WOW, what a crazy release. I can't believe how ridiculous this release was. Night started off with a successful order from NDC (just got shipping confirmation
). Tried to get another order in with another account, but as it was processing payment, the server crashed, so I got up and headed to my local HOH. 500 people, 300 pairs. You do the math. Pair Count - 2
Went straight to the Champs side entrance at the mall and met up with my boys. We chilled for a couple hours until they finally opened the mall doors and made us line up. Paul Blart and his mall cop crew were pretty stupid. Kept moving the line around so people started to cut. It was getting ugly, like a riot. Finally the Police showed up and everyone was put in check. Got inside and was able to cop my pair. Also asked a shorty behind me to cop my size since she was getting a kids size only. All in all worked out. Bounced at 6:30am. Pair Count - 4
Then, hit up the next local mall. It opened at 7am, so I got there and avoided where the main door line was. I went to the Panera Bread by the food court. 5 others knew my secret entrance. Once the clock hit 7am, doors opened and we all sprinted across the food court and the mall, down a flight of stairs to the Finishline. The other door just started opening and they were letting people in pairs. All of a sudden we rush the stairs and get into the line. Security was confused and we got in line. It was pretty funny. Once people saw us coming in from upstairs, mad people started to just run. It was crazy. Copped my pair there, but my boy hit me up and didn't get his size. So we decided to hit up the next mall with a 9am opening. Pair Count - 5
We got there and checked out the whole mall. Mad people at a few entrances. We looked for the smallest crowd around the entrance, and there was also a kid in a wheelchair. We were waiting for about 5 minutes and there were maybe 20 people at our door. A security guard pulls up and starts to open the door. He lets the wheelchair kid get in, and then we all bumrush and again sprint through the mall and get to Champs. When we got there and the Champs manager came out, I told her there was a kid in a wheelchair coming and he was the FIRST person in the mall. He couldn't get here because of his wheelchair. She waited till he showed up, I pointed to him, and she gave him the first ticket with the size of his choice. Woulda been hella messed up not to give it to him. So we get our tickets and wait in line. Then the flood of people start rushing in. It was madness. This mall had it right though. They had 4 cops with tasers in one hand and pepper spray in the other. Some fools tried to kick in a service door that was locked when they heard the commotion inside. One of the cops opened the door, pepper sprayed him, and arrested him.
My boy got his pair finally, and I got my last pair for the day. Pair Count - 6
Quick observations:
- Most people in line, probably 60% or so were there to cop a pair to flip. There were grandmothers, sisters, fathers, you name it in line camping for these. Each line I was in, there was a guy checking eBay prices and flipping out as to what these sell for. One dude was drooling thinking of all the car parts he could cop with the money.
- Paul Blart and the Mall Cop crew are useless. They can't physically touch you, so they can't do anything to you. Police on the other hand are the real deal. Saw Pepper Spray and a Taser at use today.
- The love for the kicks is dead now, and everyone is out to make a quick buck. NONE of the pairs I bought were flipped. 1 for a friend overseas, 2 for a friend in Cali that had no chance at them, and 3 for myself. Makes me sad to see all the people just looking for a quick buck. Bastardized a passion and lifestyle I have had for over 20 years. I'm ready to call it quits real soon. It just ain't the same anymore. Once greed gets involved, it's over...
Just glad I got my kicks. Sorry, pairs on the left were being moved to make way for the Concords.