Holy shit! I’m a link! Somebody actually thought enough of this website to provide a link to it. I’m stunned!
Oct 182002
Oct 182002
It seems that the Senate has refused to pass a bill that would save many small webcasters from folding. Beginning October 20, webcasters must begin paying exorbitant royalty fees to the record labels. The bill before the Senate would have delayed the onset of those fees, keeping many small webcasters in business. But the Senate’s failure to act means that Internet radio is in serious danger of becoming the same homogenized, sanitized, and commercialized wasteland that can be found on your car radio. Well, there’s still Kazaa…
Cashed my award check today. Those iPods look pretty cool…
Tom Tomorrow had this to say about all the media attention being given to blogging recently:
It’s like being interviewed about eating dinner or going to the movies or something–it’s a fine way to pass your time, but it’s not much more than that.
And he’s right. I’m pleased that this site gets some visits, but it ain’t no thang.
Peace,
Mark
Oct 162002
It’s snowing! Or at least it was a couple hours ago. Yes, welcome to Minneapolis. Come for our fine cultural institutions and friendly citizens. Stay for our six-month winters.
If you’ve been reading the comments, you’ve probably noticed that Ms. X’s identity (or at least her first name) has been revealed. My attempts at discretion have been foiled, but I’m not worried. There are more than a few Heathers in the Twin Cities. But let no man say Mark Siegel ever kiss and told.
Well, maybe he told a couple people…
Peace,
Mark
Oct 142002
Okay, some errata. First, who wants to see a picture of the face behind all this madness? Well, here you go:
Hey, stop screaming! You’ll shatter your monitor.
Want to start your very own foaming-at-the-mouth right-wing column? This place can get you started.
Well, this week should be interesting. One of my nurses took a tumble and it’s uncertain whether we’ll be able to fill her shifts. I have a relatively small staff and when something like this happens, I don’t have much in the way of backup. Hopefully, things will work out.
Peace,
Mark
Oct 132002
Just drove my brother back to the airport. He was originally supposed to stay until Monday, but decided that he had too much work waiting for him at school. To be honest (and because odds are high he’ll never read this), my brother takes himself too seriously sometimes. He’s very bright, but can be maddeningly self-absorbed. Anyway, he’s still a good guy and my frustrations with him are fleeting.
I have the day off tomorrow, which will give me time to catch my breath after a hectic week. The Courage award event was fine, although I still got a few eye-rolling “you’re such an inspiration” comments. But I was glad to have my siblings with me. And, of course, Ms. X was there. Last night, she gave me a card with the following quote from Goethe:
to know someone
with whom you can feel there is understanding
in spite of distances or thoughts unexpressed. . .
that can make this life a garden.
She’s an English major. And so was I.
Peace,
Mark
Oct 102002
So I’m getting some cash with my award on Saturday night. Some will go to charity, but as for the rest…well, I have some ideas. I kind of need a new stereo for my bedroom. Might also pick up some artwork for my home and office. I’ve never been frugal, which I’m sure irritates my dad to no end.
Which reminds me, Peter Gabriel has a new CD that’s been getting decent reviews. I’ve been on a music drought lately, so maybe I’ll pick this up.
Peace,
Mark
Oct 082002
My brother is flying in from Cornell on Friday. He hasn’t seen my new place, so I’m interested to see what his reaction will be. He’s been under a little stress at school (he’s a Ph.D. candidate studying political economies) and I think he needs a break. I used to miss school in the first couple years after I graduated, but I’m over it now. Besides, I can’t resist reminding my siblings that their gimp brother is the only one with a real job!
Just got a call from my law school friend Erin. She was supposed to visit tonight, but we had to cancel because downtown is a complete zoo thanks to game 1 of the ALCS. I’m all in favor of a new stadium for the Twins if it means my neighborhood won’t turn into a parking lot.
Peace,
Mark
Oct 072002
Okay, quick vote…should I brighten the design of the site a bit? Lately, I’ve thinking that it seems a bit muddy. I’ve been studying other blogs and they just seem more inviting. What do you guys think?
So, any of my fellow nerds see the trailer for the new Lord of the Rings film? It looks spectacular. I’m re-reading The Two Towers now, which is kind of like revisiting my childhood. Tolkien’s dialog is…how to put it….clunky sometimes. But his descriptions of nature can be quite beautiful.
Ms. X was over again last night. I’ve been building my own Winamp playlist to put on when she’s here. I have a pretty eclectic mix that I’ll post sometime. She seems to like it, anyway. So tell me, what’s everyone’s favorite mood music?
Peace,
Mark
Oct 052002
Yes, my date went very well. No, you can’t have any details. Yes, I’m sure. The Net is full of places to fulfill your titillation needs, so knock yourself out. I’m not a big believer in the tell-all, hold-nothing-back style of blog. Sorry to disappoint, but I’m sure you’ll understand.
But a word on disability and relationships. As many people with disabilities will tell you, society tends to perceive us as asexual beings. We’re seen as either too sick or too “different” to ever experience attraction, romance, sex, etc. Of course, this is bullshit. But we spend many a Friday night alone because the idea that we’re not desirable has become somewhat ingrained. And you start feeling a bit like an outsider to the human race; like everyone else got invited to a long, great party and you’re still checking the mailbox for an invitation. So when someone comes along and tells you you’re kinda cool (or something like that), it’s something unique and just a bit wondrous.
I don’t feel like an outsider today.
Peace,
Mark
Oct 032002
I had to go to a casino today to give a presentation. Actually, it was a hotel attached to a casino, but let’s not split hairs. Jesus, what a soulless place. Nothing like watching a bunch of senior citizens staring blankly at slot machines while shoving in endless streams of coins. And it’s not like these people have much money to begin with. You wonder how many people there are sacrificing food or medicine to feed their addiction.
So one of my nurses wanted me to go to this website the other day. I mean, I like some Japanese anime, but this is kinda weird. Although this item caught my eye. I’ll have to show it to Ms. X…
Speaking of whom, I have another engagement with the lovely Ms. X tomorrow evening. She said she would bring her Norah Jones CD, which I’ve heard bits and pieces of and liked. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.
Peace,
Mark