoes stashed anywhere. Needless to say, when I did throw them out last night, it was with some satisfaction that I squeezed a year out of them!
A slave to fashion, huh? What, pray tell, happened now?
Getting out of my car yesterday, I caught a patch of ice and slid an inch or two. No harm, no foul. Until I walked a few yards and heard the unmistakable crack of the heel of my boot.
Normally I'd be royally pissed. However, I'm secretly filled with glee that they got this far.
Every year, I buy a new pair of black, high-heeled boots that I wear nearly daily during the fall and winter until it's warm enough again to go sock-less and wear fun spring/summer shoes. I'm a slave to fashion.
Last year, I bought this pair of boots somewhat late into the season, refusing to pay the higher prices earlier on. I stopped in a shoe warehouse (DSW? Shoe Factory? can't remember), thought the price was right and snagged them. Just a week later, I was walking out of my office and CRACK...the heel broke. That time I was pissed! I can't stand spending money on the same thing twice, so I found a cobbler (Tom was and still is thoroughly amused that they still exist!) at South Station who thought he could fix them for $25 -- a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a new pair. But he warned that he couldn't guarantee how long they'd last. I think a year is pretty darn good!
So I spent my day at work yesterday walking gingerly as the heel proceeded to bend further and further, with no alternative shoes stashed anywhere. Needless to say, when I did throw them out last night, it was with some satisfaction that I squeezed a year out of them!
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