Wednesday, May 20, 2020

The Edge of Democracy (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes
The Edge of Democracy (2019): How Brazil's fragile democracy was overthrown "legally" by right wing authoritarians. I thought this stuff happened in "banana republics," not in America, but the same script is now playing out here. Constitutions can be subverted everywhere. B+

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Who Wore It Better?


Who wore it better?

On the left is the new sculpture "Flow" designed by RE:site Studio and installed at Richardson's new Fire Station #3 at the corner of Lookout and Custer. It mimics water shooting out of a vintage brass fire hose nozzle.

On the right is one sculpture of a four piece collection, "Shuttlecocks" by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City. It mimics, well, a shuttlecock.

Who wore it better?

Monday, May 18, 2020

SARS and Me


I want to offer some exculpatory information about China's role in the COVID-19 pandemic. And point a finger back at ourselves— collectively. We are guilty of ignoring warning signs that have been flashing for years. Let's start with SARS. Bear with me. Eventually, I'll get to the "...and Me" part of the story and the excuse I have for talking about a global issue on a personal blog at all. Hint: it's related to that photo.

Friday, May 15, 2020

POTD: Sphinx Wannabe

From 2019 11 17 Ancient Cairo

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the ruins of Memphis, one of the capitals of ancient Egypt, just south of present-day Cairo. The Sphinx here (which is not the famous Sphinx of Giza) is one of the few intact artifacts on display at the site. The dog is just a modern-day Sphinx wannabe.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Review: This Tender Land

From This Tender Land, by William Kent Krueger:
Open quote The tale I'm going to tell is of a summer long ago. Of killing and kidnapping and children pursued by demons of a thousand names. There will be courage in this story and cowardice. There will be love and betrayal. And, of course, there will be hope. In the end, isn't that what every good story is about?"
This Tender Land: Stories
Amazon
"This Tender Land" is the 2020 selection for "Richardson Reads One Book."

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

POTD: Don't Touch Your Nose

From 2019 11 17 Ancient Cairo

Don't touch your nose. You can spread the novel coronavirus that way. Don't touch Pharaoh Ramsses II's nose. You might spread ancient viruses that way. This has been a public service announcement. Today's photo-of-the-day is from the ruins of Memphis, one of the capitals of ancient Egypt, just south of present-day Cairo.

Monday, May 11, 2020

Making the Cut (TV 2020)

Rotten Tomatoes
Making the Cut (TV 2020): Tim & Heidi's successor to Project Runway, worse in every way. Contestants are experienced, not new designers. They get seamstress help. Emphasis is on selling on Amazon and building a "global brand." Runway fashion is unrewarded. Auf wiedersehen. C-