waa waa waa waa waa waa John Kerry!
tst tst tst tst tst tst tst John Kerry!
meuk meuk meuk meuk meuk meuk meuk John Kerry!
arr arr arr arr arr arr arr arr John Kerry!
John Kerry!
Author Archives: WD
Credit
Today I feel great. I finally received credit for the work I’ve been doing at the ACLU for the past two months. Sitting down with the director, I unveiled my new website design, and she was quite impressed. Also, it seems that I’ve potentially saved the organization roughly $2000 that an outside firm wanted to charge for basically all the work I’ve done. She even hinted that should more work need to be done, she may approach me, but this time on an hourly paid basis! This is good.
As for my promise to post about the DNC, I’ll attach for your edification a picture of the protest pen by the fleet center (compliments of the ACLUM.) However, being downtown three of the four days, I must say that disruption was minimal, and the protests in general, not too overwhelming. The only group that has really made a good show is Falun Gong. They have one particularly moving exhibit on the common showing on one side peaceful individuals meditating, and on the other mock scenes of abuse, all with fake blood and brusied faces. Plus they are all wearing bright yellow shirts and handing out a ton of literature.
As for the other causes, organization seemed much more ragtag. Of course there were the few anti-abortion nuts (one lady had enlisted the help of her 8 year old sons..) but it was no big deal. I’m a tad dissapointed the protests were not more vocal. Perhaps the choppers overhead, police, military, armed guards and every other law enforcement agency put a chill on peoples’ activity. Or, perhaps people just don’t care enough to protest. Or, perhaps anarchists should not have been designated the unofficial organizers of the protests….
No job yet, but 1/2 the world has my resume – if you’ve got a job for me, let’s talk – if not, just listen.
~Matt
Bye bye..
I saw Johannes off at the airport a few hours ago and now I’m pooped. What a week! It started with a little time in good ol’ Boston. For the first time in many years, I went up to the top of the Prudential building and just looked at the city, which is truly beautiful. Then on Monday we headed down to the Jersey shore and spent two days doing absoultely nothing on the beach. To boot, the waves were huge for Jersey, making for some sweet bodysurfing. Of course there was a mini-family reunion, and I got to spend some time with each of the cousins 🙂
We did an afternoon in Manhattan sightseeing – about which I was a little less thrilled. Maybe the wow-factor of NYC has worn off… it just struck me as dirty and overly-hectic this time around. But, you can’t come to the US and not see NYC.
To end the week, we visited Chris in Poughkeepsie which was fabulous. I tell you, get a few Mikes in us and its one bizarre event. I’ll admit is was strange to see him as a REAL PERSON, but I guess that’s what the future has in store for all of us… There are tons of pictures from these various events which I will post as soon as I receive the from Johannes.
On another note, I got a lovely choker today in the mail and shall proceed to show it off.
In terms of academic stuff, I received an interesting email from professor F about a ruling in Connecticut. It seems that the state supreme court recently re-affirmed the Cologne v Westfarms case that was decided back in the 1970’s. Basically, it stated that privately owned shopping malls are not public fora, and therefore, first amendment rights do not extend therein. The case at issue was very similar, with a particular group barred from conducting informational activities in the mall. It seems as if the only speech which is really given the full protection of the law is commercial speech. I’ll re-post my mall paper under “Writing” if you are interested in the history of this legal debate. Thankfully Massachusetts has a more liberal policy, but still not quite what it should be.
Life is becoming way too sanatized.
Coming soon, information about the protesting area for the DNC and what will and won’t be done about it. For now.
South End Blues
Going to the South End always makes me feel crappy on one level. I see this bustling gay community and all these cute couples and realize that I’m not a part of it and that I have no boyfriend. Grrrr! But I wonder if I could really actually live in a place like that. On the one hand it’d be a great way to meet people, but then on the other, it might just be too small for its own good. Kinda like some colleges… um welll, anyway…
Went up w/Johannes to the top of the Prudential. The Hancock is closed so I can’t understand why one is open and one isn’t. I guess the Hancock building is worth more. Went to see the Shakespeare in the commons but got rained out after the start of the second act. What we did see was fun though.
Tomorrow we are off to the Jersey Shore. Yes boys and girls, it’s that time of the year again. White sandy beaches, cheezy amusement parks, and endless chocolate ices 🙂 Although I had a little funk in the South End, I’m feeling in a good mood now… yes, that does actually occur time to time.
I need to learn to play golf. I keep going by golf courses in my town, on the way to work, all the fuck over. I can’t imagine it is that difficult a game (I mean really old fuckers and fatties play all the time.) So I’m looking for a golf instructor for free – any ideas, email me.
Oh, and I shall write an opinions article for the Tripod (as an alumnus contributor) for August. I’m thinking about writing about Bill Cosby or the wildly increased security/surveilance that is occuring in Boston. What do you think is more interesting? I’ll post it here for sure. OK off to watch Falling Down – the quintesential American movie.
Rain and rainbows.
It’s a horrible rainy day today – so un-summerlike I can’t stand it. My mood is kind of akin to the weather… The internship thing is getting old. I’m working on a website doing tedious work using FrontPage (ugggh!). Plus the server where the site is hosted must be 15 years old because it sure does everything real slowly. When you are designing websites, nobody gives a damn about you. Sure the moment of unveiling is nice – the oooh aaah (and complaints) factor, but frankly to be toiling away like this is a little un-rewarding. I think my mom is right when she says that this is not something to make a career out of – it’s way to anti-social. Sadly, I can’t say that I particularly like any of the other interns… the only lady I really talk to is the person whose office I share.
But I guess these feelings aren’t so unique, especially at an intern level. I had lunch the other day with a young lawyer who graduated from Trinity in the late 90’s. Our connection was through a professor we mutually liked. Anyway, he said his intern work for the ACLU was rather isolating as well. But he said that once you have an advanced degree and a paying job, well, then its a different story.
The internship ends at August and I’m glad. I’m ready to make some money doing things. I’m trying to get a position as a gardener with the Parks Service, so hopefully that will pan out. Oh, and btw. everyone, the Peace Corps application is looking good – my medical forms have been reviewed and I passed! After I fininsh up with the dental work (filling) I will send it in, then hopefully get an invitation within 1 – 2 months! I’m excited about this and nervous as well.
Okay I’m going to try to attach a picture file…. it’s of the back of my car and my unique rainbow job. Although I like seeing people with rainbow stickers I wanted to do something a little different. Considering how un-artistic I am, I’m quite pleased with it. On that note, I’m thinking about getting a rainbow choker… I’ve wanted one for a while, and I figure I need something to cancel out the polo shirts 🙂
For now.
