So Much Still To Learn

Lunches are important for me. I do my best learning at lunch. I would like to think I am pretty smart.....a man of the world. Recently, it seems like my lunches find me learning more and more about the real world. Today is a perfect example.

I didn't have time to make my lunch this morning (overslept again) so I went out with a couple of coworkers, J-Girl and EZE. The conversation began with the observations (by me) that I really didn't know crap about different ways women flirt with men. My best understanding of flirting was obtained from a Brady Bunch episode where a girl flirted with Greg to try and get his vote for head cheerleader. Pretty sad, isn't it?

Anyway, as is typically the case, the lunch discussion went quickly into the gutter. That's when I learned an important fact about women's shoes. Specifically, CFM shoes.

At the risk of being labeled a complete loser by everyone reading this, I am going to state that I had never heard of CFM shoes. However, upon watching a couple women crossing the road I learned one was wearing CFM shoes. Unable to initially fess up, I looked over and noticed one had really high heels on, and another had knee-high boots on (a rather odd choice of footwear in July). Still, no clue what CFM shoes were.

I finally admitted I had no idea what CFM shoes were. After some chuckles and nods from my "friends", I learned CFM stood for "Come F*** Me". The extremely high heels were an example of them.

In total disbelief, I challenged them accusing them of making it up. Come to find out, if you go to Amazon and search on CFM shoes, you get over 50 hits!

I stand corrected....and I stand a much smarter person this evening. Who would have thought?

Are These Stylish?

I have been in need of new shoes to wear to work for some time. Since we have a business casual environment, I am not bound to the traditional wingtips...or its lesser cousin, the penny loafer.

So, as son #2 attended a swimming lesson the other day, I decided to take a quick trip over to a nearby mall and see what I could find. Of course, anything I looked at would have to be on sale for me to even think of buying.

In the past, I have had very good luck with Dr. Martens (the more mainstream models) and Timberlands. Both brands have their pluses and minuses. The Dr. Martens are very durable. However, there is no place locally that will resole them. And my style of walking/bouncing tends to hammer the soles of my shoes. Timberlands aren't quite as durable, but the last pair of them that I bought could squeak on any surface. A little drag of the foot and a massive squeak was generated. This was a plus for me, since it gave me another avenue for being annoying.

So, after checking out several stores that typically have good deals on shoes, I found myself at one of the nicer department stores. This one sometimes has good deals....but also has some outrageous prices.

After checking out their clearance rack....like I can still wear a 7 1/2....I strolled over to shoes that were just "on sale". There I stumbled upon an interesting pair. Not that I'm particularly stylish, but they looked pretty cool. Typically, my idea of stylish is to have on my Peyton Manning jersey with matching blue sweats.

The brand was one I had never heard of....Clarks. I tried a pair on and they felt very comfortable. They also have waxed laces, something I really like. After a few minutes of internal debating, I pulled the trigger.

Here is what the shoes look like:

My question is....Are these shows stylish?? Trendy??? I would appreciate any feedback you, the educated reader, may have. Please keep in mind that I have a reputation to think of.

Thanks.