Had to say farewell to my Air Jordan 8 Retros. These kicks went to Italy and Greece with me being retroed the week before the trip. Yes, I walked the dusty Colosseum and visited the original site of the Olypmics in these AJ8 back in 2003.

But after years of sitting in my garage, the Hawaiian heat took its toll.

Loser! #aj11 raffle

A video posted by @geewhy on Dec 12, 2014 at 4:00pm PST

On the bright side, being off by one digit just saved me $200. And it’s not like I haven’t loved before… [I can’t believe I don’t have a picture of the pair I owned back in the day!!!]

Since I happened to be there, you know I had to enter just because.

If you entered the raffle but weren’t chosen, there’s some nice Adidas Fluxes you can buy for consolation.

I wonder if these tall Asian ballers entered the raffle?

The release happened today at 9am EST.

Adding the Vapor AJ3 to your cart was no guarantee as Nike.com had you wait your turn. If you were lucky, your transaction completed. For the rest of us, you got this – out of stock in about three minutes.

No consolation, but even Roger Federer thought this release was too limited.

Case in point. The Air Jordan 3 Retro “Infrared 23” launched on March 8, 2014. As expected, this well-hyped shoe sold out in no time. Although sites showed inventory, trying to add a pair to your cart was impossible. So that was that…or so I thought.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014. A day off to do errands including a trip to Ala Moana. On my way out, I stop by Champs Sports downstairs. Yes, that revitalized spot where shoes aren’t displayed against a wall (I’m still getting used to that). But there it was, a display of the Infrared. I inquired and was told their shipment finally arrived that morning. Size 10? Last pair. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Too shiny, too unconventional, too flashy, too bold – the naysayers described the XI, initially including myself. When I first saw these Jordans, I was so confused. I really hated them, two tone black and white, and the leather, the shiny patent leather that no kicks used. But then, look at them, watch them move, look at the simplicity yet sophistication of the design, notice the elements combining together, see the possibilities, truly see the Air Jordan 11. Then love them. Love the most iconic design of the Air Jordan line. Watch it endure over the decades with retro after retro, colorway after colorway.

Now look at iOS7. Tinker Hatfield meet Jony Ive. iOS7 is definitely bold and bright, the apps fly around the screen, its flat UI is unconventional (no buttons?), but yet it all works. It just works. Maybe this isn’t the pinnacle of iOS, but it just may endure the test of time as users learn to love it.

Aw bummer, I didn’t win the chance to purchase the Air Jordan Fear Pack from Ala Moana Foot Locker. I thought the signs were in my favor, especially with a raffle ticket ending with #23. But checking the winning numbers, I was denied both the AJ3 and the AJ5.

Oh well, the kicks gods were against me today, or maybe this is a message that I need to listen to Macklemore and not let consumerism define me. Nah, I’d still rather have a fresh pair of Jordans.

Although at my age, I’m not worrying so much about about defining my identify through my kicks. It’s more about reminiscing the past through retros and enjoying the colors and designs of contemporary kicks. Maybe I should worry about coworkers eyeing and taking my kicks, especially with @abaggy and @gquiks487 around.

Are you intrigued by the song? Read more about Wings, its message about consumerism, and Macklemore selling out to the NBA.

Images from Foot Locker.

Winners announced on Wednesday. I never owned a pair of AJ3 or AJ5. I’ve missed out getting all those AJ3 retros over the years and the AJ5 never appealed to me in white. Black’s not so bad but the Fear colorway is unique. Oh, and I have Foot Locker credit so good conditions all around to add to my kicks collection.

Besides the technology that includes the Jordan Flight Plate, Air Zoom, and Dynamic Fit, there’s the obvious exterior shroud. Encasing the shoe, the shroud has become the focus of mad, crazy, genius designs. How’s this panda favorite, bamboo?

There are camo variations in blue and green.

How about the XX8 in New York Knicks colors?

Lastly, to standout during the NBA All Star activities, why not make a statement like Russell Westbrook’s custom editions?

Besides being a performance shoe on the court, the AJ XX8 is quickly becoming a designer’s canvas on and off the court. Simply genius.

Eight inches tall, a zip up upper, responsive, light, and expensive at $250 a pair.

From a design perspective, there are elements from other Nike shoes. The sheathed upper definitely brings back memories of Gary Payton’s The Glove.

There’s also a feel of the Jordan XVIII back in 2003 when MJ played his last days in the NBA.

The midsole reminds me of a variation of the Air Jordan XVII.

When the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook unveils the XX8 on the hardcourt on Tuesday night maybe initial opinions will change. All I can say for now is #DareToFly.

For more info on the Air Jordan XX8, check out the Nike Blog.

Back in 2006, Team Jordan released an exclusive Thunder and Lightning Air Jordan 4 set. This Fall get ready for more thunder and possibly, a second strike of lightning. The re-release of the Black Thunders has been announced which may be followed by the Yellow Lightning.

I guess Nike didn’t listen to Pixar’s Lightning McQueen who knows that thunder always comes after lightning. Ka-chow!

The Air Jordan 4 was retroed in a Thunder and Lightning pack back in 2006. The 2012 Olympic Games bring a thunder and lightning rendition of the Air Jordan 6 and 7. Dubbed the Golden Moments Pack, this set includes an Air Jordan 6 in white and gold and an Air Jordan 7 in black and gold.

$350 for this piece of Olympic kicks history. Available August 18, 2012.

What do you see? Yes, those are the Air Jordan XIII, And1 Tai Chi, Air Max Penny IV, Tuned Air running shoes, and a pair of B&W Air Max Uptempo buried under the rest. And here’s a closeup of another favorite, the Nike 6453, that’s completely falling apart on the underside.

A sad day indeed.

And yes, Lil Wayne matched his kicks with the lyrics of Forever.

Jordan Collezione featuring retros of the XVIII and the V.

Jordan AFJ3 Fusion in black/fire red/cement grey/white. Well the boxes of the delayed shipment stashed behind the counter. No worry, pics of the AFJ3 coming soon!

There are three colorways planned starting with a limited edition Titanium Blue XX3.

This guy releases January 25 at limited locations for $230.

The white version comes out on February 16 followed by the black “Stealth” colorway on February 23 (2/23). Both go for $185.

Even though, the visual design of the XX3 hasn’t blown me away, I think I still have to get me a pair just for the significance of the Jordans in the kicks world. 23 years of Jordans coming to an end…

Cost is $125. Sadly, I resisted and passed on these.