Rustpot
M Frame Lover
First off, this isn't a farewell or a downer in any way. This is a celebration. I'd like to hear your stories as well!
I was working on unpacking boxes from the garage that haven't been moved in yet after a month in the new house. I cracked open the seal on my Oakley box. It was unmarked, I hadn't taken any time in preparation and everything ended up in the garage. Which also allowed me to procrastinate since it wasn't in the way.
Anyway, the contents of the box were pretty varied. The box is actually quite old, it got started maybe 2 years ago when the storage in my case filled up and I had nowhere to go. I had just topped it off and put it in the truck. Looking through everything now is a fun personal journey through the last 10+ years of passion I've had for this brand.
5 years ago I had come on Oakley Forum to try and sell a pair of sunglasses. They were a desert SI pair I had gotten and finally realized that I can't wear small glasses (this is after years of having a XX Omatter as my 1 pair) and came to the forum in hopes of getting my money or something cool in trade.
After that it was off to the races.
I honestly don't know how many pairs I have bought in the last 5 years. That was the only way to get my hands on some classic pairs I've loved for years. A lot of huge letdowns in the beginning when I found out I'd pretty much never look good wearing some truly awesome pairs. Sub Zero, XX, Juliet, Mars, Straight Jacket, Racing Jackets, Splice, Scar, the list goes on.
I've burned out twice. Almost lost it and walked away. Looked at the pile, thought of the pile of cash it represented, and wished I'd never spent a dime on Oakleys. I did come back both times. Usually when I finally hear about a new pair that's pretty sweet.
I'm guilty of going too hard, too fast. I still see it happening; people join and the buying frenzy hits and the threads come up "Got 6 more this month!". Only to eventually lead to them burning out and dropping out completely. Now I just hold tight and wait for the eventual sales to hit, members to fade, and the cycle to repeat.
Had to re-evaluate priorities a few times. Spending too much, growing the collection too big, unfocused buying, too focused buying leading to a lot of pairs that were just for show, depopulating, evaluating cost/enjoyment ratios, more selling, and settling on boundaries for purchases.
If you asked me how my current collecting mood is, I'd call it "meandering". The back catalog feels stale, the idea of collecting a series, or a set of colorways, or completing a vintage set just makes my stomach churn. There's pairs I want, but I'm not feeling motivated to put in time searching and trying to be the first on a new eBay listing with a low BIN (are there even deals on eBay anymore?). All of my most recent pairs have been new releases. I find the styles becoming more universally accepted than they were 2-3 years ago. The Holbrook I see as the gateway into more old-guard acceptance of newer styles and trendy pairs, and hopefully pulling more people down the Rabbit Hole of Frogskins, where it seems long-term collecting is almost a requirement for entry.
I can see myself staying strong on this pace for a while. I want to eventually move into a doublewide and drop my mega and RX singles. I want this "office" in my new home to have as much riveted aluminum and aircraft/mechanical decor as possible to match the cases. I want to eventually snag a few more pairs. Another Sliver, Crosshair Ti, maybe a Tincan Carbon, Windjacket 2.0, blackout Pro M Frames, who knows.
Anyway, the box is unpacked, I still don't have enough room for all of this junk. Does anyone know of an Oakley-style chest of drawers, trunk, filing cabinet?
I was working on unpacking boxes from the garage that haven't been moved in yet after a month in the new house. I cracked open the seal on my Oakley box. It was unmarked, I hadn't taken any time in preparation and everything ended up in the garage. Which also allowed me to procrastinate since it wasn't in the way.
Anyway, the contents of the box were pretty varied. The box is actually quite old, it got started maybe 2 years ago when the storage in my case filled up and I had nowhere to go. I had just topped it off and put it in the truck. Looking through everything now is a fun personal journey through the last 10+ years of passion I've had for this brand.
5 years ago I had come on Oakley Forum to try and sell a pair of sunglasses. They were a desert SI pair I had gotten and finally realized that I can't wear small glasses (this is after years of having a XX Omatter as my 1 pair) and came to the forum in hopes of getting my money or something cool in trade.
After that it was off to the races.
I honestly don't know how many pairs I have bought in the last 5 years. That was the only way to get my hands on some classic pairs I've loved for years. A lot of huge letdowns in the beginning when I found out I'd pretty much never look good wearing some truly awesome pairs. Sub Zero, XX, Juliet, Mars, Straight Jacket, Racing Jackets, Splice, Scar, the list goes on.
I've burned out twice. Almost lost it and walked away. Looked at the pile, thought of the pile of cash it represented, and wished I'd never spent a dime on Oakleys. I did come back both times. Usually when I finally hear about a new pair that's pretty sweet.
I'm guilty of going too hard, too fast. I still see it happening; people join and the buying frenzy hits and the threads come up "Got 6 more this month!". Only to eventually lead to them burning out and dropping out completely. Now I just hold tight and wait for the eventual sales to hit, members to fade, and the cycle to repeat.
Had to re-evaluate priorities a few times. Spending too much, growing the collection too big, unfocused buying, too focused buying leading to a lot of pairs that were just for show, depopulating, evaluating cost/enjoyment ratios, more selling, and settling on boundaries for purchases.
If you asked me how my current collecting mood is, I'd call it "meandering". The back catalog feels stale, the idea of collecting a series, or a set of colorways, or completing a vintage set just makes my stomach churn. There's pairs I want, but I'm not feeling motivated to put in time searching and trying to be the first on a new eBay listing with a low BIN (are there even deals on eBay anymore?). All of my most recent pairs have been new releases. I find the styles becoming more universally accepted than they were 2-3 years ago. The Holbrook I see as the gateway into more old-guard acceptance of newer styles and trendy pairs, and hopefully pulling more people down the Rabbit Hole of Frogskins, where it seems long-term collecting is almost a requirement for entry.
I can see myself staying strong on this pace for a while. I want to eventually move into a doublewide and drop my mega and RX singles. I want this "office" in my new home to have as much riveted aluminum and aircraft/mechanical decor as possible to match the cases. I want to eventually snag a few more pairs. Another Sliver, Crosshair Ti, maybe a Tincan Carbon, Windjacket 2.0, blackout Pro M Frames, who knows.
Anyway, the box is unpacked, I still don't have enough room for all of this junk. Does anyone know of an Oakley-style chest of drawers, trunk, filing cabinet?
