Very insightful article, it explained a lot. It also explained why ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which I'm a fan of, were traditionally not considered higher art.
your goose was well done, btw. (by that I don't mean cooked)
by shorthand, I don't mean regular cursive. I mean
Shorthand - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
File:Eclectic shorthand by cross.png - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
but that writing system was meant purely for speed, not for art or a significant aesthetic. It was often used by working women (especially secretaries) in the first half of the 20th century.
also, I just checked and it seems that the 2nd and 3rd characters ARE standard form, just done in a graffiti sort of style (keeping with the 80s theme of dd2). correct me if I'm wrong.