Council Recap: Public Engagement

On the agenda for the November 6, 2023, Richardson City Council meeting was this item: "REVIEW AND DISCUSS STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND INVOLVEMENT." This is less than two months when they idea of a community engagement board was raised in the Council's goal-setting meeting, and less than a month since the Council first deliberated on this matter in open session (October 16). Then I was pleased to see the Council quickly tackle this need, but I was not as pleased with the scattershot ideas the Council had. Now I hoped that maybe this month they'd be focused and align on effective approaches.

Council Recap: Tactics

At the November 6, 2023, Richardson City Council meeting, the Council adopted its tactics for the 2023-2025 term. According to City Manager Don Magner, these were developed with direction from the City Council and inputs from Boards and Commissions, residents and businesses. But let's face it, they were essentially drawn up by Magner. They read like a (long) scorecard by which his performance will be able to be graded.

Let me say, up front, that I very much like the comprehensiveness of this list. It shows just how much is going on at City Hall. There's no comparison to the (relatively) meager list of tactics brainstormed by the City Council at its Saturday morning unrecorded meeting on September 16. But given that the City Council's list might indicate just what they think is important, let's compare it with what the City Manager presented Monday night.

Council Recap: Naming of Parks

At the November 6, 2023, Richardson City Council meeting, one agenda item struck me as curious. It was listed as "REVIEW, DISCUSS, AND UPDATE ON THE 2021 BOND PROGRAM PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS AND PROPOSED NAMES." That 2021 bond included $7.5 million for parks. You'd think the Council would keep a close eye on how that money is being spent. Good governance. Keep your eye on the ball and all that. Well, you'd think wrong. Instead, in Monday's update, the seven councilmembers were easily distracted by the unimportant part of that agenda item, the "AND PROPOSED NAMES."

POTD: Auckland's SkyWalk

From 2023 03 07 Auckland

"High above the streets,
Sky Tower stands bold and proud.
Courage in the wind."

—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Sky Tower in downtown Auckland, New Zealand. If you are not afraid of heights, you can take a SkyWalk and pose for a photo of a friend pushing you off (or an enemy — your choice). There is nothing below you but the street, 629 feet down.

A photo of the Sky Tower from the ground is after the jump.

POTD: Auckland Shopping Arcade

From 2023 03 07 Auckland

"Strand Arcade beckons,
Amidst the grandeur of old,
History preserved."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Strand Arcade in Auckland, New Zealand. Dating to 1900 (rebuilt in 1910 after a fire), it's one of the grandest surviving shopping arcades in New Zealand. Being a Sunday, foot traffic was light.

A Man Called Otto (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes

A Man Called Otto (2022): English-language remake of the 2015 Swedish film "A Man Called Uve," this time with Tom Hanks. Local curmudgeon and how he became one. He eventually becomes, not likable, but a little less unlikable. B-

POTD: Practicing in the Park

From 2023 03 07 Auckland

"Albert Park's grand tree,
Witness to an athlete's dream,
Skill and nature meet."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Auckland, New Zealand. It shows an athlete practicing in Albert Park, a popular park in downtown Auckland near the University of Auckland. I was taken not only by her skill, but by the massive tree under whose shading branches she was practicing.

POTD: Sailing Auckland

From 2023 03 07 Auckland

"Beneath southern sun,
Auckland's charms unfurl and dance,
Bay's melody calls."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Auckland, New Zealand. It's situated on a bay in the isthmus of the North Island. No matter where you go, you are never more than a few minutes from the sea. Sailing is popular. Ferries travel here and there around the bay and to and from the many islands in the bay.

The Black Book (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Black Book (2023): Nigeria. After his son is murdered by corrupt police, a deacon sets aside religious things to seek justice. Bodies pile up. Nameless bodies, not the lead characters. Not always clear who the sides are in this political thriller, but you can bet they are all bad. B-

Random Thoughts: The Evangelical Church is Breaking Apart

2023-10-04: Headline: "THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH IS BREAKING APART." In fact, the church has been breaking apart since Martin Luther. Or since 1054. Take your pick. It's like Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there will be a schism." (Matthew 18:20).

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023): Former hitman gets back into the game. Lots of fighting with fists, knives, swords, guns, and cars. Dead bodies quickly pile up. All shown with great style. Didn't need movies 2-4. B-

POTD: Happy Tired

From 2022 12 25 Paris

"Picasso's grand work
Hangs over weary shoulders,
Palette of fatigue."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris. People-watching is fun anywhere, but it's at its best in a great location. This young woman looks weary. Not even the painting by Picasso ("Grand nu à la draperie") on the wall behind her can attract her interest. Perhaps it's because she's at the end of a long day of touring museums, churches, and palaces. It's tiredness, but it's a happy tired. At least, that's how I felt at the end of our wonderful week in Paris. Next destination, New Zealand.

POTD: People-watching at the Louvre

From 2022 12 25 Paris

"Elegance embraced,
Louvre's masterpieces await,
Confidence abounds."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Louvre in Paris. People-watching is fun anywhere, but it's at its best in a great location. This smartly-dressed young woman looks supremely self-confident. Perhaps it's because she's about to enter the Louvre. Check with her again when she's leaving the museum in three or four hours and see if she still looks elegant and fresh. But for now, she's on top of the world. At least, that's what I see.

Council Recap: Public Engagement

At the October 16, 2023, Richardson City Council meeting, the City demonstrated it can react quickly to suggestions if it has a mind to. The City Council meeting agenda had this item:

"D. REVIEW AND DISCUSS STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND INVOLVEMENT"

This was a direct outcome of the September 16, 2023, worksession to develop the 2023-2025 Council Goals. At that meeting (which was not recorded or documented by the City, so I'm relying on notes taken by Justin Neth), Jennifer Justice wanted to establish a Community Engagement Board. Mayor Pro Tem Arefin suggested adding a Diversity Board. The Council felt that this was covered under the Community Engagement Board. Now, just a month later, City Manager Don Magner brought this tactic to the City Council for their deliberation:

"Explore the creation of a board to celebrate and promote diversity, inclusion, accessibility, etc."

Invasion - S01 (TV 2021)

Rotten Tomatoes

Invasion - S01 (TV 2021): Earth is invaded. The show follows four stories around the world. How these individuals respond to the spreading awareness of the invasion is the focus of the show. By midseason, when the aliens are finally shown, we are fully invested in these characters. B+

#VeryTardyReview

Council Recap: 2023-2025 Goals

The October 16, 2023, Richardson City Council agenda held promise:
"B. REVIEW AND DISCUSS CITY COUNCIL GOALS FOR THE 2023-2025 COUNCIL TERM"

Consultant Rick Robinson spent seven minutes showing slides. They were drafts of new versions of "Role of Council," "Rules of Engagement," "Vision Statement," "Goals," and "New Key Strategies." All of these slide titles were preceded by the word "Proposed," so I assumed the "discussion" part of this agenda item would be a spirited review of the proposals. Instead, the Council spent exactly 20 seconds doing this. Or rather, Mayor Bob Dubey did. I quote verbatim the entirety of the Council's discussion before the mayor moved on to the next agenda item:

Bob Dubey: Thank you. Council, any comments? I think you've captured everything, said it exactly the way we said it. And we appreciate your hard work and commitment to the City of Richardson to make us better, transparent, and more efficient. So thank you very much.

Source: City of Richardson.

Because the Council didn't care to discuss their work, I guess it's up to me.

POTD: Shakespeare and Company, Paris

From 2022 12 25 Paris

"Words and worlds inside,
Whitman's legacy lives on.
Old bookshelves hold tales."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Shakespeare and Company, a bookstore on the Left Bank in Paris, opened in 1951 and renamed to "Shakespeare and Company" in 1964 "in tribute to Sylvia Beach's bookstore of the same name founded in 1919." The founder, George Whitman, called his venture "a socialist utopia masquerading as a bookstore." Today, tourists stand in line for as long as 30 minutes just to get a chance to enter.

POTD: The Eiffel Tower from Montmartre

From 2022 12 25 Paris

"Parisian skyline,
Eiffel Tower claims its space,
Montmartre's distant gaze."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Montmartre in Paris. It shows the Eiffel Tower, two miles away. No matter where you go in Paris, your eye looks up to try to find the Eiffel Tower. For orientation. For beauty. It's like pinching yourself to be reminded, "I'm in Paris."

Flora and Son (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Flora and Son (2023): Ireland. Divorced woman with a rebellious son decides to learn guitar online from a failing LA musician. Romcom premise but it's more. Music ends up saving everyone's lives. The best musical dramedy since 2007's "Once" by the same director. Eve Hewson is terrific. B+

Reptile (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Reptile (2023): Benicio del Toro plays the Robert Mitchum part as a hardbitten detective solving a murder that gets closer to home the deeper he goes. He is excellent in this derivative murder mystery. The puzzling title simply means people shed their skins, revealing who they really are. C+

Why School Vouchers are Bad for Texas

The school voucher bill being deliberated by the Texas House of Representatives has been argued over elsewhere, everywhere. The bottom line for me is that it takes tax dollars currently being spent on public schools and diverts them to private schools. That hurts public education.

Council Recap: Car Wash

At the October 9, 2023, Richardson City Council meeting, the Council denied an application for a special permit for a car wash on Centennial Blvd. The vote was 6-1, with Joe Corcoran being the lone Councilmember who voted to approve the application.

Richardson's draft vision statement sees Richardson as having "a small town feel and big city amenities." In case anyone wonders what that means, this case offers a clue. The City Council spending an hour debating whether to allow a new car wash behind an already existing gas station is definitely "small town." Denying the request because the Council wants something grander behind the gas station is aspiring to be "big city."

POTD: Ici est né le mot ‘Bistro’

From 2022 12 25 Paris

"A taste of Paris,
'Bystro' in every bite,
La Mère Catherine."

—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is of La Mère Catherine, a brasserie in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, France, in the Montmartre district. La Mère Catherine claims to be where the word "bistro" originated. In 1814, a group of Russian soldiers there asked for drinks to be served "bystro" (Russian for "quickly"). True or not, it's a good defense when the French blame the invention of the fast food restaurant on Americans. It actually started in Paris.

Note that this photo was taken in late December. Despite the chilly weather, Parisians (or tourists) are eating at outdoor tables, like you see in real cities around the world.

Bonus photos are after the jump.

POTD: Sainte-Chapelle

From 2022 12 25 Paris

"A thousand words pale,
Before the beauty it holds,
Paris' sacred gem."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Paris. There's stained glass, and then there's Sainte-Chapelle. Google describes it as an "ornate, 13th-century, Gothic chapel with relics & notable stained-glass windows of biblical scenes." That hardly does it justice. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Poison (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Poison (2023): 17m short. Adaptation of Roald Dahl short story by Wes Anderson. More narration than dialog. Whether this works for you depends on liking the Wes Anderson style. B-

Rat Catcher (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Rat Catcher (2023): 17m short. Adaptation of Roald Dahl short story by Wes Anderson. More narration than dialog. Whether this works for you depends on liking the Wes Anderson style. B-

The Swan (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Swan (2023): 17m short. Adaptation by Wes Anderson of a Roald Dahl short story about an incident of boyhood bullying. An inspiring story of endurance and growth. More narration than dialog. Whether this works for you depends on liking the Wes Anderson style. B-

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023): 39m short. Adaptation by Wes Anderson of a Roald Dahl short story about a man who learns a yoga's skill at seeing through playing cards to make a fortune at blackjack. More narration than dialog. Whether this works for you depends on liking the Wes Anderson style. B-

Council Recap: Comp Plan Update

At the September 25, 2023, Richardson City Council meeting, the Council received an update on progress to update the City's 2009 Comprehensive Plan. I was disappointed to see that there was little progress, unless the progress has been to plan Community Summit 2. In October, the consultants on the Envision Richardson team will be conducting a Community Summit 2 to gather more public input. Open Houses will be held October 10 and 28. I was disappointed to see little engagement with the Council or by the Council in shaping the Comp Plan.

POTD: Three Views of La Joconde

From 2022 12 25 Paris

"La Joconde's gaze,
Whispers secrets through the ages,
Mona Lisa's charm."

—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day features three views of the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris. The first is from the gallery next door, showing the crowd trying to get into the packed gallery where the Mona Lisa is on display. The second photo shows the Mona Lisa from inside that gallery. And the third photo shows a closeup of the painting that awaits those with the patience to wait their turn to get up to the front. My photo was aided by a telephoto lens.

POTD: River Seine at Night

From 2022 12 25 Paris

"Eiffel's steel soars high,
Institut's dome kisses the sky,
Seine's waters sigh."

—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from a bridge over the River Seine in Paris. In the distance is the Eiffel Tower. In the midground is the dome of the Institut de France, a French learned society, grouping five académies, including the Académie Française, established in 1795 at the direction of the National Convention. In the foreground, on the river, are tour boats.

Closeup photos of the Institut de France and the Eiffel Tower are after the jump.

Remembering Jeffrey Weiss

"Every religion is crazy, by definition, to a nonbeliever." — Jeffrey Weiss

I miss Jeffrey Weiss. He wore multiple hats at The Dallas Morning News. For a while, he covered the Richardson ISD. Remember the days when The Dallas Morning News assigned reporters to Richardson? I do. For a while, he wrote for the Religion section of the newspaper. Remember when The Dallas Morning News even had a Religion section? I do. Writing for "Politics Daily" way back in 2010 (see, I told you Weiss wore many hats), Weiss called for a movement against “political nastiness,” coining the term "civilogue" for more civil speech in the public square. I do miss Jeffrey Weiss.

The Creator (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Creator (2023): It's 2065. Humans are at war with robots and simulants. A mashup of Blade Runner, Apocalypse Now, 2001, and too many others. Morphs from an anti-AI film to something more complex, with an undercurrent of anti-imperialism. Looks great. Events sometime strain credulity. B-

Elemental (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Elemental (2023): In Element City, fire, water, earth, and air characters co-exist. Lessons about the immigrant experience and metaphoric ethnic tolerance abound. It's also a romcom (opposites attract), but with friendship more than romance and not much comedy. Still, it's Pixar and family-friendly. C+

Council Recap: Library and Campus Plan

At the September 18, 2023, Richardson City Council meeting, the Council heard an update on the Public Library design and the Civic Center Campus site plan. I'm a big fan of what I saw for the Library. (I say "saw" because of the recorded video, a neat feature the City Council should consider for all City Council meetings.) Still, I think the preferred campus site plan (Option A2) has a problem with traffic flow that could be easily and significantly improved, as I'll diagram later.

Random Thoughts: Dan Patrick and Appearances

2023-09-01: "Dan Patrick says he won't accept donations during impeachment trial." He wants to remove the appearance of "the trial being wide open to outside political influence."
Logically, doesn't this mean he should quit accepting campaign contributions during regular sessions, too, to remove the appearance of legislation being wide open to outside political influence? Which it is, of course.

POTD: Moulin Rouge on Christmas Night

From 2022 12 25 Paris

"Outside, lights ignite,
Moulin Rouge on Christmas night,
Snapshot's sweet delight."
—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Paris. No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Moulin Rouge cabaret. Unfortunately, tickets for Christmas Day are not only very expensive, but sold out far in advance. So a snapshot of the outside will have to do. Ah, the memories of an imagined visit!

Blackberry (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Blackberry (2023): Meteoric rise and fall of the world's first smartphone. There's the introverted tech genius, the undisciplined techies around him, and a brash marketing genius who knows how to turn it into gold...until the crash comes. Better than most such stories. B+

Council Recap: Goals

At a special Saturday meeting of the Richardson City Council on September 16, 2023, the Council deliberated its goals for the 2023-2025 term. I can't provide a link to the video because there is no video. The Council decided not to televise this meeting. But in attendance was Justin Neth. If you haven't been reading his reports from City Council meetings, you are missing the best way to follow what's going on. He usually keeps his opinions to a minimum (unlike yours truly) and covers the whole meeting (unlike yours truly). I couldn't attend in person, so my opinions on this goal-setting meeting are entirely drawn from Justin Neth's own report (in which he offers his own cogent opinions).

WAIW: Saigon Central

Where Am I Wednesday!

Fifty points to the first person to identify where this photo was taken.

Answer is after the jump.

Bones of Crows (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes

Bones of Crows (2022): Canada. Life story of a Cree woman who was removed from her parents and raised in Canada's abusive residential school system. Elements of her life deserve a whole movie of their own. Some acting is stilted. Many images are beautiful. Overall, it's moving. B+

Council Recap: More Housing for UTD

At the September 11 City Council meeting, the Council approved a request (ZF 23-06) to rezone 36 acres on Waterview Parkway north of UT-Dallas from technical office use to a transit-oriented, mixed-use, planned development. The vote was 5-1 (Dan Barrios voted no; Jennifer Justice was absent.) What makes this case complicated is that the property is owned by two different entities — UTD and a private developer. What makes this case simple is that one of the applicants is UTD. Usually, UTD gets what UTD wants. This case was no exception. I have two reactions.

Morocco Earthquake Aftermath

Earthquake damage in Marrakesh medina

We are on location in Marrakesh, Morocco. Life here has recovered from the recent earthquake. Some serious building damage is visible in the medina, but most buildings show nothing more than the expected wear and tear on thousand year old buildings. We didn't go into the nearby Atlas Mountains where the earthquake was centered and damage was more widespread. Recovery there will take much longer. We were thanked several times by Moroccans for coming to Morocco despite the earthquake. Tourism is important to the local economy. We are having a great visit throughout the country. Don't hesitate to make Morocco your vacation destination.

Irma Vep (1996)

Rotten Tomatoes

Irma Vep (1996): French. Movie about moviemaking. Fading director remakes a silent movie classic, with the sexy cat burglar played by Chinese star Maggie Cheung (played by Maggie Cheung herself). Confused? Very meta. Very arty. Both homage and satire. C+

#VeryTardyReview

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (2018): Part love story, part WWII historical drama, part mystery movie, all heart (even a Nazi). I can't think of a movie with a better constructed plot where all the pieces fit just right and go in place at just the right time. A-

#VeryTardyReview

Hypnotic (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Hypnotic (2023): Police detective's daughter is kidnapped. The search to find her uncovers a web of people with power of instant mind control. Silly premise but the movie invests itself wholly in it as the web expands to ever wider reach. C-

POTD: The City of Light at Christmas

From 2022 12 25 Paris

"Louis's power play,
In Place Vendôme's grand display,
Paris's heart today."

—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Place Vendôme in Paris. Place Vendôme was built by Louis XIV as a grand setting to embody absolute power in the heart of Paris. The Vendôme Column was erected by Napoleon I to commemorate the Battle of Austerlitz.

A bonus photo is after the jump.

POTD: Paris at Christmas

From 2022 12 25 Paris

"Champs-Élysées' charm,
Arc de Triomphe in the night,
Christmas memories."

—h/t ChatGPT

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Paris, France. Christmas in Paris: dream vacation or cliché? Regardless, our whole family gathered last year for Christmas at the home of surplus vowels and accent marks for five days of seeing as many sights as we could fit in.

Bonus photos are after the jump.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023): Miles and Gwen join an elite team of Spider-Persons in the multiverse to fight Spot, the villain of the week. A coming-of-age tale in which adults really can't understand or help. Great animation and energy. B+

The Hand of God (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Hand of God (2021): Italian. Boy dreams of Maradona playing for Naples. And of sex. He wants to be Fellini, but might end up a cigarette smuggler. He's surrounded by family and friends, each one crazier than the last. Is Naples really like this? An arty coming-of-age film. B-

#VeryTardyReview