I am known for my large shoe collection, though in fact it's not actually as large as people think, it's just that many of the shoes I have are unusual...or ridiculous.When it comes to clothes, I am guilty of having surplus items that I don't wear and have to have a regular purge ( though this has got markedly less in recent years as I come closer to the Holy Grail of 'my style' - I'm only 37 for heavens sake, give a girl a chance!)
However, shoes are an entirely different matter and I lovingly cherise them for years on end. I still have a pair of black stillettos bought in the winter of 1999 which, despite having a small tear on one side still have a bit of life in them. Everytime they need re-heeling I'm told that due to the heel being so thin they could snap but they survive unscathed each time.
So, imagine my despair when I discovered a split right across the entire width of the sole of my absolute favourite boots.
They have served me very well for the last, ooh 8 or 9 years. The wedge heel makes them comfortable enough to walk around in all day, whilst giving my petite frame some height, they aren't knee high boots and only come up to mid calf, which is a flattering length, they can be worn with denim skirts or give a slightly edgier look to a dress.
Like Mary Poppins they are practically perfect any everyway.
But, the man at the shoe repair shop was very clear that there was nothing that could be done to save
them, his manner is a little brusque, I feel that he doesn't fully understand the impact those words can have on a girl - what? there is NOTHING that can be done to save my absolute favourite, faithful friend boots!?
I immediately went out and purchased some very strong glue to prove him wrong, however I fear he may be right as the repair didn't hold. Still, I continue to be in denial and will be sourcing some strong black tape to further strengthen the repair. I'm just not ready to say Goodbye yet....especially when this is completely the wrong season for buying boots.
So, if anyone sees boots that look like the picture below, do let me know - my wardrobe is incomplete without them!
I watched a programme on Saturday in which Michael Portillio was travelling in the UK (with a brief stint in the US) looking at people power.
Given the looming general election and the predicition that we could end up with a hung parliment, it is more important then ever to consider how we would like our country to be run.
The beginning comment of the programme was that many of us don't vote, as we feel far removed from the politicians and are doubtful that what we think makes any difference.
Michael visited several towns where 'people power' is being enforced.
Two examples were a group of parents lobbying to turn a disused hosiptal into a secondary school as there wasn't one in the area and the other a village where a team of local volunteers had saved the village shop from closure. I think most of us are willing to get involved in a crisis in order to make a difference but this works better on a local level. Michael was calling for a change in the way politics is handled in the UK and that more power needs to be given back to local authorities. In some towns they have an elected mayor which has improved the visibility and, more importantly, accountability of local authorities.
People need to know that they can make a difference, that we all have a responsibility to make this country a better place in whatever small way we can. There are larger hot potatos such as Education, immigration and the NHS where it is hard for us to feel that our opinions are noted let alone listened to but if we could make more of an impact locally, and let politicians see that we take matters seriously, would we start to see a change?
These are very interesting times, we could be on the brink of a very different system but we do need to gather information and make informed decisions and of course cement that with a vote.
Otherwise, I believe we are in danger of allowing a select few and the media to decide the shape of our nation.
Given that I have 3 books to read before the 3rd April, I've been catching up on my reading this lunchtime.
However, I'm also suffering blog withdrawal but I don't really have anything to say! I'm very inspired by the lovely DM and JR's blogs with their well chosen photography. My camera does get some use but the photos take awhile to transfer from the camera to the PC.
I will have something more inspired to post tomorrow but for now here are a couple of lists....
5 lovely films
Lars and the real girl
Miss Pettigrew lives for a day
Mr Magoriams magical emporium
Arsnic and old lace
Wall-E
Films that stay in your brain for ages
Let the right one in
The third man
Mulholland Drive
On Wednesday night I went to the London leg of Rob Bell's Drops like Stars UK tour.
His blend of creative communication and theological wisdom always makes for interesting listening.
The theme of this tour is the Art of Suffering, looking at how creativity is born out of pain and being led to ask 'what now?' instead of 'why?'. Rob spoke for 2 hours and consequently there is plenty of good stuff to mull over, I love the afterglow of a really challenging talk, the feeling of being alive and engaged with the world.
One of the final points was that every artist knows that even the failed pieces are important, which I will be pondering for the next week no doubt!
