Shoe Envy and Random Thoughts About City Life

I just got an email about these new AGL shoes. I've been wearing their flats in various flavors over the past year because of the back injury I had. I still am trying to wear flats or gym shoes whenever possible, but I am wearing heels again when the outfit or occasion calls for it.

I've found that European shoes fit my "wider across the toes-narrower at the heels" feet much better than others I've worn in the past, even though my inner cheap accountant self complains about the higher prices. Wearing flats was tough - it was sooo painful to get used to being short most of the time, but I finally got over it. I had been wearing 4" heels all the time for years, because I lived and worked in the suburbs and didn't walk places. But anyway, it is taking every bit of self-control that I possess not to buy these shoes. I don't even know what I'd wear them with as I wear mostly knit print dresses.

Yesterday I had a randomly fun time that I didn't see coming, but it was another experience that helped me in my decision making process. I got an email last week about RA Sushi's new "respect yourself in the morning" special. It is a sashimi plate with a choice of one of three "skinny" cocktails. I asked one of my friends who lives a few blocks away if she wanted to go there to try it for lunch but she already had plans. (As an aside, I like that life is pretty spontaneous here- I can just text a nearby friend, see if she's up for doing something and about half the time, it ends up working out. It's fun!)

So anyway, I decided to take the subway over there (which is a 2 block walk away) and 10 minutes later, I was there. The restaurant is a few neighborhoods away from me, in the Gold Coast area, which I hadn't explored much before. I sat at the bar and ordered the special and proceeded to connect to the AT&T wifi from the Barnes & Noble across the street with my iPad and wait for my order. (Btw, do NOT order the skinny cucumber-Rita - it is terrible - I will skip the special and just get Sauvignon blanc and a spicy salmon roll next time.)

There was an older couple at the bar and myself, and the restaurant/bar had a fun neighborhood feel. An older gentleman came in and sat a few seats away from me and started asking me about my iPad and other Apple and non-Apple devices, and I actually started helping him figure out a few things he wanted to know about his iPhone. It was a nice, neighborhood bar like, friendly, conversation and we ended up talking about other topics like MBA programs, accounting, Eastern medicine (as he had a background in investment banking, then a current second career in various Eastern medical techniques he went to China to learn) and he bought me a few more drinks while we were conversing. It was fun, no harm done, I wasn't driving anywhere, and I enjoyed it. In the suburbs, my experience was that no one talks to each other. I was just as guilty of it. I used to do the same thing at the RA by my old house, many times, and not once did anyone strike up a friendly conversation.

So anyway, just another pro to put in the pros/cons list of living in Chicago vs. the suburbs.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! I'm getting together with another long time friend who lives two miles away this morning for coffee/brunch. I really do love my new life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

[Marybeth]

Hi, Robin! What fun! I'm glad you're feeling happy! Change is so hard, and I admire that you had the courage to make some difficult changes. I say buy the shoes and then make a dress to go with them!

[Lisa]

See, that's not true where I live. My little local bar is wonderful. Everyone talks to everyone else!