Shoes

Only ever see this in films set in American ghettoes, but here they are in Thornbury. And they're old Converse...

This photo has turned out to be strangely popular, it is rated as my most interestingnessed. Bizarre

Turns out that a few other folks have some hanging shoes nearby too:
jachi
Helen Morgan

Anyone got any more?

And I found Flickr groups:
Shoes on Powerlines
High-flung shoes
Shoes on Telephone Lines

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Comments

Parvati says:

Awesome shot! great clouds, beautifully observed.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Leorex says:

"They've become somewhat of an urban legend. Some say they are the shoes of dead men, some claim they are markers for drug dealers and/or gangs -- but the city says they are an urban menace.

Police Chief William Bratton said the shoes are meant to generate fear."
- NBC4 News
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

schoolio says:

Fantastic silhouette.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Helen Morgan says:

I've seen 'em in Burwood too, many times over the years. Great shot.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

Thanks, folks

Ben, I'm now concerned that this was less than a block from my house. Given the neigbourhood, I probably shouldn't be suprised. Some of it is very nice, but some of it...
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Leorex says:

I'm sure there's no need to be alarmed. There's also the 'tradition' aspect, when you buy a new pair of shoes, you throw the old ones up.

Or when you buy your TV and DVD player, watch a movie called Wag the Dog. There's a scene where kids throw their shoes up in support of Sgt. William "Ol' Shoe" Schumann.

But also feel a little sorry for your power company. Those shoes put strain on the wires, and businesses and residents are inconvenienced when they have to shut the power off to remove them.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

l&coolj says:

may they rest in peace.
great backdrop, btw...
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

jachi says:

Two pairs of shoes appeared on the telegraph wires outside my house a week back. FYI I've checked and have found that I'm not a drug dealer.

I think the shoes were installed by a neighbour who lives in one of the other flats in my house. He was ending a fabulous NYE in the small hours of New Year's Day around about the time the shoes appeared.

The shoes thing got ridiculous a few years ago in my neighbourhood when a total of twelve pairs of shoes ended up on the wires in the street next to mine for a couple of months. I was glad I didn't have to drive under them everyday.

Great photo, Lachlan. Clouds courtesy of the Simpsons?

Edit: added photo of shoes outside my house
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

I've seen it, Ben. Great flick. Don't remember the scene, though

Thanks, l&coolj. The clouds were kicking ass that day

Jachi is right. They are very cartoonish clouds, aren't they? A bit too close to the idealised concept of a cloud. It was a beautiful day in Thornbury!

I'm glad you're not a drug dealer, jachi. Although I am concerned that you felt the need to check in order to confirm that...
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

the doubtful guest says:

great shot.

i always thought it was done by drunken lads....a simultaneous demonstration of macho marksmanship, and dominance over the poor bugger who the shoes belong to (perhaps an equally drunk mate).

of course i have no evidence to support this. just theorising...
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

laRuth says:

Nice shot!
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

fudj says:

that's awesome... those clouds are totally surreal
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

Thanks, folks!
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

yogomozilla says:

If you see something, say something.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

amyalisha says:

hey i live in thornbury! *franticly checks all pairs of chuck taylors are safe and secure*
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

Amy, I thought so when I saw the photos near Merri Creek. This was just off Darebin Road

Someone bless all canvas high tops and keep them safe!
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

Seeing something of a trend, I've added some bonus links to the description
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Helen Morgan says:

Cool re. groups! My effort seems a bit boring in comparison.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

Nah, I like yours. You, Jacqui and I have all used very different styles, but I like them all
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Helen Morgan says:

Nah, I like yours. Agree with Jachi, the cloud effect is groovy, very Simpsonesque.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Gilfer says:

Nice. Works really weel as a silhouette.

Here's my shoes from powerlines shot.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

Thanks, Gilfer
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Helen Morgan says:

Did you know about this?
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

What the hell is that?
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Helen Morgan says:

It tells you that probably, unbeknownst to you, you appeared in Explore that day, and this is where you are currently rated out of the 500 piccies which make it into Explore. Which is one reason you've received a lot of hits for this (Actually, did the URL work? Was it citable?) - I followed through this from someone else last night, put me in (got my AusDay pic), then you (got shoes), Jachi (two pics), and the two Bens have heaps!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

I don't even know what Explore is...
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Helen Morgan says:

I never use it either. Mon does all the time. We have different ways of exploring flickr. I like the social networking aspect, checking out other peoples' contacts (people who've commented on pictures I like), looking through other peoples' tags and favourites. Mon likes seeing pictures from this day last year (which you can do through Explore) or checking Interestingness.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

Okay, I found it. What a strange page... It doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I doubt I'll be using it often
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Helen Morgan says:

Only when you're really bored, and have nothing better to do at work! And then I could think of much better things you could be doing!
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Christine Lebrasseur says:

You are my winner as well!
Thanks for adding this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/

--
Found in your popular shots. (?)
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

Merci, Christine. Fait
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Christine Lebrasseur says:

:)

--
Seen in my recent comments. (?)
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Felix42 contra la censura says:

Ah Lachlan, I've joined the shoe-lovers-on-lines list too :)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

Excellent!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

trey_speyrer says:

where i am from this is a commonly accepted symbol for drug sales.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

eden~victoria says:

there is a pair of cons just like this on some powerlines right near i live... each time i walk past it i really want to take a photo of them.
fantastic shot!
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

niamhg2009 says:

Hi , i love this photo ! just used it on my blog

seen these in ireland n sydney too !
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

communicatrix says:

Love this! Thanks for the license.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

Lachlan Hardy says:

No worries :) Thanks for letting me know you've used it!
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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	Lachlan Hardy's photostream
		2,168 uploads

This photo also belongs to:

	The Sky I Scrape (Set)
		36 items
	Part of: Photography

	Melbourne (Pool)
		0

	Shoes On Powerlines (Pool)
		0

	High Contrast (Pool)
		0

	Shoes on Telephone Lines (Pool)
		0

	High-Flung Soles (Pool)
		0

	MY WINNERS (INVITATION ONLY!) Post 1 Comment 2 SWEEPER RUNNING (Pool)
		0

	Shoe love (Pool)
		0

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Taken on January 5, 2006

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Shoes

Comments

Parvati says:

Leorex says:

schoolio says:

Helen Morgan says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

Leorex says:

l&coolj says:

jachi says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

the doubtful guest says:

laRuth says:

fudj says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

yogomozilla says:

amyalisha says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

Helen Morgan says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

Helen Morgan says:

Gilfer says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

Helen Morgan says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

Helen Morgan says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

Helen Morgan says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

Helen Morgan says:

Christine Lebrasseur says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

Christine Lebrasseur says:

Felix42 contra la censura says:

Lachlan Hardy says:

trey_speyrer says:

eden~victoria says:

niamhg2009 says:

communicatrix says:

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