rants and observations

Most residents of British Columbia and Canada are aware how BC Bud has grown and prospered in this province from it’s early beginnings in the Gulf Island hippy communites to the present billion dollar underground industry. Our bud is know the world over for it’s quality and potency. But what about the United States? Ah…yes, our friends to the north. Well fear not as they have a thriving industry of their own whether the FDA, FBI and local law officials like it or not.

If you’re a guitar player (like me) you’re very aware of the Fender Stratocaster, Leo Fender’s iconic guitar introduced in 1954 and since utilized and endorsed by top players around the world. The Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul, SG and Flying V are the most recognizable guitars and coveted by amateur and professional musicians everywhere. Forget those dorky video games…nothing says Rock Star like one of these guitars running through a nasty big amp with the volume set to 11.

On most days, Jerry Dzikowicz hung out on the median at the corner of Hastings and Cassiar, wearing a bright fluorescent safety vest and waving at passing cars. To some he was known as The King of Cassiar, to others simply that nut the waved to drivers. He had his own page on Facebook and Mike McCardell did a couple of his short stories about Jerry but didn’t offer too much information as to where he was from and why he stood on Cassiar waving at cars. Jerry died of stomach cancer on March 11.

I’ve been listening to music all my life, probably from moments after my birth and will probably be listening to music moments before my death. Music has been with me for all the great events in my life and has helped me through some of the worst. It attaches itself to your memories and can drag you back to a sunny day with friends at the beach in 1978 or waking in the snow along Victoria’s Fort Street in the early evening of 1985. All of the images, smells and sounds become clear with the help of music.