Goodbye, Hello

Two-thousand and ten was an interesting year for me. I can't say that it was outright bad or good, but it was more of a rebuilding year than anything. I grew and learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about other people. I learned a lot about how to deal with certain people and about how I shouldn't take certain others for granted. Rebuilding years like this are necessary to move on to the next stage, bigger and better things in the future.

I changed my lifestyle and was now using the proceeds from my newly acquired 9-5 to seriously pay down debts rather than compulsively purchasing new sneakers and clothes every first and fifteenth. Also, in the concerted effort to trim the excess and streamline my life pushing forward, I had my first major firesale on my collection. Let us take a moment to honor those who are no longer with us...

Nike Dunk SB Hi - HUF

Nike Vandal Hi - White/Navy

Air Jordan XIII - Flints (first retro)

Air Jordan VII - French (first retro)

It wasn't much, but it was difficult for me to even start to make cuts to the collection I've only ever added to since I was a senior in high school. I successfully sold four out of the five shoes I put up (these are still pending -the buyer flaked). There was nothing wrong with the shoes. Some didn't fit exactly right. Some I just didn't want anymore. Between my room, the extension and my parent's garage, I don't have much room for the extra. It's a sobering realization to me that if I want to continue collecting shoes, I will have to let others go. My grails wish list is still at least 5-10 more deep, not including the Jordan I-XXIII collection I want to complete. At this point in my life, I can only afford to carry the best with me, and leave the rest behind. And that philosophy isn't limited to sneakers.

Hanging out with good friends, maintaining an organized living space, a trim collection and smart spending is actually a much more fulfilling lifestyle than the unorganized, buy everything and do everything mentality I had carried up to this point. In the upcoming year, I hope to not only maintain, but further refine this. Not because it's the new year and I'm getting old. Rather because I'm getting better.

{currently in the speakers: The Beatles - Hello Goodbye}