The first WAVE of Sunset Media Wave is in session! We’ve brought together twelve high school students from all over San Francisco to collectively build a teen culture blog and to explore their many interests and passions using the world wide web as their vehicle. Now, it’s time to meet the contributors, so without further ado, let’s get to know the team!
Helen Barford: Fireflying into the Future
A feminist first watch of the Joss Whedon classic
1. Birthplace
Mountain View, California
2. First Memory
My first memory is of my fifth birthday. My parents bought and assembled a play structure for me in the backyard (right outside of my bedroom window). I didn’t notice it until they pointed it out—proof that I have been oblivious to the physical world for many years.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
A yacht. With wifi.
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
really, really late after an evening performance. My mom took my best friend and I out to Krispy Kreme. What else are teenagers supposed to eat late at night?
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
ALL CAPS, OBVIOUSLY. I SOUND LIKE AN OVERENTHUSIASTIC ANDROID. I COULD GET BEHIND THIS. BESIDES, EXCLAMATION POINTS ARE JUST UNWIELDY (UNLESS I GET TO USE INTERROBANGS AS WELL BECAUSE THOSE ARE PRETTY GREAT).
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Serina Fang: Rainbow Rumpus!
SF culture and news in a wall of text
1. Birthplace
San Francisco, California
2. First Memory
It’s hazy, but when I was a baby, me and my family lived in the basement of my grandparents’ house. I am told it was a stuffy place, and more crowded with old clothes and odd bits of junk than Goodwill. My first, foggiest memory would be sitting up in my crib in a dusty corner, and beside me was a bookshelf with a poster of an anime girl. When I looked at her, a giant spider crawled down and settled over her face and the poster became a picture of a spider-headed girl. I found that quite interesting in a surreal, baby-thinking way.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
Um, depends on which island and on what ocean. I guess some general things would be my cat, some books, pirate gear to rob yachts, my passport, and some paper, pens, and glass bottles to send letters in.
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
30 minutes ago. I eat donuts every half hour. Diabetes is delicious.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
ALL CAPS BECAUSE THEN I CAN SOUND SHOUTY AND PISSED OFF AT THE WORLD IN GENERAL INSTEAD OF SOUNDING LIKE I’M FAKING ENTHUSIASM.
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Madelynne Hewett: The Film Side of the Force
Film Reviews, inspired by The Force.
1. Birthplace
I was born in San Francisco, California on March 3, 1999.
2. First Memory
My first memory is of my second birthday. I was sick and barfing while everyone was playing, and I remember going down the slide with my friend while hurling on her.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
I would bring an architect and a masseuse. I’d have the architect build me a house and the masseuse give me back massages while I watch.
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
for my godfather’s birthday, and ANDRES TORRES WALKS BY THE STORE. It was an amazing day.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
I’d have to use the exclamation mark! Whenever I type in all caps I seem ANGRY and I’d rather seem happy! SO I’LL TYPE WITH EXCLAMATION MARKS FOREVERRRRR!!!!!!!!
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Miranda Hollingswood: I Shutter When I See You
Stranger-inspired self-portraits
1. Birthplace
I was born in Sydney, Australia. I moved to San Francisco when I was one, back to Sydney when I was 11, then to San Francisco again when I was 15, and I still live in this wonderful city.
2. First Memory
My first memory is from when I was four years old. I asked my father for a glass of juice, and he agreed to pour some for me… as long as I said thank you. I didn’t, so he put it on the kitchen counter, which I could not reach, and I remember throwing a tantrum in response. I still drink berry juice, but I don’t roll on the floor and cry about it anymore.
3. What would you bring to the island?
I would bring the water, internet, my DVD collection, laptop, a portal generator and (most importantly) an unlimited supply of food (preferably sweet).
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
after I had finished my final A.C.T. tutoring session and needed to reward myself.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
I WOULD CHOOSE CAPS BECAUSE I COULD STILL USE EVERY TYPE OF PUNCTUATION, WHICH IS STUPIDLY IMPORTANT TO ME.
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Brienne Hong: Sketchy People
Passing the pen from one sketchy human to another
1. Birthplace
San Francisco, California
2. First Memory
I was at the park and I don’t remember why, but I started crying. I ran to my mother and sat on her lap and proceeded to bawl as I attempted to breathe out sentences that ended up flowing into a spew of babble. Finally, I looked up as I awaited a reaction—it was not my mother.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
ONE DIRECTION. #noregrets
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
in May, but it was actually a bagel.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
ALL CAPS, ALL DAY. I’D RATHER SOUND LIKE I’M YELLING THAN NOT BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS.
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Katie Hwang: The Real Slim Katie
Ya’ll act like you’ve never heard a cover before!
1. Birthplace
San Francisco, California
2. First Memory
I remember my whirlwind romance with a boy I met in kindergarten. After story time, he proposed, offering me a dowry of a 96-pack of crayons. I accepted. Afterwards, he took back the crayons, and I realized we just wouldn’t be able to make a loveless, colorless marriage work. It’s okay, I broke his sharpener.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
As much chocolate as I can carry, and some insulin for my future diabetes.
4. The last time I ate a donut was…
a while back. It was pretty old-fashioned.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
All CAPS BECAUSE WITH ALL CAPS I CAN HAVE BOTH!
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Amber Ly: Oh K-Drama
When’s the heir date?
1.Birthplace
San Francisco, California
2. First Memory
My first memory is from when I was in kindergarten or first grade. My older sister was about 10 years old, and she was giving me a piggyback ride around the house. My guess is that she got really tired at the end because her arms gave out and dropped me on the floor. My head suffered from a loss of too many brain cells that day. When I made contact with the ground, my instincts kicked in and I started crying. My sister ran and got my blankie (named “Blanket”) and naturally shoved it into my mouth to soothe and comfort me. The end.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
I would bring Costco to the island and a jet pack. I don’t think that needs any further explanation.
4. The last time I had a donut it was…
shared with my mom at my family’s donut shop.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
I would rather have to end every sentence with an exclamation point because exclamation points make everything seem exciting! I’d rather sound really excited about everything than sound really angry!
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Maggie Ma: Desserted
Food to take to the island
1. Birthplace
Taishan, China
2. First Memory
During pre-school I had a huge crush on this kid. One day during our field trip, I picked up a daisy and started plucking its petals while chanting “He loves me… He loves me not.” My teacher pointed me out to the other teachers, and I was so embarrassed that I threw the flower away and decided right then and there that I did not like that boy anymore.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
Netflix and wi-fi, because those are the only things I need.
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
also the first time I had a cup of Philz Coffee.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
ALL CAPS SO I CAN SOUND CONTROLLING AND POWERFUL.
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Sarah Ma: Outfluence
Interviews with my influences
1. Birthplace
China
2. First Memory
Riding on the back of my grandpa’a bike from preschool during lunch break.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
I would bring two cows and my iPod. The first cow I’d use for sustainable cheese and milk, and the second cow for jerky and leather. Once that runs out, I’d have my iPod with music to help me have a pleasant death.
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
at the end of August.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
I WOULD RATHER TYPE IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE IT WOULD MAKE OTHER PEOPLE THINK I’M REALLY BIG.
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Max Rico: How to Not Make Music
When you’re making music
1. Birthplace
San Francisco, California
2. First Memory
I must have been two or three years old, and for some reason I was wearing a tuxedo in a bathtub with my childhood friend. I remember the water being the perfect temperature.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
An iPod and an unlimited amount of Thai food.
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
today at lunch.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
Exclamation marks because I love to show my enthusiasm!
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Jasmine Toy: Fashion Dairy
Fashion milk for the fashionless
1. Birthplace
San Francisco, California
2. First Memory
I remember not wanting to go to preschool on the first day.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
Sunscreen! I burn easily.
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
last week. It was a chocolate-glazed, old-fashioned donut.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
I can’t ignore caps, but I can always put a text box over the exclamation points!
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Yu Ling Wu: Is This Loud Enough?
If it’s too loud, you’re too old
1. Birthplace
Guangzhou, China
2. First Memory
I think the earliest memory I can remember was when I went to the Chinatown playground with my mother one day. I don’t quite remember my age, but the memory is very vivid. I was playing by myself, getting sand in my pants, falling off monkey bars, and kicking kids off the swings so I could go on (that last one was a joke, by the way). As I was frolicking around the playground, something caught my eye—a tiny circular item, wrapped in shiny golden paper was laying all by itself on the ground. I knew what it was the instant I saw it, a piece of candy. So I went over, picked it up, unwrapped it, and popped it right into my mouth. I swear it was the best piece of caramel candy I ever tasted, I was just swimming around in the sweetness, that is, until I turned around and saw my mother running towards me. She totally knew I had taken a piece of candy off the floor and she was going to do all sorts of Asian punishments to me, so I ran and led her on a goose chase until she finally caught me and forced me to spit it out.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
I would bring my iPod or a book, and a collection of my favorite TV shows. Or maybe I’d bring my mother because she’s from the village so I’m sure she has some good survival skills. Or possibly I could even bring a very attractive (with a good personality) foreign guy so I could learn his language and then make him fall in love with me.
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
covered in chocolate and semi-melted.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
I’d rather end every sentence with an exclamation point because it isn’t as in your face as the all caps, and shows excitement and happiness after every statement! Plus I basically already do speak and type that way!!!
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Jon Bernson: Cheap Shots
Photocopies for life.
1. Birthplace
New York. You got a problem with that?
2. First Memory
Scared of the light.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
A peninsula.
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
from the Jelly Donut on 24th Street and Van Ness.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
I’d type in all caps because everyone would understand me IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS.
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Michael Falsetto-Mapp: Silver Surfer
Ride on, bruh
1. Birthplace
Monterey, California
2. First memory
When I was about three, my family lived in El Cerrito, California, and our neighbor across the street used to play the trumpet. One day the sunset was particularly soft and lush, and I have this vivid memory of the warm music wafting in my window as I napped in my room.
3. What would you bring to the island?
A King Tubby LP and some sunscreen.
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
February 7, 2013 (National J Dilla “Donuts” Day).
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
CAPS, ALLDAYEVERYDAY. I LIKE TO WEAR CAPS… SO WHY NOT USE CAPS.
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Glenn Jackson: What Was I Thinking?
A trip through one man’s unsavory musical past
1. Birthplace
Escondido, California
2. First Memory
I remember wrestling with my parents’ dogs from an early age, and I’m pretty sure they always won.
3. What would you bring to the Island?
A hammock, some sunglasses, and a boombox, because the only way I’m going to this island is if I get to relax on it.
4. The last time I ate a donut it was…
absolutely delicious.
5. Would you rather have to type in all caps forever, or have to end every sentence with an exclamation point? Why?!
ALL CAPS FOREVER BECAUSE THAT WAY I COULD NEVER BE IGNORED.
