Ah, Doc Martens. I got my first pair in 1992 and only got rid of them (with great reluctance) in 2006. What a difference excessive consumerism makes.
I already thought my eight-eyelet copper DMs were something special (purchased 1996, in a wee shop in Kardinya, Western Australia), but then I managed to buy a turquoise-green eight-eyelet pair in 2006, a non-standard (i.e. not lace-up) mid-calf height pair of plain black boots later that year, and the ever-stylish cherry reds (yup, eight-eyelets) in 2008. I’ve had a pair of ‘classic’ oxfords (gibsons?) for Deity knows how long. These Dr Martens Darcie boots (yes, eight-eyelets again) were a Christmas present from the ever-patient husband*. Yeah, I own a buttload of DMs.
They’re actually pretty high-heeled (my friend Rich laughingly remarked he’d wondered why I looked so tall until he noticed the footwear), and I’m known for having delicate little feet — it’s usually trainers and flat-heeled boots. But the Darcies are actually pretty comfortable, unless you’re like me and decide to walk for miles late one evening.
So I recommend them if you’re into boots, patent leather, and Doc Martens. Neil sez, “Kinky!”
* Patient because Neil hasn’t said much about how my shoes are slowly taking over the flat where my books haven’t.
Briefly ↓ · Comments Off
Rich introduced me to the photography of Anton Tang. It reminds me a lot of slinkachu’s little people (which I love).
I’ve read a couple of posts from Chris J Reed and this one practically takes the MCDYS to dinner, dancing, and an erotically-charged fumble while parked in Changi Village.
This bloke has clearly drunk the Kool-Aid. Or has never spent time in the ‘heartlands’. Or is deliberately trying to piss me off. Yeah. Me. Just me.
More 4 in the UK has been repeating some of Richard Dawkins’ ‘greatest hits’ — last week it was Faith Schools Menace? (they certainly are, education is not about ideology) and this week it was The God Delusion. I found the book somewhat over-strident, and with the series, Dawkins did bait his interview subjects. But some of their reactions were astounding.
What I simply cannot understand is how people of science (doctors and scientists and so on) can unquestioningly believe in a virgin birth, miracles, and resurrection. Or that you must believe in the white-haired bearded one before you can be saved, and that everyone who believes must spread the bloody word. I don’t need to be saved! I want to live my life to the full while I’m alive, without worrying about being called into account by some bloke named Peter.
What’s wrong with atheists who are good because they want to be? Religion is not a prerequisite for morality and decency. I have no issue with people who do follow an organised religion, but please don’t evangelise, it’s really annoying. I was so alarmed while watching The God Delusion that I rang Neil just to confirm that while he considers himself a Christian, he sides with the theory of evolution and other scientific evidence that show us how the world is made. He’s a cultural Christian, like Philip Pullman.
Why does God have to be anthropomorphised, anyway? Nature is so bloody amazing that it should be our god.
Briefly ↓ · Comments Off
Please make sure your grammar and punctuation are impeccable if you’re going to send a query email to a book publisher. Also, when dealing with jackals, you’d better make sure you’re not just a pawn in their fight for territory — schadenfreude can be such a satisfying thing.
I must admit, I like the steampunk thing. But too much of it is getting a bit cheesy, and if Regretsy is anything to go by, it’s quite a crowded bandwagon.
So finding quality ‘steampunk’-ish products is always a bonus. The Infinity Steampunk necklace is one of those. Watches are one of my weaknesses — although I haven’t bought a new watch in years. I’ve had a pocket watch, several Swatches, and my current favourite watch brand is Fossil. So I like watches, and I really like looking at watch movements.
This necklace is an unusual ‘application’ for a watch movement. And it looks good. It’ll look especially striking on a plain top. I’m a fantasy self-stylist. Ha!
Briefly ↓ · Comments Off
If I could back Josephine and the Roach on Kickstarter, I would (non-US Amazon.com account holders are excluded).
Briefly ↓ · Comments Off
Hey! Lewis Cho has posted their Autumn 2010 collection online. So incredibly nice. Gah, I’m so poor.
Saw a clip of Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams’ video Shame this morning. I am presuming the homoeroticism is completely intended as a bit of a joke:
‘Tis rather cheesy, isn’t it? They both look good, though. And I’m loving Robbie’s swallow tatts.
Update: an interview on Radio 1.
Briefly ↓ · Comments Off
Any sympathy I had for this woman evaporated when she said (in her defence), “It’s just a cat.”
Briefly ↓ · Comments Off
And more complaining from me. You know people are completely up their own cultural arses when what the US president is seen reading (or holding) can create ‘chaos’. I know it’s Jonathan Franzen, but it’s just a book, for Deity’s sake.
So a deal’s been reached and for all of Andrew Wylie’s crowing back when Odyssey Editions was first announced, he’s had to ‘back down’.
What this shows, I think, is that the book business is still in flux. Like staking a claim in the New World and all that. There isn’t a standard just yet as to what’s best practice.
Surely this makes Odyssey a bit crap (as distinct from Kindle Editions).
Briefly ↓ · Comments Off
Thanks to @joethepublicist, I have now got, in my bag, a brand new proof copy of Caribou Island, David Vann’s new novel. And it’s signed (I think, I can’t quite make the name out). The need to start reading it right away is pretty overwhelming.
Briefly ↓ · (2)
Aside from the use of Twitter, this More! magazine incident has ABSOLUTELY. NOTHING. TO. DO. with Paperchase.
I am a sucker for patent, and I love preppy brogues and saddle shoes. I spotted these red patent boots in the Princes Street branch of shoe retailer Office over the weekend.
At that time, I told myself that I don’t wear ankle boots so while the gorgeousness of the shoes cannot be denied (shiny! red!), I would spend more time looking rather than wearing. So I walked away. Now I’ve seen them again I am filled, filled with want.
So slick, so beautiful. What I haven’t told you is I already own a pair of brogues from Jones the Bootmaker (another dangerous place for me to go), and I have two very different (really, they are) pairs of black patent boots. I really have to stop being such a consumer.
But they’re so preeeettttttttttttyyyyyyyyyyy…
What makes this so realistic is how the cat stretches before commencing the mayhem:
Also how it sticks its front legs through the holes and grooms in slight embarrassment.
