Last…
Many of you may have come to know me as a bit of an fashion whore, however my true passion has always been shoes. Folk lore states that shoes are the first thing a woman notices about a man; that we wear our best and shiniest pair of shoes for Sunday service, and every man should own a well tailored suit, a good watch, and a well made pair of shoes in their life times.
My personal belief is that other men, specifically those who subscribe to the cult of lasts, truly notice another man’s footwear first - not only do they notice, but they are much more critical then our typical female counterpart. You may say I judge; I label myself as just observant. Shoes me much about a person - how practical one is, what one may do for a living, how much one walks in a typical day, how careful are they with their possessions, how they will handle my account, what they expect out of me if I were to handle their account, how accountable they are, et cetera. Great shoes are able to tell fabled stories of travel, sights, and encounters. Some people wish walls could talk, I’m telling you if only shoes could talk.
A ‘Last’ is what all great shoes are made upon, they’re usually wood - although these days many are made of plastic with 3D rendering and electronic precision now out of the question anymore, however I do still believe that many of the heavyweights of the bespoke market still use wood. Lasts are no more then a sculpture of one’s foot and its dimensions - they dictate how the vamp, sole, and heel will look, how a shoe will fit, function and wear.
Many fantastic shoe makers reside in the United States; my favorites include Adam Derrick and Cole Haan, however my latest voyage with Adam Derrick has left me with a sour taste - hopefully it’s an isolated case, and I’m sure I’ll own many a pair of To Boot New York’s in the future however at the moment I’m seeking something more rare. I recalled seeing a pair of Aubercy’s some time back and have always lusted after a pair, in my quick search I found out to obtain a pair included a flight over the Atlantic to their two shops in Paris, France. Rather unpractical.
It was to my surprise, and delight that Leffot, a recently opened New York City store opened - dedicating its entire existence to the ‘well-heeled.’ Not only to they carry a sampling of Aubercy, but Corthay, Edward Green, Church’s, J.M. Weston, Psycho Bunny, Alden, Gazizno & Girling, and many others. So, if our NYC trip does happen in March; Leffot will be one of my first stops.
Who knows…I once preferred British shoe-makers such as John Lobb and Crockett & Jones, and today I prefer a mix between American (Adam Derrick) and French (Aubercy, Corthay)- the Americans for their minimalist designs, yet the French for their application of detail and finishes. However I currently have my eyes on Japan, they have always been great at adopting western practices then enhancing it to a level of up most sophistication. A favorite being the works of Hiro Yanagimachi at the moment.
-Wallace
Photo Redux…
I love photos. I take lots of photos. Most of you have come to know these two statements as fact. If life’s truly a worthwhile celebration, in my case I’d like to think so, then it’s a worthwhile cause to document and what better way to capture snippets of one’s life then through the glass discs distributed ever so carefully in an Nikon digital SLR.
Looking back I had a wonderful year, and realized that I have been so fortunate to be able to have such great personalities around me to celebrate 2008. What a year. Without further blunder, here’s 2008 through my cameras.
The year started off innocently enough, Crystal was an ex-pat in London working for bite while Sunny and I attended this year’s Maverick’s Surf Competition after 2007 was called off.
I was able to meet many fabled people this year, amongst those was Frank Kozik who designed Smorkin’ Labbit and many other vinyl for Kid Robot.
Then, of course, there was the Sniffy sitting and born from that the Sniffy Projekt which attracted more attention then I had ever fathomed. I learned that there were a whole lot of bunnyphiles out there, and Sniffy possessed an magnetic appeal.
Next thing you know I was jet setting across the Atlantic. The first of many Tanq or Bombay & Tonic’s I would consume on the monster of a flight. At one point I would find an empty row and sprawl out as a bum on a public bench.
It was a joyous occasion, my first sighting of Crystal at Heathrow that is. Had a fabulous time in London.
I met up with Boggy and checked out his fresh S3, along with my first experience with a Pagani Zonda, and the new Land Rover Defender. Not to be out done with the automotive scene Crystal made sure I had a good time with dinner in the OXO tower - their choice of Eames decor floored me, not to mention her introducing me to two of the most elusive bars I’ve partaken - Salt, a whiskey bar and the infamous Milk & Honey, the speak-easy that started it all (ref: Bourbon & Branch in San Francisco).
After a week or so in and about London we took the Eurostar under the sea and into France. A hour or so later we arrived in Paris.
Crystal had her hands full shopping, then sight seeing. Now, by this point I’ve never walked so far on pavement in my life - my feet were killing me. Crystal would later be the first person I known of to take her shoes off and apply ‘glide’ in the Louvre.
Oh, did I mention the food? I usually don’t take a second look at hotel breakfasts, but the spread provided by the Waldorf was one we partook in every morning. Delicious pastries, blood oranges, and finally drip coffee! What a drastic comparison to London’s culinary scene, where as we had to hunt for good food in London it was literally at every corner in Paris, the wine as well.
With a heavy heart I left Europe and returned home just in time to catch the Prologue of the Tour of California. This year they had it in our hometown of Palo Alto, there was no way I was going to miss this.
Beau and I were talking about a cross country fedex overnight White Castle x In and Out exchange, then we decided that we probably did not want to risk food poisoning. Instead we sent each other Kid Robot, speaking of Chicago it seemed that I got many packages from the windy city this year.
Sabin was nice enough to package me up not only a fresh set of carbon cranks, but handlebars and other nice bits as well for my upcoming builds. Check out his shop - CarbonLord
Then there were the DSF days, start ups are hard work and this proved to be no exception. However, the rewards are worthwhile even if the monetary compensation has not caught up yet. Big things planned for DSF in 2009!
April brought not only Easter but our first anniversary. We celebrated as only we know how - Alexander’s and Cakebread.
We spent quite a few days lounging around in the sun. Crystal usually fell asleep, which explained the zebra like tan line she had for nearly all summer.
When we first started dating we tried to go to Filoli a few times, everytime we went our plans were foiled. Closed, Un-blooming, or whatever the reason it was uneventful, so when we were finally able to go when the garden was in full bloom - it was an spectacular occasion.
Brooks and Cara started a company called Stand-Up Stix, their product made door painters lives a whole lot less complicated. In doing so he needed product shots, up to Seattle we went.
The ’stix’ goes through where the handles would be installed, when properly installed they can support up to 3 doors at once.
Then you just spray. Both sides rather then one side, waiting for it to dry, flip then the other.
This was also our first experience with Virgin America, which sold us on their domestic travel service. If they fly a domestic route that I need to take, there’s not a reason not to fly Virgin.
Crystal’s father came up and visited for a second time. This time I was pancreatitis free and quite fortunately, because we headed up to Napa with the Laufers.
We were treated to a special tour at Robert Mondavi, where we were able to try the latest Reserve - yep, the now sold out everywhere, near 100pt wine per wine spectator. Quite humbled.
Happy Hollow was also on our 2008 agenda, a park/garden that I haven’t been to since I was a kid. Also as far as I could remember the first time I’ve been back on that planked bridge since I fallen off it some 24 or so years ago. Yes, that sucked (literally).
Crystal just checked out the Koi.
I was also able to put Larry’s stumpjumper back together and finally took it out into the wild. I figured Fremont Older wouldn’t be too difficult, whoa…it kicked my butt.
After some solo rides I got the hang of it and the group decided to come out and join, ironically the derailleur decided to give out on the first of these rides. I still need to get it fixed.
2008 flew, as May came up and with that our annual Sykes, a walk into the wild, trip. This year’s attendees included Tru, Katie, Sia, Sam, Jonathan, Alycia, and Rob in addition the usual cast of characters - Sunny, Jenny and yours truly.
Remember when we gloated about it being so easy last year? It whopped us this year, with record high temps and record low water levels it was a more or less a death march. At the end we were all troopers and not one had given up. Definitely looking forward to this in 2009.
Not having enough of the outdoors Crystal, Sia, Shebani and I crammed my rented Chevy Aveo (do not ever rent one of these things) with an entire Costco warehouse and headed south to Bass Lake, which was an earshot away from Yosmite.
The real hero of this trip in my opinion was Crystal, who shocked me, by being the most gun-ho and adventurous bound out of the group of us. Not once did she let the weather, conditions, nor others get in the way of her and her first experience of Yosmite. A girl who ‘had enough of the outdoors’ at Hume Lake, probably had the best time out of the bunch of us at Bass Lake.
Well, we all had a good time…just some more then others.
Summer came and with it word of Drew and Glendy’s engagement. They coaxed me into taking engagement photos, I warned them that I had absolutely zero experience - She didn’t care. I was relieved to find out that they loved them.
I sold a bike, and a frame…
During one of the DSF demo days Jeff invited the bunch of us to stay at his beach house in Watsonville, during this trip he made something called ‘artichoke provencial’ - it proved intoxicating, by that I mean I had to have more. Fortunately Jeff was willing to share so we invited a bunch of people down to the beach house, you can read more about it here - A Ruf Life (yes, an ode to Porsche - err, Ruf, enthusiasts)
Lucky us, as Jeff made the announcement that this was the first, and last time he was ever going to do this. Cooking for 4 was a whole lot different then cooking for the dozen or so of us. I believe we all had a grand time, and much kudos to Jeff for hosting us clowns.
Nothing beats waking up with the sea breeze through one’s window, and chasing one’s beloved through the shoreline with dead horseshoe crabs. Although a few left early, the remainder of us visited Gizdich farms for some berry picking and snacking.
To my surprise we struck a deal with Silicon Valley Auto Group for our blog What One Million Buys. This was the start of something fascinating, as Lamborghini of Houston and Motorcars International soon followed.
Zagi, after attending the first two days of Moto GP Laguna Seca had enough and tossed us his tickets for the final race. It was Crystal’s first time and again she surprised me by having a great time - full of inquisitive questions, and a full blown curious nature it made this Moto GP one to remember. Oh, and of course…Rossi won. 46 GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Often we think that where we live is drab, dull, and boring - we often day dream of exotic locals, the jet-set life, and our upcoming vacations. For whatever reason we ended up in Hayes Valley, a colorful neighborhood in San Francisco. So much to see, and to explore, sometimes a vacation is closer then one would think.
During our Hayes Valley stint we somehow migrated to the familiar Ferry Building where I became re-acquainted with Slanted Door and it’s spectacular food. Sure, one could argue it’s just Vietnamese food (and for some of you, the stuff my mother makes at home), but never had I had such decadent Vietnamese cuisine (and for the record, my mother does not cook Vietnamese anything).
Bought a new bike, or built rather… Kestrel, Carbonlord, Beyond Fab and SRAM
I flew out of SFO quite a few times this year, I believe this is Alameda…and off to Sea-Tac I go again.
Crystal and I went up for her cousin’s wedding, and I pretty much went up to meet not only her mother but more or less the remainder of her entire family. Although I flew into Seattle, I had to drive up to a place called Skagit near Mt. Vernon for the wedding. Take my advice when I tell you to go to Vegas, Tahoe, or even Reno to gamble.
Fortune cookies seem to be a revolving theme in our lives. Crystal loves reading them and I’ve told more people then I care to admit that I actually write those corny lines for a living.
On this particular trip I fell in love, with a hotel that is. Someone recommended Hotel 1000 so we booked a room there - wow, one of the best rate x service x amenities in a hotel I’ve experienced. I’m not joking when I say I’d come up here just to stay at Hotel 1000 again.
We also did the usual Pikes Market, Starbucks, Seattle Art Museum, and Olympic Gardens. It was awesome to catch a drink with Jake while up here, and the introduction to Seattle’s up and coming culinary scene.
Like I mentioned earlier, I got to meet more then a handful of well to do people this year. One of them was Rick who owned this Penske-Sunoco test mule. Rick, along with Jim would later purchase Club Sportiva and introduce me to Gordon of Lookout Ridge Wines.
After nearly a year Greg Stevens made good on his word to deliver me writing pad, and along with the pad he gave a matching band in the same leather. These were taken on the first day, an awkwardly pale (rather gross) shade of leather in my opinion, but he told me to hang onto it and it will tan with use. Hard to argue with him, like the Louis Vuitton leather they mimic they tanned to a gorgeous golden hue. Highly recommend his work, it might be molasses slow, but gosh darn it’s worth it!
A high-school dateish thing to do, but we went mini-golfing. I couldn’t believe it when Crystal hit a hole-in-one. Oh yeah, she beat me and yes we, at least I, was a bit intoxicated.
With the Northern California Audi Club needing someone to breathe some life back into it we took on the daunting task of organizing a BBQ launch. A humongous, and laborious task, especially with the hurdles tossed at us up until the very last minute.
A huge thanks out to Sia, Jeff, and Stefano for coming together literally at the last minutes to pull this entire extravaganza off. Also much appreciative to our sponsors - Stasis Engineering, LeMans Karting and 034 Tuning.
Yes, grilled Twinkies. Turns out that the CEO of Hostess is not only local but an Audi fan as well.
Gamble Gardens in Palo Alto. Crystal tries unknown berries.
Cantor Center for the Arts : Stanford, Ca - One of our first dates happened here, there was a photographic portrait exhibit then, the actual exhibition hall was closed for a new installation this day. Crystal got to scope out her favorite painting again, and sample a wide variety of provided seating as usual.
Front steps of Stanford University.
With no tours, crits, or anything accomplished in my cycling sphere this year a few of us hit up Giro d’Vino out in Lodi.
Tru and I finished dead last. No, not near last…dead last. Well, we could only improve from here, or so I would hope.
It’s now November and we had to put our business plans on ice as Michael headed off to Italy for a 3 month business/pleasure stint. He’s still out there. These were taken at his departure party at Il Fornaio in Palo Alto. Mixing it up with local movers and shakers - in this case, doctors, lawyers, politicians, and venture capitalists.
Remember Rick? He and Jim had purchased Club Sportiva by now and threw a ‘changing of the guards’ type of party. Along with an introduction of a new fleet of exotics, and celebrating the most devoted members with green jackets - similar to the Master’s.
Rolling around in an Lotus Elise in pothole ridden, and traffic congested San Francisco was a bad idea. Talk about feeling like a bumble bee on crack.
We must have visited Ridge no less then 6 times this year, definitely one of our favorite lazy weekend destinations. Picnic items at Whole Foods, then up to Ridge for a flight, pick up a few bottles then snack away the morning on top of Cupertino’s hillside. That’s how we roll.
While Tiffany, Crystal’s sister, was in town for Thanksgiving we not only visited the California Academy of Sciences but the De Young as well. I was surprised to see the same Albino Alligator that I witnessed as a young tot. The seahorse railing brought back many memories (no, I did not fall into the Alligator pit)
This year Thanksgiving was a mashup. Big lunch at Crystal’s Aunt’s place in Foster City, then straight down to my folk’s Evergreen house for an early dinner. Needless to say, ’stuffed’ just began to describe our gastro-feelings.
Olivia and Benson decided to host a Christmas Party x White Elephant at her Russian Hills digs. We played pictionary, Crystal turned into a Vampire and I tried to smuggle a glowing snowman. That pretty much sums it up.
Crystal seems to love her Christmas present. I’m glad.
If you’ve been following we’re up to last week now. I took off from SJC and was bound for Oahu. I never said, “No” to a little sunsine in winter!
Crystal was the most awesome tour guide while I was out. Showing me the sights, having the patience while I figured out exposure and ISO settings on the camera, and going out of her way to make sure I had the most memorable end of year trip.
Crystal’s parents and family also went out of their way to make sure I had a grand time. Yep, they’re pretty awesome! Crystal’s uncle, Andrew, who’s a pastor also apparently was the pastor that married Drew and Glendy on the 2nd of this year. Small world huh? Crazy.
The shrimp trucks were one of my fondest memories of Hawaii, such a pain in the ass to get and eat but - oh. so. worth. it. I had a blast out here, but happy to be back.
It provided me a chance to relax, loosen up and worked out any anxiety about 2009. I’m excited, it’s time to make a difference!
-Wallace
