Culture Clash Magazine A Venue for Galveston's Free Thinkers

CC: What is the craziest night on the job you can remember?

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Profession: Bar Tender

The craziest night I ever experienced has to be the 2013 Mardi Gras riot. It was complete chaos. It was really shocking to see that many people completely going crazy. If you didn’t see it just look it up on YouTube. 

I chose this memory because it totally changed Mardi Gras safety protocols for the event and for the way bars operate during major events. Now Mardi Gras can be enjoyed traditionally in a safer atmosphere. 

CC: What is the craziest night on the job you can remember?

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Profession: ER Nurse

I cannot repeat my craziest night as an ER nurse as some of those memories are too painful to discuss. I can discuss one of the funniest memories I have. Two gangbangers were shooting at each other and one got hit in the leg. The bullet went through the tissue and blew off one of the guy’s testicles. Although I know it was painful, I assure you he wasn’t on his way to Sunday service.

CC: What gender do you identify as?

Randy: I’m a man.

CC: What sexual orientation do identify with?

Randy: I’m straight. Very straight. As an arrow.

CC: Oh, I was going to ask you about if you ever let people into your life.

Randy: Letting people in?

CC: Letting the people you love and care about know about your sexual orientation, letting them closer into your life, to delete the stigma of having to have something hidden.

Randy: Oh, like coming out? You know, here’s the thing. I actually have before. For some reason everyone thought I was gay. So in a way I’ve come out as straight, and, you know, sometimes I get these surprised looks. Who cares? Be who you are. Love who you want. After forty-six years of living, you really stop caring. Anyway, I think George Clooney’s handsome if that counts for anything, but that’s about it. Go Astros!

CC: What gender do you identify as?

Sab: Female.

CC: What sexual orientation do you identify with?

Sab: Pansexual.

CC: How old were you when you let people into your life?

Sab: I was about fourteen or fifteen. I’m twenty-one now.

CC: What was the reaction of your family and friends?

Sab: It went well. Support from everyone. I do come from a pretty liberal background. I was happy to have felt that support.

CC: What gender do you identify with?

Zed: Male. I would consider myself a
cisgendered male.

CC: What sexual orientation do you
identify with?

Zed: Bisexuality

CC: How old were you when you let
people you knew into your life?

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Zed: I was about seventeen. I’m twenty-
four now!

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CC: What was the reaction of your family and
friends?

Zed: My parents were totally cool with it. They
didn’t really care, I thought they were going
to be upset or whatever, but they just hoped I
was just happy. My friends knew about it, but
they didn’t really care. They’ve always been
supportive.

CC: Who are the women who have influenced your life?

María Félix. She continues to be a cultural force across entire continents. Ahead of her time on leading the fight for Native American rights and recognition. Legendary ambassador for the golden age of Mexican cinema. All that, and a solid standard for timeless beauty and elegance that is said to have stopped traffic on the streets of Paris.

CC: As cliché as it sounds, I really look up to Selena. I recently took a dive into reading multiple memoirs of her and aside from her beauty and great music she really opened the door to the integration of Mexican culture into mainstream media and arts. A lot of people forget the Chicano Movement had only been around about 30 years. Many Mexican Americans were still pushing for their community to be recognized as a class in order to gain equal rights. She also paved a way into breaking machismo cycle that has been ever so present in Mexican culture by not only proving that women were great and successful entertainers but they could also do more than fill a motherly role.

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CC: What is the most curious thing about Galveston?

I think the history of the brothels in Galveston is really fascinating. They were a really big part of Galveston’s business in the Victorian times, and it extended out and became more secretive over the years. [Prostitution] prevailed in Galveston for many many years. And it was a place for sailors to come and rest and have some fun. It gave Galveston a sort of party feel. I find it fascinating that some brothels were completely under the radar while others operated as any other business did.

CC: What is the most curious thing about Galveston?

The ever-expansive haunted stories in Galveston.

CC: What is the most curious thing about Galveston?

[I’m Interested in] how haunted the island is, like how many places per square mile are known to be haunted. I really like the story about the bride waiting on her husband to return from war at the Galvez.

CC: How do you see big tech affecting you personally or the city of Galveston?

I have decreased my usage of Big tech
like social media (Facebook, Instagram)
because it mostly brought on feelings
of anxiety, worry, or comparison of my
life to others. However, I use Amazon so
much because it is extremely convenient
for my lifestyle. I see the pros and cons of
these big tech organizations and how
it can affect small businesses that I love.

CC: How do you see big tech affecting you personally or the city of Galveston?

Love it or hate it, technology is part of
change and life. It has been great for
booking business in advance.

CC: What are your impressions on polyamory?

In the past I might have said, It’s a cheap way out of a marriage for people that don’t want to struggle with the challenges of marriage. Everyday is a new day and I am learning.

CC: What are your impressions on polyamory?

Individuals needs and desires are confusing enough... multiple people though? Sounds so overwhelming and I’ve yet to see someone, first hand, show me that it isn’t. And it institutes an entire new world of new boundaries and things to communicate... or at least I think it would. Just sounds like another label that I wouldn’t want to take on even if I lived by the definition.

CC: How has your hair affected your life?

In the early part of my life, I always wore my hair straight or up in a ponytail. My hair has always been very thick and curly, so my mom and I decided that straightening it was the easiest thing for us. I loved having long, thick hair, but I never really thought about it much except for when deciding whether I was going to do a high ponytail or a side ponytail that day. All of that changed after my freshman year of college when I decided to go natural and wear my hair in its curly state full time. There was a steep learning curve when I began my natural journey, but now after 7 years, I have found my groove. I love having a big curly afro, but I have learned that the world does not always agree. My wake-up call came one day when I showed up to work with my naturally curly hair out. I had spent hours washing, detangling, braiding, and prepping my hair for its debut, and I was very proud of the result. I showed up to work feeling confident and beautiful, only to have my coworker gesture to my head and ask if I was having a “bad hair day”. That day, I learned that my hair is not just hair. My hair is polarizing, it is political, and it is powerful. Every day, I wake up with the knowledge that someone may discriminate against me because they see my hair as wild or unkempt. These ideas are incorrect and based on ignorance, but they affect me nonetheless. I have to consider what style to wear for work, or job interviews so that I make a good impression while remaining true to who I am. My hair has impacted my life greatly. Some days I still find myself second-guessing whether people are looking at my hair in delight or disgust. I have had to grow a thick skin against comments from others and develop a deep sense of self-love that overwhelms any doubts that may arise. If you are able to walk into a space without even considering that your hair won’t be accepted, I hope you recognize that as a privilege, and the next time you think “It’s just hair”, consider that for some, it is everything.

CC: How has your hair affected your life?

I don’t like body hair because I have to shave it and that’s a hassle, but I like the hair on my head. I have to style it every day and figure out what to do with it, but I also like it. My hair is a staple of my appearance. I guess I can’t tell how it’s affected me because I’ve just grown up with it.

CC: How has your hair affected your life?

[Hair] hasn’t, I am bald af.
[The lack of hair] makes
me stand out and a more
unique and outgoing
person.

CC: What are your thoughts on psychedelics?

"I think that they(psychedelics) are amazing because they open up your mind to things you couldn’t possibly think about when you’re completely sober and it doesn’t really make much sense unless you try them and it’s not like what everybody says it is where it’s like everything like moving and it’s crazy.

From all of my experiences with psychedelics, I believe shrooms are the most eye-opening, expanding... drug that you can take, it’s very spiritual and you’re not supposed to take it in something like a party setting. You need to take it for yourself to really open your eyes, see the world how it really is. Shrooms make everything so beautiful and really like, what’s that word, ya vibrant. You’re able to really think about your own thoughts you’re able to like examine yourself as a person and open yourself up to other thoughts and things. 

Now when trying acid which is a more synthetic type of uhhhh psychedelic, things do move, it kind of feels like everything’s breathing a little bit. It’s very overwhelming 

And if you’re not in the right mindset it can be very bad for your health and it can make you have horrible thoughts, you can see things that are not really there, and depending on the dosage you take it can make you feel very like… it can either make you feel really good or really bad.

When my mental health wasn’t very good and I took a tab, thinking I would be able to have fun and think it away, it just made my thoughts come to life and I was very emotional and I cried for hours. It was really scary honestly and I couldn’t sleep and I couldn’t get away from my thoughts. Um taking acid just regularly can damage your uh damage your serotonin receptors. You need to do it with people that you trust cause if not it can be very dangerous. But it is really an eye-opening experience but you can get stuck in loops talking about the same things, and everything’s so much more there, if that makes any sense, it’s like everything’s there and it’s so overwhelming if you can’t handle it. 

And the next morning when you get up it’s called… some shit like green life, I don’t even know um something and it’s like where you still have, you're still kind on the drug because it can stay in your system for up to 24 hours. The morning after you wake up everything’s still very vibrant, if you do this drug at night, you stay up most of the night, and then when you wake up in the morning you’ll still see some effects where all colors are more vibrant but you’re very overwhelmed with the feeling of uncleanliness, and of course, this is just my experience, but it’s like everything’s too much to handle. So, with taking psychedelics be careful it’s very eye-opening and I very much recommend doing it one, at least once in your life."

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CC: What are you looking forward to in 2021?

"When I think of the new year, I am filled with relief and gratitude. Relieved that my family and I made it through, grateful to have an opportunity to strive for better things to come. Bring it on 2021"

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CC: What are you looking forward to in 2021?"The ultimate measure of success is not the accumulation of things or money, but use of time. Each of us have a limited amount of time every day. Each individual life is limited with regards to time. This year consider setting a time goal. Make sure you are spending time doing the things important to you. Yes you need to work, but don’t overwork. Yes you have financial goals, but don’t let those financial goals rob you of too much time. Spend time with family and friends creating priceless memories. Spend time doing the things you enjoy. If you sleep 6 hours a day, you will spend 3 months of 2021 asleep. If you work 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, you will spend almost 3 months of 2021 working. If you spend 4 hours daily watching tv/entertainment you will spend 2 months of 2021 doing that. If you drive on average 2 hours per day commuting and running errands you will spend 1 month of 2021 driving. If you are keeping track that is 9 months of 2021 accounted for already. As you can see from my calculations, we don’t have as much time as we think, so protect your time. Make 2021 the year you made the most of your time.

CC: What is your view on policitcs?

“My view on politics? That’s a tough one. Honestly, I hate politics. Personally, I’m a humanist, and environmentalist, and a capitalist. I’m strongly opposed to our rigid bipartisan structure of government. I believe that although all levels of government are important, the real work within a community happens on a local level. Don’t think enough is being done in terms of conservation? Research organizations involved in conservation/habitat restoration work. Think we need to save the sea turtles? Volunteer with the sea turtle patrol people. Worried about sea level rise and climate change? Research the science behind coastline nourishment, and the work being done in your area. Worried about human rights? Find a peaceful protest or a public event. Research your city’s mayoral candidates, and city council members, and formulate an opinion. Get involved. Your work matters. Politics can definitely be dirty, and frustrating to deal with, and elitist, but remember, individuals do matter. Your voice and your actions matter. It’s a collective awareness and presence that manifests into larger changes.”

CC: What is your favorite Texas beer?

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Eina Chaidez Ortiz (below left)
“Karbach’s Hella Chella because who doesn’t love a limey, spicy party in a can?! It’s as awesome as its name.”

Jamie Maricelli-Espinoza (below center)
“Lone Pint brews a delicious American IPA which goes by the name of Yellow Rose. It’s refreshing and smoooooth and the bottle art is quite beautiful. I love Saloon Doors’ Hustling Honey. It’s a smooth tasty blonde with a sweet twist!”

Jeana Wingo-Hernandez (below right)
This image is in loving memory of Jeana, a Culture Clasher through and through. Jeana passed last year and could not comment but we know she loved beer as much as life! WE MISS YOU.

CC: What is your favorite Texas beer?

DM: “My girlfriend Stephanie and I’s favorite
Texas beer is the Molly’s Brown Ale from
Devil in the Deep Brewery. It is very crisp
and refreshing on a hot day and goes
with just about any meal. Definitely
our go to beer whenever we hit the
brewery to hang out!”

CC: How have tattoos influenced your life?

HK: Out of high school, I went to trade school for electrical. I did three semesters and toward the middle of the third semester, I wasn’t that in love with it. In 2001 I started working at a smoke shop that was connected to a tattoo shop. One day I noticed how many piercings the piercer at the time was doing. Because he was there, I decided to learn how to pierce. I started LED piercing in 2002 and I had found something I loved. The tattoo and piercing world, unlike everybody else, don’t care if you don’t have a tattoo or piercing. In this world, you got all forms of life. Everyone from pimps and hoes to doctors and lawyers. To steal a quote from Hollywood tattoo artist Mike Mahoney, “This is where the elite and underworld meet”. One day you can get the meth head who was trying to sell you used socks while high. Then an hour later you can get Beyoncé or Jayz. This is an industry that is unique and always unpredictable. Opportunities that you couldn’t imagine like being on Jimmy Kimmel Live and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, so many great experiences come out of it. I have 13 awards and 20 years under me. I look forward to the next 20 just to see where the road will take me. Come get pierced by me and feel all the history of this industry

CC: How have tattoos influenced your life?

IK: Tattooing is my lifestyle. My day to day revolves around my art and my tattoos. Early on, I was working as a mechanic and had some painting hung up in my bay. I was working on a tattoo artist’s car when he asked me if I wanted to give up eighty grand a year to sweep his shop for free and go homeless until I would eventually learn to tattoo a couple of years later. I told him “Hell yeah!”. I quit my job the next day and pawned all of my tools to make it. It’s been my dream come true. It took years of hard work but I’m finally at the end. I get to enjoy my art and make a good living doing it.

CC: Has your race or ethnicity helped or hurt you in any way during your time in Galveston?

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A.C.: "... I first think of the beach and the days I’ve spent with a mix of friends and strangers, all of us enjoying the feel of the hot sun on our skin. I think about the Proletariat, where I had my first poetry feature where my poems were spoken aloud, and I felt the words resonate with a crowd full of different faces. I try to not think about the time the cops arrested my friend for accidentally walking outside of a bar with beer, the marks the handcuffs left around his wrists, or the racist comments they said to him in the police car. Has being Mexican American helped or hurt me in my time in Galveston? I think the answer is the same for any place in the United States. I am proud of my ethnicity; I wear it like a badge of honor that cannot be removed. I rejoice with people who celebrate diversity the way I do. But there is always something lying below. A fear. This uneasy feeling of knowing the same thing we celebrate could be used against us at any minute. I cannot say the sun does not discriminate. Some of us get burnt easier than others. My ethnicity has helped me connect with people through poetry, music, and food. My ethnicity has never hurt me, it is people who have the power hurt people like me.”

CC: Has your race or ethnicity helped or hurt you in any way during your time in Galveston?

J.M.: “Absolutely. I am Italian and that seems to be popular here in Galveston. As a kid in Houston, peers would ask me if my family was in the mob or if my dad was “cool”. People still assume “I know a guy” but I don’t.... ”

CC: What is your view on Galveston's food culture?

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J.H.: “We love Mexican, Italian, Greek, seafood, all of it. My family and I don’t cook that often so we like to go to Mario’s. I’ve been to Taquilos five times this week it’s so good. The diversity on the island is great as well, I love Galveston. I would like to see some more Indian or Middle Eastern cuisines in the city. We come from Dallas and we love how we can easily walk to any restaurant. We don’t have to travel a long distance to get to our favorite foods anymore.”

CC: What is your view on Galveston's food culture?

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B.L.: “I think we actually have a very rich culture of food in Galveston. There are not many towns of this size that you can go to and have literally every type of meal that you could want. I love Trattoria but I’m a sucker for Millers, I like a home-cooked meal and you could never go wrong with the wait staff there. I moved from Houston and I was very impressed with the many different types of cuisines an island of this size offers.”

CC: What is your religion or belief system?

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D.A.: “There are all types of Wiccan beliefs, my belief is mainly focused on energy and the zodiac signs and also what lies within our palms. Tarot readings are part of what I believe in. I don’t believe in a higher power because I believe our “higher power” is our Earth and universe, where our futures lie within the stars. Every life has a purpose big or small, to take care of each other and love one another.” 

CC: What is your opinion on climate change?

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A.F.: “Sometimes I feel like it’s hard to get really good, concrete information about what’s truly going on because there are so many sides to the argument. Some people are like, ‘It’s natural, the world goes up, the world goes down, temperatures and things of that nature change’ and I can see the point they’re making. The world is a really big place and it has systems for filtering and changing and it’s like, maybe we’re actually okay and [the idea of climate change] is a scare tactic to keep us in a state of fear. On the other hand, you can feel the difference when you walk outside and the sun is hotter and the water is warmer. I think climate change is happening. Some people I know will argue with me all day about how it’s not and we’re just reading into it. I think that climate change is a very scary thing that’s happening to us now. When I was younger, the big thing was, ‘Save the rainforest!’ and now that I’m older, the rainforests are basically gone. I read articles that say we’re past the point of being able to stop climate change, that we’re already there. But I disagree with that. I feel like it’s still within our ability to do something. I will try to do little things like reusing cups, I try not to use that many straws, things of that nature. It’s the little things we do everyday that make the difference.”

CC: What is your opinion on climate change?

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G.Z.: “Climate change...I agree with it, I think we should push to save the planet. We should definitely reduce a lot of the fuels we use. I think, though, that making drastic changes [regarding environmentalism] takes a lot of money from everybody’s pockets--rich and poor. A lot of people unfortunately take time to go along with these changes.”

CC: What is your perspective on marijuana?

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J.N.: “As someone who enjoys being a part of the college social life I feel much safer smoking when I go out rather than drinking because I know that I won’t end up throwing up in a bush somewhere.”

CC: What is your perspective on marijuana?

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J.M.: “Just think about how many people we have in jail because of it. I just came out of court actually, and there’s a guy there for one gram. That’s not even worth his time, the cop’s time, the court’s time. They keep talking about how many people are in jail for weed and the majority of it is misdemeanor, stupid stuff. They say it’s a gateway to everything else but no, that’s drinking.”

CC: What is your perspective on marijuana?

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S.C.: “I think [legalization] would be good for the state, if we could take that revenue and put it somewhere like the school system or infrastructure. But this is an oil state. They don’t want other people making all the money. And the healthcare system—they don’t want us to be well. They want us to keep relying on pills and hospitals.”

CC: What does family mean to you?

D.H.: “Family means the people who you are related to by birth and also those you choose to be a part of your group of friends. A family doesn't always have to be by blood I feel that you can create your family, that's the best family you have” 

CC: What does family mean to you?

Anise: “Family means togetherness and being there for each other. What makes someone family is someone who will help you and be there for you when your real family won’t.”

Omar: “Family to me is where your roots are, where you're from. Family is when we can eat dinner together” 

CC: What does intimacy mean to you?

B.H.: To me personally, it means you have a girlfriend or a boyfriend and you decide to go on a date by the beach... one thing leads to another thing and before you know it, you are holding each other’s hand and you have intimacy. It’s not bad thing or a good thing. It all depends on the person and how they see it. You don’t plan for it, it just happens.
 

CC: Do you think it’s important for people to go to college?

JD: I think it is more important to know what you want to do with the rest of your life before you make that decision. If you want to be a plumber then no, you don’t need to go to college, but instead to a

technical school. If you want to be a teacher or an accountant or an engineer then yes, you need to go to college to get that training.

[If I had $1000, I’d give it.] Probably for a orphanage in Mexico or invest in a missionary; that kinda stuff. Donate it especially with all the border issues right now.

If you gave me $1,000 I’d spend it on a car, that’s my next project!

Celia - I feel neutral about money, it’s not something I’m worried about at the moment.

Tommy -  Money feels good, like it’s a good thing, like [good is] my first instinct when I hear it.

We started selling micheladas and that really took off. So then we brought in many different things like the elote, the cheesey cheetos, and the mangonadas, and now we have fish bowls and jello shots! We already started doing the daiquiris and big 64-oz beers since those sell like crazy.

 I’m originally from Houston, TX. I came down here after my house burned down about 3 years ago. I like it here because of the seawall. I like watching the beach and the scenery, it’s beautiful. My greatest achievement in life had to have been graduating high school. My favorite memory was back in Houston when I was playing varsity basketball and I scored the winning point

I have a very close relationship with my grandparents, they’re like my best friends. I have a big family, I am 1 of 6 kids, so lots of love. My favorite memory is learning how to ride my bike; I remember I was riding down 25th Street right by the museum, totally falling into the bushes and everyone was laughing. Living day to day is probably my greatest achievement, just telling myself I’m okay, I can do this...just being the boss person that I am.

I was on America’s Got Talent in 2013. My audition song was Beyoncé’s Hero. You have to try, right? I don’t shoot for the stars, I shoot for the moon. Shoot for the moon then you land among the stars- that’s what I always say.

I’m from Texas City. I’ve grown up in the area my entire life so I spent a lot of time in Galveston. My last name is Czech, my ancestors came here on that boat in the late 1800s. They were here for the 1900 storm and everything. I’d say the interesting juxtaposition of personalities that jump through here makes it interesting. I’ve actually been here at Hazy Days for about two months.

 You want me to talk the way I talk? or nice and polite, I don’t give a fuck! I’m gonna tell you the fuck I know, I was born in New Mexico, bam bam bam, I was raised by a demon, the demon got inside me, I’m a fucking demon, okie dokey? 
But one of the nicest son of bitches you’ll ever meet in your life time. I’ve been arrested, but if you wanna hear the real good part of me, I had a horse, that was my horse, when he died I died, all my life left me.

I moved down here after I finished school at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service. It’s the coolest thing ever if you’re into dead people. Something interesting about me would have to be that I don’t have a sense of smell. When I was growing up, my neighborhood was down the street from the dump, and that’s a smell that I associated with my childhood. When I lost my sense of smell, I became kinda lost without familiar scents, you know the smell of my mom, stuff like that. But when I went to funeral school, I didn’t smell the decomposing bodies so that was great.

I don’t mind controversial; nothing really offends me. But please, let’s not talk about Trump, I am so over it.

We are the Hash House Harriers, an international group of non-competitive social runners. We follow the Hare’s markings. At least when we can see straight.

CC: What is the craziest night on the job you can remember?

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Profession: GPD Officer

I won’t write about the craziest thing I’ve witnessed while working nights on patrol in Galveston, which conjure memories I’d like to not relive, but I can certainly provide insight into the nightlife many of you reading do not normally experience; that nightlife which our men and women working those long 12-hour graveyard shifts experience almost daily. With the exception of a few really cold winter nights, there’s usually something crazy going on while the majority are at home in bed.

Certain neighborhoods are known for their gang/gun violence once the sun goes down. The downtown district sees its fair share of disturbances fueled by alcohol…especially when the bars close at 2:00am. The Seawall at night in peak tourism season is riddled with drunk drivers, disturbances, domestic violence issues in the hotels, suicides, robberies, sexual assaults, narcotics, fill in the blank… Our in-town neighborhoods are hit up nightly with vehicle burglaries, items stolen from properties, acts of criminal mischief, garage burglaries, bicycle thefts, stolen vehicles, and catalytic converter thefts. Occasionally while our officers are performing “routine” traffic stops they turn out to be not so routine, leading to intense situations. We see mangled bodies, gunshot victims, battered spouses. We go hands-on with naked men high on PCP. We transport drunk and high individuals in our patrol units while they’re covered in vomit and feces. The smell of stagnant urine is normal. We talk people off ledges and when we can’t get there in time, we clean up the mess. We apply tourniquets, perform CPR, and aid in mental health assistance. We run after people, jump fences, fight, pursue stolen vehicles, and search large abandoned buildings for trespassers with only the light of our flashlights. There’s always something going on in Galveston at night for the police to address.

While Galveston has a lot to offer for those seeking an enjoyable nightlife, there’s also a nightlife on this island that’s more sinister in nature. Like I was always told as a child, “Nothing good ever happens after midnight.”

CC: What is the craziest night on the job you can remember?

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Profession: EMT-8

Galveston’s nightlife leaves no shortage of things to do for first responders here on the island. The craziest night shift I’ve had was during Biker Week. Events involving alcohol and automobiles/motorcycles is never a great mix. The worst I had was a patient that flew about 15-20 feet after hitting their motorcycle on a car. Nothing grossly traumatic about how they presented surprisingly, thanks to their helmet. Then about an hour later responding to an assault. Then immediately after that going to another motor vehicle accident! I think a lot of it stems from thinking of fun over safety, which is a mindset I’d like to see change in the next coming events.

CC: What gender do you identify as?

Dee: I identify as a woman. Female.

CC: What sexual orientation do you identify with?

Dee: Lesbian.

CC: How old were you when you let people into
your life?

Dee: Just recently, I’m twenty-three!

CC: What was the reaction of your family and friends?

Dee: My friends knew for sometime, I didn’t care about them knowing, they were always supportive. It took time for me to come out to my parents. My dad was really cool, but low-key a bit shocked. I guess he thought I was straight because I had a Ronaldo poster in my room. My mom was a bit hesitant at first, but she’s okay now. She’s even met my girlfriend and is nothing but nice to her.

CC: What gender do you identify as?

Anonymous: I’m non-binary.

CC: What sexual orientation do you identify with?

Anonymous: Pansexual.

CC: How old were you when you let people into
your life?

Anonymous: Right now I’m eighteen, and I haven’t. Just some people know, I guess. It’s really difficult.I really don’t have much friends, and my family wouldn’t understand. I don’t know. I keep thinking when I go to college everything will change. Just looking for a new start.

CC: Who are the women who have influenced your life?

The woman who’s influenced me the most in life is my mom. It sounds cliché, but I truly got lucky getting to call the kindest and most loving person in the world my mother. If we could choose our own parents in this lifetime like we choose our friends, I would pick her every time. I used to appreciate her the most as a mother- the things she’d do for me like braiding my hair before school, picking me up from art class, and cooking me hot meals at the end a long day. As I grew older though, I started appreciating her more as a person outside of her relation to me. Things like her beauty, inside and out; her grace toward herself and her imperfections; and the light she shines one everyone around her, making people better. She is a fearless shield for me against the winds of life. She has loved me when I stopped believing in myself and was at my lowest. Because of her I know that real love is unconditional and expects nothing in return. I can only hope to be the same person to my future children as she has been for me.

CC: Who are the women who have influenced your life?

Her name was Sandra Muñoz, she was the principal of the first elementary school I went to as a child. She later became a close family friend and helped lead me on the career path towards becoming a school psychologist. If it wasn’t for her I would not be in the amazing career I am in right now.

CC: Who are the women who have influenced your life?

Maya Angelou has always been a great influence in my life. I read I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings when I was 12 years old, and it has stayed with me ever since. I always heard hope was a powerful thing in literature and movies, but I think after reading her works I really began to understand why.

Another influence of mine is Michelle Obama. I recently saw her documentary on Netflix and was amazed at everything she had accomplished personally and professionally. As someone who’s applying to law school, I like to read up on Michelle’s experiences at Princeton and Harvard to inspire me.

CC: What is the most curious thing about Galveston?

I think the art scene in Galveston is sick. Gritty and still underground. I find it curious that there is something for the fancy folks but there is still so much access to the rest of us. Will Galveston be able to maintain affordable places for artists to live and work with all the AirBnB’s going in? And if not, will the access to art disappear?

CC: What is the most curious thing about Galveston?

I love Galveston. I find its uniqueness fascinating. One of the most alluring aspects of living in Galveston is the diversity it offers - there’s a charm and richness to this island that you can’t quite find anywhere else.

CC: How do you see big tech affecting you personally or the city of Galveston?

I find myself worrying most that when we hand our children phones we steal their boredom from them. As a result, we are raising a generation of writers who will never start writing, artists who will never start doodling, chefs who will never make a mess of the kitchen, athletes who will never kick a ball
against a wall, musicians who will never pick up their aunt’s guitar and start strumming.

​

Glennon Doyle is a global citizen, an American author, and activist known for her #1 New York Times bestsellers Untamed, Love Warrior, and Carry On, Warrior.

CC: How do you see big tech affecting you personally or the city of Galveston?

During and since COVID-19. Big Tech
created a bridge that allowed us
to continue to have access to our
schools, Churches, workplaces, DRS
Etc. This was very beneficial to me
because it allowed me to continue to
work and help my community without
putting myself or others at risk.

CC: What are your impressions on polyamory?

Sounds awkward and just seems really complicated. I’ve never been able to be in a relationship with more than one person at a time.

CC: What are your impressions on polyamory?

I think polyamoristic, is that how you say it? I think it’s pretty ya know, it’s a good experience to have. Honestly like if it’s mutual between both parties. I don’t know if I’d ever try it out.

CC: What are your impressions on polyamory?

So broad
That’s such a broad question.
I think just, do what you want, it’s not for me. I would be too jealous.
I would get jealous too, but I respect if you can do it. If you’re able to, I get the point.
It takes a lot of maturity.
People say it’s very unrealistic to be with one person for many years, that’s just not really human nature. And it makes sense, I feel
like it would work for some people.
Yeah, I think it takes a lot of maturity to do that, you have to be able to be...
You gotta be open to communication and you have to make sure each partner you have is ok with the fact that there’s other partners.
Yeah, that’s true.
And you also have to be safe about sexual things too probably, I don’t know. Not for me because I’d get jealous.
It also sounds stressful, it seems stressful too to juggle so many relationships.
Well, a lot of people who are polyamorous have a main partner relationship and then they basically have side chicks, I’ve seen
that. It’s cool but, no.
Not for us. But I respect it

CC: How has your hair affected your life?

My hair has affected my life very much. Growing up I was noticed and pointed out in groups because of my red hair. When I was younger I used to be embarrassed about it because I stuck out like a highlighter in a crowd. Now I embrace the uniqueness and beauty of it.

CC: How has your hair affected your life?

I don’t consider myself a vain
person, ya know I’m not into
makeup and clothes, all that. I
don’t buy name-brand stuff. [During
chemo therapy] a group of friends
went with me to buy a wig so I was
prepared, and I really didn’t think
it was gonna be a big deal. But it
was devastating and that came
as a surprise to me because I just
don’t consider myself a vain person.
[When I lost my hair] I would not let
my husband see me without a scarf
or a hat. I didn’t like the wig, it was
itchy and hot, and so I wound up
mostly wearing scarves and hats.
It totally shocked me that I just
wasn’t prepared for it. [Losing my
hair] hit me more than losing my
breasts. It’s one of those things you
don’t know, and this is where I get
mad at people, you don’t know
what you’re gonna do until you
walk the walk. So, you can’t be so
judgemental of people, that’s the
lesson it taught me.

CC: What are your thoughts on psychedelics?

"I don’t know anything about this (psychedelics). My opinion? Well I know a lot of people did ‘em in The Vietnam War era, ya know the 60s. The famous phrase was “tune in drop out” I think, something like that. And so young people in the age of The Vietnam War in the 60s did a lot of that stuff, I don’t think a lot of people do it anymore. I mean I think those are pretty dangerous, it’s not like marijuana. They can be pretty dangerous. Cause y’know those trips that those people take, they’re not conscious really, they can’t, they don’t know what they’re doing or saying. It’s pretty dangerous, but I’m not a good expert, on this.

I would say from a doctor’s opinion those drugs are not, are like they’re not very well regulated. Y’know people make em in their labs and they’re dangerous and you don’t know what’s gonna happen, it’s not like taking an aspirin right, everyone’s different. They’re all homemade, so they’re, they’re pretty dangerous and people that experiment with them, uh don’t live long usually *laughs* that’s not true but you can’t do it for very long because it’s dangerous."

CC: What are your thoughts on psychedelics?

"In my personal opinion, psychedelics are neither good nor bad. I don't believe that you can label something as either because too much of a good thing can indeed be a bad thing. Water for example; over-hydrating can result in nausea, vomiting, and in rare cases, fatal swelling in the brain. For psychedelics, it's a little different tho\ugh. Each brain reacts differently to drugs as well as which ones are taken. Some find that they can continuously take drugs such as mushrooms, acid, and DMT and continue to have pleasant experiences. As with others, a single bad trip and it’s game over. One thing's for sure though, these drugs permanently alter the way your brain works. 

In my lifetime, I’ve definitely dipped my toes into the sea of drugs, dare I say plunged into the ocean headfirst. I would consider myself a middle man regarding drug use though, because I've used a lot more than some people, but never to the point of no return. psychedelic-wise, I’ve done a good amount of both acid and mushrooms. 

Each experience I've had has been different. Some trips lasted longer than others, depending on which drug I used as well. Acid tends to last a lot longer than shrooms and even though they're both psychedelics, they have very different effects on the mind and body. 

From my experience, I’ve found that psychedelics are incredibly life-changing. I used to use drugs to escape from reality and for a while that worked for me. With psychedelics though, it's a little different. Whatever you're feeling right before you take them with effect your entire trip. One time I was extremely upset, had some mushrooms on hand, and decided that they would make me feel better. horrible decision. for three hours I was tripping balls and filled with so much anxiety that I just kept clicking my heels together and said "there's no place like home, there's no place like home." It's funny now but back then it probably was not the best idea.

I’ve also had some very good trips though. I remember my first time taking shrooms. I kept seeing neon smiley faces pop up like bubbles all over the room and felt overwhelmed by joy. It was a real one-love moment for me.

Whether bad or good, psychedelics definitely affect cognitive brain function. I have learned a lot from taking different variations of them and would not be the person I am today if I hadn't. There are ups and downs to them, but overall you never know what it's all about until you try them. That being said, PLEASE don’t take this as an open invitation to take them. These drugs seriously alter the way you think and to decide on a whim to take some would be foolish. I would love to tell you to just say no to drugs but I'm not that person either. I used to do a lot of them in the past and though I'm sober now, they've deeply contributed to where I am today. If you want to try psychedelics who am I to stop you? My only advice is that if you do, be extremely careful. your surroundings, who you're with, and your mental state will affect you more than you know especially while on psychedelics. "

​

CC: What are you looking forward to in 2021?

“2020 was definitely a hard year for creatives. As a photographer, it took a big toll on my business. In fact, I only did seven photoshoots this entire year. Covid made it unsafe for me to be around people for shoots, and to be honest I didn’t have the motivation to actually go out and take photos or put any effort into my work. This year I plan to change that. With all the bad things going on right now, we all need something that takes our minds away from it, even if it’s just for a little while. Photography is my something. My goal this year is to bring my business back to where it was before the pandemic, and then make it better than it was. I will work hard and build up my skills again and not let myself give up. This entire year I’ve just been giving up and I refuse to let it continue into 2021. I know things aren’t going to suddenly get better when 2020 ends, but I believe if I go into it with a strong, positive mindset, it will make a huge difference in the long run."

​

CC: What are you looking forward to in 2021?

“I like to consider 2020 the “pupal stage”. The whole world essentially went on pause this year. Although many traumas and challenges were created, it also forced us to slow down, allowing time for rest, reflection, and renewal. I personally took a lot of time to dig deep inside and question my true desires, asking myself along the way, “Does this decision help cultivate the life I want to create?” Moving into the new year, I’m excited to continue this practice, feeling refreshed from the reclusive year 2020 has been. I’m hopeful humankind will continue this metamorphosis into 2021, and we will all get an opportunity to spread our big, beautiful wings and live our most creative lives!

​

CC: What is your view on policitcs?

“I think politics and civic literacy have been poorly educated in public spaces and that has left many individuals having a negative perspective of politics whether that be apathy or resentment. I think policy, legislation, and civic engagement have the ability to uplift and empower citizens to take action in their government and societies. However, many people feel that it’s not for them and that politics is only for politicians. Many people also feel that politics is way too corrupt and they are resigned about anything ever changing. I, too, felt apathetic and detached from politics for much of my younger adult life (a product of how privileged I was to not have certain politics attack my immediate quality of life). But when I realized how much it did impact myself and others, I took action to remedy how much of politics I had missed out on. I understand the feelings of hesitancy, fear, cynicism, and detest that may come up at the idea of “politics.” Just because it may have been poorly executed by some bad faith actors, does not mean that politics can’t still be powerful when it’s for and by the people. I think we all want a better world, not just for ourselves and our family, but for every human being who deserves a right to live their life to the fullest. Politics is one the largest and most effective ways that these changes can happen, if we’re all willing to do our part and simply engage.”

CC: What is your favorite Texas beer?

BL: “My favorite Texas beer at the moment is definitely Math Is Hard by Galveston Island Brewing. First off an IPA just hits like no other after a long day in the kitchen. I also find math is hard and know that your greatest success in flavor sometimes comes from miscalculation. It happens all the time with Noodle Ill’e’Gal recipes as I’m sure it does for beer!”

CC: What is your favorite Texas beer?

ES: “I mean .. I love all beer but my go to Texas beer has been Lone Star for as long as I can remember. It’s cheap and good. I’ve made a lot of memories drinkin Lone Star. Some forgotten. Most of the island bartenders typically have a Lone Star cracked with a lime before I even have a chance to order because they’re good like that! When I moved back to Galveston I use to try and stay home and drink Lone Stars for liquid courage and re-learn to skate in my  Galveston “basement.” That lil shit kicker ramp and Lone Star beer got me back into skating again. I then moved a few blocks over to my “garage” where some G-town homies and I built a mini ramp. Unfortunately, a few months ago, after one too many beers, I trashed my knee. May not be able to push around anymore but I still drink Lone Star with a lime on the reg.”

CC: How have tattoos influenced your life?

LN: So, for the record, I definitely don’t think tattoos turned me into who I am but are more of an extension of who I already was. Having tattoos has totally changed the way I look at the world because I know it has changed the way the world looks at me. I’ve had amazing phone interviews with previous potential employers only to be told my tattoos and purple hair wouldn’t be acceptable. I see other moms look me up and down because I definitely don’t look like what they think a typical “Room Mom” might look like. I believe tattoos are slowly becoming more and more mainstream and I’m thankful to work for an amazing organization that values and embraces who I am and how I choose to express myself. To me, it’s all just a new form of art and I love letting my body be the canvas!

CC: Has your race or ethnicity helped or hurt you in any way during your time in Galveston?

C.J.:  “I don’t think it has. I don’t let nothing bother me.”

CC: Has your race or ethnicity helped or hurt you in any way during your time in Galveston??

​

J.B.: "Life has been good and I can credit that to growing up in Galveston. My experiences in the outdoors here have brought me to this humbleness that makes me a peaceful person. You could put me anywhere in this world and because I’m from Galveston, I could survive. I want to make an everlasting impression on every single person I meet. Peacefulness. Humbleness. Galveston, Texas taught me that. Our island is where I learned how to appreciate life, beaches, and palm trees. We live in a spiritual world as spiritual beings where there are no boundaries. Don’t fall for worldly conceptions. Get to know somebody for who they are on the inside.”

CC: What is your view on Galveston's food culture?

​

L.W.: "I love Henry's authentic tortillas and pupusas! I could eat there any day. There are many great places on the island, but Henry's is a family favorite for my kids and I."

CC: What is your view on Galveston's food culture?

​

K.M.: “I am a born and raised Galvestonian and we’ve always had great restaurants in Galveston. One of my favorites is the Mexican food where we have such a huge variety. We have a lot of homemade, homegrown, and family operated businesses. It’s so hard to choose where to eat because there are so

many restaurants. There is a huge proliferation of new restaurants lately probably within the last 12 or 16 months with huge options. I’ve been going to Galveston restaurants my entire life and it has always been great especially with the new ones that pop up as well.”

CC: What is your religion or belief system?

​

D.B.: “I am a Roman Catholic, centered around the belief that God sent his son, Jesus Christ to Earth to preach and help sinners to heaven. We live by Jesus’s teachings to love our neighbors, judge no one, repent for our sins, and love God. I think that the rituals Christ gave early Christians is more valuable in my life than the scripture. We regularly confess sins, receive God’s grace through the sacrament of the Eucharist, and pray.” 

CC: What is your religion or belief system?

​

M.J.: “I’m Baptist, and I believe there is a greater that I choose to call God and the savior Jesus Christ. I believe that we are spiritual beings that need to plug into a source which is God in order to get in line. The mind wants to do what it wants to do. In order to stay submissive, I believe I need to stay closer to the higher power, Jesus Christ.” 

CC: What is your opinion on climate change?

​

A.C.: “If people don’t start protecting the environment now, then later on it’s going to be a serious problem. We’re not gonna know how to handle it. Trump definitely does not know how to handle it.”

CC: What is your opinion on climate change?

​

Andreus.: “Climate change is a big issue. The ice caps are melting, the ozone layer is being torn apart from all the CO2 and other pollution we put into the atmosphere. Working [at the recycling center], we are able to gather plastic and other materials to reuse. Reusing the items people recycle eliminates having to remake plastics and other things, so we are taking a load off the big machinery used in production. It also keeps trash out of the ocean and landfills.”

CC: What is your perspective on marijuana?

​

A.V.: “I’ve been [working at Hazy Daze] almost 3 years. Before starting here, I really didn’t know much about CBD. They legalized it in 2015 but it didn’t really hit the scene too much at that time. But overtime, even just within a year--the selection, the companies--it’s overwhelming. It’s really a flooded market, it’s starting to become a household-type thing. People that would have never walked into this store, or taken three steps in the store and walked right back out--it’s bringing all kinds of diverse customers from all over because they’re seeing results from it.”

CC: What is your perspective on marijuana?

​

S.M.: “I believe that marijuana is useful for a lot of medical uses. I also believe it’s similar to alcohol for relaxation purposes. But I think that like alcohol, it shouldn’t be abused. There is a sort of mindset—a lot of people do the whole “wake and bake” thing—and I think that is kind of like waking up in the morning and taking a drink, I don’t think it’s that healthy.”

CC: What is your perspective on marijuana?

​

Dr. Jackson: “I trained at UTMB to become a doctor. I agree with marijuana being used for medical reasons and I have prescribed it for cancer patients to help with appetite, and for kids with uncontrollable seizures. The kind I prescribe comes in a capsule. It’s called Marinol.”

CC: What does family mean to you?

J.H: “Family is unity and togetherness. One would say family is by blood, but my personal experience family is people who you have a strong connection with both blood and not blood-related.” 

CC: What does family mean to you?

R.S.: “Family to me is a strong bond between people that share love and life together. Family has the highest priority in life for me and there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for my family or cause me to drop everything and focus on my family needs. I think it’s the people in your life you love the most, trust the most, value the most and are the ones you are most loyal to. I have the family I was born in to but I also have the family that I choose: the individuals I want in my life because they mean the most to me. Family to me is when there is an unshakeable and unconditional love between people.”

CC: What was your first intimate encounter?

Thomas: Holding hands or trying to hold hand at least.

Virginia: My mom saw us, and punished me because at the time we weren’t allowed to hold hands or anything. We were supposed to talk with a fence between you and your boyfriend. But she, my mom, saw him holding my hand. She locked me up in my room for a whole day as a punishment.

Thomas: When I tried to hold her hand, her mom noticed it and got upset. All I wanted to do was hold her hand, to show her that I care for her and respected her. I wanted to show her that I wanted to be part of her life. But in Mexico at the time, you couldn’t do that.

Virginia: That was the way to date because with your boyfriend you could only talk, no holding hands, kissing or anything. But this was years ago and we’ve been almost 35 years happily married.

Thomas: And I still do hold her hand without her mom watching, even in the car, watching tv, walking together.

Virginia: Were old and we still hold hands and I think we will forever.
 

CC: How do you define intimacy?

Jadea: It is a good feel for somebody, a good ol’ feeling you wanna give somebody. 

CC: Do you think people need to go to college and why?

Vl: Yes, I feel like people should never stop furthering their education. Life is about learning everything, so that’s why they should always go.

CC: When I say money, how does it make you feel? Good or bad?

FG: It’s not bad. It’s good.

CC: If I gave you $1000, what would you do with it /spend it or save it?

FG: I would spend it.

CC: What would you spend it on?

FG: Like a business, a grocery store, a market.

Tattooing is fun. I love it, never get sick of it. It’s a new challenge every day and it’s fun to meet people and change their lives. I was self-taught, did 9 months of learning, and I was in my first shop. It’s just something I was meant to do, I suppose.

I love my job, I get to meet new people every day. The people from the cruise ships come in and they give you coins that you never have seen before. Seeing all the different coins is pretty cool because my grandfather used to collect coins. 

My motto in life is to live and let live. See God had us. He put us here to enjoy life. He said, you love your enemy and those who are around you. Keep an eye on the ones close to you.

I am from a city called Ahwaz, Iran. I have been taking pictures of people, my family or other things that are around since I was 8 or 9 years old. I took slides and at that time there was no laboratory in my hometown to develop them. So I’d have to send it to the capital and wait for the whole month to come back. I still

have maybe 20 or 30 trays of those slides, and my goal is to put them on a flash drive one day.

 I went to medical school here, at UTMB. ...It was on an island, I like water and being close to the water so it was a good fit. UTMB was a very culturally diverse type of medical school. And people seem to be very friendly so that’s why I chose the school.

I was raised here in Galveston, we were living in Brownsville until my sister got burned, so they sent us to John Sealy over here, and ever since then, I was about seven and we stayed here. 
I’ve been doing roofing for about 20 years, then all my bosses passed away. I was out of a job until I ran into this man right here James Lee, and he got me working with him, and I’m still with him.

CC: Do you think people need to go to college

and why?

GC: Yes, in this day and age it’s a better

opportunity for more money and better

employment.

Been working down here in Galveston for about six years. I’m from Houston Texas. I love living down here seeing all the tourists. I got a family in Mississippi so I travel back and forth a lot.

 She scrunches her nose and peers up at the  C.C. photographers.

 We’ve been open a few months. Straight outta Athens, Texas. Galveston has been good to us.