When I was a kid, Reebok came out with some shoes that had an air pump built into them. As a longtime dreamer and shoe collector hopeful, I remember seeing them in East Bay and hoping to get a pair. My dad wore Reeboks mostly at that time, so I figured I would too. When it was time to get new shoes, my brother and I went different directions. He went with Nike’s I went with the Reebok Pump’s, and I was echoing all of their marketing. Mind you, I was about 8 or 9 years old, and not even good at playing basketball…but I expected to be with those on. I would play a lil bit, pause to pump the shoe up, and continue at the exact same skill level, but with a slightly tighter feel. It took about 2 weeks for some of the threads to start coming loose and about 2 more weeks to realize they tricked me. My brother’s Nike’s still looked relatively fresh and none of his threads were sticking out. Even as the threads and glue keeping my shoes together failed, I still liked them and promoted them because I chose them, but they were failing me.
Not surprisingly, that was my last pair of Reeboks. Well, I bought two more pairs (not the Pumps) to match these football jerseys I had in 2002, but I never wore them and ended up giving them away to the movers when I was leaving. I have primarily been a Nike wearing guy since those Pumps back in 1990. That’s not to say all Reeboks are bad, but after my experience with them, and trying other shoes, they no longer appealed to me. I’m sure there is a psychological explanation for it, but I don’t know what that is. However, it’s not all psychological, there was an actual negative experience with the Reebok’s, compared to a positive experience in Nike’s that switched my general sentiment towards the shoe…along with better marketing from Nike as well. The only difference is, I was and remain open to wearing other brands after leaving Reebok. I have owned Fila, Adidas, and Converse in addition to Nike, whereas early on I only wanted Reebok’s.
Better Fit
Ten years after having those Reebok Pump’s, I was living in Japan, unknowingly having a new revelation of sorts. The initial thought was “man they need to do things more like America”. I felt that way for the first 8 or 9 months maybe before accepting they do things their way and that’s cool. I’d say a year after accepting the difference, I realized I preferred their way over what I was accustomed to in the states. It was easier for me to recognize Japan wasn’t perfect, they have cigarette vending machines and other strange shit, but that place opened my mind to living in other places besides America. From that, I knew from experience that there were aspects of other places that were better than being in the states.
When I left Japan for Belgium, I was excited to go, but they were very different than Japan or America. It took me about 3 months to warm up to what I thought I hated about Belgium, and maybe another 3 months to see the value and prefer it. Granted, I still preferred Japan, I grew to like and appreciate Belgium. Then I came back to the States, and my preferences from Japan and Europe came with me. I remember asking people where the recycling center was so I could take my boxes and plastics. No one had a clue what I was talking about. The food tasted like candy; service was mostly terrible and that was the beginning of feeling like a visitor at my own home.
Re-Visiting
I have lived in 5 different states since I returned to America along with spending considerable amounts of time in DC and Maryland due to proximity. I go home to Chicago every year as well and I’ve been able to make every place comfortable, but I still miss elements of my time in other countries. Sure, the political environment here at this point is terrible and making me want to leave sooner than later, but my desire to go has been around since I returned. Unlike changing shoe brands, it’s a bit harder to change where you live though. I have been telling everyone around me that there’s life in other places, just as good and in some cases better than what’s available here. The general sentiment is “I’m sure there is, but I’m good” and I get that.
Reebok didn’t go out of business when I stopped wearing them. In addition to that, there are still millions of people that swear by them today. Even though I prefer Nike, I know they ain’t perfect, it’s just easier for me to tolerate their imperfections compared to those from Reebok. America, in my opinion, is coming apart at the seams and the pump mechanism ain’t working like it used to. I know my willingness to try new countries comes from living in other countries when I was younger. For me, the “Best country around” narrative doesn’t hold up at all. Maybe it’s the infighting, the racism, the sick care system, the greed, the lack of empathy, the ignorance, or the politics that has me ready to go. To an extent, I’m sure these attributes are present everywhere that I’ve lived so this isn’t a naïve expectation of utopia in other places. More a recognition that the brand I started with, ain’t necessarily the best brand for me anymore.
To Each Their Own
In many of my recent conversations I’ve expressed to friends and family “it’s time to go”, based on what I’m seeing. I don’t like the patterns that are repeating themselves in this moment and I know for certain that I don’t want to deal with the bullshit that’s coming. But I realized yesterday when I woke up to war with Iran and my daughter’s soccer game on the calendar that I can’t urge people to feel what I feel. For some people, the impromptu war was major to them, for others, it was a soccer game or whatever other social obligation they had. Life is going on whether we are aware of everything, or simply aware of what’s in our orbit and that’s ok.
When it comes to personal preferences, within reason, there’s no wrong answer. Now, if you prefer harming people, there’s nothing right about that, but for the things that only impact you…do your thang. That’s easier said than done when you love folks, and you want what you feel is best for them. The older I get, the more “live and let live” I feel. Maybe this is a season change in my life and I’m not fully at the point of recognizing and respecting that others are in their own seasons, operating on their own schedules…but I’m getting there.
Do You
All that to say, yeah, it’s still time for me to go. Too many of my predictions are coming to reality, at a pace that is too rapid for my liking. Sometimes it feels like I’m a crazed conspiracist going on and on about my theories. Even when life confirms what I’ve been saying, it’s not a good feeling to say, “I told you this would happen”, knowing no one wants to hear that shit. So, I’ll conclude with something to cover all bases…trust your gut, pay attention to your finances and make sure your passport is straight and be safe.
What an eye opener Doug. I really enjoyed reading this! Your post really motivated me and reminded me to keep going, and preparing my self to exit this country with my head up high. Thank you for putting this out for us read! Xenia