So, for a while I had a high-concept idea for sneakers: Chuck Taylor rental bowling shoes. But the thing is, it would be extremely difficult to get them dyed right - red on one side, blue on the other, beige in the middle. Also, you can't take the shoe apart because the sole is melted on.

Enter Converse's latest marketing scheme: custom kicks . They actually have a pretty respectable number of designs to choose from [Hi-top and oxford Chucks in canvas, leather, and suede, extra hi-top Chucks and Jack Purcell in canvas and more]. Each panel can be a different color, and certain designs are part of (PRODUCT)RED .

And so, finally, I present to you: Dave's High Concept Chucks [allow 3-4 weeks for manufacture & delivery]:



UPDATED TO ADD: (e:twisted,36796)

- Z

After being told that one of my pairs of jeans had an enormous hole in the ass, I bought a new pair that just came in the mail today. They are supposedly unique in that they are more durable than most jeans, but more unusual, these are manufactured in a medium-security state prison in Pendleton, OR.

I have been thinking about jail lately since I read some disturbing statistics regarding our prison system . The United States has more prisoners per capita than any other country in the world; we lead Russia [#2] by almost 50%. Furthermore, our prison population growth outstrips overall population growth by 200%.

Either Americans are the most poorly-behaved people in the world, and are only getting worse - or something is seriously fucked up. Reading this week's News of the Weird [items #1 and #6, in particular] it seems that the latter is more likely than the former.

At any rate, these jeans are made in America, by Americans, who make $8/hour - with 80% being withheld for restitution, room & board, &c., and the rest being either sent home to the inmate's family or kept in a savings account until they're released. They are competitively priced at $30/pair and come in my preferred size of 29x34. I feel pretty special with my jail jeans.

Also: good news today about al-Zarqawi; there is an interesting, though somewhat dated, article about him here: . Now, if the war had been 1500 miles east of where it is, it would have been his boss, and that would have been much better news. But, we take what we can get. Good job, guys- let's get this shit done so you can come home.

- Z