No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to avoid getting scuff marks on the top front of my left shoe. I'll get a brand new pair of shoes and, in what seems likes minutes, I'll have a scuff or soil mark on the top front of my left shoe. It's not on the very front of my shoe like I'm stubbing my toe on things, it's higher, on the top front of the shoe.
Here, I'll go take a picture of my shoes right now. Guaranteed there's a scuff or a dust mark on my left shoe.
See I told you so. And as God is my witness, I did not set this picture up. I didn't have to. It's always there like a curse.
I never get marks on my right shoe. Not like this. Not ever.
Now, for many of you who know me and also ride motorcycles, solving this mystery seems like child's play. The scuff marks are from the gear shifter on the motorcycle. (You operate a motorcycle shifter with your left foot. You tuck your toe under the shifter and pull up to shift up and push down to shift down.) And for the longest time, I had assumed that was the cause. And, indeed, when you ride, you do get scuff marks on the top of your shoe, just exactly like the ones I get. I've had plenty of scuff marks from the shifter on my bike.
But I get these marks in the winter. Today is March 26th. I haven't been on my bike for months.
For a while I had this theory that I was tucking my left foot under the brake pedal of the car and getting the mark from the back of the brake pedal, but I've never caught myself doing that. I even tried putting my foot behind the brake pedal to see if it feels at all familiar. Nope. Nothing.
Now I know you are thinking I'm just a little touched. After dealing with this subtle little problem, you can bet your life I'm a little touched. In fact I'm starting to get a LOT touched.
Another theory I had was maybe it's the way I walk. Maybe when I walk my right foot somehow scuffs the top of my left foot. Well, I've never caught myself doing that either. (OK, fine, I tried that too. It also did not feel at all familiar.)
Most of the time it's not a big deal. A little dust or scuff on my left shoe . . . who cares. But lots of times I'll be going out somewhere special and I decide to polish my shoes. It never fails that when I get there I have to wipe off my left shoe.
Today, quite by accident, I caught myself doing something that causes the scuff marks! I'm so happy! I can now move on to bigger and better things!
Cheers.
P.S. You want to know what is causing my scuff marks? Post a freak'n comment and I'll tell you. I never get comments :(
OK here is a comment post for you! Now will you reveal what caused the mark?! Please, please, please!!! P.S. Some fun conversation in the lounge this a.m.!
ReplyDeleteHey, Sunshine. Yes, some fun conversation.
ReplyDeleteAnd now for the drum roll . . .
I was getting out of my work truck the other day and caught myself hooking my left foot under the driver's door as it opened.
It was unconscious behavoir and I wouldn't have noticed had it not been for my quest to explain the scuff marks.
How long have I been doing this. I don't know but it's been a while. Certainly long enough to do it involuntarily.
My guess is I started this habit one day when I had my hands full and the door was opening in a crowded parking lot and I caught the door with my foot to avoid hitting the car beside me.
Apparently I do it all the time, whether it is required or not because I sure get my share of scuff marks.
I realize this is painfully anti-climactic for you but you have to realize that it was quite the little eureka for me.
Have a good day :)
Not anticlimactic at all! I think most of us have little things we do so automatically that we have idea that we do them! Thanks for sharing! It's got me wondering what stuff I do!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue for posting a comment (that stayed posted) and solving this mystery - tonight I'll be able to sleep! Beth
ReplyDeleteHey Beth, The mystery has now been solved! Lucky us!
ReplyDeleteSo, are you still doing it??? (I tried posting a comment before...didn't work.)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to watch you get out of the car now. I think I do that too...because imagining putting my foot under the car door seems really natural.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous: Yup still 'doing it'. Prolly always will.
ReplyDeleteFinally! This has been driving me crazy for so long. I had the same thing happening on all my left shoes all year. I figured it had something to do with my office, because it never happened before I changed jobs last year. I thought it was my from hooking my foot under my desk or chair, so I taped soft pads on any sharp edges I could find down down there, but of course that didn't stop it. I checked the hallways, staircase, and elevators for anything sharp at foot level...nothing. Now that I found your post it instantly clicked! My old office had plenty of parking so I never parked next to other cars and could just swing my door open real wide. This new office has a crowded parking lot with narrow spaces. I park next to other cars and end up using my left foot to catch the door when I open it, because I usually have my hands busy with coffee and my briefcase. Thank you!
ReplyDelete