I just mean it's my writing. My words and thoughts engraved in time. That's what I made.

Yeah. Or, alternatively, I hope that what I wrote inspired someone to act.

I have the originals from my childhood. Been stored away in my mom's basement. Nothing of any real value cause the print runs were in the millions then. I could replace them pretty easily. They just happen to be the ones I bought with money from a paper route.

Notebooks are not anything special to look at. Various shapes and sizes, mostly dollar store varieties. I had one stolen back when I lived away. I'm still pissed. If I had the means, I'd offer a bounty on those books.

They've been gone 7 years. I mourn them.

There are like 5 Uncanny X-men comic books that I have and and prize above many other possessions. They're among the last links to my childhood.

Beyond that, just my notebooks. I made them; they are signposts of the times in which they were created.

Nicely done.

Doppelganger by Naomi Klein.

The Age of American Unreason by Susan Jacoby

These books really helped me to see how and why some of these people go this way.

Compared to all of the other ones, Mission: Impossible 2 was the absolute worst of the bunch.

John Woo tried — he really did — but that script was brutal.

Was that the kettling incident? G20 in Toronto. The only time I've seen a police car set on fire in Canada. And the first use of tear gas in the City of Toronto.

Allegedly, "black bloc" troublemakers, started the property destruction. Whether this was done with tacit approval by police is an open question. Needless to say, police responses to protests on the days of the sunmit were found to be lacking.

Oh, btw, still, fuck John Baird and definitely fuck Tony Clement. My introduction to fuckery in Canada's politics came from watching these two refuse to answer questions in Parliament for months. The one person I saw trying to hold these two Harper cabinet ministers to account was good ol' Charlie Angus.

That said, fuckery is now status quo and Charlie Angus has said he'll not seek re-election.

Humanity may be forced into radical openness.

This is, as far as I can tell, tangentially related to this form of dialectical behavioural therapy (RO-DBT).

Bought the book. It's the only dictionary I've enjoyed reading.

Throne of Blood (1957)

It's Macbeth, but in feudal Japan. One of the best films I've ever seen. I'm constantly reminded of it while watching Shōgun.

Battle Royale inspired Kill Bill Vol. 1. If you've seen one and not the other, it's worth the view.

Also, Battle Royale is basically the Hunger Games, but earlier and grafted onto Japanese economic outlook.

Everyone should see this film.

99% Invisible (Podcast), "Towers of Silence", 23 April 2024.

Same topic, different medium.

It hurts my heart to think that there's so much negative self-talk and so few avenues for human interaction available to humans, regardless of age. Misanthropy toward oneself invariably leads to the same hate projected onto others.

Misogyny has developed into something of a sport in the current frame. There are so many forms of misogyny that it's getting difficult to keep track:

• "how dare they seek equal status as men" — in educational, economical, or authoritative power.

• "how dare the deny a man access" — for ogling, groping, or raping.

• "how dare they speak among men" — communicating, captivating, and commanding in the domain of ideas.

• "how dare they take control" — of their own bodies, of their own thoughts and feelings, and of their own roles in society.

• "how dare they make any demand" — for justice, for peace, for sustainability, or for care in the community.

• "how dare they corrupt our culture" — one that relegated women to the nursery, the laundry, the kitchen, and the boudoir in service of men.

Some people immerse themselves in hate and are, primarily, driven by the motivating clarity of hate. The statistics bear it out. It is primarily men who violently inflict hate.

Sure, there's therapy, but what sense is there in having one, 50 minute safe space per week or month — for those who can afford it — against a relentless tide of destructive ideation? In the chauvinistic "West," advertisers, marketers, television executives, filmmakers, pornographers, and politicians all drive the singular narrative — be better. You still won't be good enough. People have limitless access to shit that will make them feel worse and few outlets to make them feel better. For some youth, the Incel subculture is going to get pretty crowded. The world is often a sickening, imbalanced, thoughtless, and uncaring place.

It is also a place capable of inspiring wonder, exhibiting grace, and delivering monumental challenges. The ability to see the world differently is governed, often, by the other ideas and perspectives we encounter. Isolation is the enemy.

If you are a person who has a man such as this in your circle, if you uncover this type of torment, or if you see a pattern of behaviour forming, and — most importantly — if you are yourself resources enough to do so, intervene. Be a friend, a neighbour, a confidant, a coffee companion, a gaming buddy — build positive relations. Help that person to short circuit the destructive pathways. Show them another way is possible.

Inequivocal yes! Grew up with Batman:TAS.

Legit question. Wasn't that episode 1?

e. Indeed, it was, and Newsweek was talking about last New Year's.

I have never ridden a horse.

Does the work you do, if you still work for a living, follow you home? And, if you have children, are any of them still in need of your assistance for feeding, bathing, and/or toileting?

I'm really looking forward to being in my mid-50s. My youngest will be approaching 10. By then, I should be able to reintroduce video games to my life at that point.

That my parents knew what they were doing, made good choices, and were reasonable people.

No, no, ... and no.

That I'd grow up to eat candy, collect baseball cards, play video games, and read comic books.

No (type II diabetes runs in my family), no (wtf is a baseball card anyway), no (video games were replaced with homework permanently), and — well, actually — yes.

I love a good comic book, graphic novel, and/or animated series.

Here is the full text of the letter that Obama left 45. I'd never thought to read it.

Dear Mr. President -

Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and allof us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.

This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don’t know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.

First, we’ve both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It’s up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that’s willing to work hard.

Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It’s up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that’s expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.

Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions – like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties – that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it’s up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.

And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They’ll get you through the inevitable rough patches.

Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.

Good luck and Godspeed,

BO

A few notes:

Obama forecast 45s disregard for "rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties". He KNEW 45 would fuck that up.

The role all Presidents, since Reagan, have played in "sustain[ing] the international order that’s expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend" is a warning about fomenting or courting instability. It is also a tacit admission of the Military-Industrial complex and its attendant supports in entertainment, energy, and finance that projects American values and superiority worldwide. He KNEW 45 would fuck that up, too.

Finally, and from the start of the letter, "we’ve both been blessed... Not everyone is so lucky" is a reminder that the office is meant to support the less fortunate. We all KNEW 45 would fuck that up.