***Entry 92*** Wednesday, October 16, 2002 05:34 p.m. I feel that I might seem to negative in this criticism-laden blog. I'm going to counter that with an occasional five point entry about things that make me happy.
1. Indian Bridge Road in St. Mary's County, Maryland. This road is a short cut linking Route 4 and Route 5 and is only about 8 minutes long. Coming from Route 4, the first thing you see is new subdivisions being built--a sign of the "progress" St. Mary's County is undergoing. Driving further there are little houses interspersed with farm land, trees that are beginning to change color, and as the road narrows--a beautiful small bridge. The road ends at Great Mills with several little antique shops. It is wonderful.
2. The Chesapeake Bay: There is absolutely nothing more invigorating than standing on a beach on the Bay and breathing in the air. I grew up about a block away from the Bay. In order to get to "Secret Beach" I would have to walk down a rickety little trail through the woods. At night, there is absolutely no light until you get about 10 feet away from the beach. It is beautiful.
3. Phil's Corner Store/the "ghetto mart"/S and 10th St. Market: All the "essentials" about a block away. Cheap too.
4. My housemates: If you've never lived in a group house, it would be very hard for you to understand the complexity that is a large number of people living together. It's sometimes real world-esque but it is mostly "family" esque. That's the dynamic we want to present in our installation at Art O Matic. I appreciate y'all more than I can even write about...
5. Drawings by children of me: Yesterday at work, one of my first graders drew a picture of me. She gave me green eyes--I wish--and super cute glasses. I love it.
***Entry 91*** Wednesday, October 16, 2002 01:49 a.m. Because I drank coffee while hanging out with my friend Meg @ school around 9pm and I still can't sleep...I bring you this...which should bring joy into all your hearts...
***Entry 90*** Wednesday, October 16, 2002 01:19 a.m. And in other Post-news...There's this article about GWU students suing over their arrests in last month's protests against the World Bank and IMF. Two quick observations before I nap.
First: According to the suit, Lee and three others were held at the police academy until the following afternoon, spending more than 10 hours on the bus waiting for processing and then at least 12 additional hours inside the facility's gym, where each allegedly had a wrist handcuffed to an ankle. "Allegedly?" Almost everyone I know who was arrested has commented on being handcuffed wrist to ankle. When does something stop being "alleged" and start being "verified..."
Second: The students' lawyer, Jonathan Turley, a George Washington law professor, said the suit seeks to get the police "trap-and-arrest" tactic declared unconstitutional and to clear the arrests from the records of students and others. Wouldn't this be *hot* finally..."the right of the people peaceably to assemble" would be *more* respected.
***Entry 89*** Wednesday, October 16, 2002 01:09 a.m. This Post story on pop-up ads would have been *more* ironic, if it weren't for this line in parentheses: (The Washington Post Co. also serves pop-ups to visitors to its Web site). "serves?"...what? pop-up ads are like a treat? yi.
***Entry 88*** Wednesday, October 16, 2002 12:33 a.m. Joanne, who lives oh...so...close to the sniper's last stop, has written poignantly about how the experience has *not* (substantially) changed her life: You always run the risk of something, but is it worth it to live your life under ridiculous constraints to eliminate those risks? Fuck you sniper, I'm still pumping my own gas.
Part of me feels like giving a shout out like "Go Jo!!! Give um hell!!!" The other part feels like saying "Be careful." It's this *awful* self-imposed choice dichotomy between being super cheesy and super motherly. *Laugh*
***Entry 87*** Tuesday, October 15, 2002 11:50 p.m. I haven't really written here about music I listen to here...but I want to spend some time now writing about how The Anniversary's "I Believe that the End of the Reign of Terror is Soon Near" relates to my life and the world around me.
First, hit the lyrics. Second, go download it from Kazaa. Third, listen to this amazing song a thousand times in a row and then consider this...
You may be ready for the analysis: (FYI: italics=Anniversary lyrics. non-italics=zoe) Clothes make the man and looks
I'm obsessed with my image. That's why I can do PR work well. I am nothing but books and heart
My SMP (read: senior thesis) is called: "A Critique of Consensus Process: Theory, Practice and Implications." Yep, that's the books part. Heart? I'm really passionate about everything I put my mind to. Walk like a killer, talk like a priest
Hmm...context=sniper's "I am God" message. I tend to think that this is also an indictment of people who say one thing and do another, but I am far too honest about myself to apply it directly to my life. This is my dream - my destiny/Those nightmares that you've seen seem like such a dream to me
I was talking to Chris Strohm last night about how as a journalist I have this incredible ability to distance myself from situations and become a passive observer to the world around me. I'm constantly surrounded by chaos and violence and yet I'm not always so aware of my own presence. Scream you wanna go back again a time
I'm slowly forgetting my past. This is why I write everything down--here, in Zoe's Diary, in my personal journal. I can't go back in time so I write everything down so I can remember. Alas the king of sorrow - go off with him tomorrow
It's fall. I have seasonal depression. I'm also a procrastinator, extraordinaire. Please please tell me what those crazy months were/I can't remember - we prayed for stormy weather/To watch you dance
Again, the concept of forgetting my past and being distanced from the presence. I don't dance. Others around me do. Silence - as we grow old
Being silenced is one of my greatest fears. Getting old is another. And I will never forget who you are/I'm counting things I have forgotten so far
When I read previous journals I have written, I find that I repeat myself. I just keep relearning concepts. I just keep stating the same observations about people, life, etc. I forget. I remember. And then I forget again. All your patience has withered - withered away/The love beside you will fight and struggle to stay/All your patience has withered - withered away/The love beside you will fight and struggle to stay
A reoccuring theme in Zoe's Diary is struggling to make sense of the importance of "new social movements" and getting progressively more irritated with them. Throw your arms up in the air
I toss around the idea of just giving up daily. Why struggle when so little is accomplished? Why not just admit defeat? It's a temptation that I have steered clear of so far... It's the man who stands behind the curtains who should be feared
I do fear the unknown...the white Chevy Astro Van with a ladder rack that followed me down Route 5 today is less frightening than knowing that I've got to become a "productive" working adult in only 2 months. That's fear... And never forget your proof/For it suits you to know the truth
And finally...I can't write enough about how I wish I could understand anything.
Anyhow...enjoy the song.
***Entry 86*** Monday, October 14, 2002 11:44 p.m. This is disgusting and scary. Someone hit my site using a search for "dc sniper fan site." I do not want to be considered a fan of the sniper. See many entries below for why...
Furthermore, I saw that within my source code for this site a little cross had been placed beneath my name. I know that I did not code this into my site and I don't believe it was coded in there when my site went through a revision. I'm a little freaked out.
***Entry 85*** Monday, October 14, 2002 05:46 p.m. Except for my comment/lame excuse to this article, I haven't written much on the pending war on Iraq or the large numbers of protests against it. Instead, I turn to Matt's Machination.org where anti-war and protest analysis is far more multifacited. An example of Matt's style...In response to an anti-war protester's comment that the US is "turning into an imperialist power?" Matt writes: "Ah, kid - you've got so much to learn. But I admire your spirit, and thank you for your effort. Solidarity, Love & Unity." Nice.
***Entry 84*** Monday, October 14, 2002 05:23 p.m. Another addition to the blog world...Joanne has started up Anti/Love. There, Joanne writes on genetic engineering, etc...:"
So all you luddite "bioethicists" can take your natural babies; but when I breed, I'll get the works." Given that I've never been adverse to cloning, I tend to agree. However, since the only reason I'm really interested in breeding--sometime far, far ahead in my future--is to pass on my genes. [Self obsession time: I mean, after all, if I turned out this great--why should I dilute my genes by merging with another person...oops, too much information divulged...]
Moving on...into the realm of pure pretention...I've been debating with my housemates on the title of our installation piece at Art O Matic as I noted earlier, it was simply "Group House." Then it became "Group House as Family," but I am arguing for "Regrounding Boundaries: Group House as Family." Why? Well...you will have to come to see our piece @ Art O Matic.
***Entry 83*** Monday, October 14, 2002 04:59 p.m. Search through my sitemeter results, I have learned two interesting things. First, Chuck has started a blog called Monumental Mistake and has listed me as a friendly blog. I return the favor here. It's great to see someone else from the activist movement blogging. It gives me something else online to read.
Second, I've been getting all these wild hits from people doing google searches. The strangest recent ones are: "sniper white truck leads" and "school shootings journal diary." I have absolutely no leads on either the sniper or any white trucks...and I'm not writing a journal/diary on school shootings. It's strange how google sometimes can be so misguided.
***Entry 82*** Sunday, October 13, 2002 11:54 a.m. Proof that the Post follows the DC IMC again...Here's this story on the sniper and the nonexistent fear culture in truly crime ridden neighborhoods...following my piece (with darby's comments and my response...)
***Entry 81*** Sunday, October 13, 2002 11:38 a.m. For those of you wondering where I have been for the last 30-or-so hours, I've been getting supplies and working on our house installation piece "Group House" for Art-O-Matic. More about this later. :)
***Entry 80*** Friday, October 11, 2002 04:23 p.m. Thanks to the HTML genius that is Clarissa this site looks just fine in the fabu Opera browser. I am greatly indebted. :)
***Entry 79*** Friday, October 11, 2002 04:00 p.m. Jill's main page is back up. Check out the *hot* art from one of my closest friends/housemates.
***Entry 78*** Friday, October 11, 2002 03:42 p.m. My ex-housemate Elizabeth Croydon is getting press for Washington Interns Gone Bad via this article from the Post. It seems that Elizabeth is using a "run in" with Republican Senator Rick Santorum to garner press for the film and to *all but* require that everyone associated with the film--I have a cameo appearance--blog about it.
I guess I'm just doing my part.
***Entry 77*** Friday, October 11, 2002 03:24 p.m. Website improvements coming soon...As for now...I've commented to a piece criticizing the DC peace groups for the lack of activity re: the vote on the war on Iraq. Many earlier comments expressed support for the ridiculous upcoming IAC/ "International Answer" group's march "against the war." My comment again puts everyone in their place and encourages new tactics. Enjoy.
***Entry 76*** Thursday, October 10, 2002 03:00 p.m. Reading the Post sans pop up ads would be more enjoyable if it weren't for ridiculous crap like this re: yesterday's Senate committee vote on the "No Taxation Without Representation" Bill. For more information on this bill, read the entries below.
***Entry 75*** Thursday, October 10, 2002 02:43 p.m. I *finally* downloaded Opera after cursing at IE for crashing thanks to pop up ads and screaming at Netscape for being so slow. It really is a great program compared to other browsers I've used (and as a non-techie--that's not saying a whole lot...) The free version has this ad at the top, but anyone whose ever used juno knows that those ads can be ignored.
One thing I've noticed. This site looks *awful* using Opera. Some time soon expect some site improvements as for now, I'm going to read the Post without stupid pop up ads from Orbitz and American Express.
***Entry 74*** Thursday, October 10, 2002 02:20 a.m. And because I still can't sleep...I'll give you an update about my toenail. I went into the main office yesterday and one of the top staff asked me how my toenail was. My reply: It's growing back. You know, it's really amazing to see your toenail growing. Most people don't have this opportunity, since babies are born with toenails.
Hmm...maybe I should just go to bed. Did the whole world need to know that I said that?
***Entry 73*** Thursday, October 10, 2002 02:01 a.m. Because it's Wednesday night and I can't sleep again...I bring you this link to govexec.com's West Wing Watch which my father, a happy federal government employee, sent me recently. I've actually become a fan of this West Wing Watch because *actual* federal government employees critique the show for usually minor errors. Fun.
***Entry 72*** Thursday, October 10, 2002 01:11 a.m. Update to Entry ***68***: This came over the DC IMC listserv as a forward from someone at DC Vote, the main group advocating for representation over statehood... Subject: Full Representation Bill Marked Up by Senate
FYI -- The Senate Governmental Affairs committee today passed the No Taxation Without Representation bill. The vote was 9 to 0. All Democrats showed up (including Torricelli) and voted yea. All the Republicans boycotted the markup (which included many other bills). According to Lieberman, the boycott was due to Republican angst over a nomination.
Lieberman gave a terrific opening speech citing all our arguments for representation. Levin asked about the constitutionality of the bill and requested that a legal memo on the subject be made a part of the official record. (Walter, is your memo public?) He also wanted reassurance that this was not a vote on statehood. Carnahan informed the committee that she grew up here and her parents were always outraged that they didn't have representation. She said that this was a proud moment.
The Mayor, Cropp, Fenty, and Mendelson also were present. The local press was there, but no one national.
The markup revealed strong Democratic support for full representation, which could not be assumed given the very large number of Democrats in the House who voted against statehood in 1993. In fact, given Levin's comments about statehood, I suspect we would have lost a number of the Democrats today if this were a vote on statehood. So the strategy of shifting the discussion to voting representation was validated today. Congrats to DC Vote!
Additionally, today's vote gets this issue back in front of the 9 who voted today no small feat. This Senate committee will be critical to our efforts hereafter, so it is good to have them on record in support and thinking about voting representation.
As you can see, I boldfaced some particularly interesting parts. The main problem is that DC Vote states on their site that they don't advocate a particular position on the method in which DC obtains representation in Congress. However, I think that it is pretty clear that DC Vote doesn't want to discuss statehood at all from their email.
This is completely disappointing.
***Entry 71*** Wednesday, October 9, 2002 10:43 p.m. Ahh...self-obsession time..."Lassie" says fabulous things about me and this little blog. My Roommate Zoe has a website similar to this one, but more meaningful. I mean, Zoe's Web site features real stories about real issues, not just a debate on whether to buy a pair of stilleto heels for a hot party. She doesn't give the link here though, 'cause she's "lazy." Although I would hardly say a professional journalist and rockstar=being lazy!!! I don't care about the lack o' linkage: I appreciate the love.
"Lassie" I read your survivor updates weekly, even though I don't regularly watch the show. I appreciate them because I blog about the West Wing (see below). TV bloggers unite! :)
***Entry 70*** Wednesday, October 9, 2002 10:04 p.m. Tonight's West Wing episode included the fabulous little phrase "Fortune Cookie Candidate" about Republican Presidential Candidate Ritchie--Bartlet's stupid opponent in the upcoming presidential election. Ritchie uses little catchphrases--rather than substantitive statements--to describe policies he supports/rejects. Another implicit/explicit critique of President ("My administration has a job to do and we're going to do it. We will rid the world of the evil-doers.") Bush. Another reason why I love this show.
***Entry 69*** Wednesday, October 9, 2002 06:43 p.m. As "Entry 69" must be satisfying and self-indulgent...I return to my sniper piece. I've started to get some interesting commentary--excluding "postnobills" who in fact reposted some stuff about snipers. darby, wrote an interesting analysis of safety in a violent society, which unfortunately lead to some utopian claims about how society should actually look. I responded, with some more recent thoughts about safety and the relationship between the sniper and the school shootings.
On the blog scene: Joanne, who has recently referred to me as Madonna (?), wrote this observation, which I must reply to: "There's a fetish for random death. It's special and we are each so special! Because of our self-affirmed specialness and uniqueness, we each assume that we'll be the ones to get West Nile or killed by a sniper or terrorist."
I tend to disagree, but unfortunately, my disagreement with Joanne, leads me to side with the "pretentious" Ken Ringle more than I would have liked to. Namely, if I agree with Ringle when he states that the real issue with this "random death" is the lack of control it makes apparent, then I can not justify supporting Joanne when she states that "we each assume" that we will get to die via random death. I said it best in my original piece, when I explicitly noted my agreement with Ringle: What we want to hear is that we can avoid random death; that we can purposely place ourselves outside of the path of that mysterious white truck or at the very least effectively hide behind our cars as we pump gas. He is right because although we want that kind of stability in order to be productive, functional people, it simply doesn't exist. Simplifying myself: we want control over our lives and we don't have it. The sniper has forced us to realize this; that's why we hate him so much.
Several observations about this whole shindig: One, if anything, this whole Ringle/Zoe/Joanne/darby thing shows the degree of media democracy present in both the DC IMC and the blogging world. That's fabulous! Two, this whole thing has people thinking seriously about how we relate to one another and how we relate to the larger world around us. That's also fabulous!
The only problem is the context. Would we be considering these topics as readily without the re-emergence of the fear culture? These things were considered prominently in the mass media and independent media shortly after Sept. 11; however, all but disappeared more recently. As people returned to their daily lives, the need for humane and intelligent interaction with others and the world became less important than getting to work on time, etc. This *awful* sniper has forced us to reevaluate the importance of these stupid daily tasks. And in forcing us to consider the potential perils of filling up the gas tank, the sniper has also forced us to look at the larger world around us.
[Just in case anyone gets the wrong idea here: media democracy=good; treating others better=good; thoughfully analyzing the world=good; sniper=bad.]
***Entry 68*** Wednesday, October 9, 2002 12:25 p.m. Today the Post's main editorial endorses the "No Taxation Without Representation" Bill and urges it's passage in the Senate's Governmental Affairs Committee. This is not a bill for statehood; it is merely "bill that gives D.C. residents the same kind of federal representation that other Americans enjoy as a matter of right: a voting member in the House and two U.S. senators."
Many people may consider this an improvement over the complete second-class citizen status of DC residents. But consider this: even if DC gains representation in Congress, Congress will still control DC's budget and still be allowed to attach riders preventing the city from making its own policy choices (prominent examples: Congressional riders to the DC Appropriations Bills have shot down legalized medical marijuana in DC and have ended city/federal funding of a needle exchange program). DC may gain representation though this bill, but it will not gain democracy.
Only local autonomy can provide that. And only Statehood for DC guarantees local autonomy.
For those that think that representation is enough or at the very least a stepping stone toward full democracy, I strongly suggest reading this essay by Sam Smith, who shows how business interests are behind the representation kick and shows how statehood is a real possibility.
