17: Elevens (pt. 1, Zen)

10.16.2010 - As I've mentioned previously, I like to save my unique shoes for special occasions. While I would definitely rock a pair of Dunks to the mall, I save the more limited release editions for date nights and larger family gatherings. I have certain sneakers that I generally wear for going out, the ones that are nice but I don't mind getting dirty, but if there's a show or a birthday happening, I might step it up to a pair of Tokis or Blazers that merit being brought out for special events. When choosing my sneakers for these events, I want people to say, "Woah, you wore those? This must be a special occasion."

fancy huh?

In the hierarchy of sneakers, few have a way of saying "special" the way that Jordan XIs can. They are iconic and striking. They are elegant and well designed. They are comfortable and understated. They are unique. They are special.

I’ve talked about the Jordan XI before in this blog already. The fact that this is “pt. 1” can only means that I will be talking about them more in the future. Of all the Jordans I own, I own more pairs of XIs than any other. But through the years, I’ve worn them less and less. Not because they’ve fallen out of favor with me, quite the opposite in fact. I wear them less because I want to preserve them. Because they are so highly desired, the XIs are one of the most expensive on the secondary market –to replace the pairs I have with brand new ones across the board would cost over $1500 (and I don't even own every colorway!). I love them, but I don’t want/can’t afford doubles. So they mostly stay safe in the box on the shelf.

There was no big event going on this Saturday. But it was date night and the Giants had just won another playoff game. I was feeling good and I wanted to dress things up just a little bit. Of course, the Jordan XIs fit the bill perfectly.

Jordan XI Retro Low - White/Light Zen Grey ["Zens"]

+ New Era SF Giants Retro 5950 + H&M Cardigan + Levi's 514 Premium

When the Zens released, they were a Nike exclusive. While I was away on my senior trip, my parents waited in line at Shoe Palace for me –they found out the hard way. I felt truly horrible that they wasted their Saturday morning and went through all that trouble, but at the same time I was really touched. My parents love me. After they got home, they jumped on the internet and ordered them from Nike.com. A few days after I returned, they arrived at my door. Real collectors appreciate every intricacy of the shoes they love, from the styling on the box to the smell of a brand new pair. People who own a pair of Jordan XIs especially know what I am talking about. Beautiful. Clean. Elevens.

Just because date night is simple, doesn’t mean it’s not special. But as any sneaker head knows, the right kicks make special events that much better.

{currently in the speakers: All I Want Is You - Miguel f. J. Cole}

sports. culture. life.

I wore my Giants jersey to work today. Since the playoffs started, more and more of my co-workers started wearing Giants gear to work -shirts, jerseys, jackets, etc. Normally, I would wear a collared shirt or a long sleeve to work, along with jeans and some clean normal sneakers... you know, trying to keep it semi-pro. But when I saw two managers walking out the door decked out in full Giants gear, hats and everything, I knew I had the green light.

So I wore my Giants jersey to work today. My 2002 World Series Barry Bonds jersey. I know they lost that year, but I always wear it proudly. If you can't stick through a team through the tough times, you don't deserve to be a fan. Plus, 2002 was a great year (here's lookin' at you, Kara) and Barry Bonds was one of the greatest baseball players of all time (say what you want).

As I was putting away some files in the main entryway, a loud mouth group counselor I've never seen in my life says, "All these Giants fans comin' out the woodwork." Side comments from the crowd about bandwagon fans followed.

"Funny," I replied. "Especially since this patch on my left arm says '2002'." The crowd responded with "ooh"s.

"Ya, 2002 patch, 2010 receipt," he quickly retorted.

He obviously wasn't right, but the witty response got me. A simple, sharp, "You don't know me," from my side got the crowd laughing in my favor. "He just gives everyone a hard time," they told me after he'd left. But it didn't matter. I didn't care. He's probably a Braves or Phillies fan. Or more likely, a Dodger fan. Yuck...

In either case, it got me thinking. Why is everyone so quick to reserve space on the bandwagon? I heard a conversation on the radio on the drive to work: Gary Radnich asked Patrick if he was mad at all the Giants "fans" jumping on the bandwagon.

"No, not at all," he replied. "The more the merrier. If you're a new fan that's fine, just don't go out there pretending you're an OG." In my opinion, P-Con hit the nail on the head. (queue *pound it* sound byte)

Why would you be mad if someone is cheering for your team?

Think about it.

What sense does that make? Isn't it always a good thing if someone else is cheering for your team? I understand you might take issue with people who are wishy-washy and always cheer for the team that's winning. Or maybe someone who talks smack about the team during the regular season when they're not doing so well, but then turns around and cheers for them later. But if your team is doing well enough to be converting new fans, who was there first should be the last thing you're concerned with.

People get really caught up in who was there first or who the bigger fan is. Does it really matter? Sports isn't about that. It's about getting up in the excitement and the spirit. Cheering together, booing together, crying together (and in 3-6 more games) celebrating together. If you're worrying about other stuff like bandwagon fans, then you should check yourself.

So I say, the more the merrier! It doesn't matter who was here first! Anyone who genuinely wants to jump on the "Let's Go Giants!" bandwagon and stay on, fair or foul weather, is more than welcome in my book. Just don't say you've been a fan since '89 when the oldest ticket stub you have is from August 2010. ;p

16: Haze

10.15.2010 - In the early 2000's when the sneaker craze really began to pick up mainstream steam, Nike began to expand their design by doing collaboration projects (or collabs, for short) with various artists, designers, clothing companies, etc. Different from the "packs" they normally created, collabs were more of a certain designer's take on one of Nike's already popular shoes.

Collabs came in all shapes and sizes. Musicians like Eminem and Pharell collaborated with Nike on Air Max Bursts and Nike Dunks, respectively, for a charity project. ?uestlove and Jay-Z collaborated with Nike on Air Force Ones. Clothing companies Stussy, Zoo York and Supreme have several popular collabs with Nike on Blazers, Bruins, Dunks and other shoes. Boutique shops like HUF and Undefeated have been blessed with extremely limited edition collabs. Popular graffiti artists Futura and Espo have also gotten collabs in the past.

The interesting thing about a collab project is that it could attract someone to a shoe for different reasons than a general release. If you like the artist or want to support the charity, you might buy the shoe for that reason. Others may be attracted to the unique colors and materials used on collabs -the HUF Highs feature a tie-dye swoosh box, the Espo's are completely clear, the Pharell's used faux eel skin. Often enough, if you are into the hip-hop, underground art, streetwear, sneaker collecting, etc. etc. scene, you'd likely find multiple reasons to go on the hunt after a certain collab.

*Like*

One of my favorite collabs of all time has been the Haze Dunk. A collaboration with graffiti artist, Eric Haze, two versions of the two Dunks were released. So, not only are there a High and Low version of the Haze Dunk, but there are also more limited edition versions that come with a special box that are signed by the man himself.

Being a broke college student, I couldn't justify spending the extra $250+ for the same shoe just with a different box, though it would have been a sweet collectors item. I figure I could get at least one more pair with that money, so my regular boutique release versions were just fine.

Nike Dunk Low Premium - White/Black -Medium Grey ["Haze"]

+ Gap Long Sleeve + Levi's 514 Premium

+ Large Neapolitan Shake + Small Rootbeer

I often wonder, if given the opportunity, how would I design my own Nike collab? Would it be something outside the box? Or maybe something simple and classic? Hopefully before it's all said and done, I would have worked my way into a position where I get to make that difficult decision.

{currently in the speakers: Good Friday - Kanye West}

*Bonus Section*

words to live by

do you know?

leave your mark

(Photo Assist Credit: Gabriel Hipol -thanks!)

15: Grails

10.10.10 - Every sneaker collector has a holy grail. Much like the Biblical and pop cultural holy grail references, it refers to a pair sneakers that are rare, elusive, or even sacred -a pair that you want more than any other. The pair you put on a pedestal. The pair you search for every day.

Throughout ones lifetime, it is possible to attain your grails on multiple occasions. Once you acquire your grails, another pair takes its place on the list and the hunt continues. In my sneaker career I have obtained four pairs that I had on top of my grail list including: the Wheat Forbes, the White Supreme Lows and the Black Supreme Lows. However, the Jordan IV White/Chromes were my first.

I started seriously getting into sneakers during Fall of my senior year in high school. I had picked up a few Air Maxes and basketball shoes over the summer, but once I started working at Shoe Palace, it all went downhill (or uphill, depending on how you think about it). I saw the Jordans somewhere, on someone maybe -in the mall, at school, I don't quite remember. All I remember is that the image stuck in my mind. Like when the guy in the movies sees the girl he's in love with. A beam of light came down from the sky and everything slowed down. She will be mine. Oh yes, she will be mine. (1)

But where to start? Were they retro? OG? Did they come out recently? Lucky for me, my senior year was the same year Niketalk really started picking up. The internet was an extremely underutilized resource for information at this point. Who knew there was more to the web than chat and email and games? After a little background research, the hunt began.

Hate to break the momentum of the story, but I would be lying if I said that the adventure was a long and difficult one. It's not because the shoes were readily available at the local shop or because they had recently come out. In fact, they had been out for almost a year and there weren't many online at all in any sizes, let alone popular ones. But the search didn't take long at all, four or five months, if that. In life, sometimes you just get lucky.

I took my grails to Aldwin's nephew's birthday on Sunday. I know they look like they've seen better days and that's because they have. But they've been with me for almost ten years now and every time I wear them, they remind me that if you search hard enough for something, you will always find it.

Air Jordan IV - White/Chrome ["Blings"]

+ Gap Fitted Button-up + Levi's 501's

{currently in the speakers: Jay-Z - Encore}

(1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDEEKGUq-9Y

Banned Camp

On the 25th Anniversary of the banning of Nike's Air Jordan I, the NBA has decided to drop the ban hammer on another pair of sneakers, this time citing the shoes gave the wearer an "undue competitive advantage."

Really? Really. So the shoes make you run faster and jump higher (8:48)? Apparently they do. Regardless of how well they actually work, David Stern and the NBA gave us all the curiousity to find out. Hope you were saving that paper route money kids. You'll need $300 before basketball season starts.

All this got me thinking, the NBA banned these to try to keep a level playing field. But if you saw someone wearing these in the gym, would you think they were cheating? Why or why not? Post your thoughts in the comments.

See article here for the rest of the story.


UPDATE:
I tried to access the Athletic Propulsion Labs website earlier this morning, but the broswer stalled and nothing showed up. I assumed that the site had either crashed or was just logjammed due to the amount of traffic the press release would have caused. Apparently, I was right.


I hope they've passed the message along to their factories. To say this has basketball fans and players interests peaked would probably be an understatement.

14: There's Magic Inside

10.8.2010 - I've been waiting years for this day. Not figuratively speaking at all. Years. The Giants finally made it back to the playoffs and I was going to a game!

To say the playoff race was exciting would be an understatement (read: Giant's baseball -torture!) When the Giants finally clinched on Sunday, it was extra special for me because I knew I already had tickets to see them play on Friday. There were small hurdles in the plan along the way, but after all was said and done (Kara came through in the clutch, big time -what a gamer), we were headed off to AT&T Friday afternoon for my first Giants playoffs game.

Once we arrived, I could already feel the energy buzzing in the air. When they say, "There's magic inside," they're not kidding. So much orange and black, you'd think they were decorating for Halloween. "Fear the Beard" and "Beat ATL" signs were everywhere. This was going to be a great game.

AM '95 x Splashdown

We settled into our seats during the home half of the first. When they say there's not a bad seat in the house, they really mean it when they're talking about AT&T Park. Something I appreciate with the upper deck is the view you get of the entire park -you see the entire field, the crowd, the scoreboard, the giant glove and the Coke bottle, everything. Not only that, but the Bay Bridge and McCovey Cove provide a scenic backdrop paralelled by no other stadium in sports. Sitting up there, breathing deep and taking everything in is truly an experience in itself. But there was playoff baseball going on down below.

With Freddie Sanchez already on base, cheers for Buster Posey roared so loud you could probably hear it from Sausilito. I was at a Giants playoffs game cheering for the team I grew up watching as a kid. The only thing was, now the players I'm cheering for are younger than I am. Sports puts some things in strange context sometimes.

After Posey walked, the entire park was on its feet. Every conversation stopped and "Pat the Bat!" was the only thing anyone was saying - 44,046 fans chanting in unison. The first pitch came down and once we heard the crack of the bat, the place exploded. Words can't explain how majestic that ball looked soaring into the left field bleachers or how electrifying the roar of the crowd was. We could hardly hear the home run fog-horn blow, the place was so loud. Something I love about sports is the random solidarity fans show each other. Nothing can get complete strangers to exchange genuine high fives and hugs like a Giants home run can. I was so happy inside, I almost started tearing up. This was going to be a great game.

Matt Cain pitched was pitching beautifully. He even added to the cause on by following up Cody (the Boss) Ross' double with an RBI in the second inning. The score was 4-0 early and we were coasting. Jovial conversation exchanged with the frat guys behind us and the mixed asian family in front of us, hot links with onions and peppers with garlic fries on the side, cheers and photos and claps and chants and more photos and more cheers carried us through the middle innings.

By the seventh, we were still ahead 4-1. After Cain gave up a single, Bochy decided he was done. Though he received a standing ovation, you could hear some of the crowd murmur in confusion -we wanted Matt to finish what he started. The disapproval was quickly forgotten after Javier Lopez struck out Jason Heyward. The crowd continued its chant "Posey's better!" somehow hoping it would sway the Rookie of the Year voters. I personally think that Posey's stats this year did enough speaking for him, though you know I couldn't resist in taunting the opposing team's star.

I would be lying if I told you I didn't get a sinking feeling when they let Sergio Romo pitch in the top of the eighth. Every time I've watched him take the mound in a critical situation, Romo flat out fails. Tonight, when the control of the series was in the balance, he remained true to form. If Wilson hadn't come in to salvage the mess Romo had "set up" for him, we probably would have lost the game outright then and there. But we didn't. We were tied at the end of nine and that only meant one thing. Bonus baseball!

Now, this wasn't only my first playoff baseball game, but it was the first game that I've been to that's gone into extras. My day started early and though the nap I took in the car on the drive up sustained me for the first nine, I can't say that this emotional roller coaster of a game didn't have me drained going into the tenth. The AT&T A/V crew did a great job of keeping the fans in it. Inspirational clips from Hoosiers and Miracle had the crowd believing going into the bottom of every inning.

In the bottom of the tenth we began to rally. Renteria reached on a bunt(!) single, Sanchez got beaned and Huff waited out a walk. With the bases loaded, one out, and Buster Posey at the plate, I thought God had set up the perfect storybook ending for not only my blog, but the 40,000+ fans in the seats and millions of people watching on TV. But the ball Buster hit didn't fly into the stands for a walkoff grand slam. It didn't drop into right field for a game winning RBI. It was snagged on a good play by Troy Glaus that turned two and ended our hopes of winning the game that inning.

The crowd was let down. We were frustrated. We wanted to go home, but more importantly we wanted the Giants to win. I hoped Buster would get a chance to redeem himself later in the game -I still wanted my storybook ending. Rick Ankiel had other plans. His only hit of the entire series, a home-run into McCovey Cove putting the Braves ahead 5-4 in the top of the eleventh. He was like the mean clown who pops little kids balloons at birthday parties. The crowd was deflated.

Before the inning ended there was a buzz coming from the right field wall. Fans were cheering, but it took a second for everyone to figure out why. Then we spotted a ball on the grass in right field. The boaters had thrown Ankiel's home run ball back (1). Awesome.

Bottom of the eleventh was "rally-cap" time. All our cheering and hoping and praying came down to this... but it wasn't meant to be. The few Braves fans peppered throughout the crowd cheered and jumped in jubilation as the Giants faithful stood stunned. There was no more cheering. No Tony Bennet (2). Just a loss. I was so crushed inside, I almost started tearing up. This was supposed to be a great game.

The exiting walk back was miserable. We ended up taking the ramps down as the stairs were completely stopped and the escalator line was longer than the girl's bathroom line. The ramps seemed to take forever. It was crowded, everyone was groaning, no one wanted to be there. We were all so excited in the beginning, but now everyone was defeated and just wanted to go home.

"It's ok. It's not over," Kara said to me, on the long walk down. That triggered something inside of me. I snapped out of my own little world of mourning and lament and heard others conversations, all in the same vein. It's just one game. We still have three left. We'll get them in Atlanta. We're still in this. We didn't come this far to just give up all hope now. Then, people even starting singing. "Don't stop. Belieeeevin'..." seemed to lift the spirits of everyone who heard it echo through the halls. Sure we lost, but we wouldn't let it get us down and we wouldn't let anyone count us out. Out in front of the Willy Mays statue during the post-game show, the "Let's go Giants" and "Beat the Braves" cheers were loud. It takes a great group of fans to turn complaints of such a devastating loss into a rallying cries. And the Giants have the best fans in the world.

Through the solidarity of the fans, I loved the Giants even more despite the huge letdown at the end of that game. Sports puts things in strange context sometimes. And it was a great game.

Nike Air Max '95 - White/Team Orange-Neutral Grey-Medium Grey

+ SF New Era + SF Majestic Authentic Team Jacket

+ Castles in the Sky "I <3 SF" shirt

+ the most beautiful accessory in the world...

{currently in the speakers: Drake - Far From Over}

(1) It's tradition in baseball to throw back opposing team's home run balls. I don't know why, it just is. (see: "Rookie of the Year")

(2) They play Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" at the end of every Giants win.

*Bonus Section*

Cain dealing

yes we Cain

Huff daddy

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu...

RIBE!

fear the beard

Lou Seal gets it

intensity

ya, that's Lil Jon in the video

Lou Seal x Rocky

McCovey Cove

AT&T Park

old school panorama piece-together

gamers.

Giants family

i left my heart in San Francisco

(Photo Assist Credits: Rholinelle Joy DeTorres -thanks!)

13: So Money

10.7.2010 - Why do we buy the things that we buy? In my experience, there are a few main motivations that go into our purchase decisions. Sometimes, one item is better than another in function or quality. It is also possible we choose something because it looks nicer or is better designed. Beyond that, there are times where we decide to purchase something simply because we look at it and say, "That's cool." Not cool because someone told you it was, but because you thought it was. You may not need it, or may not have wanted it before you first saw it, but the moment you laid eyes on it you just had to have it.

That's exactly what happened to me when I saw these.

you don't even know...

They may not look special from afar. I have a lot of shoes that are suede. Shiny gold is a little gaudy for my taste and I don't really wear a lot of red. So what was it exactly that drew me to the "Money Cats"? Three little words.

get that money

That's cool. Design + theme + culture all rolled into a comfortable, simple shoe. I had to have them. I had to have them so badly that I couldn't wait for them to be released and risk not being able to pick them up in the store. When my friend Andrew said he had early access to some sample pairs, I was in like flynn. (Lucky for me, sample size 9 just so happens to be my size.)

I'm a sucker for attention to detail. And when it comes to details, these SBs are so money.

Nike Dunk Low Pro SB - Metallic Gold/Gold Dust - Varsity Red -Black ["Money Cats"]

+ H&M Button Cardigan + Levi's 501

Thursday, I decided to take the Money Cats out to dinner with Kara. It was my first time going to the Faultline Brewing Co. and it seemed pretty busy, especially for a weekday. Check out my review here. I've started trying to change things up and take a few more pictures of other things besides me... keep the blog interesting, you know? Hopefully you guys are enjoying it. Any suggestions or comments on the blog, feel free to post in the end!

{currently in the speakers: Lupe Fiasco - Gold Watch}

*Bonus Section*

not sure if this is a real sign or just a joke. photoworthy, regardless.

stout ice cream. and i don't mean short.

bottoms up

(Photo Assist Credit: Kara Pacis -thanks)

Vinyl Appreciation Feature

I'm not sure I understand the appeal. Is it because the kid inside everyone never wants to stop buying toys? Or is it a statement from the artsy community that they don't really take themselves so seriously? Maybe it's a little bit of both or maybe I'm completely off the mark altogether? I'm not sure I understand the appeal... But I am a fan of vinyl toys.

It all started many moons ago. I was still in college. I'd heard of Kid Robot before, but never really knew what the whole thing was about. On a random walk down Haight Street, I stumbled upon their little boutique in San Francisco. "Wow..." I said, as my head spun around (and around). I was like a little kid in a... toy store.

I admire the design and blank silhouettes that go into the vinyl designs. I am intrigued by the art and ideas that go into the finished releases. I respect the time and skill it takes to finish a custom piece of your own. I love the the mystery you get with every little cardboard box and foil wrapper. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an addict or anything. But I definitely appreciate vinyl toys.

As a part of the "culture" section of sneakers.culture.life, I've decided to devote some space to these atypical pieces of art. This week, I've chosen to feature a few interesting pieces I've come across from the internet and different forums. Enjoy...

This is just an extremely small sample of the huge world that is out there. May be new to you. May be something you've already seen before. What do you think of vinyl toys? Do you collect them? Don't understand them? Love them? Have some customs or pictures of others' customs you'd like to share? Post in the comments!