Shoes: Adidas ZX 8000 Goodfoot
Colorway: Green and gray, made of recycled materials.
Description: I know it’s technically day 7. I have been busy playing with my new iphone so forgive the late update. This shoe was created by the fellas at Goodfoot, located in Canada. These shoes were released in the first batch in Adidas’s AZX series. What they did was invite stores whose name shared each of the letters of the alphabet (A-Z) to Germany to collaborate with Adidas designers on a pair of ZX’s (classic running shoes). Hence the name, AZX. Anyway, Goodfoot designed a pair of ZX 8000’s and since they were letter G, they thought about using the colors Green and Gray but also making it "green" by manufacturing it out of recycled material. It also happens to be a very comfortable shoe! There are two more batches to go.

Shoes: Nike Nordic Pack Dunk Lo 
Colorway: Brown, Merino Wool, hints of red. Graphic insole. Multiple laces including tweed.
Description: Designed by the man, Jeff Staple (Staple Design), this was part of a three shoe series with a unified theme. As the name implies, this is supposed to represent winter or the cold and in this case, winter sports. The wool is authentic New Zealand Merino and it has the property of being able to wick moisture yet retain heat. This shoe really gets a lot of attention even though it’s pretty lo-key and muted. I used to rock the tweed laces but they actually started coming undone since I wear the shoes so often, so now I switched over to the brown gray ones.

Shoes: Nike 3M Reflector Pack (AKA Un-Tiffs); Asia Exclusive
Colorway: Sea Crystal Blue, crocodile print, black.
Description: Released exclusively in Asia, this Crocodile (3M) Reflective pack caught many people’s attention because it had the colorway of the infamous Tiffany Dunks (which had the iconic blue color of the famed jeweler). Those shoes are very rare and expensive and certainly out of my reach so when I saw these, I had to have them. I ordered them from Japan. They are simply designed but like many shoes have a little twist or secret, if you’re willing to look or ask. The crocodile print is made using a 3M reflective material and when a bright light (think flash) shines on it, it changes colors, as you can see in the picture above.

Shoes: Nike SB Lo Maneki Neko “Money Cat” (Lucky Cat)
Colorway: Metallic gold, gold dust, and red, red cusion laces (stock SB), red and black sole.
Description: This shoe was released April 2007. Nike got the idea of making three (?) shoes based on the famous Japanese cat statue Maneki Neko which translates to Lucky Cat, Money Cat, or Fortune Cat. These particular kicks are known as “Get That Money,” which is embroidered in on the bottom tongue label. To fully complete the release, each store that carried the shoes were sent ceramic Neko statues, but sadly most broke in transit.

Shoes: Banana Republic Sahara Boot
Colorway: Beeswax leather. Brown. Standard matching laces, plastic capped ends. Gummy sole.
Description: Wait, did you think I only wore flashy sneakers? No, I have dress shoes too. These are called the Sahara boot from Banana Republic but many people think they are actually made by Clarks, modeled after their Desert Boot. There are some small differences, though, such as the number of eyelet holes and the fact that the Clarks boot has reinforcement around the holes.  You have to size down half which makes it the right length (with room to spare) but quite a narrow fit.  As long as you break it in (8-10 hours is my experience), and you’ll have a pretty comfortable shoe. There were only three stores in the country that had these shoes because they have been discontinued for months. I got it from the BR store in Atlanta for an awesome price.

People ask me all the time about my shoes. But they don’t ask in a inquisitive or innocently curious way. They ask with a smirk or they’ll veil a jab in a compliment. I think it’s just how people are nowadays. If they don’t understand something, they immediately think it’s bad. Sometimes they think they are clever and they’ll call them “tennis shoes.” I don’t remember ever seeing Sampras wear a pair of Chucks at the US Open. I try my best to be patient and educate.

I collect sneakers to wear. I don’t flip them for profit (well rarely), and I don’t buy multiples to keep “on ice.” I think they are works of arts, like a transportable canvas. Aside from boots, dress shoes, and specialty shoes like running or hiking shoes, I only buy (and wear) limited edition or collaboration sneakers. That means you can’t find these shoes in Foot Locker or your local Sears. These shoes all have a story behind them. It’s usually a collaboration, often designated by the “x”, such as in Nike x Staple Design. It’s always interesting to me when two great minds come together.

I love all the things designers have come up with to keep shoes interesting. I just discovered the other day that the pair of Pumas I was wearing were glow in the dark. I had them on all day and at night, I happen to go to my dark room to grab something. I looked down and my feet were glowing. Imagine my surprise? I have shoes with 3M reflective material so it’s a different color when a flash or bright light hits it. Most of my shoes come with two, sometimes three, pairs of laces so you can change them to fit your mood. I have shoes made of merino wool and even a pair that is formed of 100% recycled material. They also happen to be colored green. Get it?

I like shoes because they are well defined and traceable. If you ask a girl, who claims to be really into shoes, when a certain pair of boots came out or which retailer carried them or even what high heels are coming Spring/Summer `09, they’d have no idea. In the sneaker world, people set their calendars by release dates. Often, I’ll make a mental note of a shoe I want eight months before they’re released. That’s dedication.

Living in Santa Barbara makes it difficult to be a “sneakerhead.” I have to work all the angles and exhaust all the options to get the shoes I want; the shoes I need. I’ve bought shoes from all over the United States (Hawaii, Portland, Virginia, New York, etc) and the world (Switzerland, England, Germany, Hong Kong). It’s a frenzy when I am on the hunt for kicks.

Each day of this month, I am going to wear a different pair of sneakers and post a little about them on my blog. This way, you can get a “sneak peek” into my collection. I hope this exercise will get some people excited about those things on their feet they take for granted.

Shoes: Nike Air Stab Runnin’ & Gunnin’
Colorway: Pink splatter, black and pink laces, elephant pint on toebox, graphics on bottom of shoes.
Description: Air Stabs are easily identified by their distinctive lowers which, some say, look like knives. The pink and black colorway definitely draws attention. It was a quickstrike release that I purchased from Commonwealth in Virginia. Believe it or not, the shoes were actually banned in London, due to the rash of stabbing deaths. Yes, Santa Barbara is not the only place teenage hooligans shank each other. According to a Nike spokesman, the shoe was originally launched in 1988 as a stability running shoe, hence the name.

I did the research, made the reservations, and arranged dates. We were all set. The flight out of SBA to SFO was uneventful. I still cannot sleep on planes and the flight was early enough that it made me wish we had. Prakash picked me up in his beautiful IS350 and we were off to Berkeley. We actually had time to kill since the reservation was for 1:15 PM. We went to Haight and Sutter. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at La Boulange and shopped at True Sake and HUF.

Then, we headed off to Berkeley where Dave and Jessica met us at Chez Panisse for a late lunch. I was hoping they still had their duck confit but I settled for grilled squid instead. After, we crossed the busy street to visit a cheese shop and pizzeria. Prakash and I got some bread pudding. Then we drove about 5 miles away to Ici where we had some of their innovative ice cream flavors which ranged from Basil to a 50/50 orange sherbert.

As we said our goodbyes, I handed Jess three bottles of sake to give to her parents to take back to SB for me. I still need to pick them up! Anyway, we head back to Sunnyvale and hang out at Prakash’s apartment which was super clean and nicely decorated, I might add!  We hung out for a bit, watched some movie clips then his (former) PM met us and we went off to Los Gatos to Manresa. The meal was a marathon and we were literally the last ones to leave the restaurant. When we got back, everyone just went to bed, exhausted. 

The next day we got up early and got some boba (not too good), and drove to Napa to meet Noelle at Ubuntu. I had arranged to have Chef Fox cook us a tasting menu and boy did he deliver. We were seated outside on a picture perfect Napa afternoon. Then we went to Bouchon to get some pastries, wine tasting at a castle, and Dean and Deluca so Noelle could get some European butter. Yummy.

Back to Berkeley to change, then Ame at the St. Regis for dinner. Tropic Thunder (hilarious) then sleep for the flight the next morning. We woke up at 7AM for the flight and when we were almost at the airport, United texted me saying it was delayed. It was too late to turn around and I ended up leaving over an hour later than planned. What the heck? Shane picked me up at SBA and after grabbing a quick lunch I went to work.

P.S. Recently, when I told people about where I went in SF, they all exclaim “all those places?!” Sitting in the car and talking to a friend I’ve known for years made time fly. I do realize that it was an enormous undertaking (having me visit) and I am eternally grateful.

P.P.S. Complete reviews of Chez Panisse, Manresa, Ubuntu, and Ame coming.

Having called earlier, I found that they had no reservations but that they had a bar and outside patio area that were first come first serve. When we arrived, we asked for a seat and the hostess reiterated what we already expected. However, she said we could sit at one of the tables with benches outside. This was perfect since the sun was setting and I wanted a seat with lighting anyway.

We were waiting on by a young woman who was in charge of half the patio area as well as looking pretty. What I mean is she was not dressed as a server, but instead as a hostess, which may very well be what she was. I am not sure if she was new to the job or serving was just not part of her job description, but she was bad. Not get up and leave bad, but there were many problems with service throughout the meal. She was not sure what certain dishes contained, our waters were not refilled, and we were generally left alone (too much) during the meal.

The bar/lounge menu is a subset of the main one but it had plenty to choose from. We decided to share an order of a dozen oysters. It was brought out by a busboy. That’s probably not even the correct term but I am not sure what to call them. They are not waiters, they do not take orders, but they do clear your dishes and sometimes deliver your food or refill your drinks. Whoever he was, he dropped off the oysters, informed us they were all the same kind, skimming briefly over the name, and left. I was totally surprised. I have never seen a restaurant that serves raw oysters with only one selection. Furthermore, I wanted to know what I was eating, not have it plopped on the table in front of me. They were just ok. Even the sauces that accompanied it were mediocre.

Stanley and I both ordered pasta.  He had the lamb bolognese and I had the oxtail ragout. Both were truly excellent. Great balance of flavors and not over salted like many pasta dishes. A different bus boy brought the dishes and asked if we wanted Parmesan. He shaved some for Stanley then just left. I had to wait a few minutes before I could flag down a different busboy to ask for water and cheese. The only thing I could think of was that my dish already included a cheese and they would conflict?

Chef Travi’s wife is the pastry chef and while he leans towards Italian cuisines, she is French inspired. We ordered a Paris Brest thinking with a name like that, how could we lose? It was just ok. The best part was the spun sugar on top. The pastry did not taste fresh and the citrus/acidic element seemed out of place and made it a burden to eat.

Before I conclude, I need to mention that I ordered root beer which was delivered in glasses, not bottles. I was charged for each drink, including one refill. To me this is extremely petty considering with a fountain, a glass of soda probably costs a nickel. A restaurant that is trying to improve their figures through nickel and diming customers on sodas needs to have its focus readjusted.

I am conflicted having ate wonderful dishes at such an otherwise mediocre restaurant. Maybe Chef Travi could move to another restaurant? Bring his cooking, leave behind the waitstaff, general manager, and dessert menu.

This Is London

Drudge Report (currently on the front page, won’t be archived)

A few months ago I started collecting business cards. Not your run of the mill, vomit-inducing VistaPrint ones that every amateur photographer or web designer has, but really nice ones. I have dozens now from all over the world, including die-cut ones and even a wooden one from New Zealand! I will document them when I have time.

I guess, I have always been interested in business cards but admittedly, my interest originally peaked when I saw the infamous American Psycho scene where Patrick Bateman and his colleagues obsess over each other’s cards and try to one-up one another.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Ben (founder) at The Mandate Press in Salt Lake City. I submitted an idea and they were able to execute it flawlessly. One of the designers even decided to try rounding the corners and sent me an email to see what I thought. I decided the look was good (matches the die-cut O) and had her make over half of them rounded.

If I am correct, the paper is 110 lb weight Lethra, in the florescent white color – hence the blog title. The text is actually letterpressed, not printed. Click on one of the close-ups to see the indentation in the card. Amazing stuff.