Crocs

Having heretofore used this forum as a venue for spleen-venting, I thought it'd be a welcome relief to my vast readership, i.e., me, if I were to devote equal time to things I like. There are several of those, and they provide worthwhile diversion from the rarefied atmosphere of elevated dudgeon I so often find inviting. ( Metaphysicians counsel that what one focuses on expands, which suggests that I and others like me may be responsible for the continued existence or the Republican party. [!]) Today's topic was selected more-or-less at random, although it certainly makes sense to commence such an endeavor with one's feet.

I've been fascinated with "Crocs" shoes since they first appeared, but had never gotten around to buying a pair. As is my wont, I'd done a little online research, chiefly at Amazon.com, to find out what their wearers thought of them, determining to my satisfaction that Crocs are a.) supremely comfortable, b.) hideous beyond measure and c.) the most profoundly uncool items that could possibly inhabit one's wardrobe.

Armed with this knowledge, I knew I had to acquire a pair forthwith. An opportunity presented itself recently after Mary Ann & I delivered my daughter and her hombre to Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. There's a mall near the Trader Joe's we frequent in the Phoenix area, so we stopped there prior to filling our trunk with groceries. Whilst seeking the mall's food court we passed a Crocs kiosk, asking its proprietor for directions and assuring him I'd be back after filling my belly. He (Andrew) walked us to the appropriate escalator and assured me a ten percent discount from his soon-to-appear shift replacement should I repeat his name upon my return. Andrew was still there when I returned, and fulfilled his promise, to my irritatingly penurious delight.

The fitting was interesting. I'd learned that Crocs are best purchased large, but expected the model I bought ("Cayman") to run large (research, research). Now, my Teva's are size 9 and fit great, my athletic and (several other) shoes are size 10 and fit great, so when asked I find it impossible to accurately state my shoe size. Andrew got out size 9s, which were clearly small, and size 10s, which felt nearly residential. I left with the 10s, hoping for the best.

A week and a half later I can report that I absolutely love these things! They no longer feel unduly large - I find I don't really need the back straps and thus have them slung forward out of the way - and they provide cushy, comfortable support unlike anything I've ever worn and, when worn with socks, are warm and not at all sweaty. They're the only foot gear I wear around the house, and to my amusement I'm finding that all my other shoes now feel oddly tight. In short, they're brilliant. The profound uncoolness is just a fringe benefit.