I never actually lived in Chicago but was living in Champaign-Urbana (a few hours south) for a long time. I got up to Chicago so often, people thought I lived there. Anyway, somehow I got hooked up with Steven and Sooyoung and Ben Kim, that whole crew. We mostly would hang at parties – after the (FAAIM) film festivals, or I'd make it up for some of the house parties. That and go out for kalbi or pho. At that time, I think Steven's favorite hangover remedy was pho for Sunday brunch at Pho 777 on Argyle Street (Vietnamese Town). At some point that year (1999), he went down to Dallas to help out his parents for a while. Then he moved to NY and California. After he left Chicago we kept in touch sporadically over email. But I think I only got to see him a few times after that. It's all a bit foggy now.

I last got to catch up with him and the rest of the transplanted Chicago-to-SF gang in August 2001 just before I left for Korea. At that time, I think he was getting ready to move back to California to be with you. I don't remember all the details but I remember he looked so happy and it was really good to see him that way.

Something I will probably always remember about Steven is him and his cat Muffin. That cat was so adorable, and he loved it so much. The fact that he used to call his answering machine to talk to his cat always cracked me up. I think at the time he was working pretty crazy hours at a design firm (VSA), and he was worried about Muffin getting lonely at home, so he'd call and talk to her. I can't remember what he'd say, but it still makes me laugh thinking about it.

That, and this email:
I'm playing with the kitty as I write this message.
She's such a cute cat ^..^ that's her peeking over the screen.

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Actually, now that I'm going through old emails, I'll send you a couple entertaining bits, usually about his cat. These are all from 1999, from Chicago and Dallas.

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Muffin is doing really well. Her friend Noli stayed over for a week while a friend was moving. I'm letting her run around outside a little. She like to stay in the back yard and jump in the grass. Sometimes she runs under the deck and rolls around in the dirt. One time before she came back into the house she shook herself and made a big dust cloud. I'm making her wear a cute purple flea collar. She looks really girly.

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I dont know if you've met Che. He's subletting my place. Muffin is still there, but now she has a new friend Wilbur the Cat. From what I hear they're getting along quite well. I'm glad Muffin is happy. My mom complains that I care more about Muffin than her and my father.

There are some pluses to living in Dallas. I don't have a social life so I don't spend my free time living the high life. No smoke no drink. It's amazing how well your brain works when the system is clean. I had forgotten how smart I can be.

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At that time, he'd gone down to help out his parents at their store (if I remember correctly). It was hard for him being with his parents so much, but it was really good for him to get away from the party scene in Chicago. He was running himself down between work and play.

One thing that I really was impressed with, was how focused he could be when he wanted to be. How he self-taught himself everything he needed to know about computers to be an awesome tech support/support tech. And following that, he was delving into some other computer realm that he was studying for while in Texas. Definitely a sharp guy. It was always a plus to be able to count on him for good computer advice. One of those guys who can answer most of the technical computer questions you might have. Actually, I was hoping he might rub off on my brother, have some positive influence, so I tried to arrange sometime for us all to go out and eat.

I wish I had sent an email to Steven earlier...but I like to believe that after people pass away, they're able to see or understand things not always possible when living – like our email, or reading our thoughts, or seeing various parts of the world at once. Anyway, it's a comforting thing for me to believe in.

Steven was a great guy, caring, sensitive, a lot of fun and really funny. I'm going to miss him. But I'm glad I was able to get to know him. And I'm glad he was able to find you. It sounds like you two were a great match.

-Linda Kwon

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