Equity in RISD

"In an effort to ensure every student performs at or above grade level, the Equity Action Team developed an action plan to recommend the drafting and potential Board approval of an Equity Policy in RISD. An overview of the committee’s process will be presented as well as a preliminary draft of the current Equity Policy. Next steps will be discussed as well as a timeline for policy recommendation."

That's the agenda item for last week's Richardson ISD board of trustees meeting. OK, I'm in favor of what RISD is attempting here, so don't take what I have to say as criticism of the goal. If you must, take it as a reason why I should never be appointed to one of these committees.

The Highwaymen (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Highwaymen (2019): Two retired Texas Rangers track down Bonnie and Clyde. This pair is less charismatic than the outlaws, but Costner/Harrelson can carry a movie. They are always a little too late on the scene, making for a slow movie. Seeing Texas in the 1930s is a treat. B-

Not So Fast with that RISD Election

Just when I thought the Richardson ISD's transition to trustee elections with single-member-districts was a done deal, with only a few details to be decided by the board of trustees, someone throws a wrench in the works. In this case, it's our newly elected Texas House District 102 Representative Ana-Maria Ramos.

Idle Thoughts: Russian Doll

Tweets from March, 2019:

• Mar 4 2019: Russian Doll (TV 2019): Brash New Yorker is caught in looping, connected timelines as she keeps dying and rebooting at her birthday party. Quirky, original, absolutely captivating, with a satisfying ending as well. Can't wait for Season 2, but where can Natasha Lyonne take it? A+
• Mar 6 2019: Do you want to be scared out of your mind? Read this:
  "Far-Right Climate Denial Is Scary. Far-Right Climate Acceptance Might Be Scarier".
• Mar 7 2019: "I alone can fix this." -- candidate Donald Trump, 2016.
  Now in 2019...
  Government shutdown.
  Historic budget deficits.
  Growing trade deficits.
  Spiking numbers of family refugees.
  North Korea rearming.
  Tired of the winning yet?

After the jump, more idle thoughts.

First Impressions of the Candidates

The Islamic Association of North Texas hosted a forum Thursday evening for candidates for Richardson City Council. All candidates in contested races took part. Attendance was excellent. An estimated 300 crowded the multi-purpose hall to hear from the candidates and enjoy a delicious catered dinner. A special shoutout for the samosas. Moving on...

POTD: High Notes

From 2018 08 13 St Petersburg

Today's photo-of-the-day is of artwork on the wall of the State Symphony Capella of Russia in St. Petersburg, Russia. It comprises both an orchestra and choir. I saw the art as evidence that, indeed, the high notes can crack the plaster.

POTD: Nobody Rides for Free

From 2018 08 13 St Petersburg

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the back of a car in St. Petersburg, Russia. The bumper sticker shows that Russians have the same sense of humor as Americans.

RISD Transitions to Single-Member Districts

Source: RISD.

At Monday's Richardson ISD meeting of the board of trustees, Katie Patterson repeated that she will not be running for re-election in 2019. Kristin Kuhne announced that she will not run for re-election in 2020. Jean Bono announced with less certainty that she probably will not run for re-election in 2021. These announcements were made as part of the discussion about transitioning the district to a 5:2 single-member district election system.

After the jump, my recommendation and prediction for what that system should be.

Us (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes

Us (2019): I don't usually watch horror movies, but when I do, they are by Jordan Peele. Part zombie movie, part surreal psychological commentary on the alter ego. More than a few plot holes. Lots of blood and gore, but it leaves lots to talk about too. A little too long. B-

POTD: Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

From 2018 08 13 St Petersburg

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was built on the site where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in March, 1881. Do you see how the church juts out into the canal? The assassination took place right on the edge of the canal as the Emperor's carriage passed by.

A bonus photo after the jump.

POTD: Arts Square: Pushkin Monument and Mikhailovsky Palace

From 2018 08 13 St Petersburg

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the Pushkin Monument and Mikhailovsky Palace in Arts Square in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Mikhailovsky Theatre, where we saw Swan Lake, is also on Arts Square. Alexander Pushkin is considered to be Russia's greatest poet. The Mikhailovsky Palace, built for Emperor Paul I’s youngest son Grand Duke Michail, today houses the state museum of Russian art.

The ABC Murders (TV 2019)

Rotten Tomatoes

The ABC Murders (TV 2019): Think Agatha Christie with gratuitous grossness. Better to watch John Malkovich's psychological study of Hercule Poirot. But Poirot's back story is more red herring than integral to the murder mystery, leaving me disappointed. Three episodes. C+

POTD: Nevsky Prospect

From 2018 08 13 St Petersburg

Today's photo-of-the-day is of Nevsky Prospect in St. Petersburg, Russia. Nevsky Prospect is the main street in St. Petersburg, laid out by Peter the Great. Elisseeff Emporium, a retail complex with a famous food hall, constructed in 1903, is on the left.

A bonus photo after the jump.

POTD: Swan Lake at the Mikhailovsky Theatre

From 2018 08 13 St Petersburg

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the ballet Swan Lake at the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, one of Russia's oldest opera and ballet houses, founded in 1833. A beautiful performance in a magnificent venue.

A bonus photo after the jump.

Captain Marvel (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes

Captain Marvel (2019): Satisfying origin story. Plot twist halfway added interest and created real world parallels to this fictional universe. Too many fist fights for aliens with super powers and advanced technology. Go to defy Internet trolls who hate there's a female lead. B-

POTD: More Onion Domes

From 2018 08 13 St Petersburg

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the onion domes of the Smolny Cathedral on the Neva River in St Petersburg, Russia. According to Wikipedia, "This Russian Orthodox convent was built to house Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great. After she was disallowed succession to the throne, she opted to become a nun. However, her Imperial predecessor, Ivan VI, was overthrown during a coup d'état (carried out by the royal guards in 1741). Elizabeth decided against entering monastic life and accepted the offer of the Russian throne."

Yeah, that's the story. As if Elizabeth had nothing to do with the coup and would have been happy retiring forever to a convent. Russian women could be just as ruthless and cunning as any Russian man in history.