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***Entry 209***
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
11:11 p.m.
Well...this is it. Bush called the bill's passage "an historic and bold step forward to protect the American people. . . . This landmark legislation, the most extensive reorganization of the federal government since the 1940s, will help our nation meet the emerging threats of terrorism in the 21st century." Nice spin, there Bushy, maybe I'm guilty of "misunderestimating" you. Or maybe what's really going on is that the American people are being threatened by this landmark reorganization of the federal government. But I doubt that would concern you; you *won* right?
Update: It's 11:34pm, the DC IMC is down. Just when does paranoia become reality?
***Entry 208***
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
10:04 p.m.
I've been jealous of Joanne's page called jo faq for a while now. I've been meaning to create one of my own whenever I got the time. Well, I've been seriously bored this evening so I present *self obsession* a Zoe faq page...
And speaking of Joanne...Thanks for linking to this pure fun.
***Entry 207***
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
08:02 p.m.
*Sigh.* I have spent the last *hour* attempting to print a 5 page PDF file of excerpts from Nietzche's The Gay Science. During this time, the computer I'm working on refused to let me do *anything* else. So I entertained my self by making some white-trash eats via the microwave. But, I couldn't figure out how to program the microwave so I ended up moderately destroying the velveeta cheese product. [I'm eating it anyway. It's been a while since I ate the lunch sushi.] Meanwhile, News Channel 4, the only channel the kitchen tv receives clearly, is broadcasting some dumb celebrity-fixated program dripping with vomit. What can I say about this interrelated group of experiences: Oh, how I try to be an intellectual, but alas, I am only a blogger. Or something like that.
***Entry 206***
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
02:33 p.m.
I just ate sushi. And now, I'm thinking about this.
***Entry 205***
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
02:01 p.m.
Jason Buckley asked why I don't have comments on this site. He said he would help me put some on... Here's my response:
Comment: On comments:
1. Allowing comments is more democratic and more participatory.
2. However, when I have tried to elaborate on democracy and participation on other sites (esp., DC IMC), I've been personally trashed. That is, my argument has been ignored and people have focused instead on my personality.
3. I don't like being personally trashed, so I have a fear of putting up comments on my site.
4. If comments that are inappropriate can be deleted by me (censorship, perhaps), I would be happy to get your help putting up comments.
:)
***Entry 204***
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
01:32 p.m.
Two Cops on a Tuesday Morning and/or Adventures in Existential Experimentation
Things I experienced while driving to school this morning:
1. A sign on a church that said: "The Devil owns the Fence you are Sitting on."
2. A large truck almost rear-ending me in the blinding sunlight.
3. Two cops--a state trooper followed shortly by a St. Mary's County sheriff's deputy--speeding by me [and a school bus that was loading] in the opposing traffic lane.
4. One of the housekeepers for Kent Hall [History and Social Science Department building] I have befriended gave me a hug today and an inspirational speech when she learned I was graduating. She said she hoped someday I would write about her. I'm doing that now, her name is M. Jeanette Price.
Does any of this matter? Answering "No": It doesn't really matter, but I like to add little flavors of life when describing my activities outside of the city. Answering "Yes": Of course it matters, these little flavors of life represent the little decisions I made earlier this morning. I chose to read the church sign and laugh at it [although, this was hardly the goal of the statement]. I chose to give the finger to the truck driver. I chose to pull off the road for the cops. And I chose to befriend one of the staff at my school because they are largely ignored or given the shaft by many of the better-than-thou students/faculty at my school.
My Women in Modern Western History class is reading Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex. [A really brief aside, the link goes to an essay by the brilliant Trista di Genova, a former/current DC IMC contributer...] So, of course we *had* to discuss existentialism, but I *had* to keep my mouth shut. I can't discuss existentialism from an academic perspective, for me it is too personal.
I'm often asked about the "name thing" and I struggle to give a coherent, rational argument that placates the questioner. Those that have seen me do this, know that my explanations are often contradictory and filled with "um" and "uh" rather than tangible phrases. If anything, keeping my mouth shut in class today forced me to think about how I was going to present this to the world.
1. My 10th grade Humanities teacher decided he was going to spend the entire year teaching us about existentialism.
2. He was hot, I couldn't help but imbibe everything he said.
3. I took existentialism *way* too seriously and have been obsessed with creating/defining myself ever sense then. I want to control my "essence." In this way, "Zoe Mitchell" is an "existential experiment."
4. But, it is an experiment gone awry as any "existential experiment" is bound to do. The problem with defining yourself is that society defines you regardless.
5. And that's why I'm enjoying The Second Sex so much. De Beauvoir accounts for society/restraint and/or "social constructs." And it's just really impressive.
I couldn't talk in class today because I didn't choose to talk about my personal life. Perhaps, it was in bad faith. Or perhaps, I'm just better-than-thou.
***Entry 203***
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
12:58 a.m.
Well...what a surprise! According to this article, it seems unlikely that there will be any substantial changes [read: improvements] in the metro system. Strangely enough, I find myself agreeing with a *Republican* [although admittingly I only know his view via this quote]. But Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully), the lone board member to oppose a sales tax increase, wondered why his county was able to find money for its share of Metro funding before the referendum campaign and now could not. "Our support [of Metro] in the past was not contingent on the referendum," Frey said. The board, he said, was "blaming the voter" for rejecting a tax increase. The referendum refers to the Nov. 5 Northern Virginia ballot question that longtime DC IMC contributer Brian Long wrote against here.
For a while, I was seriously considering studying urban planning because of my interest in improving public transportation [and admittingly because I *love* Suburban Nation so much]. However, when I see elected leaders so unwilling to make improvements and more importantly "blame the voter," I'm glad I steered away from that path. I'm sick of talking about [talking about] change; I want to see it happen.
***Entry 202***
Monday, November 18, 2002
10:00 p.m.
I will reluctantly leave the blogosphere for the Marx essay I *have* to write. You will leave my blog now and go visit Anti/Love where Joanne has posted a simply brilliant piece entitled "Who Stalled Feminism?" on the relationship between women, credit cards, and the seemingly endless quest for beauty=love.
***Entry 201***
Monday, November 18, 2002
09:50 p.m.
Fellow Southern Marylanders Good Charlotte, sing a little ditty on their first major album called The Motivation Proclamation. Why do I mention this now? 1. I'm in Southern Maryland. 2. I find it impossible to motivate myself to write the little ditty on Marx for my 8am tomorrow. My response is to blog about pop-punk. Something's clearly wrong here. :)
***Entry 200***
Monday, November 18, 2002
07:20 p.m.
I'm fascinated by numbers. This fascination is usually expressed via silly little "make a wish" things I do...if the clock is at 12:34, I make a wish...if my mileage [what are those thingys called?] hits something like 155155, I make a wish...etc. It's silly, but it provides some degree of stability in my too chaotic world. I can celebrate because, I've made it to another milestone. This is ***Entry 200*** in my blog-experimentation. I never thought that I would write so much for public viewing in such a short amount of time. So, in accordance with my silliness, I make a wish. But I wouldn't want to jinx it...so I'll only publicize it if it occurs.
And speaking of numbers [and/or publicity], here's a story by David Barrows, a writer with the Intowner, that mentions my humble abode [but not myself] in relation to "Washington Interns Gone Bad." And speaking of that film, the director Jay Buckley is responsible for at least one of my recent hits via searches for "Washington Interns Gone Bad." And...he's also responsible for finding this little tidbit of shite from the inane Post-"Going Out Gurus": "One of the indie films screening on Friday is the vastly over-hyped "Washington Interns Gone Bad." It is notable only for it's sheer persistency." Oh please, people that suggest *Tryst* [vomit factor high] for late night dessert have no reason what-*so*-ever to use the adjective "over-hyped" to describe anything.
***Entry 199***
Monday, November 18, 2002
02:01 p.m.
Quick accomplishment...I've gotten more hits from searches for "Washington Interns Gone Bad" than "toenail fetish." Wow. Call me thrilled that the *best* independent political satire starring DC locals (past + present)...and me...is getting as much recognition as my lousy ruined toenail. And then call me late for Chemistry. Later.
***Entry 198***
Monday, November 18, 2002
01:52 p.m.
While I regret that I am going to be missing Benjamin Barber speak tonight (see Joanne for more info.), I'm thrilled to be "vacationing" in the most incredible house ever. It's a log cabin--revised/restored/renewed--in the middle of the woods with a little trail down to the beach. Am I a sucker for getting back to nature or what?
For those with the need-to-know-complex, I'll be back in city this weekend with all the luscious details of my adventures in the woods. :)
Anyhow, I met, yet another blogger this past weekend. Jerry Brito is a friend of Joanne's and a really great person. His blog is as multifacited as mine; politics, music, culture, and personal life stuff is all covered. Check it out...and Jerry, welcome to my DC based blog roll.
***Entry 197***
Saturday, November 16, 2002
08:17 p.m.
Thanks to Joanne, I have finally found a real reason to go to grad school. Life is good.
***Entry 196***
Saturday, November 16, 2002
03:14 a.m.
Well...ChuckO explains the whole "Dr. Laura naked" thingy and it makes sense. I'm just not sure I really care to see the website itself to verify it. I trust his judgement rather than have my eyes haunted by that vision.
***Entry 195***
Saturday, November 16, 2002
02:22 a.m.
Okay. Weird Winter Mode has gotten weirder. Tonite, I ran to Dupont to pick up flyers for the next DC Skillz rave that I'm going to promote. Then I drove to Art O Matic to see the premiere of Washington Interns Gone Bad. It went really well and at the end I got to stand in front with the other cast and crew members and answer questions. It was hot. Things were fine until I headed down to Lemur Lounge.
For fear of embarassing myself, I won't describe what I ate for dinner. It's just *too* silly. But, I will describe the latest Zoe fiasco via Weird Winter Mode: I locked my keys in my car. I freaked out, but luckily, I left my window open enough that this friendly kid Seth broke into my car with my help and I retrieved my keys.
Seriously, now I'm back home, but concerned that I'm turning into a total space cadet. Yi. I'm just really having problems functioning like a normal adult.
***Entry 194***
Friday, November 15, 2002
06:22 p.m.
I've never said that I'm pro-"objectivity." However, attempting fairness, here's two perspectives on last night's anti-war speech from Jello Biafra. [I tried to attend this event...and got as far as Logan Circle before realizing that Celly was MIA. I had to go home, immediately...]
First, Julian Sanchez writes that the event was "misleading." Indisputable facts, discredited rumors, stylized or spun versions of genuine events, and raw speculation blended into each other with similar ease, and without any hedging or change in tone to indicate that some of these “suppressed truths” were any more questionable than others. Given, this analysis, I'm not upset that I missed it...But...
Jason Buckley has a different opinion. First, he went out to *dinner* with Jello and learned a little more about him than expected. And then, he enjoyed the speech. The topic was with a few little tangents in other directions, war with Iraq, and Jello was as inspiring as ever.
I guess I can only be "objective" here, because I didn't attend the event. Oh well...I found Celly and honestly, that's more important to me.
***Entry 193***
Friday, November 15, 2002
05:25 p.m.
Another funny thing: ChuckO's posted a list of strange search terms leading people to his famous Infoshop.org site. Particularly telling, "dr laura naked." I hope that posting that here won't lead people to think that I have that *awful* information stored on this blog. However, perhaps, it's proof that I haven't learned my lesson from the whole "toenail fetish" incident that continues to draw freaks to this site. Or maybe, I hope that these *strange* individuals will come here and be educated...I try. I really try.
***Entry 192***
Friday, November 15, 2002
05:15 p.m.
Rabble's got a *ridiculously* funny piece on hate-mail received for Protest.net up on his blog @anarchogeek.com. Check it out, even if you don't share his politics, it's still funny to see how people overreact to things they don't agree with.
***Entry 191***
Friday, November 15, 2002
04:55 p.m.
I return to the blogosphere having attempted to "negate the negation" and/or end the weird winter mode by making things even more weird. As the attempt was futile, I must reject the dialectic...
But back to blogging...TONITE is the premiere of Washington Interns Gone Bad at Art O Matic. If you have any doubts about the value of attending this glorious event, consider this, there will be a keg. Fun, fun, fun.
Additionally, for some unknown reason, I've been guestlisted for Lemur Lounge so I'll be making a trek post-premiere to Alexandria for more fun.
Weird Winter Mode is certainly strange, but it is exciting.
***Entry 190***
Thursday, November 14, 2002
08:07 p.m.
Hey, go check out the *incredible* feature that the DC IMC compiled on the House passage of the Homeland Security Bill. The editorial team is *so* hot, they even included the entire text. I am often critical of the DC IMC here, but really, when they do a good job, I can't say anything negative. Congrats, peeps.
***Entry 189***
Thursday, November 14, 2002
01:30 p.m.
An update on my housemate Marisa's band, Grandma's Mini.
Join Washington, D.C.'s sexiest starlets GRANDMA's
MINI, opening for out-of-town Girl punkrockers BANTAM
(ex-Lunachicks) and Girlush Figure
THIS SUNDAY November 17, 2002 @ 9 p.m.
The Velvet Lounge
915 U. Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001
(202)462-3213
$5 cover; 21 and over
***Entry 188***
Thursday, November 14, 2002
12:47 p.m.
I saw Santa today. He was an overweight middle-aged white man carrying his red and white hat walking on the side of Route 2-4 in Calvert County, Maryland. He looked anything but joyful.
I saw the leaves fall today. Only, among them was an empty bag of fritos that hit my windshield only moments after I saw Santa.
Chris Strohm recently asked me if I blog about everything in my life. Those that know me well--outside of the blogosphere, are aware that there are specific things about my personal life that I avoid posting to the world. However, on the whole, there are very few personal things I avoid discussion of on the blog. In order to be able to do anything today, I've gotta blog about my personal life.
Life without Stability
If I called it graduation angst alone, I wouldn't be dealing with the whole problem. So I've made a list of the destabilizing factors, which seems to be pretty common.
1. I have no health insurance. I lost my family's health insurance when I turned 22 this summer. When this happened, I joined the 43 million Americans without health insurance; however, just because there is a large community of uninsured Americans, that doesn't make it easier to accept that when I get sick, I just have to deal with it.
2. My job is part-time, without benefits, and super-low-paying. I just got a promotion but I'm not sure how long I can last making a little over $30 a week. As much as I love my job, I've still got bills to pay. As for better employment opportunities, they appear to be pretty slim. (And that's for Spring Semester 2003 graduates, not a Fall Semester 2002 graduate, like me.)
3. My car could break down at any time. I've driven my car (1995 Dodge Neon) since I was 15. It has had: an electrical fire, partial engine rebuilding due to the timing belt breaking, and an endless starter replacement. Everytime, I put the keys in the ignition, I just hope it starts. Everytime it makes a funny noise, I wonder if it will last me through December.
4. Living in two places gives me no real home. I live most of the week in DC; however, my school is a lengthy commute. I spend a few nights at my parents house, which causes me to revisit my childhood weekly. This isn't the best thing, when I want a sense of community.
I'll stop writing so much now, but I'll mention a few other factors. Being agnostic doesn't help. Being disillusioned with the government and politics in general doesn't help. I don't want to be a nihilist but my generation is screwed.
I drove by Santa today. A Fritos bag hit my windowshield. And I just kept driving. The only thing propelling me forward was the idea that moments later, I would write about these things in my blog...and attempt to make some larger connection to my lack of stability. I'm not quite sure if I accomplished that, but it was nice to write it all down.
***Entry 187***
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
11:57 p.m.
If I wasn't agnostic, I'd say "Oh my God!" to the news that the House passed the bill Creating the Department of Homeland Security. You know what, I'll say "Oh my God!" anyhow. What response am I supposed to give to a another bureaucracy with a mesh of agencies within it dedicated to "respond to terrorist attacks and develop new technologies to detect threats." Whatever "threats" may mean, it's clear that the Department of Homeland security is going to change the internet which could effect my daily life. [Is the DC IMC a threat? Is this blog? Who knows?] I guess "Oh my God!" doesn't really cut it; I'm not shocked that this happened. Perhaps, the better response is *Vomit!*
At least this is funny.
***Entry 186***
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
11:34 p.m.
Political Beyond Zoe's Diary Fans, Skip This And Scroll Down
This is perhaps, the most strange spam I've ever gotten. It was titled "A Zoe Love Letter" or something cheesy like that...so I actually opened it.
Dearest Zoë,
perhaps this could be considered some what of a mass ³ Zoë love letter ³.
Hmm...Solidarity between all "Zoes?" I don't think Rorty would consider that pragmatic.
Upon placing the word ZOE into my search engine I was most amazed at the hundreds of web sites that appeared! I have visited a lot of your sites - each and every one of you are gorgeous, talented, beautiful, diverse, artistic,& mostly charming!!
Well, if she visited this site; I doubt she would think I was charming. Cynical is more appropriate.
There are Zoë musicians, Zoë moms, Zoë babies, Zoë corporates, Zoë artists, Zoë dancers, Zoë dogs Zoë cats, Zoë inventors, Zoë chefs, Zoë men, Zoë authors and so many more of you - it¹s amazing!
Well, seems like the name I thought was *so* unique is downright blase. Now I'm even more cynical.
I love my name, it pleases me to know of other Zoe¹s on the planet . Zoë means LIFE/SPIRIT in the Greek language. It¹s an artistic name, bold, and full of attitude!
I'd say. Ooooh...I agree with a spammer.
Today I write to all of you and ask that you come and visit my site, Zoe¹s Earth. It¹s a lovely site filled with natural products, vitamins, skin care, gifts, herbs & best of all - my cool Zoë hats/caps (with a circle of life swirl on the logo). I also have these beautiful Japanese Raku Kanji Charm necklaces from Santa Fe New Mexico- my best selling ?... The LIFE(Zoë) Kanji of course.
Well...it is an ad, of course, but here's the link in case you want to check it out. Who knows?
I'm blaming it all on Weird Winter Mode.
***Entry 185***
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
11:25 p.m.
I've done some *minor* site revisions. 1. I put the archive in reverse chronological order. I thought it might encourage people to read the newest work first. BTW: The "Week" thingy is pretty *arbitrary* as well... 2. I added a section of *My Arbitrary Associates for links from those friendly folks from various Indymedia outlets who've been linking to me. I think it's helpful, but maybe I'm just bored. I return to the city tomorrow...
***Entry 184***
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
10:21 p.m.
Tonight's West Wing episode was less thrilling than the previous two have been. This, I believe largely reflects my own experience with post-election let down. Those with campaign experience understand the thrill of watching your candidate in a debate and watching the election results come in--and afterwards, it's just over. Nonetheless, there were some interesting things in tonight's episode. 1. Toby's ex-wife, Congresswoman Andy (Andrea) Wyatt, represents Maryland's Congressional District 5 or Southern Marylanders. 2. Leo states, "The process matters more than the outcome." Likely, this is stated by someone else at some other point; but I don't care. It was nice, given that I'm writing my thesis about process.
In other West Wing news, The Toronto Star ran an article about the show being too preachy and too alienating for conservative viewers. Who cares? The West Wing is the only decent TV program that deals with substantive issues and policy questions. It may not present all sides equally, but unlike most TV programs, especially those cheesy reality TV shows, it at least discusses policy.
***Entry 183***
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
06:36 p.m.
My earlier comment on the DC IMC has lead to the usual charming detractors calling me a "leader of the anarchist black bloc giving statist apologetics". Which obviously, makes no sense if you understand anarchy. Another character thoughtfully (ha) rejected the claim that I am an anarchist and posted this, SO this Zoe obviously is not an anarchist, but some liberal green ISO type. I find this equally silly.
Pandering perhaps, but I posted this response there, which I have included here (after some minor editing) with some links to send you lovely readers (who have to take an effort to contact me) along your merry way.
Ahh...the perils of educating the masses
Oh how I try to convey something other than the monotonous babble that the commenters on this site like to consider informative "discourse." Success continues to allude me and yet, I consider it necessary to defend my beliefs once again.
1. Clearly, I'm not an anarchist. I've said that many times before. And I've never been a participant in the black bloc. I've covered them--and I respect them, in many ways. But I believe in the state--not necessarily, the existing regime. I'm in favor of government.
2. I'm not offended by being called an anarchist, it's just not an accurate way of describing me. I am offended by calling me an ISO type. Please, the ISO and all secretarian groups offend me by their outmoded marxist drivel. I'm not a socialist. I'm not a communist. I'm not a marxist of any sort.
3. So, by those commenters who have already written their misguided diatribes against me: if I'm not an anarchist and not a socialist/communist/marxist, I must be a liberal Green Party member. And, what that's a bad thing? I am a member of the DC Statehood-Green Party, but I hardly consider that to be my defining label. I'm not a liberal because there are many things so-called "liberals" believe in that I don't.
4. I'm tempted to make a list of all the things I believe in and post it somewhere so that I can avoid all these nonsensical labels people want to attach to me, but it's really not worth it. People will try to label me to promote their cause or reject my analysis because they don't understand where it is coming from and don't want to look stupid. It's stupid to label me. It's stupid that I have to repeat that everytime I comment here.
I just finished the introduction to my thesis called "A Critique of Consensus Process." Included in that introduction is a rejection of a dichotomy of representative democracy vs. consensus process. There are other ways of looking at democracy, if you can't figure that one out with out me going in depth about how it would work perhaps you need to stop labelling people and start educating yourself.
The Undefined Zoe Mitchell
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