July 31, 2003
Lady in Red
I happened to see Alyson Hannigan (she played nerd goddess Willow on Buffy the Vampire Slayer) being interviewed on The Daily Show today. What a cutie. She reminds me of Becky Piotrowski, a redheaded girl I had a crush on back in the 7th grade. Except Becky got pregnant and dropped out of school, thus shattering my romantic illusions.
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I Plea the 5th
In honor of my Australian readers, check out this on-line exhibit.
I wanted to comment briefly on the whole RIAA business. The strategy of suing one's own customers seems dubious at best and it won't do much to reverse the industry's current economic woes. I can't understand why RIAA doesn't fully embrace the possibilities inherent in the Internet. I will gladly pay a small fee for a song if the quality can be guaranteed. For me, the MP3 format has changed the way I listen to music. No more asking someone else to dig through my collection and insert the disc. Now everything is just a click of the mouse away.
One of my fellow Minnesotans is harassing the Bush economic team. I love the job-hunting advice he gets from Secretary Snow: "Just wait."
I'm debating whether to go to the Howard Dean Meetup next week.
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July 30, 2003
Crypto
And here's another blog, written by a woman with spinal muscular atrophy:
Don't tell anyone, but all these blogs by people with SMA are just a front for us to exchange coded messages regarding the upcoming revolution.
Which reminds me: wintermute2_0 to all points: The three-footed lion sleeps on a bed of roses. I repeat: the three-footed lion sleeps on a bed of roses
Back to your regularly scheduled program...
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 11:19 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
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I should have posted this earlier, but here is a blog written by a woman with multiple sclerosis. It's really good, so check it out:
I finished my latest short story. I hate it, but it feels good to finish it. I have a couple ideas for future stories, but I think I'll focus on my book for the next couple weeks.
Following up on my link last week about the mind-controlled wheelchair, here's a Wired article about brain-computer interfaces. If they can develop a way for me to play Doom III with just my brain, they can cut me open anytime. Imagine how much ass I could kick on-line by just thinking about it. Mwwaaa haaa haaa! This may sound weird, but this is actually an exciting time to be severely disabled. All of the pie-in-the-sky technologies like BCI are finally on the verge of becoming a reality.
I've decided that my next goal for this blog is to get it mentioned on Slashdot. Should we start an e-mailing campaign or should I just use my Jedi mind powers to persuade the editors I'm super-cool? Thoughts?
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:43 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Refugee
In a news conference this morning, Bush announced preliminary efforts to "codify" heterosexual marriage. He also dropped a not-so-subtle hint that gays are "sinners." I guess someone reminded him who his masters are.
In other news, the Administration geniuses suddenly realize that pulling air marshals from transcontinental flights might not project the sort of "tough on terrorism" image Bush has cultivated over the last two years.
A question for all my overseas and Canadian readers. If Bush wins in 2004, can I come stay with you? I don't need much food and I can just sleep on the sofa. I just don't know if I can take another four years of this.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:45 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
July 29, 2003
Flying Solo
I've been busy getting things ready for my switch to having independent nurses. It hasn't been easy. Most people in my position use a nursing agency to manage their staffing needs. I've been with a nursing agency of one type or another since I first was trached at age 13, some good and some bad. When I decided to go independent, I had to familiarize myself with a complex system of regulations, advertise and interview for additional nurses, show everyone how to submit the proper documentation to get provider numbers, orient new staff, draft a schedule, etc. I can't imagine too many people choosing to go this route; it's more complicated than it needs to be. But for my lifestyle, I think this will actually work pretty well for me. For the amount of advocacy I do for consumer control in my job, I should start practicing what I preach.
Democratic leaders are warning candidates not to seem "angry" or "far left." When, oh when, will Democrats stop shrieking like schoolgirls when someone calls them liberal? For those of us who proudly proclaim our liberalism, it's disheartening as hell. You don't see conservatives running away from the "conservative" label. We let conservatives bait people with the "liberal" tag for too long. It's time to take it back.
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July 28, 2003
Those Crazy Conservatives
According to a research team at Berkeley, political conservatives like Reagan, Hitler, and even Stalin are motivated by a shared psychology. Those motivations include "fear and aggression, dogmatism and intolerance of ambiguity; uncertainty avoidance; need for cognitive closure; and terror management." Conservatives are also suspicious of change and accept the basic premise of inequality. Read the full press release here. They needed a study to figure this out? Couldn't they just watch Fox for 10 minutes?
And here's another story that is sure to piss off the flag-wavers in Washington. Emmanuel Todd, the French historian who predicted the fall of the Soviets, says that the Pax Americana ain't gonna happen.
Let the flaming begin.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:54 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
July 27, 2003
Bibliophile
Was at Borders the other day and picked up Death in Holy Orders by PD James and Probability Moon by Nancy Kress. I have a problem when it comes to books. I walk into a bookstore and tell myself that I'll just look around. That usually doesn't work. It's like a fetish, except you don't have to take a shower afterwards. I've also been meaning to get over to Uncle Hugo's again. Uncle Hugo's is an independent bookstore in Minneapolis that specializes in fantasy and science fiction. They have an amazing collection and I want to get some stuff by Harlan Ellison that I can never find in the chain stores. The only problem is that Hugo's has books scattered everywhere, including piles on the floor, which makes navigating the aisles in a wheelchair just a bit difficult.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 26, 2003
Fight for the Cause
A couple of interesting disability-related items. First, Governor Dean has posted the disability rights plank of his platform. He seems to have a good grasp of the fundamentals, including full funding of IDEA, passage of MiCASA, and appointing people with disabilities to visible posts in the Executive Branch. Democrats have been traditional supporters of disability rights, so it shouldn't be too surprising that Dean is addressing this issue. At the same time, a lot of this support comes across as patronizing lip service. Dean seems pretty thoughtful and it will be interesting to see how the other candidates respond.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has an article about my former employer, PACER Center, and its joint collaboration with IBM on a summer technology camp for girls with disabilities. The camp is intended to introduce these girls to careers in technology and science. The girls are also paired with mentors from IBM. It's a fucking great idea. I wish stuff like this had been around when I was a kid. For me, summers were mind-numbingly boring because there just wasn't much for me to do. I sometimes enrolled in a summer class at the local university, but I still had a lot of time on my hands.
The other night, my dad neeed help figuring out how to use the burner on his new notebook computer. I had to explain to him that you can't just save a file to disc like you would with a floppy. We had to go over the process a few times before he got it. At one point, I wanted to scream, "Dad, it's after 11 and I'm more than a little tired and I just want to watch the latest Project Greenlight on my TiVo! Can we do this later?" But I didn't. I wonder if, in another 10 or 20 years, I'll be similarly befuddled by new technologies.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 05:09 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 25, 2003
Brain Power
Slashdot points to a fascinating article about efforts to create a wheelchair that can be controlled by brain impulses. I've had daydreams about such a device. I use an electric wheelchair but I rely on my nurses to maneuver me because I've never found a control system that reliably works for me. If they can perfect this technology, I'll be one of the first people in line for my very own Professor X chair. But I also have a question: if I'm rolling down the street and focus my attention on an attractive woman, will the chair start following her? Have the designers contemplated such hazards?
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:47 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 24, 2003
What's in a Name?
Had a pretty good birthday. My parents gave me some clothes and a couple books. My sister gave me a couple CDs including the new Radiohead and Liz Phair. And I've decided to have a party with my friends in a couple weeks, so I'll have to send out e-mails about that. Party at Mark's! W00t w00t! Let's REALLY annoy my asshole neighbor! And like I said, you're all invited.
According to this site, the name MARK means:
The name of Mark gives you a very individual, reserved, serious nature.
Well, if you say so. But I'm not a total stiff.
You stick stubbornly to your ideas or decisions, in spite of any appeals or advice; you are not willing to accept a compromise.
That's because I'm right. Always.
You prefer to be alone with your own thoughts, rather than in the company of others. This name restricts spontaneity in association and the fluency of your verbal expression. When you are required to express yourself in personal matters requiring finesse and diplomacy, you feel awkward and embarrassed. Although you realize perfectly well what is expected of you, you are unable to find the right words, and hence you end up saying something inappropriate in a candid way.
Geez, this makes me sound like a total loser. I'll have you know I'm smooth like a trophy wife's face after a Botox injection. I'm more polished than a high school senior's application to Harvard.
You can express your deeper thoughts and feelings best through writing.
Okay, lucky guess..
Your friendships and personal associations are rather restricted, being limited to those of a similar nature who can understand and accept your rather straightforward yet reserved manner.
Hardly. I'm very likeable. Just ask my last three victims.
You are steadfast and loyal, and do not allow gossip or anything belittling to be said against those whom you accept in friendship.
True. Don't dis my posse, yo.
You find satisfaction in being outdoors or in getting out into nature, or in dealing with the products of the earth.
Ah ha ha ha ha ha! Okay, I'm done. No, wait...ha ha ha hee hee ha HA! Man, that's some funny shit.
There is originality and depth of thought contained in this name, particularly along practical and mathematical lines.
I almost failed trigonometry.
This name can adversely affect the health of your respiratory organs, the heart and lungs.
See, Mom and Dad? This is all YOUR FAULT! Why couldn't you have given me some nice innocuous name like Billy or Melvin?
Also, you are prone to suffer from weaknesses centering in the head.
Screw you, hippie website!
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Green Pulpit
There's an interesting story on the CS Monitor about the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church and how he has become one of the most visible spiritual leaders advocating for environmental causes. I wish we saw more of this. I have never understood the antipathy that many Christians, especially evangelicals, hold towards environmentalists. I wonder if it is some remnant of Cold War thinking that equates environmentalism with Communism.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 01:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 23, 2003
You Can Trust Me for One More Year
Thirty years ago today, a hospital in Ulm, Germany was first graced with my presence. That's right, I'm 50% Old Europe, which probably explains why the current Administration and I don't get along very well. Going to try to leave work early so I can get home to tend to some important tasks. Namely, opening presents. I didn't get yours yet. Yes, you, the one sitting at the computer with the guilty look on your face. But I'm sure it's in the mail.
Right?
I'm so disappointed I didn't make this list of blogs banned in Iran. Anyone know a mullah to whom I can slip a few bucks? It'd be so cool if I could tell girls I've been banned somewhere!
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:43 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
July 22, 2003
How Typical
Another example of what a hypocrite Bush is. One of his big issues after 9/11 was national service, particularly the Americorps program. Americorps is the domestic version of the Peace Corps. Americorps volunteers teach kids to read, build affordable housing, and maintain parks and other green spaces, among other things. Bush's Republican allies in the House recently voted to cut Americorps by 55%, which would eliminate over 20,000 Americorps volunteer positions. Bush has been completely silent on the issue, but fortunately the Senate voted overwhelmingly to restore $100 million in funding. Now the issue has to be resolved in conference committee. To learn what you can do to save Americorps, go here. My first job after law school was as an Americorps volunteer and I firmly believe in the program, so I'll be working the phone.
I'm so bummed that I missed Comic-Con. Maybe next year. I sometimes toy with the idea of writing a comic script. Perhaps after my writing gets better.
God, I need to get to bed earlier. I usually don't fall asleep before midnight and I have to be up by 7 most weekdays. And tomorrow i have to be up even earlier because I have a meeting at 8:00. I'm not a morning person, so it will be a challenge to say anything more articulate than "Grrrrr."
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Give A Little Bit
Batty is participating in this year's Blogathon and she's raising money for spinal muscular atrophy. Go check out her site and give her 5 or 10 dollars. You can go one day without that Mochaccino.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 01:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 21, 2003
Houseguests
My mom and sister are staying with me for the next few days. And I think my dad is coming into town tomorrow. My parents live in Wisconsin so I see them a fair amount. Just as a little background, I'm the oldest of three siblings. My sister is going to be a junior at Hamline here in the Cities and my brother is a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell. Yes, we're all going to be to overeducated yuppies. Mom and Dad are so proud. And of the three of us, it's only the one in the wheelchair who is gainfully employed. Raise your hand if you find this kind of amusing. I know I do.
My mom and sister also brought Sasha the Agoraphobic Dog. It may be the fact that I'm on the 19th floor, but whenever Sasha visits me she hides out under the bed in the guest bedroom. She's a lovely golden retriever, but she is terrified of her own shadow. The dog needs psychotherapy or Zoloft or something.
In fact, here's a picture of the canine in question:
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July 20, 2003
Food...Glorious Food
Just got back from the store to pick up a dessert for a picnic at work tomorrow. I don't make it to the grocery store very often because, well, I don't eat much. Most of my nutrition comes through a small portal that goes into my stomach and my meals come out of a can. That's not not to say I never eat orally. I can eat a lot of things if they are pureed properly. I'm a Wisconsin boy so cheese occupies a special place in my heart, although I'm one of those left-wing types that likes brie and its ilk. Pringles potato chips and Junior Mints are two of my preferred junk foods. When I was first put on the ventilator, doctors told me I couldn't eat anymore because my swallow had never been that great and it got worse when I got sick with pneumonia. But as the years went by, I learned which foods I could eat safely. Eating also became less important to me. It's not uncommon for me to go weeks without eating something orally.
The recent suicide of David Kelly seems terribly bizarre, at least on this side of the Atlantic. I'm not a big conspiracy theorist, but I can't stop wondering if there's more to the story of his death. Anyone with a pulse and access to the Internet knew months ago that the proffered justifications for the Iraqi war were flimsier than Michael Jackson's facial structure. And now that the American press is finally pulling its collective head out of its collective arse, the Bushies start getting desperate and resort to the basest forms of recrimination, like this sad attempt to discredit an ABC journalist just because he's gay. I'm starting to smell blood in the political waters and 2004 can't come soon enough me.
Screw all this madness. Let's go to Ibiza. I've never been there. The music sounds cool and the women look hot. Who wants to accompany me?
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:43 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 19, 2003
Blond Ambition
God, I look like such a poseur hipster now. But I actually like it. I now have these light brown/carmel highlights. It's sort of a David Borneaz thing I have going on here. Er, except for the pretty face and hunky body. But it's mostly the hair that matters, right, ladies? Just nod and say yes. I need to get someone to take a picture of me. Maybe I should get a digital camera. Then I can be a square on hipster bingo.
I've getting a lot of hits from Iceland today for some strange reason. So to all my Icelandic readers: Góðan daginn! I love Björk!
I've been enjoying the new animated Spider-Man series on MTV. The artistic palette is appropriately urban and neon, which I like. And the voice acting isn't half-bad.
My left computer speaker is cutting out and I should probably just get a new set. I have a set of the old Cambridge Soundworks DT2500s. Any suggestions for what I should get next?
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Everyone's A Suspect
EFF co-founder John Gilmore was removed from a BA flight after refusing to remove a lapel button that said "Suspected Terrorist." I completely understand Gilmore's point, but after reading his account, I can't help but think he was being a bit of a prick with the airline staff. Why not temporarily take off the button to please the BA flunkie and then sneak it back on once the plane is over the Atlantic? It's not like they're going to turn around at that point.
I've been feeling adventuresome lately, so I'm getting my hair streaked blond in a little while. Could be cool. Could be a disaster. I'll let you know.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 18, 2003
Creme de la Creme
Today I was sitting in a meeting where we were reviewing the rough cut of a video that generally addresses disability and employment. One woman, who represents a non-profit that works with people with developmental disabilities, was very critical of the video because she felt that it didn't show enough people with that type of disability. Okay, fine. Then she said that that the video used only "upper crust" people with disabilities. For her, "upper crust" meant people with physical or invisible disabilities. My jaw dropped. In the most diplomatic language possible, I told this woman that every disability manifests differently and that we shouldn't start playing the old game of Disability Hierarchy. The Disability Hierarchy is a concept that has plagued the disability community for years. At its crudest level, the Hierarchy is a measure of the social acceptability of various disabilities. On the top of the Hierarchy sit people with mild physical disabilities that are easily overlooked by the general public. They are followed by people with more visible physical and sensory disabilities (paraplegia, cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, etc.). Below them are people with developmental disabilities. People with mental illness have historically occupied the bottom rung of the Hierarchy because of the extremely negative connotations society associates with mental illness. You can see how this is a pretty fucked-up view of disability. This bullshit Hierarchy doesn't exist except in people's heads and it perpetuates itself with surprising vigor. Advocates and even people with disabilities themselves ascribe to this nonsense. I've been in discussions where one subgroup will try to proclaim its own hardships as more worthy of attention than those of another subgroup. Different disability groups fight it out amongst themselves at state legislatures in a mad dash for a meager piece of an ever-shrinking pie. It's so frustrating to watch and that's what went through my head when this woman made her stupid remark. I can't help but feel sorry for the clients who are represented by an "advocate" who views them as something less than "upper crust."
Oh, good news! According to the oh-so-competent people at Hennepin County Economic Assistance, I'm no longer disabled! And on upon determining that I'm miraculously cured, they closed my Medical Assistance case. MA is what pays for my nursing care, equipment, meds, etc. Fortunately, my job connections helped me figure out the obscure bureaucratic snafu and things will be remedied soon. But I have a hard time imagining how the average person with no background in this stuff navigates the system without going crazy.
I love Eschaton. Apparently, the FBI has been reduced to following up on anonymous tips about an individual's suspicious (i.e. liberal) reading habits. Guess I better not read The Guardian unless I'm absolutely certain I'm alone.
The World Bodypainting Festival is coming up and I thought I'd show a nice example of the craft. Avert your eyes if you're offended by the naked human form:
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July 17, 2003
Take A Picture
I want to get a phonecam (futurephone, as Warren Ellis aptly puts it) as a birthday present to myself. I think it might be cool to take it around the Cities with me and post some of those pictures to the blog. I really like what Xeni Jardin is doing with her phonecam in LA and I want to try putting a Midwestern spin on her idea. Anyone know where I can get one for a decent price?
People have been giving some heads-up on other blogs written by people with disabilities and I wanted to give them some attention here.
Bionicgurl
Sitka Surfin'
Ain't Too Proud To Blog
If people know of others, let me know.
Let's see...what else. I want one of these cable boxes that has built-in everything. My current entertainment center has way too many black and silver boxes piled on top of each other.
Speaking of imminent birthdays, I do have an Amazon Wishlist. Not that I *cough* want *cough* anything.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:09 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
You Like Me! You Really Like Me!
Wow, I made BoingBoing. I can die happy now. Thanks, Xeni!
I don't have a lot of time to write now, but I'm grateful for all the attention. I'm trying to think of ways to make this blog more interesting on a continual basis, so stay tuned...
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:23 PM | Comments (0)
July 16, 2003
Wake Me When It's Over
Once again, I'm a link on RCB. At this rate, I'll have to start paying Susannah for advertising space.
I recently had lunch with Cute CLE Girl. I don't think I've ever been so bored on a date. I thought it might be cool to hook up with another attorney. The first warning light went off when she told me she's rather conservative ideologically. Okay, I thought, no big deal. I have conservative friends. Then I ask her what she does for fun. Among other things, she likes to sew and make greeting cards.
Oh shit, I thought.
And this girl was from California! I've known lots of girls from California and I've never met one who acted so...Midwestern. She was very nice and wholesome and...that's about it. It was like she went to law school just to meet a husband, get married, and move to the suburbs. Oh yeah, and she talked about herself almost exclusively. I don't think she asked me more than one or two questions. No, I need someone a bit...I dunno...edgier? If you want a good laugh, you can go look up my profile on Match.com (I believe my alias is the same there...wintermute2_0). I figure that's just as likely to work as anything. You can even see a picture of me! How can you resist?
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 10:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Making Accessible Minds
Lately, it's occurred to me that, as in real life, I'm something of a novelty in the blogosphere. For those of you who don't know me or haven't read my blog before, I have a disability called spinal muscular atrophy. It's a neuromuscular disability that I've had since birth. I use a wheelchair to get around and a portable ventilator helps me breathe. As an added bonus, I need a nurse with me 24 hours a day. I have very little use of my arms or legs, but I can type this blog with a headset that emulates a mouse. Straight from my head to the screen, as it were.
In my own limited research, I haven't stumbled across any other blogs where the authors have identified themselves as having a disability. That doesn't mean other people with disabilities (PWD) aren't blogging; they almost certainly are. But I started thinking about my own reasons for blogging and how I'm perceived by others who read this site regularly.
For me, my reason for blogging is simple: I like to write. In a life where I have to depend on others for everything from turning the page in a book to taking a piss, writing is one thing that I can do independently. With the right hardware and software, I'm good to go. And I've always felt that people take me a little more seriously if they meet me through my writing first. When I was job-hunting, I always tried to send a copy of my law journal article to the potential employer before the interview. My first girlfriend and I met after exchanging a number of e-mails. It's not that I don't think I'm inarticulate in person. But I speak slowly and softly, which makes me a little self-conscious. And whenever I meet someone, the first thing they always my wheelchair and/or my ventilator. Another person's first impression of me is always going to be "The Guy in the Chair."
But I didn't start writing this blog as a way to scream "Hey, look! I'm a cripple and I blog!" I just wanted something that would get me to write more. And because of my disability, stuff happens in daily life. It can be something funny or silly or just frustrating, but it's usually interesting enough for me to want to write about it. And that's probably where the novelty comes in. Many of the Anonymous You have probably never met someone with a disability, at least not a visible disability. By reading my stuff, you get a little peek into a life that's at once very similar and very different from your own life. You may read this site and feel amusement, puzzlement, voyeuristic fascination, or even pity. I have no idea.
And here's why I think blogging can be a great tool for PWD. Having a disability can be a truly isolating experience. When you consider that around 70% of PWD in the U.S. are unemployed and a significant portion are living at or below the poverty line, it's easy to see why we still dwell at the margins of society. Blogging can be a way for a person to shout out their existence to the world; to give people other views on disability that have nothing to do with a telethon or a human interest story on the local news. Blogging can be as real and as honest as the author wants it to be. Blogging can be a way to fight the loneliness that plagues every human being, not just those with disabilities.
So as big companies like AOL start to deliver blogging to the masses, I hope they remember to make those tools accessible to everyone. And I hope broadband becomes more affordable for everyone. And I hope people with disabilities are encouraged to share their stories.
Thanks for listening.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 11:44 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 15, 2003
Taking Control
I'm on my second day of interviewing nurses in preparation for leaving the agency. This is something new for me. In the past, the agency always hired my staff and I had little input in the matter other than thumbs-up or thumbs-down. I've already found one nurse who seems like an excellent match for my particular situation. I keep waiting for some obstacle to develop, but so far my plans are going smoothly. And I'm really enjoying having a little more control in the whole process.
Pat Robertson would like God to give a little, ahem, nudge to some of the sitting Supreme Court justices to, er, retire. I didn't know God was also a part-time assassin for hire.
According to this study, Minneapolis is America's most literate city. On behalf of all Minneapolitans, thanks, but we knew this already. When you have winters that are as brutal, dark, never-ending, and depressing as ours, there isn't much else to do besides read and write.
When people ask me about my belief system, I never felt that the term "agnostic" or "atheist" was adequate. I felt that it didn't quite capture my belief in a natural world with no such things as ghosts, miracles, curses, etc. I also don't usually relish antagonistic conversations with militant Christians about my own beliefs. But this article in the NYT and this one in the Guardian have introduced have me to a new term. I'm a bright. Notice how that's a different statement than, "I'm bright." Go here to learn more.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 07:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 14, 2003
Blogging for the Masses
I see the Bushies are doing their part to stimulate the economy. I'm old enough to remember when Republicans used the word "deficit" as an epithet on par with "liberal." But hell, what do they care. It's us Gen X'ers who will get to pick up the tab. Oh well, the whole idea of retirement always sounded kinda boring.
A quick word on AOL's planned entry into blogging. Great idea. Despite blogs having been around for about 4 years, most people I talk to still have no clue what a blog is. This could bring the whole concept mainstream. It might also help wake up the current blogging community, which tends to be self-referential and narcissistic.
Not that I'm any of those things...
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 11:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 13, 2003
Celebration?
Thinking about having a belated birthday party sometime in August. I turn 30 in a couple weeks and I just realized that I haven't had a party in years. I think the reason for that is because I get insecure and worry that nobody will show up. But maybe I can bribe enough people to make me not look too pathetic. The idea of turning 30 hasn't really settled in. Various people have told me that your 30s are better than your 20s. I don't feel that strongly about it, at least not yet. I figure that as long as I'm not living in some nursing home, I'm doing okay.
So if I do have a party, you are all certainly invited.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:07 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 12, 2003
Hitting The Streets
I had to bug out of my apartment for most of the day because I had my carpets cleaned. One thing about living in a condo is remembering all the assorted and utterly asinine bylaws that were drawn up by a bunch of retirees and anal retentives. Like the Rule about no "renovating" after 1 p.m. on Saturdays. My asshole neighbor made certain to remind me of this Rule when the nice young people cleaning my carpet were still not done by 1:05. So now I have an official Complaint filed against me. I'm not sure what this means, but I suspect I have to go before a Council of Elders and impale myself on a ritual dagger or something like that. I think my asshole neighbor has mutant super-sensitive hearing because he's also complained about my ventilator and other equipment sounds. My asshole neighbor probably agrees with Michael Savage's remark about this country being taken over by the "cripples."
Did I mention my neighbor is an asshole?
But the good thing about today is that I was out on the streets, taking in the scene. I saw 28 Days Later, which was a lot of fun. Even the soundtrack caught my attention. Danny Boyle and I seem to like the same music. I had never heard of Underworld until I saw Trainspotting. And my goodness, there were all kinds of beautiful people walking around downtown tonight. I felt like Quasimodo in comparison. Lovely women with brilliant smiles in summer dresses or denim shorts with legs that go on and on like a song that you just can't get out of your head. An absolutely stunning Hispanic woman with ringlets of auburn hair standing outside Orchestra Hall with her boyfriend, looking bored. The two women walking ahead of me, all dressed up in clubbing apparel. One had on a Hello Kitty backpack, which up until now I thought was just a club kiddie stereotype. Guess not.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 11:45 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
July 11, 2003
Home Free
My ass almost ended up in the hospital today. In the summer, many of my nursing staff go on extended vacations. For this weekend, I was faced with the prospect of having no staff, which means an automatic trip to the hospital for me because I don't have any family nearby to fill in. Fortunately, everything worked out and I'm safely at home. But it's a reminder of how fragile this network of supports is. It sometimes sucks to have someone around 24 hours a day, but at the same time I need that to have some semblance of a normal life.
But the day's excitement has left me exhausted. I need a drink. And a joint. And a...well, never mind.
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July 10, 2003
24
I'm thinking about participating in the 2003 Blogathon on July 26-27. The Blogathon is similar to the old bowling-for-charity concept. I would make a blog entry roughly every 30 minutes. Sponsors would agree to donate money to my chosen charity. I would probably do it for either a disability or legal rights charity. I think I could make it...only the last 4 or 5 hours would be rough. Maybe I could get some people to come over or call me to keep me awake. What do y'all think? Would you pony up some money to see me go without sleep for 24 hours? Maybe I could hook up a webcam so you can watch me turn into a zombie.
Got my Minnesota ID card in the mail. I look like such a dork. I have this blank, wide-eyed expression that makes one think I'm stoned out of my gourd. I'd post the picture, but it's just too painful to look at.
A white ago I posted about the boy who was breeding insects in his body. Well, the poor kid is still suffering. The very thought of flies taking off from inside...down there...just seems too painful to imagine.
Susan Smith, the woman who drove her kids into a lake and then blamed it on an African-American carjacker, has posted a personal ad on the Internet. Ten bucks says she gets at least a dozen marriage proposals in the first week.
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July 09, 2003
Pop Parody
This is a hilarious parody of RIAA and its latest mantra of "Litigate, litigate!" Do not watch while drinking milk.
I have a lunch date with Cute CLE Girl next week. In my younger, more insecure days (i.e. last year), I would have been extremely reluctant to even call this a date for fear of seeming foolish or pathetic. But now I figure, fuck it. It's a date until the other person clearly signals that it's not. I refuse to conceal my feelings of attraction for someone beneath a thin veneer of chummy platonic friendship. I did that all through college and law school and it sucked. I'm not saying that I've suddenly transformed into Cassanova on wheels, but perhaps I'm slightly less neurotic about how other people perceive me.
Just started reading The Da Vinci Code because I felt like I was missing out on something. I'm only a few pages in, but already the prose seems a little too breathless. But that reminds me. I should update the READ section on the sidebar. Hmmm...
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July 08, 2003
Follow-Through
As promised:
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Mailbag
I'm getting freakin' fan mail! From places like freakin' Australia! One very kind reader named Allison wrote:
Am really enjoying your very personal mix of the wry, funny, interesting and thought provoking - A rare and heady recipe that has refreshed this jaded journal palate of mine.
Such comments are likely to cause my ego to explode, so please be careful! But I really appreciate it. Keep reading and I'll keep trying to think of things to say.
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What A Wonderful World
Cell phone ringtones that sound like you're at the zoo. Can't wait. But it's probably better than that god-awful Auld Lang Syne ring.
Yes, I know that nation building is not a walk in the park. Nevertheless, the continued barrage of attacks against American troops in Iraq makes it difficult to keep claiming that we are there to liberate them. The Bushies keep insisting that this is the work of a radical few, but I'm not so sure. I think the attacks, at some level, are a symptom of the average Iraqi's frustration and resentment at not just the American presence, but the inability of the Americans to bring some semblance of normalcy to their lives. I may be wrong, but I don't think you would see nearly this much violence if the electricity was on and people had jobs to go to. But instead, you have Paul Bremer being driven around like Caesar while ill-trained and homesick American soldiers struggle to calm a hungry and scared populace.
And elsewhere in the world, people still don't like us.
My friend Charles just e-mailed me. MSNBC would like us to know that Britney Spears is not, I repeat not, a virgin. I guess the whole thing about the President lying in his State of the Union speech just doesn't measure up to our need to know that some no-talent bubble gum pop star had her cherry popped.
Maybe my next post will be about bunnies and rainbows...
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July 07, 2003
Maybe Two Was Enough
A late entry tonight because I just returned from seeing T3 with a friend. My ultra-concise review:
Eh. Not nearly as original or thoughtful as either of the first two. But the ending is honest albeit lacking emotional resonance.
MSNBC fired Michael Savage. Oh good, one less screaming talk show host of the so-called "liberal media."
And The Guardian, my favorite UK paper, is coming to America. Oh good, some genuine liberal media instead of another rehash of Republican Lite.
I love my iPod. I had to read a bunch of proposals this afternoon, but the task was made much more pleasant with Interpol blasting against my eardrums.
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July 06, 2003
Addict
According to the NYT, it is possible to become addicted to the constant flow of information coming through the Web, e-mail, cell phones, handhelds, etc. Attendant with this data crave is a shorter attention span (shocking, I know). I'll admit to compulsively checking my e-mail and having way too many feeds in my aggregator, but I like to think that I wouldn't start sweating and getting the shakes if my system went down.
I read a promising review of Krakauer's new book about the Mormons. And the Mormons are pissed. I suspect that this book won't just upset Mormons. Judging from the review, fundamentalists off most stripes will be perturbed by Krakauer's conclusions regarding religion, zealotry, and violence. I'll have to find time to read this. I keep telling myself I'll read more nonfiction, but I can't seem to resist a good story. Just read my copy of Volume I of Transmetropolitan. Great stuff.
On the home stretch of my next short story. It sucks, but I see these as warm-up exercises for, hopefully, better stuff in the future.
The Onion should be declared a national treasure. Read this.
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This Is A Test
Testing out Zempt with the Winamp plug-in. Let's see...click this and then click here and then hope Karma is with me...
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July 05, 2003
My Crush on Neko Case
Just got back from the New Pornographers concert at First Ave. The show was great. They played a nice mix of songs from their first two albums, plus one song I didn't recognize entitled "Action." The band engaged in friendly banter with the audience between songs and the whole vibe was very laid back. Some of the highlights were their performances of "The Laws Have Changed," "All for Swinging You Around," and, of course, "Letter for an Occupant." Neko Case's voice absolutely soared. I could make comments about her undeniable hottie-ness, but that would be obvious. Based on my crude estimate, the audience numbers roughly 200-300 people. If you were there there, I was the guy in the wheelchair (the only one I think...nothing new there) sitting right behind the sound board. Simply wonderful concert.
I breathe with the assistance of a ventilator and the vent doesn't do a great job of filtering out cigarette smoke. So I'm still tasting cigarettes with each breath. Blech. Somebody get me an Altoids.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 11:47 PM | Comments (0)
New and Improved
Just installed the upgrade for Movable Type 2.6. I love MT, but sometimes I think you need a CS degree to set up the damn thing. I can't imagine an AOL user trying to set permissions on CGI scripts. I'm gonna try an MT plugin called Zempt that I just read about in my aggregator. Looks like it has some added functionality that isn't native to MT.
But first, out to the deck with my book...
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 02:28 PM | Comments (0)
Spreading the Word
A friend wanted me to go see T3 with him at noon, but I've got a bit of a headache and I don't think I can handle Austrian accents and serial explosions right after lunch. And it's just too nice to sit in a dark theater. Which means I should haul my ass away from the computer sometime soon.
Scott McCloud has a new online comic up that you can read by simply coughing up a small micropayment. I haven't checked it out myself yet, but I think the concept is interesting. I believe that people will pay for content if the quality is high enough. I'm waiting for the day when you can read Astro City online.
I'm trying to boost readership for The 19th Floor in the wake of my guest blogging spot on RCB, so I have a favor to ask. I'd like everyone who visits this blog to e-mail the URL to three of your friends. Better yet, if you host your own blog, consider adding me to your list of links. I'm happy to do the same for blogs that are brought to my attention. I figure that my RCB spot gives me enough cred to claim that I'm interesting/funny/edgy/whatever enough for people to check out on a regular basis. But that's for all of the collective, anonymous YOU to decide.
And let's get some comments! C'mon, tell me what a loser I am!
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 12:20 PM | Comments (0)
Chain Gang
The view of the fireworks from my building's deck was actually pretty good. I wish I had a digital camera or phonecam so that I could post some pictures.
Big hooray to Dell for abandoning its practice of using cheap prison labor. I'm amazed that not only does this practice persist, but it's getting more popular. Prison inmates should certainly have meaningful work to do, but they shouldn't be used as a cheap labor pool for for-profit companies.
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July 04, 2003
Oooh! Aahh!
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:23 PM | Comments (0)
CCXXVII
All those grade school lessons on Roman numerals really paid off...
Happy Independence Day, everyone. It's a fine and clear holiday here in the Great North. I hope all of my readers, both foreign and domestic, are feeling free and unfettered. Boy, that's a lot of F's. Oh well. I wonder if I'll be able to see fireworks from the deck of my building.
Been messing around with my Newzcrawler reader and discovering the joys of RSS. As someone so astutely observed, RSS is like TiVo for the Net. It makes keeping up with my blog reading much easier. And everyone should try out the new Google toolbar.
Some of you probably wonder why I sign my posts "wintermute2_0." It's a variation of a name from the classic geek novel Neuromancer. It thought it sounded cool and edgy, but it probably just highlights what a dork I am.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)
July 03, 2003
Attention Earth...
Sincerely,
The Universe
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 09:54 PM | Comments (4)
It Blows Up Reeeal Good!
Everyone's posted this, but it's worth repeating. Go to Google and type WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION--no quotes--then click the I'm Feeling Lucky button. Hilarity will ensue.
Cute CLE Girl, the subject of my RCB post, e-mailed me back today with a friendly note. Take that, Extremely Negative Mark, you bastard!
Did you take one of those dorky career aptitude tests when you were in high school? They never seemed to give many options to the kids who liked to blow stuff up in the field just outside town. So for all you reformed pyromaniacs, here's one career idea...
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:44 PM | Comments (0)
July 02, 2003
Another Serving
Here's an article about some promising research for people with spinal cord injuries. The big challenge will be for the US to get rid of its misguided and hamfisted regulations on stem cell research. And while research is always a good thing, some additional funding for personal care attendants and other direct care workers would go a long way towards keeping people out of institutions and in their own homes.
Does Dean have a chance? He has the momentum of late. Grass-roots organizing may be our only chance to restore sanity to the White House.
Dear Ralph: Go away. We're bored with you. Sincerely, Mark.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 08:34 PM | Comments (0)
Camera Shy
Did John Wayne's ghost suddenly assume control of our President? Is it really a good idea to taunt potential terrorists, especially given the current situation in Iraq? Has he thought about how his moment of dick-swinging bragodiccio might get some pool American soldier killed? This just reinforces my belief that the scripted and unscripted Bush are two very different people.
A couple weeks ago, I went to get my picture taken for a new ID card. I still have my Wisconsin ID and it expired about five years ago. So i go to the Government Center and discover that my chair can barely fit into the photo booth. Once I finally get myself situated, we discover that the automated camera can't aim its lens far enough down to see my face. After about thirty minutes of fiddling with the camera, we finally decide that the best solution is to have someone physically lift me out of my chair and hold me up high so that the camera can see me. Something tells me the picture is gonna suck. But that's not nearly as interesting as the time six bouncers carried me up a flight of stairs into a topless bar for a friend's bachelor party. I'll save that story for later.
If anyone's interested, I could still use some ideas for a banner or masthead for this site.
I may also be looking for additional nursing staff within the next month or two. If anyone knows of RNs or LPNs in the Twin Cities area who may be interested in picking up some home care shifts (for a pretty good hourly wage), drop me a line.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 06:26 PM | Comments (0)
July 01, 2003
Dossier
Added a brief bio under "Dossier." New arrivals might want to check it out.
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15 Minutes and Counting...
Last night, I picked up some comics by Warren Ellis. Today, Warren and I are both guest bloggers on the Reverse Cowgirl. More than a little surreal, if you ask me. I checked the hits to The 19th Floor just now and almost fell out of my chair. I've had more hits today than in the past few weeks. Pretty cool. So keep reading and I'll keep trying to make this thing interesting. Thanks for having me, Susannah.
Got my tickets to see the New Pornographers this weekend. I'm going with a friend from work, so it should be a good time. The last time I went to a concert was last summer at the Fine Line to see the Doves. I nearly got trampled. Hopefully, First Avenue is more wheelchair friendly.
It's great to see some progress in the Mideast peace process. My father's side of the family is Jewish (technically, I'm not Jewish because my mom isn't) and while I feel no special connection with Israel, I do hope that both peoples can achieve some measure of normalcy and security for themselves and their children. In the long run, I do think most conflicts end because people simply tire of fighting. It's just a question of how long it takes to reach that point.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at 05:18 PM | Comments (0)