I'm a ninja, not a ging-ah

The "ging-ah" thing has absolutely no relevance to what I am about to say. Thought I'd better clear that up before we got started.

What I am actually referring to is the recent acquisition of various sleek and secret agent-esque black things. It all started after work yesterday when I headed into the hustle and bustle of Wellington to buy myself a new pair of running shoes. You see the weather over here for the last week or so has been so vile that the only way I can bring myself to take Gert out is if I go running - I know she hates it, well finds it tedious, but it is less tedious than staying at home doing sod all (if you are a dog). The vile weather has been taking the form of southerly winds and rain, so I decided to fish out my old trail running shoes, which in turn made me realise how knackered my running shoes were. And thus I headed off to the shops.

Once I got to the fancy running gear shop I informed them, for I know these things, that I overpronate, particularly on my right foot. So they made me whip off my shoes & socks, roll up my trouser legs (drawing to my attention how hairy and in desperate need of a good moisturise my legs are) and run up and down the shop and over some high tech sensor pad thing. It will come as no surprise that this led them to the conclusion that I overpronate, particularly on my right foot. Now I have a super duper printout to prove it. Eventually, after much shoe testing, I, of course, discovered that the most comfortable shoes for my freak feet were the $250 ones. Then I moved on to choosing some fancy running gear, for I had been most recently been seen running in a pair of 3/4 leggings (pale blue), 3/4 shorts (dark blue), a fleece jacket (grey) and a tricolour cagoul (blue/yellow/white). Not a good look.

I think I tried on almost everything in the shop and, despite constant repetition of my allegiance to the colour black to the sales staff, even ventured to test out a rather garish grey/peach Adidas concoction. Eventually I opted for some rather delicious black leggings/tights, black t-shirt and a black vest/waistcoat thingy (all with reflective bits, which stymies the stealth thing but may stop me being mown down by a car). I had a very intense discussion about what kind of jacket would protect my mobile phone should there be a deluge whilst I am out running, but we finally came to the conclusion that I should just put my phone in a zip-lock plastic bag to waterproof it - seems obvious in retrospect, admittedly. I either look like a running ninja or Max Wall. Hmmm...methinks ninja. But the good news is that I spent so much money that they have given me a $50 voucher.

Plus, I found "Stick It" and "Zulu" in a nearby DVD sale for $10 each. That's only £3 in real money.

The mobile phone debate was inspired by my very recent (i.e. today) acquisition of a very lovely black slidey-open yes I am a rock star/secret agent phone. I have it next to me now, so I can gaze upon its beauty.