Susan (the original)

Hello Doug - From my memory of the few e-mails we exchanged months ago I believe I have some idea of what you're asking for. Certainly there is an occasional situation that requires momentary extra attention but the important thing is the manner in which it is overcome. With me it's that "manner" thing that I've spoken of in the past that is so important. In looking at your post one of the realities that came to mind is after 29 years I've forgotten what it's like "not" to be wearing heels. Another reality is my small size, both my feet and my body. That means my stride is by nature quite short, a normal stair step to most is a high stair step to me, the hem size (circumference) of a slim skirt in my size is also small further limiting my stride and leg movement. A 4 1/2" heel is quite high and a 5 1/4" or slightly higher arc's my ankles and instep beyond vertical, beautifully extreme.

With my recent travels one of the things that immediately comes to mind is escalators. Except for the spike heels with the very small tapered steel bottom and tip, a typical spike heel isn't a problem with the little groves on the escalators I've encountered. Wearing very high heels and a slim knee length, or slightly longer, skirt (or dress) with no walking slit, stepping onto the moving escalator is one of those situations requiring a little extra attention. Recent visits to music halls around the country I've come across excalators that rise three or four stories and move unusually fast. With my feet arc'd slightly beyond vertical by the heels and the hem of the straight skirt pulling at my legs I have only an "instant" to get both feet onto the moving escalator step with a fluid motion without losing balance. Again, over all the years it's one of those things that has become natural but any hesitation or loss of balance would be treacherous.

For so long I've tried to explain my mindset with respect to my dedication to this lifestyle always in the high or very high heels. I'm not sure it is worth trying to explain it any more. I'm a God believing, family oriented woman with values important to me. I believe it's Laurieheels who has mentioned it's her hair style that other's notice. It's much the same for me, my hair style. It's close around my face and turns under my chin. If I tip my head forward to look down, such as at a moving escalator, my view is mostly obscured by my hair. It's just another small part of that "mature sensuality" with a feminine essence that's noticed and commented on by friends.

The active lifestyle I lead now and before the loss of my husband makes the opportunity for noticeable or special situations in the heels endless. Wearing high heel wood clogs (boating is the only time I wear this style of shoe) standing in a bolster seat of a high performance boat is a unique experience. Riding a stand up roller coaster while wearing high heels put incredible stress on my feet, I don't believe I'll do it again. Going down a steep spiral stair case on a houseboat or walking across the upper party deck while the boat is moving are just a couple other unique or noticeable things requiring a little extra attention.

A couple years ago during my visits to the chat room I told of how my kitchen is arranged to accommodate my situation in the heels. My ankles are stuck in the high heel position with movement limited only to an increased arc and the calf muscles in my legs are so very short, it is impossible for me to "squat" down. From the training and conditioning of years ago I can still bend at the hips while keeping the arc of my back correct as I reach down for something. As I said, it's all natural to me after so many years.

I suppose the ultimate situation requiring extra attention is a daily routine in high heels and being pregnant. I did it twice and the second time I was 35 years old. Very special accommodations were used. I've refused to discuss this on these forums and mention it now only to emphasize the depth of emotion I carry. Awakened at 2:00 am, slipping into a pair of high heels (the formed position of my feet, ankles, and legs required it), changing and feeding my young infant, rocking him back to sleep, returning to our room, slipping off the heels and returning to bed. The love and devotion was then for my baby, the heels were only the instrument of a commitment and dedication that is a reflection of the woman I am.

Susan

Laurieheels

SUsan, I always see the escalators as a situation requiring special attention. But for me I guess I have a phobia and I am not sure why. Even in thicker heels I am a bit uncertain with my escalator rides. I worry about stepping on the wrong place and jamming my heel between the two steps as they are pushed together at the top.

And I never even thought about roller coasters and heels. I have not been on amusment rides for some five years now. I have always wanted to get to the rides again, but there is something to think about with wearing heels.

I suppose a higher heel changes everything small in one's life. Normally they are things we do not even think about...

RubberVicki

Me too always struggle with escalators.

Anonymous

Hi Susan
It's great to see your posts on the forum again. After seeing the woman at the wedding reception who I described as your double, my ability to visualize the way you move and the personality it projects is a pleasure. It's obvious beyond any doubt the real high heels are a part of you not just an item of clothing to be worn for affect. I have to admit there is an eroticism and a sexiness that is very real to me in that realization. Please take that as a compliment.

There is something you have talked about many times which no one else has ever mentioned. I'm under the impression from your explanations that due to the condition of your ankles and legs you cannot stoop or squat down, a movement that would be very normal for anyone else and typically happen countless times a day. Apparently the many years of real high heels plus the way your muscles have responded to the way you walk and carry yourself, the shape and condition of your ankles and legs is far more advanced than is generally known. Through the normal course of your day does this ever present a situation that takes a little extra attention on your part? Anything you could describe would be appreciated. Thank you again for sharing your experience and knowledge.

Brad

Susan (the original)

Yes Laurie, it's where I place my foot when stepping onto the escalator, most noteably a down escalator when wearing a slim skirt, that is a bit worrysome to me. A bit of care is necessary to step on from the edge of the floor and with a short stride. My stride is immediately lengthened when my foot touches the moving escalator. I must instantly shift my weight balanced onto the ball of one foot and move my other foot from the floor and place it on the "same" moving step before the narrow skirt tugs at my legs. That's really not overly bothersome and is a matter of manner which must be acted out quickly. Like you, it's having both feet in the right place on the "same" moving step. With all of my weight on the ball of my feet due to the very high heels and no other means of assistance in balance, I usually place one foot slightly behind the other. On a down escalator the step behind me rises rapidly and I can't see it. If the heel tip were to be caught on that step, my ankle would be arc'd to it's limit as the step rose and my foot forced up behind me with my leg and knee being pushed upward and forward. Now, I use escalators frequently and there are a couple other realities to be considered. First, because of the heel height the heel tip is rather close to the sole of my shoe which seemingly would reduce the chance of this happening. Secondly, by turning sideways on the ball of the other foot, both feet can be centered on the same step. The intimidating reality is the escalator steps I've run across are much higher than a typical stair step. If my heel were to be caught on the step rising behind me, my legs would be trapped by the narrow skirt, pushing me forward causing complete loss of balance and even holding the hand rail would be little help. In all honesty I don't encounter many escalators when I'm wearing a slim knee length or longer skirt or dress. While shopping in a large mall I did have this happen but I was wearing dress jeans. Busy talking and paying little attention it all happened very quickly with no incident.

Brad, you're correct about my inability to stoop or squat down. It's a reality of the shape and condition of my feet, ankles, and very short calf muscles. Please understand, it was a high degree of "ability" and "manner" in the very high or extreme heels that I worked to achieve many many years ago. Every time I try to explain this it gets messy and few or no one understands. It had and has nothing to do with anything weird, kinky, or anything of the sort. It was a deep desire to achieve something special that required my complete devotion, PERIOD. (I'm female, I've elaborated in the past and the result was a host of character assassinations - we'll let it go at that) Through the training, conditioning, and manner I worked for I don't walk with just my feet. It starts from the position of my shoulders, arc of my spine, and goes all the way down. It has to, or the fluid motion of a female silhouette I strived for is impossible. Through that same training and conditioning the position of my toes, my feet, and my ankles are virtually molded and remain permanently shaped just as though I was wearing very high heels.

To squat or stoop down while wearing high heels the knees bend as the legs angle forward, the relative position between the foot, ankle, and lower leg approaches or becomes the same as though standing in low heels or flat footed. For me, that is quite impossible. Instead, I bend sharply forward at the hips, my spine remains in proper position, and my knees remain straight. Brad, you asked if this took extra attention. Not really but it does creat some unique challenges. If you're really interested, maybe next time.

Susan

phuonginheels

Here in Belgium especially a very hard terrain for wearing high heels are cobblestones. Belgians really love to put cobblestones everywhere, because they think it's pretty. But it's very hard and dangerous terrain to walk on that with very high heels.

jo-jo

Had to walk across tonnes of gravel patyhs today at a venue for a course. What a nightmare and I was the only one wearing heels. There was a clear abundance of flat sandals - yuck I think I will continue to struggle through the gravel as that is much better than a fate of flat sandals :eek:
jo-jo
xx

__________________
Don't ask me how I walk in them just try a pair

allheel

Cobblestones are not fun for any kind of walking, put in by people who don't walk, sit in offices and design the footpaths.

Welcome back Susan, could we all vote to promote you from 'comfy loafers' to something more elegant based on your long and helpful postings on the previous list.

Anonymous

Hi Susan
Obviously your lifestyle influenced by so many things is not only enjoyable and satisfying to you, it comes to my mind it's also FUN. It has to be or so much of what you encounter because of your high heels and other things would be nothing but aggravating. I've come to this conclusion after discussing some of your explanations with my wife, who I will add has a definit respect for you. You have your likes and dislikes just like all of us, I have the idea your real personality is FUN also.

Something I don't remember you telling much about is if there is something you do with your high heels that might be noticeable that would give the impression you are playing with them, the shoes. You've previously indicated things like dangling is not something you do. As much FUN as you seem to have surely there is something of a subtle tease that would get the attention of a guy like me.

Brad

Susan (the original)

Allheel, thank you for the welcome back. Discussions in the areas of interest to me are rare but I'm a bit of a "deliberately determined" woman and maybe there are some readers who share those interests if given the chance, at least it seems so. It's certainly worth giving it a try. As for the shoe pictures attached to the member names, with the possible exception of "one" they are all quite pathetic (in my humble opinion). It's been recommended to me to have my name deleted from the members list and post anonymously as a solution. I've made I believe 9 or 10 posts in a month, mostly due to time constraints created by other activities. I won't live long enough to rate or be classified as an acceptable member. But, it really doesn't make any difference.

Brad, you've got me just a little bit confused. My thoughts after reading your other posts were one of, I suppose, a bit of satisfaction. Ah, here's a gentleman, and I do believe there are many many more, who see's with some understanding the finer depth of a feminine appeal. Now you ask, is there is something I do to "tease" with the heels? No, I don't believe the word "tease" is the correct word, "suggest" might be a better word for me.

To the true understanding admirer there are probably several things I do which would be noticeable. Your vivid memory of the woman you described at the party is in part an example of what I mean. I've explain'd in the past that when I say "balance" I'm not talking about teatering on the high thin heels, I mean I'm literally balanced on the end, ball, of my feet when wearing the very high heels. Now, anyone who see's me obviously doesn't know I don't and can't use my toes for any leverage to help balance. I believe in your description of the woman at the party you told of how she pivoted on the sloe of her shoe, sliding the heel tip across the floor. In a very high or extreme heel, the heel of the foot is already at it's maximum height. The only way to lift the heel tip slightly from the floor while standing on the ball of the foot is, through muscle control, force the ankle to arc further forward. With no pressure (push) being done with my toes the shoe will pivot smoothly with ease. The movement is fluid with no jerky motion. You've seen it Brad, you know what I'm talking about. It's the complete fluid motion of the entire experience that is the "suggestion" or "tease" if you want to call it that. Except when standing still, if my motion is as I learned, both heel tips should never be touching the floor at the same time.

You mentioned "playing" with the heels such as dangling. What I explained above is, after all the years, mostly a sub-conscious motion to me. I suppose what you are really asking is, is there something I consciously do to attract attention. I certainly enjoy an admiring glance, however I hope it is for me not my shoes. Of the couple things I generally do that could be called "play" I doubt many people would recognize them. If I'm standing waiting at the edge of a step or curb I'll put one foot forward so the sole is past the edge so nothing is under it, only the heel tip touches the floor. With a little force from my weight the arch of my foot and ankle is slightly increased and I can wooble my ankle on the heel. I sense, subconsciously, very much the position of my ankles during walking and most all movement. This little "play" helps enhance that sense of feeling.

If I'm wearing a more typical high heel 4 1/2", not the extreme heels, and I'm standing still I sometimes cross one foot in front of the other, turning and arching my ankle so the toe of the shoe is pointing down. I hook the toe of that shoe on the edge of the other shoe which I'm standing on. Honestly, this is something I used to share with my husband. Balanced on one foot if I lost my balance it is impossible to get the other foot unhooked, turned around, and on the floor in time. If we were at some occasion or event standing and waiting, this is something I found enjoyable with the reassurance of his presence.

Sitting, I very rarely cross my legs for a couple of reasons, mostly because of my size and the manner I wish to reflect. My feet are usually a little in front of me with my legs at a slight side angle. I make no attempt to "put them on display" but I do want the appearance to be pleasing.

It's entirely a matter of personal preference. You're correct Brad, I do have fun and I have an incredible love of life.

Susan