Did you fall over?

Everyone tells me that practically every time someone tries to unclip for the first time, they usually fall. I feel like I would practice against a wall and get it perfect so I can dial up the tension and not every worry about clipping out.

Was the performance increase noticeable? I'm on the fence. My sylvans are falling apart because the cage is riveted and not fastened by threads. Instead of dropping the $100 whatever on Royal Nuevos, I'm think just save up for some, you guessed it, Dura Ace pedals.

What shoes do you rock?