Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Sole Mates

Anyone Looking For My Foot Prince?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I've got an old pair of Nikes that I keep outside the house because, well, because every bloke has to have an all-purpose pair of shoes, right? The soles are generally caked with mud, because I use the Nikes as my gardening boots, my all-purpose footwear, my multi-faceted shoes. I also spend a fair few hours raking up the many millions of leaves (you think I'm kidding?) from the plane trees on our nature strip. This morning I noticed one of the Nikes was on its side and surrounded by many of the wind-blown leaves. Of course, I had to share the shot with you.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

At least it isn't leaving you sole-less... or it would be time for a new pair of all-purpose shoes!

I'm sure Nike would love to hear that their fine sportswear has been relegated to the all-purpose gardening shoe department!

david mcmahon said...

Hi Steph.

Ah, you're one step (!!) ahead of me. Or maybe that shoul be ``You're one Steph ahead of me''.

You always make me laugh ...

Cheers

David

FHB said...

Purdy. They should pay you for this one man. Seriously.

Anonymous said...

This is not real. Thats an incredible shot David. "Fathairybastard" (It took me a while to figure this name out) is right. I think you should send them a low res... Siddharth

david mcmahon said...

Hi FHB,

Why, thank you. I might take your advice on that one.

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Thanks, Siddharth,

I just walked out the door, saw the sight, reached for my camera - and that was it. Three frames and the light was good. Lucky!

Cheers

David

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

In 2003, when staying at his friend, Jim's, house, my Dad left his shoes in the bathroom.
By mid-morning, Jim had moved them outside.
By noon they were outside in a plastic bag.
By the afternoon, when Dad came to need them, he found them at the end of the garden in the shed.

Mummy has tried to civilize his feet for nearly 4 years now. But still, last night, she was spraying them with room freshener as we watched tv.

:@o

Victorya said...

I love the juxtaposition in this photo! It's kind of evocative. Nature vs. Mankind, the leisure of autumnal leaves vs. the energy of athletic shoes (or the potential energy.)

Brian in Oxford said...

Like a bunch of leaves getting a whiff from your shoe. (Perhaps the real reason they're kept outdoors?)

Like the shot, though!

(My side Nike story: Back in '82, Nikes were the hot sneaker to have, and I finally convinced my mom to spend a little extra for some for me. Within a month my slightly-wider-than-normal feet had blown out the stitching on the side of the shoes....allowing dirt to get in an infest my socks. Their quality has improved over the years, though.)

Lin said...

I agree with several of the previous comments. 'Fess up to the real reason why your shoes were lodging outdoors. I recently marched Mark, his socks AND his athletic shoes out of the Rat with the aid of a long, sharp object.

david mcmahon said...

Hi BTBear,

Lucky Dad didn't wait any longer or they would have been in Wales!

Enjoyed the mental picture of Mum spraying them, too!

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Victorya,

You are equal parts poet and scientist. Energy and potential energy - nice delineation there.

Thank you for visiting.

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Brian,

Trust me - the ONLY reason they're left outdoors is the mud on the soles! Honest!

Enjoyed your Nike experience - you've given me an idea for another sports-shoe post.

Watch this space!

Cheers

David

david mcmahon said...

Okay, Lin,

The truth, the sole truth and nuffin but the truth. The only reason they are outdoors is the mud, grass, leaves, etc that are wedded (or maybe even welded) to the soles of the shoes!

Trust me.

Cheers

David

Unknown said...

our human used to have a pair of nikes(her old running shoes)for lawn mowing. she kept them outside in the carport. we call the shoes spider homes. before she put them on she would beat them together then quickly shove her hand inside just to be sure nothing had moved in. craziness.

gerald