| It's New Year's Eve at a crowded city pub. Armed with a few simple questions and a tape recorder, Good Listener gives Calgarians the chance to define the year gone by.
The music is pumping and the drinks are flowing. A chubby young woman is waving a free hand and slapping her posterior in time to the music. She's too engrossed in revelry to comment, but there are plenty of merry-makers eager to dis’ the year that stole their smoking and wanking privileges.
Monika with a 'K.' Age 22. Student
GL: What was the most important Calgary news story of 2002?
M: That whole Iraq thing with the United States.
GL: In three words, how would you describe Calgary in 2002?
M: Paranoid very much.
GL: Who was the most important Calgarian of the year?
M: Monika with a K! You know why? 'Cause she will lead the revolution!
Christian. Age 24. Unemployed.
GL: Who was the most important Calgarian of 2002?
C: Ralph Klein.
GL: What was the most important Calgary news story of 2002?
C: To be honest with you I'm not from Calgary. I got here today, man. I'm from Winnipeg.
L: What was the year's most important Winnipeg news story?
C: I'd say the smoking bylaw.
GL: Are you…?
C: Pissed off? Yeah. (Winnipeggers) have to smoke outside. It's very cold. It's much nicer here in Calgary. I'm starting a new life, getting a new job, a place.
GL: What is Calgary's best feature?
C: The nightlife.
Shane. Age 29. Human resources specialist.
GL: What was the most important Calgary news story of 2002?
S: Huevos Rancheros broke up.
GL: Who was the most important Calgarian?
S: Me! Gimme a tough one!
GL: What was the most important civic bylaw enacted by city council this year?
S: No wankin' off in the park up the street from the Ship and Anchor.
Malcolm. Age 31. Computer programmer.
GL: Who was the most important Calgarian of 2002?
M: Dave Bronconnier.
GL: The most important Calgary news story of 2002?
M: G8 Summit.
GL: Calgary 2002 in three words?
M: City in recovery.
Anu. Age 32. Pension analyst.
GL: In three words, how would you describe Calgary in 2002?
A: It's a blast? It's a lot of fun? Stampede? I dunno. It's the best place to live. I love Calgary.
GL: Who was the most important Calgarian of the year?
A: Jarome Iginla.
GL: What did you do that was of great importance in 2002?
A: I bought a house.
GL: Congratulations.
A and GL in unison: Woooooooo!
Richard. Age 28. Construction worker.
GL: What was the most important Calgary news story of 2002?
R: Whoa. More importance placed on transportation, the construction of roads than education, poverty and health.
GL: Calgary 2002 in three words?
R: All screwed up.
GL: What was the best thing you did this year?
R: Waved goodbye to 2002. It was all fucked up.
Jean. Age 28. Auctioneer.
GL: How was 2002 different from 2001 for you as a Calgarian?
G: 2002 was different because I was divorced by the end of 2002, whereas in 2001 I still had a lovely wife and two lovely kids.
GL: What was the best thing you did in 2002?
G: I slept with women other than my wife. Ex-wife.
GL: Calgary in 2002 in three words?
G: Lord why me?
Lola. Age 42. Seamstress.
GL: What was the most important Calgary news story of 2002?
L: It had something to do with healthcare.
GL: How would you describe your personal fortunes in 2002?
L: They've gone entirely downhill because of the downhill turn in healthcare.
GL: Calgary 2002 in three words?
L: Calgary sucks a lot.
Caribou. Age 25. Ski instructor.
GL: What was the most important Calgary news story of 2002?
C: The defining news issue was when that ski shop closed. That was a big deal.
GL: Calgary 2002 in three words?
C: Ralph Klein sucks!
GL: The most important civic bylaw enacted by city council this year?
C: Like a rule? That smoking thing. That you can't smoke. But it's not going to happen for a while.
Lisa. Age 32. Declines to give occupation.
GL: Who was the most important Calgarian of 2002?
L: I don't know.
GL: How will you remember 2002?
L: The year I went to China. I might remember that.
GL: Did you drink on the trip?
L: Ha ha ha!
GL: The most important Calgary news story of the year?
L: I don't know.
GL: Do you remember anything from 2002?
L: Like what? |
