The Sock Guy.

I don't have any reason to share this story other than to revel in its universal creepy factor.

 

Now that DTLA has - or is currently - establishing itself as a thriving community, I have begun to notice the obvious influx of people.  The streets are full of life, there are more people than ever, and the opportunity to set up shop has never been so inviting.   Other telling shifts have also included the rise in shitty drivers, dogs, and abundance of gays wandering about.  If there is ever a telling sign of impending gentrification it is the arrival of the gays.  We make or break most popular neighborhoods, and it is only a matter of time before DTLA joins the ranks of SoHo, Chelsea, and other enclaves that have experienced a helping hand.

 

I've also noticed the rise in weirdos.  Now when I say "weirdos", I don't mean anyone with green hair, piercings, tattoos, the homeless, or activists.  I'm from Los Angeles and the weird is what makes us so dynamic, so by no means am I clumping any groups of people. Who I'm referring to when I say "weirdos" is those people who are straight up fucking weird.  In order to illustrate my point I will share an experience that happened to me, roughly three weeks ago while I was out and about.

  

I had just returned from the Apple store in Pasadena after my computer ate shit and decided to crash. Upon my return to downtown I was in need of sustenance so I went to LA Cafe for a sandwich.  After placing my order, the cashier made a reference to socks.  Having missed what she said, I inquired as to what she meant but then soon realized she was talking to the guy behind me.  Apparently the guy behind me wears colorful and "crazy" socks on a daily basis, so she was checking to see what "crazy" pair he had worn that day.  As I turn around I see a very tall guy -about 6'5"- with super blonde cherub-like hair. He's wearing a t shirt and shorts along with purple polka dot socks and loafers. Whatever.

 

I brush it off and decide to wait for my food. As I walk away from the counter I hear an "excuse me" so I  turn to see the tall blonde guy right behind me.  He introduces himself and says,

 

"Hi, my name is XXXXX and I'm doing a trend story for GQ on men's shoes.  I haven't seen a pair like yours, so I wanted to ask if I could photograph them? Are they high-tops?"

Of course, being the attention whore that I am, I say "sure!" and proceed to shamelessly let him photograph my shoe - with an iPhone no less!

 

After a few shots, he asks if he can photograph the socks as well. I agree.  Having been photographed for "trend" stories several times in the past, I really didn't think twice about it.  Aside from being a little dorky, there was nothing suspicious or overtly weird about this guy so I decide not to be so serious and let him do his thing.  

Besides who doesn't like to be photographed for their style? The only qualm I had was the fact that he was photographic my $30 TOPMAN shoes that, while purchased in London, were by no means anything special.  If anything I made it a point to tell him they were 30 bucks and that I bought them in London, as a way to give myself an edge.

 

After our exchange he let me know that he was out of cards or something and we went our separate ways.  This is where the story ends for most, but seeing that there have been major developments in the world of gaydar (aka iPhone apps for gays), I am able to continue this adventure.  A few days after said interaction I came across a profile by the name of "Soxy Top".

 

The profile photo for "SoxyTop" is a close up picture of two feet in polka dot socks.  Along with the profile is the user's information which stated something to the effect of, "Looking for sexy boys in sexy socks" which not only made me immediately shudder, but is also super unattractive. The thought of anyone wearing funky socks and being considered sexy is seriously not ok.  Now I normally don't give a shit about people's fetishes but in this instance my mind began to race.  Could this be? It couldn't be…

 

Sure enough the profile lists the height in the same vicinity as the guy I met, so it's not very long before I connect the dots.  In fact, you'd have to be completely retarded to not realize that these two are not related, because not only is that so specific, but I also cannot imagine anyone else wearing those horrific polka dot socks! Where do you even buy those??

I decide to verify on my own and send the guy a message.  

Me: "It was you that approached me at LA Cafe wasn't it? You are doing a trend story for GQ or something." 

Him: "Whaaaa? :)"

 

I begin recanting details of our experience and he finally acknowledges that he is in fact the guy who asked to take my photos. At this point I feel annoyed for allowing myself to be so incredibly gullible until I realize there is NO STORY, at which point I get more annoyed.  I strike back with questions about the story and he tells me that he's including me in his "Sock of the day" blog (having forgotten he told me GQ), which annoys me more because I'm sure it's some obscure personal fetish blog on guy's shoes and sexy socks!

 

I never take myself this serious, but I don't appreciate being lied to, especially when I would have said no otherwise.  I am not only commemorated on some foot blog now, but I was bamboozled by a guy who is going around photographing feet! LOL. As soon as I received my confirmation, I decide to block said user and, of course, tell all of my friends.

 

Of course the ironic part of the story is that I see this guy EVERYWHERE now! Like everywhere.  I've even had to stand right next to him at Spring for Coffee which is tiny, so it's basically exposure therapy at this point.   

 

Comments

[The Sock Guy]

OMG! What a drama queen!! Maybe if you had asked more questions you’d have all the facts instead of asking two questions, jumping to conclusions and blocking me. I am working on a sock/shoe of the day site, there are many out there, and they are tastefully done, as will mine be. I do however have plans to submit the best combos to GQ for their 'Street Shots' photo blog, in part because they don't represent LA as of yet in this category. Moreover, just because I have a sock fetish doesn't mean anything; it just makes me more passionate about my work. Honestly, your shoe/sock combo was not that great, I'd just been out of town for two weeks and was behind on my project, I was looking for anything unique. I'll happily not use your picture if it is such a big ordeal.

BTW - I'm taken; I use Grindr to aid me in getting pics for the submission/site, not to meet guys for sex. So maybe next time you should get all the fact before you waste your 'precious' time writing smack about shit you don't know about. Thx. ~TSG