Random Notes: Elections, Mortality and Writing Habits of Character

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Some rambling notes:

1. Election Stuff: I went to the Ottawa-Orleans all-candidates meeting last night. I am pleased to report that the venue was packed, standing room only. If there's one thing voters in my riding will never be found guilty of, it's apathy. The five candidates were not subjected to "nothing but softballs" either, for good and for ill. I can't say that I agree with my neighbours on every single issue -- otherwise the Big Four(New-Conservative, NDP, Liberal, and Green) wouldn't have been able to field candidates at all -- but they didn't exactly hold back on issues that mattered to them. From jobs to languages to same-sex marriage to civil liberties: a lot of ground got covered. I wish I'd been able to raise my question on the whole "digital rights/SonyBMG Rootkit Mess/DRM law" situation, but I have to admit that by the time they cut off questions from the public, I was still trying to figure out how to phrase it! I ended up talking with someone with one of the local news services, afterwards, though. We'll see if anything comes of that in time to do anyone any good.
2. Mortality: I lost a dear, distant friend this week: my kindergarten teacher. She taught me the value of pursuing art and acting on curiosity. Whatever I'm doing right in this life, she was one of the ones who helped make it possible. I hope to secure permission to post a link to her obituary here. If it happens, I'll let you know.
3. Creative Stuff I: I spotted a post on Diversity in and of your Characters that I plan on using for refresher self-training, written by John Rogers here at his weblog. Whether writer or artist, I'm keeping it bookmarked. If I ever forget the principles it deals with, remind me. Forcefully.
4. Creative Stuff II: I rediscovered a bit of artistic history, specifically fonts designed to emulate the look of the ID labelling on WW 2-era combat aircraft of the UK and Canada. Despite the original author's site vanishing into the ether, some kind collection of souls preserved web pages and font files here. I'd like to contact the designer if he's still reachable about some long-term ideas and personal projects I have in mind. If anyone's got a clue on that, you know how to reach me.

Update - January 16, 2005: I've since found the gentleman in question.

5. Comics Trivia Debate Fun Stufff: If you ever decide you want a DC Universe timeline debate, a friend of mine has been building a site the contents of which I've often debated with him over a decade and more. It's what he calls an Unauthorized Chronology of the DC Universe. Not the first such effort, nor the last to be expected while DC's still working out their fictional worlds, but I find it cool to visit every so often to indulge my inner Comics Trivia Hound. Have what fun you may with it.

And that about covers today's ramblings...