|
***Entry 384***
Friday, February 7, 2003
10:59 a.m.
Endless Winter
I've tried to steer away from writing on the weather...but this much snow, this late in February? This is ridiculous.
At least it's Friday.
***Entry 383***
Thursday, February 6, 2003
10:31 a.m.
The Weekly West Wing Review
95% of me watches the West Wing because most of the characters, most of the time, are smarter than I am. Which, if you follow my social circle, is a rarity.
Anyhow, last night's episode was certainly the best one since December. It had a explicit critique of American foreign policy--why are American/European lives more important than African lives? It had a mention of the style vs. substance dichotomy.
And, like most other West Wing episodes, it dealt with communication issues. Why was the Chief Justice writing in verse? It's kind of confusing. Why was the data from Kundu so sketchy? It's kind of confusing.
But, by far, the best part of this episode was seeing how Will Bailey is really growing into his role as a "temporary" speechwriter. Let's hope he stays on for good and let's hope he's allowed to invent foreign policy through a speech.
If Bush is allowed to create international crises via calling countries "the axis of evil" in his 2002 State of the Union address, Barlet should be allowed to use force whenever there is a problem he [or Will Bailey] wants to correct. I trust the Barlet Administration *far* more than I trust Bush.
***Entry 382***
Thursday, February 6, 2003
10:13 a.m.
Indiscreet Nullification of the Political Spectrum
Chuck O writes against International ANSWER and their techniques of Red Baiting [see entry directly below]. He writes succinctly: The petty authoritarians running ANSWER need to look in the mirror before accusing other activists of unethical behavior.
Critiquing the other side of the "spectrum" Joanne likens the Conservative Political Action Conference to a right-wing orgy.
And now my third way attempt: Neither the communist fronted International ANSWER nor the Bush worshipping Conservative Political Action Conference should seen as legitimate ends of the political spectrum [a phrase, which has limited legitimacy itself]. Instead, these groups--and the hundreds of similar organizations in this country--should be given their due credit: lambasted in the media, the blogosphere and in everyday conversation.
Chuck O and Joanne--with their own widely disparate political philosophies--should be given credit for the wonderful work they are doing. Blogging, in so many different ways really nullifies the "political spectrum."
***Entry 381***
Wednesday, February 5, 2003
04:57 p.m.
Red-Baiting? Or Accurate Assessment of ANSWER
My favorite thing about authoritarians--of the socialist or communist varieties--is how [whine] much [whine] they like to [uh] whine about Red-Baiting. Well, lately the authoritarians have been on a kick--complaining that critiques of ANSWER aren't going to lead to the "revolution" and then asking "Socialists" for money.
***Entry 380***
Wednesday, February 5, 2003
04:20 p.m.
Another Reason to Love Academe
This survey showcases American dialects. Since I'm a big fan of "oll" for "oil" I had to check this out. Faves: subway [I use "the train" and "metro" interchangably], City [Of course, it's DC!], Really [Or Rilly. Or in "Souther-Merlin," Ril. Yep, it's ril good down thar.]
***Entry 379***
Wednesday, February 5, 2003
02:12 p.m.
[Not] Again
I could say that about Powell's speech to the UN Security Council, but everyone with any ability to think will be able to write about that. And besides, I really don't want this blog to serve as exclusively an anti-war blog.
So, this is back again. Sign it, 'cause there's another attack on DC nightlife brewing.
***Entry 377***
Tuesday, February 4, 2003
05:53 p.m.
More Endless Entertainment
Kellan has the *coolest* links.
***Entry 376***
Tuesday, February 4, 2003
05:31 p.m.
A Rejoinder to My Previous Post
Earlier today, I left the office to attend a little protest at the American Petroleum Institute. The goal: show the connection between the war and oil. The goal was sorely missed.
The problem, as Luke describes in first link, is that a whole slew of paid neo-cons arrived singing "God Bless America" and chanting "Greenpeace Loves Saddam" and "Get a Job." [The irony...]
I confess to getting into a "battle" with the Darth Vader character they brought out, but then again, I was wearing a grim reaper outfit. [I promise pictures, if they ever appear online.]
My lesson #1: Don't wax poetic on the virtues of the neo-con men. My lesson #2: I'd rather be alone than with someone who is paid to "believe" that opposition to the war is equivalent to support for the dictator Saddam Hussein. It isn't accurate and it isn't worth my time.
***Entry 375***
Tuesday, February 4, 2003
09:41 a.m.
Writing to See My Words
It's strange--I awoke this morning with a desire to follow up on an observation Joanne made *in person* a while back re: why I should date neo-cons.
Now, I usually don't delve into the most personal of personal entries here on the blog [a nominal contradiction, of sorts], but I do tend to write about whatever is blocking my train of thought. This morning it was a subtle urging to write about how the [not so] reluctantly universalized characteristics of "left-leaning" men lead me to reject nearly everyone I meet in the "movement" as a potential mate. [I hope to show how this is strange, shortly...stick with my case...]
Left-leaning men are either: relativists, misogynists, authoritarians, socialists, or communists. And don't say, I'm generalizing, I've been involved in this "movement" for long enough to categorize men...
And, while some of you out there would be tempted to state that there's nothing wrong with dating socialists or communists--they are, after all "fighting for a better world." Except, that "come the revolution" they truly believe they will gain power and be able to kill everyone who has harmed them. [Which if you follow my "logic" would be me, because I refuse to date them.]
Now, to the strangeness of the day: In my morning blog reading, I find that Chuck O has also written about relationship woes in the movement and his desire to find someone outside his social circle. And, even more, interesting--this article on conservatism from A&L Daily.
Why is it interesting?
1. I've never appreciated Burke--who I have largely disagreed with--as much as I did this morning.
2. I've never written a blog entry so disconnected and choppy as this one. Which, is why I'm largely writing to see my words.
***Entry 374***
Monday, February 3, 2003
02:15 p.m.
Into the Light
I'm half-heartedly listening to Bush discuss "Project Bioshield." The reference to Sept. 11 changing everything kind of turned me off [again]...'cause for me "The War on Terror" is merely a rhetorical scheme to get me to rally behind an administration that aspires to the theatre of the absurd daily. [And, just where is Ari?]
And if that all isn't enough--I've gotten this in my email box:
SHINING A LIGHT ON PICTSWEET: "Why do Pictsweet workers
have vision problems?" asked one UNION CITY reader
(1/22 Action Alert: Tell Pizza Hut Big Cheeses Hold
the Mushrooms!). "Because they work in the dark all
of the time," answers the UFW's Jocelyn Sherman. "The
rooms where mushrooms grow at Pictsweet are small dark
damp rooms without any lights. The only lights the
workers have are the small battery operated lamps on
their helmet. At some of our other mushroom companies,
i.e. Monterey Mushrooms where the workers have a union
contract, when the workers come in to pick the lights
are turned on and then turned back off when they are
not picking."
I'm going to use my "God Given Talents" as Bushy just described them to avoid eating mushrooms picked in the dark. If only the rhetoric re: the "War on Terror" could be turned off so readily.
***Entry 373***
Monday, February 3, 2003
10:02 a.m.
On Google and Me
Every day, I get between 5-15 hits from people googling "Zoe" or "Zoe Mitchell." Most of the time, I don't know these people and most of the time, I don't really care that they are reading my blog. On the otherhand, I've become more suspicious about the dark side of Google. It's not that I have a lot of people from my past that could adversely influence my online identity--it's the idea of having little control over what information people can access about me.
For example, if every nuance of my personality and life were accessable via google, I wouldn't be as concerned as I would be if only specific and negative nuances were available. See: if my entire life--and every single facet of my identity were available on line, then one using google to find out about me would have access to everything. I would be a complete online individual--perhaps, as complete as I am in the "real world." [Plus, I could live forever in the online world, something sadly not available for my "real world" identity. But, that's another entry.]
Whereas, incomplete information about me--for example, links to this site, the [sadly forlorn] Zoe's Diary project, the Self Obsession page, and random reprints of various essays and photos do not in any way constitute my identity. It's like parsing a phrase that has no meaning to begin with. It's like taking a toothbrush and some shampoo in a travel bag and calling it a bathroom.
It's like saying you know me, because you read this site.
***Entry 372***
Sunday, February 2, 2003
09:52 a.m.
Adventures in a Post-Winter Mind-Season
I wrote last week that DC is a hole. In the spirit of non-contradiction, I'm going to embellish that description: DC is a trap as a frame of mind. DC is a perpetual winter of snowing business cards and cell phones ringing carols to the tune of "Hi, this is Zoe." DC is a place to aspire to...and then leave periodically to remain sane. Unless you count nominal trips to Trader Joe's in Bethesda as leaving the city [and I absolutely don't], I hadn't left the city since Christmas.
[Drum roll, please...] Until...this weekend!!!!!!!!!
Friday night, I went with Karen to Neon Hell/Arundel Mills to meet some pals from high school and college. Karen and I made the unfortunate decision to spend $1 on the mechanized massage chairs. My one phrase description of the experience: I thought I was being attacked.
Yesterday, I entered the adult world via taking my parents to lunch in Southern Maryland. I felt very financially stable and competent. Except that moments before we ate, I locked my keys in my car [again] and needed my father's help in retrieving them. Post-Winter is really only a half-hearted state of mind.
***Entry 371***
Friday, January 31, 2003
10:16 a.m.
Sticking with the Same Ol' Same Ol'
After reading this the "calm," and "reflective" world of public relations consulting seems more long term than ever.
***Entry 370***
Friday, January 31, 2003
09:36 a.m.
Okay, Maybe Fifteen Hours Instead
I know this is probably getting old right about now...but Jenny Carden posted links to all the [print/internet] press coverage for the Sorry State of the Union.
Hey, I'm going to keep patting myself on the back as long as people continue to recognize me when I'm out about town.
Which reminds me...the Ted Leo Show at the Black Cat last night was *hot*--albeit trunicated. [Only 5-6 songs] Joanne noted that he's performing again in March. Here's my advice: Go to the next Ted Leo show.
***Entry 369***
Thursday, January 30, 2003
04:02 p.m.
Arbitrary Fortunes
North Sea Restaurant gave me two fortune cookies today with my lunch. Here's what they predict:
1.You will receive a compliment from a stranger on Friday.
2. You are contemplative and analytical by nature
I wonder if that last one was based on me reading Seyla Benhabib's The Claims of Culture: Equality and Diversity in the Global Era while waiting for my food. While I'm not prepared to review the book yet; the food was suitable for a late lunch.
***Entry 368***
Thursday, January 30, 2003
12:24 p.m.
Back on the SoTU Front
Mikey has posted the *most incredible* video footage of the Sorry State of the Union Rally/Concert. Since I was running around giving interviews, I [sadly] missed most of the show. Mikey's Video captures the event so well, I almost feel like I actually experienced it.
And in Related News: The Quest For Fifteen Minutes
Last night, Joanne and I went out to Polly's Cafe. The bartender there is also a member of The Whips, who performed at the Sorry State of the Union. We recognized each other from the show. And she called out across the room that I was one of the organizers and she had seen me on TV. The customers turned and looked at me and for a brief moment...I felt...err...famous?
And, you know how that makes me feel.
***Entry 368***
Thursday, January 30, 2003
11:14 a.m.
A New Kind of Democrat
Adam found this little tidbit of joy.
Just an idea of what to expect when you arrive there:
Come find out why Joseph Lieberman is a New Kind of Democrat.
The kind that's not afraid to stand up for the rich and powerful.
The kind that will take a strong stand against imaginary violence.
The Republican kind.
Sheer brilliance.
***Entry 367***
Thursday, January 30, 2003
09:58 a.m.
*HOT* Blog Announcement
According to the email Michael, the editor, sent me: I started www.dcmetroaction.com two weeks ago, to provide a vehicle for folks in Washington who are involved in advocacy work nationally -- to get plugged in locally. It is my hope to grow it to a "go to" resource for local activism and participation. I hope to reach the 100's of progressives here, from someplace else. I am interested in a wide range of socially just issues, and hope to present a broad selection to engage folk in.
I went to the site and found it to be a great resource. Cheers, and welcome to the blogosphere.
***Entry 366***
Thursday, January 30, 2003
09:34 a.m.
Special Thanks For The State of the Union
Around 6pm Tuesday night, I got a call from someone in
Charleston, South Carolina. He told me that
after hearing about our Sorry State of the Union
event, some activists there had decided to throw
their own event. They brought in local bands and
speakers and talked about why they were against
the War on Iraq. The most incredible part about the
conversation I had with him was this: He told
me that *we* had inspired them.
Wow. What an event.
The rally/concert/march spectacular was
truly impressive. I wasn't kidding when I said
on the stage that it was one of the most incredible events of my life. We had thousands of people and dozens
of reporters in attendance.
Special appreciation goes out to the Media Team Extraordinaire: Karen, Alexis, Joanne, Virginia, Aynsley, Jessica,
Marisa, Christie and Adam: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
One quick other thing: Unfortunately, we did not raise all the funds that we needed to pull off this event. If you would like to donate money to pay for the expenses we incurred, please send a check to the:
Mintwood Media Collective
1858 Mintwood Place NW #4
Washington DC 20009
|
