Open Thread - Thurs 26 Sep 2024: History Repeats Itself - Kind Of

History Repeats Itself - Kind Of

Many, many, many years ago, like over 110 years ago, my great-grandfather was sent from England, as a Bernardo's Boy, to Canada. Why? Well...

He had been kicked out of his home when he was 13 or so by his step-father. His father was dead. He roamed the streets of London, with a lot of other kids/boys. It was fairly common. He hung out in the train stations and helped the men who worked the trains, the conductors, the cleaners, the ticket sellers, the mechanics, all of that. And one day, he and a friend decided it would be fun to take a train and 'drive' it a bit. They'd done this before, under supervision, but this time was without supervision. They got caught, rehomed to orphanages and great-granpa got sent to Canada. He was basically an indentured servant, or a slave, working on a farm in eastern Canada. He hated that servitude, so he ran away and joined up with some electricians putting up the first cross Canada electricity lines. He helped them in any way he could, basically doing menial chores, setting up camp, making dinner, cleaning and so on. They appreciated him and taught him how to be an electrician as they worked across Canada. By the time they were moving across the western, but not coastal, area of Canada (eastern BC, western Alberta), he was an electrician as well, going up the poles, putting up the lines, doing all the stuff. And that's where he met my great grandma. He was up the pole and he looked down, saw her walking down the street and decided that was HIS woman. And so she was.


Interior of a London Underground Train, 1911, from this article in Monovisions about the early days of London underground trains.

In very modern times (like last week) this story of kids taking a subway train in New York made me kinda happy/amused in a weird way. I know, I know, what they did is a bad thing, but it really made me think of my great-grandpa and his early life. Maybe there are good things that will come out of it all like happened to Grandpa, or... naw, off to jail they go! and do they have a chance of running away and finding people who will care for them? Probably not.

Some Dance Music:
Why not? Here's the Greg Kihn Band playing one of their hits. I used to go see this band in the San Francisco Bay Area all the time when I was an undergrad in college in the early to mid 1980's. I LOVED them. Sadly, Greg passed away a month ago or so from complications of Alzheimer's. He was 75. I still love his music! And his writing (horror stories). And I would have loved listening to him as he DJ'ed, except I didn't live in the Bay Area any more. In this video, I might have been in the front row... maybe, maybe Smile I honestly don't remember if I was in Reseda for that show, although I sure remember that shirt he's wearing - I've got pics of him that I took during many concerts where he's wearing that shirt!

Enjoy the music and thanks for reading this post. Here's the open thread - remember, everything is interesting if you dive deep enough, so tell us about where you're diving!

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Sima's picture

My mother's phone line has been fixed, well, the pole needs to be replaced, but the line is working. Yay!

On the farm, we are harvesting potatoes late, but because of the weather changes, they are doing well. Apples still be harvested as well!

What's up with you? Whatcha doing, learning, reading, whatever?

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If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so

Lookout's picture

We're waiting on the hurricane here...due in tonight and tomorrow AM. Then off to the coast this weekend for birding, beach, and seeing friends.

Got in the cabbage, collards, and broccoli plants just before the rain a couple of weeks ago. Got another 3/4" yesterday and possibly 4" tonight and tomorrow. We need it, but I hope it doesn't fall all at once.

Great story about your GGF. The story of taking the train reminds me of my music buddies. Their older sister took the 6YO twins to the skating rink. They sneaked out and took the car. They were so small, one had to get on the floor and operate the pedals while the other was steering. They managed to get the car back to the rink without incidence.

Thanks for the OT. Have a good one!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Yesterday was Florida day. We are vacationing next week in Alabama, so we have kept close watch on the hurricane, glad it is missing our destination. A family friend bought a house and is moving from Illinois to Florida, supposedly arriving today. Maybe. A woman called to schedule a consultation for next week. This week she is in Florida. A couple of sisters came in to hire me for a probate case. They wanted to get started on it before they left for their vacation...in Florida. A site member who lives there had mentioned Destin is to be avoided. The sisters are headed for a week in Destin. I suggested they do not wear jewelry.
Gotta head to work. I will be reading some statutes about ad valorem taxes, try to figure out how a widow, disabled, lost her various tax exemptions and died owing $14,000 for 3 years of back taxes on her home.
People, we think we own our homes, but we are renting them from our respective states. Bastards.
Thanks for the story and the OT, chica!

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

QMS's picture

@on the cusp @on the cusp
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renting our lives from the state sounds about right

just for the hell of it ..

Sam and Dave
I want to thank you

hell, I'm on a roll ..

good luck!

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truth is considered foreign influence, world peace is a threat to national security

@QMS The very first predictions showed the path of the storm to land exactly on the beach where we are staying. The next day, the paths were headed toward Florida. We lucked out, much to Florida's horror.
I send my best wishes to Floridians.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

enhydra lutris's picture

Moon Unit's lone hit. Wink

Never know when to plant spuds, but I tend to think that they're a winter crop, ah well. Already have enough leaf drop to drag out the leaf vacuum/mulcher this morning before getting going on the apricot pruning. There, in effect, goes the whole damn day. My wife returns tomorrow, so I might bake some brownies or something to celebrate said return, as well as plan a nicer than usual meal. speaking of which, It's time for breakfast.

be well and have a good one

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

It just started raining where I live. It was gorgeous out this morning. If you want to know where the expression "the calm before the storm" comes from, today was a perfect example. The only thing is how quiet it gets. All the animals, insects, and birds are gone. Mother nature knows how to protect itself.

Supposedly it's supposed to hit around 7-10 P.M. It is huge though. They are predicting 4-6 inches of rain where I'm at and I'm nowhere near its projected path. People are evacuating the beaches. I wouldn't stay down there in a storm. There has already been a major accident on the main evacuation route. I just hope I don't lose power or internet service. Usually, bad storms wake me up so I might try to get a nap in. Say a prayer for those in its path.

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QMS's picture

@Enchantress
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used to do these crazy hurricane parties
when living on the bayous, the theme of which
was well, if we die at least we won't feel it much
the high before the low, so to speak.

good luck

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truth is considered foreign influence, world peace is a threat to national security

Don't know if you have gone through this, but I figure you have prepared for a power outage. If strong winds com, go to the most interior room in your home, far away from windows. In extreme winds, get into the bath tub and put a mattress or sofa cushions over you.
Trees falling are bad, but a tree trunk or limb can smash through a window like a spear.
Keep in touch so we know you are ok, please.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981