2003 — The Year In Retrospect

Edition #52 — January 7, 2004

Cop selling heroin, cocaine and ecstasy

The condensed version of this theme would read: "2003 mostly sucked, but some parts sucked less". But then I'd have written my shortest newsletter ever, and that just wouldn't be ethical.

I can sum up the type of year it's been by a recent news event. On Monday a Toronto police officer with 15 years on the force was arrested for trafficking heroin, cocaine and ecstasy. Today, 6 more of his buddies are expected to surrender themselves to "justice" (whatever that means nowadays). Aside from guaranteeing that their jobs don't become obsolete by selling drugs during the day so they have addicts to bust at night — it shows you how commonplace hypocrisy is in our society. But then again, when one is always around crime, it must take incredible resistance not to be morally corrupted. Still, having criminals in the police force seems truly absurd. Speaking of which...

Amongst his many absurdities of 2003, US president George Bush dressed up as an air force pilot and declared "mission accomplished" to the news media. The next day, the guys who were actually fighting the war had to go back to work while Bush, no doubt, dined in peace with Washington royalty. Making peace requires a lot of bloodshed. Meanwhile Bush Pal and Vice President, Dick Cheney's corporate buddies were exposed as having ripped off the Pentagon by 53 million dollars, overcharging the war efforts need for fuel. The solution? Extend their supply contract until June 2004.

Absurd.

Suffering

I think that a lot of people suffered in 2003. It seems that many of my friends and acquaintances went through some softcore version of hell this year, either physically or emotionally. I knew something was up when that bunny died in my arms in the spring time. It was an omen. I also had some symptoms which had me wondering whether my own end was near. Course I never found out — I didn't see a doctor. Figure I'm still breathing — that's always a good sign. If I die, I'll let you know...

I think a lot of us went through some form of crisis on one level or another in 2003. I overheard a woman I know talking to someone else about what a struggle this year is for her and many of her friends. That was a confirmation that 2003 was suspiciously less than completely joyous for many. Trial by fire — got a match?

But Then Again

Looking back, I also realize that 2003 was a banner year for me creatively. I had some huge output behind the scenes. I wrote many new songs while recording demos for my older material. Listening to them I feel like everything inside me is catching fire — a good fire! I can't believe how good these songs are turning out, especially in light of what I brought to the table for some of them at the beginning of this process. These songs are alive — it really feels like there's magic in the air. Well, at least in my room.

I've sort of set a "tentative" deadline that I would release an album by the end of 2004. I've got enough material for about three albums. It's a major undertaking to write and record this music alone, I have to be producer, engineer, and performer of every instrument from drums to bass, keyboards, vocals, etc. But hey — I guess that's why they gave me this assignment!

I also managed to squeeze in creating some screensavers for future release, redesigning my website, making a few bucks here and there and also playing some local gigs with the Rick Justice Band when they returned to Toronto.

I can't complain: if there's been a showdown between the dark and the light this year, then I figure I've come out ahead. Like I said, I'm still breathing...

Best of all, I never donned a pilot suit — or any other form of costume — and lied through my teeth to get through another day. I figure compared to George Bush, I'm having a very successful year.

Me? Apologizing For Reality TV?

I think I recently made peace with reality tv — which I'm generally disgusted with. Why the disgust? Largely for it's ability to herd viewers like lemmings to the brink of yet another meaningless outcome while excessively loud tv commercials blast us with ads for more worthless shit which has suddenly become relevant and necessary because of the actors on the show — muscular abs; a New Kids On The Block goatee; hair styled purposefully jagged and messy, an SUV, cheap wine and, of course, wart remover for afterwards...

Yet in a recent discussion with a friend, I was in the role of apologist for reality tv and he was the one complaining about it. Talk about a shape shifter! I was actually surprised by what I heard myself saying to him — and I guess I had to listen to my own advice cause otherwise I might as well put that pilot's uniform on and start smiling like a George.

Based on what I said, I guess I've determined that reality tv is necessary group therapy to help us all further demystify the world. It's a natural extension of the Jerry Springer "airing our uglies in public" phenomenon. We get to see people from all walks of life in different settings and with various motives interacting with others. Sure, there's a lot of editing, but at least we can see aspects of ourselves in the people we're watching. It's not Baywatch — endless blondes for no reason - or worse, David Hasselhoff talking to an intelligent crime busting sports car.

But let's consider that concept: TV has ALWAYS been scripted and edited so that what you saw was a amplified and distorted version of all our social myths concerning technology, wealth, crime, etc. Every second of every show was ACTORS creating an ILLUSION. Nowadays, even though each reality show cast must include the prerequisite two black people, one Asian, one blatant homosexual, two Barbies, one Ken and a slightly rugged looking matriarch who may have some post-secondary lesbian experience, at least we're being better represented. Heck, even Paris Hilton has shown us that you can't tell if someone's rich when they're naked and eating a hot dog under green light.

We can't get away from the fact that every generation will parade it's latest versions of David Hasselhoff's and Farrah Fawcette's, like the Lana Turner's and Clark Gable's were paraded before them, but at least we're seeing more of our own kind being represented out there in some real life situations — luxurious castles with butlers, surrounded by 25 hot young women who all want you, etc.

However, I have yet to see a decent "Roland" type character being represented on tv. Maybe that's coming next season...

BYE!

Roland Kriewaldt


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