October 31, 2002

I've been playing with my

I've been playing with my new scanner, which just came in the mail today. I'll post some pictures later, if I get a chance.

The backlash from the Wellstone memorial was predictable. It's unfortunate that prominent Republicans were booed, but I still believe that this event was directed at the Wellstone faithful, not people watching at home. So let's move on.

I've got a copy of Blade II sitting by my DVD player, so I'm off. Happy Halloween!

Peace,
Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)

October 29, 2002

I didn't go to the

I didn't go to the memorial, but watched the whole thing on TV. It was riveting. The liberal tradition in Minnesota did not die with Senator Wellstone. It's still here. We still matter. Rick Kahn delivered a moving, unabashedly political speech exhorting everyone to help win the election for Paul.Wellstone. The Republicans will whine tomorrow about free airtime. Let them. They're still not done milking 9-11 for every last drop of political opportunity.

To echo Senator Harkin's speech tonight, say yes to social and economic justice. Say yes to tolerance and diversity. Say yes to clean air and water. Say yes to affordable housing and a living wage.

Say yes to peace.

Heather, I love you. Let's take on the world.

Peace,
Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 10:34 PM | Comments (0)

Walter Mondale appears to be

Walter Mondale appears to be the likely replacement for Senator Wellstone on the ballot. With the election only a week away, it's the sensible choice. Nearly every Minnesotan knows the Mondale name and he's a respected political figure with a long history of service. He spoke at my law school commencement back in 1998 and I remember his speech having some good, progressive undertones. Nobody can ever replace Wellstone and his bold oratorical skills, but Mondale is a worthy successor. I'm debating whether to go to the memorial tonight. With twenty thousand people expected, I'm a bit hesitant. But perhaps I should still go as an unofficial representative of the disability community.

I still have a Wellstone bumper sticker on my car. I think I'll just leave it. A reminder.

Back to work.

Peace,
Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:52 PM | Comments (0)

October 26, 2002

Leaving in a bit to

Leaving in a bit to see a movie with Heather, so I'll be brief. I'll try to write a review later (assuming anyone actually cares what I think). Speaking of movies, the new Block E cinema in Minneapolis has some cool assistive technology that allows people with hearing and visual impairments to more closely follow the action and dialog of a film. This technology isn't in many theaters yet, so I hope people with disabilities in the Twin Cities will show their support with their wallets.

Peace,
Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 03:34 PM | Comments (1)

October 25, 2002

A sad and tragic day

A sad and tragic day for Minnesota. A few hours ago, Senator Paul Wellstone died in a plane crash in Northern Minnesota, along with his wife, daughter, three staffers, and two pilots. I never had the opportunity to meet the Senator, but I admired his strong advocacy for special education and disability rights. He was the most prominent liberal voice in the Senate and I will deeply miss his presence. And, as crass as this may seem, I am wondering how this will affect what was a very close race against Norm Coleman. But for now, it's time to grieve.

Peace,
Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)

October 22, 2002

Just got off the phone

Just got off the phone with my friend Charles. He was having a new hard drive installed and somehow all of his data got wiped. Everything. Documents, MP3s, old e-mail, the works. I think I helped him salvage some of it, but still, goddam. If I lost all my data, I'd be catatonic. Back up your data, people. But the good news is that he might be flying down over the holidays, which would be fun.

So I'm thinking about taking Heather to see Punch-Drunk Love. The reviews have been pretty favorable. Paul Thomas Anderson is a brilliant director; I loved Magnolia.

Peace,
Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:52 PM | Comments (0)

October 21, 2002

Anybody read today's Doonesbury? Pretty

Anybody read today's Doonesbury? Pretty amusing, but now I feel a little insecure. Maybe I don't have anything meaningful to say. Maybe I'm just stroking my own ego. Maybe...but I digress.

So internet radio has been saved, at least temporarily. Which means I won't be deprived of my workplace entertainment anytime soon.

By the way, a federal judge just ruled that the ADA doesn't apply to the Internet because it was never specified in the law. So if I go to my local Barnes & Noble, it has to be accessible. But if I go to their website and have a visual impairment, I'm outta luck. Never mind all this blather about the Web being a tool for everyone and opening doors and such. Yes, making accessible web pages takes time and money. But so does building a ramp.

Peace,
Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 05:19 PM | Comments (0)

October 18, 2002

Holy shit! I'm a link!

Holy shit! I'm a link! Somebody actually thought enough of this website to provide a link to it. I'm stunned!

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:38 PM | Comments (0)

It seems that the Senate

It seems that the Senate has refused to pass a bill that would save many small webcasters from folding. Beginning October 20, webcasters must begin paying exorbitant royalty fees to the record labels. The bill before the Senate would have delayed the onset of those fees, keeping many small webcasters in business. But the Senate's failure to act means that Internet radio is in serious danger of becoming the same homogenized, sanitized, and commercialized wasteland that can be found on your car radio. Well, there's still Kazaa...

Cashed my award check today. Those iPods look pretty cool...

Tom Tomorrow had this to say about all the media attention being given to blogging recently:

It's like being interviewed about eating dinner or going to the movies or something--it's a fine way to pass your time, but it's not much more than that.

And he's right. I'm pleased that this site gets some visits, but it ain't no thang.

Peace,
Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:26 PM | Comments (0)

October 16, 2002

It's snowing! Or at least

It's snowing! Or at least it was a couple hours ago. Yes, welcome to Minneapolis. Come for our fine cultural institutions and friendly citizens. Stay for our six-month winters.

If you've been reading the comments, you've probably noticed that Ms. X's identity (or at least her first name) has been revealed. My attempts at discretion have been foiled, but I'm not worried. There are more than a few Heathers in the Twin Cities. But let no man say Mark Siegel ever kiss and told.

Well, maybe he told a couple people...

Peace,

Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:18 PM | Comments (0)

October 14, 2002

Okay, some errata. First, who

Okay, some errata. First, who wants to see a picture of the face behind all this madness? Well, here you go:

Hey, stop screaming! You'll shatter your monitor.

Want to start your very own foaming-at-the-mouth right-wing column? This place can get you started.

Well, this week should be interesting. One of my nurses took a tumble and it's uncertain whether we'll be able to fill her shifts. I have a relatively small staff and when something like this happens, I don't have much in the way of backup. Hopefully, things will work out.

Peace,

Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:47 PM | Comments (0)

October 13, 2002

Just drove my brother back

Just drove my brother back to the airport. He was originally supposed to stay until Monday, but decided that he had too much work waiting for him at school. To be honest (and because odds are high he'll never read this), my brother takes himself too seriously sometimes. He's very bright, but can be maddeningly self-absorbed. Anyway, he's still a good guy and my frustrations with him are fleeting.

I have the day off tomorrow, which will give me time to catch my breath after a hectic week. The Courage award event was fine, although I still got a few eye-rolling "you're such an inspiration" comments. But I was glad to have my siblings with me. And, of course, Ms. X was there. Last night, she gave me a card with the following quote from Goethe:

to know someone
with whom you can feel there is understanding
in spite of distances or thoughts unexpressed. . .
that can make this life a garden.

She's an English major. And so was I.

Peace,

Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:27 PM | Comments (0)

October 10, 2002

So I'm getting some cash

So I'm getting some cash with my award on Saturday night. Some will go to charity, but as for the rest...well, I have some ideas. I kind of need a new stereo for my bedroom. Might also pick up some artwork for my home and office. I've never been frugal, which I'm sure irritates my dad to no end.

Which reminds me, Peter Gabriel has a new CD that's been getting decent reviews. I've been on a music drought lately, so maybe I'll pick this up.

Peace,

Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:49 PM | Comments (0)

October 08, 2002

My brother is flying in

My brother is flying in from Cornell on Friday. He hasn't seen my new place, so I'm interested to see what his reaction will be. He's been under a little stress at school (he's a Ph.D. candidate studying political economies) and I think he needs a break. I used to miss school in the first couple years after I graduated, but I'm over it now. Besides, I can't resist reminding my siblings that their gimp brother is the only one with a real job!

Just got a call from my law school friend Erin. She was supposed to visit tonight, but we had to cancel because downtown is a complete zoo thanks to game 1 of the ALCS. I'm all in favor of a new stadium for the Twins if it means my neighborhood won't turn into a parking lot.

Peace,
Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:35 PM | Comments (0)

October 07, 2002

Okay, quick vote...should I brighten

Okay, quick vote...should I brighten the design of the site a bit? Lately, I've thinking that it seems a bit muddy. I've been studying other blogs and they just seem more inviting. What do you guys think?

So, any of my fellow nerds see the trailer for the new Lord of the Rings film? It looks spectacular. I'm re-reading The Two Towers now, which is kind of like revisiting my childhood. Tolkien's dialog is...how to put it....clunky sometimes. But his descriptions of nature can be quite beautiful.

Ms. X was over again last night. I've been building my own Winamp playlist to put on when she's here. I have a pretty eclectic mix that I'll post sometime. She seems to like it, anyway. So tell me, what's everyone's favorite mood music?

Peace,

Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:39 PM | Comments (0)

October 05, 2002

Yes, my date went very

Yes, my date went very well. No, you can't have any details. Yes, I'm sure. The Net is full of places to fulfill your titillation needs, so knock yourself out. I'm not a big believer in the tell-all, hold-nothing-back style of blog. Sorry to disappoint, but I'm sure you'll understand.

But a word on disability and relationships. As many people with disabilities will tell you, society tends to perceive us as asexual beings. We're seen as either too sick or too "different" to ever experience attraction, romance, sex, etc. Of course, this is bullshit. But we spend many a Friday night alone because the idea that we're not desirable has become somewhat ingrained. And you start feeling a bit like an outsider to the human race; like everyone else got invited to a long, great party and you're still checking the mailbox for an invitation. So when someone comes along and tells you you're kinda cool (or something like that), it's something unique and just a bit wondrous.

I don't feel like an outsider today.

Peace,

Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 01:13 PM | Comments (0)

October 03, 2002

I had to go to

I had to go to a casino today to give a presentation. Actually, it was a hotel attached to a casino, but let's not split hairs. Jesus, what a soulless place. Nothing like watching a bunch of senior citizens staring blankly at slot machines while shoving in endless streams of coins. And it's not like these people have much money to begin with. You wonder how many people there are sacrificing food or medicine to feed their addiction.

So one of my nurses wanted me to go to this website the other day. I mean, I like some Japanese anime, but this is kinda weird. Although this item caught my eye. I'll have to show it to Ms. X...

Speaking of whom, I have another engagement with the lovely Ms. X tomorrow evening. She said she would bring her Norah Jones CD, which I've heard bits and pieces of and liked. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Peace,

Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:06 PM | Comments (0)

October 01, 2002

I went to the Minnesota

I went to the Minnesota Supreme Court today to listen to some oral arguments for a case I was involved in. When I was clerking for a judge in Minneapolis, we had a personal injury case involving a guy who got run over by a bus. The guy's lawyer didn't want me in the courtroom because he was claiming his client was too disabled to work. The lawyer was concerned the jury would see me, bravely working despite my horrible disability (snicker, snicker) and then look at his client and essentially say to themselves, "What the fuck's this guy's problem?" So complaints were filed and depositions were taken and many trees died in the pursuit of justice.

So I get to the Capitol building where arguments are being held in the old courtroom. I'm even wearing a tie! I walk down the hallway, feeling a bit lost because I've never been here before. I find the courtroom.

There are three very well-crafted but very formidable marble steps leading into the courtroom.

There is no ramp.

Fuck.

I eventually make it in the courtroom, but with much noise and lack of decorum.

Irony is alive and well, Dear Reader.

Peace,

Mark

Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:13 PM | Comments (0)