525,600 Minutes

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes,
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets?
In midnights, in cups of coffee?
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife?
In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes,
How do you measure, a year in the life?

One of my favorite songs is "Seasons of Love" from the musical, Rent.  It is a full ensemble piece where the characters wax philosophic about how best to measure the worth of a year of human life, concluding in the chorus that the best way is to measure in love.

And it was exactly one year ago today, that I took the first photos of this project.  While my initial goal for the project was to use it as a means of establishing a better work-life balance, I now understand that it wasn't just about spending time on a hobby... it was about identifying, appreciating, and chasing the love for my life.

As I mentioned in this post, this project has taken me so much farther than I ever expected.  While the actual hour-count dent I've made into the goal of 10,000 hours is underwhelming and so pathetic that it's laughable, the experiences and epiphanies I've had have more than made up lack of hours.

First and foremost, I have developed a better and stronger sense of self.  It sounds ridiculous, but prior to this project, I didn't really know what makes me deep-down, bottom of the gut, happy.  I think I was a little hesitant to even admit that, because it seems like something that should be straightforward - do what you like to do.  People told me to balance my life with work, but I didn't really know what interests, passions, etc. truly made up my life.  This project resulted in first discovering what was important to me in life, followed by a dogged pursuit of these things as opposed to just blindly following societal prescriptions of things that "should" make me happy.  Over the past year, I've witnessed many of my millennial peers also struggling with this concept, but many of them responded by completely shifting their lives 180 degrees.  Many quit their jobs to travel the world or switched careers or went back to school to begin at the beginning once more.  While those courses of action may work well for them, I knew that I would not be satisfied making a drastic change for the fear that it wasn't the right change.  Given my highly analytical nature and habits of frequent reflection, that little niggle of fear would get in the way of actually embracing the change and finding myself.  Not to mention, that would have been me throwing myself into yet another passion rather than learning to establish a balance.

Through this project, I've also validated my love for travel, adventure, friendship, and continual desire to learn.  I've explored a lot of places, traveled locally and afar, visited best friends... all with an eye to capture photographs.  As a result, I was able to satisfy my curiosity about the world.  My favorite big trip was probably the one I took out to Kentucky to explore the Bourbon Trail, because I'm not sure I would have traveled there if not to photograph the distilleries and scenery.  There was also something about this specific trip (I'm still not entirely sure exactly what clicked) that helped finally kickstart my journey for even more formal education.  While I've always thought that I would go back for a higher degree of some kind, I hadn't formalized any kind of specific timeline or action plan.  When I returned from Louisville, it all suddenly became very clear exactly what I wanted.  In the following 6 months, I took the GMAT, networked like crazy, toured several schools, and put pen to paper for personal statements and applications.  At the end of February, I celebrated and accepted admission to UCLA Anderson's Fully Employed MBA program.  Even though most people shy away from their lives being driven entirely by work and school, I'm exhilarated to not only learn more business theory, but also to be able to apply this knowledge immediately the next day - this is exactly how I love to learn.

Finally, as cheesy as it sounds, I've also found romantic love via this project.  While I didn't meet my boyfriend on a project excursion, his support of my project and desire to help me reach 10,000 hours resulted in planning and going on a lot of adventures together, during which we were able to get to know each other on a much more honest and intimate level than typical dates would allow.  You really get to see someone's true nature when you're challenging each other's comfort zones: driving along the switchbacks of sheer cliffs, getting up at the crack of dawn to catch a moment, and getting increasingly hungry, hot, and sweaty in the name of one more shot.  We have a connection and closeness that is just best expressed as true love.

So, I suppose you could say that the last 525,600 minutes of this 10,000 hour project have been filled with love... for photography, travel, exploration, good friends, learning, romance, and work.  It's ultimately been a journey of finding out precisely what I love and weaving those elements meaningfully to create a life full of love.

Since this is a 10,000 hour project on photography, I'll end with the photos I took this morning successfully summiting Mt. Lee and standing over the Hollywood sign.  After 2 hours, ~3.25 miles, and ~1700 vertical feet, we were rewarded with a view that perfectly captures my feeling about the last year of this project.

~10 minutes into the Bronson Canyon Trail, encouraged by a glimpse of Hollywood Sign up in the hills

The top of the canyon, roughly halfway to the sign.  The overcast day resulted in hazy, flat photos that had to be edited heavily in post, but it was perfect for novice hikers like us tackling a ~6.5 mile hike that also climbed 1100+ feet vertically over the course.  If it had been a clear and hot day, I'm not sure we would have reached the top.

Getting closer!

Reached a vista point and spotted the Griffith Observatory

The trail wound back and forth around and around... we spent a solid 2 hours climbing (and occasionally stopping for photos and to catch our breath) from the start of the trail.  

The sign itself is fenced off due to the fire-prone terrain... and probably to prevent vandalism.  Fortunately, the trail proceeds even higher so you can get a clear shot of the back of the sign without a chain link fence in the way.

View of Lake Hollywood and part of the H from the summit

Panorama I actually took with my iPhone.  I couldn't get the entire sign with the DSLR and  I couldn't back up further since there was only roughly 20 feet to work with before I would have fallen off the backside of the summit.

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Active Shooting Hours: 2
Review Hours: 2
Hours to Date: 142

Dream Big

Awestruck.

That's the best word to describe the feeling one experiences when looking up at Hearst Castle.  Dreamed up by newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst, and designed by architectural glass-ceiling-buster, Julia Morgan, this property is truly stunning.  To me, it's a reminder of what can result from a lot of work and little luck.  Luck, of course, being what happens when preparation meets opportunity.  Of course, life isn't all about work and this place wasn't Hearst's main abode, but a vacation home of sorts.

Despite being referenced as "The Little Ranch" and described as a side project for Morgan, it's incredible what can result from a labor of love, skilled artisans, and a ridiculous amount of wealth.  Perhaps it's because I'm not familiar with current trends in art, architecture, or decor, but it seems to me that there isn't the same value or importance attributed to quality craftsmanship or attention to detail now.  At the very least, it doesn't seem that it's a priority.  Of course, that could just be a blind spot... after all, I lack a sample from today's wealthy and it's always said that history is written by the victors and the rich.

In any case, I've been wanting to photograph Hearst Castle since I started this project and I'm glad I was finally able to plan the trip.  Logistically, it can be a difficult trip to plan since it's approximately 4 hours from either Los Angeles or San Francisco and removed from major cities.  In part, that's what makes it so picturesque - there's no development within 13 miles of the property.

These were from just the first day of a 5 day lap around my old haunts in Northern California to celebrate the end of an era and the new adventures to come.  On this day, we drove up to San Simeon via the 101 (after detouring around a ridiculous milk truck accident) and continued up the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur and on to Monterey for the night.

More to come once I get a chance to update.

Casa Grande - the main house... over 60,000 square feet of house.

Hearst's Gothic Study, where yellow journalism was perfected.  I dream of a workspace like this.

He collected ceilings... that's right, ceilings.

Neptune Pool

With this view and a private airstrip for easy access, this seems like paradise.

An elephant seal flipping sand on itself at Piedras Blancas, just north of Hearst Castle.

Rain Rocks Rock Shed, opened just in January.  Built by Caltrans to protect this section from falling rock.  It actually shepherds falling rock directly into the Pacific Ocean instead of onto the road.

The rocky shore, from a viewpoint alongside PCH

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Active Shooting Hours: 6
Review Hours: 3
Hours to Date: 122

Unconventional Las Vegas

The scintillating city of excess - replete with bacchanal revelers looking for a weekend of carefree debauchery... which will, of course, stay in Vegas.  I find this city and the entire industry built on hedonism to be fascinating... mostly it always underscores the importance of balance for me.

I don't know anyone who can or wants to sustain the endless drinking, eating, and partying for more than a few nights at a time.  In economic terms, it suffers from diminishing marginal utility - not only is it increasingly physically exhausting, it also delivers less and less enjoyment per each additional night.  In many ways, it's a reminder that we can all burn out doing any activity or piece of work and to ensure I have some variety in my life.

To be sure, I ate myself silly at establishments like Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak and Mon Ami Gabi, filled with all kinds of the noveau naughty ingredients (none of which, I happen to agree with): gluten and dairy.  Not to mention all of the conventional terrible things for you: fat, salt, sugar, rare steaks, cholesterol-filled seafood... In any case, after that weekend, I immediately myself on a repentant diet with lots of fibrous fruits and vegetables.

Craftsteak prie fixe menu dessert tasting - chef's choice.  Liberal application of Instagram magic.
Clockwise from top: fresh fruit, chocolate indulgence with chocolate ice cream, coconut lime and raspberry sorbets, and cinnamon monkey bread with vanille ice cream.  Paired with a Polish dessert wine.

Mon Ami Gabi - where your cappuccino can come in a bowl larger than the cup of French Onion soup.

But I wanted a different experience and adventure to photograph with the DSLR and thus, we went off-roading.  My amazing sorority sister who happens to live in Vegas recently bought a new Jeep and graciously took us out on a trail that wrapped us around Las Vegas via Rainbow Gardens Rd.

Hi Jeep!

Quite overcast, which made it a comfortable day trip, but did make the pictures less dramatic since it flattened the highlights and shadows and softened the contrast.  Most of the pictures have had some additional editing during review to punch up the contrast a bit, but it's no replacement for the correct lighting to convey a mood.

Along the winding road

When dirt meets asphalt

The Strip from the trail's end

Active Shooting Hours: 4
Review Hours: 2
Hours to Date: 111

Berkeley by Day, San Francisco by Night

Not unlike college days of old, I wandered Berkeley by day and then hopped on BART to play in the city at night.  It's amazing how natural it all felt and there was the bonus of being mistaken for a student and a local when more than one person stopped me for directions.  I also retained my uncanny ability to nap on BART and wake up just in time for my stop - mildly interesting superpower?

Despite loving the conveniences and logical city planning of suburban paradise, I do find the order confining and uninspiring at times.  It's hard to find inspiration when you're staring at the back of a Prius that nearly backed into you in the parking lot of Whole Foods (true story).  Still, I find that plenty of people who live in the old cities with architectural masterpieces let their mundane daily agendas drive their attention and they miss the forest for the trees.  It's probably why they always say it's important to travel and see the world for all the wonders it has to offer.

This was also my first attempt at nighttime photography with a tripod - definitely a third time's a charm situation since I lugged that thing all over the place and finally got to use it my last night in the city.  Good thing it's only 2lbs and conveniently fits into my camera bag.  Also would have doubled nicely as a makeshift bludgeon in the unlikely yet possible event that we would have been jumped by weirdos.  I love how the shots came out even though they were pretty stock in nature and not particularly visually dramatic.

Campanile over Wheeler - some of my favorite classes were in that building

Sather Gate - fun discovery: the lights have swirly lightbulbs in them

Two of the larger bells of the carillon in the Campanile

San Francisco City Hall

Columns at the Palace of Fine Arts

Palace of Fine Arts

Seeing the city through the trees

Coit Tower

The Bay Lights installation on the Bay Bridge

Hours to Date: 41
More Berkeley
More San Francisco in the Dark

The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent was a Summer in San Francisco

The coolest quote Mark Twain never actually said... though it's a pithy witticism that would be so characteristic of one Samuel Clemens.  It was seriously cold though, a brisk wind the entire morning and a gloomy fog hanging over the city that never fully lifted.

I love visiting this city though I would never want to live here... like other great American cities of old, I find a lot of inspiration and room for reflection when surrounded by buildings and monuments that have seen the best and the worst of things - if only the walls could speak, what would they say?

We began our morning with coffee at Four Barrel and breakfast at Tartine in the Mission and then found our way in Russian Hill at Lombard & Hyde among the tourists to look at the 8 hairpin turns of that crooked street.  From there, we headed to Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39 and waved across the bay at the Campanile, which we only found through the haze by finding The Claremont Hotel first.  After lunch at Boudin's to have the famously tart sourdough (apparently unique because of the humidity & weather in the Bay - the starter dough was actually brought from Europe, but after being exposed to SF weather, it developed that characteristic sourness), we made a quick jaunt to Fort Point to get pictures of Golden Gate before heading back.  I also made a detour to Bi-Rite before jumping on BART back to the East Bay.

I'm behind in posting since I also took pictures in Napa and brunch in the Castro, but those will come soon when I get a free moment from taking pictures to actually update and post!

Coit Tower & Bay Bridge from the top of Hyde & Lombard - I clambered up and nearly fell off a brick wall getting this shot

Walking around Fisherman's Wharf

Alcatraz, as seen from Fisherman's Wharf

Sea lions at Pier 39

Practicing for the America's Cup

Bay Bridge from Pier 39

Berkeley & the Campanile from Pier 39, zoomed in and contrast increased to see through the haze

The bar at Boudin's

Golden Gate with the characteristic fog hanging about

Vaillancourt Fountain with the Ferry Building clock tower in the background

Hours to Date: 30

Risking Life, Limb, and Camera

"It is advisable to look from the tide pool to the stars and then back to the tide pool again" - John Steinbeck, The Log from the Sea of Cortez

Philosophically profound, but not very practical... take your eyes off the waves for a few seconds and next thing you know, you and your fancy (but not impervious) camera are soaked.  Since tide pools exist where rocky outcroppings trap water, to explore them and their contents properly, you have to clamber up wet and slimy rocks covered in sharp mollusks.  One miscalculated step or a particularly large wave and you're cold, wet, and potentially injured if you sprain an ankle or cut yourself on a sharp edge.  I also did not have great footwear for this trek - flip flops, the only "shoes" I had in my collection that I was willing to get sandy and wet.  You could definitely pick apart the casual visitors from the frequent tide pool explorers... they were all properly shod with what I will call "hiking sandals" or just straight up hiking boots.  And after 3 hours of trying to maintain my balance on rocks in flip flops, small muscles in my feet are definitely making their presence known.

I really wonder how professional nature photographers (a la National Geographic) manage to get such amazing shots.  Wildlife generally are not very cooperative in holding interesting poses and when you move to compose a shot, they move away.  Additionally, timing for natural light and ideal conditions is a truly an exercise in tactical planning.  I've been wanting to photograph tide pools for almost a month now, but it took until today to hit the quadfecta of low tide, indirect light, not a million degrees out, and minimal traffic and people to get in my way.  And to manage that, I still had to set my alarm for 5am on a Saturday to get there by low tide at 6:53am.  Alternatively, I could have waited until 7:24pm, but there definitely would have been more people and low tide at that point would have been at 2.2' instead of the 0.6' it was this morning and I probably would have seen less with more of the shore being covered in water.

All in all, still totally worth it.  Tide pools are so fascinating - temporal biospheres with flora and fauna that are exposed during low tide.  These organisms have to be hardy to withstand the pounding surf, exposure to the sun, and hungry predators for extended periods of the day.  Crystal Cove also had some volunteer docents who were able to tell me more about the plants and animals, which was an unexpected bonus to my morning.  They were surprised I knew a lot more about tide pools than the typical layperson, but I credit that to a marine biology class I happened to take as an undergrad and multiple visits to the Monterey Bay Aquarium when I lived up in NorCal.

Tide pools

Pounding waves

Anemone

A shore crab

A fat 6-legged starfish and a completely oblivious seagull above

The tide, starting to come in

More from today at: http://thisgirlelle.smugmug.com/Photography/Tide-Pools/30521504_FrwHsZ

Hours to Date: 24