#TheSitDown

You know, life is funny, you think something is gone for good and then bam! Like it never left, it's right back in your life 150% and for whatever reason you welcome it back with open arms completely forgetting any problems you had in the past. A girl? No. Fuck that. I'm talking about sneakers, and I'm not talking about my interest in buying, selling and trading. I am talking about the sneaker community, or at least what was once a community. Now it's an every man for himself, I would rather see you fail than see you succeed, I'll take 5 and you take none, I am better and your collection sucks world.


But I remember a time where that was different. A time where opinion was valued whether you had 1 sneaker or all 1 of 1's. A time where you could show up to an event and enjoy a variety of sneakers from throughout generations, not just the Jordan brand or Nike flavor of the week.

Now all I see is a time where you could take away the visuals and you would just think it's a room full of dudes comparing dick sizes.

A few weeks ago that changed a bit for me. I tuned into The Sitdown for the first time, not for any reason other than I had the pleasure to grab lunch with Jay Corbin a few years back and besides being one of the most knowledgeable people about anything from NYC culture to sneakers he is just down right hilarious. So I said fuck it, I've been separated from this whole sneaker gimmick for long enough to tune in and give it a shot. Why not.

Now before I hit you with how I felt about the show. I need to point out one thing. A lot of people my age probably think Jay and Drew are old school heads with old school views, I don't disagree, I just think there's a time and a place for that. Oddly enough, this is their show. Their time. Their place. That simple.

What these two guys are doing is beyond that of any blog, online magazine, YouTube channel, YouTube magazine stream radio frequency bitmap trendy hype whatever the fuck you call it. This is it. No bullshit. No sugar coating. They aren't here to grow subscribers and have pairs seeded to them. This is not a gimmick to hopefully please someone at Nike. This is them being 100% real in a time where real does not exist. If you can't fuck with that, you are the problem.

I'm gonna cut this off right now because if I go on ranting I'll take up way more space than need be. In the future do yourself a favor, give em a retweet, tune in and share your opinion with these guys. Help build what was once a fun world that we lived in outside our daily lives. When you weren't ashamed to be "on of those guys standing outside footlocker".

Why not right?

- Guru

End of Guru? Here is why

To me, its odd that I am even at this point. I have said it the whole time, and it literally did not hit me until today. People always ask me how I have 2k+ followers on Twitter. A number that, lets be real, its nothing special, but its higher than your average "tweeter." For a long time, well, up until today really, I convinced myself that every single follower I had, followed me because they liked what I had to say. Today, I realized that it had nothing to do with it. Today I realized that it had everything to do with the name I was tweeting from, and thats why I am at the point I am at.

It literally all started as a joke. When I used to work at Traffik back in the day the owner Johnny came up with "The Shoe Guru" as a way to let people know I had some knowledge. The goal ultimately was to use it as a cool little marketing idea. Give people a chance to test their knowledge up against the Guru, honestly, it seemed like an amazing idea. Back then, I was so enthralled in the sneaker world it was insane. But it was different, I would get excited over simple stuff. A $200 pair of sneakers was a HUGE deal. I thought Tiffany dunks were the rarest sneaker of all time and that once I get them, if ever, that my life would be complete. An easier time, a time that gave me a lot of joy and happiness. I did not know any shop owners, I did not have any connects, it was me roughing it out 100%. I had to pay my dues of course, all with the goal of the ever illusive "hook up". If I could get in with dudes at a shop I would be set for life, it was just such a linear goal that it all made sense, so much motivation to complete that goal. Back then, I knew who I was, and I was okay with everything that I was about, cause it was simple and straightforward, I was about sneakers, sneakers were who I was.

Lately, things have changed a little bit. I became someone I dont know, someone that nobody knows, honestly because that person does not exist. I saw a television show once where a women pretended to be Anna Nicole Smith. Every day she would spend hours getting ready and walk through major cities pretending to be a celebrity, all for the joy of feeling accepted.

I could lie, but I won't. I am at the point where lies are not necessary and would only prolong the inevitable. The past 3 years, all I wanted to do was fit into this world that we call the Sneaker Community. I wanted to be someone. I wanted to make a name for myself. Some would say that I have, that I did just that. Me? I think I simply got lucky. Now I know a lot of you are probably saying "Well I met you, and you really are a cool dude." I guess I just have one question, if I was never living behind the name "The Sneaker Guru" would I have ever had the opportunity to meet you? I truly think that anyone could have done what I did, pick a catchy name and run with it. Thats what I feel like I have realized. I was simply living behind a name, a name that I did not even come up with, a name I can't even take credit for. It is definitely hard for me to say that, but at the end of the day, I know its the truth. You were not following Kyle Powers, you were following The Sneaker Guru.

I will say that I am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to live the life I have lived the past few years. I have certainly done a lot of things that most people may never get the chance to. What I am not proud of is that I could not do it at Kyle Powers, it was always as Guru.

At the end of the day this is a culmination of a lot of things. The outcome? I have sort of lost the love of sneakers that I once had. I lost the simplicity of it. I lost the excitement and motivation it gave me on a daily basis. I used to eat sleep and breath sneakers. Now? They are simply just a stack of boxes at the foot of my bed. Some carry personal meaning and I will always keep those as they are more than just leather and rubber to me. But for now, everything else is not something I want to be a part of. Maybe some day I will find that love that I once had. A love that at this point I cant say I see coming back in the near future. Maybe this time, I will find that love, and this time, I will do it as Kyle Powers, not as The Sneaker Guru.

Change of Pace

I wish my Mom read my blog. For me, this is where the real things I have going on in my head live. I guess part of me just wonders what she would think. Would she be proud? Would she question my thought process? I just feel as though there is a certain amount of positive and negative feeling that gets put into my posts. I also feel as though she would tell me to post more. Mostly because she probably wants to be able to keep up with my life. Well Mom, I will do my best!!

So this post is not about my Mother. As much as I love her and want to write a post about her, I am just not comfortable being able to put my thoughts on my Mother into words quite yet. Today, well today is dedicated to my current state in life.

Now I will let you know. Most of you did not know me when I was in High School. I am going to make this as simple as possible. If there was a superlative for least likely to succeed, I would have voted for myself. I was just one of those kids that never really cared about doing much, or focusing my strengths in any direction. I was interested in the cute girls and looking what I thought at the time to be fresh. I literally can not tell you how many teachers over the years told me I was a bright kid and all I needed to do was apply myself. That always stuck with me, the ability to NOT apply myself. Why would I? What good was High School doing for me. At the time, I didn't think it was doing much of anything for me. It was a place I wasted 7 hours a day thinking about random stuff. (I once made a whole town out of twisty ties, I swear some day that will benefit me. Definitely a skill.) So here I am, in what should be me going into my final semester of college. Unfortunately college never happened for me. I mean, unless you count those 2 months where I hung out in the campus lunch room (Sorry Mom.) The idea of classroom education just never sat well with me. So as some of you may or may not know, I am moving to California in a month. The kid who would never do anything with his life, is finally picking up shop and moving out west. The part that gets me, and literally the reason why I wrote this post is because I am going out there with numerous peoples support. I am, for the first time in my life, getting positive support from others believing that I will succeed. I know I know, this sounds so arrogant and cocky. I swear, that is not why I am writing this. I simply just have never felt like anyone other than my loving Mother has believed in me this way.

Well. I guess there is really only 1 thing left to do then. To everyone who supports my ideas and dreams. For anyone who has ever doubted these same things. This post is for you. This is my promise to each and every one of you that I will finally apply myself and squeeze myself of every bit of talent I have. I have never been this determined and motivated in my life. So thank you, thank you all for helping me get to where I am. This is literally the start of it all. I could not and will not do this without you. So thank you once again.

And Mom, eventually you will get your own post on here. I can promise that.

kPow

Enter useless title here

I dont find titles to be pointless. I just find basing my writing off 4 words to be inaccurate and impossible. I could give you a title and by the end of my little vent session, it would be like "why is this titled that?" So I find that if I almost let you create your own title, by the end, there wont be confusion. Well, at least in regards to the title. I could say a million things over the next few moments that can confuse you, so I guess the title is the best part to start with clarity.

Clarity. Damn. What is clarity? The ability to see things clearly? The opacity of an object? The ability to see clearly either refers to a physical or mental understanding of something. At least, thats sort of how I view it. Now opacity is another whole subject. Your ability to see through something. Whether you can see perfectly through something or have a foggy view. Then perfect gets brought into the equation and it all becomes insanely unrealistic. Being able to see through something or completely not see through something, both complete opposites, both perfect in their own right.

Where am I going with this? I just explained my view on life to you. That is primarily how I see things. With no pun intended. The idea of clarity and understanding within life is impossible to gauge. Either way, there are things I just dont understand. See, this is where if I had given you a title you would start to get confused. Now trust me, at this point you probably are no longer reading this because you either go so confused you cancelled out, or your a damn trooper and want to see where I take this magical ride.

Well. Lately, I have been getting these damn curveballs in life and I dont know which way to swing. Sometimes, things can either be positive or negative, sometimes one situation brings upon both as options. Girls scare the shit out of me. Did I ever mention that? I do not get how they have the ability to take over my mind so much. I had a conversation with a good friend the other day about the idea of me and relationships. Now if you know me, you are going "2 weeks and its over, he has nothing to offer" and I do NOT blame you, that is my past and I am forced to live with it. However, I want more than that. Not just from girls, but from everything in my life. I am known for being one thing in life, above all else.

Inconsistent.

I have no problem saying that at all. I am one of the most inconsistent people you will ever meet up to this point in my life. When I am on, there is rarely anyone better than me. When I am off, which is often, well, I am not much of anything.

HOWEVER.

Lately, things have been turning around. Getting me to the point in my life where I break out of that shell......

Alright. Stop. Pause. Freeze.

Listen to me. If you listen to me only once in your life and you have made it this far, listen to what I am telling your RIGHT NOW.

Dont follow in my foot steps. The things I will do over the next year may be big, they may be small. Learn from me, but do not follow me. I am a leader, but I am not to be followed. The path I chose to get here was one that I wish upon nobody in this world. Be yourself. Dream BIG. But most of all, enjoy every single moment of it. I have missed opportunities in life, some that I think about on a constant basis. I mean hell, I let a girl move back to Chicago before I told her how I really felt. But again, thats a story for another time :).

At the end of the day. Stand up, walk to the closest mirror, take a look, and ask yourself if you are who you want to be. If the answer is no, then start over. Nothing should stop you from being the person you hoped and dreamed of being. I used to look in the mirror and dream of being someone else. Today? I look in the mirror and I smile. Not because I am happy of what I have become, but rather who I am going to become. Trust me when I say that nobody will ever judge you for following your heart, wherever that may lead you. You get one chance in this world, the people who love you the most will ALWAYS follow you. Wherever that may be. I tell you not to follow me, because I simply do not deserve your love and trust in my guidance. What I do deserve is the journey I must endure to get where I need to be.

Whether that is here or there, then or now. The world is a big place, somehow, not big enough.

See you soon.

Today. You knew me. Tomorrow. You will forever remember me.

Kyle

Just A Piece of The Puzzle

So as you may or may not know. I hosted my first sneaker event this past Sunday. When approached to be the man on the mic, without blinking, I said yes. How could I not? To me, I am one of those people that loves creating a memorable experience for people. I remember going to sneaker events and seeing the dude on stage with the fresh kicks and being like damn I want to be that dude. For me, its not about the recognition or getting my name on a blog. I could create a post on here and say my name over and over again, post pictures of myself and talk about myself. However, thats not what I get enjoyment from. I enjoy the moment when I see that kid getting excited about sneakers, and seeing the "I want to be that dude" face. Something I ALWAYS preach is progress. Creating a community that is both knowledgeable and educational. They call me the sneaker guru, I can tell you that I was not born with sneaker knowledge. I have spent probably a years worth of cumulated time by now searching sites thirsting for info. Whether it was scavenging through SolePedia or checking old posts on sites like NiceKicks or SneakerFiles. I wont lie, I paid my dues up until this point to get to where I am at. At the same time, I understand that in the grand scheme of things, I am a nobody. I will also consistently say that I am 100% fine with that. All I ever want to be is a person that younger or older individuals can look to for guidance. I had a good friend recently mention something to me the night before the event the other day. He told me "You know what Pete said to me, he said this is all just a piece of the puzzle." For me, that hit home in more ways than I think he realized. This. My collection. Your blog. Your collection. YouTube videos. STTV Videos. Its all part of the puzzle. Whether you notice it or not, some day, we will ALL look back on this time and remember it for what it was to each and every one of us.

I am going to finish up now because I feel like I could ramble on all day. The last thing I want to say is very simple. I do not judge myself based on the amount of sneaker I have or the amount of events I host. My success is based on the amount of progress I create. Thats all it will ever be about to me.

"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." - Benjamin Franklin

Guru

Some of My Favorite Sneakers

So I am at the hotel relaxing after what has been a stressful weekend and first day of training. I guess I wanted to take some time and give you guys some info on me!! The question I get asked the most is what are my favorite sneakers of all time. Well. Without being too similar to the Complex lists that so many are focused on lately. Im just gonna speak to some pieces.

So where to start?

Adidas T-Mac 2 ~

This was the first sneaker I had as a kid that I was SUPER proud of. Remember wearing them to watch my friends game when I was in Little League. Showing up at games in my team hat and these was a feeling I will NEVER forget. Have never felt like that much of a boss.

Reebok Answer 5 ~

So I never actually owned this shoe. I had the slip on version right before I got my T-Mac's. All of my friends had them, I remember my buddy Eric got this pair for hitting a home run in one of our little league games. I just remembered his mom cried and I was definitely jealous. Needless to say this is one of those sneakers when I was younger that was a big deal.

SVSM Lebron 7 ~

I love Lebron 7's. I love green. I love the SVSM color scheme. BUT. More than anything, I LOVED the power rangers. The green ranger was ALWAYS my favorite and for some reason these shoes remind me of just that.

Something I ALWAYS tell people is how I am about stories. All I want to do is share my love for sneakers. Most people would hear me say that I like the SVSM 7 and probably think that it is because its a sample and exclusive blah blah blah. NO SIR! I just think it would be badass if Tommy wore these to fight Lord Zedd. BOOM. THROWBACK!!!

Alright, alright. Lets talk about the big elephant in the room. No. This is not my picture. Shout to Mayor on the picture. No. I do not have all of these. Furthermore, I do NOT have ANY of the unreleased 112 sneakers. So without further ado.

112 Pack ~

I will say it time and time again. IF YOU LET CLARK KENT TOUCH A SNEAKER IT WILL TURN TO GOLD. Okay, there are sneakers Clark has done that are not the most sought after sneakers, I get that. With that being said, they all have their specific purpose, if that is not nationally or globally appreciated, trust me when I say people in NY went BONKERS over those orange and blue AF1 highs. If your a Knicks fan, that was a no brainer. Thats enough of that though. The whole 112 pack is just crazy. I know I mentioned it before, I love green, regardless of type and shade. Elephant print? Who can say no? You would be lying to yourself. 3m? just stop lying. Black suede? I MADE AN ALL BLACK SUEDE AF1. I would be lying if I said I was not obsessed with it. (Clark has since corrected me and let me know its Neon Yellow NOT green and Nubuck NOT suede. Thank you for the corrections sir.)

Clark. If you see this. You have successfully made a pack of sneakers that I view as perfect. Salutes homie. Im a 10.5 haha.

Jordan 3 "Black Cement" ~

I dont have to say much. The sneaker literally speaks for itself and has for a long time. Elephant print, red accents, black leather, air bubble, drool coming down from the corner of my mouth. You get the picture. Enjoy. Pick up 3 pairs this year. You may never get the chance again.

You all wanna know what #1 is? I mean do you really? There was no real order here. I wasnt making a list of top 5/10/15/25 or anything. I just wanted to show you some stuff I like. BUT. If we were making a list. This sneakers, this silhouette, this orgasm that forms itself to the most beautiful thing in the world. Ya, it would be on that #1 spot. Ladies and gentlemen. Queue the Ludacris!!

Nike Air Max 1 ~

I literally LOVE this sneaker. The combo of grey suede and a single colored suede as seen above is just the most, I literally cant explain it. When I look at sneakers, I always consider their longevity. How will this sneaker be viewed in 15 years is always my question. This sneaker right here, there is no question. 1987. That is all that needs to be known. This is it. This is why you have a 360 air max unit on your lebrons and trainers. This is why you have lunar foam and free runs. It ALL derived from this simple, perfectly engineered and designed running masterpiece. I know, I talk about it like its a piece of art or my first born child. To me, its just perfect, and for someone who is literally a person who lives sneakers, this is the basis for everything.

I am going to save you guys from my rambling. Most people dont enjoy it anyway. I guess I just wanted to share the whys and the whats of some stuff. Figured you guys might appreciate to hear a little about me.

I plan on opening up my inner emotions in regards to sneakers in the coming weeks and I hope you guys enjoy!!

Guru

MyUniqueStyleInClothes

For those who know me, you know when it comes to my clothing style you know nothing. It changes five times A day depending on what mood I'm in.

<--- Take this for example, I got everything working for me here. Even my sexy face.

I Love Diamond Supply Co.

and snapbacks.

And no I'm not a hipster mister.

<--- This one just seals the deal every time.

<-- Take note of the knuckle.

Whether it be a basketball jersey which is your second best guess, or even no clothes at all. It all boils down to the lowest common denominator. MUSIC.

I live for music. I run off music. I AM music.

Too say "obsessed" with my love for Odd Future is an understatement.

#FREEEARL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk68dCUQjzE

Actually had the pleasure of meeting ^ this dude right here. His names Tyler the Creator. He'll never remember me (or tweet me back) but I'll always remember that moment knowing how awesome it was to meet him then stand front row to their concerts.. Indescribable.

But then we have this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjFaenf1T-Y

Drastic change right?

But theres one direction that will never be the wrong way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Haot80K_oKo

I wanna hear from you the readers on what some of your favorite music is, favorite artist, anything! Think of it this way, if I am given A topic you won't have to read about me talking about myself anymore.

Make sure you follow me on Twitter @WTFisaJeffChane

Start commenting or stop reading.

Follow The Leader

In the wonderful world of twitterville there was a lonely boy with too much to say but no one to say it too. Follow me: WTFisaJeffChane

Sidenote; Who ever this is <--- I hope you're hot.

I feel as if it's not that creepy since she said it first..right?

Just touched down for the start of my 3 weeks in Austin. Gonna be a good time and gonna learn a ton. Don't think you won't still see me around these parts. Definitely gonna have jeff to fill in too.

Bueno

Guru


Guru

Dipset Guru

Today marks the day Guru left us for the lone star state for an extended period of time. That means you're mine.

Safe Sailing my meng, J.ust E.njoy T.his S.hit

More pussy than you can handle.

What it do minions! How was everyones weekend?

Today on the coast the forecast consists of rain, so too be a be big fucking ray of sunshine I figured I'd throw up some kitty pictures.

Hope you enjoy and send me your pictures of your kitties, I mean I will read your emails I'm not THAT famous yet.



those treats like a human dusty, what ever makes you sleep at night.















She loves it



I wish upon a treat.

















Looks like it's that time. Stay tuned threw out the day like you should be any ways for a few new posts..

Crane out.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Not my room

Business As Usual ~ HEAT WARNING ~

Jeff and I had to bring the heat out today!! What is everyone else wearing on this beautiful day?


Guru

Tough Life

Guru

Good Eats

Picked Jeff and his cousin up and headed to Brothers, one of the dope breakfast and all around food joints in the area.


They have a line system where they make the food asap for you. Really dope experience and great eats.



- Guru

Bringing life to my lifestyle

So here's the deal everyone. I just wanna go over a few objectives I have for this blog. Guru is a busy man and with him going on safari for 3 weeks Someone has to step up and float this ship, seeing how none of you know the account info I guess it will have to be me.

Objective 1. Make this a kitty loving environment.

Reasoning - head over heels adore my kitties Dusty (white) and Meowingtin (black)



Do I need to say more? No.

2. Frequency

Reasoning - I have a few sites I check multiple times a day too see updates. You the readers shouldn't and won't have to wait days too see a new post. I know how it is personally so now that im big man on campus it's going to be done the right way. Guru and I will be putting WORK into this blog too make it one of your daily routines to check it out.




You'll see a lot of pictures such as the one above. I call it hightography.


3. A new face.

Give it about two days and you'll get the jist of how this ship is gonna sail. I love music, so you'll see a lot of this little group Odd Future.


In conclusion Guru and I just ordered breakfast and I'm starving. I'm of this.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I wish I had something creative.

I feel this picture describes me perfectly. One word, bomb. I have no direction for what I'm going to write about. All I know is I spent three dollars on this damn app so you bet your ass I'm going go get my use out of it.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Bradstreet Ave,Danvers,United States

New member of the family

Yo I've known this dude literally since day zero. What is he going to post? Who knows! He will bring variety, funny shit and craziness. Get ready to see mad pics of his cats!!


kP

Better late than never?

Everyone has seen the new photos of the Lebron 9 and everyone has their opinion. Whether you love them or hate them, you have to appreciate the direction Jason Petrie and the rest of the Nike team have taken the Lebron line. From a line with early questions of longevity and success, to creating some of the most beloved silhouettes, to having people drool at photos of PE's and Samples.

The question I want to pose to you, is whether showing early photos of the Lebron 9 will hurt or help the sneaker. Today a photo of a Sample showed up online. Supposedly this sneaker is going to a be a holiday release, whether that means Lebron will wear the shoe on Christmas day is yet to be know. The sample is made up of a predominately tan upper, with what seems to be a hemp inner panel. For myself, I was not the biggest fan of the Lebron 9 as it was in a black/red color scheme, now this sample has almost brought it down a notch for me.

Ultimately, If the photos of the Lebron 9 never surfaced, would that have hurt or helped sales of what is sure to be a hit either way. Think Burroughs pack or We Are New York packs of recent time, with only days or sometimes hours to get ready for a release, sales sky rocketed. If the Lebron 9 was only shown a week before release, would that produce higher sales? Or does having the sneaker shown months in advance create the buzz necessary for this sneaker to sell out?

Tigers New Cleats

Craziness!! That's all I can say. These are just bananas to me. Anyone who has known me for a while knows I have played golf my whole life. I'm a huge Tiger fan. I'm also a huge fan on Nike's Free and Lunar technologies. These could not be any cooler. I also love that these shoes seem to be a mid top. Doesn't get much better!!

Photos via SneakerNews




Guru

No words....

Swag!



kP