2004

My reflection on last year was way too hurried to be thorough enough for my tastes. So I'm going to go back to last year in order to recap some major political events and my own personal life.

In the news, the USA's political process captured an unprecedented amount of both domestic and international attention. Never before had the world become so polarized over two people whose political ideologies were almost the same. As I predicted, George W. Bush won a second term. Not surprisingly, both he and John Kerry received more votes than any other presidential candidates in U.S. history. Conservatives were elated; liberals, along with most of the international community, was devastated. To put it mildly, Bush has a great deal of work ahead of him. His policies of rampant spending and tax-cutting have left the dollar extremely weak, and America's national debt and deficits at all-time highs. This has left the entire world economy unbalanced.

The Middle East continued to be a sore spot, with the pain primarily emanating from Iraq and Israel. Yasser Arafat finally kicked the bucket, leaving a Palestinian leadership vacuum. Obviously, the war in Iraq continues to haunt the Middle East as well. Widespread violence has stymied U.S. efforts to bring stability to a nation that actually had more stability -- and freedom -- under Saddam Hussein than it does today. Could Iraq end up better off than they were before the U.S. invasion? Sure. But is Iraq better off today? Absolutely not. The U.S. armed forces have censored the Iraqi press and set up an interim government without input from the Iraqi people. They also continue to imprison suspected terrorists without trial in different parts of the world, including Iraqis. The USA may be there in part to create another democracy, but there are few signs of progress in that regard. Afghanistan is actually much farther along.

Speaking of Afghanistan, the country continues to be wracked by violence. However, it is in sigificantly better shape than Iraq was largely due to compromises reached with warlords. Major progress included democratic elections, and President Hamid Karzai's almost supernatural ability to stay alive despite several attempts on his life. I don't know how he's pulling it off, but it's incredible.

Violence in Sudan and the DRC continue to go largely ignored by the West, despite the fact that the Sudan crisis may be the most horrible ongoing spate of genocide-style violence the world has seen in at least the last 5 years. The world desperately needs an "Operation Sudanese Freedom" -- and has needed one for quite some time now. Liberia and Sierra Leone continue to harbor widespread violence, and the Ivory Coast has plunged headlong into civil war. Australia continues to support East Timor in its bid to sustain independence.

South Africa celebrated 10 years of democracy since the fall of apartheid. It has become Africa's model nation despite still-crippling poverty, obscene levels of crime and a spiraling AIDS crisis that is affecting most of Africa. Between 20 and 33 percent of all South Africans are HIV positive, yet 89% of South Africans do not practice safe sex.

Russia continued to slip back into old-school Soviet-style methods of dealing with conflict. Putin's crisis management techniques seem to be based on the idea that everybody dies. Kinda scary if you're Russian. He has responded to two different terrorist/hostage situations this way, and responded to a submarien crisis in a similar fashion. At the same time, he is building up Russia's nuclear defense systems and arsenal. Gulp.

China officially became The Most Important Country In The World. Yes, the U.S. still has a greater combined economic, technological and (non-conventional)military edge. But China's economy will soon surpass the U.S.'s own, if it hasn't already, in importance. And in technology, China may have already flown by the States.

A tsunami of epic proportions devastated Southeast Asia right at the end of the year. Hundreds of thousands of people have died, but help is on the way. The world seems much more willing to respond to crises of this nature.

There was also quite a bit of good news last year. In general, the world is becoming safer, cleaner, and more free. Seriously.

In music, Kanye West rewrote the rules of popular music by being popular, critically-acclaimed and meaningful all at once. Oh, and U2 released yet another overhyped album. The recording industry continued to fight a losing battle against technology and progress.

In sports, the Redskins got their most beloved coach and one of the best in NFL history back. He didn't have a successful season, finishing at 6-10. I didn't think they'd make the playoffs, but I didn't think they'd be this bad either. However, there's hope in the future. For the first time, the team won't dramatically overhaul the roster. They'll have a chance to develop some team chemistry, and fill in missing pieces with the same coaches. Most importantly, they played hard every single game despite their record and the odds against them. That alone is reason to hope; the Redskins haven't played this way for an entire season in almost a decade.

The Boston Red Sox won the World Series, ending an 86-year drought and defeating the New York Yankees, who officially became The Most Hated Team In American Professional Sports with their ridiculous spending and at-will changes. Then, the Most Successful Sports Franchise in American History performed The Biggest Choke In Sports History by winning the first 3 games in a 7-game series, being one out away from sweeping the Red Sox in 4...then proceeding to lose the next 4 games and the series, 4 games to 3.

The Detroit Pistons beat Shaq, Kobe and the way-overrated and dysfunctional Los Angeles Lakers, in what was dubbed by some as "the first 5-game sweep" in sports history. Detroit exemplified teamwork, while the Lakers typified individualism and egos run amok. It was great to watch, even from South Africa and without a television. After the series, Kobe forced the Lakers to get rid of Phil Jackson and to trade franchise player Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat, touching off a huge rivalry and leading to Bill Simmons' creation of the Vengeance Scale.

Finally, perhaps the most important sportswriter in U.S. sports history passed away. Ralph Wiley was too young and healthy to leave us so soon, but he left a legacy that will not be forgotten. ESPN posted a tribute to him, has left his archives up, and posted another tribute at the end of 2004. His last column almost makes me want to cry. I still miss him.


In my own life, I moved to Johannesburg, South Africa after living in Arlington, VA (D.C.) for 3 months. I finally got to use my Master's Degree in Organizational Psychology the way it was meant to be used. I completed a 6-month research project in 5 months, and left behind data and technology that the company will continue to use after I'm gone. In short, I accomplished more in that timespan than I have at any other job I've had, regardless of duration. Why? Because I was given the ball and actually allowed to run with it in a subject I'm interested in.

Then I shifted to the parent company, and successfully completed another research project consisting of information that will be used after I'm gone. This whole 'accomplishing valuable, noteworthy and lasting goals at work' thing is a whole new ballgame for me. I think I rather like it. Let's pray it continues.

I set out to be in South Africa for a year, even though my initial contract was only for 6 months. I needed it to last a year, for resume and value reasons. I'll be leaving after a year, having surpassed my goals coming into a very unknown situation. Mission accomplished.

I got to know a new place -- one that I have very mixed feelings about. My experience with the program is something I'll analyze once I'm back home and the situation ends. I'm speaking more of Johannesburg, South Africa and Southern Africa.

Last year I visited or lived in 3 new countries: South Africa, Lesotho and Mozambique. Within South Africa, I visited Mpumalanga, Northern (Limpopo) Province, Western Cape/Cape Town and Free State. I saw Kruger National Park, Dullstrom, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, Pilgrim's Rest, Sabie, Hazyview, Komatipoort, and many more places. Cape Town managed to turn my perceptions of South Africa upside down.

I had no real bed (when I arrived), no television, no air conditioning or heating, and one bathroom for 12 people. My first room was shared by two other guys. That stuff I could handle. What punched me in the stomach and across my face was the shock of living in a crime-infested, deeply divided society that has not really defined its own identity yet -- and is still coping with new political and social realities. In spite of my general discomfort, I made many new friends and had a lot of unforgettable experiences. In the beginning, Arthur, Rob J and Ron. But there would be many more to come.

I met Amelia, who I am still with, and my relationship with her became my longest and most significant to date. I found out what it's like to live with someone you're dating, while both people adjust to a very unfamiliar and hostile environment. I learned about reserves of tolerance I never knew I'd be able to display in such harsh circumstances.

I wrote one poem since arriving in SA, maybe two. But I did manage to read Dante's Divine Comedy.

I spent my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's outside America for the first time. I missed the weddings of two close friends, Tom and Knoll. I missed being in Tom's wedding party. I sacrificed going to another wedding (Katie's) the previous summer for no reason, as it turned out. I also missed Lisa's wedding. Noah, Cindy and Tom(my) got engaged.

Ina became one of my closest friends in D.C., someone I could really count on. Eva got married to Doug in Michigan, and Ed and I were alongside them. I went back to Ann Arbor to visit the town of my alma mater.

Through it all, I kept moving...but not as much as the previous year. Only one major move, really. But boy, was it big. I'm a bit tired of it...but that's a story for the next entry.

Next up: 2005. Predictions, and my own goals.

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