Jrn

I was graphing voter turnout across the history of Canada when I noticed there was something odd:

There was a referendum in 1898 that had a particularly low turnout. That referendum was a non-binding vote in regards to prohibition in Canada. Since I was already graphing, I loaded it up. By said sheer coincidence, I’m reasonably sure I’ve located the precise moment when Quebec Separatism began.

Dr Strauss says I shoud rite down what I think and re-membir and evrey thing that happins to me from now on. I dont no why but he says its importint so they will see if they can use me. I hope they use me becaus Miss Kinnian says mabye they can make me smart. I want to be smart. My name is Charles I werk in Donners bakery where Mr Donner gives me 11 dollers a week and bred or cake if I want. I am 32 yeres old and next munth is my brithday. I tolld dr Strauss and perfesser Nemur I cant rite good but he says it dont matter he says I shud rite just like I talk and like I rite compushishens in Miss Kinnians class at the beekmin collidge center for retarted adults where I go to lern 3 times a week on my time off. Dr. Strauss says to rite a lot evrything I think and evrything that happins to me but I cant think anymor because I have nothing to rite so I will close for today … yrs truly Charles.

I really like art, like, post-modern art:

It’s hard to believe this came from a Fulton graduate. I thought because we needed so many basketballs we couldn’t really afford windows in the music closet.

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For a part of New Year’s eve we watched a handful of episodes of Sailor Moon. Man, sometimes they are just hilarious. A nice surprise because I thought I’d be a bit old for this proposed reminiscence. E.g.:

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Hi, welcome to my ad for S02E01:

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I don’t really think dynasty’s are effective. While there are many that have been effective, I think the vast majority of dynasties are practices of waning power.
     The first member that rose to prominence, by whatever means were effective in that scenario, had the skills necessary to consolidate power. The second member had direct access to the cardinal, although they tend to be less effective than their forebearer at the new caste. The third seems doomed, they had almost no meaningful access to the initiator of the dynasty, too often they do not know why the actions and routines are done, which means they are responding to their job with ritual. If things haven’t fallen apart by the fourth, we expect them to then.
     Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and now Kim Jong-un. Il-sung didn’t have exceptional skills at unifying the nation, much less Korea, but he was able to obtain power seemingly through social skills. Under Jong-il the economy has waned despite aid given to them from China. The exception that they’ve excellent military strength does not seem compelling that Jong-il was an effective leader. I see the initial trend as an overall downward slope.
     There are several dynasties that have lasted, but I don’t expect Jong-un to somehow turn that boat around. What might be more interesting is speculation of how the boat will sink. Will the North again attempt reunification, only to be salad-sliced. Perhaps a military coup against the grandson.

My mother lives in a hole in time. Coming here is like coming to a time right after 56k modems. Slow Internet, no cellular service. The white banality of empty spaces.