Highluc

I've been receiving spam on my hotmail account concerning university diplomas and debt consolidation since about a year but don't think it has anything to do with Delphy. What kind of spam are you getting?

Hi Xaphod, regarding the Agusta scandal in Belgium the following. More than a decade ago the Belgian Army decided they wanted anti tank capability on helicopters. Our old Alouettes could not carry loads so they invited offers. Finally only 2 offers were retained, the excellent proven and potent German Bolkow 105-107 and the new sleek Italian Agusta 109. The Italian mafia connections in Belgium did their job and the contract was allocated via our Walloon aircraft industry to Agusta to develop an anti-tank version of their passenger carrying helo. As usual when the finished product was delivered they were grossly overweight and very limited in use. The basic weight is so high that no passengers can be carried efficiently anymore. To reduce the weight they eliminated the retractable landing gear reducing the top speed. The Army ended up paying a lot of money for a product with limited operational value but soon the scandal broke out. The socialist party had received substantial money from the Italian Agusta factory. While a parliamentary commission was doing an inquiry, a minister (Cools) was murdered, leading to the arrestation of other socialist polititians involved in the liquidation through the mafia. The flamish socialist party got their share as well. An influential member of the party declared he had just burned the money for the party and no trace could be found of it. He resigned from his function and went studying in Oxford UK for 3 years. He now is back as the minister of social affairs. The head of the party at the time of the money transfers was in the meantime head of NATO (Claes) and also resigned quitting political activities forever, leaving his chair vacant for Mr Solana. During further hearings a retired general (lobbyist for Agusta) committed suicide in a hotel in Brussels. All this never led to the fall of our government, but to a drastic decrease in the number of votes for the socialists in Flanders. Most of their votes went to the liberal party but to no avail. After the election the liberals with 24% of the votes were still in the opposition while the socialists with only 17% formed the government together with the Christian democrats, their loyal allies. So far for democracy and useful spending of taxpayers money.

I thought I always saw PER ARDUA AT ASTRA

Looks like I lost my kitten heels (not practical in winter and inappropriate of a man my age). I'm glad to be on wedges, but am aspiring for a better style on top of that sole (these look good for grandma). I wouldn't be caught dead in those on the streets, but think they would be very practical for home wear.

Hey Richie, way to go, excellent choice to prove the world heels look good on men too. Practical heels for all genders is not utopic. Besides being stylish they also look very comfy. Ideal combination. I would like to see if anybody can voice anything negative (with sensible rationale) about these heels on men.

I always feel great when I hear girls or women comment: I wish I could walk with such heels on cobblestones like you do with such ease.

Sounds pretty similar to our Sabena having been sucked dry by Swissair leading to bankrupty. With our airline there was also a problem with too much people doing not enough, especially all the department directors. The last blow was when the pilots and cabin personel went on strike when they wanted to slim down the company to survive. They all were in tears afterwards but that was too late. Most are still unemplyed now because of the worldwide air travel recession.

The cost of flying a hockey team to Australia will be cheaper as producing and maintaining the ice they have to play on.

In Belgium, VAT is 21% and they take between 35 and 55% of your income each year. On the other hand, our social security is (too) good. Unemployment pay is rather high but no luxury for the poor guys getting it. Numerous jobs are getting lost by multinationals leaving us for cheap labor countries, general recession plus bankrupty of some big employers like our national airline Sabena. I don't complain either, having been serving the government for all my life on an average pay, but now getting a pension of 90% of my last wage.

Lauri, I'm sure if you could see a graphic depiction of the number of postings you did over the different time periods since you joined, its shape would look like a wedge. Keeping that rythm up will be difficuld so as from now I expect it will look more like a platform. Please don't attempt to produce a spike. Greetings from Highluc anyway.

8 UK is about 41 or 41-1/2 in European sizes.

I liked Diana Rigg who played with a mister steed in a series I cannot remember the title off in english. In French it was called "chapeau melon et bottes de cuir" (rounded hat and leather boots). I loved those boots and that classy lady.

I once lost a parcel of expensive 12-inch Bufallo tower platform boots shipped to the USA. This was 10 months ago and I'm still awaiting the insurance reimbursement of half the value. With all my latesy shippings, I always propose to send the shoes individually about a week apart but most decline because of the added cost and take the risk. All shippings this year (about 25) went ok, even to doubtfull postal systems as Poland.

I would love to wear thigh high heeled boots over my pants but still didn't bring up the courage to do that.

Indeed these Destroy boots are only manufactured up to size 41. On the continent it is even difficult to find them in that size. The pic Firefox posted does not reflect their true color, these boots are in fact shiny black leather. I'm happy I helped somebody on this board discover the comfort and other advantages of wedges. They might not be the most beautifull style, but they sure are fun and easy to wear all day long.

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Be youself, enjoy any footwear you like and don't care about what others think about it, it's your life, not theirs. Greetings from Highluc on http://walk.to/highluc

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Highluc on 2002-03-01 01:45 ]</font>

Sounds similar to me. At age 9 I also had fallen arches and the orthopedist had my folks order some custom made inset soles to wear in my shoes. These things were so expensive and required larger size shoes that soon we discovered girly shoes had the same benefits and available of the racks. I do not mean the ultra feminine shoes but just sandals with a little heel and good support under the arches. Without those I would never have been able to enjoy sandals during summer. Later on this evolved into loafers with a little heel etc. My folks saved a lot of money and I was happy and healthy. The rest is history and can be read on my website. I also used this philosofie in a few of my fiction stories. F***k the medical expensive solutions, everything to resiolve those problems is available on the shelf, much cheaper and with better styles.

Yes Firefox, after the initial reluctance I get used as well and slowly discover the benefits of this system. I won't abandon the other boards either because I'm too passionated about the subject and want to monitor everything that happens everywhere.

I play the game of hiding my heels to men and showing them off to women. Very challenging and rewarding. No cables or software updates, just change the hardware for a new challenge. Be sure to have sufficient different hardware in stock.

That problem is difficult to resolve. As you pointed out, be sure your heel extends further back as the shoe so the pants can glide back down. Pants with a crease ironed in the front and back also help a bit, as are pants with heavier turned over hems. All this will not prevent the bottom to catch once in a while between your mule and heel, even on wide bell bottoms. If you really want to wear mules with longer pants minimizing that problem, be sure to choose a mule with a little platform and much upward curved front on the sole. This will aid in keeping your heel against the shoe when walking with small steps at a normal pace and only allowing minimal if any space for the pants to catch in between. Hence the benefits of slingbacks (less problems) and ankle straps (almost no problems). A pure mule should best be worn with shorter pants. Even an ankle length skirt can catch in between if too long. If anybody else has a miracle solution, let me know.

I don't agree. A picture tells more than a thousand words. You said your dad already saw you wearing them and didn't react, good so. Why discuss something that isn't a problem? Just continue to wear casually some acceptable heels that are coordinated with the rest of your outfit. Why bring up the subject if they are not bothered? Starting a discussion without visual cues will automatically bring up the image of their sun parading around in ultra feminine heels and have them voice a negative opinion to any heel ideas. Wearing acceptable heels will boost your confidence and if questions are asked, it will be easier to explain your preferences. If they ask, be honest and tell them you prefer the styles and feel and that's it. Do not try to invent excuses, convince them your choice of footwear does not change the rest of your personallity or way of life. With the time you will be able to slowly rise the heights and get them used to your new image. Probably they will perceive it as new fashion or a new look. Don't wake up sleeping dogs by obtaining approval for something they cannot imagine.

Last week I visited my folks (aged 75) for an overnight and the second day when coming back from a rainy shopping trip in Ostend my dad saw me removing my BK13 4-inch wedge knee highs after getting in.

http://www.highluc.yucom.be/images/BK13Bronxwedge105-15cm2002.jpg

Although I wore them the previous day as well this was his first comment and he asked me if I would also wear those at the official military gathering that evening. I told him I had my Bertullis for that and he seemed reassured and made no further comments. That afternoon I visited my daughter and grandsun and she made no comments on my footwear. I wore these boots under dark blue ribbed velours pants that exposed about 2-inches of the wedge showing a coordinated look.

_________________

Be youself, enjoy any footwear you like and don't care about what others think about it, it's your life, not theirs. Greetings from Highluc on http://walk.to/highluc

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Highluc on 2002-02-27 20:09 ]</font>

I drove at least 10 times around the earth in platforms and heels and never had a problem. I could teach that guy a few lessons. Where did he get the experience to tell such nonsence. Many more accidents are the results from smoking while driving (dropping ashes etc) as to missing a pedal while in heels.

When my daughters were still at home, they sometimes borrowed my footwear. Now they are married and don't do that anymore but are fully aware of my preferences and don't make a point of it. They recognise me for my values, not for my look.

I also was lucky to be 18 when platforms and heels for men were fashion. That way it was not difficult to switch to real heels (lots of young guys wore even those around). The ice being broken it is not difficult to stay that way and intentionally not following the trend back to flats. All of my lifestory on feminine shoes can be found on my website in the about me section.

A picture tells more than a 1000 words.

A look at following x-ray pictures of feet in heels proves how flexible this body member is. On the black and white pic there is also a top view clearly showing a foot fully at ease and not squeezed at all in a more pointed toe.

The color x-ray shows the effects of a higher heel. While my feet are not deformed by 3 decades on heels I notice in bed my feet are also always pointed down. This explains the pains in my feet when wearing real flats or barefooted.

Just by looking at these pictures I can imagine the second higher heel being much more comfortable due to the lower arch being better supported as the hollow part below the foot on the lower heel.

Anybody else noticed their feet position in bed?

PS: I found those x-rays somewhere on the web, these are neither my feet or heels.

Congratulations Firefox, would you believe I would even trade my wedges or platforms for your sling backs without hesitation?