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October 2002 Archives

Halloween may have been originated

Halloween may have been originated in Scotland among the Celts, bastardized by the Romans and the Christians, but it was first celebrated in its current form in Anoka, Minnesota.

"Modern day Halloween did not get started until around 1920. Anoka, Minnesota, held the very first yearly city-wide Halloween celebration in 1921 with two parades, a Pumpkin Bowl and a huge costumed square dance. In 1922 Allentown, Pennsylvania followed suit, with New York City joining in, in 1923." {source]

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More photos of the house have been uploaded.

Alt Text to Music

A theme song for Alt Text? That's right. This bit of music was generated by looking at the URL for Alt Text. Go to this site and see for yourself; or go here for many more ways to play with music and computers. [Hiromi]

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Just when you write off the folks at Sakebomb they go and add content to their site. In between their own hijinks they stop and take time to work on the upcoming Jackass: The Movie website

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A memorial service will be held for Paul Wellstone tomorrow night at 6:30.
What: Official Memorial Service
When: Tuesday, October 29, 6:30 PM
Where: Williams Arena
University of MN
(Minneapolis Campus)
1925 University Ave SE
Minneapolis

You can check here for more info and updates.

Paul

It's taken me the better part of 2 days to understand why the death of Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone has affected me as much as it has. It was not like I have campaigned for him and I wasn't even old enough to vote when he won the seat in 1991. He was certainly further to the left on most issues than I would have voted. That said, I would not have wished for any other senator to represent Minnesota or me. Now I'll tell you why.

Paul Wellstone was not a politician. He was an activist; an advocate; a champion of the less-fortunate peoples of our country. Paul Wellstone did not represent himself in Washington, nor did he represent people that looked like him, demographically speaking. Paul Wellstone fought, with energy and enthusiasm, for the people of our country who are far too often forgotten and left behind by our political system - a system that is too quick, in recent years, to move towards the middle on all issues. In such a system Paul Wellstone was, in many cases, a single voice rising out of the din of concession and conciliation to challenge the notion that our country's lawmakers must bend to the will of the middle at all costs - that there is no place for a more liberal view (or conservative one) in our government. I say that there is a place for free debate. I say that without a debate from all sides, an issue cannot be adequately explored. I say that without senators like Paul Wellstone and Jesse Helms our democracy is greatly weakened.

On Friday October 25 Minnesota lost a senator who believed that it was important to speak your conscience and debate issues facing our nations from more than one viewpoint. On Friday October 25, the nation lost a leader who was not afraid to stand up and fight for what he thought was right - no matter what the odds were against him. On Friday October 25, 2002 I lost a person whom I was proud to have served in our government - proud to have served me.

More house updates

2nd floor start They are to the second story. The recent snow and rain has caused some delays, though they say it should be no more than 60 days away from completion.

We have moved again. Now we are in a much better neighborhood, with a fenced in yard and 3 bedrooms. I feel better now. if I could only unpack all these boxes - I just can't do it with another move less than 3 months away. My life is a disorganized mess.

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White Oleander was a good book and a decent movie. I thought it was well acted all around. There was a lot left out and the movie definitely felt less yucky than the book, but so did the sense of the main character's ordeals and the true, deep reach and hold that her mother had on her life. Worth seeing with your significant other even if you have not read the book.

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Buy this for your loved ones this holiday season.

It's Wessen Powered

I have thought recently about getting a Toyota Prius or another similarly high effeciency car but now I think I should just power my car with cooking oil.

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Hiromi and I have been discussing a new site aimed at "bringing back to the web the idealism of 1997." he has a domain but he doesn't know how to use it. I don't want to discourage him - he is just so darn cute. I only hope I could regain the idealism and excitement myself.

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You knew it was coming - another Lord of the Rings related post. Don't worry it won't be the last. Of course the new trailer is out and the movie is only 69 days away.

New home building photos ...

floors and sawhorses
...have been posted. Still slow - haven't moved that big mountain of dirt - want some? - will almost certainly close in January.

We are moving again in 7-10 days to our second temporary house while building is going on. I can't complain - much. I am glad to have sumac in my backyardThe new house is in a much nicer 'hood and we will feel safer. Plus, there is a fence for Sadie.

We are actually even thinking of getting a second dog - didn't we learn from the ripped clothes and flesh of our last puppy-raising?
All content by Ben Edwards, except where noted. Licensed under this Creative Commons License.

October 2002 Media

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All content by Ben Edwards, except where noted. Licensed under this Creative Commons License.