5 posts tagged “boots”
I never thought I'll be blogging about my shoes. Ever since I started blogging about a year ago, I have changed 4 pairs of court shoes !!! Let me tell you about the story of my court shoes...
I've been playing court games for as long as I can remember. When I was still schooling, I've always bought court shoes to play badminton, squash or even football! During my schooling days there were limited brands on the market. I think it was Dunlop who came out with these court shoes, then Carlton followed suit, then Yonex, Asics etc etc. Usually my court shoes will last me well over a year despite whatever abuse I threw at it including jogging, cycling and jungle trekking.
Then I bought a second pair of court shoes recently, about 5 months ago. This time I got a different brand with a "brand new design" and paid RM59.90 for it. Thinking having a "new design and technology" will mean much better quality (and it's more expensive too), I happily quickly put it to use. After 3 months of use, HUMONGOUS holes appeared at the sides and on the soles. I persisted using them for another month or so before throwing it into the dustbin (Which explains why I did not have the picture) What the .....!!!!!! Only after 3 months man !!!! And I just used it to play squash 2-3 times per week!
After that I bought this pair of shoes, my 3rd pair.
Today I've decided to get a new pair of shoes with the "older design", by the first brand. It has harder and thicker soles reinforced with hard plastic. This costs me about RM70 bucks despite on "offer". I certainly hope this pair last me longer than a couple of weeks.
Which makes me wonder, how come "newer designs and technology" fares much worse then the good old boring ones? And more expensive too. Are manufacturers now cutting corners and using inferior materials to boost profits? I hear of houses cracking after a few months, brand new hospitals leaking, buildings collapsing etc etc. Whatever happened to the pride and integrity of making good products? Or have they given way to $$$?
Does the RM300 bucks Adidas/Nike/Reebok shoes really worth that much? Are they of much better quality? Will they last longer? Or as the say you pay peanuts, you get monkeys and vice versa? Or am I just penny wise pound foolish?
Whatever it is, I'm never gonna spend RM300 bucks on a pair of shoes. I appreciate the value of money, and how hard it has to be earned. If I'm suddenly disabled where am I to find even RM1 dollar? Will people even spare me a dime? I've worked as a cashier before in a supermarket after SPM with a salary of RM300 PER MONTH. Many of my ex co-workers with families were just making ends meet with such a salary. I just cannot bring myself to be a spendthrift. I just can't. Even if I'm a millionaire, I still can't. Which sometimes brings conflict with my spouse :(
My frugality and "cost effectiveness" mind does influence my practice too. I've always recommend the most cost efficient and effective treatment to my patients. Which is why when I meet patients who says "Cost don't matter", " I can pay for A-Z", I just don't bother to explain much any longer. Any effort to explain will result in suspicion because somebody (whom they paid hundreds of dollars I suppose) told them you need A-Z investigations just to be sure despite many of these investigations have dubious value. And hey they are paying only RM5 to see me and who will listen to a RM5 ringgit doctor? Good things don't come cheap and cheap things aren't good right? I just love to see these patients in private practice in the future hahahahahaha! In any case I can always justify with "Just in case I'm wrong" hahahahaha. What to do....when people want guarantees. People just can't get the concept of there is no guarantee in health unlike the many "Tuisyen jamin lulus peperiksaan" out there.
Less than a year after I bought my new pair of "industrial quality" boots for work, it has begun to age. It had performed "par excellence" against rain, mud, stones, sewage, shit, blood, urine, vomitus, glass, needles, blades, corrosive medications...you name it. It held it's own against all external forces. Alas, as they say, your worse enemy is yourself.
The sole has worn out till it exposes a hard metal/rubber base which hurts my sole terribly each time I walked. Just imagine how much I walked each day until my "industrial strength" boots gave way.
I was thinking of getting a new pair of boots already. I had set my eyes on this shop - a hardware shop. Yeah I need a stronger "industrial quality" boots. Yup, we are laborers in our own way.And I love industrial stuffs - they are masculine, durable, strong and perhaps makes me look a little more "macho" hahaha. These boots are one of a kind, metal toe, oil proof, nail proof ...proof etc. Perfect for my needs! It has even it's own website but sadly I can't seem to access it now. Alas the design of my choice did not have my size.
However, I spotted an "industrial quality" soft rubber shoe pad at the corner of the display. Yup, I'll get those. It's not a cure but it will extend the life of my boots for a couple of months more :) Not bad, it's very comfortable.
Yup, we need industrial boots for the kind of high risk job we do. Those thin black leather "shine till you can see your face" type just won't do.
To be continued...
And yes. This is a necessity.
I need to walk thru' mud, flood waters, nails, dust, wood, stones, constructions sites, blood, sputum, urine, vomitus, needles and perhaps shit (human and animal) or a broken bottle or two in my course of duty.
Doctors should be categorized as working in high risk conditions.
Occupational hazards are very real. Many healthcare workers have been victims of needle prick injuries involving HIV patients and even victims of hospital acquired infections.
I'll be looking for industrial grade prick resistant gloves next hahahaha....maybe with eye goggles with night vision and Kelvar suits. Oh yes and the biohazard masks...
