EP274: Traces — Minolta AF-C 35mm f2.8 with Kodak UltraMax 400

Roll 274

Film: Kodak UltraMax 400
Developed & scanned by DEP Lab 2025/8/5
Camera: Minolta AF-C 35mm f2.8

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#1
That night in Chicago, we had dinner at Haidilao.

The first time I experienced Haidilao was during a company trip to Beijing, back when it had not yet expanded into Taiwan. What struck me most was the level of service. If a typical restaurant delivered an experience at around 80, Haidilao felt like it was operating at 120. Not only did they do everything expected, they also anticipated things you had not even thought of.

At the time, I became curious about how the company was run. I even bought a book in Beijing titled *Haidilao, You Can't Learn This* by Huang Tieying. What stayed with me most from that book was their perspective on talent development. At Haidilao, success is not defined solely by becoming a manager. Some people are better suited for management, while others excel in technical roles. A highly skilled chef, for example, does not necessarily need to manage others to be considered successful. In that system, you can choose to become an exceptional chef or an exceptional store manager, and both paths are equally valid.

This idea influenced me deeply when I first started working as a freelance web designer. Many people suggested that I should scale up, start a company, and grow a team in order to earn more. But I chose not to follow that path. I genuinely enjoy the process of designing websites for clients. I think anyone with a creative inclination can understand that feeling. I enjoy writing, but that does not mean I need to start a publishing company. I enjoy playing music, but that does not mean I need to form a band. I enjoy singing, but that does not mean I need to build a talent agency.

There are many possible paths in work and life, yet we are often drawn toward those that can be easily measured by a common standard, money. These paths are easier to communicate, easier to report, and easier for others to evaluate. For people who are not directly involved, translating everything into numbers becomes a shortcut to understanding.

I am not sure why people feel the need to judge things they do not fully understand. Perhaps assigning a value gives them a sense of control, or the illusion of comprehension. For example, when you ride a relatively nice bicycle, people who do not understand it will almost always ask, “How much did it cost?” They are not truly interested in the price. They are trying to interpret your choice through a familiar metric.

But many things cannot be measured by money.

When the time comes, and someone stands at your funeral to speak about your life, does it really matter how much you earned, or how much wealth you accumulated? Or does it matter more what you experienced, what you created, what kind of person you were, and how many people you helped?

Life will pass. What remains are the traces you leave behind. But leaving something meaningful requires effort.

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#2
Walking into Haidilao in Chicago, the most surprising thing was that all the staff were Chinese. We could communicate entirely in Mandarin. There was even a staff member performing Sichuan opera face-changing.

 

#3
Hot pot is simply called “hot pot” in English.

 

#4
One thing that still feels unfamiliar in the US is how bright the sky remains, even late into the evening.

 

#5
Looking at this photo now, I cannot remember the exact time. It was probably already around 8 PM.

 

#6
During this trip, I could not pause my work in Taiwan. For two weeks, I worked across time zones without adjusting my schedule. Looking back, it felt like a nightmare. This photo shows 4:39 AM in Chicago, taken in my brother’s study.

 

#7
The next morning, we planned to take the train. We were on our way to the station.

 

#8
This station was unstaffed. From the pedestrian bridge, you could see the distant Chicago skyline.

 

#9
Unexpectedly, the train was delayed.

 

#10
Despite the heat, we were still excited to take the train. Before coming to Chicago, many people warned us not to use public transportation for safety reasons. But I believe fear can be managed. The best way to overcome it is to understand it. Fear often comes from not knowing.

 

#11
A family photo.

 

#12
We finally boarded the train. Surprisingly, the entire carriage was empty. Double-decker seating felt new to us. Years ago, I had taken a similar train in Cupertino, back when Apple Park had not yet been completed, long before I became a father. The memory is a bit vague now.

 

#13
My wife, probably posting something on social media.

 

#14
My six-year-old son.

 

#15
Still posting, most likely. My wife and son. We moved from the lower deck to the upper level, just to see what it was like. There was no one else on board.

 

#16
An advertisement inside the train recruiting employees for Chicago’s transit system. It is hard to see clearly, but what stood out to me was that none of the three models featured were white. Whether this is due to policy or simply reflects reality, I am not sure. When we boarded, even though the platform was unstaffed, a conductor stood by the door checking tickets. He was a tall, kind African American man who patiently showed us how to use the mobile ticket app. He even spoke a few words to my son. Whether my son fully understood or not, it made the experience feel safe and welcoming.

 

#17
Just after getting off the train. Our destination today was a museum.

 

#18
This station had more of a historic feel. In simple terms, it was quite old.

 

#19
The ticket area, also unstaffed. The station felt aged, and for a moment, I felt a bit uneasy. But in front of my son and my wife, I had to stay composed.

 

#20
Outside the station, the surroundings felt rougher, less polished.

 

#21
By this point, we were already inside the museum. I do not remember why I did not take more photos along the way. Maybe I was trying to limit how much I would have to sort through later. This was a retired train carriage on display, possibly a VIP lounge where you could dine while watching the scenery.

 

#22
A photo with the locomotive. The next roll will continue this museum visit.

This is the full set from this roll, shot with the Minolta AF-C 35mm f2.8 and Kodak UltraMax 400. Thank you for viewing.

Do Kodak color tones ever start to feel repetitive to you? They do for me.