Valerie Luu

I was interviewed about Sublet SF for XPress, SF State’s journalism department’s magazine.

Kenny Redublo, the writer, and I visited my sublets in the Mission, Marina and Chinatown and shot a few portraits (which made up this sick GIF!)

Read the interview here.

Another day, another alleyway

Photo by the lovely Pete Lee

This is one of my favorite photos from Chinatown. I spotted this woman on Pacific while I was on my way to work around 8am. She was doing her exercise — stepping on and off the curb — while staring intensely off into the distance. Morning meditation.

Food pantry / cart life

From Haighteration: 

A documentary is being made about the intersection of Oak and Scott Streets.

The film, titled “Oak and Scott: Pausing at High Speed,” is described as “an urban tale about the changes over the years as seen through street life, community, friendship, bike and car traffic, residents young and old, economic transformation and neighborhood associations… An attempt to sort through the city’s fading memories by documenting a slice of life in this city we love at an intersection we thought we knew so well.”

My second sublet in San Francisco (not the project) was on Oak and Scott, a purple stucco house shared with 13 other people, half of which were a part of a sex commune in the 60’s. The other half were young Craiglisters, like myself. This was the house where I ran the Panhandle every morning, got my first iPhone, and learned how to bake cookies.

I love this city but sometimes it feels a little too small

You know I hate this fucking town
You cannot even leave your fucking house
Without running into someone who no longer cares about you
Somebody who you desperately want to see
But you know it’s only going to cause more grief
But there’s nothing left to say
And he can’t hear you anyway

(via Melanie)

Spotted in my sublet

Chinatown: a series of alleyways

Photo by Angeline

Katie at Chinatown Restaurant (a must, mostly for the view)

Hand lettering at Empress of China

Photo by Donald

Corner store has no booze but three kinds of fish sauce

Overheard at Vietnam Restaurant, a late-night Vietnamese joint on Broadway and Grant.

I was sitting at the bar for dinner. A few seats down from me were two club promoters who have probably been on no more than three dates together. He was so moved by her that he proclaimed this earnest statement, the kind I’m a sucker for.

Four words

…

…

…

Chicken in a Biskit

Putah Creek

David, CA

Tiburon, CA

Bernal Heights

San Francisco, CA

Malibu, CA

—

Convertible bc California

Malibu, CA

Malibu, CA

Galco’s Soda Pop Stop

Highland Park, Los Angeles

—-

Where happiness can be bought

Produce District

Downtown LA

Virgin America

SFO

Cousin’s house

Fountain Valley, CA

Fremont High School

Sunnyvale, CA

This is Anthony, one of my bros. He’s 10 or 11.

Today we spoke on the phone and I asked him what he favorite snack was.

“Takis,” he said. He then spelled it out for me.

“Have you heard the Hot Cheetos and Takis song?” I asked.

He hadn’t, so I played it for him over the phone. I then posted it on his Facebook wall and told him to memorize the lyrics so we can sing them together when I see him at our other brother’s graduation this Saturday.

Other gems:

He has a black belt in recorder. I told him this is not the same thing as having a black belt in karate - in fact, it’s even better.

On his Facebook profile, he lists his workplace as “Jedi.” The latest post his wall is from a school friend who wrote: “Hope I see you next year even if you decide to skip a grade.”

My brother is advanced.

Fremont High School

Sunnyvale, CA

Fremont High School

Sunnyvale, CA

—-
Bro’s graduation. Can’t believe it’s been seven years since I graduated from this very field.

Lake Anza

Berkeley, CA

Lake Anza

Berkeley, CA

Skate park

Santa Cruz, CA

Pleasure Point

Capitola, CA

Watsonville, CA