Michael's 2002 Year-end Wrap-up
December 2002
by Michael Walls

Well, as the year winds down to a close, one can't help but reflect on the past 50 weeks and wonder what it was all about. How do we categorize 2002? Good year? Bad year? More of the same? Well, I guess all these questions depends on what we're referring to. On a personal level, 2002 was good to me and my family. But nobody wants to read about the good things that happen to anybody, so I guess I'll bitch and moan about some things that were not so good.

Trent Lott. This guy is a jackass. I didn't have feelings about him, one way or another, two weeks ago. Mostly because I'm not as politically aware as I should be (but I'm working on it). But because of Lott's obvious and blatantly racist comments, and the press and internet community's ability to pull all of the pieces together and paint a portrait of the true Mr. Lott, I've seen the light. What's really disturbing is how callous and indifferent Lott seems about this whole thing. As if the press and public doesn't have a sense of humor. The people of Mississippi should be embarrassed that they put this guy in office. I believe there are a lot of racists and bigots in politics. But to be a stupid racist, has got to be the worse offense.

Korean Nukes. When did we become so gung-ho about North Korean's ability to develop Nuclear weapons? Was I sleeping? Did this sneak up on anybody else? Why does this have that distinct smell of media manipulation? I appreciate the need to know who might have the capability to attack the U.S. or our allies, and even the need to disarm countries or groups that have or plan to cause harm to us or our allies. But to discuss the possibility of a first strike, and our inability to defend ourselves because of our lack of a space defense system (STAR WARS), sound way to much like a sales pitch. Similar to what the ADT Home Protection guy said when I told him I'd "think about it". He said, "Well, hope you don't get robbed while you're thinking about it." Sounds to me like Bush Jr. has got his Director of Sales out selling Star Wars (The Sequel) to any TV camera or Journalist willing to listen.

Iraq. Look, I don't trust Iraq either. Saddam Hussein is as evil as they come. But the Bush Team reminds me of those cops on that controversial TV show, "The Shield". Where the cops' intentions are good ("catch the bad guys…") but methods are questionable ("…at any cost"). Meaning, find evidence of wrong doing, even if it's not there; put the bloody glove on Iraq, even if it doesn't fit.

It's been proven over and over again, that massive attacks on rouge nations doesn't work. We bombed the hell out of Afghanistan, and still didn't get Bin Ladin. Hussein will just stock pile his weapons in schools and hospitals and we'll bomb the hell out of them and look like the bad guys again.

Personally, I'm all for the cold war days of spy versus spy, government infiltration, leadership assassinations, while keeping the public unaware, tactics. Hey, it's unethical and illegal, and usually leads to some sort of underworld war, motivated by money. But you know what? I believe a lot less innocent people would be killed.

Television. TV programming hit an all time low this year, in my book. As far as I can tell, the only choices we have on TV in the evening are, fixed reality dramas, one of the nine or so "Law & Order" spin-offs, or sitcom's featuring washed up movie stars.

I long ago realized that TV caters to the lowest common denominator, because the "stupid" are the majority shareholders in this country. But these reality shows really hammer the obvious point that most Americans are so stupid and bored with their lives, that they'll watch other stupid people's lives and believe that everything they say or do is real.

I use to enjoy the original "Law & Order" but ever since they took off Angie Harmon, I don't watch anymore. The spin-offs are lame.

I'm left with sitcom hell. At least there isn't much commitment on my part. I can sit down and watch any sitcom (either from the begin or anywhere inbetween) and not have to ask anybody "what's going on?" or "who is that guy?" It's mindless drivel that if it induces a couple of chuckles, then it has done it's job. But, I'm sorry, I can't watch James Belushi or Jack Ritter or Jami Gertz try and revive their careers in front of a studio audience.

All I can say is – thank God for SportsCenter. Possibly the best writing on television.

Weather. Global warming, my ass. Frozen ass, that is. As far as I've read, long before we manage to burn completely through the ozone layer, we'll be hit with a meteor or an ice age or both. So, the good news is – no more recycling necessary. The bad news – better stock up on antifreeze.

Economy. Well, my portfolio is almost back down to where I started when I began investing 7 or 8 years ago. It was a fun little trial run. I got to experience all of the emotions of the entire process. Cautiously experimental, obliviously reckless, uncontrollably distraught. I think it was a very educational learning experience, and I'm glad it happened now, while I'm still young.

As far as my outlook on the economy; a friend in "the business" once gave me some advice that I though was pretty sensible. He said, "the trend is your friend". Meaning, a couple of "up" weeks doesn't make a trend. Don't rush into something because you're trying to get "into it on the low end", or "out of it on the high end". Wait for an obvious trend. Right now the markets seem to be in a balance, maybe creeping up a bit. And even though I may miss the bottom, I'm still hanging in the wings and waiting to see if there is a definite upwards trend.

Sports. Football just doesn't seem to have the same spark that it use to. I'll admit, it may have something to do with my team, the NY Jets, having a lackluster year. But I think it may have more to do with the fact that all the classic quarterbacks are gone. I use to be able to watch any professional Football matchup. It was always a treat to see Marino, or Elway, or Montana, or Young, play football. It didn't matter whether you liked the matchup or not. But now, we're stuck with the "quarterbacks of the future", who for the most part are just running for their lives, since the defensive line has become a much more dominant factor in the game. Yeah, we've got Manning, and Brady, and a couple of guys named Vick and Brees. But I still can't help but appreciate a classic, gritty quarterback like Brett Favre.

The baseball season came and went and even though the Yankees got bounced in the first round of playoffs, I still enjoyed the rest of the season. I enjoyed the re-emergence of the dominant pitcher this year. A new crop of youngsters that will only get better as their careers continue. Guys like Washburn, Zito, Hudson, Padilla, Morris - all ready to take the torch from aging hall-of-famers like Clemens, Glavine, Johnson and Schilling. And even though most fans and TV sports shows prefer the hit parades from guys like Bonds and Giambi, I personally enjoy a good ol' fashion pitching duel.

Music. Depending on where you get your music, 2002 could have been a downer for you. I could probably count on one hand the number of times I turned to the radio for some music this year. The few times I did turn on the radio, I was usually shocked and amazed that radio stations are still playing ZZ Top and Thin Lizzy in regular rotation. Most of my music moments came from my CD collection (see Time Machine) or from the stack of indie artist CDs sitting on my desk, waiting to be listened to and reviewed. And although a majority of the indie CDs I listen to are crap, I still prefer listening to them over risking my ears to radioland.

I probably listened to over 200 indie artists this year. Out of that 200, I found probably 20 of them interesting or enjoyable. Out of that 20, I found maybe 5 outstanding enough to write a review about. (My 10 most listened to CDs of 2002 can be found in my Blog this week.)

* * *

The year went quick. We'll be two or three months into '03 before I will finally begin to accept it and stop writing '02 on my checks. Overall, I think the year went well. We managed to move on after 9/11/01, even when, at the time, we thought we'd never get past it. This country has some issues, as it always has and always will, but there's no other place I'd rather be. You look at the issues facing other countries and you have to thank your lucky stars at the minor challenges we face as a nation.

I'm looking forward to 2003 – even though I'm facing a 35th birthday, which scares me, because I remember throwing my father a 35th birthday party. And he was old. Or so I thought.

Happy holidays and best of luck to all in the new year!

(Michael Walls is a volunteer staff writer for 2 Walls Webzine)