Sam is a cellist living in San Francisco. He plays recitals and chamber music not just as mode of performance, but as a social venture, performing with different friends and getting to know various musicians and audience members. Oh, but he’s not just a cellist. He also recently dislocated his shoulder snowboarding (though it’s getting…
She’s been dancing and performing since she was three. And after a few years living in San Diego, Jennifer has married her high school sweetheart and moved back to the Bay Area. Now she’s working in the wedding industry for Here Comes the Guide and auditioning for the Raiderettes, amongst other things. We did a…
Not five minutes into my first conversation with Claudia, the violinist of Trio Jubilee, I discovered she was born in Ann Arbor, grew up in the East Bay, and taught at Duke University as part of the Ciompi Quartet. No way! I was born in Ann Arbor, live in the East Bay now, and went…
It was still early morning when I drove in to the sunset district of San Francisco, thankful for my Fastrak as I whizzed by the traffic on the Bay Bridge. I found Sasha’s apartment on a wide, busy street. Cars were flying by loudly, but inside, it was all peace and quiet. A beautiful space…
Their relationship is quiet but insistent, punctuated by laughter. It’s built on a deep caring for one another. Simple tasks and quiet discoveries. Long conversations and simply watching television together. It’s not flashy. It’s not a show put on for others. It’s love. Pure, simple, beautiful. No bells and whistles needed. I’ve known Margaret since…
She’d always thought she might try acting. Her big, bold personality makes it easy to imagine her as a TV host some day. But life as a military wife brought her in a different direction. With the frequent relocation around this country and abroad, and with her priorities targeted on being a wonderful wife and…
I remember our first staff meeting two Autumns ago in that transition from summer to fall, vacation to work. We were checking in with each other, talking about how we felt about starting this new school year with all the teachers old and new. I still remember what Aaron/Mr. Gardner, the 8th grade English teacher/DJ/slam…
I love the feeling of moving freely through spaces, walking through cities, and exploring and traveling across imagined boundaries. I can feel my sense of place and belonging expand as I move. I think this sensation is partly why I’ve always loved traveling. This past week has been incredible. Spurred by daylight savings, I’ve been…
A beautiful venue, a talented floral designer, three models, three hair/makeup artists, two photographers, and two assistants. What a dream shoot! We had a wonderful collaborative bridal shoot at the Bellevue Club by Lake Merritt in Oakland, with all twelve contributors donating their time and services toward the project. My hope was to get some…
On Thursday, I led a photography workshop for my fellow AmeriCorps members. As part of the BAYAC Recovery Team, we all work in after-school programs at different sites across San Francisco and Oakland. For the next couple months, we’re taking turns leading trainings for each other on topics of our choice. Naturally, I decided to…
It was Friday morning, and everything had been planned for our shoot on Sunday. We would meet in San Francisco at Candace & Tony’s place with our hair & makeup artist we had lined up and a floral designer who would meet us there. Just one problem– rain. What started as a 30% chance for…
Five years ago, in 2005, it was just an idea. A passion project being born. Starting today, February 26, 2010, the feature film Formosa Betrayed is playing in select theaters across the country. The Taiwanese American community has done an amazing job emphasizing the importance of this weekend (everyone and their mother should go see…