22: Take Me Back

10.29.2010

Take me back to a time when things were simple...

The furthest my concerns reached,

was to the hour just ahead of me.

The highest my hopes peaked,

was beyond the clouds I could see.

Take me back.

The eyes were wide, the chin was high and the future was bright.

The beginning was here and the end was nowhere in sight.

Take me back.

The moments we thought

The lights wouldn't fade away

Please take me back please.

Take me back.

This isn't the way everyone

said it was supposed to go.

By now I should be someone

who everyone's supposed to know.

I want to go back.

When did it all get so complicated?

Why is being old so overrated?

Can I go back?

No need to go back

Your future is here and now

Yours for the making.

Nike Dunk Low Pro - Light Stone/ White -Faded Olive

{currently in the speakers: Kanye West - All of the Lights}

21: Black is the new...

10.24.2010 - It's not a coincidence that I put the black themed article exactly after the white one. As much as I used to wear white shoes with everything, that's how little I wore black shoes. My mom always used to tell me that black shoes matched everything. I thought it was a cop out. They didn't really match everything. If it came between white shoes and black shoes for choosing a neutral sneaker, I always felt that white shoes were a better choice because a sneakerhead could show how clean his shoes were.

But as I matured in my taste and dress, my thoughts regarding black shoes began to change as well. Where white is high maintenance and tries to attract attention, black is classy and understated. They are low maintenance and clean. Always. It may seem like I am looking way too deeply into this, but that doesn't mean it's not true. The funny thing is, it has probably always been true and I just didn't realize it until recently. Not until I bought these...

black is back

I had already been looking for the right black shoes for a while when I finally picked these up. The quick strike tier zero release couldn't have come at a better time.

Nike Dunk Hi AC Tier Zero - Black/ White

+ H&M Coat + Levi's 501 Selvedge STF

As you can probably tell, these shoes didn't get much rest over the summer. These black sneakers matched a lot more than I thought. They matched... everything. I guess my mom was right all along. Funny how things come around full circle. Black isn't really the new anything; it is and will always be black.

{currently in the speakers: Jay-Z - Public Service Announcement}

(Photo Assist Credit: Jesimiel Fuentes)

20: All White Everything

10.23.2010 - One of the things I really like about my friends is that they try really hard to plan fun parties. I'm not talking about slumber parties or Wonderpark or anything like that. But for Ed's birthday several years ago, he wanted to throw a decently big party -he decided to make it a black light themed party. We dressed Nick's house MTV Crib up in black lights and I swear it looked like a club -DJ booth overlooking a dance floor and everything.

Another year, Ed proposed a "crew" theme, and different groups were encouraged to come dressed as a crew. To one-up everyone, since we were in fact the original "Crew", everyone in our crew had black helmets and LED wire designs (like a poor man's Daft Punk). To say that our idea was the best would be an understatement.

This year, James wanted to throw a "White Party" for his birthday. Obviously not the most original idea in the world, but still fun. The thing was, I really didn't want to buy white pants. First, I don't nor do I ever plan on working at the Cheesecake Factory and second, I'm not that Asian. Really, what am I ever going to do with white pants after that party?

But Ed wouldn't let me try to sneak by with light grey corduroys. "Dude, trust me. You'll look tight going to a White Party dressed in all white," he said. That's one of the things I love about Ed; he tries to get everyone involved and everyone into it, no matter how lame I think the idea may be.

Second, oddly, I didn't know what shoes to wear. In the past, I always had white shoes waiting in the wings. "White shoes went with everything" was my thought. As I matured in my taste and dress, my thoughts regarding white shoes began to change as well. All white shoes were nice at times, but there is almost always a better shoe suited for the outfit. I started using white shoes as daily wearers and only purchased new ones when my old ones weren't white anymore.

Ed couldn't believe that I didn't have a pair of white shoes that I could wear for the party. I couldn't either. A deep scan of the stacks proved me wrong when I encountered these...

RIP DJ AM

I always forgot about these not because I didn't want to wear them. It's just that I really wanted to preserve them. Of course I wanted to keep them clean, and this gets more difficult the more white the shoe. More so however, this particular pair is not only rare, but also pretty expensive (and yes, that's coming from me). Luckily I had a plan to not dance and protect myself near the DJ booth for most of the night so my precious kicks would remain unharmed. =)

Nike Blazer SB Supreme - Sail/Brown

+ Marc Ecko Cut & Sew Cardigan + Levi's 501

Patrick said I looked like Kanye West -*Like*. Thi turned around and said that I really looked like Carlton - *Boo*. I wasn't able to assist Patrick tonight with the turntable activities due to my lack of training with Serato, but he did an amazing job as usual. (see below)

I don't know when these guys will stop coming up with all these fun ideas, but I'm riding with this crew until the end regardless. The theme parties are really just a bonus.

{currently in the speakers: Jay-Z - Roc Boys}

*Bonus Section*

(Photo Assist Credit: Danny Park)

19: Safari

10.22.2010 - Mel had a fun activity planned for Friday night Upstream.

The setting would be Santana Row, so I knew I wanted to be dressed somewhat stylishly.

The activity would be a scavenger hunt, so I knew I had to be comfortable.

Comfort + Style + Scavenger Hunt?

Safari!!

Santana Heights x Safari

The Nike Air Safari originally debuted in 1987 and none other than Nike legend Tinker Hatfield is responsible for the iconic shoe. The Safari incorporates innovative materials and classic form to make a truly groundbreaking design. To say this sneaker is "inspired" would be a disservicing understatement.

Nike Air Safari - Tan/ Charcoal- Black

+ 10 Deep "Maritime" Shawlneck Sweater + Levi's 501 Selvedge STF

I caught up with the group late, since I came straight from work, but I still wanted to participate in the festivities. It was not until I cracked the first few stops on the hunt that I realized something. The goal was "take a picture at the top of the slide." I was standing at the top and I looked down and saw... my shoes! In one of those "duh" moments and realized I had been missing out on a perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. If I had to take pictures of my shoes for this blog and I had to take pictures of each stop on the scavenger hunt, why not make it fun and just combine the two?

Luckily, I only missed a few of the stops taking pictures without the Safaris in them -I got them on the double back. In case you are wondering what a photo scavenger hunt in Santana Row would look like...

Objective #1: find the "light tree"...

outside El Jardin

Objective #2: find the man riding a pig...

sign at Left Bank restaurant

Objective #3: take a picture at the top of the slide...

as i was walking out, i heard a kid exclaim to his parent,

"see! it's NOT closed! can we go in please???"

...i felt bad

Objective #4: find six water fountains...

yes, i took my shoe off inside that store...

i ran out before the employee coming up to me could say anything.

Objective #5: find six palm trees in a row...

three part picture

Objective #7: find the "Santana Row Code of Conduct"...

i didn't even know they had one!

Objective #8: try on an outfit at Urban Outfitters and take a picture...

i kinda wanted to go back and buy this outfit!

BDG Toggle Fleece Hoodie (navy) + Levi's 511 Corduroys (olive)

Objective #9: take a picture of an empty store...

another one bites the dust

Objective #10: find the Winchester Garage current capacity...

Objective #11: take a picture of the Villa Cornet wall...

Objective #12: find the chess board...

obviously he meant the big one,

but this picture was so much better

Objective #13: find the Santana Row pillars

Objective #14: find the "moon paintings"...

Objective #15: find fourteen arrows in a row...

The double back to take the missing Safari pictures didn't cost me much time in the end because I ended up catching up to the only group still playing. In Mel finished with two of the more difficult things to find -the first to find one won it all. I had already walked ran up and down Santana Row more times than I could count. Tired, hungry and mentally exhausted, the team of Eugene, Aaron, Rhea and Hannah bested me that night when they found the moon paintings on a ceiling in the front of the Row.

Even though I was rolling solo the whole night, the activity was still incredibly fun. Props to Mel for taking the time to put it all together and props to Eugene and his team for finishing out the race. Slops to the team that quit (you know who you are) and to the concierge who didn't seem to know where anything was... awkward, right? Hope you enjoyed this post as it took me forever to edit everything. More fun stuff coming in the next few days! Thanks for reading!

{currently in the speakers: Christian Dior Denim Flow - Kanye West}

(Photo Assist Credits: Jesimiel Fuentes)

Mainstream Shine

A little late and nothing compared to the Wall Street Journal feature on Eric Eways and Sneakerpimp.com, but hey, we take what we can get...

"Big Dollars at Play in Sneaker Collecting Game" by Darren Rovell

18: Running in the Rain

10.17.2010 - The thing I love about running shoes is that they combine form and function. They come in a variety of styles and colors, suitable for a sneakerhead of any flavor. Whether you're into retro/ old school styles or new/ futuristic looks, bright/ contrasting colors or subtle/ natural tones, you can find a running shoe that will fit your fit. In addition to the variety of looks, you can always count on a running shoe being comfortable. They always have a great amount of cushion and always have a nice snug fit.

I love running shoes. Even on a rainy day, a clean pair of full length Air Maxes can still put some bounce in your step. Lucky for me...

bubbles help for walking on water

I didn't pick up the Air Max 03's when they first released. I would have liked to, but being a poor college student, I couldn't justify the $150+ retail price. When they retroed a few years later, I didn't let the opportunity pass me by a second time. (Thank the shoe gods for Friends and Family coupons!)

Air Max 2003 Classic - White/ Midnight Navy -Dark Zen Grey

+ Gap Zip Cardigan + Levi's 501 STF

Just to clarify, I didn't actually run in the rain today. Not much to say beyond that. These shoes kind of just speak for themselves. I really think Nike hit it on the button when they retroed the set of Air Maxes as "Classics" though.

{currently in the speakers: Mobb Deep f. Lil Kim - Quiet Storm (remix)}

Champions

"Pass this story on. Keep the love alive. And when you tell the story, simply say,

we're the Giants, we're San Francisco and we are world champions."

–Mike Krukow at the Giants championship parade

I've been rooting for the Giants longer than I can remember. This year, the term was coined, "Giants Baseball: Torture." Only real fans know that it's been like that since the team moved to San Francisco. Every person who was born a Giants fan has been experiencing this torture their whole lives.

I was rooting for them in 1989 when the earthquake shook and we lost the series to the Oakland A's. I was rooting for them in 2002, from Riverside, witnessing their meltdown against the Anaheim Angels. I rooted for them last year during their close-but-not playoff run last year. It was heartbreaking. It was torturous. But we’ve been battle hardened. We were used to it.

Last season ended and the fans said what we say every time, "We'll do better next year." Real fans always have hope, regardless of how bad we look on paper. Real fans never stop believing, as long as our team is still taking the field. Real fans never stop cheering, especially during the losing seasons when the team needs us the most.

Coming off our first winning season since 2004, there was something different about this team. They weren’t a group of superstars or divas forced to play together, they were a real team. We were hopeful for the upcoming 2010 season.

April 2010 seemed like it was ages ago. We started out the year strong, taking an early lead in the division. Between us and the Dodgers, it was going to be a fight to the finish. But as it turned out, another fresh young team stepped up to battle us for the lead. We lost our position to the San Diego Padres not long after we'd taken it, and into the summer it seemed as if it would be impossible to win it back.

But destiny has a funny way of acting out its play. The wild card race was extremely tight, so it would take a miraculous flop by the Padres for us to take back the division lead and guarantee a spot in the playoffs. In August, during a time when we felt there was no team that could be playing worse, there was a team that did –the Padres. With the playoffs knocking at our door, our team took on a new life in September. We cheered loud in the beginning of the season. We
cheered hard through the tough dog days. We were cheering louder now.

Of course, it came down to the last day. It had to. I said destiny was funny, right? But it was meant to be. We knew it. We believed it. Getting to the playoffs was awesome. But getting through the playoffs, well, that was something we only dreamed of.

No one else knew who we were, but it was ok. No one else believed in us, but it was ok. The “experts” all picked against us, but we didn’t care. We knew who we were and we believed in us and that was all we needed.

A Braves series that they thought would go the full five games only took us four to finish. A Phillies series no one thought we would win, we handled in six. Finally, in the championship against a Rangers team that only one "expert" thought we could come away with, we took in five games. A mish-mash lineup of old veterans and young talent got us through aces like Lowe, Hudson, Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels, Lee and Wilson. A starting staff and closer with exactly zero innings of playoff baseball experience made fools of former champions and the highest powered offenses in the league.

We became champions; the best team in the world. That was it. There was nothing anyone could say after that. Through all the doubts, the close losses, through the ups and downs and torture, we never stopped believing. They never stopped believing.

Everything that happened this year happened the exact way it needed to happen in order for us to get to this point. This team bled, sweat out and fought because each one wanted to win for the man beside him more than he wanted it for himself.

I’d like to believe that this team of selfless misfits and outcasts not only did it for each other, but they did it for us. They did it for Marichal, Mays and McCovey. They did it for Clark, Williams and Jose Uribe. They did it for Bonds, Snow and Aurilia. They did it for Seal Stadium, for Candlestick, for 1989 and for 2002.

From Timmy’s opening day pitch to Brian Wilson’s final strikeout, as much as they did it for each other, they did it for us. They did it for you. They did it for me.

And for that, there is only one thing I can say. To the 2010 San Francisco Giants:

Thank you.