Tig (2015)

IMDB

Tig (2015): "I have cancer." Not your typical opening line of a comedy set. Not your typical comedy documentary. But maybe the best. A-

POTD: The Imperial City in Hué

From 2015 03 24 Hue

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Hué, Vietnam, the historic national capital of Vietnam until World War II, when a communist government was established in Hanoi. This photo was taken in the Imperial City, a walled fortress and palace, home to the emperor.

Much of the Imperial City was destroyed or heavily damaged during the battle of Hué during the Vietnam War's Tet Offensive of January 31, 1968. Today, some restoration is underway but much of this cultural heritage is lost forever.

From 2015 03 24 Hue

Voters Guide: City Charter Amendments 11-20

Second in a series:

• City Charter Amendments Nos. 1-10
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 11-20
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 21-30
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 31-40
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 41-50
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 51-60
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 61-70
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 71-83

There are 83 propositions for amending the Richardson City Charter on the November ballot. I'm here with a voter's guide to tell you how to vote. You're welcome.

Late Summer in the Steger Garden (2015)

From Flowers

Homecoming: Mesquite Poteet 42, Berkner 16

From 2015 09 11 Poteet vs Berkner

Mesquite Poteet spoiled Berkner's homecoming game Friday night, 42-16. :-(

Berkner's two touchdowns came on spectacular plays -- one a 71 yard pass from Kris Castillo to Kailon Fisher and the other a fumble return for a touchdown by Austin Carbone (set up by a 75 yard punt by Tanner Lange that pinned Poteet back near their own goal line), but other than that, Poteet was in control the whole game.

All the action, including the game, cheerleaders, drill team, colorguard, marching band and all the rest that make high school football the best value in sports entertainment, can be seen on Google Photos. Remember, without the band, it's just a game.

POTD: Fishing in Hoi An

From 2015 03 22 Hoi An

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Hoi An, Vietnam. It shows a man fishing on the Thu Bon River. Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll entertain the tourists for a lifetime.

Voters Guide: City Charter Amendments 1-10

It's election time. It's an off-year election, but be prepared to spend more time than usual in the voting booth this November. Besides Texas constitutional amendments and city bond proposals, there are 83 propositions for amending the Richardson City Charter. Even if you don't bother to read them, it'll take a while just to check 83 boxes "YES" or "NO." But you shouldn't just willy-nilly check all "YES" or all "NO" or mix it up and try to make creative cross-stitch patterns out of your X's on your ballot. I'm here with a voter's guide to tell you how to vote. You're welcome.

First in a series.

• City Charter Amendments Nos. 1-10
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 11-20
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 21-30
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 31-40
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 41-50
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 51-60
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 61-70
• City Charter Amendments Nos. 71-83

I divide the propositions into several categories: cosmetic changes (affecting spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc., but not meaning); cleanup changes (where outdated or confusing language is changed but not the meaning); minor changes (substantive changes to the powers of government but of a minor nature); and substantive changes (changes to the powers of government of more significant nature). I can't decide how to categorize some propositions. In some cases, I don't have enough information to decide whether a change really only "simplifies" and "clarifies" the charter, as a proposition might claim, or whether it hides substantive changes. You'll see what I mean.

With 83 propositions, it's going to take more than a single cheat sheet -- more like eight or so. So let's get started. Here are my recommendations for Propositions Nos. 1-10. Recommendations for the rest will be coming in due time.

Clouds of Sils Maria (2014)

IMDB

Clouds of Sils Maria (2014): A study in aging. Play within a play. Life imitates art. Who is playing which part? Great women's roles. B-

POTD: Vietnam in One Shot

From 2015 03 22 Hoi An

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Hoi An, Vietnam. What can I say about it? One shutter snap captures so much of modern Vietnam, including touches of traditional Vietnam. There's the communist flag. There's the touristy cyclo (three-wheeled bicycle rickshaw). There's the affluent young couple with the woman in a stunning fuchsia silk dress. There's the woman in the traditional Vietnamese style conical hat. And there's the cell phone in her hand. There's not much about modern Vietnam that's missing from this photograph. It's said that all photos lie, but I like the lie this one tells.

Increased Density Spurs Retail Revival

The wedge that cleaves Richardson politics is development. On one side are those who want to see the city stop the construction of apartments and do something to breath life back into dying shopping centers. On the other side are those who rally behind multi-use developments like CityLine and Palisades with their apartments, offices and retail. It turns out that maybe, just maybe, the key to reversing the decline of older retail in Richardson is the success of new multi-use developments.