I still remember him running around his grandma’s house, kicking back his Capri Sun and watching Nickelodeon for hours. I’d come home from school and there he was at the table in the middle of the afternoon, watching television and waiting for another bowl of cereal. He’d fill it to the brim with sugary clumps of goodness and pour half a carton of milk in. It would all be gone in a flash.

I’d be severely neglectful when saying San Francisco truly feels like home. There is no doubt in mind that years could accumulate in this new city. But everyone needs something to make them feel whole. For me, it’s very simple. I just need a few De La Cruz’s laughing, joking, and enjoying time together to make it all feel golden. And the latest permanent addition might have just set me up for some serious residency, something I don’t think I’ve done since my freshman year of college.

Rochelle (far right) is back home in the Bay after living in South Africa for six months, and then briefly hanging in Los Angeles. Revaz and Laura (middle) are both in the Bay on their way to Portland. Laura will then leave to Kenya for a year where she’ll be based with human rights project Enough Project. Revaz heads back to Brooklyn and he’ll start his second year at The New School. Anna and I are headed back to Los Angeles. We were granted one day together and it involved futbol in Dolores Park, burritos, happy hour, portraits, and promises to see each other soon. I’m hoping it’s sometime in February. Maybe in Mexico.

My nephew is around 10-years-old. The shirt is closer to 30-years-old. Homeboy is bringing it back.

There are a few things you must do in this family before a certain age. You must learn to cheer for a certain sports team. You must visit Las Vegas, NV before your first birthday. And you’re obligated to learn how to play the family’s game: poker. Jacob, age 4, just got started on #3.

He’s recently lured me to the bright lights of a bowling alley. Champions are made on Monday nights.

He just likes to make sure we’re alright.

The interior needs lots of work, but you couldn’t tell from the polished exterior. The Chevrolet DeLuxe is Pancho‘s new ride.

The elevator doors opened and I barely advanced far enough for them to close. A big bear hug and a kiss distracted me from my luggage and it careened over with a loud thud. “Yay!” is all I heard. She made me quesadillas with tortillas made out of nopales and we had chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert. We marveled at making it a year without each other. We survived. We quickly began planning trips across Mexico for the next month. She’s been here two years. She’s going to miss it.

There will be many more evenings of reflection, many more embraces. But we hope there aren’t any more years apart. Once was enough. The heart grew fonder, but also said “enough is enough, dude.” This is my next chapter. This is my future. I’m back where I’m supposed to be. Now I need to incorporate recording equipment into our lives.

I can’t remember the last time I spent Father’s Day with my pops. After a full weekend of recordings, this is the only shot I got for the day. At least my heart is in the right place.

July 1 2010 will be an amazing day.