4am. Alarm sounds. 219 miles from Rinaldi in Granada Hills to Shields Ave in Fresno. We have a 930am interview. I can’t throw the shirt on because someone once said never wear shirts with writing in the booth. I like that advice, so I’ll listen to it.

Maybe I should wear it on [...]]]> April 16 2010

4am. Alarm sounds. 219 miles from Rinaldi in Granada Hills to Shields Ave in Fresno. We have a 930am interview. I can’t throw the shirt on because someone once said never wear shirts with writing in the booth. I like that advice, so I’ll listen to it.

Maybe I should wear it on my flight to Mexico City on Monday. It would mean changing the standard Basquiat-black-jeans-black-puma-bag flight uniform. And it would tell everyone once I’ve landed que soy del otro lado.

He told me to take deep, consistent breaths. The needle penetrated and within moments I could feel a tingling and puffiness.

So what do you do? I work for an oral history project.

Well, Alejandro. You have very strong roots. Culturally, as well., I said.

Numbness.

…and then we head out of our office to find slick asphalt and uninspiring weather, making it even harder to leave our little castle in the middle of Fresno…

“ABOLISH – FEDERAL – RESERVE – BANKERS” I’ve had this in my pocket since San Francisco.

It’s been a long time since I professed my love to someone on a park bench or a tree. Where do you want me to etch our names, amor?

Mexico Vs New Zealand from Alejandro De La Cruz on Vimeo.

There’s no one else on the street that’s willing to celebrate the rain.

Strangers enter this booth on a daily basis and I make them feel comfortable about unleashing their most intimate feelings. Today, I was nervous. My parents came in to talk about the first day they met. It was a carniceria in Tijuana. My mom was a cashier and my dad cut meat. My [...]]]> Feb 14 2010

Strangers enter this booth on a daily basis and I make them feel comfortable about unleashing their most intimate feelings. Today, I was nervous. My parents came in to talk about the first day they met. It was a carniceria in Tijuana. My mom was a cashier and my dad cut meat. My mom remembers more about the first moment she laid eyes on pops, but it’s all banter now. They’re going on 43 years of marriage.

The palm trees were swaying in the breeze and rainbows were sprouting all over Los Angeles, CA. It’s good to be in Southern California for the remainder of Winter.

I have no proof of this, but I’ve heard that Los Angeles has more people of Mexican ancestry than any other city in Mexico outside of Mexico City.