at9

Benno, your phone camera is definitely better than mine and you're a better photographer too.

Not only do you see the fashionistas down Brick Lane but also the local Bengali community. There seems to be little interaction beween the traditionally dressed older Bengalis and the club, fashion etc crowd. Go back not too many years and you would have seen chassidic jews in the mix too.

I have just started reading "On Brick Lane" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brick-Lane-Rachel-Lichtenstein/dp/0141018518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320793502&sr=8-1 which is a fascinating and evocative book.

Was the man in platforms a punter or a crowd pleaser connected to the show?

Unless he was acting very cool indeed he looked like an ordinary punter. Nobody seemed to take any particular notice of him. His shoes were pale coloured, platform 2" to 3" high, heel at least 6", possibly up to 8", stiletto, simple lace up, pointed toe. They were fully exposed below what were probably skinny jeans. He walked easily and naturally in them. Personally I didn't like the style - pointy toes and high plats aren't a happy marriage in my opinion - but kudos to him for wearing them out and about as if they were the most natural thing in the world. Reminds me of the guys in the recent New York Times story. I don't think I have ever seen anyone of any gender wearing footwear this extreme in an everyday environment (fet/BDSM clubs, carnival parades etc excepted) but perhaps I have led a sheltered life. Even around Brighton, Camden and Brick Lane, all areas where almost anything goes, I think they would count as exceptional. I'm not enough of a cynic to even have thought he might have been a plant.

1. How old have you been, when you got your first heels? About 15, early 1970s. Actually 2 pairs in similar style bought within short time.

2. What was the reason (i.e. special event like carneval/ halloween; because you lost a bet; because you felt in love for them) 2" heel men's ankle boots. Heels like this for men were widely sold at the time. I still have one of the pairs in reasonable condition.

3. Who paid the bill? Parents

4. How much did you spend? Can't remember. They were not expensive

5. How and where did you buy? (retailer: grabbed and paid or tried them on; mail order company/ online; etc.) Shop. Tried before buying.

6. Were you allowed to wear them at home (i.e. after of that special purpose)? Yes.

More photos

Went this afternoon. Took a few pictures but only had a simple phone camera so apologies fo rimage quality. Also saw a man there wearing some very high heel platform stilettos. Sorry, no photo.

As I have other reasons to be in the East End today, looks like I'll now be going this afternoon.

I wonder if we could get a mini heel meet together on Monday. The exhibit closes at 1900 and I could probably get there for 1800 or perhaps a little earlier.

4th to 8th November, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane E1 6QL

http://www.javari.co.uk/f/shoesforshow/ref=amb_link_161385527_2/278-8113963-4897221?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_m=A9UMZ77PKDFNW&pf_rd_s=bottom-2&pf_rd_r=03GZF2QXDXPT4RK3PC36&pf_rd_p=258129767&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=homepage

I haven't been to Erotica but I've had first hand reports from those who have. These are folk with fetish and BDSM interests. While a few seem to enjoy it, others reckon it's just a large marketplace where you have to pay over the odds to get in. Markets on a smaller scale and at much lower cost include LFF and LAM in London, BBB in Brimingham and SWAMP in Bristol. Wearing high heels (and just about anything else too) is accepted, even encouraged, at all of these events.

I won't give links as this may give results that are not acceptable to HHP. Google wil help but you may need to use fetish as well as the event name to get the right answer. For example LFF is also the London Film Festival which dominates the results for LFF.

Next LAM is this Sunday, next LFF on 13th November.

There are worse boots than Uggs. I may get an instant ban for even mentioning those monstrosities that I think are called "cardie boots". http://www.amazon.co.uk/WOMENS-BLACK-KNITTED-CARDI-LADIES/dp/B001N2ZMOI

Goes off to find some soap to wash out his mouth.

Come on, as a fellow-southerner you must know that's called clogelegy.

My brain must have suffered from a trip north of the tripe curtain. Could have been worse if I'd further up to the haggis belt.

Clogelegy? I'd get Dynorod in to deal with that.

I thought that was Cleggology.

Surely that's related to the tough northern sport of kicking your opponent in the shins while wearing wooden footwear. I visited this place recently while in Yorkshire but didn't buy anything: http://www.clogs.co.uk/

Which might lead to eschatology?

Which is the study of drawings that depict impossible objects:smile:

A new addition to the Uxbridge English Dictionary: Etymology: The study of cannibals

I usually find that my stationery is stationary. Unless I move it about.

This page gives a bit of background. That's etymology, not entomology:smile:

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-sta3.htm

I think he might have meant "stationery" rather than "stationary"

Madamina, il catalogo è questo (google it if you don't understand)

No, men's US size 11 is about a 10.5 UK. Men's sizes are numbered larger than women's in the US don't forget.

I knew there was a difference but had forgotten the exact amount. When I've bought men's shoes in the US I think it's always been size 10 and I'm UK9.

Only up US men's size 11 (UK9, EU43 I think, possibly UK10, EU44) so hardly covers the usual range of male sizes.

Never come across leather stockings before. Latex yes, leather no. This place will custom make almost any leather clothing though it's not cheap: http://www.luxtenebrae.com/home.html I've seen some of their work, it looks and feels lovely. One day I may order something from them.

'Different than' is bad grammar. The expression you need is 'different from.'

Only if you're British. if you're American "different than" is a standard usage. "Different to" is also used. http://alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxdiffer.html

We're talking grammar, not typefaces here. However, it is no different than using a fountain pen with an italic nib.

Could be worse. I know somebody who claims to be a professional in her field who does all her business correspondence in comic sans. She is not in media, childrens stuff etc. There are also people in HHP who use oversize and/or coloured text for no particular reason. We seem to be refreshingly free of those people whose SHIFT KEY IS CLEARLY STUCK.

PS: PiB, I didn't realise you were American. http://alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxdiffer.html

I agree with PiB, in particular I was amused by the novel use of the word "Endless" a few posts back. However, before casting stones, PiB might wish to take a careful look at those two hyphens in her own post:smile: Actually she's in good company, you see a lot of phantom hyphens in many publications. I think it's due to problems with auto-hyphenation algorithms when transferring text between different bits of software.

Same here.

In fact, I find it utterly hilarious - that all those who have criticised the OP's command of English - have ALL made basic spelling mistakes and rudimentary grammatical errors in their own posts.

The IgNobel website is a bit slow today, possibly because they are in the news and getting a lot of traffic.

Winning both an Ig and real Nobel prize is quite an achievement. Geim certainly deserved both. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geim

Both the OP and the first responder have unfortunately overlooked the fact that this is an IG Nobel prize. http://improbable.com/ig/ Thus demonstrating the truth of their own words.

I have been to the Ig Nobel road show in the UK on several occasions. It has always been a fun and thought provoking evening.