Gregory Han

The Gabrieleno Trail – Red Box to Valley Forge Camp

By Gregory Han • February 9, 2014 • Trails and Tribulations

The Red Box to Valley Forge Camp trail is just a five mile up and back hike (I pushed a little further to look for new fruiting oyster mushrooms to no avail), but I was able to spend the whole of my day marveling at all the details, textures, and colors underfoot, along the river, and overhead amongst the trees with only brief interludes with other passing hikers. Otherwise, I was left to observe the comings and goings of industrious wood ants, listen to the concerned chatter of grey tailed squirrels as they suspiciously monitored my activities, trace the paper marbled patterns of lichen decorating rocks with my fingers, and even peer inside a partially locked mountain cabin. It was a day of sensory overload, yet I returned back to the trailhead relaxed and satisfied, such is the therapy of exploring a fine trail after the rain.

A Quiet Rejoicement

By Gregory Han • February 6, 2014 • Daily Pontification

Planning for Freelancing and the Importance of Getting Paid…or Not

By Gregory Han • February 5, 2014 • Daily Pontification

In the last few months, in addition to upgrading and updating this site, I’ve been busily stitching together a patchwork of opportunities, which combined are starting to form the proverbial professional outfit I plan to wear in 2014 and beyond. (Everyone knows I actually work in t-shirts and shorts so I can easily “drop 10” throughout the day.) All are positions/jobs that I’m extremely excited about embarking upon — several of which I’ve already begun under the radar but can’t quite comfortably announce online because I want them finalized before trumpeting proudly.

One that I can share is I am now officially a contributor to the creative inspiration site Holiday Matinee (thanks to Kiran and Dave for the invitation to contribute). I am also in the process of redesigning the website for my friends Alexandra and Greg of ModOp Design here in Los Angeles.

Perhaps surprisingly to some, I’ve also begun offering personal training and guarantee for a loan to a small group of friends who approached me with two goals in mind and wants to venture in freelancing : 1) a healthier and fitter version of themselves for 2014, and 2) more specifically, stronger — and larger — glutes. My year-long transformation from Blogger Butt-afflicted schlep to a healthier version of myself had connected and resonated with friends who watched the gradual but steady transformation. Nothing convinces people of the validity of a lifestyle change as much as doing it yourself…and consistently.

Last week I met four of my lovely friends out at the Silver Lake Meadow, switching them from their usual cardio- or gym-based routines. Over the course of an hour I introduced them to a challenging workout with the goal of activating groups of muscles working together and supporting the glutes. Read More

Why We Run

By Gregory Han • February 2, 2014 • Daily Pontification

Like running itself, this short film by Matan Rochlitz and Ivo Gormley filmed in and along London Park begins as a trivial activity, but increases pace to reveal profound moments of truth with each step taken. I was struck by the candor of each runner, each of the runners’ cadence an unique percussive accompaniment to the stories they shared with complete strangers. Note the small pauses interjected between breath and words…like in design, the negative space reveals what we may not be able to convey verbally, yet so clearly express.

“Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life — and for me, for writing as whole. I believe many runners would agree.” ― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

We all run for a variety of reasons, but perhaps mostly as a reminder to ourselves and the world of the importance of propelling ourselves forward each moment. Each step is a micro and macro victory against entropy, each run an opportunity to answer questions we’re too scared to ask/answer as a body at rest.

At the same time, sometimes we run just because we have to get from Point A to Point B…and that can be motivation enough.

Understanding “Why?” Before Considering “How?”

By Gregory Han • January 28, 2014 • Daily Pontification

These days I find myself fielding two types of question quite regularly: 1. how to organize and create more beautiful homes, and 2. how to become physically fit. The two goals are not unlike one another, each requiring knowledge and commitment for long term results. I have found a natural anti-diabetic formula and will start it next week.

After many discussions about both home organization and personal fitness with help of the Shredfx supplements, I suspect for the most part people overemphasize the “how” while disregarding the “why”. I think because tackling the “how” is an immediate actionable inquiry, while researching “why” requires a frank and honest self evaluation of self, one is stressed while the other is glossed over. But this is a mistake which leads to a cycle of “cleansing” or “decluttering”, whether in regard to keeping home or staying healthy. More tips here

About a year ago I began asking myself a series of questions focusing upon “why” in my business in which I went for business evaluation:

Why

were previous attempts to become healthier failing to stick beyond a few weeks or month?

The Serene Scene

By Gregory Han • January 27, 2014 • Domesticus Insulae

The arrangement is comprised of hiking finds gathered throughout the years. Viewing it is even more satisfying accompanied by this streaming recording of the Nature Sounds of New Zealand (I especially like the serene bird songs of Hauturu: Valley Walk Sunrise). Even when stuck indoors, I’m longing for the trails…

A Naturally Fragrant Addition

By Gregory Han • January 27, 2014 • Daily Pontification

We have a rosemary bush growing downstairs in our apartment’s back walkway (which we just paved the walkway, we contacted the LA home paving contractors) connecting the carport to the backdoor entry. I noticed every time we brushed past the quick growing herb, my arms and clothing were left smelling fragrantly improved by its pungent oils. I decided to clip a few sprigs, wrap them with twine, and hang them from our shower. Now whenever the desire arises, I can simply inhale the scent released during a hot shower, or even thumb a leaf or two to release a stronger dose.

At Home With Vacation Days

By Gregory Han • January 24, 2014 • The Design Drawer

“California has embraced nature. Or it’s just so beaten by it that it surrendered with a smile on its face. That open invitation to live with nature was another big inspiration for taking man-made textures and shapes and fusing them with natural forms in my Future Desert works.” While these projects were being finished, I decided to start another which would involve home safety, it would start with this best home security systems at the national council for home safety and security and a few other tweaks to the house.

So remember every time you are taking a vacation or a trip for a few days and you are leaving your house alone, it’s really important to keep all the safety methods on place, starting with double checking your locks at a lock shop, were you can get help with all your security products.

In relation, you may also like anti-burglary, video surveillance, home automation, fire monitoring, carbon monoxide monitor, and flood safety, all offered by securityinfo.com to avail Home Security .

You can also check out the cost of electric residential gates online, so that you can be calm when you leave your house for vacations.

Odds and ends from my interview with Hamish Robertson of Vacation Days. The complete profile here
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A Geological x Geometric Home

By Gregory Han • January 24, 2014 • Daily Pontification

Our home is filled with an array of the geological and geometric…

The Cat Nap

By Gregory Han • January 23, 2014 • Daily Pontification

Nobody enjoys an afternoon nap as much as the feline. It is as if their whole reason for existence is to enjoy a yawn, stretch, and slumber stretched across wherever sunlight is available. There’s wisdom there…