POTD: Jerónimos Monastery

From 2025 12 27 Lisbon

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon, Portugal. According to Wikipedia, "The Jerónimos Monastery is one of the most prominent examples of the late Portuguese Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon. It was erected in the early 1500s near the launch point of Vasco da Gama's first journey, and its construction funded by a tax on the profits of the yearly Portuguese India Armadas. [Think of that as a tax on billionaires.] In 1880, da Gama's remains and those of the poet Luís de Camões (who celebrated da Gama's first voyage in his 1572 epic poem The Lusiad), were moved to new carved tombs in the nave of the monastery's church, only a few meters away from the tombs of the kings Manuel I and John III, whom da Gama had served."

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"Da Gama rests here
Beside kings who sent him forth.
Untold wealth returned."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Lisboa

From 2025 12 27 Lisbon

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Lisbon, Portugal, first stop on our New Year's trip this year whose highlight was a river cruise of Portugal's Douro River.

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"New year, ancient town.
With streets washed in winter rain,
Lisbon wakes anew."
— h/t ChatGPT

The Mayor Talks Environment, Trees & Native Plants

Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.

The Mayor Talks Delivery Drones

Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.

The Mayor Talks Library & City Hall Projects

Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.

Council Recap: Five Cut without an Interview

The Richardson City Council has to fill a vacancy on the Council caused by the resignation of Council Member Dan Barrios. There were thirteen applications. On August 17, 2026, the Council reduced the applicant count by five based on their written applications and whatever Council Members could find on Facebook or Google or elsewhere online, without giving the applicants a chance to rebut or explain what Council Members found online about them.

The argument for doing this is that it leaves more time for Q&A with the remaining eight applicants. The argument against is that all applicants deserve a chance to speak to the Council in person. Otherwise, the Council might unwittingly cut some excellent applicants. That's the argument I presented in "Council Recap: Thirteen Good Men and Women". The majority of the Council didn't listen to me, so what's new?

The Mayor Talks Data Centers

Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.

The Mayor Talks Budget, Taxes & Utilities

Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.

POTD: Uzbek Miscellany

From 2025 09 22 Samarkand

Today's photo-of-the-day is of miscellany from Uzbekistan. First, a sign for a public restroom. Next, a fast food place. Last, a common sight along the highways — storks nesting on power poles, chimneys, or any tall extension offering safety for nests.

Bonus photos are after the jump.

POTD: Shah-i-Zindi Necropolis

From 2025 09 22 Samarkand

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the Shah-i-Zindi Necropolis in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. According to Wikipedia, the Shah-i-Zinda complex was formed over eight centuries, starting in the 11th century, and includes more than twenty mausoleums and other ritual buildings. "The name Shah-i-Zinda is connected with the legend that Qutham ibn Abbas, a cousin of Muhammad, is buried here. He came to Samarkand with the Arab invasion in the 7th century to preach Islam. According to one legend, he was decapitated during prayer, picked up his severed head, and walked to the deep well known as the Garden of Paradise, where he resides to this day."

Well, OK then. It's an impressive cemetery even without the legend.

A bonus photo is after the jump.