POTD: Sunset over the City Fjord

"Fløyfjellet stands still,
Bergen nestled far below,
Fjord gleams like silver."

— h/t ChatGPT

From 2024 07 10 Bergen

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Fløyen, or Fløyfjellet, "one of the 'seven city mountains' in Bergen, Norway. Its highest point is 400 m (1,300 ft) above sea level. The view of the Bergen peninsula makes Fløyfjellet a popular attraction among tourists and locals alike. The Fløibanen funicular transports passengers from the centre of Bergen to a height of 320 m (1,050 ft) in roughly eight minutes."

As the sun sets over Bergen and the Byfjorden (the City Fjord), we say farewell to Norway.

Our next stop? Greece.

A bonus photo is after the jump.

POTD: King Haakon's Hall

"Windows of thick light,
Gazing down on the bright fjord.
Sea and crown aligned."
— h/t ChatGPT

From 2024 07 10 Bergen

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Haakon's Hall in Bergen, Norway. "It is a medieval stone hall located inside a fortress. The hall was constructed in the middle of the 13th century, during the reign of King Håkon Håkonsson (1217—1263). In medieval times, it was the largest building of the royal palace in Bergen. It is the largest secular medieval building in Norway."

Not My First Rodeo

Source: h/t DALL-E.

Project Rodeo. Project Nova. Project Journey. Project Connect. Do you know what any of these are? Even in general terms? I don't. Is that a problem? The Richardson City Council has discussed each of these...subjects, I guess I'll call them, in executive session during council meetings this year. That's all I know about them, the code names used the way code names are used in the military — to keep the enemy from knowing what's going on. In this case, the "enemy" is the public.

Your Friends & Neighbors (TV 2025)

Rotten Tomatoes

Your Friends & Neighbors (TV 2025): John Hamm is a lovable rogue, a hedge fund manager who is fired and burglarizes neighborhood homes to maintain his lifestyle. Easy pickings, right? But things spiral out of control. Not quite satire or comedy, call it drama but never serious. B+

AppleTV+

The Studio (TV 2025)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Studio (TV 2025): Seth Rogen's satire of the head of a Hollywood movie studio. He skewers producers, directors, actors, marketers, distributors, but none too cruelly, which takes the bite out of it. Rogen himself is the sad sack butt of most jokes. C+

AppleTV+

Charter Review: The Commission Rests

Artist: John Trumbull.

The once-every-ten-years Charter Review Commission concluded their service with their submission to the City Council of a report of their recommendations. I've blogged about the commission meetings. Justin Neth has reported them as well. Dustin Butler of Community Impact (the closest thing Richardson has to a local newspaper) reported on the commission submitting its report to the City Council.

POTD: Bergen

"A meadow once stood,
Now a pulse of modern days.
Sea and city blend."

— h/t ChatGPT

From 2024 07 10 Bergen

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Bergen, Norway. "As of 2022, its population was roughly 289,330. Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway after the national capital Oslo. The municipality covers 465 square kilometres (180 sq mi) and is on the peninsula of Bergenshalvøyen. The city centre and northern neighbourhoods are on Byfjorden, 'the city fjord'. The city is surrounded by mountains, causing Bergen to be called the 'city of seven mountains'...According to tradition, the city was founded in 1070 by King Olav Kyrre and was named Bjørgvin, 'the green meadow among the mountains'."

A bonus photo is after the jump.

POTD: Kjosfossen

"Falls sing to the gorge.
Huldra dances in the spray.
White thunder pours down."
— h/t ChatGPT

From 2024 07 09 Flam

Today's photo-of-the-day shows Kjosfossen, "a waterfall located in Aurland Municipality in Vestland county, Norway. The waterfall is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Norway. Its total fall is around 225 metres (738 ft)...The Flåm Line passes directly in front of and over the upper part of the waterfall, which is one of the main attractions for tourists who take the Flåm Line...During the main tourist season in the summer an actress dressed as a legendary Huldra (a seductive forest creature in Scandinavian folklore) dances and sings in front of the waterfall as the trains enter the station for the amusement of the tourists."

The Four Seasons (TV 2025)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Four Seasons (TV 2025): Remake of 1981 original movie. Follows the same formula: Three couples go on vacations together throughout the year, gradually exposing personal flaws and rifts in friendship. Light, fun entertainment in eight, easy-to-swallow bites. B-

Netflix

The Four Seasons (1981)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Four Seasons (1981): Original movie by Alan Alda with an ensemble cast. Story of three couples who take vacations together. Spring starts with fun and games, but as the year wears on, things get less fun as everyone gets on each other's nerves. More like a light TV movie than a serious drama. B-

Netfli

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