This is my seventh attempt at this month's reflection. This week, my mind feels like a sandbox when it comes to writing. Strangely enough, I find the process of rewriting both stressful and liberating. It's like repeatedly using a Dyson vacuum to clear all the dirt from the road to ensure a smoother landing at the final piece before hitting publish.
March was about reconnecting for me! I planned a trip to Hong Kong, almost like a self-check-in after a nine-month work break. It proved to be exactly what I needed. During my quick 24-hour stay, I caught up with old friends and former colleagues. Listening to their stories about the past year and their plans for the coming year really lifted my spirits.
Then, I returned to Taipei just in time for family events and to visit Nicholas's photography exhibition. Oh and Spring officially arrived, but with the heat, it felt more like pre-summer….
A conversation with Nicholas Vreeland
It was a warm Sunday afternoon, with temperatures over 30 degrees. I was en route to the venue on a bike, trying not to anticipate too much about the outcome of the event later.
It’s the 10th year since Nicholas' documentary - Monk with a Camera was released. Therefore, there was a small group film viewing event at the venue where his latest photography works from Hemei, Changhua are displayed. After the film was played, he slowly walked down the stairs and greeted the guests.
Time didn't leave many marks on his appearance after turning 70. However, there were subtle changes in the way he spoke and moved. We briefly talked about his trip to the southern Taiwan and life updates. I attempted to keep our conversation light, but I couldn't resist the urge to delve into the questions that had been on my mind these years. So, I took a step and posed the question: Reflecting on your younger self, traversing the globe, working on your craft alongside esteemed fashion photographers, what reflections do you have now, looking back at the journey? Has anything changed since the film was released? He fell into a silence for a few seconds before responding. Even with a decade having passed, he finds it difficult to offer his younger self concrete advice like "you should have done this" or "you should have gone there." Instead, he emphasized the importance of embracing each step of the journey with unwavering focus and determination, trusting that every action gradually contributes to a larger direction. While he was talking, I had a huge flashback on scene in NY, people who are eager to shoot for the moon, leapfrog and win the status game in a society that worships material preoccupation.
Sitting in the bus back home, the time spent with Nicholas was spiritually enriching It was also uplifting to see where the next 10 years might lead us. Hopefully, I would be able to gain more wisdom throughout the steps I take in life, big or small.
Things I enjoyed in March
Book
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
Here is a quote to which I am particularly drawn, and it came from the thoughts Murakami had after finishing the Ironman race, a realization - there's something truly valuable about trusting the process.
And with the next race in mind, each of us, in our place, will most likely silently go about our usual training. Even if, seen from the outside, or from some higher vantage point, this sort of life looks pointless or futile, or even extremely inefficient, it doesn’t bother me. Maybe it’s some pointless act like, as I’ve said before, pouring water into an old pan that has a hole in the bottom, but at least the effort you put into it remains. Whether it’s good for anything or not, cool or totally uncool, in the final analysis what’s most important is what you can’t see but can feel in your heart. To be able to grasp something of value, sometimes you have to perform seemingly inefficient acts. But even activities that appear fruitless don’t necessarily end up so. That’s the feeling I have, as someone who’s felt this, who’s experienced it.
I created a Murakami’s running playlist is here. He is also a fan of RHCP!
Music
I must confess, I haven't practiced my set since January. This video, however, reignited my passion. The second half of the set is a banger. The transition was smooth and sleek, perfect for a sweet and saucy weekend afternoon.
A gentlewoman who inspired me
“And that’s just not possible. It takes time and effort to make most things that have meaning. One has to stand for something.”
Phobe Philio
What makes Phoebe exceptional is not just the clothes she designs, but also the values and messages conveyed through her work. (Link to her NYT interview)
As we wrap up the first quarter, journaling about my experiences and life still feels like the right decision. I have been enjoying the process of copy work and of course re-writing as well.
Easter egg of the month - The typefaces on vintage HK matchboxes are gem!
See you next time!