This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend Sneakercon in New York’s SoHo at St. Patrick Youth Center. It was a pretty great experience, even though I didn’t end up buying or trading any kicks. I was able to meet a variety of vendors, see a lot of rare heat, and preview a couple of sneakers that will be coming out in 2010.
I was most surprised to see that there was a nice variety of official and freelance vendors at Sneakercon. For a hefty fee of $150 to reserve a table sneaker freaks got the chance to set up shop, and make trades with attendees. The coolest occurrence was seeing those who did not have a table make live trades. It really made me wish I had brought some of my own sneakers, if only to see what interest and opportunities they may have garnered.
I enjoyed being able to preview upcoming sneaker releases. After holding the Varsity Red / Black Air Jordan VI in my hand I’m more convinced to pick them up when they release. Jordan also blessed attendees with previews of the Air Jordan Motorsport VI. I suppose that it’s ironic that these previews were set up right next to Osneaker’s booth. They had some serious heat, but that’s to be expected
The only downfall of the event was the sheer lack of sizes for those with bigger feet. It was really the luck of the draw, but a gamble that is worth taking. I definitely intend on heading down to NY when another event such as Sneakercon is held.
There was a sign up that said “No Photos”, but I snuck a couple of renegade shots on my camera. I spent about two hours at the event, and for the rest of the day I ransacked NY with two of my friends, so this is a two part blog, since I spent the other half of the day running the city through the bitter January cold.
This is just some heat I saw people wearing.
Here is some more heat on people's feet.
We hit up an arcade in China Town and I couldn't help but to snap a picture of this sign.
My boys robbing Elmo and Buggs for a picture. smh lol
Question is thief a differenc between a sneaker head and a sneaker fiend. IMO a sneaker head is an individual that knows about kix and does has significant knowledge of new releases. A sneaker fiend is a person that just buys sneakers just because their sneakers. An individual such as myself is a sneaker fiend I go to the sneaker spot a and just buy a pair of kix. I don't know if their exclusive or GR's. I only know that I Want them. Sneaker heads such as the a avar (look him up) has freaky knowledge of the wide world of kix. He kows about sneaks and stays in the know. Now I'm not saying that one discipline is better than the other only that their is a difference between the title sneaker head and sneaker fiend. So know who you are when your in line to buy those savage beasts and embrase it
What's really grinding my gears are all these people talking about how the retro J's are of a lower quality than the OG's now I never worn a pair of og's but my retro's look and feel good for christ sakes it's a Nike sneaker their not gonna skimp on quality. Furthermore in 96 the Jordan was made for performane and style now in 2010 the retro's are made for style. I use the example of me having a 50 themed resaurant with Cary grant and all other old people serving food like that seen in pulp fiction, people are mainly comming in for the nastalgia and the ambiance. If spend extra money on top serloin and a Bobby flay chef in the back I be spending more money than I needed to. Nike's not gonna spend all that money on hyperdunk technology on a 14 year old sneaker. The nigga that buys a pair of retro 11's for 200 bucks ain't gonna crash the court (I know I won't)
The great Space Jam Cop of 2009 will be one of record. Despite the connections I have amassed at my local sneaker spots, I soon found out that nothing is guaranteed. My “connect” (and I use that term loosely) has been assuring me for a month that he “had me.” I get a call the week before they drop: “Yo they came in the store today. I am not working therefore I can’t save your pair. Also, they are 200 plus tax. AND you can’t pick them up: Only pay for them today.” Of all the nonsense! I was buying three pair (one for myself and two for my Sneakerplay Peeps) and it looked like I wasn’t going to have any. I left work and went by the store. They did indeed have my size but did not have the sizes of my cohorts. Now I am not that much of a noble guy but I didn’t feel right copping the shoes knowing that this store was supposed to have to other pair for me. I left the store deterred but not defeated.
Even though I had abandoned the chain stores in the mall long ago, mostly due to their high prices and lack of variety, I still go there to cop once in a while. I am a former Finishline employee (circa 2003-2005) and my old manager still worked at the very same one. He couldn’t guarantee me a pair, only that I should “come early” and be prepared to wait in line. He suggested 5am. Surely there was a better way? The other Mall chain stores (Footlocker, Footaction, Champs) were all selling at 12am, Tuesday the 22nd. I figured I could get in line at 8 or 8:30 pm and humble myself by toughing it out. No such luck.
There were at least 20 people in line at a freaking Footaction! One of the dudes, not even the line-leader, bragged that he had been there since 5pm. 7 hours for shoes?!?! I had no idea that my state, let alone my city, had Sneakerheads of that caliber. Finishline was my best bet.
I got there at 4:30 am. I was the only one there, waiting my car. I felt silly but no yet daunted. Slowly yet surely, people begin to pull up, two and three deep. Out of the four stores in the mall, Finishline was the only morning release- the rest had sold out at night. I was relieved by the sense of comradery. Everyone had a common goal. We were all of the same age. I thought the only sense of unity I felt was with my SneakerPlay brethren but sure enough its also in my backyard. There were 5 of us. Finishline only had 4 pair. The rest were purchased by employees. Only 3 of us were able to buy shoes. I managed to get a size 13, despite being an 11.5 or 12. I jumped in my car and headed to the other mall, 12 miles away.
12 minutes later and I am one of 4 people, standing around in front of a Finishline in another mall, waiting for Space Jams. This store didn’t open until 7- still an hour earlier than there usual holiday open. It didn’t seem likely that I would get my size. The store only had one of each and the two people standing with me were a 12. Even with the insurmountable odds, I manage to get a size 11.5 and also a pair for my fellow SP’er. While walking out the mall, I saw one of the people from this morning, now waiting in front of an adjacent Footlocker with about 5 other people. I informed him that I did indeed get my size. He gave me the head nod. I gave him the peace sign.
I felt a sense of awakening. Its been awhile since I have waited in a line with like-minded folk- not since Aqua City of 2007. Why? Why get up early and wait in line for a pair of 200 dollar sneakers? For the love, I guess. Many people, even “Sneakerheads”, can find dismissive reasons why they wouldn’t wait in line for the Space Jams- “They are too much” “Not waiting in line for some GRs”- but nothing feels as good as having a mission and achieving it, whatever they mission is. That and rocking these kicks just like I would any other pair of sneakers.
This Christmas is getting better with my family which I'm thankful of everyday. Hopefully we will get a lot closer than before and not make another mistake. But anyways this year I been procrasinating on buying Christmas shopping. I can't help it when there are bills lining up. I done a couple of shopping and haven't even wrap it up yet. I'm still on a mission to get my boyfriend a present. I been looking at karmaloop so many option. I mainly focusing on what he really wants. But he wants almost everything! lol jk.
So any ideas what I can get him?
Well everyone Christmas is coming up soon. I'm ready to unwrapped all my present and enjoy lunch & dinner most off all spending time with the family and my boyfriend. I'm thankful of everything, don't care what nobody say! Let's all put everything aside and have a wonderful holiday and a awesome new year which is going to be me and my boyfriend 2 years anniversary =)
P.S.- I'm enjoying my long journey with babe along with my sneakers =p
I just wanted to sa marry christmas to everybody on sneakerplay, and wish you and your familes a nice and safe happy holidays, I hope you all have the white/red 12s as well as the space jams on your list, and may god bless you all. Peace! ps: follow my twitter if you have one at (twitter.com/dopeisturtle)
One of my favorite fables. Says so much about human nature.
One day, a scorpion looked around at the mountain where he lived and decided that he wanted a change. So he set out on a journey through the forests and hills. He climbed over rocks and under vines and kept going until he reached a river. The river was wide and swift, and the scorpion stopped to reconsider the situation. He couldn't see any way across. So he ran upriver and then checked downriver, all the while thinking that he might have to turn back.
Suddenly, he saw a frog sitting in the rushes by the bank of the stream on the other side of the river. He decided to ask the frog for help getting across the stream.
"Hellooo Mr. Frog!" called the scorpion across the water, "Would you be so kind as to give me a ride on your back across the river?"
"Well now, Mr. Scorpion! How do I know that if I try to help you, you wont try to kill me?" asked the frog hesitantly.
"Because," the scorpion replied, "If I try to kill you, then I would die too, for you see I cannot swim!"
Now this seemed to make sense to the frog. But he asked. "What about when I get close to the bank? You could still try to kill me and get back to the shore!"
"This is true," agreed the scorpion, "But then I wouldn't be able to get to the other side of the river!"
"Alright then...how do I know you wont just wait till we get to the other side and THEN kill me?" said the frog.
"Ahh...," crooned the scorpion, "Because you see, once you've taken me to the other side of this river, I will be so grateful for your help, that it would hardly be fair to reward you with death, now would it?!"
So the frog agreed to take the scorpion across the river. He swam over to the bank and settled himself near the mud to pick up his passenger. The scorpion crawled onto the frog's back, his sharp claws prickling into the frog's soft hide, and the frog slid into the river. The muddy water swirled around them, but the frog stayed near the surface so the scorpion would not drown. He kicked strongly through the first half of the stream, his flippers paddling wildly against the current.
Halfway across the river, the frog suddenly felt a sharp sting in his back and, out of the corner of his eye, saw the scorpion remove his stinger from the frog's back. A deadening numbness began to creep into his limbs.
"You fool!" croaked the frog, "Now we shall both die! Why on earth did you do that?"
The scorpion shrugged, and did a little jig on the drownings frog's back.
"I could not help myself. It is my nature."
Then they both sank into the muddy waters of the swiftly flowing river.
Ill be celebrating Silvester in Berlin this year. Was there 2 years ago and had a blast at Straße des 17 Juni. This time I like to hear from you residents if there are any parties I should know about, or clubs that are a must visit. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
It's been a good two months and i haven't really snapped anything, due to my drunk ass. I dropped the old cam off a second story balcony at my sis's wedding reception. After that, the right side of the pics would come out blurry.
Here's a few shots from this weekend with the new one. I didn't cop these vans. There's a thread where i posted a few months back, that had a cleaner, simpler, and different version. They look like II's & V's, but on vans. I'm not sure if it's the final product or not. You decide.. www.sneakerplay.com/forums/kicks/23875/
Can't let you go without some tuneage. If any of you have played tony hawk, you might remember hearing this one..
1. Never let no one know where you got ur kicks from. 2. Never wear the same pair of kicks back to back. 3. Never trust nobody, NEVER cop kicks from an unlegit online store. 4. Know u heard this b4! Never stare at another mans feet longer than 3 seconds. 5. Never shop at Champs, Finish Line or Foot action! NEVER! 6. If your AF1's are clear take them back. 7. This rule is so underrated, Brush before you floss. 8. Stop Wearing fakes. (remember friends don't let friends wear fakes!) 9. Should have been number one to me, Gotta have 1 worthy pair of Jordans. 10. Keep at least 3 pairs of SB's.
John Coltrane is a giant in the history of American music. He was a pioneer in developing a new sound in Jazz music with the use of modes and improvisation, and later was at the forefront of the Free Jazz movement. As a leader Coltrane was astonishingly prolific and recorded almost fifty albums. He also co-collaborated on, and strongly influenced, many other recordings with the legends of his time including Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. As his life and career progressed, Coltrane’s music took on an increasingly spiritual dimension, which became integral to his sound. Coltrane has influenced innumerable musicians, and remains one of the most significant tenor saxophonists in Jazz history. For the coming season Supreme, along with the John Coltrane foundation is proud to present a group of T-shirts honoring this great American icon. Available in-store and webstore on October 22nd. Available in Japan on October 24th.
Jeremy Scott is probably one of my favorite designers, just the idea that he doesn't really give a fuck what people think, he does his own thing. In my opinion he is quite ahead of his time, his J-Wing sneaker (an Adidas Altitude High with added wings) is so damn sick. I'm gonna have to cop the multicolored one's come nest spring.
Do these bring back any memories for anyone? This Nike Zoom Skyposite probably conjures up images of the Kryptonate Foamposite Lites and Nate Robinson soaring over Dwight Howard in last year's NBA Slam Dunk Contest. While this Skyposite bears no indication that it's a Nate Robinson silhouette, the colorway is pretty much exactly the same as the Kryptonates. These are expected to hit retailers in December. My list of kicks to cop keeps getting longer and longer...
Wanna take a look at what Jordan has initially planned for 2010? In girl sizes, it looks like Jordan Brand will be releasing a purple/grey/white Spiz'ike as well as a Jordan 6 in pink/yellow/blue. We can also expect to see the Air Jordan 6 in black/hot red with True Blue accents (which btw, the True Blue will be making its way stateside), a Jordan Spiz'ike in white with purple and aqua accents, and finally, a Jordan Fusion 8, but who the hell cares about the AF8? Straight up ugly.
