"Shoe" is a four letter word

It isn't a "bad" word to say, but the saying of it can certainly have unfortunate side effects. For example, if one was to say "shoe!" while walking down 5th street with me it would induce a sudden stop and a panicked turning of the head in hopes of locating said desired objects in the nearest store window (I will automatically assume that there will be a pair in close proximity that warrant such an exclamation due to the exceptional characteristics).

I have a problem.

I can admit it.

I really don't want to do anything about it,
except maybe get a better job so I don't have to feel quite so guilty about buying expensive shoes.

I was a *very* bad Indigo Eve on Monday. I did something I rarely ever do. I was nearly completely spontaneous and totally unreasonable in the purchase of shoes.

{pauses to decide from which point of view to tell the rest of the story - reasonable or unreasonable. I can justify almost anything when it comes to shoes, but I think I may have out-done myself this time.}

It all started with a website. A dance shoe website. Not a brand I am familiar with. They were very reasonably priced; even with shipping and duty they would still have been cheaper than buying here (ok, I know, the whole support local economy and all that, but hey I can't help the fact that I like the shoes that the shop owner here only makes 20$ a pair on and they still cost me and arm and a leg - it's not like I'm hurting her all that much by buying elsewhere. Didn't I say I can justify a lot when it comes to shoes?). They looked lovely in the close-up pictures. They had many many lovely styles. I was very tempted. Very very tempted. But what if they don't fit? What if they are of lesser quality? I couldn't quite bring myself to order them.

Unfortunately, I had gotten myself into a "new shoes" frame of mind. I have wanted black dance shoes for awhile. Partly because I really would rather not have such conspicuous shoes sometimes (nothing like going to a dance workshop with gold sparkley shoes on your feet - I just don't generally like to draw attention to myself). Something a bit more "tango-y" would be nice; a little more "ballroom" and a little less "Latin". Then I remembered the Capezio shoes...ahhh, a brand that both dance stores in Courtenay and Nanaimo carry. They have this one particular style that I wasn't too keen on to begin with, but the more I have let the idea of it rest in my mind the more attached to the design I have become. I was very tempted to drive to Nanaimo for something to do and to check out their stock (I know that the store here wouldn't have them in stock), but being the essentially reasonable person that I am (and remembering the price gas is at) I refrained from going to Nanaimo and instead reasoned that I could go to the dance shop here, see that they didn't have them in stock, talk myself out of buying them, and go buy somem new runners instead.

Problem was that I was really in a "new dance shoes" frame of mind. Darn Erin for getting new shoes. Now I wanted some! Other people have more than one pair of dance shoes, I should be able to as well. Mind you, other people have real jobs, Erin included (no, I'm not really blaming you E., I take full responsibility for the consequences of my addiction).

Half an hour after walking into the shop I was leaning on the counter browsing the Capezio catalogue giving my opinion on what other shoes Cathy should order so that it would be a full order and could be faxed off right away. She can be so accommodating sometimes. Sweetly and honestly admitting that you wanted them "yesterday" when she asks how soon you want them (even though she knows the answer) can be effective. I think patiently waiting four months for the last pair probably helped as well.

*Bad Indigo Eve*!!
{you don't even know if you can take dance classes in September. You have FOUR months to wait before dance clases start again. You Did Not Need new dance shoes. But my last pair lasted 5 years; so now with 2 new pairs I should be set for 10 years right?!}

But look at them; how could I resist? Closed toe, strappy, lovely detailing that makes them just a touch different from all the other black shoes out there with a closed toe and an ankle strap that goes around the instep and ankle...

Happy as I am to be getting new dance shoes (that just might be here in time to wear to the end of the dance-year Gala show and dance on May 13th) I realized I have an entire summer without dancing (because of course the summer workshops are on Wednesdays and that conflicts with paddling practices) and consequently I'm going to need something else to occupy myself with. Preferably something active that involves my legs to compliment the constant arms and back workout from paddling.

So I walked along the street from the dance shop, 'round the corner, up the street, and into the running shoe shop. And bought the sweetest new pair of all-terrain Asics. Not only do they feel wonderful on my feet (better than this year's version of my current pair of Asics), but they are grey with purple and black accents. Now, I don't buy runners for their looks, but I suspect you couldn't find a more *me* pair of runners anywhere. Three people have seen them so far and they have all remarked that they are "so you". I have yet to take them for a run; I'll let you know on Thursday how they do :)