JAVIER GOMEZ
I arrived in Phoenix March 1, 2003, with a renewed enthusiasm and a reason to be a step closer to Los Angeles and my dreams.
When I’m stuck in traffic, I wish I had chosen to live downtown, for sure.
I never forget to TiVo the Colombian soap Pedrito el Escamoso.
One thing my mother doesn’t know about me is I am a proud father.
On Saturday night, you can find me at home or on my computer catching up on work.
My favorite thing about summer in Phoenix is that it is just four months closer to fall.
If I could redo my first kiss, I’d kiss with tongue.
The one dessert I refuse to eat is the one that contains milk or fat.
If I were mayor of Phoenix, I would build a performing arts center unlike any other in the world.
In high school, I was the kid who did not identify with my own culture and hid from everyone.
In another life, I was a Viking, a Renaissance inventor, or painter.
The one place in Phoenix I don’t want anyone to know about is west Phoenix, because most bad news comes from that area.
On my nightstand, you’ll find a glass of water and my cell phone.
The fictional character I’m most like is Superman, because we all know Kryptonite is not available on Earth.
One thing I want to do before I die is see my son Brandon grow up and be a successful and productive man of society.
The best thing about Phoenix is it’s just a few miles away from Los Angeles, my ultimate destination, where all my dreams will come true.
SIXTO MELENDEZ
I arrived in Phoenix in September of 2003 and was stunned by the harsh beauty of the desert. I thought, “What an amazingly stimulating place.”
When I’m stuck in traffic, I curse the lineage of anyone going slower or faster than me.
One thing my mother doesn’t know about me is that I’m not really the saint she perceives, and if I can help it, she’ll never find out.
On Saturday night, you can find me wherever the best drink specials are.
My favorite thing about summer in Phoenix is the fact that I know it will end. I have a real love-hate relationship with the seasons here. Every summer I ask myself, “What possessed me to relocate to the sixth level of Dante’s Inferno?” but then fall comes around and the passion returns.
If I could redo my first kiss, I’d kiss a Kate — Blanchett, Beckinsale, or Winslet, in no particular order.
The one dessert I refuse to eat has not yet been created. I have a serious sweet tooth and I have to watch myself.
If I was mayor of Phoenix, I’d probably get very little accomplished. The power would go to my head and I’d run the city like Caesar Caligula. It would be absolute debauchery until some responsible group of citizens would rise up, plot, and execute my assassination.
In high school, I was the kid with the long hair, in the band, with the rock ’n’ roll stars in his eyes. You know the one — every high school has a few.
In another life, I was probably a celebrity of some sort. I base this on the longing I feel to achieve attention for my work. I believe that we don’t desire what we’ve never had.
On my nightstand, you’ll find a container of Icy Hot. Along with ibuprofen, it helps relieve the hangover headaches. I’m serious, try it.
The fictional character I’m most like is on the inside I often I feel like a Tyler Durden. However, when I look in the mirror, I see more of Ed Norton’s character.
One thing I want to do before I die is learn to scuba dive.
The best thing about Phoenix is the spiritual stimulation I get looking at the surrounding desert mountain ranges. I get a real sense of the ages when I see the modern city cradled in the ancient desert past.
