These Shoes Don't Run...Unless Something Scares Them

Name: Converse All-Stars, A.K.A. “Chucks”
Age: 2 years old/95 years old
Size: 11
General Interests: Walking around the city, riding bikes, going to concerts, playing the drums, playing video games, driving fast
Personality Type: Fun, easy going, not afraid to get dirty

Please meet my Chucks. You may already be familiar with these shoes, as they made a brief appearance on my intro post from a few days ago. It would serve you well to acquaint yourself with them, as I can easily say that they are my favorites. I have consecutively owned and worn out 3 pairs over the last 8 years. I was wearing them the first time I played drums in a band. I wore them on my first day of both Community College and Real College. In fact, I believe I was wearing them the first time I kissed a girl, which leads me to believe that they play a key in my many successes with the ladies. 

The picture above is my Chucks with the ticket stub from the Underoath concert for which I put on my shoes last night. Much to both of our pleasure, the Mosh Pit was active, and the music loud. This is one of the natural habitats for Chucks, as they are the traditional shoe to wear to a “show” for reasons that I cannot say. All I know is that I want to fit in, so I do what I’m told.

However, they are so much more than concert shoes: They go with anything, they look better dirty, you can run or play basketball in them, and you can wear them to backyard BBQs OR presidential galas. My favorite TV character, also named Chuck (from the NBC show…Chuck), wears Chucks on every episode. In short, these simple, $35 shoes have a lot going for them.

It really amazes me that these shoes have been around since 1917, and yet they have changed so little. My dad wore them in his high school PE classes. Marty McFly wore them in the hit 1980’s film, Back to the Future. Now, thousands of American youth wear them just about every day. Name ONE other major article of clothing that can claim this type of longevity without any changes.

Let me explain the reason behind this. I’d like to reference a song by Clint Black released in 1998 called “The Shoes You’re Wearing.” There is one line in which he states: “The shoes you’re wearing, they don’t make the man.” I am forced to disagree with Mr. Black. Most of the time, the shoes you’re wearing do make the man.

I have this theory that shoes are an excellent sign of one's identity, or at least your attitude towards life. People that wear flip-flops a lot seem to be more relaxed. Kids that wear Vans or DCs are probably into skateboarding or BMX biking. If you like Nike Air Jordans, you might be a Basketball player or a Hip-hop artist. Chaco wearers are probably big fans of the outdoors, and probably a dirty, dirty hippie (I kid...). Costco Court Classics will suggest you are my dad, and Ugg Boots often indicate that you are a 19 year old girl.

But here is what’s so great about Chucks: They don’t identify anyone. If you wear High-Tops, you could be a member of the Hip-Hop community, or a bassist in a Ska band. If you wear low tops with skinny jeans, you might be a hipster. What if you are just into old school retro stuff? Chucks. Maybe you just want shoes that are cheap? Chucks. The list goes on and on.

If you can’t see where I’m going with this, then let me make it plain: Somehow, Chucks have become the common thread which holds together a nation that has been weakened by so many divides. They transcend race, culture, gender, income level. Having done absolutely no research on the topic at all, I believe that my shoes make this country a better place.

So, Dear Reader, next time you see a stranger on the street wearing a pair of Chucks, I suggest you grab a 6-pack of cheap American Beer, raise a flag, and give them a salute. They just may be our last hope as a nation.

I think that’s a pretty good Reason to Put on My Shoes.

A Reason to Put on My Shoes 101

Hello Everyone! Welcome to my blog, A Reason to Put on My Shoes.

It’s funny really…I never thought I’d have a blog. Usually, I don’t think I’m interesting enough to talk about myself, let alone publish it on some website. But I got to thinking about it and realized that this fact hasn’t stopped anyone else from posting about their boring lives, so why should it stop me?

This blog is different though. I’m not going to post about my feelings, mood, or any other boring personal details that you don’t care about. I’m going to be posting about my shoes and the interesting things they do. That’s right, you read it right here: I’m blogging about shoes.

As I said before, I’m not interesting. The idea behind this blog proves how boring I can be. Yesterday when I woke up, I played video games for a couple hours. After much laziness, I finally got ready for the day at 3 PM, laced up my trusty Converse All-Stars, and headed out my door. It was a beautiful Saturday and I was happy to be outside. That happiness faded as soon as I reached the end of my block.

At that point, I realized that I had no reason to put on my shoes.

After some consideration of my options, I realized that I had none. I turned around, walked back inside my house, took off my shoes, and played video games for 2 more hours. What a tragic waste of a beautiful Saturday and a good pair of Chucks.

This is unacceptable...I am boring my shoes to death. Consider this a late New Year’s Resolution: It's high time that I start giving my shoes more excitement. I wear them day in and day out, but interesting events are too rarely provided.

Though I can’t guarantee that everything my shoes do will be titillating, electrifying, or sensational, it will be a growing process. Along the way, maybe I’ll learn some things, and maybe you will get some laughs at my shoes' expense.

I will post updates every Wednesday night, excluding Federal Holidays, as well as days when I’m just really tired from doing awesome stuff.

Join me, Dear Reader, as I find A Reason to Put on My Shoes.