spryng | (no subject)

So while Doug was here, she insisted we drop by REI so she could check out these shoes called "five fingers." Really, they should be called five phalanges, but we're not marketing people probably for a reason. They were developed for runners, but the whole thing is about walking barefoot without the dangers of being barefoot. So pretty much, absolutely perfect for New College students. And they are, really, quite awesome. I went barefoot for three years while I was in college, and I completely miss it, but there's nothing quite like a shard of glass in your heel to get you back into shoes. Wearing these it's like being back on campus again. Except I can wear them downtown. Fuck yeah.

Anyway: The downside mainly was that they're not cheap. But then the lady at REI who was helping us kept going on and on about how there was this garage sale coming up and a lot of returned stuff gets sold cheap-cheap at garage sales. So Lady went on Saturday while I was at work and not only got me a pair of awesome hiking boots pennies, but a pair of those five phalanges for each of us.

And they are awesome.

I hope they catch on or that someone else starts making them so that the prices drop a little, because right now I feel a bit silly running around in them, even though they make my feet so happy. Lady really wants to start running in them, too. For now, I just want to walk on every surface. :D

Day 07 - Your zodiac sign and if you think it fits your personality
I'm a virgo and I suppose it fits, in that almost in any sign I can potentially find traits that fit me. Specifically, I am meticulous, detailed, critical, blunt, clean, anxious, and somewhat obnoxious. But I am not at all conservative or modest and I wear my emotions all over my sleeves. I do, however, identify the most with Sailor Mercury, who was my virgo role model growing up. :D

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

They do make cheap knockoffs that are sold on ebay, but I am reasonably sure Vibram doesn't use sweatshop labor and the knockoffs certainly do. But yeah, as soon as I have money again...

There are always the REI garage sales, if you have any reason to get an REI membership. We each got a pair for $30, which is not at all bad for a pair of shoes.

Ooh! That's excellent. I do have an REI membership, actually. I'll have to keep an eye out for those.

I find these shoes incredibly disturbing. But they are amazing for the feet so I want a pair for walking/running in.

I think the current design definitely over-emphasizes the toe-ness of them. There's even one with red fabric between otherwise beige toes. Who thought that was a good idea? It looks like your toes are bleeding.

I saw someone wearing those around town recently! I bet they would look a little less odd (but still be as comfortable) if they had some sort of non-toe-shaped flexible cover on top, so they looked more like slip-on shoes or something.

I imagine as more and more non-runners get them for everyday use, companies will start marketing to them. For now, the best we got are these:
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/Five-Fingers-Performa-Jane-Womens.htm
And for now, I switch out my shoes when I get to work. :D