Norway - GoPro Teaser 1 (Video)

Turn your sound on!

And confession: I've been procrastinating.

I have years upon years of travel footage, recorded interviews, and nature time-lapses piling up, and with every trip I take that pile of unedited content keeps enlarging without being seen, heard or enjoyed by others. I'm going to change that, and it starts with this.

This is a quick 60 second cut/teaser made solely with #GoPro footage from my first 48 hours in Oslo, Norway. I've been learning more about editing, vlogging, color grading and being a better filmmaker and storyteller, and I want to and need to improve.

I've recently subscribed to a music licensing service that allows me to have publishing rights to soundtrack to complement my content, and I am absolutely jazzed to create more and fuller pieces to share with you all. Supporters on my patreon will continue to get early releases and exclusive content, which I post on patreon and also right here on Insta. Enjoy! 🇳🇴

PS: everything was shot on auto with an old GoPro Hero5 Session. I got it used on eBay for $140. Point: nearly anyone can create fun content without pro equipment

PPS: special thanks to Evan Speckles, Lene Martinsen, Bernhard, Eivind, Jonn, Johan, and Angelika & Adam at Club 27 Hostel in bringing some fresh conversations, hospitality, and simply a grand time in those first 2 days! 🙌🏽

On the waters

There's something magical about being out on the waters in a canoe. I'm actually quite new to the sensation, but I can tell you when a fiery sunset is coupled with absolute stillness on the river plus the songs of hundreds if not thousands of birds near and far, the combination is next level. It's utter awe and pure wonder. ✨

Patrons: in case you're not on Instagram at all or have been on it recently - I've added all of you who are on the platform to my 'Close Friend' list (VIP, really ;) ) and put up content exclusively for your eyes only. Yesterday I uploaded a very cool hyperlapse video taken above Stockholm, as well as this photo along with 9 others with captions. I just had the realization I could be utilizing this feature to share more exclusive content with you more frequently, and hope that you receive value in exchange for your support, and enjoy what's to come! 🙏🏽

If you're not yet a supporter on my Patreon and would like to learn more, please head to www.patreon.com/subtledream

The financial and spiritual support that I get via my closest supporters has helped me (re)connect more deeply with a number of you, gotten me back to Nepal to work and support Conscious Impact, financially give back to other individuals and organizations that in my opinion do tremendous GOOD in our world, encourage me to experiment further and constantly improve my craft, and provide discounts in ordering prints - which in itself is such a reward, seeing my captured memories on your walls! I cannot imagine where this journey will keep taking me, AND have you join in! Thank you so much for considering, and please please - you're not in the position to give at the moment, simply tuning in and engaging right here on Facebook and Instagram is already wonderful. 🙌🏽

Immense gratitude and shoutout to Luke Fernandez for recently hopping onto the highest tier on my Patreon page. I so appreciate your support and can't wait to deepen our connection stemming all the way back to Panama in 2012. Also to my sista/mero bhaini Rose Flanigan in becoming my latest supporter. Stoked to keep working with you as we explore and expand our interests and passions while supporting one another. 💪🏾✨

The cabin in the woods to remember

Last night in this wonderful little cabin in the woods of southern Norway. 🏡

This rustic wooden home has earned a special spot in my heart. It has reminded me what is important for me, and where I'd like to place my time and energy towards in the following decade. I don't want a fancy apartment in the city. I don't care to sink myself into a 20, 30+ year mortgage plan to pay off a house that'd tie me down from my travels and beautiful pursuits in life. I want to have an open sky to watch the sun and moon sail across the ever-changing spherical palate of blue, orange, pink, purple, and grey. Instead of transporting unsustainable amounts of water from far away aquifers and rivers while flushing away urine and stool with perfectly potable water, I'd rather drink directly from a uncontaminated stream/well and compost my excrement to (re)close nutrient cycle loops. I don't mind chopping wood for fire and growing for food & medicine if that means putting me in a position of being a steward to plant and nurture more than I harvest. I want to share the ecosystem with wildlife and especially with pollinators, not to dominate the landscape with pesticides and other forms of control. I'd like to know my neighbors and share meals with them rather than always minding my own business. I desire for space to have a pet or two, and space for children and adults to roam and explore, for friends and family to visit and camp under the stars as I frequently do. I dream of watching the first Spring blooms, and with that the first bees to buzz about in search of those very blooms. To walk the land and feel it, smell it, and see it transform through the seasons. I envision a community uplifting me that I also contribute to in helping one another achieve our dreams and aspirations, for we rise by lifting others.

This cabin is exactly what I needed and didn't know I needed to continue walking intentionally and making my years on this planet enjoyable and fulfilling.

Immense gratitude to Johan in opening up his cabin, life, and adventures with @sticksmagricks and I, and of course too for Evan in inviting me to Norway to share this memorable experience with him.

Throwback to 1996

23 years (and 1 week) ago, my parents and sisters and I immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong. What a journey that has been. For all of us.

Well I'm flying somewhere far again, but this time I'm not moving. I am headed for Oslo on my first trip to Scandinavia. On my first evening I'll be hosted by a Couchsurfing (CS) host named Eivind who has hosted over 1,000 travelers in his apartment in the past 8 years.

I've been on the CS network since 2009, and it's been a string of fun-filled encounters and new friendships, to say the least. Look out for content from beautiful Norway very soon!