I somehow manage to make a pair of trainers last a year before they start to look worn out and yesterday was the day that I had to get myself a new pair. After my radical departure away from the Converse All Star last year, almost exactly a year ago in fact, I was all set to give in and accept that they will forever be my footwear of choice. However, I looked around on the off chance that something else would grab my attention and saw the above pair that I bought. From a distance they look like the same shoe that everyone wears yet they are not Converse, they are Dunlop. If you have followed the link back and read the blog you will probably want to call me out on the fact that I dismissed Dunlop on the grounds that my dad wears them, but fuck it, I'm nearly in the last year of my thirties so the time has come to stop worrying about such nonsense. Also, Dunlop's version are far more comfortable as they are just that little bit wider on the 'knuckle' of the foot.
What struck me was the level of service in Sports Direct. At first I was a little discombobulated by the fact that I didn't have to ride an escalator to get to the shop, but then I remembered that is a JD Sports thing. The staff were helpful and friendly, (one of the things that usually puts me off big chain stores is the amount of fucks the staff just don't give) but also cheerful to the point of insanity. Maybe they don't know that they work in a shop that uses zero hours contracts and sells clothing made by sweatshop labour, or maybe they are given drugs to behave in this way. I said 'maybe', I am not suggesting that Sports Direct drug their staff to make them far too happy, although it wouldn't be a huge shock to me if they did.
The podcast might be a bit of a stretch this week as it still hasn't been recorded and today I am going to the Waterfront Festival where I will still be in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Sunday Alternative #51 is available from here.
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August housekeeping
We are now in the eighth month of the year and at a standstill as far as work is concerned. In unrelated news, it is my birthday on the 27th of this month so a nice present would be a donation using the PayPal button. This would be spent on creating podcasts, documentaries, short films, comedy sketches and various other entertainments that I will make available to enjoy online for free.
The above t-shirt and bag is also available to buy, all the money goes to the same creative fund. They are on my shop page.
I'll play you a kazoo song request, find out how here.
Letter of complaint written for you for £2, here.
steveEoliver@gmail.com
