While attending the Comdex computer convention in Las Vegas some years ago I happened to notice that my Christmas Lights socks matched the Bally's casino carpet. As I was covering the event for a trade organization, I thought it prudent to mention this coincidence, which led me to mentioning the socks I wore on the subsequent days of the convention.

Not surprisingly, though I was surprised, this led to my being known in the industry for the socks I wore, and people started sending me socks as gifts. Strangers began lifting my pants legs at trade conferences, and if I spoke on a panel I'd be interrupted with requests to show my socks. (In this picture, I am displaying my turtle socks. Unfortunately the photo missed the best part.)

I also found some sources (I always stop at the socks store when I have a layover at the Pittsburgh airport), and before I knew it my sock drawer was overflowing.

In fact, when a friend visited, one of the three sites in town he wanted to see was my sock drawer. He was delighted to find that it isn't one drawer, but a whole chest of drawers. He left feeling satisfied that the visit was well worth the stop (I also showed him the local waterfalls, but I felt that the socks were the high point for him).

I became a socker Dad. I toed the line. I tried not to act like a heel. Socks are my sole mates. My socks saved me from the jaws of defeet.