Out of Stock Sock

I was almost finished with my Christmas shopping, but had one more gift to buy. That's when I was introduced to these beauties by Natural Collection. The only problem: they're out of stock. Sorry Alex, looks like you'll get something boring like a new iPod or cotton candy machine.

Sockology Lesson, Part I

Centuries ago, animal skins were used as foot protection. The skins were cleaned and bound above the ankles for protection from the elements and debris. Slap a logo on them and they would have made a nice pair of Nike cross-trainers -- good for hunting, gathering, and/or bear fighting.

Today socks are less animal skin and more sockey materials like cotton, wool, silk, polyester and nylon. I somehow doubt I would have started a sock blog centuries ago had socks not evolved past animal skins. Partly because I'm not that into leather socks, and partly because I bet the internet connections were really slow back then.

This isn't an example of the earliest pairs of socks, but a pair of leather socks worn by Sir Admiral Horatio Nelson's Socks.

O Captain's Socks! My Captain's Socks!

I visited my brother and sister-in-law in London last week. One afternoon, we hopped a boat to Greenwich where we set our watches to official GMT, looked through one of the largest telescopes in the world, and learned about Britain's great naval hero, Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson. Once we left the Royal Observatory, we moseyed into some shops and discovered Captain's Socks. The red sock identifies Port and the green sock identifies Starboard. Together they identify Christmas. I regret not purchasing them for our boat ride back to the Tower Bridge dock. Nothing happened; I just think they would have been festive.

If you're in the market for Captain's Socks, you can find them at Nauticalia in Greenwich, or purchase them on-line: http://www.nauticalia.com/uk-info/clothing/accessories/captain's_socks/6505.html

If you need to know the exact time, just contact me.