From Copper To Silver

These are pretty insane.





Might have to make them my second pair of Penny IIIs.

WMXXVI

Tomorrow's Wrestlemania 26 card is looking pretty awesome. The WWE has actually been on a bit of a roll as of late, pretty much because it's the opposite of this:



Seriously, if TNA were like that every week I think America would definitely tune in, albeit for all the wrong reasons. No WM predictions this year, but I'll try and check back with some post-show thoughts if I can manage to track down a copy of the event.

YES

YES



YES



YES

Need A Break, Get A Breakthrough

Listening to:
The Rocket Summer
Of Men And Angels

The academic year finally wrapped up the other day, and in a somewhat odd decision (at least to me), the teachers decided that it would be a good idea to run to the year end party. Run, as in not employ the use of vehicles. The hotel that the party was being held at was a good 9 kilometers away - 5 and 1/2 miles or so - which prompted me, perhaps as the lone American member of the staff, to wonder why we didn't just drive there like the modern human beings that we were. After all, what was the point of going on a 9 km run immediately before having to get spruced up and dapper for a fancy dinner? But as it usually is with Japanese folks, this wasn't necessarily about comfort or efficiency, but about taking advantage of an opportunity to bond with one another. Aside from my left kneecap nearly crumbling to dust during the final stretch, it was a good time. We laughed a lot, stopped a lot of traffic, almost died a few times, but made it to the end mostly intact. Personally? I'd much rather drive, but I suppose that I'm willing to hoof it from time to time as long as it means a little something.

Amare Channeling Durant?

Found out that I had 15 days of paid vacation saved up, so I used one the other day to take care of a few loose errands. Spent a couple of hours watching the Suns ring up 152 on the T-Wolves, which doesn't mean particularly much because, um, it's the T-Wolves, but it's always a good time watching your squad put on a clinic.



One thing that I couldn't help noticing were the KDIIs on Amare Stoudemire's feet in place of his customary Hyperizes. He's apparently been hooping in the KDII for a couple of weeks now...



...which is cool. After all, it's a pretty good look.



But it's just odd seeing him rocking another player's signature joint, especially considering that he's been playing like the old Amare as of late. If anything, I wish he'd wear some retro Barkleys like Nate Robinson. I actually really regret sleeping on the old S.T.A.T. sneaker that Nike put out for him a few years back.



That thing is sleek. Like an orca.

Enjoy That Sausage

Steve Nash's Crotch feat. Robin Lopez.



It was a nice pass.

I know, I loved that pass.

Lucky XIII

Space Jams or not, passing on the 11s last year wasn't that big a deal to me. But 13s? I said that the XX3s were my favorite incarnation of the Jordan, but the 13 is a very, very close second. Rumor is that Nike will release these two colorways come this holiday season:



Bold prediction (or perhaps wishful thinking): we'll see the return of the Altitudes sometime in 2011.

26 In Pics

Unexpectedly got saddled with a couple of extra classes first thing in the morning (surprise!), but when I greet ２年５組 with the usual "Good morning everyone!" bit, they answer with "Happy birthday Ma-ka-su!" I'm not entirely sure how they all know, but they do.



Jun comes to the teachers' office before lunch and gives me a high five and a small plastic bag with Mickey Mouse on it. The cookie inside is broken, but it's still one of the sweetest little gestures ever.



Thought about breaking out the Atlantic IIs to celebrate the occasion, but decided to go stealth instead. The 1/2 Cents are actually a lot more comfortable than I imagined they'd be.



Kept it easy on a weekday like an old man should. Japan's interpretation of a "Large" pizza is akin to a personal pan back home, but size discrepancy is nothing that a couple of Coronas and an evening with your favorite person in the world can't set right.

Cranberry, Eggplant 1/2 Cents

Now I'm kind of glad that I didn't jump on all four of the original colors. It took a little longer than I thought, but I actually called this a year ago: "I can’t imagine them not making a black & red pair, and an “Eggplant” version (there, I said it) also definitely works, so we could be quickly approaching overkill territory with this sneaker."





For what it's worth, these are two really nice colorways, but I'm not sure how I feel about Nike deciding to throw Eggplant on absolutely everything. Those Cranberries are gonna be some serious neckbreakers, though.

Got Milk?

Went with the Oreos over the Motorsports. Actually an easy choice, considering that the Oreos are nicer (in my humble opinion) and cost a bit less.







Just a ridiculous shoe, from the speckled lace lock to the translucent sole...if only they didn't make me so hungry.