Cottleston Pie

I have two new suits that I had tailored in Vietnam. Because of the color of one suit, my black dress shoes were not going to cut it. So, the evening before flying to a friends wedding where I would wear the suit, I needed to obtain new, appropriate shoes.

Stores were closing so I had to move relatively quickly. First DSW Warehouse, right around the corner from my apt, where I picked up Cole Haan shoes, like those shown below. Then at Foley's at the Highland Mall, I grabbed a pair of Bostonian "Phoenix" shoes, also shown below.

The Bostonian are definitely a bit more comfortable (immediately anyway; without any break-in), and I like the cut of the leather a bit more (the Haan has a stitch right in the front of the toe which I don't like as much). However, the Bostonian also have a horrible non-slip sole -- horrible to my mind because it works and that's bad for dancing. All leather sole is what I want. The Haan have all-leather sole (well, except a bit on the heel). Also, the Haan are a mahogany and the Bostonian are more brown. The mahogany looks better against the fabric of my light suit (they look a bit more reddish in real life than the picture below seems to me). So, Haan it'll be. I'll return the Bostonian when I get back. Looking at prices on the web, looks like I did get quite a good deal at DSW.

All the shoes that I tried that were pre-laced are laced incorrectly with criss-cross lacing. They are supposed to have some sort of straight lacing. Gotta find a web site that tells me how to do that. ... Found one, very interesting. By the same guy, Ian, who taught me how to tie my sneakers. Yay it works! Shucks...I have to be up in hours for my 6 am flight.

UPDATE (2005-08-06): The Cole Haan shoes were excellent. Once during a fast swing, Zuit Suit Riot at my request, I almost landed on my ass because the new leather soles were slick on the dance floor, but I kept my feet. The Cole Haan styling is growing on me too.

Cole Haan "Calhoun" (Style # C00590).
Dress oxford in finest hand-finished leather. Fully leather lined. Waxed and buffed leather sole with leather/rubber heel. Mahogany. Shoedini (multi-side-view)

Phoenix (Florentine First/Flex) (model no. 50464)
Shoedini (multi-side-view)

Turns out hanging fuzzy dice and Mardi Gras beads from your rearview mirror is illegal in Minnesota.

169.71 Windshield.

Subdivision 1. Prohibitions generally. No person shall drive or operate any motor vehicle with a windshield cracked or discolored to an extent to limit or obstruct proper vision, or, except for law enforcement vehicles, with any objects suspended between the driver and the windshield, other than sun visors and rear vision mirrors, or with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, sidewings, side or rear windows of such vehicle, other than a certificate or other paper required to be so displayed by law, or authorized by the state director of the Division of Emergency Management, or the commissioner of public safety.

Source: Minnesota Statutes 2004, 169.71