In 2017, I was completely obsessed with French pastries. If there was a new bakery in town, or a favorite shop had a new seasonal item, my brain just couldn’t let it go. I simply could not sit still knowing there was a delicious pastry only a few minutes from me that I hadn’t tried…
Category: SF Bay Area
Photo Shoot in Historic West Oakland Train Station
Way back in 2017, my friend Aurelia invited Hanah and me to participate in a unique photo shoot in a long abandoned train station in West Oakland. How could we say no? Hanah and I put on our favorite vintage-y outfits and met up with Aurelia in an industrial part of West Oakland I had…
Racing Paper Boats in the Gutter with Ken Shimabuku
One of my fondest childhood memories was when I was maybe ten or eleven in suburban Pleasanton, California. It must have been autumn, because the leaves had fallen, it had been raining steadily, but it was still pretty warm out. Ken Shimabuku was an acquaintance at my school who seemed like the coolest kid ever….
Notes on Hiking the SF Crosstown Trail Solo
Yesterday I accomplished a goal I have been thinking about for a few years: hiking the entire San Francisco Crosstown Trail in one hike. Honestly, was really damn hard for me, so I’m pretty proud of myself! I’ve hiked the trail once before, during my birthday week last July, spread out over two days. When…
Little Kid Wants to Battle Me at the Rink!
The cutest moment I’ve ever had at the roller rink. Her name is Dream, and yes she will definitely kick my ass in a cypher soon. Thanks to Norm for this incredible footage.
Model Trains Make Me Happy
Model train dioramas just fill me with inexplicable pleasure. I realized this in Kyoto, Japan last year, when I visited their incredible train museum. I kind of lost track of time when I found their interactive model train area. It hit me again when I went to the Alameda County Fair this summer and went…
An Epic Day at the Alameda County Fair!
We had an unexpected day off at work because of Juneteenth, which I decided to spend going back to the Alameda County Fair, which I haven’t been to for at least two decades. I have fond memories of going to the fair as a young person. But would it live up to the nostalgia after…
Bella is Gone But…. Meet My New Motor Scooter!
A week and a half ago, my luck with Bella the motor scooter finally ran out. Bella was stolen from a motorcycle parking lot in SOMA in a brief 20 minute window while I was getting dinner at the new IKEA food hall. It really really sucks to lose her. I had a lot of…
Just Another Dope Night at Panther Skate (Photo Essay)
I shot a bunch of pics at Panther Skate Plaza on Thursday night to use for a photo essay I’m producing for work. Here’s what I shot. Panther Skate Plaza Photo Essay by Rik at KQED Here’s the pics embiggened with the same captions. You get to see so many fun skate setups at Panther!…
Interviewing Sugar Sullivan and Barbara Billups at Swingin at the Savoy 2024
I had the honor of interviewing lindy hop and tap legends Sugar Sullvan and Barbara Billups at Swingin’ at the Savoy 2024 a couple of weeks ago. Sharing the stage with these two dancers was such a treat. Paulo Sentio was gracious enough to provide these amazing pics from the event.