Collectors Spotlight - July 2007 - Tick
Age: 37 / North Dakota
Tick: sees you
How long have you been a collector of Oakley items?
11 years
How did you get into collecting Oakley?
I bought my first pair, a Sub Zero #6 Planet X/+Red, in '93. They developed a defect with the frame not staying on the lens so I sent them in and in the meantime and got some Gold X/ Gold Eye Jackets to wear and I realized I liked having more than one pair. Then by chance, I sold a phone to the local Oakley rep who was keen on trading cell phone stuff for Oakley's. I was hooked.
What is the first Oakley item you remember having?
Sub Zero #6 Planet X/+Red Iridium but, unusually enough, my wife actually had a pair before me. A Neon Yellow/ Orange Iridium pair of Gen 2 Frogskins. She wasn't my wife at the time but I know why I hung on to her.
What is your biggest Oakley regret? (if any)
Trading my Romeo 1's for the 24K XX's. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my XX's but the Romeo's were a gift and my first X-Metals. If had to do over, I'd keep them. I've since replaced them with the same pair but, as I'm sure a lot of you know, it's just somehow not the same.
What is your next Oakley purchase likely to be?
Thump 1; hopefully Tribal
What do you consider the "jewel" of your collection?
I could just say my 24K XX's since they're the prettiest and most expensive but truthfully it has to be my good old Gold E Wires. I originally purchased them for $70 but my wife scratched up the lenses so I sent them in for new ones- $40. Then My wife wrecked the hinges. Sent in frame tune up- $29. Then my dog bit them. Wrecked the frames and lenses Sent in again, -$60. So after shipping I have like $225 into them. Not a single original piece on them but they hold a special place in my heart.
How do you store/display your Oakley collection?
My Doublewide cabinet. At last a place to keep all my babies safe and show them the way they deserve to be.
Do you have a favorite Oakley retailer?
My local OPD is huge but I still love making that trek down to Minneapolis to the O-Store in the Mall Of America.
Do you customize?
Not too much yet, but my head is swimming with great Ideas. Some very creative individuals here have inspired me to try some bending, cutting, trimming, sanding, painting, &, otherwise, defiling perfectly good sunglasses to suit my inner Mad Scientist.
What other Oakley products do you collect?
Clothing, shoes, hats, accessories, print material, cases, stickers and the various oddities.
What other hobbies/collections/passions do you have?
It's silly, but I love can wraps (can coolers, cozies, whatever you call them. I never have a beer without one. I have like fifty of them (coolers, not beers). I used to collect Swatch Watches and if I had the means I still would but there's no way I'm dividing my Oakley money.
What advice do you have for new Oakley collectors?
Don't! There's nothing good left and everything is overpriced. It will destroy your life and any chance of having a meaningful relationship with another human being. Your frustration and anger will eventually lead you to despise everything and everyone around you and emptiness will consume your soul. (There, that should discourage them. Now back to eBay!)
I'm kidding, as usual. I'm excited to see new collectors pop up all the time. New fans can only mean good things to come from the O. My philosophy on collecting is different from some others. I mostly collect by opportunity & conveinience. If something becomes available to me, & I have the means, I'll get it. I'm not one to strive to complete a certain line or model run but if there's something I must have I tend to put my focus on that until I have it (Yeah, yeah I know. The 0.3P...Shut up! ). Above all remember, collecting is not a competition. Have fun & make it special.
What do others think about your Oakley collection?
Most think it is pretty cool but if I had a dollar for every time my wife said "Don't you have enough sunglasses?" I could buy a Medusa. But mostly she's supportive. In fact she's finally agreed to let me have one room in the house to completely dedicate to Oakley stuff! Now if I could only get her to put her Oakleys back into the damn microfifer bag!
What's your fondest/most astounding Oakley memory?
I'm not trying to be a suck up here but, honestly, it was the day I discovered the Oakley Review. I was passionate about Oakley but was, at best, a casual collector and not a very educated one either. I was utterly fascinated to discover there were others like me out there and very excited to finally become a part of this crazy family. Apparently, it was about this same time that I installed a trampoline in my wallet, but I wouldn't change a thing. I just want to give Dann one of those grasp-right-hands-while-patting-each-other-on-the-back, manly, cool-guy hugs & thank him for his vision in creating this place...OK never mind. I am trying to suck up.
Any final words?
I feel incredibly honored to have been chosen to be in the Collector's Spotlight especially during my birthday month (15th for those shopping) and I wanted to take this opportunity to speak from the heart about my second biggest passion next to my family. I love being known as the funny guy or the witty guy because you people really bring out the best in me. I'm not a quiet person by nature so I natually gravitated to the forum & I've developed many friendships that I treasure as much as my local friendships. So, join in, have something nice or meaningful to say, post a well thought out review, & have fun sharing the passion that is Oakley. It will insure that the OR will be a place that all of us can enjoy for years to come. I hope you liked my spotlight because it's definitely a great group to be a part of. Thanks for looking, Tick
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