Đạo has been studying about Abraham Lincoln at school; therefore, he has been pointing out facts about our 16th President. Yesterday when we went to Kid Junction, he said, “Daddy, do you know Abraham Lincoln’s grave is still here.” I assumed that he meant Lincoln’s grave is in D.C., which is closed to Virginia. Đán interrupted, “So is my best friend.” He has a friend named Lincoln.

When we were checking into Kid Junction, Đạo said to a lady at the front desk, “Did you know that Abraham Lincoln was shot?” It was out of nowhere, but the lady played along, “Oh yeah, who shot him?” He replied, “It was John Wilkes Booth.” Đán jumped in, “So was my best friend. His name is Abraham Lincoln.” We both laughed.

For the Democratic nomination, we only have two choices: Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. I trust that you have done your research on the candidate you support; therefore, I won’t bored you with the details.

In short, both Hillary and Bernie shared similar visions for America. The differences are in their approach and experience. On economy, Bernie is bold, but Hillary is realistic. On foreign policy, she has stronger experience. On gun, she is tougher. On women, she is leading the fight.

Although her position on important issues is impressive, Hillary is not flawless. She has her share of problems, but she has maintained her resilience and progress. After weighing in the pros and cons, I have decided to cast my one vote for Hillary on Super Tuesday. She is the leader America need in the next four years.

Joan Walsh, “Why I’m Supporting Hillary Clinton, With Joy and Without Apologies”:

I’ve come to feel passion for Clinton herself, and for what I see as a movement that supports her, even though only Sanders is judged a “movement” candidate. I believe she’s evolved back to be the progressive Democrat she used to be, more progressive than her liberal husband. Some of my feelings remain defensive, but in a warmer sense: I really don’t want to see her abused again. I’m tired of seeing her confronted by entitled men weighing in on her personal honesty and likability, treating the most admired woman in the world like a woman who’s applying to be his secretary. I’m stunned anew by the misogyny behind the attacks on her, and her female supporters, including my daughter.

In just one week, as reported in The New York Times, governor Paul LePage went from saying “Mr. Trump’s nomination would deeply wound the Republican Party” to “Mr. Trump could be ‘one of the greatest presidents.’”

When being asked about his future, Đạo always replies that he wants to a doctor. His answer is consistent because his mom would like him to be a doctor to help other people when they are sick. Đán, on the other hand, makes up his own mind. One time we were waiting to get off the airplane and the boys were having a conversation with a woman. When she asked them what they wanted to do when they grow up, Đạo gave his usual response and Đán said, “A pizza make.” She smiled at me and said, “Well, my niece’s dream job is to work at Dunkin’ Donuts.”

When we went to a seafood restaurant for my niece’s wedding rehearsal, they provided each customer a wooden hammer to crack the crab’s leg. Đán enjoyed banging the crabs so much that he switched his occupation to a crab banger. Several weeks ago, I took him to Wendy’s and ordered him some fried fish. He loved so much that he wanted to become a fish maker. Last night he told me he wanted to be a Toys “R” Us cashier so he could get all the toys for free. I am wondering what he will be next.

Robert Bringhurst, The Elements of Typographic Style, (p.43–44):

The typographic terminology is telling. Isolated lines created when paragraphs begin on the last line of a page are known as orphans. They have no past, but they do have a future, and they need not trouble the typographer. The stub-ends left when paragraphs end on the first line of a page are called widows. They have a past but not a future, and they look foreshortened and forlorn. It is the custom — in most, if not all, the world’s typographic cultures — to give them one additional line for company.

Hou Hsiao-hsien’s Assassination is moving and masterful. If you have Netflix, it is definitely worth every minute of the two hours you spend watching.

The Onion:

“Ever since I was a child, I have had a weaselly, piece-of-shit face that you can’t help but want to hit, and that’s never changed—how many other candidates on this stage can say that?” said Cruz, adding that oftentimes when he looks in the mirror, even he wants to drive a screwdriver through his eyes so he never has to see his stupid, boxy head and waggling, doughy chin ever again.

I concur with Amy Davidson:

[N]o one else onstage seemed all that Presidential. Rubio acted a little too pleased with his hits, like a guy doing an extended dance after hitting a single in the company softball game. It didn’t help that his lines seemed memorized. Cruz, in one of his cross-talking squabbles, was effectively shut down when Trump called him a “basket case.” Carson, discussing judicial nominees, said he’d look at the “fruit salad of their life.” Kasich said that he’d have resolved the Apple-F.B.I. fight by secretly locking all the parties in a room. More important, the debate was empty of a counterbalancing vision.

The Republican party is fucked.

Chủ Nhật vừa rồi tôi gặp xếp cũ lần cuối cùng trước khi bà dọn đi Florida. Từ khi rời GW bà đã có hai công việc mới nhưng cuối cùng cũng không xong. Lúc xưa làm dưới quyền bà ấy tôi đã phải vất vả rất nhiều về tinh thần. Bà không phải là một người dễ hòa hợp. Sau này không còn làm chung nữa tôi mới cảm thông với bà.

Thì ra trong công việc bà lấy vai cấp để che dấu những nhược điểm của mình. Hành hạ những người dưới tay để tỏ vẻ ai là người nắm quyền. Từ khi bị cấp trên cắt chức bà mới đổi thay. Tôi cũng đón trước rằng sẽ khó ai mà làm chung được với bà. Tuy đường ai nấy đi tôi vẫn giữ liên lạc với bà vì thấy hoàn cảnh của bà thật tội nghiệp. Ly dị chồng đã lâu, bà có một đứa con gái nuôi nhưng bây giờ nó cũng tung bay xa chạy nên bà cũng chỉ một mình.

Không còn công việc xoay xỡ không nổi nên đành phải dọn đi nơi khác. Bây giờ bà đã chán với nghề nghiệp và không muốn tìm việc mới nữa. Bà cũng không có mục tiêu gì cả. Tôi cũng không giúp được gì bà ngoài việc ủng hộ tinh thần. Thấy hoàn cảnh của bà tôi cũng bùi ngùi. Cuộc đời thật phủ phàn.

Khi tôi đến tuổi của bà chắc tôi cũng sẽ bị như thế. Trong nghề này kỹ thuật (technology) thay đổi hằng ngày. Trong vai năm nay tôi đã không theo nổi nữa. Tôi chỉ theo những gì cần thiết trong công việc mà thôi. Không bao lâu nữa tôi sẽ trở nên lỗi thời. Chắc nên để dành một số tiền để vài năm nữa mở tiệm nail. Hay sống tằn tiện nhưng ông này hay ở nhà vợ nuôi. Nói vậy thôi chứ để vợ nuôi khó nuốt lắm. Lo xa làm gì. Tới đâu hay đến đó.