13th (2016)

IMDB

13th (2016): Criminalization of race is the new Jim Crow. The new slavery. The same old evil, erupting in new form each generation. Wow. A+

This documentary did something great movies (or books) do — force me to reconsider a long-held belief. Since my teens, I've believed in that quote by Martin Luther King, Jr., "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." After watching "13th" I have to consider the possibility that the arc bends back on itself in an endless cycle of fighting the same old evil. Racism is a disease. Just when we think it's vanquished (13th Amendment, Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act), the evil metastasizes and erupts in new form (criminalization of race, mass incarceration). Now, in the early 21st Century, the arc of the moral universe has bent back to its starting point once again.

Upcoming Local Elections

The federal and state elections are history and the governments in Washington and Austin are beginning to take shape. That means it must be time to turn our attention to local elections, scheduled to take place May 6, 2017. The deadline to file to run is over a month away, February 17, 2017 at 5:00 p.m., so it's still way early, but here is a look at the early field.

"He is Never in Error"

Could this description of a certain authoritarian leader be any more spot on?

As a child, a young man, praised for the sweetness of his nature and his golden looks, [he] grew up believing that all the world was his friend and everybody wanted him to be happy. So any pain, any delay, frustration or stroke of ill-luck seems to him an anomaly, an outrage. Any activity he finds weary or displeasant, he will try honestly to turn into an amusement, and if he cannot find some thread of pleasure he will avoid it; this to him seems reasonable and natural.

He has [advisors] employed to fry their brains on his behalf, and if he is out of temper it is probably their fault; they shouldn't block him or provoke him. He doesn't want people who say 'No, but...' He wants people who say 'Yes, and...' He doesn’t like men who are pessimistic and sceptical, who turn down their mouths and cost out his brilliant projects with a scribble in the margin of their papers. So do the sums in your head where no one can see them.

Do not expect consistency from him. [He] prides himself on understanding his [advisors], their secret opinions and desires, but he is resolved that none of his [advisors] shall understand him. He is suspicious of any plan that doesn't originate within himself, or seem to. You can argue with him, but you must be careful how and when. You are better to give way on every possible point until the vital point, and to pose yourself as one in need of guidance and instruction, rather than to maintain a fixed opinion from the start and let him think you believe you know better than he does. Be sinuous in argument and allow him escapes: don't corner him, don't back him against the wall.

Remember that his mood depends on other people, so consider who has been with him since you were with him last. Remember he wants more than to be advised of his power, he wants to be told he is right. He is never in error. It is only that other people commit errors on his behalf or deceive him with false information. [He] wants to be told that he is behaving well.

Source: Bring Up the Bodies.

If you thought this description is from an observer's biography of President-elect Donald J. Trump, you'd be wrong.

Manchester by the Sea (2016)

IMDB

Manchester by the Sea (2016): Handyman knocked down by life. Long flat narrative arc of quiet desperation. Authentic slice of reality. B-

POTD: The Haunted Wood

From 2016 09 07 Charlottetown

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Green Gables, the homestead that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery to write "Anne of Green Gables." Or more specifically, it's a photo of the path through the woods behind the house. These are the woods that Anne Shirley imagined were haunted. On a sunny day in September, the woods are more suited for a pleasant stroll. So we did just that.

"I can't go through the Haunted Wood, Marilla," cried Anne desperately.

Marilla stared.

"The Haunted Wood! Are you crazy? What under the canopy is the Haunted Wood?"

"The spruce wood over the brook," said Anne in a whisper.

"Fiddlesticks! There is no such thing as a haunted wood anywhere. Who has been telling you such stuff?"

"Nobody," confessed Anne. "Diana and I just imagined the wood was haunted. All the places around here are so--so--commonplace. We just got this up for our own amusement. We began it in April. A haunted wood is so very romantic, Marilla. We chose the spruce grove because it's so gloomy. Oh, we have imagined the most harrowing things. There's a white lady walks along the brook just about this time of the night and wrings her hands and utters wailing cries. She appears when there is to be a death in the family. And the ghost of a little murdered child haunts the corner up by Idlewild; it creeps up behind you and lays its cold fingers on your hand--so. Oh, Marilla, it gives me a shudder to think of it. And there's a headless man stalks up and down the path and skeletons glower at you between the boughs. Oh, Marilla, I wouldn't go through the Haunted Wood after dark now for anything. I'd be sure that white things would reach out from behind the trees and grab me."

Source: Anne of Green Gables .

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

IMDB

Rogue One (2016): A rollicking fun adventure...just like all the others. Fighting an authoritarian regime has new relevance in 2017. Sad! C-

OTBR: Along the Similkameen River

Latitude: N 49° 15.402
Longitude: W 120° 00.810

A child on a road trip with his family asks, "Where are we?" and the father answers, "Let's check the map. We're off the blue roads [the Interstate Highways marked in blue on the road atlas]. We're off the red roads [the US and state highways]. We're off the black roads [the county highways]. I think we're off the map altogether." It was always my dream to be off the map altogether.

After the jump, a few of the random places (and I mean random literally) that I visited vicariously last month that are "off the blue roads".

Who Votes for Sam Johnson?

He's not my Congressman. Even if I lived in Sam Johnson's Collin County district, I wouldn't vote for him. But it's not just because I don't agree with his politics of tax-breaks-for-the-rich and safety-net-cuts-for-the-middle-class. It's because he isn't honest enough to tell us what he's really doing. He's lying by omission, if you will.

Repeat Tweets: The Stuff They Call Country Today

Repeat tweets from December, 2016:

• Dec 2 2016: "The stuff they call country today is more like bad rock groups with a fiddle." -- Tom Petty
• Dec 3 2016: RT @cristinadaglas: "BADGERS BADGERS BADGERS."
  Well that sucked.
• Dec 3 2016: RT @andrewflowers: "Let me be clear: I think Ohio St. should make the College Football Playoff over Penn St."
  Either the CFP is screwed up or the Big Ten is.

After the jump, more repeat tweets.

Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)

IMDB

Florence Foster Jenkins (2016): Bad singing raised to high art. Something missing. Can't laugh at her or with her. Great acting though. B-

POTD: Green Gables

From 2016 09 07 Charlottetown

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Cavendish, Prince Edward Island. It's the obligatory shot of Green Gables, the homestead that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery to write "Anne of Green Gables." I knew nothing of the spirited orphan, Anne Shirley, before visiting, but I've become a huge fan since.

POTD: Steep Red Sandstone Cliffs

From 2016 09 07 Charlottetown

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the north shore of Prince Edward Island. I'll let Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of "Anne of Green Gables," describe the scene.

The shore road was "woodsy and wild and lonesome." On the right hand, scrub firs, their spirits quite unbroken by long years of tussle with the gulf winds, grew thickly. On the left were the steep red sandstone cliffs, so near the track in places that a mare of less steadiness than the sorrel might have tried the nerves of the people behind her. Down at the base of the cliffs were heaps of surf-worn rocks or little sandy coves inlaid with pebbles as with ocean jewels; beyond lay the sea, shimmering and blue, and over it soared the gulls, their pinions flashing silvery in the sunlight. "Isn’t the sea wonderful?" said Anne, rousing from a long, wide-eyed silence.

Source: Anne of Green Gables.

POTD: The Crick

From 2016 09 07 Charlottetown

Today's photo-of-the-day is from North Rustico, Prince Edward Island.

The town is known to locals, as well as many others as "The Crick". In the summer, this town is one of the Island's most popular destinations. On a warm summer evening, dozens of people can be found strolling the town's waterfront boardwalk, which overlooks the bay and fishing docks. The fishing industry remains the village's most important economic activity, with approximately 40 vessels home-ported in a small craft harbour. Lobster fishing is the main focus for much of the fleet and during May and June fresh north shore P.E.I lobster can be bought in a fish market on the harbour wharves or directly off of the boats.

Source: Wikipedia.

Bonus photo after the jump.

POTD: Confederation Landing

From 2016 09 07 Charlottetown

In case you read the headline and assumed this has something to do with the old South, no, the Confederation being remembered here has nothing to do with white supremacy. Today's photo-of-the-day is from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. According to Fodor's, "This waterfront recreation area at the bottom of Great George Street occupies the site where the Fathers of Confederation famously landed in 1864." Charlottetown is where the first conference was held that eventually resulted in the confederation of Canada in 1867. And did you catch that word "famously"? Not to Americans, sadly (and by "Americans" I include myself). Americans tend to be ignorant of anything that doesn't happen under our very noses. We're too busy rewriting our own history to bother learning some history of our neighbors to the north. Thankfully, Canadians are too polite to be resentful.

POTD: Christmas Cajun Style

From 2016 12 15 Louisiana

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Natchitoches, Louisiana, the self-styled City of Lights. A crawfish in a sleigh pulled by an alligator in a Santa hat along the riverfront — that's Christmas Cajun Style.

POTD: Christmas in Natchitoches

From 2016 12 15 Louisiana

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Natchitoches, Louisiana, the self-styled City of Lights. For our visit, the full moon conveniently rose above the Three Wise Men, adding its light to the already impressive display all along the riverfront, of which this scene is just a tiny fraction.

Named after a Native American tribe, Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-a-tish ), is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase Territory. Since 1927, we are also home to one of the oldest community-based holiday celebrations in the country. Our festival has evolved from a one day event into a six-week long Christmas Season. Over 300,000 lights and 100 plus set pieces are on display every night at dusk. Come enjoy Kid's Fest, a carriage tour through the historic district, food vendors along the downtown riverbank, as well as various shops and restaurants. Events take place in the Landmark Historic District and the Cane River National Historical Park area. Fireworks are held every Saturday throughout the Season as well as events to be enjoyed by every age. The Natchitoches Christmas Season has been listed as a "Top 100 Events in North America" by the American Bus Association for numerous years and has also been honored as one of the "Top 20 Events" for December on six occasions by the Southeast Tourism Society. In 2013, we were ranked 3rd "Best Holiday Light Show" behind the Rockefeller Center and Disney World in the nation by Yahoo.com.

Source: Natchitoches Christmas.

So there you have it — Christmas in Natchitoches.

POTD: Christmas on Bourbon Street

From 2016 12 15 Louisiana

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the French Quarter in New Orleans the week before Christmas. Write your own caption. In case you are wondering, that's not me in the photo.

Review: American Lion

Amazon

From American Lion, by John Meacham:

The America of Andrew Jackson was a country that professed a love of democracy but was willing to live with inequality, that aimed for social justice but was prone to racism and intolerance, that believed itself one nation but was narrowly divided and fought close elections, and that occasionally acted arrogantly toward other countries while craving respect from them at the same time."

With the election of Donald Trump as president, I thought it was time to review another era in American history, one when the first great populist was elected president. Consider it reading history to shed a light on our own inconceivable situation; looking to history to offer hope that our black cloud might have a silver lining.

After the jump, my review.

Santa's Village Needs a Train

Richardson's Santa's Village is an annual holiday tradition for families. It's a tiny town of holiday buildings offering children fun activities and a community stage offering the whole family live performances of song and dance. But there's something missing.

Dallas to Suburbs: Seriously, Drop Dead

In October, the Dallas city council voted unanimously on a resolution that did not include the Cotton Belt line as one of its transit priorities. I reported it then as "Dallas to Suburbs: Drop Dead." The DART board backed the Cotton Belt anyway, voting on a 20 year financial plan that included the Cotton Belt in the plan. I reported the reaction in Dallas as "Dallas to Suburbs: Drop Dead, Still." Last week, Dallas showed they are serious in their opposition to the Cotton Belt by naming Patrick Kennedy to the DART board. According to The Dallas Observer's Stephen Young, Kennedy wants "DART to focus on two major projects, the D2 subway in downtown and reforming DART's bus system rather than suburb-friendly projects like the Cotton Belt."

Berkner Symphony Orchestra goes to Midwest

The Berkner Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Craig Needham and Jason Schayot, is performing at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago December 15, 2016.

After the jump, the high honor this is.

RISD Finds its Leader

Dr. Jeannie Stone, who has been serving as Richardson ISD's Interim Superintendent since June, has been named the Lone Finalist for the permanent position by the RISD Board of Trustees. My congratulations. She's well-regarded inside and outside RISD. Given the no-win nature of the job, I'm impressed that she's managed to keep even some reflexive RISD critics open-minded about her personally.

POTD: Charlottetown Seaport, 2016

From 2016 09 07 Charlottetown

Today's photo-of-the-day is from historic Charlottetown seaport, Prince Edward Island, Canada. For us, 2016 will go down as one of the best of years, and one of the worst. But for this POTD series, let's stay positive, shall we? Prince Edward Island in September, 2016, was great in all respects.

Know A Neighborhood: Richardson Heights

"Know A Neighborhood" is a series that offers neighborhood leaders in Richardson the opportunity to answer questions that might be of general interest to Richardson residents (or at least to me).

Today: Richard Dotson, Richardson Heights NA President, answers a question posed by The Wheel.

POTD: Cape Breton Island Shoreline

From 2016 09 06 Sydney

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the shoreline of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. It probably looks a little more arctic there in December, but it was green and pleasant in September as we bid the island a fond farewell.

Tracks (2013)

IMDB

Tracks (2013): Woman walks across Australia just to be alone. Does she purge her demons? Dunno, but her journey is worth it. cf. "Wild". B+

POTD: Gateway to French Canada

From 2016 09 06 Sydney

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the 18th century French Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. In the mid-1740s, Louisbourg was a major commercial port and the fortress one of the most extensive European fortifications constructed in North America. It was the gateway to French Canada.

OTBR: A Pond at Latrobe University

Latitude: S 37° 43.308
Longitude: E 145° 02.754

A child on a road trip with his family asks, "Where are we?" and the father answers, "Let's check the map. We're off the blue roads [the Interstate Highways marked in blue on the road atlas]. We're off the red roads [the US and state highways]. We're off the black roads [the county highways]. I think we're off the map altogether." It was always my dream to be off the map altogether.

After the jump, a few of the random places (and I mean random literally) that I visited vicariously last month that are "off the blue roads".

Wanted: Superintendent, Practically Perfect in Every Way

The Richardson school district (RISD) is seeking a new superintendent. Everybody has an opinion. Expectations and demands are as high as those set by the George Banks family in Edwardian England when advertising for a nanny.

"If you want this choice position, have a cheery disposition.
Rosy cheeks, no warts. Play games, all sorts.
You must be kind, you must be witty, very sweet, and fairly pretty.
Take us on outings, give us treats, sing songs, bring sweets.
Never be cross or cruel. Never give us castor oil or gruel.
Love us as a son and daughter, and never smell of barley water.
Hurry, Nanny! Many thanks!
Sincerely,
Jane and Michael Banks!"

Assuming that someone with Mary Poppins's qualifications isn't available, what criteria should be used to identify the RISD's next superintendent?

POTD: She Dreams out of Windows

From 2016 09 06 Sydney

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the 18th century French Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.

   Windows

She dreams out
of windows
because she needs to live
in both worlds:
within and without,
alone and together,
past and future:
all right now.
   ~mce

Source: Mike Essig.

cf. POTD: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah.
cf. POTD: Ethnology.

Repeat Tweets: Break Up the Cubs

Repeat tweets from November, 2016:

• Nov 2 2016: Break up the Cubs. #WorldSeries
• Nov 2 2016: 45 Years (2015): Long-dead girlfriend's body interferes with a couple's 45-year anniversary. Quiet, touching movie. Two strong leads. B-
• Nov 2 2016: MT @BudKennedy: "The Des Moines suspect is a Confederate flag activist who opposes civil rights protest. You take it from there." White Lives Matter? dmreg.co

After the jump, more repeat tweets.

Mr. Holmes (2015)

IMDB

Mr. Holmes (2015): Sherlock as a retired 93-year-old. Less mental work, more heart. Purists may object, but I liked the character growth. A-

Know A Neighborhood: Canyon Creek

"Know A Neighborhood" is an occasional series that offers Richardson neighborhood leaders the opportunity to answer questions that might be of general interest to Richardson residents (or at least to me). My thanks to all who agree to participate.

Today: Jeremy Thomason, Canyon Creek HOA President, answers a question posed by The Wheel.

Heroes "R" Us

Notice anything different between the old and the new logos?

Old Logo	New Logo

The "R" is different in the new logo. The "R" in the old "Richardson Real Heroes" logo is the "R" from the City of Richardson's own logo. The "R" in the new "Richardson Real Heroes" logo is some other font (Brush Script?), vaguely similar but different.

POTD: Wooden Ship Abuilding

From 2016 09 06 Sydney

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the 18th century French Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, where today re-enactment of life in the 1700s is all a part of the pleasure of visiting.

Bonus photo after the jump.

It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)

IMDB

It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012): Simple animated short about life of Bill, a sad sack who is either mentally ill or imaginative genius. C+

POTD: The Fog of History

From 2016 09 06 Sydney

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the 18th century French Fortress of Louisbourg, and the town it protected, on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Or rather, from a modern reconstruction of the fortress. In the mid-1740s, Louisbourg was a major commercial port and the fortress one of the most extensive European fortifications constructed in North America. The fortress was captured by the English in 1758 and destroyed not long after. Maybe Canadians remember, but to most Americans (and by "most Americans" I mean, of course, me) it's all lost to the fog of history.

Airlift (2016)

IMDB

Airlift (2016): Saddam invades Kuwait. 170,000 Indians need rescue. Akshay Kumar saves the day. Bollywood tells story Hollywood doesn't. B-












More after the jump.

POTD: Fortress of Louisbourg

From 2016 09 06 Sydney

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the 18th century French Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Or rather, from the reconstructed fort. The English capture of the fort in 1758 was a turning point in the Seven Years War with the French for control of Canada. The English demolished the fort. Only recently, as coal mines on the island shut down, was restoration of the fort begun by the government as a way to provide jobs, to the benefit of tourists.

Bonus photo after the jump.

POTD: Fidheal Mhor a’ Ceilidh

From 2016 09 06 Sydney

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Sydney harbor on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, home to the world's largest fiddle, and North America's only living Celtic culture.

Ghostbusters (2016)

IMDB

Ghostbusters (2016): Maybe if you never saw original. But if you did, absolutely no need to see remake. Nothing fresh, down to the slime. C+

POTD: "No Frills Heaven"

From 2016 09 05 Halifax

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Ryer's Retail Lobsters in Indian Harbor, Nova Scotia. According to a review on TripAdvisor: "These are the freshest and most succulent lobsters I have eaten and they didn't cost an arm and a leg. Fresh from the sea, steamed to order, sit on the benches and tuck in."

Bonus photo after the jump.

Parched (2015)

IMDB

Parched (2015): Four women in rural India deal with a patriarchal culture and asshole men. Strong female characters. Bollywood feminism. B-

POTD: "Got Drunk, Fell Down"

From 2016 09 05 Halifax

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the waterfront boardwalk at Halifax harbor. The three lamp posts are part of an art installation by Chris Hanson and Hendrika Sonnenberg.

POTD: Peggy's Point Light

From 2016 09 05 Halifax

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the Peggy's Cove Lighthouse in Nova Scotia. At least one tour guide goes so far as to say it's the most photographed building in Canada. Wikipedia will only say that it's "one of the most-photographed structures in Atlantic Canada." Russ Rowlett of the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill says: "This is a genuine star: one of the world's most visited and most photographed lighthouses." I'll accept that.

P.S. The tourist photo-bombing the lighthouse is the most photographed tourist in all our travels. Definitely. And picturesque herself.

Why She Lost

There's blame enough to go around. But you have to start with the candidate herself. Hillary Clinton was a historically unpopular candidate. Democrats lulled themselves with a comparison to the even more unpopular Donald Trump. They gambled that her unpopularity wouldn't matter. It did.

POTD: Peggy's Cove

From 2016 09 05 Halifax

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, a picturesque little fishing village. That description doesn't do the place justice. Not even the tour buses and crowds can take the charm away from this place. To give an idea of how popular this village is, it's even been recreated halfway around the world at a resort in Thailand. I know...WTF?

Sky Ladder (2016)

IMDB

Sky Ladder (2016): The fireworks art of Cai Guo-Qiang. Remember 2008 Beijing Olympics fireworks? Same guy. Dedication and results. B-

Rod Dreher, Troll

Tomorrow is election day. So, let's give a little space to national politics. Or rather, to Rod Dreher's view of the election campaign. Or rather, to Dreher's postscript to his analysis. It earns him today's award for unintended irony.

OTBR: A Swamp in Estonia

Latitude: N 59° 06.336
Longitude: E 024° 45.342

A child on a road trip with his family asks, "Where are we?" and the father answers, "Let's check the map. We're off the blue roads [the Interstate Highways marked in blue on the road atlas]. We're off the red roads [the US and state highways]. We're off the black roads [the county highways]. I think we're off the map altogether." It was always my dream to be off the map altogether.

After the jump, a few of the random places (and I mean random literally) that I visited vicariously last month that are "off the blue roads".