tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24985250825225829002024-03-18T06:00:32.659-05:00The WheelThe Wheel: The View from Richardson TexasMark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comBlogger4455125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-39164033370646231192024-03-18T06:00:00.042-05:002024-03-18T06:00:00.136-05:00Irma Vep (TV 2022)<style>
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Irma Vep (TV 2022): A TV series that remakes a <a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2023/09/irma-vep-1996.html">1996 movie</a> of the same name, itself about the remaking of a 1916 French classic. Expect a lot of inside the movie industry references. Also a mentally unstable director and wild antics on and off set. The movie borders on the surreal. C+
<p> Max
<p>#VeryTardyReview
</div>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-51101183756560123652024-03-17T06:00:00.021-05:002024-03-17T06:00:00.237-05:00POTD: Beehouse Dijiwa Ubud<i>
<p>"Way down bumpy roads,
<br>Dinner's joy in Bali's heart.
<br>Wonderful retreat."
</i>
<br>—h/t ChatGPT
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<tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/dcJ5VTu4kta1cDUz5">2023 04 06 Bali</a></td></tr>
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<p> Today's photo-of-the-day is from <a
href="https://dijiwasanctuaries.com/at/beehouseubud">Beehouse Dijiwa
Ubud</a> in Bali, Indonesia. We didn't stay in this "private paradise
surrounded by amazing rice paddies, lush greeneries, and view of Mount
Agung." But we had dinner here on our last night in Bali. Just getting
to the restaurant was a nighttime adventure down a narrow, bumpy
road that our driver never hesitated on, although I suspect
he scratched his car on one tight squeeze. I wish I could remember what
we had to eat, but like everything about our stay in Bali, I do remember
that it was wonderful.Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-41293025549604938802024-03-16T06:00:00.002-05:002024-03-16T06:00:00.133-05:00POTD: Pura Taman Ayun<i>
<p>"Taman Ayun's heart,
<br>Bali's heritage enshrined,
<br>UNESCO's love signed."
</i>
<br>—h/t ChatGPT
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<tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/dcJ5VTu4kta1cDUz5">2023 04 06 Bali</a></td></tr>
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<p> Today's photo-of-the-day is from <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pura_Taman_Ayun">Taman Ayun Hindu
Temple</a> in Bali, Indonesia. Pura Taman Ayun is a quiet oasis of
Balinese temples and gardens with water features. In 2012, Pura Taman
Ayun was added as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-55289670358616304472024-03-14T06:00:00.000-05:002024-03-14T06:00:00.134-05:00Ferrari (2023)<style>
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Ferrari (2023): Biopic of a point in the life of Enzo Ferrari and his wife and dead son and mistress and his son with her...it's complicated even for Italy in the 1950s. B-
<p>In-flight
</div>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-57533246256296933442024-03-13T06:00:00.001-05:002024-03-13T06:00:00.170-05:00Funny Woman (TV 2023)<style>
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Funny Woman (TV 2023): Dramedy about a Blackpool beauty queen in London in the 1960s, trying to succeed in a TV comedy. There are modern jokes about being gay or Black or Pakistani in London, but even those jokes seem as dated as the slapstick and jokes about sexism on a 1960s TV show. C+
<p> Sky Max via PBS
<p>#VeryTardyReview
</div>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-51013258884180012512024-03-12T06:00:00.000-05:002024-03-12T06:00:00.249-05:00Black Bird (TV 2022)<style>
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Black Bird (TV 2022): Convicted drug dealer in prison accepts offer to entice a suspected serial killer to confess. Nice tight psychological study. Two questions were with me throughout: "Will they catch him?" and, "Will there be a plot twist?" B+
<p> Apple TV+
<p>#VeryTardyReview
</div>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-84677351410909629312024-03-11T06:00:00.071-05:002024-03-11T06:00:00.134-05:00Spaceman (2024)<style>
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Spaceman (2024): Adam Sandler in his most restrained acting ever, plays an astronaut on a solo mission to Jupiter, going slowly crazy from loneliness and the breakup of his marriage back on Earth. Spoiler: it also has a giant alien spider...therapist? Less sci-fi than character study. B-
<p> Netflix
</div>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-20341184356257581382024-03-10T06:00:00.008-05:002024-03-10T06:00:00.159-05:00POTD: Rice Terraces of Tegalalang<i>
<p>"Rice terraces stretch
<br>Up, down, along the valley.
<br>Swings high above."
<br>—h/t ChatGPT
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<tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/dcJ5VTu4kta1cDUz5">2023 04 06 Bali</a></td></tr>
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<p> Today's photo-of-the-day is from <a
href="https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations/bali-nusa-tenggara/ubud/tegallalang-rice-terrace-a-charm-of-the-green-in-ubud">Tegallalang</a>,
Bali, a popular tourist site because of its beautiful rice terraces
and countless photo ops.
<p> A bonus photo is after the jump.
<p></p></p></p></p></i><a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2024/03/potd-rice-terraces-of-tegalalang.html#more"></a>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-51813699189520087012024-03-09T06:00:00.008-06:002024-03-09T06:00:00.136-06:00POTD: Tanah Lot<i>
<p>"Bali at twilight,
<br>Low tide unveils rocky path
<br>to Tanah Lot's grace."</i>
</i>
<br>—h/t ChatGPT
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<tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/dcJ5VTu4kta1cDUz5">2023 04 06 Bali</a></td></tr>
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<p> Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanah_Lot">Tanah Lot</a>, a spit
of rock off the west coast of Bali, Indonesia, that is home to a Hindu
temple. The temple can only be reached on foot at low tide. The sun
setting in the ocean behind the temple makes it a popular site for
photography.Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-25361224555630493012024-03-07T06:00:00.022-06:002024-03-07T08:32:18.830-06:00Future of High-Speed Rail is in Richardson's Hands<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X_0uLrACfcKxBj9tKJKQ0ri0ntf-47wE5fbCQ3FxqrRhnqR2zPJMNnnVLBPYlCvuGoh-vCSviWprCpDFnHVhtfyRqnHSMtE74Zcz-PjD7It1Go5qg37AKH_RH3lJ9z2BbsAx_dbwWCc03YiCkallkHP-zSCtVxoeijw0N4PAER1ZeTJB4XBxJ-RMJj8/s914/ReunionHSR.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="Source: Hunt Realty via D Magazine" title="Source: Hunt Realty via D Magazine" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X_0uLrACfcKxBj9tKJKQ0ri0ntf-47wE5fbCQ3FxqrRhnqR2zPJMNnnVLBPYlCvuGoh-vCSviWprCpDFnHVhtfyRqnHSMtE74Zcz-PjD7It1Go5qg37AKH_RH3lJ9z2BbsAx_dbwWCc03YiCkallkHP-zSCtVxoeijw0N4PAER1ZeTJB4XBxJ-RMJj8/s400/ReunionHSR.png"></a></div>
<center>Artist rendering, D Magazine</center>
<p> The future of high-speed rail in Texas is in Richardson's hands.
Overstatement? Sure, but it's not completely wrong, either. The "hands" I'm
referring to belong to our own Richardson City Councilmember Jennifer Justice.
She's a member of the Executive Board of the <a
href="https://www.nctcog.org/">North Central Texas Council of Governments</a>.
NCTCOG allocates billions of federal dollars for transportation projects. In
contrast, the Richardson municipal budget is about $400 million. A hot project
under consideration by NCTCOG right now is an elevated high-speed rail line
through the City of Dallas going west to Ft Worth and southeast to Houston.
</p><a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2024/03/future-of-high-speed-rail-is-in.html#more"></a>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-82095628914818614742024-03-06T06:00:00.064-06:002024-03-06T08:04:38.374-06:00FAQ Reveals Inconsistent Treatment in Project RightSize<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3U3bYEXoLtCe8c3QxtiIOVHN41zSgblkiUbILRysnOX1LCBFDWJQMcL_pjHkXmiEeqd_XlhdTItbSfd5d6AySyp3agPxGcx65wRkoHOrjO-nAf0UlRNUkXEhMqWLwbw6HlnePwcG7x0ldlE3d3TcnKYuPBYe1XpiqtrC2jD0435Nviej3anDgd0w4ZY/s752/ProjectRightSizeFAQ.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="Project Rightsize (edited)" title="Project Rightsize (edited)" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="752" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3U3bYEXoLtCe8c3QxtiIOVHN41zSgblkiUbILRysnOX1LCBFDWJQMcL_pjHkXmiEeqd_XlhdTItbSfd5d6AySyp3agPxGcx65wRkoHOrjO-nAf0UlRNUkXEhMqWLwbw6HlnePwcG7x0ldlE3d3TcnKYuPBYe1XpiqtrC2jD0435Nviej3anDgd0w4ZY/s400/ProjectRightSizeFAQ.png"></a></div>
<center>RISD FAQ, edited</center>
<p> The Richardson ISD is working on a plan to reduce expenses by closing four
schools. The district website has a <a
href="https://web.risd.org/budgetfinance/budget-planning-faqs/">page with
FAQs</a>. There is one question whose answer I find difficult to accept. The
question is about teachers, but my difficulty with it can be seen by replacing
"staff member" with "student." When RISD says, "RISD will not remove a staff
member at one campus to replace them with another," they are demonstrating the
"people-first" approach they are taking, at least as regards staff members.
Good for them. But why not demonstrate the same "people-first" approach for
students? Why not say, "RISD will not remove a student at one campus to
replace them with another"? The argument for this is even stronger for students, as
RISD exists for the children, even more than for the staff.
</p><a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2024/03/faq-reveals-inconsistent-treatment-in.html#more"></a>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-70074288175861405552024-03-05T06:00:00.054-06:002024-03-05T09:28:59.009-06:00Council Recap: Outdoor Storage is the new "Edgy"<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi424a3qK9Al4SNyncaGKQe-fhsUpsJ3D2sqfChAzud92j8UuIw1dt1SDL1rDhcrMY_I9I6NX2mAalB-27fzsG07W1-VP6TuGWxXB6UoWyZWyDdgX9clTudCBwtuNgkm8cT_AikURn62se3xz0ns64NAK1LaNSZY9k07VqP9eQSXlFQMZ7IwOYzvm3_0ZI/s1280/Soundbites_20240226.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="Source: h/t DALL-E" title="Source: h/t DALL-E" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi424a3qK9Al4SNyncaGKQe-fhsUpsJ3D2sqfChAzud92j8UuIw1dt1SDL1rDhcrMY_I9I6NX2mAalB-27fzsG07W1-VP6TuGWxXB6UoWyZWyDdgX9clTudCBwtuNgkm8cT_AikURn62se3xz0ns64NAK1LaNSZY9k07VqP9eQSXlFQMZ7IwOYzvm3_0ZI/s400/Soundbites_20240226.jpg"></a></div>
<p> The Richardson City Council began consideration of a <a
href="https://www.cor.net/home/showpublisheddocument/39567/638445624946230000">request</a>
for a Special Development Plan with a reminder of the vision for the
Interurban Sub-district: "To create an edgy, mixed-use district built upon the
existing bones of the district, focusing on adaptive reuse of existing
buildings and targeted infill development. Exterior building materials should
promote design creativity and unify the eclectic style envisioned for the
Sub-district."
</p><a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2024/03/council-recap-outdoor-storage-is-new.html#more"></a>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-1668824460312354762024-03-04T06:00:00.042-06:002024-03-04T06:00:00.129-06:00Einstein and the Bomb (2024)<style>
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<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/einstein_and_the_bomb">
<img style="float:right; clear:right; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);" width=150 og:image:width=200 og:image:height=294.5 border="0" alt="Rotten Tomatoes" title="Rotten Tomatoes"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirI25NyGRC9G9i2sTNQ66lkvphWqdSGdpAfhtB4jzl9h3yP-qJFrRAZrceQ4LDNeZsZi5zWxPXIuOCDBhU9E0GuCK9dUg7_2_qODKJnym9A1vhiB8Smig26gLwsel-JsmYBKM6dDBsUHGpNFKsR5thrvxeJXC1zlzTBnGPFN75BHv7-onLjPUNRfrknDg/s400/EinsteinAndTheBomb.jpg"></a>
</td></tr>
<tr><td>
<p style="text-align:right; font-size:smaller">
<a href="hhttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/einstein_and_the_bomb">Rotten Tomatoes</a>
</td></tr>
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Einstein and the Bomb (2024): Docudrama about Einstein's contribution and attitude towards the development of the atomic bomb. It gives insight into the man, not the scientist. Restricting dialog to words found in Einstein's speeches and papers weakens the drama in the dramatic re-creations. C+
<p>Netflix
</div>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-6843967518272395742024-03-03T06:00:00.008-06:002024-03-03T08:00:30.336-06:00POTD: The Monkey Forest in Ubud<i>
<p>"Hindu temples stand,
<br>throughout the Monkey Forest,
<br>Nature's bandits close."
</i>
<br>—h/t ChatGPT
<center>
<table style="width:auto;">
<tr><td>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXyLzWJ4Gh5ChvhHIHe56fbTCYcLeVNztilTjfe7rblO_s5eAgNaapz6jFuEV5-KAcn0oVQ03pe8JKoXcXrlCkaeUhgCwqxpLLX0_qwZSIhdj7IvRFbhKDHGSRafg8YA5DaLW9-gHvUQkA43SjJ0jMhY51wBy7rb1ysWwgsM3egcrR1fq_Zc4l701-gY/s2400/20230406_078_IMG_5485.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXyLzWJ4Gh5ChvhHIHe56fbTCYcLeVNztilTjfe7rblO_s5eAgNaapz6jFuEV5-KAcn0oVQ03pe8JKoXcXrlCkaeUhgCwqxpLLX0_qwZSIhdj7IvRFbhKDHGSRafg8YA5DaLW9-gHvUQkA43SjJ0jMhY51wBy7rb1ysWwgsM3egcrR1fq_Zc4l701-gY/s400/20230406_078_IMG_5485.jpg"/></a></div>
<tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/dcJ5VTu4kta1cDUz5">2023 04 06 Bali</a></td></tr>
</td></tr>
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</center>
<p> Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in the <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubud_Monkey_Forest">Monkey
Forest</a> of Ubud on the Indonesian island of Bali. About a thousand
long-tailed macaque monkeys live in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is
also home to three Hindu temples. Let's stipulate up front that the monkeys love stealing from
the tourists and the
tourists love seeing the monkeys do it. They can unscrew water bottles and unzip backpacks and
purses and reach inside pockets. Keep your hats, sunglasses, cameras,
food (especially food) to yourself and out of reach of the monkeys
(better yet out of sight of the monkeys), and no one will get hurt
(probably). Otherwise, all bets are off.Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-39161779676026283582024-03-02T06:00:00.002-06:002024-03-02T06:00:00.129-06:00POTD: Pura Bratan, Bali<i>
<p>"Bali's Hindu charm,
<br>Temple by Lake Bratan where
<br>Nature and gods meet."</i>
<br>—h/t ChatGPT
<center>
<table style="width:auto;">
<tr><td>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxu6mbLvT3Bi3zdOe3P0vB80mKqU-xKttQxJ6tTrRjMR0iKGoNshnkTM9kyF1bMCpbM5DjM4lRWVjGlJz8LWUJaAlaRB4JyeX8sdlIXIxIbIUPNg3hE6GNsF5l8ymy123IsZo4b5uvDYzcTQuylhQ0iA-gTIZHKcTaYSnJbIzQp-JGA1CVm_tziVLBSSY/s2400/20230406_020_20230406_124435.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxu6mbLvT3Bi3zdOe3P0vB80mKqU-xKttQxJ6tTrRjMR0iKGoNshnkTM9kyF1bMCpbM5DjM4lRWVjGlJz8LWUJaAlaRB4JyeX8sdlIXIxIbIUPNg3hE6GNsF5l8ymy123IsZo4b5uvDYzcTQuylhQ0iA-gTIZHKcTaYSnJbIzQp-JGA1CVm_tziVLBSSY/s400/20230406_020_20230406_124435.jpg"/></a></div>
<tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/dcJ5VTu4kta1cDUz5">2023 04 06 Bali</a></td></tr>
</td></tr>
</table>
</center>
<p> Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on the island of <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali">Bali</a>, Indonesia. Bali is
Indonesia's only Hindu-majority province. With its temples, music,
dance, painting, and, of course, beaches and resorts, there's
something for almost any tourist. Our photo is of <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pura_Ulun_Danu_Bratan">Pura Ulun
Danu Bratan</a>. The temple complex is on the shores of Lake Bratan in
the mountains near Bedugul in north-central Bali.Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-87667473452409011172024-03-01T06:00:00.006-06:002024-03-03T10:50:32.677-06:00Random Thoughts: A Profile in Courage<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbsiHv7wPvXxzUQjBGufKg3t9DqaLcSRNJJRFE2fRaIwdkjjyZN1fs32YQs8mz-deVirtPkal9cRyRYaZQEQH332dst9y9_5u0UyS_dJYVGla5K1jPFbqk4jqhlsJmmhb-yBnO9erOfUgf3uIM0x7M2a5PjmIq2OeSfRHuKVDaiTqdt6dlrWBfyleNek/s846/MastodonLogos.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="Mastodon" title="Mastodon" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="846" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbsiHv7wPvXxzUQjBGufKg3t9DqaLcSRNJJRFE2fRaIwdkjjyZN1fs32YQs8mz-deVirtPkal9cRyRYaZQEQH332dst9y9_5u0UyS_dJYVGla5K1jPFbqk4jqhlsJmmhb-yBnO9erOfUgf3uIM0x7M2a5PjmIq2OeSfRHuKVDaiTqdt6dlrWBfyleNek/s400/MastodonLogos.jpg"></a></div>
<p><a href="https://mstdn.social/@MarkSteger/111896639969774446">2024-02-08</a>: Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) deserves a place in a "Profiles in Courage" for the 21st century. "A Princeton and Georgetown-educated PhD, a Marine veteran and a committee chairman, he had warned his GOP colleagues not to “pry open the Pandora’s box of perpetual impeachment.”" For that he was encircled and screamed at by his Republican colleagues.</p>
<a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2024/03/random-thoughts-profile-in-courage.html#more"></a>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-86051607881806703472024-02-29T06:00:00.085-06:002024-02-29T13:44:16.869-06:00Choice and Rationing Needed After School Closures<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH-tzvHOtEsygxb2eSRMUdRxI1_b_MrWciyv-MunvNDKP36utNa_zCaPSjRKY7ORcQl5D_vpb6HLlDryTktmOXNvw5DBOWTj5S2zDMyw3fSIiLG5WDHo4n8QA1aqj_vtrIZBnx_7asfV66ymNjJTplaGsyEaBfkMRXwHQdQdu-jTqyV45OqyPStVzWB0/s1129/DartmouthNeighbors.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="1129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH-tzvHOtEsygxb2eSRMUdRxI1_b_MrWciyv-MunvNDKP36utNa_zCaPSjRKY7ORcQl5D_vpb6HLlDryTktmOXNvw5DBOWTj5S2zDMyw3fSIiLG5WDHo4n8QA1aqj_vtrIZBnx_7asfV66ymNjJTplaGsyEaBfkMRXwHQdQdu-jTqyV45OqyPStVzWB0/s400/DartmouthNeighbors.png"></a></div>
<center>Don't Fence Us Out!</center>
<p> In the Google Street View above, the fence around Dartmouth Elementary is
in the foreground, and houses that are newly zoned to be outside the Dartmouth
attendance zone are in the background. Right across the street from the school.
This can't be the best solution Richardson ISD can come up with for needed
school consolidation. I'm here with a better idea.
</p><a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2024/02/choice-and-rationing-needed-after.html#more"></a>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-30340012947620195152024-02-28T06:00:00.006-06:002024-02-28T17:05:41.392-06:00Public Facility Corporations and Richardson<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEBE2-fTLHp8HD36Xc8C6eEpt7buXFUjKMRi6kqmqymTgRdlj2LvpPmqiXsXQU_C6cW2e017Rzd2E54iD8xPUFOd4nH3o5NYdpLX2nG5FBFKnk8VBQXkKOkmSrxaYaSZY1ww_2v26unuQcdG5_rRcUykctODv-acAprH1mGmo5Om-kidXxNZ21fk6Yf0/s480/RISD_StudentDensity.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="Source: RISD" title="Source: RISD" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEBE2-fTLHp8HD36Xc8C6eEpt7buXFUjKMRi6kqmqymTgRdlj2LvpPmqiXsXQU_C6cW2e017Rzd2E54iD8xPUFOd4nH3o5NYdpLX2nG5FBFKnk8VBQXkKOkmSrxaYaSZY1ww_2v26unuQcdG5_rRcUykctODv-acAprH1mGmo5Om-kidXxNZ21fk6Yf0/s400/RISD_StudentDensity.png"></a>
<center>Richardson ISD Student Density</center>
</div>
<p> The Richardson City Council held a short meeting on February 19, 2024,
where most of the substantive discussion took place behind closed doors, in
executive session, which the public (and by that, I especially mean yours
truly) was not privy to. So the rest of this blog post is based on conjecture.
</p><a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2024/02/public-facility-corporations-and.html#more"></a>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-72846246824971352562024-02-27T06:00:00.091-06:002024-02-29T13:33:20.917-06:00Musical Chairs with RISD School Closures<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.schoolsitelocator.com/apps/richardson/" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="Source: SchoolSite Locator by Davis Demographics" title="Source: SchoolSite Locator by Davis Demographics" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1302" data-original-width="974" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnijGAvmerXxsZGNftM63S4PR2oFCrQ0gLruROznlSfuhnTxpmy9LiWjyet5HSzf0ruIyu6ujwbQrkkvmKVzk8jPEHPfYbr0rAB1yKtBAhHQ30jJtWYxTzPxhuVU_9G94JSNiaEv9NvztIoIR6B4elBlTmGbhpMM1nNSnjrrJMSQXKHgy99wvRsNFPBJw/s400/RISD_DartmouthBoundary.png"></a></div>
<p> The Richardson ISD announced that due to a severe budget shortfall, it is
necessary to consolidate (i.e., close) five elementary schools. One of them is
Springridge Elementary. Its students are to be reassigned mostly to Dartmouth
Elementary. The big problem with that plan is that there isn't enough room at
Dartmouth for all the students vacating Springridge.
<p> The RISD's solution involves, first, reassigning 42 students who live in
the Forestridge Elementary attendance area, but for various historical reasons
were assigned to Springridge, back to Forestridge. And second, like dominos,
changing an attendance boundary to reassign 113 Dartmouth students to Yale
Elementary to create enough room to transfer the remaining 221 Springridge
students to Dartmouth.
<p> I thought I had a better solution.
</p></p></p><a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2024/02/musical-chairs-with-risd-school-closures.html#more"></a>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-22013335019725245392024-02-26T06:00:00.072-06:002024-02-26T06:00:00.149-06:00The Marvels (2023)<style>
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<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_marvels">
<img style="float:right; clear:right; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);" width=150 og:image:width=200 og:image:height=294.5 border="0" alt="Rotten Tomatoes" title="Rotten Tomatoes"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZwGA8U8wJyVhR0TOOcNyrWyeHbi9DW-uJvG3mMbqCHIda8TVJnhalgcPHomrxW-abyVq5Tw2sZ8QWseI5BBqnAN7-gpfj_WTwAY_oHR_FrSGTIcmN2XLdTX1X7qOEGJaH1HLR09YRiyIda6cZf-56Q_ZGj4t3ufGqN5CJtx9GzZJLfrcZT8tOyMyhhw/s400/Marvels.jpg"></a>
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<p style="text-align:right; font-size:smaller">
<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_marvels">Rotten Tomatoes</a>
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The Marvels (2023): Don't think about wormholes and "jump points" and the Supreme Intelligence and you'll enjoy this silly romp. Reminded me of "Everything Everywhere All at Once", Bollywood, Cats, and even Star Trek ("The Trouble with Tribbles"), all while three female superheros save the universe. B-
<p> Disney+
</div>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-39549047028213496702024-02-25T06:00:00.019-06:002024-02-25T08:34:47.941-06:00POTD: Bananas for Sale in Lombok<i>
<p>"Five million souls live
<br>with Ranjani's constant threat.
<br>Lombok's restless heart."</i>
<br>—h/t ChatGPT
<center>
<table style="width:auto;">
<tr><td>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjUZcAEKR49gjvNpNfjgdG5DR8isFuBYiTSTOOUgW6axuX_ewkuyQXOK2S4e1910mRXWsGHJwRGp_3pRhZi2l7B6dsin_e9mI_WZU8g8U5PsI6YxnhgjZruH78sOCewoYNw_mb_s_QgpDzgaBuERcQYd5s40mVIAMZriAumMAR7SaIgR0NWXER_tGDOk/s2400/20230405_035_20230405_155244.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjUZcAEKR49gjvNpNfjgdG5DR8isFuBYiTSTOOUgW6axuX_ewkuyQXOK2S4e1910mRXWsGHJwRGp_3pRhZi2l7B6dsin_e9mI_WZU8g8U5PsI6YxnhgjZruH78sOCewoYNw_mb_s_QgpDzgaBuERcQYd5s40mVIAMZriAumMAR7SaIgR0NWXER_tGDOk/s400/20230405_035_20230405_155244.jpg"/></a></div>
<tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/tc6fU2JyuU3bYmvv6">2023 04 05 Lombok</a></td></tr>
</td></tr>
</table>
</center>
<p> Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on the island of <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombok">Lombok</a>, Indonesia,
about the same size as Bali, which is just to its west. Lombok is home
to over 5 million Indonesians, one of whom is shown here. If Lombok
makes the news in America, it's most likely because of a volcanic
eruption. The island's geography is dominated by the 12,224 ft
stratovolcano Mount Ranjani, an active volcano that had a large
eruption as recently as 2010. One of the largest volcanic eruptions in
world history occurred on Lombok in 1257. Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-59741682634370413032024-02-24T06:00:00.011-06:002024-02-24T06:00:00.146-06:00POTD: Dragons are Real<i>
<p>"Volcanic islands,
<br>Dragons roam in wild splendor.
<br>Evolution's gift."</i>
<br>—h/t ChatGPT
<center>
<table style="width:auto;">
<tr><td>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXQqdV0daaIiFcKpynRsAILjjoLBM-vjj0i1kgzIpWYk4LEarMARvey3xGAiQ6GtW8akkidoXgmZIfwxIX7MQS5xNDImqA_w9lxXArcsXqRINac8nDCFb66l_drgpQNg5tegHaHB5lw3ii9OlaR7I_jb0cRDVmeAGBOdGFpXYI9FKFhYB43EKwvyiCLg/s2400/20230404_015_20230404_105711.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXQqdV0daaIiFcKpynRsAILjjoLBM-vjj0i1kgzIpWYk4LEarMARvey3xGAiQ6GtW8akkidoXgmZIfwxIX7MQS5xNDImqA_w9lxXArcsXqRINac8nDCFb66l_drgpQNg5tegHaHB5lw3ii9OlaR7I_jb0cRDVmeAGBOdGFpXYI9FKFhYB43EKwvyiCLg/s400/20230404_015_20230404_105711.jpg"/></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/jPp1fKbKpF7FHcY26">2023 04 04 Rinca</a></td></tr>
</table>
</center>
<p> Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on Rinca Island, home of
Indonesia's <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/609/">Komodo
National Park</a>, populated by an estimated 5,700 giant lizards, or
Komodo Dragons. We saw a dozen or so, from a safe distance. At least
they told us we were safe.Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-73690032924362234602024-02-22T10:00:00.001-06:002024-02-22T12:08:48.119-06:00Magnet Schools and RISD's Budget Hole<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwsWkm6mvDr4DGnTOa4DRkWUixp56DbilJxkk85CItyhrKg9f4UZFBkALlcJFK-FCmSVKaWLD02y_3RQ843PoI03jsm2IeSqLYT6A-26xg9y6N2KV1TdgZQrnd50DAAbshe1pNOVAl7NM9weOp26OkpcYyTTSMB1vOGiT5Q7_0YD9wXVyHNTddj62BOo/s696/PiggyBank.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="Source: H/T DALL-E" title="Source: H/T DALL-E" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="696" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwsWkm6mvDr4DGnTOa4DRkWUixp56DbilJxkk85CItyhrKg9f4UZFBkALlcJFK-FCmSVKaWLD02y_3RQ843PoI03jsm2IeSqLYT6A-26xg9y6N2KV1TdgZQrnd50DAAbshe1pNOVAl7NM9weOp26OkpcYyTTSMB1vOGiT5Q7_0YD9wXVyHNTddj62BOo/s400/PiggyBank.jpg"></a></div>
<p> The Richardson ISD Board of Trustees has a regular meeting Thursday,
February 22, 2024. One of the (many) items on the agenda is this:
<blockquote>
<div style="background-color:#EFEFF7;">
TOPIC Recommended Budget Reductions: Project Rightsize
<p> In December, the Community Budget Steering Committee presented a series of
recommendations to effectively “right-size” the budget...
<p> The Administration Team will provide an update on the budget planning and
recommendations for the Board’s consideration and feedback.
<div class="credit" align="right"><small>Source: <cite><a href="https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/705?meeting=621873">Richardson ISD</a></cite>.</small></div>
<p></p></p></p></div></blockquote></p><a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2024/02/magnet-schools-and-risds-budget-hole.html#more"></a>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-88420575541891293802024-02-22T06:00:00.045-06:002024-02-22T06:00:00.133-06:00TIL: US is Choosing to be Poorer<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNEHuy8XPAVWzJB-L0cY0xWUFjMb5isvZ-RAHaxZz6ZqnB_IJiXn8dCJoZI-uYjhqu3Zurc6h4KcgyBF7F6aMO_N-vY9atSFotuzANArK8WwTRDSjTQybpmS43BGeJm4-Xv59GlbnAExORnD9XRWbz61yDRyPfPB20IHdR-7O0Lu6HDO_XIsEsJFOgWM/s653/AntiImmigrationAntiApartments.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="Source: h/t DALL-E" title="Source: DALL-E" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="653" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNEHuy8XPAVWzJB-L0cY0xWUFjMb5isvZ-RAHaxZz6ZqnB_IJiXn8dCJoZI-uYjhqu3Zurc6h4KcgyBF7F6aMO_N-vY9atSFotuzANArK8WwTRDSjTQybpmS43BGeJm4-Xv59GlbnAExORnD9XRWbz61yDRyPfPB20IHdR-7O0Lu6HDO_XIsEsJFOgWM/s400/AntiImmigrationAntiApartments.png"></a></div>
<p> Donald Trump might be the Xenophobe-in-Chief, but both political parties
are moving to the right on immigration. This will have a negative impact on
GDP, posing threats to everything from Social Security to housing.
</p><a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2024/02/til-us-is-choosing-to-be-poorer.html#more"></a>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-69044914765460173692024-02-21T06:00:00.000-06:002024-02-21T06:00:00.150-06:00Boy Swallows Universe (TV 2024)<style>
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<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/boy_swallows_universe/s01">
<img style="float:right; clear:right; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);" width=150 og:image:width=200 og:image:height=294.5 border="0" alt="Rotten Tomatoes" title="Rotten Tomatoes"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8q_xnsxeo9HsoIecWGscUg9zuTPo3OnulVtKLmVsXavokpFRqlZONIQxAMZOmSYSbsOh4427fXuI6vHERCuhzaKF-eQ7wG5HwKKiYjO_3x0FZgsEMPHzKFZSSmh2rG3r8ODOYH4ijxXE-l4mNS_PhDaXwTKEqK3zqFDJKvAu9rIL_M5RU-0kA4UNyq9c/s400/BoySwallowsUniverse.jpg"></a>
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<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/boy_swallows_universe/s01">Rotten Tomatoes</a>
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Boy Swallows Universe (TV 2024): Australian boy grows up in a broken home surrounded by deadbeat dad, drug-dealing stepdad, hardluck mom, and assorted bullies and crims. Somehow the kid manages not just to survive, but to thrive. Part fantasy, part crime story, altogether captivating. B+
</div>Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.com0