Today, I have (yet again) committed to keeping a regular log of my thoughts and ideas and experiences on this godforsaken blog of mine that never seems to stay on track or up-to-date like the other 200 million blogs out there. But this time, I will prevail.
I suppose it would make sense to do a short introduction since God knows who else out there is reading this aside from my future self.
Hi. My name is Albert Hong and I’ve lived in this city (that would be New York) since 2008. I spent my entire life moving around the states, got shipped out to an international school in Seoul for just high school barely speaking any Korean (thank you for that one, parents) and spent my university years at the business school at NYU. I majored in finance and international business. The latter major was as soft and fuzzy as it sounds, but I have no regrets. I currently spend most of my waking hours during the week employed at The Blackstone Group within the credit arm (it’s called GSO Capital but who’s asking). I aim to eat healthy but usually miss, sleep less than 5 hours a day on most days thanks to my chronic insomnia and love Juice Press. I spend my entire Seamless budget at work on Juice Press most days. Mother Earth is my go-to. If you’re thinking this is a really sad summary of myself, it really is but I’m working on it.
To kick off my first post, I thought to myself, why not start with some schedule updates? Because that’s how little I have to write about right now. With the winter now finally melting off drip by drip, the temperatures have risen sufficiently where I believe I can get back to running regularly. So from tomorrow morning, I will also start running in addition to writing. Yea. I can do it.
I’ve also gone ahead and self-inflicted financial trauma on myself today by finding my balls, holding them tight and then proceeding to order a replacement for my baby Big Bertha, a rather stoic Nikon that recently passed away from too much salt, surf and sun in the south of Florida. RIP girl. Thank you for costing me two kilos. The doctors said she died before she could feel the corrosion creeping up her steel veins. I’ve replaced her with a Nikon D750 which will be my first full-frame sensor and I have to say, it feels like Christmas Eve. Except Amazon Prime is two-day shipping so technically it should feel like December 23rd. Really excited.
Why invest so much again? For the longest time, I was really ashamed/timid about sharing or posting photos because I was worried those around me would perceive me as a narcissist. “Look at me everyone! Check out how awesome my trips are!” - that’s what I imagined people thought when they saw my shots. But over the years, I’ve come to see it differently; I’m of the opinion these days that photos really are, in the end, the only way one can truly share what he/she saw with everyone. Without them, I realize all I have to offer are empty words and hollow recollections over catch-up dinners and drinks that are meaningless to the poor person that has to listen to me go on and on about where I’ve been and what I’ve seen. Let’s face it, there are very few things in life worse than listening to me go on a monologue. And along that mindset, I’ve decided to take this hobby of mine much more seriously. Pay more attention to the focal points, sharpness. Turn on Liveview more. Lug my tripod around. Sling my cam over my shoulder everywhere I go. Capture my life. Better.
I still need a good tripod, so will have to do a little research tomorrow. The 3pod I got was decent, but it just felt clunky/unnatural. The folding flat feature really was overhyped and the added complexity and awkwardness unfolding it wasn’t worth the minor incremental benefit of folding flat. Plus taking out the center column every time is a giant pain.
In terms of upcoming travel plans, I’ve rallied a squad of three friends to head up to Maine for a camping trip in Acadia in the off-season. I’m worried it may be a little muddy/cold/wet but hey, nothing brings people closer. Maine Beer Company is also a priority. I must taste Dinner and I will most definitely be bringing back a case of Lunch. After my disastrous attempts at securing Heady Topper, it’s the least I can do for my self-dignity. We’ll be going Easter Weekend, driving up Thursday after work. Friday/Saturday will be spent exploring and hiking the park and then Sunday will be spent stuffing our face with lobster pounds, blueberry pie (yes I know it’s out of season but it’s symbolic) and the sweet, sweet beer of Maine. This is surprisingly my first camping trip with more than one friend going. Should be interesting since the other two really have never been.
In terms of side projects I’ve been working on, I have four on the table, but have yet to get moving on any of them: Apiologie, Seamless for the sick, Mankynd and Roll Joint. Roll Joint comes first and this weekend will be 100% dedicated to that. Bless me, ye gods of venture and entrepreneurship.
With that said, I think this is a good point to fold in for the night. Need to wake up early tomorrow for my first run. Over and out.
