September 30, 2002
Ah, government work. Here's a
Ah, government work. Here's a theorem:
Government work=meetings
Meetings=Time away from computer
Time away from computer=Work left undone
Work left undone=A presentation for Thursday
Sum total=Slightly panicked state employee
What do you think? Should I submit my theorem for peer review?
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:01 PM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2002
You ever wake up in
You ever wake up in a good mood, and then you remember why you're in a good mood, and the feeling is that much sweeter? I had that experience this morning. I had a wonderful date with the same friend from Cafe Brenda. For the sake of her anonymity, I'll call her Ms. X. Not very original, I know. Maybe she'll have a better suggestion. Anyway, we saw the Picasso exhibit at the Minneapolis Art Institute. If you have any interest in modern art, you really should check it out. I haven't enjoyed myself that much in some time, and I think I'm still feeling the buzz from it.
So I got a call on Friday saying that I've been selected to receive a Courage Center award. Apparently, they select people with disabilities every year who are successful in their chosen professions. It seems a bit odd because I don't really feel like I've accomplished that much. I mean, other people have done much more significant things by my age. But now I have to prepare a brief acceptance speech for a dinner on October 12th. I'm not certain I can be profound in 2-3 minutes. But I suppose it can be done.
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:20 PM | Comments (0)
September 28, 2002
Too tired to write much
Too tired to write much tonight. But it's a good tired. Anyway, please excuse my brevity. I have a good excuse. More later.
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 11:37 PM | Comments (0)
September 27, 2002
Was walking downtown tonight. I
Was walking downtown tonight. I think my favorite building on the Minneapolis skyline is the Wells Fargo tower. At night, it's bathed in gold light that spills on to the surrounding buildings. The effect is pretty cool.
I was on a teleconference with some people in D.C. today. I've never been there, but would really like to go someday. We Americans don't have history on the same scale as Europe or Asia, but we have to take what we can get.
I read that a school board in Georgia voted to include creationism in the curriculum. I'm not going to start bashing creationists (too easy), but why stop at Genesis? Why not toss in some Native American or Hindu creation myths? Or how about some Gaian theory? Equal time, I say! *sigh* I can't help but marvel at the willingness of perfectly rational adults to remain intellectually stranded in the nineteenth century.
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:54 PM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2002
God, I hate the suburbs.
God, I hate the suburbs. After work today, I drove a friend to get his car from the repair shop. On the way back, I somehow got turned around and could not find my way back to the highway. All I saw was a vast wasteland of car dealerships, strip malls, and bad chain restaurants. I finally found my way and fled back into the comforting arms of the city.
I heard a clip of T.S. Eliot reading "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" on the radio today. Something about that poem really speaks to me, especially this part:
Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:37 PM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2002
What a dreary day. It's
What a dreary day. It's like something out of Wuthering Heights, but without the cliffs, tortured romance, and British accents.
The cheap bastards finally turned on the heat. I think one of my nurses used the "don't let the poor man in the wheelchair freeze to death" ploy with the management. Hey, whatever works.
So I've noticed the hit counter has risen dramatically in the last few days, which must means I'm developing a fanbase! Spread the word, dear Anonymous Reader! My goal (such as it is) is to become the next Wil Wheaton. And leave comments!
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 10:07 PM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2002
It's turning cold in Minneapolis,
It's turning cold in Minneapolis, which I usually don't mind. I sleep better in cooler temperatures and I like the sharp air of an autumn morning. But my cheapskate building management refuses to turn on the heat until late October. Last night, I had so many blankets piled on me that I was worried the bed frame would collapse. You would think that with the exorbitant association fees I pay, I could turn on the heat a little. Cheap bastards.
Had a lovely dinner with a friend at Cafe Brenda last night. She raved about the sweet potato chowder. I could actually feel my cool quotient rising as I soaked in the vegan hipster charm.
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:17 PM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2002
I've been meaning to pick
I've been meaning to pick up the new Neil Gaiman novel, Coraline. It's gotten some great reviews and I'm looking forward to reading it. I became a Gaiman fan about 3 years ago when I read Neverwhere. I'm now making my way through the Sandman comics. He has a wonderful poetic style that reminds me just a bit of Ray Bradbury. And his stories are just wonderfully crafted. His re-telling of A Midsummer Night's Dream was probably one of my favorite Sandman issues. I met Mr. Gaiman at a signing a couple years ago, which was a lot of fun. Anyway, I'll post a review once I can get my hands on a copy.
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:45 PM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2002
I'm a movie geek. More
I'm a movie geek. More specifically, I'm a science fiction movie geek. So it was great with great amusement that I read this critique of The Phantom Menace. It's quite funny and points out many of the flaws in this overhyped, underdone film. Yes, I own the DVD, but hey, it's Star Wars!
I downloaded the UT 2003 demo the other day. Now I just have to wait for Rob or Tim, my fellow geeks-in-arms, to come over so I can play it. I can play most games independently, but shooters require more dexterity than I can muster. Ah well, such is life.
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:56 PM | Comments (0)
September 15, 2002
I haven't been doing a
I haven't been doing a very good job of updating. Sorry about that. Too many distractions. Anyway, who feels like going to war? I'm becoming more convinced that our Commander-in-Chief is just itchin' for a fracas with Saddam. Now, I dislike genocidal tyrants as much as the next guy, but have we thought this through? Is this guy really worth (potentially) thousands of American lives, not too mention the lives of countless Iraqi civillians who have suffered enough already? I'm sorry, but I remain unconvinced.
September 11 came and went. I'll leave it at that.
A friend recently gave me a Daredevil graphic novel to read. It was actually pretty cool. Any superhero who has a disability but can still lay down the smack is okay in my book. Now I'm even more pumped for the movie. Don't tell anyone, but I think Jennifer Garner is a stunningly beautiful woman. If I was going off to battle or about to face a firing squad, my last request would be a kiss from those pouty lips.
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:52 PM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2002
It's football season! I don't
It's football season! I don't like many sports, but I must confess my love for this one. Screw baseball, this is the true American Pasttime. I'm a Packers fan, so here's hoping they beat those amateurs from Atlanta and have a great season.
So the other day, I got a phone call saying that one my neighbors were complaining about noise from my apartment. Two things about this bug me. First, it was like 5 in the afternoon! Second, I wasn't being loud! I was playing Neverwinter Nights, which by no means is on the scale of Doom or Quake. So I guess I have some real stiffs for neighbors. Bleh. I certainly don't want to be a jerk, but c'mon! They should be grateful that I don't crank my receiver to 10 while watching The Matrix.
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:35 PM | Comments (0)
September 04, 2002
My sister is back in
My sister is back in school here at Hamline, which means she'll be visiting from time to time. She (at least to my knowledge) hasn't declared a major yet, but she talks about law school. I suppose I should be flattered, but I'm not even a real lawyer. I don't even practice. Anyway, maybe she'll do something noble like be a teacher or social worker.
Peace,
Mark
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:36 PM | Comments (0)