I went to the Minnesota Supreme Court today to listen to some oral arguments for a case I was involved in. When I was clerking for a judge in Minneapolis, we had a personal injury case involving a guy who got run over by a bus. The guy’s lawyer didn’t want me in the courtroom because he was claiming his client was too disabled to work. The lawyer was concerned the jury would see me, bravely working despite my horrible disability (snicker, snicker) and then look at his client and essentially say to themselves, “What the fuck’s this guy’s problem?” So complaints were filed and depositions were taken and many trees died in the pursuit of justice.
So I get to the Capitol building where arguments are being held in the old courtroom. I’m even wearing a tie! I walk down the hallway, feeling a bit lost because I’ve never been here before. I find the courtroom.
There are three very well-crafted but very formidable marble steps leading into the courtroom.
There is no ramp.
Fuck.
I eventually make it in the courtroom, but with much noise and lack of decorum.
Irony is alive and well, Dear Reader.
Peace,
Mark

You ever wake up in a good mood, and then you remember why you’re in a good mood, and the feeling is that much sweeter? I had that experience this morning. I had a wonderful date with the same friend from Cafe Brenda. For the sake of her anonymity, I’ll call her Ms. X. Not very original, I know. Maybe she’ll have a better suggestion. Anyway, we saw the Picasso exhibit at the Minneapolis Art Institute. If you have any interest in modern art, you really should check it out. I haven’t enjoyed myself that much in some time, and I think I’m still feeling the buzz from it.
So I got a call on Friday saying that I’ve been selected to receive a Courage Center award. Apparently, they select people with disabilities every year who are successful in their chosen professions. It seems a bit odd because I don’t really feel like I’ve accomplished that much. I mean, other people have done much more significant things by my age. But now I have to prepare a brief acceptance speech for a dinner on October 12th. I’m not certain I can be profound in 2-3 minutes. But I suppose it can be done.
Peace,
Mark

Was walking downtown tonight. I think my favorite building on the Minneapolis skyline is the Wells Fargo tower. At night, it’s bathed in gold light that spills on to the surrounding buildings. The effect is pretty cool.
I was on a teleconference with some people in D.C. today. I’ve never been there, but would really like to go someday. We Americans don’t have history on the same scale as Europe or Asia, but we have to take what we can get.
I read that a school board in Georgia voted to include creationism in the curriculum. I’m not going to start bashing creationists (too easy), but why stop at Genesis? Why not toss in some Native American or Hindu creation myths? Or how about some Gaian theory? Equal time, I say! *sigh* I can’t help but marvel at the willingness of perfectly rational adults to remain intellectually stranded in the nineteenth century.
Peace,
Mark

What a dreary day. It’s like something out of Wuthering Heights, but without the cliffs, tortured romance, and British accents.
The cheap bastards finally turned on the heat. I think one of my nurses used the “don’t let the poor man in the wheelchair freeze to death” ploy with the management. Hey, whatever works.
So I’ve noticed the hit counter has risen dramatically in the last few days, which must means I’m developing a fanbase! Spread the word, dear Anonymous Reader! My goal (such as it is) is to become the next Wil Wheaton. And leave comments!
Peace,
Mark

I’ve been meaning to pick up the new Neil Gaiman novel, Coraline. It’s gotten some great reviews and I’m looking forward to reading it. I became a Gaiman fan about 3 years ago when I read Neverwhere. I’m now making my way through the Sandman comics. He has a wonderful poetic style that reminds me just a bit of Ray Bradbury. And his stories are just wonderfully crafted. His re-telling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was probably one of my favorite Sandman issues. I met Mr. Gaiman at a signing a couple years ago, which was a lot of fun. Anyway, I’ll post a review once I can get my hands on a copy.
Peace,
Mark