Thursday, February 28, 2002
Doomsday clock moved closer to midnight.
Yes, I am a blogsister. Confounded by trouble logging into blogger, and so sadly unable to post to blogsisters, I will tack up my response to Jeneane's invite here. Sisters, if you are out there and can tell me anything about blogger's "Microsoft VBScript runtime error '800a000d' Type mismatch: 'session(...)'" error I would be more than grateful. In any case ...
Yes. Yes, to Jeanean's invitation to join generation F1 of the blogsisterhood. A surprise. A delight. A little scary.
The thing is, writing is a dangerous endeavor. Not because people like Dvorak will say nasty things about you, or even because some humorless, artless assholes will take away your livelihood for what you write. It is dangerous because the practice of writing changes you in ways that are hard to predict. It is an arrow shot over the hilltop. Daily play in the powerful aspect of writer is guaranteed to challenge, change, mold you. You think you're Pygmalion, but baby, you are beautiful Galatea.
And David is right, we do write ourselves into existence here in this blogverse space, but I know the commited practice of writing also subtly and profoundly affects our experience of existence in all spheres of our lives. We are crafted as we craft. This is something I have lived, that I know from direct experience. It can be uplifting. It can shake things up. Katecohen.com is my extremely tentative toe back into the dark, inviting water of daily writing. But now, there's blogsisters, an invitation to wade in up to my neck. More writing, a responsibility, a step into the heat and light of community and out of cool, comfortable, forgiving shadow.
Okay, one more time, I tell myself: The way to begin is to begin. Make a step: allow the unknown country to bloom beneath your foot. Roll forward: become a citizen of the changed world. Use your fall: propel yourself into new territory to push back the shining line of your horizon. Yes.
Thanks sistuhs for the opportunity to know you. Thanks J for the great idea. It's already a beautiful thing, and given our loving attention all kinds of lushness is bound to grow. (Provided blogger will ever let us in.)
The sistuhs are doing it for themselves. The ingenious Jeneane Sessum has opened blogsisters, a forum for the women of blogdom.
Wednesday, February 27, 2002
Dooce is fired for her oh-so-delicious writing about life in her workplace. Stone cold drag. Anonymous, VP-e-mailing wankers should note: karma.
La Bella Luna! tonight's is the biggest, brightest full moon of the year.
Maybe we should send famed unemployee Oddtodd another dollar. The Department of Labor is threatening to sue OT because, although "the unemployed are generally allowed to accept donations," they don't like the fact that he's gotten about $9000 from his site's tip jar. They say making flash animations, answering e-mail, doing media interviews about his site means he's not actively looking for work. His benefits ran out in December, but the government wants him to re-pay about $3000 in unemplyoment benefits.
Does he deserve that dollar? Well, the site is funny and kind and unless you are coal-hearted, you will smile. Check out his cool offering: Daily Fact I Learned from TV.
Monday, February 25, 2002
Wondering where your auroral oval is today? Why not check?
Sunday, February 24, 2002
The president of the Internet's oversight body recommended a major restructuring of ICANN Sunday, saying the goal of leaving the Net in private hands has proven unworkable.
My desktop/my shoes. This is my current desktop. It can be yours too. Get it now.
Saturday, February 23, 2002
In the blogverse you might fall in love with a dog that you've never met.
At play in the energy fields: The GAO says it "has no choice" but to sue Dick Cheney for his notes on the Enron meetings. And, George W. says we have no choice but to drill in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Friday, February 22, 2002
aka. Spent the whole day in the local Social Security office. After 16 years of being Mrs. Cohen, the government started thinking I am Miss Rabalais again. Suddenly the taxman doesn't recognize me (funny how he knew just who I was when I owed him); the DMV doesn't want to issue a license to Mrs. Cohen; the health insurance company doesn't know Miss Rabalais.
Social Security is sure that it is somehow my fault. They say I have never been Mrs. Cohen, that it is not possible that in early December of 1985, I went down to the Social Security office on Carrollton in New Orleans and changed my name. (I remember thinking, "Damn, I never want to go in there again.") Today, Social Security considers mine such a bizarre occurrence, that they could not make an appointment for me by phone, because there was no code for such a story. I would have to show up with all my various proofs of identity and pull a number.
I admit, I put it off for as long as I could. I don't like crowds and direct contact with the government comes just short of giving me hives. But today I stocked up on Benedryl and went downtown to align my identities for the government. The People were there and The People had bigger problems than mine. After three hours and 23 very truly sad stories shouted through the bulletproof glass to the numb-bots beyond, number 58 was finally called. Now, I have a slip of paper saying that they will probably send me the paper I really need in 10 days, but if they don't, I should be sure to go back to the office. Back. There.
They should know, though, that Mrs. Cohen has much better manners than Miss Rabalais does. If I have to, I'm sending her back.
Thursday, February 21, 2002
Stumblebush. I guess FDR was wrong about that infamous day and the American memory (at least the memory of the American President). On the day after he caused a little financial market freakout by confusing deflation and devaluation, President Bush told Japan's Diet:
for a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times. From that alliance has come an era of peace in the Pacific.
Now, I'm not holding a grudge. I am a great admirer of Japanese culture and I certainly don't believe that the Japanese are enemies of the United States, but my grandfather and his fellow Marines aren't buried in Guam because we've had 150 years of Pax Pacifica.
Want to read it (even hear it), and weep for yourself, check out this entry at Hypocrites.com. [via fark]
The screen mimics the sky, not the earth. Hints from Textism.
Gumbo closes N.O. airport for five hours. Bomb sniffing dogs "smelled something they were trained to smell," said Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee.
They're watching you watching. The latest version of Microsoft's Media Player makes a log of the watching and listening habits of its users. [via Tom, who says control is the opiate of the corporation.]
Eerie conspiracy theory. Twelve world-class microbiologists have died since 9.11. One site plays connect the dots. [via New World Disorder]
The Crime Dog is on a mission from God. Attorney General John Ashcroft — who holds daily prayer meetings in his office in Washington — tells religious broadcasters that freedom is an endowment from God and protecting it is the "noble charge of the Department of Justice." No dancing, please.
Wednesday, February 20, 2002
Supremes to review Congress' 1998 copyright extension.
Happy birthday to my mom, Libby June! I love you!
Tuesday, February 19, 2002
Mind games and morality play. The Philosopher's Magazine online offers this slate of intriguing online "activities" — including Battleground God, a moral constancy challenge and Strange New World, a Matrix-based exploration of The Real.
Voltron visits the boys from mnftiu, delivers some kind of whack Nicene Creed, leaving us confused but still snickering. Get Your War On #8 is up at mnftiu.com.
Out Satan! Reuters is reporting that Pope John Paul II has performed exorcisms — the latest in September 2001 — because he "wanted to give the message that we must once again start exorcising those who are possessed by demons." The object of the September rite, a woman in her 20s, is "still undergoing treatment" for a "series of curses."
My log's most disturbing search request.
Monday, February 18, 2002
For President's Day: Lincoln's other great speech from National Public Radio.
Saturday, February 16, 2002
Because my mom wanted to see it: the little clone.
Maybe it's just the scar tissue from my business brush with the Ultimate Psycho Bitches of Fashion. I mean, maybe I've just soured on it, but New York's Fashion Week is leaving me cold. Boots and brown and full skirts for Fall, 2002. Okay.
Still, it was very cool to use Style.com's (Vogue and W) comprehensive site. You can view slideshows of full collections and detail shots for every show. Also, short "reviews," backstage and celeb photos for each. Other stuff: the complete debut sked, beauty blather, party pictures. (Hey, there's a new W Hotel at Times Square!) Next up London, February 17-21 and Milan, March 1-5.
Beauty is in the 'scope of the beholder. Visions of Science 2001 award winners.
Friday, February 15, 2002
You gotta love The Smoking Gun: Birthday greetings from George W. to distant acquaintance Kenny-Boy.
A day late and 9 billion dollars short: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission invstigates Enron's role in California's "energy crisis."
Also: Enron, the T-shirt.
Afghan mob 1: Tourism minister beaten to death by "pilgrims" on their way to fulfill religious duties in Mecca.
Afghan mob 2: Police use whips, barbed wire, dogs, smoke bombs and fired shots into the air to turn back a crowd trying to get into the already packed Kabul sports stadium where a soccer match was being played. This is the same 25,000-seat stadium the Taleban had used for public executions, floggings and amputations.
Update: Afghan Interim Leader Hamid Karzai says the tourism minister was assassinated by former Northern Alliance leaders who have fled to Saudi Arabia.
Thursday, February 14, 2002
Today in privacy, via zem, who keeps nice tabs on the crime dog. Zey want to know what you read, to monitor your every move, to sniff your ISP, dahlink.
You know who you are, you apple pie, you pook, you sun, you moon. Come home. I love you! Hurry!
Tell them! With a very cool card from very cool Jezebel.
World's oldest living programmer tells BT he was hyperlinking when they still had mommy's milk on thier chins. [via fark]
Wednesday, February 13, 2002
Lovely to look at; delightful to hear. For friends with a fast connex: photoblogs Frankieboots and Quarlo. [revealed through a brush with a.lifeuncommon]
Remembering that I am dust (and the Buddha says that's a good thing.) Here's a selection of lenten music from the Vatican on the Catholic dies cinerum.
Comcast customer? Think twice before you go-ogle for naked Olympians, hop to Amazon to buy the Anarchist Cookbook or type "crime dog" in my search box, someone is watching and recording all you do. [via Tom who says: At Comcast, "proxy" is short for "proctology."]
Latest: CNN-TV is now reporting: Caught with its hands in its customer's pants, Comcast claims it will discontinue its secret surveillance of your every move. (This broadcast as I am writing this entry, link to come when there is one.) Update: Here it is from Nando.
Lately, I really enjoy my daily dose of dooce.
Tuesday, February 12, 2002
Ever in vogue. Now Odin's on Cipro. $105 for 14 pills. Pharmacist says the price has nothing to do with Anthrax-scare hoarding, this stuff was always worth its weight in — well, Cipro.
Rats! It's New Year's Day. Today is the first day of 4699 in the Chinese calendar. It is a Horse Year. Bad news for Rats like me, but it is forecast to be an especially good year in business for husband Val who was born in a Snake year. Lucky me; the Horse is hostile toward Rats. Soothsayers warn I am in for a rough year. (Roughter than 4698?! Damn.) Seems like I can't win in anybody's millenium right now. Guess I'll just wear a goat charm, grab tight to my Snake's coattails, shake a fist at the gods and ride it out.
Are you a Tiger or a Dog? Find out how your year will rock. You a monkey? Join me in a good cry.
British Telecom says it owns the patent on this link right here. Judge says they're probably whacked.
Sorry guys, but it's 404 for you. To the run of sweaty visitors coming to katecohen.com via a google search for naked pictures of Picabo Street: sorry lonely hearts, you are barking up the wrong blog. And despite the temptation, that's all I'm gonna say about that.
Seriously. Providing post-op care for a 110 lb rottweiler whose brain/ear surgery has given him vertigo is a full time job.
Monday, February 11, 2002
How to make your tap water taste sweeter. Read all about how an Enron subsidiary tried to engineer a 30 year monopoly to sell Florida's water back to the residents of the state who owned it in the first place.
Plus, from the cover of Duh Magazine: Ken won't Lay it on the line and Skilling looks like a big fat liar.
Plus, from the despicable dicks file: Days before filing for bankruptcy, the scandal-ridden company rewarded some executives with million-dollar bonuses as laid-off workers were denied promised severance packages. [via boing boing]
It's Lundi Gras! Watch the yahoos party on this live Bourbon Street cam.
Sunday, February 10, 2002
What did you do today? This is what US Olympian Picabo Street and Photographer Rick Rickman were doing.
Saturday, February 9, 2002
Something to do while your dog is in a 5-hour surgery Deface the president. Mindlessly, repeatedly. [thx MeFi]
Odin update: Odin made it through surgery, but the infection had spread to the meninges, so it turned out to be a bigger procedure than we had first thought. Today he's got better pain meds than I can get hold of and he is resting in ICU. Dr. Ravi says everything is going very well. He should be home by Monday. Phew.
Friday, February 8, 2002
Six-degrees of Olympic Gold! A cool little assignment has me only one handshake from the Olympians. During the games I will be updating the site of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Rick Rickman with fresh images from the games. To see the latest, go to rickmanphoto.com and select "rickday" (here's a hint: x marks the spot). Want more? Check out newsportphoto.com.
Thursday, February 7, 2002
Odin update: Odin's MRI revealed a bad bone infection in his ear (phew! no brain lesions!). He is resting in the hospital, getting ready for his ear surgery tomorrow morning. They're going to take out the bones in his middle ear and he'll be in the hospital all weekend. Keep a good thought. We're all so happy the big galoot will be coming home soon. (But I guess he's blown his college fund on this one!)
mmmm spacey! Zoom in on this lately-collected news of The Void.
CNN: Japanese work out a zero-grav tea ceremony.
Earth Observatory: Super-cool satellite-eye views of volcanoes, dust storms and other natural hazards.
Telegraph: Good news! Doomsday postponed.
CNN: NASA's rules for Space tourism.
JPL: Mars Odyssey spacecraft deployed its high-gain communications antenna Tuesday.
Fractalicious. The HOP fractal gallery. (right offa MeFi)
Wednesday, February 6, 2002
Good boy Odin! 
Already, the day was not going too well. CNN played against the grating background of the Never-Resolving-Business-Thing-I-Can't-Talk-About-Here. The Jeep repairs cost $700. God damn. But, you know, I was walking it off. Little meditation, little gratitude for the beautiful bungalow at the beach.
Then Odin fell. He was getting off the sofa, bobbled, hit his head on the coffee table and hit the ground, still. Funny still. Bad still. And I couldn't coax him up right away -- had to offer a treat more than once (unheard of). When he got up, he was stumbling; tilting his head. There's something very disturbing about stumbling, dog stumbling. So I bundled him into the newly repaired Jeep (the radio that they told me they couldn't fix came alive of its own accord), and we were off on a gesticular ride through rush hour traffic to the vet. Everybody there looked concerned. They were nice about the crying. There was head shaking, blood work, pupil testing, temperature taking, ear probing. He bumped into a door. Tomorrow, Odin has to go for Magnetic Resonance Image of his head. They might find: an ear infection, a stroke, a brain tumor. Hold your thumbs; this is a good dog. Tonight, he takes unsteady steps, isn't interested in his favorite TV show, but loves the treat of canned food.
Oh yeah, somewhere in there, I lost my glasses. My $400-I-am-blind-without-them glasses. I'm wearing the spares -- beyond chic in 1993.
One nice thing: The logs show I am newly linked from some of my own favorite people: Tom, OpineBovine, a.lifeuncommon. And today, especially, I needed nice, really I did. Thanks blogverse.
If only this was a galaxy far far away. How Chewbacca and the Jedi were co-opted by the Enron empire. And, the story of Chewco from the Washington Post.
Receiving the truth from the cosmos. Be here now with two short guided meditations by very special teacher Tich Naht Hahn. And give yourself the useful gift of refreshing mindfulness with this 10 minute program, guided by Tara Brach. Namaste.
Monday, February 4, 2002
For my play-yuh friends: Bellin tells about tells.
Sometimes the right guy wins. Chip Rosenthal wins the battle in the war for unicom.com. Cheers!
Where's Kenny Boy got to? His lawyers say they don't know.
That 80's Show. Ronald Reagan turns 91 this week. The OC Weekly celebrates with a walk down memory lane to that charmed time of Evil Empires, Star Wars, James Watt, the October Surprise, trickle-down, Contras, Ollie North, Hungry-Man-Dinner-sized deficits, and the rouged-up Reagan reality that was "simply too great to be contained by truth." [thx Mr. Mike]
He's the kind of guy who pulls out. Saying that members of congress made "inflammatory statements" on Sunday talk shows, Ken Lay has refused to testify voluntarily at congressional hearings on the Enron debacle today. Some members are cooking up a nice hot subpoena for him.
Sunday, February 3, 2002
Angered by snubbing, Libya, China, Syria form Axis of Just as Evil. France surrenders.
I watch it for the ads, man. No, really. Ifilm.com will have all the Superbowl ads online later today. [sez kottke on MeFi]
Al Ja-who? Al Jazeera backpedals on threats to cut ties with CNN over its suppressed bin Laden interview. Now it's seeking an 'amicable' resolution with the world news giant and saying the interview was held under duress.
Saturday, February 2, 2002
Irresistible. Pour out your soul in eight characters. Then visit the Acme Heart Maker to emblazon the classic candy. [via boing boing] 
Michael Moore plays connect the Enron/Bush Adminitration dots in his open letter to the President.
Friday, February 1, 2002
Reason to love Southern California #76: These are my winter shoes. $8.95 from the brick and mortar Target!
Say what again! I just been mixin' it up with the Samuel L. Jackson Soundboard. [right offa jish]
Your nearest reactor. A January 23 advisory from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to The United States' 103 nuclear power plants outlined a terrorist plan to crash a jet into a reactor. Do you know where the nearest reactor is located? Some information about U.S. reactors was removed from web sites at government request after 9.11, but you can begin by looking here and here.
The art of going nowhere. The 404 Lounge features a gallery of very cool error pages and includes instructions on how to make your own.