Cookie Blocking

nope! didn't work.
gonna ask the security admin if he set something up...

I agree with the above but don't forget that many spyware utilties, virus suites, and firewalls now have their own cookie control options as either standard or extra cost features.
I know for a fact that Zone Alarm Pro's privacy settings overrides anything set in IE. Anyway, I would strip myself stark naked as far as cookies are concerned at levels, also allow mobile code and all popups. You need to take your drawers all the way down at all levels and see if you can log in. Even if this gives you one false count at least you would know that this is a pc based security issue not a proxy server web filtering  network issue. Then you can simply pull up your security pants a tick at a time until you can no longer log in. On the other hand, if your problem is indeed web filtering ie. you can't even log on stark naked then your options become a bit dicey. There are many easy ways to get around filtering software but most involve installing software
that your admin may not approve of. For example, you could use a pay service like snntp which sets up a secure encrypted web tunnel. To your server's filters,your outgoing communication is just meaningless random packets, so you can go anywhere you want (unless your workplace is very sophicticated and has already set up alarms for this type of activity)
You also would have to have admin rights on the pc itself in order to install the software. You would then need to know how to hide and encrypt the software as well and erase all traces of its installation right down to the deep stuff: registry streams ,mrus, ads, as well as all the surface level .dats and click history files etc. etc. To do this you will also need an encryption program that can make hidden virtual partitions or one that will allow you to make a hidden encrypted os to use with your backdoor efforts. The makers of Drive crypt offers a program that does this now. That  way even your installed software registry entries will show no signs of  monkey business.  You, would, however, need to know all the network configuration settings to set this up. You also, don't forget, would need a very good wiping program that really roots out the deep stuff. All said unless you don't care two figs for your job I would buy the admin a beer and see if he will give you a pass for this site at his level. Much safer

Good luck

The network is running on a Zone Labs firewall and getting the pw is no problem.  I've even looked through some of the configuration tabs, but honestly don't even know where to begin.

When i try to ping the site it comes back with the IP of 127.0.0.1 so i know something is up.  What's so odd though is I don't have problems getting into any other sites.