Inside the Nike Corporate Culture
This dude got to visit Nike and took some pictures. Some interesting ones…
Nike Jets
Jordan Jumpman Motorcycle
Michael Jordan Reserved Parking Stall
Addiction
Review of the Jordan Melo 5.5
The renowned kicksologist, Professor K, is back with a review of Carmelo Anthony’s Jordan Melo 5.5 shoe. A tribute to the old Air Jordan V and VI, the 5.5 gets high marks from the Professor.
For those of you who don’t know Professor K (aka Ernest Kim), he posts the best reviews of kicks starting with his own legendary site Kicksology.net. He’s since joined Sole Collector where he gets paid to wear the latest kicks and write about them. What a job!
Technorati Tags: Kicks
More Jordan XIV Retro
Lots of colorways being released for the Jordan XIV Retro. I like this black/carolina one.
Probably will see these shoes on the feet of the National Champs Tar Heels. Comes out early 2006.
Technorati Tags: Kicks
New NBA Season Means Lots of New Kicks!
Since the 2005-2006 NBA season started, a whole lot of kicks have been released. Foot Locker had a bunch of new stuff like…
| Dwyane Wade’s signature shoe, Converse Men’s Wade (boring name). Bold design. Not bad for the price. |
| Tracy McGrady’s signature shoe, adidas Men’s T-MAC 5. Probably the most interesting of the signature shoes. Kinda Vick-like in appearance with the strap. |
| Allen Iverson’s signature shoe, Reebok Men’s Answer IX Pump (crazy Limited Edition shown). Why are AI’s shoes always so heavy? You’d think a guard wants light shoes to maintain that quickness. Though probably the best shoe in the Answer line. |
| Jordan Retro XIV (men’s and women’s). Many colorways of the XIV are coming out. Waiting for the black and carolina blue next year. |
The boot-like Lebron James’ signature shoe, Nike Zoom Lebron III, doesn’t drop until November 17.
Visit nikebasketball.com for the full Zoom LeBron III story.
Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Latte in a Self-heating Can
Found this new product at a nearby bakery, the Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Latte in a self-heating can. The insulated can contains 10 ounces of java is encased with chemicals that, when mixed, reaches 140-degrees in six minutes. So you can enjoy a nice hot latte where ever you are (except at a UH sporting event).
I haven’t tried my Rich Mocha Latte. Have to save it when the time is right.
Starbucks Making a Move in England
Today’s Honolulu Advertiser has an interesting article about the growing popularity of coffee and coffee drinks in the United Kingdom. In fact, the steady increase of coffee is making an impact on tea sales.
Starbucks has something to do with this shift. Starting with a single store in 1998, the Starbucks chain now has 466 stores in Britain with 200 of them in London. For comparison, within New York City, there are 190 Starbucks locations.
Gotta ask Kim about this since she recently returned from England. Although she was supposedly on an archaeological excavation, I’m sure she made time for tea, or was it a Frappuccino?
The article is available from the Post Gazette.
Starbucks stock “SBUX” is at $55.01.
Starbucks Going Religious?
Starbucks is creating a stir by putting a God-filled quote from the Rev. Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life, on its cups.
Here is the quote:
“You are not an accident. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He wanted you alive and created you for a purpose. Focusing on yourself will never reveal your real purpose. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. Only in God do we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance and our destiny.”
Starbucks is printing 63 quotes from writers, scientists, musicians, athletes, politicians and cultural critics on cups. You can read the article here.
Kailua Says No to Doughnuts, Yes to Coffee
Recently found out that the Dunkin’ Doughnuts location in Kailua closed down. Not to worry though, since Coffee Bean & Tea is filling its void. Coffee Bean & Tea is a coffee chain popular on the mainland, known for their Ice Blended Mochas. These delights were the first ice blended coffee drinks around, way before Starbucks countered with their Frappuccinos.
Footlocker Friends and Family Sale
Footlocker is having yet another F&F sale this weekend. Get 30% off your purchases from 9/30 to 10/2. Also usable at Champs Sports. Gear up for the Honolulu marathon with new running shoes or just kick it with a new pair of Jordans like these Retro XIV in graphite, chartreuse, and black.
Coupon is here (thanks Wayne’s World).
Air Jordan Defining Moments Package
More info is slowly coming out about the Jordan DMP. A special 2-pack shoe set of the popular Air Jordan VI and Air Jordan XI (gangsta!) in black, gold, and white.
Release date: 11/12/2005
Cost: $295
Available all over (Footlocker, Niketown, Champs, Footaction, on-line stores)
Niketalk has a discussion going on about the DMP
While I never really cared for the AJ VI, this black and gold colorway got some appeal. The AJ XI are probably the most popular Jordan shoes of all time. When they first came out, the patent leather design was crazy, setting them apart from the rest of the kicks competition. You had to love the bold design!
Never owned a pair of white/black XI, but I still got my pairs of black/red and white/carolina blue XIs.
Technorati Tags: Kicks
Lifestylin’ with Safeway and Jordan
“Lifestyle” themes appear to be the latest trend in marketing. Safeway is renovating its stores with its Lifestyle look with the Hawaii Kai branch being the first in Hawaii. I guess with the Safeway Lifestyle remodeling comes the chocolatey fruity goodness of Coffeemate’s Chocolate Raspberry creamer. Went to the old school Safeways in Aiea and Kailua, and none of these had the goods.
Nike’s Jordan Brand also introduced its Lifestyle lineup featuring Carmelo Anthony, Quentin Richardson, and Terrell Owens. This clothing campaign is inspired by the early days of MJ and “challenges us to learn the Jordan Way of Life by being authentic, never compromising, earning excellence and aspiring to greatness.” Corny, yeah, yeah, I know.
Sadly though, I think if you saw Jordan’s Lifestyle trio (sports reputation aside) walking the aisles of your local lifestyled Safeway, you’d think you have to change your lifestyle, or at least markets. I’m just saying.
New In4mation Store in Waikiki
In4mation opened their second store this past week. Now in Waikiki, their Ward Warehouse store is still going strong. Visit both stores if you get a chance.
Ward Warehouse
1050 Ala Moana Blvd. B1 Bay5-6
Honolulu, HI 96814
Waikiki Shopping Plaza
2250 Kalakaua Ave. Suite 102
Honolulu, HI 96815
Online at www.in4mants.com.
I spy the Shanghais, the new Sole Collector (not about Samoans), Jordan Retro X (Flint grey or Ice Blues?), and Jordan Retro 13 (low?).
