My late, lamented Wayfarers

wayfarers

“Walter” — a commenter who may be the blog unperson “Bill” but who is being tolerated for now as long as he behaves himself (and so far he’s skirted the edges of incivility, but hasn’t quite yet caused me to pull the lever to the trapdoor under him) — taunted me back here about my clip-on sunglasses, to which I replied:

I’ll have you know that when I was a kid, I thought flip-up sunglasses were the coolest thing, because MLB outfielders wore them for dealing with pop-ups.

I’m no longer under the illusion that they are cool, but they certainly are practical. A year or two ago I sat on my prescription Wayfarers (which WERE cool) one too many times, and they broke right across the nose bridge. So I turned to these as a cheap replacement.

And wouldn’t you know it, the one image of me that has appeared most in state AND national media is of me unconsciously wearing my flip-ups at the infamous Sanford press conference. If I’d known how often variations of that image would appear (there I was on Barbara Walters’ recent “Jenny” special — she also used the clip of me saying, “Governor, are you going to resign?” as an intro to a discussion of political fallout) — if I had been aware I was being photographed at all — I’d have taken the things off. Without them, I’d have looked pretty natty (by my standards) in my bamboo-fiber jacket and hound-dog bow tie. There I was, the sharpest-dressed guy in the room, and the flip-up shades are all anybody sees…

And that got me to thinking, nostalgically, about my Wayfarers.

I got my pair of genuine “Blues Brothers” shades as either a birthday or Father’s Day gift back in the mid-80s. They were purchased from a mall kiosk in Wichita, Kansas. Sometime later, I had prescription lenses put in.

I miss them, but couldn’t quite justify the expense of replacing them even when I had a high-paying job. I just don’t spend money like that; never have.

By the way, the photo above was taken at the Gettysburg battlefield in June 2007. I had become separated from my family, and was killing time messing with my camera while sitting under a tree waiting for them. By the way, as further evidence of how cheap I am — I bought those sandals at Wal-Mart (the same place I got my flip-up shades) for $6. It was such a good deal, and they were so comfortable (every bit as sturdy and comfortable as the $100-plus sandals they imitate), that I bought two more pair and put them in my closet. And I’m still (in the appropriate season) wearing the first pair.

Not much chance of this blog supplanting The Shop Tart among those who love to shop, huh?

18 thoughts on “My late, lamented Wayfarers

  1. Walter

    Brad – What’s the deal with thinking I’m somebody named “Bill”? Do you have any proof of this, if not is speculation a part of your blog? I’m confused, were you an editor for The State newspaper or The National Enquirer.

    Remove this piece, apologize for assuming that I’m someone that I’m not unless you can somehow prove that I am that person.

    Unless this article is removed or changed, consider this my last post to your blog.

  2. Walter

    BTW – Just because I don’t bow down to the alter of Brad Warthen doesn’t make me a bad person in most peoples eyes.

  3. HP

    As a former reader of Will Folks’ blog, looks to me like you have picked up a stray. Only this one goes by Walter, instead of “BIN.”

    Same nagging, heel-nipping MO; probably from the same little band of hooligans. Walter seems to take great pains to use intentionally dumbed-down grammar, etc., perhaps so he won’t come off as an anal-retentive, semi-retired lawyer.

    🙂

  4. Brad Warthen

    You mean, such as writing “alter” when he means “altar?” Anyone can slip when writing on a blog. Even me.

    Actually, Walter, if you don’t use your real, full name, you invite speculation. HP should note this as well…

  5. Walter

    HP – I have never read Will Folk’s blog, in fact I never knew one existed.

    Sorry, I’m not a lawyer or semi-retired lawyer. I actually work for a living.

    As far as my grammar, I didn’t realize it was “dumbed-down”, maybe I just don’t use words that require readers to grab their Webster dictionary to figure out what I’m trying to say. Excuse me if I write like most people talk… well maybe not the Capitol City Breakfast Club, but most people who eat breakfast at home.

  6. Walter

    “Alter” or “altar”, who cares, you know what I meant… or is that ment.

    One of the first lessons on courtesy I learned as a bow tie wearing 3 year old was to never correct people’s grammar in public. But maybe that’s how editors flex their muscles and make themselves feel important.

  7. Walter

    BTW – “Oh, and I thought you weren’t going to post here any more if I didn’t take this down.”

    Is this your way of telling me to stop posting to your blog?

  8. Kathryn Fenner

    Okay, boys (if indeed “Walter” is a boy). How’s about take it outside?

    I have a honors degree in English literature and I certainly detect a certain “voice” in the writer “Walter” that is alarmingly similar, albeit not yet so vitriolic as “Bill C”–I propose that unless and until “Walter” identifies himself to Brad’s satisfaction, he is off the blog.

    I also would support any decision Brad makes to not post any snotty comments, or non-snotty comments, for that matter, including those made by me. It’s his blog, not the newspaper of record.

  9. HP

    Brad – you have now officially fed the stray. But notice the immediate legalese demanding proof of your accusations, the lack thereof meriting immediate subjugation to his demands?

    The last I kept up with it, “BIN” hadn’t been pestering Will Folks nearly as much now that he has apparently gone over to the dark side.

    This is all very fascinating to me. Obviously…

  10. Brad Warthen

    Really? You have “a honors degree?” In English?

    Sorry. Couldn’t resist…

    Seriously, Kathryn, about the poits you raise… Check out my latest post, about our conversation with Hal the other day. I’d provide a link, but I’m on my Blackberry (Ash Wednesday mass about to begin, and I need to put this away before Mamanem catches me…)

  11. Walter

    Kathryn, (since I’ve been scolded for using nicknames). It’s comforting to know that the university you attended issued you an honors degree in English Literature and not in Criminal Justice. It refreshes my faith in the higher education system.

    The only pattern I’m seeing between me and this “Bill C” person (which is very little except for reading quotes and links posted by Brad) is that it appears that we don’t come off as a stuffed shirt Columbia Society wannabe or write posts that require an honors degree in English Literature or access to a dictionary to get through. I got my degrees in Finance (BS & MBA) and try to act like a normal person and not some poser NPR listening pompus ass.

    Brad is upset because I make fun of his dress, yet he can point out spelling and grammatical errors in my posts which to him is okay. So go ahead Brad, flip up those clip-on shades, loosen that bow tie and get out the red pen.

  12. Anne

    Oh, Brad, the Shop Tart is all about the celebration of truly personal style. In spite of yourself, you definitely have personal style (and it’s pretty great at that).

    A

  13. Kathryn Fenner

    Brad–I have an honors degree in English (two ways, even), but I took band instead of typing in junior high, and it may not have been the better choice.

Comments are closed.