May, 2010 has been a good example of why living in Santa Cruz is so awesome. I'm not just talking about the nice weather, but rather, the events that take place here, on our world stage.May started out with a roar when during a May Day march, a clan of darkly dressed, masked and hooded hoodlums smashed out many shop windows on Pacific Avenue. Some conservatives blamed rioting Latinos for the damage that was estimated to be over one million dollars. The local media pointed fingers at a group of anarchists, while others have suggested that the riot was masterminded by the budget-cut suffering police department in an attempt to save their jobs. Some have even speculated that the Santa Cruz Down Town Association created the event to draw attention to problems there, and establish a greater police presence. One of the biggest issues is that we don't know who orchestrated the May Daze event. But, officials have decided that there will be no law enforcement layoffs, and a greater police presence down town. Yay!
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The Santa Cruz Film Festival is always fun, and there are always lots of wonderful films to watch. I attended 8: the Mormon Proposition, a rather mean-spirited propaganda piece that blames the Latter-day Saints for everything from fixing California elections to teenage suicides. The film made it seem as though Mormons are completely brainwashed robots who carry out the will of a dark overlord.* I wish the film had been more honest and truthful, but it's difficult to remain objective and emotional at the same time. It was sad to see how LDS Church leaders were unfairly portrayed in the film. It wasn't necessary to distort their faces as they spoke. Good spin effect though. They seemed so spooky. Imagine the outcry if the foe were on the other shoot.
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Amgen came to Santa Cruz on Tuesday, May 18, and turned the town into a bustling bike party.
Dark clouds in the distance appeared threatening, but a sunny sky prevailed all day. 
Soon, thousands of people were lined up to witness the finish of round three of America's favorite cycle race. 
A Lance Armstrong fan waved her little sign in support of her hero. +
On Friday, May 21, I went to see a Flock of Seagulls play live at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
I love seeing punks on beaches. I photographed these two enjoying the 21st century version of new wave. Does that make it old wave now? Or old-school, new wave? Or...? 
An actual large flock of seagulls flew overhead as A Flock of Seagulls played their first number. I saw this band at the Us Festival way back in 1983. I shant say more. 
+The Steady Ed Memorial Masters Cup Tournament came to the De Laveaga Disc Golf Course last weekend, (May 21-23).
The worlds greatest disc golfers battled it out for three days. 
This was the best drive I have ever witnessed on #7. The disc came to rest directly under the basket. Nice chuck!
Putting for birdie. +
On May 23, I attended Cabrillo Chorale at Cabrillo College. I was impressed with the lovely new addition to the music department. The musical performance and the new building were equally beautiful. Bravo!
I call this My Imaginary Friends Ensemble
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Mountain Animal Hospital, one of my favorite local bands, played at the Crepe Place on Thursday, May 27. This show celebrated the release of their second CD, called Better Children.
The new music sounded great. The instruments were crystal clear, and the vocal harmonies were inspiring.
Most folks say that Mountain Animal Hospital's genre falls somewhere between progressive and indie. The name of the band suggests a poke at indie band names that so often possess an animal theme, like Vox Jaguars, Deer Tick and Giraffes? Giraffes!. Perhaps Mountain Animal Hospital can provide relief to some sufferers of contemporary musical maladies. 
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Thousands of folks from every land came to Santa Cruz this weekend to enjoy some perfect weather, gnarly surf, fine food and some laid back locals for the Memorial Day weekend. Everyone wants to be in Santa Cruz. Got Cruz?
* I spent much of my childhood in Utah, and in my experience, the church isn't nearly as influential as folks would like to believe. As I recall, the number one, most important thing to most Utahn's, is sports. Yes, the inflated ball reigns supreme in the Beehive State. The second most important thing to Utahns is prescription drugs and doctors. Athletes are gods, and doctors are elevated to a position higher than high priests. Utahns also like sweets and snacks, and consume more sugar than any other state, so naturally, the children (and of course, there are a lot of 'em) are a bit hyperactive. But rather than removing the sugar from the child's diet, to deal with the hyperactivity, lots of Utahns tend to medicate them with drugs for ADD and ADHD, etc. beginning a life-long attitude toward acceptance of medication. When these sugar-charged medicated kids get older, they end up on psychosis-inducing psychotropic drugs that too often lead to suicide. Don't blame it on the LDS Church leaders though. Put the blame where it squarely rests, on the doctors and pharmaceutical industry.
10 comments:
Your brief explanation of "mormonism" and what is most important to them is totally offbase.
"The second most important thing presecription drugs....?" I think not. You make it sound like we Mormons seek to be prescription drug abusers. I personally do not know one child who is on a drug for hyperactivity. And we certainly do not believe that doctors are Gods. You make us sound like a bunch of idiots!
The overall (Utah) culture is one of the most educated in the country. Where else could you say that many of their people speak two languages and are cultured in the arts (piano, musical instruments, dance etc.) When other college graduates from the other universities in Utah have been struggling to land jobs in today's market, the BYU graduate has been sought after.
The LDS Church does more good around the world than anyone knows. They are always one of the first organizations to provide relief in a disaster.
Individual people within the church have problems with prescription drugs, etc. That is their specific struggle. It is not the "Church". There is a big difference. The Church strives to teach its members to do good and to make good choices. Individuals have their choice to do what they want.
KRMF - No argument, the church does more to provide disaster relief and assistance than anyone else... usually behind the scenes without any fanfare.
As for drugs and Mormons, I am speaking specifically about Utah Mormons, who are a different breed from Mormons who live outside the Zion Curtain. I don't think Utahns strive to be prescription drug abusers... rather, it is a result of putting so much faith in their doctors who like to prescribe meds because they are receiving kickbacks from drug companies based on how many drugs they prescribe. I have filled thousands of prescriptions at what was then the largest pharmacy in Utah, so I have a good idea how many drugs people take there. It isn't uncommon for one person to be on ten or more medications at the same time. imho, one is too many.
Generalizing about 1,884,377 Utah Mormons?... Just sayin'
How about instead of "Got Cruz" say "Get Cruzing".
krmf - I obviously haven't been clear enough on this sensitive topic. Let me say this, when I lived in Utah, (it has been fifteen years so maybe things have changed a bit), 1 -Ritalin was being prescribed in Utah more than any other state, per capita. 2 - Prozac was given the nickname, Sandy Candy, because of its popularity in Utah, (Sandy is a city in Utah). It was determined that over forty percent of Utahns were taking Prozac before the introduction of Zoloft and later psychotropics. 3 - The US Congressional hearings on Prozac's safety revealed that the commonly prescribed medication caused psychosis in 4% of those who take it. You pointed out that Utah has a population of nearly two-million. That would mean that more than 72,000 Utahns were taking Prozac, and that nearly three thousand (the 4%) were experiencing some kind of psychosis as a side effect from the drug. Out of those nearly three thousand, some, not all, but far too many, committed suicide. The movie, 8 the Mormon Proposition, pointed out that the Utah suicide rate is among the highest in the nation, and attempted to blame it on the church's closed minded attitude towards homosexuality. I am saying that the suicide problem in Utah, (and even beyond, but especially in Utah), is linked to psychotropic drugs, and not gay oppression, as the film would have you believe.
Dave - Good idea! Get Cruzing it is.
I unwittingly watched the riot footage with The Stooges' "Ann" as a soundtrack. Crazy, man. I'm still jealous you live there. Love that place, although I haven't seen it in 22 years. I just stole your Keep Tooele Punk sticker. Hope that's okay. Where is that from?
hi--i just inadvertently posted as my kid. writermama is the one who swiped your tooele sticker.
Dear Karen and Craig: Love that you can disagree. If Billy and I did that, I would definitely be on said Prozac/Zoloft/ etc. I am a school teacher, therefore I applaud most ADD students who take meds. Serious. If the parent isn't going to be responsible enough to adapt to a sugar free/wheat free/dairy free diet, then help the poor little farts with something. I have seen many kids whose medications for ADD/HD have helped them focus and concentrate. It's made a big difference to many. Please don't argue with me or I will have to get my prescription filled. Love you both! Jan
I know this aint BIG on your list
off things to accomplish... or is it?
Yet... Y is it that so few people
inherit extravagant Seventh-Heaven?
Lemme x-plane how mucha wanna betcha:
Lissen to wisdom, earthling:
1-outta-1 bites-the-dust, thus,
everyone of U.S. has an indelible soul.
While the body rots in the grave,
the soul rises to meet their Maker.
Thus, Death, Judgement,
Heaven or Hell
await U.S. all.
And dats da fak, Jak.
What we all should be thinking about
everyday in this finite existence
or at leeest in the back of our minds...
yet, how many actually do?
How many expect Jesus to have mercy on them when they worship the whorizontal
and croak expecting Seventh-Heaven??
Precisely why Im here:
many of U.S. have completely forgotten
our morality and mortality.
Lissen to wisdom, earthling:
this finite existence is only a test,
which Almighty God has produced to see
if we mortals have the kohoneys
to reach Seventh-Heaven.
Make Your Choice -SAW
Im an NDE.
I know what's up.
Literally.
I know this aint BIG on your list
off things to accomplish... or is it?
Yet... Y is it that so few people
inherit extravagant Seventh-Heaven?
Lemme x-plane how mucha wanna betcha:
Lissen to wisdom, earthling:
1-outta-1 bites-the-dust, thus,
everyone of U.S. has an indelible soul.
While the body rots in the grave,
the soul rises to meet their Maker.
Thus, Death, Judgement,
Heaven or Hell
await U.S. all.
And dats da fak, Jak.
What we all should be thinking about
everyday in this finite existence
or at leeest in the back of our minds...
yet, how many actually do?
How many expect Jesus to have mercy on them when they worship the whorizontal
and croak expecting Seventh-Heaven??
Precisely why Im here:
many of U.S. have completely forgotten
our morality and mortality.
Lissen to wisdom, earthling:
this finite existence is only a test,
which Almighty God has produced to see
if we mortals have the kohoneys
to reach Seventh-Heaven.
Make Your Choice -SAW
Im an NDE.
I know what's up.
Literally.
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