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Proving that there is no limit to the number of ways I can hurt myself, yesterday I made the fateful decision to wear new flip flops while traveling, the logic being it won’t be such a pain in the ass taking my shoes off going through security, and hey- what’s more comfortable than flip flops.

I now have blisters the size of silver dollars on the balls of both feet. Kathy Bates could not have more effectively hobbled me.

Reader Interactions

93Comments

  2. 2.

    Brachiator

    Proving that there is no limit to the number of ways I can hurt myself, yesterday I made the fateful decision to wear new flip flops while traveling

    Let’s see now. You’re not safe inside your house. You’re not safe outside your house.

    Lucky that your dogs love you, and Tunch, for now, tolerates you.

  3. 3.

    schrodinger's cat

    Flip-flops to travel? Does Tunch approve of your fashion choice. Be careful, otherwise he may nominate you to What not to wear.

  6. 6.

    Alexandra

    Heh. Have broken in a few pairs of flip-flops and sandals over the past six months, particularly travelling… which is why I always carry spare bandaids in my bag.

  7. 7.

    The Dangerman

    …what’s more comfortable than flip flops.

    There’s a Romney joke in there someplace.

  11. 11.

    Seanly

    @Wag:

    His photos would just be a blurry mess. Apparently his phone’s camera can’t autofocus worth a damn.

    Also too, ewwww, he went barefoot at the airport? I wear slip-ons when I fly (and most of the time when I’m not flying). I wear socks with them until I get through security & then those little stinkers go in my carry-on.

    Oh and for the record, Obama would cruise to reelection with 73% of the vote if he would do an executive order that we no longer need to remove our shoes for the stupid security theater at the airport.

  12. 12.

    quannlace

    You’re not safe inside your house. You’re not safe outside your house.

    I think you just need to live in your backyard, John. Except you’ll probably get hit by lightening.

  13. 13.

    MattF

    Just finished the book “Lords of Finance” by Liaquat Ahamed, now in paperback:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lords_of_Finance

    Won 2010 Pulitzer prize for history, and deserved it. Great book about the financial catastrophes of the ’20’s and ’30’s. Worth noting, at least, that the only financial strategy that worked consistently was abandoning the gold standard and subsequent devaluation. And beware of any news article that identifies a committee of central bankers who will ‘save the world’. Not very likely.

  16. 16.

    Emma

    Many years ago an airline pilot told me never to wear open shoes on a plane, because if there was a need to move fast, your feet needed to be protected. I have given up on anything with laces, though.

  18. 18.

    Amir Khalid

    @Scott:
    NO! Crocs are an overpriced (half again what I paid for the leather boots which are my everyday footwear) and hideous neon-hued abomination.

  22. 22.

    kdaug

    @cathyx: Agreed.

    Blurry pictures of your mangled Hobbit-feet would be too much for even the “Number One Fan” to take during lunchtime.

    Leave those of us less enthusiastic with our appetites, please.

  24. 24.

    trollhattan

    @pragmatism:
    I like Keens because I share some of Cole’s, uh, clumsiness and the protected toes have prevented more broken toes than I can count on…my toes. Chacos have better arch support, however.

    In California flop-flops are a year-round thing. The critical time is when they’re new and always find a way to grind some skin raw untii they “break in” by which I mean create new calluses on my feet. Which is why I tend to keep them until they fall apart or develop an unresolvable stench.

  25. 25.

    AA+ Bonds

    I guess you gotta keep switching it up on em to get covered under Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 18, §§ 4471- 4474d (2003)

  28. 28.

    Kevin NYC

    I recommend these New Balance slip ons

    Never travelled with them but I wear them around the house or if I’m not walking far and they good support. I’m very, very hard on shoes these held up pretty good.

  29. 29.

    kindness

    John warms up to the Soshilist Workers Paradise in Madison by communing with the illegal aliens who have to walk many long miles to get to our sanctuary. What? No I’m not talking about Mexican illegal aliens, this is Wisconsin! I’m talking about the damn Canadians.

  30. 30.

    NotMax

    A front-pager really ought to post about this Reuters-reported development.

    Look forward to digesting the anticipated spectrum of comments which will flow forth.

  31. 31.

    Brachiator

    The character David wears flip flops in the early scenes of the movie Prometheus, as he runs the ship during the long months the human crew hibernates. One wag on a SF podcast reacted to this by noting, “If I’m on a ship that long, you’re lucky if I wear pants.”

    Do androids dream of electric feet?

  32. 32.

    Another Halocene Human

    Wicked. Yeah, I always bring some sort of backup footgear if I think I will be walking a lot where I’m going. Or just wear broken-in sneakers that I don’t have to unlace to put on.

    Also, too, I buy Okabashis every two years from CVS. They are WAY better than regular flipflops. More comfortable, less noisy, less blisters. I purchase biennially because that’s about the schedule on which they break.

  34. 34.

    Another Halocene Human

    @Alexandra: Oops, I at first thought you said “broken a few flipflops”. My flip flops broke on my last trip. Boy, Vibram fivefingers are lots of fun until you have to wear them all day every day in a record heat wave.

  35. 35.

    NotMax

    Maybe it is just a psychosomatic reaction manifested on Mr. Cole’s tootsies to now being in Walker land?

  36. 36.

    cathyx

    @schrodinger’s cat: Hush now. I believe I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of my Birkenstocks. I’ve had them for 32 years, wear them all summer every summer and they’re still in great shape. And they fit like a glove.

  37. 37.

    tulip

    ouch. I remember many moons ago before I could drive and had to walk everywhere during summers, I had a brand spanking new pair of Dr. Scholls and the same thing happened.

    Poor Mr. Cole.

  38. 38.

    Eric the Infrequent

    My travelling shoes are Merrell jungle mocs. Get a pair and some lightweight ankle socks.

  40. 40.

    Violet

    If you have a lot of walking to do, never wear shoes you haven’t tested by walking in them for 20 minutes. Footwear 101.

  42. 42.

    murakami

    The thought of wearing flip-flops at any time, even in private, fills me with utter horror. I don’t think I’ve had a day without boots in twenty years.

  43. 43.

    Elizabelle

    @Emma: Good advice. Even unlaced sneakers will give you better protection. I agree it’s good to have toe protection. Something could fall on you.

    I gave up flip flops for airline flights when I got diverted up to JFK after a missed flight. Was in flips because it was unseasonably warm in DC that December 26th, and I was bound for sunny LA.

    Barely made the last flight out of JFK; wondered if I would be hailing a cab in icy NYC in flip flops.

  45. 45.

    halteclere

    I must be much older in spirit than my actual age (I’m not much older/younger than John), but I don’t like flip flops on any guy unless he looks plausibly like he just rolled out of his college dorm bed, or he looks like he just came from some sandy or wet place.

    I guess it was when I saw some old man riding a Harley with “aged” jeans and flip-flops that makes me want to yell at guys with flip-flop attire “Stop trying to recapture your youth!”

    Now get off my damn lawn!

  46. 46.

    Karmus

    “I now have blisters the size of silver dollars on the balls … “

    That does indeed sound painful.

  47. 47.

    kdaug

    Partial to these.

    Wearing an earlier version as I type.

    ETA: I’ve worn them underwater at the lake and on the trails. They dry fast, stay comfortable, and don’t slip on the moss on the bottom.

  50. 50.

    danah gaz (fka gaz)

    @DMcK:

    Classic Vans FTW. Cheap comfy slip-ons.

    And unlike flip flops, self respect is included with the purchase.

    Personally I prefer fat Adidas sneaks for the same reason you like Vans, (I never have to tie them). My gripe with them is the branding (I don’t like wearing labels). But they are comfy and last for forever. YMMV

  52. 52.

    scav

    Never break-in shoes while traveling is one of my basics. At least at home there are alternatives if something goes disastrously wrong. Although, clearly, it should be obviously I’m not talking the floppy-flips at this point.

    Oh, and generation test! Size of a dollar coin?

  53. 53.

    Another Halocene Human

    @kdaug: Tevas are designed for that and they are awesome. I do recall some blistering when I owned a pair but maybe not as bad as some other styles.

  54. 54.

    General Stuck

    Revenge of the ACORN, funded by Darth Soros. I had no idea this was going on, or if Kay or another FPer touched on it and I missed it. This is for Mass, but there are several other states with cases settled, or decision pending. More than one way to skin a vote depressor.

    The state has mailed out voter registration letters to nearly 500,000 welfare recipients, in a push sparked by a group led by former ACORN bigwigs that critics say is a naked bid to boost Democrats at the polls in November.

    The letters, mailed last month by the state’s Department of Transitional Assistance, went out as Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren have been locked in a neck-and-neck race

    Since it was a court order, naturally, judicial activists are at play, empowering those icky poor folk.

    The other states involved in this obvious commie ploy.

    NEU4J worked in concert with Demos, a liberal group leading a national charge to enroll welfare recipients. Demos — which was started in the 1990s and lists Barack Obama on its founding board of directors — has sued nine states, including the battlegrounds of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Nevada, according to Demos lawyer Lisa Danetz

    .

    Oh noes, Obama is in on the scam to help people vote. Infilteration.

    Cases are still pending in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Louisiana, which is fighting the suit. Settlements have been reached in Ohio, Missouri, New Mexico, Indiana and Georgia. Meanwhile, North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado and Mississippi have all agreed to comply without being sued.

    But Colonel Mustard is onto the plot.

    Republicans cried foul, as this was a transparent attempt to register Warren’s base, while no similar efforts were made to register voters who might be more favorably inclined towards Brown

    Teehee, “Brown’s Base”. Nice touch. They sure ain’t po people, Mr. Mustard.

  55. 55.

    Hannity Hussein

    John,

    Sometimes it seems like you just hatched from a pod and have no sense of the real world but have lived in some blog universe where for example you’ve watched feet operate but have not actually used them.

  56. 56.

    gypsy howell

    I wear flip flops all summer long; yes, even on the plane. (So great if your feet swell a bit when flying like mine do.) I even like my $3 Old Navy flip flops. I have them on right now!

    I can’t for the life of me figure out how you can get blisters from flip flops. And on the soles of your feet? No comprendo.

  57. 57.

    Another Halocene Human

    @scav: Weren’t the half-dollars bigger than the old style dollar coins, even so?

    I think I have an old Franklin dollar around somewhere. Cool coin.

    Being a mean person, I enjoy going to the bank and taking withdrawals in dollar coins and then spending them around town.

  58. 58.

    danah gaz (fka gaz)

    @murakami: Agreed on the flip flops.

    I’m partial to boots, but the ones I like tend to hurt, especially on long treks – also the ones I like are pretty pricey so I don’t want to hike in them if I don’t have to. I keep a pair of comfy no-tie shoes around for that.

  59. 59.

    danielx

    Teva water sandals – haven’t worn flip flops in years because they chafed between my toes. Tevas are comfortable in the water or out and wear forever.

  60. 60.

    Another Halocene Human

    @General Stuck:

    Republicans cried foul, as this was a transparent attempt to register Warren’s base, while no similar efforts were made to register voters who might be more favorably inclined towards Brown

    Yes, I would suppose that all those people who registered their vehicles in NH, RI, and ME instead of MA would be at a disadvantage when it came to the motor voter drive.

  61. 61.

    Cassidy

    Shit, flip flops are where it’s at. Toes and feet stay cool without all the gross fungus of your sweaty ass shoes. I can’t wait to get my work clothes off and get into flip flops. I’d wear them to work if they’d let me.

    On a completely different note, there are two op eds over on CNN that are worth reading. One is a concern troll piece doing the both sides do it and how dare Democrats fight back thing. But he’s a lifelong Democrat os it’s cool. The other is on RW domestic terrorism.

  63. 63.

    Mnemosyne

    I am in the anti-flip flop camp and will only wear them if I’m going to the pool or the beach. I have gotten blisters between my toes from them before if I wear them too long.

    My new airport shoes are a pair of Born clogs — comfy to walk in, easy to take off, sturdy in case of emergency.

  65. 65.

    iamcurious

    Okabashi.com. The most comfortable flip flops ever. Made in the USA, cheap and recyclable.

  66. 66.

    jl

    Need a continuous feed live ColeCam, with real time google-ized commenter feedback displayed on inside of his glasses. Our boy Cole is going to wreck himself up otherwise something fierce.

    I believe that your fine high quality deluxe flip flops (which Cole should be using, IMHO) do have a very rudimentary size system.

    Then Cole could go Yuuurpean and go kick-off sandals with socks! Might make him a high profile target in some parts of the country, but Cole is brave.

    Edit: and I agree with commenters above, clogs are good. Look nasty, but good choice if you don’t care about looks. And who at BJ is so superficial to care about that? No one, not one, I say. We all would approve.

  68. 68.

    DougJ

    I recommend driving shoes. Cheap, flexible sole, comfy, and socially presentable, or at least moreso that flip-flops are.

  69. 69.

    NotMax

    @Another Halocene Human

    The Franklin coins were half dollars (replaced by Kennedy half dollars). Eisenhower was on the dollar coin when it was large and silver-colored, in the 70s.

    Silver dollars were much heftier.

  71. 71.

    NotMax

    @NotMax

    No edit capability.

    Clarification: Silver dollars, last minted in the U.S. in the 1930s, were much heftier. The Eisenhower dollar was, IIRC, about 40% silver.

  72. 72.

    schrodinger's cat

    @DougJ: Also boat shoes, I have a pair from L L Bean, they are practically indestructible, I have had them for well over 10 years. Look good even without socks.

  75. 75.

    trollhattan

    @schrodinger’s cat:
    TBogg cites a Wonkette commenter who called her “Vice President Peg Bundy.” I think that sums up our shared relief her job is sideshow barkerattraction.

  76. 76.

    Nemesis

    Wearing romneys on ones feet always causes discomfort, perhaps paralysis, even death.

  77. 77.

    danah gaz (fka gaz)

    @trollhattan: She no longer has access to McCain’s campaign budget.

    Apparently, cooking meth in Alaska doesn’t reap an income commensurate with a Saks wardrobe. I’m guessing the Wasilla market is already flooded, though I’m sure that Caribou Barbie insists that this is Obama’s fault.

  78. 78.

    murakami

    @danah gaz (fka gaz):

    I personally really love the Lowa Combat GTX boots. It’s around $300-400 but they last forever so it’s pretty much worth it. In my experience, no break-in required. They’re a bit too warm on 110 degree days and a bit too cold on days <20 but other than that, mostly perfect year round.

  79. 79.

    elmo

    Seconding (thirding, whatever) the love for boots here. Given my preference, that’s all I’d ever wear. For air travel, I wear side-zip dress boots, super fast to slip on and off. For riding, paddock boots. For everything else, my Asolo hiking boots are practically custom-made for my giant feet and super-long finger-toes.

    Alas, at the office I have to wear heels. Ugh.

  80. 80.

    Ash Can

    That blows. Guess you’ll just have to stay off your feet. Find a little saloon that has bratwurst sandwiches on buttered, toasted buns, New Glarus and/or Capitol on tap — you should find such a joint if you look in either direction down the block — and stay put for a while. Just try not to fall off the damned bar stool.

  81. 81.

    lamh35

    Hope y’all watching Obama in Colorado. Ain’t no way Romney could speak to women’s issues the way Obama seems to be able to. Mittens would need Ann to do that

  82. 82.

    Brachiator

    @lamh35:

    Hope y’all watching Obama in Colorado. Ain’t no way Romney could speak to women’s issues the way Obama seems to be able to. Mittens would need Ann to do that

    Thanks for the reminder on this. I was watching Maddow talk about this last night. I understand that Sandra Fluke is speaking as well, introducing Obama?

    I’ll have to catch excerpts of the speech this evening.

  83. 83.

    trollhattan

    Since is open thread, did we just dodge a bullet [heh] because of some actual po-leese work?

    NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — A university professor who wrote emails outlining a graphic plan to attack a California high school had been searching for information online about guns, gun laws, ammonium fertilizer and auto explosions in the months before he was arrested on arson charges, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

    http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/08/4705817/new-charges-in-calif-professor.html#storylink=cpy

  85. 85.

    danah gaz (fka gaz)

    @murakami: As far as boots, while I respect the durability of combat boots, for me I prefer form over function. In that dept, durability and comfort takes a hit, but if I don’t have at least 10 shiny buckles on each of my calves I’m generally not inclined to leave the house =)

  87. 87.

    burnspbesq

    @NotMax:

    A front-pager really ought to post about this Reuters-reported development.

    In concept, I’m not opposed to the exchange, but is there any reason to believe that the Taliban won’t renege as soon as they get their guys out?

  89. 89.

    burnspbesq

    Much joy in Beaverton. One of their designated It-Girl marketing icons has won gold.

  90. 90.

    MazeDancer

    Most comfortable shoes ever: SAS

    Made in America. Last forever. Like walking on clouds. Other people are not subjected to the site of other people’s barefeet throughout a plane ride as happens with flipflops.

    A man, for example, could travel wearing the nice loafers, they would go with anything, slip off easily for security, only need one pair of shoes. They are so comfortable you can go for long walks and smile the whole way.

    Here are the men’s styles:

    http://www.sasshoes.com/main/view_styles_catalog.php?catid=1

    The women’s styles are not all attractive. But a few are okay. And they are so comfortable, basically you don’t care. And the sandal heels have gotten me through some dressy events under pants or long skirt.

  93. 93.

    greylocks

    @Amir Khalid: Crocs come in a variety of styles and colors. I have a four-year-old pair of black Crocs flip-flops that are as comfortable as the day I bought them and still look brand new. They have support for the arch, which ordinary flip-flops do not.

    You get what you pay for.

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