Monday, February 16, 2004 :::

On Saturday I went to the democratic caucus to vote. My polling place is a church about two blocks away, and as I stepped outside it looked like a normal day. As I crossed onto the same block as the church, I started seeing a lot posters, not just for Kerry and Edwards, but for Kucinich and others also. I got to the church and there was a small pack of supporters of various candidates engaged in a vocal and spirited debate about the virtues of their respective contenders. As I walked by them there was a mad rush and suddenly I was surrounded! They yelled and waved their posters and I scurried as fast as I could toward the church basement where the polling itself was taking place, thinking it would be more peaceful and quiet in there - after all, I had voted in the nonbinding primary a few weeks ago and all was peaceful then.

But today it was a madhouse. People everywhere in chaotic, disorganized and ever-changing lines, tables crammed into every corner piled high with campaign propaganda and candy hearts for valentines day. I finally found the K-O line where I belonged after spotting its half-covered sign for a brief second, signed my name on the voter rolls and got in the filling out ballots line, in the meantime striking up a conversation with the very handsome guy in line behind me. I finally made my way to the not-very-private booth and realized that the lining up of candidates made it surprisingly easy to vote for Al Sharpton instead of John Kerry (and vice versa). At this point, primaries are turning into a rubber stamp for Kerry but I felt a need to be there and exercise my civic duty and all, despite the sense of futility about it. One day Statehood, although I may very well be living somewhere else then. Or perhaps long dead and buried.

Anyway, I got my little I voted sticker and and made my way to the grocery store, which was not quite so packed but oddly enough filled with people I had seen in line voting.

some remaindered links that have been sitting around for a while:

366 movies, 366 days. from someplace I don't remember.

things not to say during return of the king. via bifurcated rivets a while back

::: posted by johnok at 3:18 PM

Wednesday, February 11, 2004 :::

Interesting interview with Shadia Drury, who discusses the invidious philosophy popular amoung neoconservatives in the Bush Administration. Essentially, that the powerful can and should use whatever means at their disposal to perpetuate their own rule.

::: posted by johnok at 10:17 AM

Sunday, February 08, 2004 :::

I went in to work today to make up a bit for slacking off during the week and hitched a ride back to the metro from athena my workmate and in the car we had a long chat, or perhaps more of a long pontification on athena's part. Anyway, she's all for john edwards as a texan like herself finds it difficult to root for someone out of massachusetts. I don't really have a clear preference, except for someone who will do well in the general election - I'd really be happy with any of the front runners. The matter will probably be concluded by the time the dc caucus rolls around.

I've put most of cd collection onto iTunes and have discovered of a number of songs from albums that I had previously dismissed as just not very good. Right now I'm listening to Never Never by Lush of their album Split, which I own but never listen to. And it's so good! It's got the great psychedelic guitar and spooky voices and pop hooks that I like in all their best songs. It's a shame I haven't listened to it as much in past because I've really been missing out.

::: posted by johnok at 9:37 AM

Monday, February 02, 2004 :::

nothing much to report at the moment. Saw triplets of belleville. was very strange. not much talking.

::: posted by johnok at 3:40 PM