Do What You Love At All Times
Do What You Love At All Times A Visual Representation of Life Before the Pandemic
By Katherine Alton
Dedicated to those experiencing a loss of normalcy.
This too shall pass.
Loss of Normalcy
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Music & Movement
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Work of Art 13 Table for Two 23 Happy Hour 33 Parks & Recreation
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Go Team Go! 53 Non-Social Distancing
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Signs of Affection
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So What Now 82
Loss of Normalcy This book was created in the Spring of 2020. A time that will go down in history. 2020 was supposed to be the best year yet. There was so much to look forward to, so many exciting changes. However, the Coronavirus pandemic turned our world upside down. Life as we knew it completely changed and very quickly. Schools began to close, sports leagues were cancelled, restaurants and stores were boarded up, concerts were postponed indefinitely, beaches were closed. The new norm was wearing a mask, gloves, and social distancing. This crisis called for reflection and introspection. I thought back on all the good times I have been so fortunate to have, the people I have met, the places I have been, and the experiences I have had. With my second semester of senior year abruptly transitioning to online and remote learning, I found myself feeling nostalgic, lost, and empty without the simple luxuries of daily life that I once took for granted. From being able to hug a loved one, the ability to dine out, or the
freedom to simply be surrounded by others. I felt a loss of normalcy. During this time of isolation and solitude, I pushed myself to slow down, reflect, and create a very personal and meaningful publication that memorializes my life before the pandemic. 43,807 photos later and this book was created. I compiled my favorite memories of the past four years into this publication. Life passes us by in the blink of an eye. We often forget to slow down and process life as quickly as we experience it. I hope this book will remind you how quickly things can change and to truly appreciate life as we know it. When all of this is over, please be grateful for everything. For every handshake, for every hug, for every meal out, for every movie night, and even for the subway or the muni that gets you where you need to be. We are so blessed and it shouldn’t have taken a pandemic for us to realize that. Do what you love at all times and live every day like it is your last.
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Music & Movement The lights go down, the bass starts bumping, your heart starts beating, everyone around your starts screaming, the concert is about to start. Song after song, you sing every word. You are overcome by a feeling of pure joy while surrounded by friends and strangers. You are present and in the moment while mesmerized by the visuals and production. There are thousands of people around you all with one thing in common, you came for the live music experience.
Coachella, Palm Springs, April 2018
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TOP: Desert Trip, Palm Springs October 2016 LEFT: Coachella, Palm Springs April 2019 RIGHT: 1015 Folsom, San Francisco, February 2018
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Coachella, Palm Springs, April 2019
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Outside Lands, San Francisco, August 2019
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Work of Art As you walk through the expertly decorated halls filled with masterpieces, experience the art around you. Allow your peaceful and lit to perfection surroundings guide you as you get lost in a maze of various colors and forms. Art can be many things at once, do not define the art, but rather immerse yourself in the creative work of another human being.
Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco
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TOP: Louis Vuitton Foundation, Paris LEFT: Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco RIGHT: Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
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MOCO Museum, Amsterdam
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Louvre Museum, Paris
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Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
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Table for Two Food has always been an important aspect of our society throughout the ages and everywhere around the world. Dining out is full of options. You can sit inside or outside, eat different cuisines, enjoy a fancy or casual atmosphere, the list goes on. There is a restaurant for every cuisine, ambiance, or vibe that you wish. We use dining as a form of socialization that provides an experience you cannot receive at home.
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Chez Ma Tante, New York
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Sushi Ota, San Diego
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Tartine, San Francisco
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Rezdora, New York
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Tartine, San Francisco
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Happy Hour Decorative cocktails, classic beers, fancy wine. Loud laughs, spilled drinks, and tiny tables. You go to bars for after work refreshments, pre-going out drinks, celebratory beverages, or just because you want to. Happy hour is the perfect time to unwind with a drink or two and socialize with others. Whether you go to get drunk or to have a few casual drinks, bars provide a space for those wanting to mingle.
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Caffe Dante, New York
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George Washington Bar, New York
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Park & Recreation Recreation is a huge part of our lives. People enjoy going outside to parks, beaches, and lookouts. Whether you sit at a park with a group of friends or take a walk through nature, you appreciate the world around you. Beaches provide a relaxing space to lay out, swim, or even play games with others. Parks are perfect for picnics, large gatherings, or if you simply just want to be alone and surrounded by nature. Enjoy the outdoors and absorb what mother nature provides.
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Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
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Baker Beach, San Francisco
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Washington Square Park, New York City
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Ocean Beach, San Francisco
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Baker Beach, San Francisco
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Go Team Go! At every sporting event you will find roaring crowds, loyal fans, hot dogs, and beer. Fans dressed in their favorite teams colors and favorite players jersey. Playful banter is shared among opposing fans, while the occasional fight may break out. You feel a sense of connectedness with the players and fans around you. No matter the score, you walk away with a sense of enjoyment and continuous devotion for your team.
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Golden State Warriors, Chase Center San Francisco, California November 2019
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Muay Thai Boxing, Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand June 2018
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Non-Social Distancing We humans are social beings. We crave companionship and connectedness with others. We feel securely attached and emotionally in touch with those closest to us. Even simply being surrounded by others creates a feeling of unity and wholeness. We gather in establishments, on rooftops, in the middle of the street, close together for a photo, just about anywhere and everywhere. These interactions are what drive relationships, create bonds, and bring people together.
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New York City, Beginning of March 2020
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New York City, July 2019
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New York City, Beginning of March 2020
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Signs of Affection While everyone has their own love language, as humans, we most often show our affection through physical touch. By kissing your significant other, hugging your friends, and holding others hands, you display your passion for those you care about. We have a constant longing for affection and attention. Affection is more than just an emotion, it is a connection between people that exists on various levels. We show others how important they are in our lives through signs of affection.
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New York City, Beginning of March 2020
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Treasure Island Music Festival, San Francisco, October 2018
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Paris, January 2018
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So What Now? It is crazy that our entire way of living changed worldwide in just a couple of weeks. Did you ever imagine that humanity and life as we knew it could change so drastically? We were always taught that global changes take time and are hard to achieve, but just like that, we are suddenly living in completely different conditions, our mindsets have changed, and we’ve created new habits. We no longer go to concerts, but watch live streams. We explore interactive online museum galleries. We pick up our food to go or get it delivered. We can no longer enjoy our normal recreational activities unless they are done alone or while social distancing. Sporting events have been cancelled indefinitely. We must social distance at all times and maintain a 6 feet distance from others. Displays of affection? Forget about that. You can no longer hug your friends or even shake hands when you meet someone for the first time. When things become normal (if ever) remember the way things used to be and in times of change, appreciate the life we are all fortunate to live. Next time you hear a song you have seen live, I
want you to think back to that day, back to the moments when you first heard it. Remember how live music makes you feel. Nothing will ever compare to hearing your favorite song by your favorite artist live. I truly hope everyone gets or has gotten the opportunity to experience that. Next time you find yourself surrounded by a crowd, embrace it, take it in, and accept it. Pay that extra $10 to go to your favorite museum and see physical, tangible art. Next time you eat out, tip the waiter a ittle extra, be patient and kind as you wait for your table, and try something new. Enjoy drinks out with others, take in the loud bars, and spend a little extra for a well crafted cocktail. Take part in recreational activities with others. After being stuck inside for so long, the fresh air will feel nice. Buy tickets to watch your favorite team play. Cheer them on every step of the way. Take advantage of social interactions, get out there and bond with others, feel connected. And do not forget to hug your loved ones a little tighter. You must adapt and grow with our everchanging world. Life is precious and can change in an instant. 82
It wont be like this forever.
“Your life is not on pause or delayed. Your life is still happening, so then the question is: are you fully awake to it, paying attention even if it is completely different from your idea of how it should be like an ideal scenario? There are no ideal scenarios, there is only the present now that is unfolding right before you with every inhale, every exhale, every inhale, every exhale.� - Yumi Sakugawa