xaphod

Boy, did I push the big red button this time ! I came across an interesting statistic a few months ago. In the UK in the 1930s there was one civil servant for every 10 people. Now there is 1 civil servant for every 3. In the end, of course, there will be more civil servants administering more rules to extract more money from fewer people who create wealth. This leads to my Sweden scenario where the hangers-on outvote the wealth creators. I'm not sure if the Swedish taxes are graduated, but I know of some Engineers who went to work there in the mid 90s. Now, Engineers are paid pretty crap, about $(US) 40k in the UK, maybe double that for the short-term contract in Sweden. Even so, I remember these guys tellng me they got clobbered for 65%. In the end, they reckoned that it wasn't worth the hassle. Of course the agents who set up the job took their 20% and went home laughing, presumably about how the mugs bought the line that the tax aspect had been sorted out. About companies being sucked dry ..... When I first joined the Marconi Company in the 70s there were about 20000 people working in Chelmsford for Marconi. At the time it was not long after GEC (that's the General Electric Company of the UK, not GE of the USA) took them over. Over the next 20 years the workforce gradually dwindled to less than 3000. I won't say why, but, despite all the 'arent we great and aren't we making lots of profit' words promulgated by GEC, Marconis seem now to be a vestige of their former self. Ye Gods, I remember them doing digital television in 1974 at Baddow Research and talking to a guy describing what is now known as mpeg in 1977. Did GEC fund any further development? .... HA HA sob sob. I don't know whether to laugh or cry, because, with their semiconductor fab they had then, they could have been banging out GEC-Marconi mpeg chips years before anyone else. Finally, here's a nice little one from Alderney in the UK Channel Isles. Over the last couple of years, great debate has raged over the Admiralty Breakwater, a 3/4 mile long wall built in about 1850 across a large bay. The big idea then was that Cherbourg which was, and still is a French naval port, is just around the corner .... hell even in my sailing boat the trip takes me less than 4 hours. Now in 1850 the British and French didn't entirely see eye to eye, so it was thought a good idea to have a big harbour to park a few warships in, just round the corner from Cherbourg. Over the years work has been necessary to maintain the harbour wall, and if I remember right, about $150k is spent on maintenance annually. Out of the blue, some bigwig in Guernsey decides this is costing too much money and commissions a study of the future of the harbour. It seems that the best thing to do is to let this venerable structure fall into the sea and build a modern shorter harbour wall inside the old one, thereby reducing the sheltered water area to 1/3 ish, and pissing off a lot of yachties into the bargain. For some reason the rock for the new wall has to be shipped in from far away, despite the fact that Alderney is a huge lump of granite sticking up out of the Atlantic and the old Victorian railway between the old quarry and the harbour is still there (it's used to give kids steam engine rides in Summer). Some 'research' was done and, if I've got my facts right, it turns out the Guernsey bigwig's wife was a director of the company who would ship in the rock from far away (or something like that). Call me an idealist, but I think the world would be a better place if a lot of politicians met up with some high-speed lead, then the wealth creators taxes would get, unadulterated, to the less fortunate people who really need some help in life. PS .... Highluc, tell us the story of how the MV-Augusta helicopter affair brought down the Belgian Government. (Was it MV-Augusta or some other, I forget).

No, I'm not an accountant, but I see a few oblique references to the taxation policies of each others' countries. OK, guys and girls, let's compare notes. For example, Highluc mentioned that some Dutch people live in Belgium to get around the Dutch property taxes (BTW do the Dutch still have a wealth tax whereby you have to pay the Dutch Government a percentage of your net global worth each year ? ) That sounds like a lovely pan-Europe tax strategy if Euro-State integration becomes a reality. Oh, BTW Dim Wim (Duisenberg) is Dutch, hmmmm. Inga, tell us what really narks you about Australian taxes .... yes, I know your socialist Government is desperate for cash, extracted from an ever-decreasing number of wealth producers (much like our lot). Beeblebrox .... is Swedish income tax still 65% ? Which Swedish idiot dreampt up the idea that unemployment benefit in Sweden is 2/3 of the salary of the person's last job? Did the same idiot consider that people would just love the idea of being made unemployed, so they could go off to have fun on 2/3 of their salary, with every poor sod who was fool enough to work paying for them? A simplistic analysis of this works out at 1/2 of the people work and 1/2 of the people live off the other half. By the looks of this, slightly fewer than half of the people work, so when it comes to a vote, the people who are on benefit outvote the poor sods who still work, so nothing changes.

We all know of Murphy's, or Sod's Law, one instance of which states that a buttered piece of bread will always land buttered side down. There are various extensions of this. Here are some from an old copy of the 'Daily Mail', plus some others. The Unspeakable law - As soon as you mention something, if it is good, it goes away and if it is bad, it happens. Non reciprocal Law of Expectations- Negative expectations yield negative results: positive expectations yield negative results. Etorre's Observation - The other queue always moves faster. Maier's Law - If the facts don't correspond to theory, they must be disposed of. The n+1 effect - If a person drinks n pints of beer, they will need to go to the toilet n+1 times. The +1 time will interrupt the soundest sleep. Barth's Distinction - There are two types of people. Those who divide people into two types, and those who don't. Xaphod's Conjecture - For every politician's positive, but imaginary, action, there is a real negative reaction. Farber's Fourth Law - Necessity is the mother of strange bedfellows. Newton's Fourth Law - No matter how much you shake it, the last drop falls down your trouser leg. Kirchoff's Fiddle Factor - When experimental data bears no relation to theory, Kirchoff's Fiddle Factor allows data to be computed from theory, providing some uncertainty is added to account for experimental error. O'Toole's commentary on Murphy's Law - Murphy was an optimist ! ----------------------------------------------------------- Oh, about the Channel Isles being a tax haven; this is a popular misconception. Income tax is levied at 20%, plus compulsory health insurance at 5%, on worldwide income. Due to the pathetic allowances against foreign taxation, purporting to be a comprehensive dual taxation agreement, most people end up paying tax in their home country, plus tax in the Channel Isles. You ask anyone there with a UK pension, they will say they are taxed twice.

FF is correct about trying to suppress your heely preference. I've tried a few times to be 'normal' and chucked out most of my shoes on occasions. As you can see, it didn't work! If your mom suggests you go to a counsellor (no doubt well paid), how about suggesting that the money would be better spent on MORE HEELS ! Tell us how you get on telling your mom.

I remember the effect of some serious use of acetone (in pints) in the more confined spaces of a GRP sailing boat. When I emerged into fresh air, I understood why kids like sniffing glue! Another thing to beware of, is that acetone is more inflammable than petrol (gasoline) !

Since the topic is much more general, I've removed the reference to teenagers.

FF, you seem to forget that Terayon's mom is most probably somewhere between OUR ages, with a fairly balanced approach to the advantages and disadvantages of the net. Even my old mum (bless her cotton socks) who was 79, had a more open attitude to the net, as soon as I showed her what it could do!

Terayon and Squirrelheels have problems at present, because their heel wearing is very restricted due to their living with parents. Both are 16 and, unless they are hoping to be allowed to wear heels openly at home, they may be forced to wait until they leave for University before they get more freedom. They face other pressures from their peer group. Personally, I think that the level of control exerted by teenagers on their peers rivals the control exerted by Queen's Regulations in the armed forces! When I think of the amount of flak I put up with for dressing differently, I would suggest that 90% originates from immature kids. I'm old enough, and confident enough in the existence of myself as an individual, to have the conviction to tell these people to 'go to hell', but our younger bretheren need as much help as possible. The following from Terayon is typical:- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- sadly, i havent gotten up the nerve to tell anyone about my passion for wearing womens heels = I dont know if I will ever be able to tell my mom, i think she would understand...but i wouldnt know how to approach it... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't have any 'sure fire' answers either, but one thing springs to mind, if you can persuade your parents to read the board and talk to us, we would certainly like to help. I just thought .... when you are surfing, maybe you could say "Mom, I think you ought to see this website I've been looking at for a while." This technique worked for me and Heather. Firefox can vouch for this, because he and I visited Heather before Christmas. ... and, as I have said, more than once on the other board, "If, through my efforts here, others can be spared some of the heely angst I suffered for 20 years, I will be happy." <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: xaphod on 2002-02-22 19:16 ]</font>

Whoops, sorry. I didn't realise that SQ had posted a very similar thread, virtually at the same time as me. After the initial rush of replies, could the moderators for this bit amalgamate the two threads? Ta, ...... x

I had a phone call from a friend whom I've known since '79. Along with the friendship of the years, Ruth and I have some tenuous business links. For most of last year, I used to visit wearing my 4" block heels and sometimes, leather trousers. Ruth was usually more interested in the trousers and didn't seem to notice the boots (she is a bit short-sighted). Just before Christmas I appeared in my new 5" Cyprianou boots with ordinary trousers. We went for a drink and a meal as normal, before returning to her place. Either she was being diplomatic, or short-sighted, but she apparrently didn't notice. Suitable liqueurs in hand, I asked her what she tought of my new boots. She was surprised at the height of the heel and even more amazed when I rolled my trouser leg up to reveal they were knee-high. I had come prepared with photos of my heel collection and launched into an explanation that there were the male equivalent of female shoe freaks. I noted that our usual comfortable companionship had suddenly become strained. Although the time passed pleasantly, it wasn't as enjoyable as usual. When I left, I thought that I would keep a low profile for a while to see what Ruth would do. There has been little contact in the meanwhile, except for business. Today Ruth phoned about business and mentioned that she had put a catalogue in the post for me. Surprised, I asked what the catalogue is about. "Shoes," Ruth replied, "I thought you might like that." More news as it happens.

OK, guys, I've really screwed up now. Out of the blue, I was phoned today by someone from a company I knew 10 years back. The upshot is that I've been invited to submit my CV (resume) for consideration. Now, way back then, I used to do my heely thing at various transvestite clubs in London, and my professional persona used to resemble that of Dilbert. To return to Dilbert mode is not an option, especially as I don't need the work, but I'd like to do this temporary contract for the fun value (plus the money which is always welcome). The question is, how do I dress if I'm invited for interview, the only criterion being that I WILL wear 4" block heeled boots? .... and if anyone says, 'wear a suit and tie', I'd rather put my head in a gas oven (it's a pity that we don't have real coal-gas anymore, with lashings of lovely carbon monoxide). <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Firefox on 2002-02-21 01:14 ]</font>

From 'New Scientist', 'I wish' headline competition:- "Time Travel to be Discovered Next Year" "Meteorite Hits Lottery Winner" "Indestrooktibul Spel Chequer Virrus on Rimpoge" "Immune System Boosted by Real Ale"

Hi, Inga, Yes, it would seem that you're correct. I too admit that a shapely female leg in an elegant pair of shoes can occupy my gaze for longer than is politically correct. So what, I say, if such a thing gives me an innocent pleasure, then is there anything wrong in it? .... also what's sauce for the gander, is sauce for the goose. I know that some women like looking at guys' backsides. Personally, I don't understand the fascination, but if it makes the woman happy and does not offend, so what? I remember catching a bank manageress transfixed by the backside of an acquaintence, tall, thin, about 40, but with a boyish rear-end, at a party some years ago. Despite the fact we had little in common, we dated for a while, because her other fascination was for barrel-chested guys (in my experience a rarer predilection).

I'm thinking of going in a grey leather skirt that falls just below the knees, a pair of black tights and 4" courts. I guess the top will be white. This particular skirt has pockets in it, which are well useful. The skirt is cut fairly full, so that the bulge doesn't show. Unlike Dr Shoe, I'm not quite ready to bang a hole in my dick, put a metal ring in it, and tie the ring to my leg! Another thing with skirts that irritates me, is the fact that the hemline is a real sod to get level, tending to be lower at the front. Short of radical dressmaking, has anyone ideas for a quick fix? Whether or not you wear boots or courts depends on the shape of your legs, or if you wish to avoid the hassle of shaving them. I'm a classic 'nice legs, shame about the face' character, so I'll make the best of what I've got and shave 'em.

Saturday 27th April ??

In the middle of going through an old pile of junk, I came across this from a Reader's Digest of 1974. I don't have the quote to hand, so I'll parrotphrase ..... I was in a shoe shop next to an old lady with steel-grey hair, in conservative dress. She was trying on a pair of platform shoes in a most outrageous turquoise. A young girl entered and exclaimed, "Oh no, Gran, you're surely not buying those! " Sensing resistance, the young girl reasoned, "But you don't have anything that matches. What on earth are you going to wear them with? " "Defiance," Gran smiled.

From a production meeting for the European Space Agency, Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite .... 'Somebody must decide whether to decide to make a decision' An Engineer, traditionally thinking about something else at these bunfights, was so gobsmacked at this, that I a) woke up, and wrote it in my logbook for posterity.

I'm up for it. Should be nice for a pair of stils or courts.

Those who were on UK_heel_2002 will be aware of my habit of burying my nose in old (and sometimes new) books. I thought we could use this thread to post amusing quotes and anecdotes. I'll start with a piece from 'The Gentleman's Magazine, March 1731'. 'CASUALTIES' A poor Man was found hanging in a Gentleman's Stable at Bungay in Norfolk by a Person who cut him down, and returning for Assistance, left his Penknife behind him; the poor Man recovering cut his Throat with it and a River being nigh, jump'd into it, but Company coming, he was dragg'd out alive, and was like to remain so. (The punctuation is verbatim, but I have substituted modern 's' for the old-fashioned 'f' in the middle of words)

Hi, Vanessa, Yes I agree the old board was much more easy to assess 'at a glance'. It was simple .... if it's purple, you've read it.... if it's green, you havn't and if it's fallen off the bottom, it's out of date, in other words, 'self-purging'. I can see this setup is going to become very clogged after a year or so, and will need lots of moderator effort to keep it 'weeded' .... just like a garden which will grow so overgrown, you can no longer find the flowers. Charlie saved the interesting posts from the old board in notepad, as I did. BTW, I wonder if there would be interest in my reposting the 'Apsberger's' and the 'What do we do' threads? I also agree with your comments on access time. I also have an expensive third-world connection .... provided by British Telecom. PS .... the plural of Forum, according to my dictionary, is 'Fori'.

Suppleness comes from practice in wearing heels. You will see teenage girls with their first 3" heels 'clumping around'. Now, for some guys, they are starting their hh practice later in life, so they don't have the suppleness of young limbs. They will take longer to adjust. I've been wearing heels inside since I left home in 1974. Some of the early shoes were a little crazy, but, thankfully, the style settled down a bit. For outside wearing, I started out a little differently from most, wearing cowboy boots with a 2.5" heel when this was relatively mainstream style for guys. For another few years I wore Bertulli lifts, which rated about 3/10 compared with a decent pair of 4" blocks. So when I started wearing heels outside in the Autumn of '98, I already had a certain amount of practice and flexibility. A couple of days ago, wearing a pair of 4.5" spiky sachas, I was complimented on the way I walked in them, admittedly by a couple of shop assistants who were trying to sell me MORE shoes.

Here's where we can talk about hints and tips regarding the care of our favourite, and sometimes irreplaceable, shoes. What prompted this was that, in the stormy weather we're having, I got my Dolcis 'defines' soaking wet this evening. I love these boots nearly as much as the spiky sachas .... what's the best way to dry them out without them becoming somewhat inflexible, as my old motorbike boots used to do. The bike boots usually recovered after a liberal application of dubbin (waxy stuff for waterproofing), but this isn't quite the correct thing to do for fashion boots ! Suggestions please.

Sacha seems to be the shop whose shoes I wear outside most frequently, either the spiky sachas I wore at Lakeside and today, or the chisel heel/toe kneehighs I wore in London on UKheel (see reports)

This is just a brief note of my shopping today, primarily to get Beeblebrox another pair of cowboy boots from Sacha in High St Kensington. I'm getting possibly too good a reputation there because Karin, the young Swedish girl there, said ' Oh Hi, what are you buying now ?' as she emerged from the stockroom. BTW Bbrox, your boots will be on their way soon. I also decided to check out the bits of Oxford St we didn't cover on UKheel. Yes there were some sales in Selfridges, but generally couture names when my dinky size 39s are the BIGGEST they do (with one or two exceptions). While tasting the exotic parts of shoe-shop-ville I took a walk down South Molton Street and back up Bond Street. There were some fine styles available in the sales, but consideration has to be given to the 60% reductions (from a starting price of 250 pounds .... ouch ! ) I had some fun when I noticed a pair of shop assistants boggling at my spiky sachas as I passed on the opposite side of the street. Aha, thought I, I might check out their shop, Clio. They had some interesting boots and lots of courts (pumps) in various colours, which is good if you have had enough of boring black. The part I like is that, although I tried a size 39 which i could get a little finger between my heel and the shoe, they had a size 38.5 which fitted perfectly. This shows the value in getting sizing absolutely correct when choosing pumps. The downside to this is that the shops have to stock twice the number of boxes to cover a range of shoes, and the price reflects this. The guy in Clio also said that they go up to size 42 in some ranges, but less so in the sales. Sanity set in, so, despite temptation, my wallet emerged from these encounters unscathed. The day was rounded off with a trip to the Science Museum, recently free of charge, which is about the only thing our socialist Government have done for me lately. Personally, I think I'm paying for the whole damn Science Museum, because I must return to filling out my tax return AAAAGH .... upchuck !

Hey guys, how about sharing your heely shopping experiences here ..... good and bad