by Sari Krosinsky
Daily Lobo columnist
To my darling sister, 2003:
Well, it's almost time for you to start your rotation. I just thought I'd give you a few sisterly cautions, so you'll have some idea what you're in for.
My term started off with a great many drunk people. Some of them were kind of annoying, but generally they were just sort of amusing. For a few days after that, there were a lot of people running around returning things and buying things. It was a bit unsettling, if you ask me.
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From what our sister, 2000, says, there's a reasonably good chance that some people will declare your year the beginning of Armageddon. That seems to have been happening every year since her term. You'll probably hear something about various things portending the end of the world or having been predicted by some prophet or other. Don't pay them any mind. The end of the world will come when it will come, and there are other things much better worth worrying about.
I've had quite the eventful term. I'll most likely be remembered for the events in Afghanistan, which I shared with our sister, 2001. It's looking like things will be equally eventful for you. Though public opinion in the countries involved seems to be going against continuing war, the politicians keep murmuring about Iraq. I wish the best for you, but fear the worst. War will certainly make you memorable, but if that's the only way to be remembered, I'd rather be forgotten.
In the United States, the war mongering has been accompanied by the usual flood of bills restricting civil liberties. You should expect to see some of those on the docket on your arrival. From those laws already in place in the United States and Canada, a number of immigrants have been locked up and deported without due process. Expect to see more of that as well.
You'll have to suffer an election. This will entail a few people saying very mean things about each other and bragging about the wars they've incited or the people they've caused to be locked up -- and you know what I think about that. Eventually, some of those people will get elected, and they will do some good things and some bad things, as is the usual way, and most other people will be more disillusioned with the whole process than they were to begin with.
In the Middle East, people have been killing other people, and all of them claim to be holier or more right than all the rest. According to our sister, 2001, this has been going on for quite some time, and is not likely to get any better in your term.
Our courier asked me to address some issues of particular concern to the University of New Mexico. The state legislature will be deciding on a budget, and our courier predicts that this will result in a tuition increase. There was a tuition increase during my term, and several of the sisters that served just before me mentioned having the same occur during their terms, so I don't think that's likely. They can't increase it so soon again, can they?
Also, the Communication and Journalism Department will be losing accreditation. There will probably be a great deal of ruckus about that.
Our sisters 1999, 2000, 2001 and I have seen quite a few protests during our terms. I hope you get to see some, too. They're kind of entertaining.
I have seen such things as the above, and many more. But take heart, dear sister. These are not the things you'll see the most of. On an average day, most people will spend their time caring for their family and friends and loved ones, working and just trying to find something good in the midst of the insanity of the larger world. If you pay attention to those little things, whatever they remember you for hereafter, your memories may well be good.
Sincerely,
Your loving sister, 2002
If you have any messages for the years 2002 or 2003, please send it care of Sari Krosinsky to michal_kro@hotmail.com.
