S2L77: Taj Mahal

Agra, India
March 6, 1977

We toured the Taj Mahal by day, then returned at night to see it by the light of a full moon. I think I could have sat there all night and never gotten tired of the sight.

Source: Personal travel notes.

From 1977 03 02 India

Remember that waxing moon I commented on while in Nepal? Well, by the time I reached Agra it was full. Perfect timing for a nighttime visit to the Taj Mahal. It's sometimes called the most beautiful building in the world. That won't get an argument from me.

More photos after the jump.

Hopes Sky High for Tearing Down Central

Source: www.us75mobility.com.

Just kidding. If you believe that, I have some land in Frisco to sell you that I promise is no more than a fifteen minute drive from downtown Dallas. Instead of instilling high hopes, TxDOT came to Richardson Monday night to brief the city council on a study TxDOT has initiated for the US 75 corridor from I-635 to SH 121. The study is expected to be complete by September, 2015.

After the jump, what TxDOT says, what I say, and what Richardson council member Scott Dunn says.

Review: Norwegian Wood

Amazon

From Norwegian Wood, by Haruki Murakami:

'The problem was that that kind of thing couldn't go on forever,' said Naoku. 'Such perfect little circles are impossible to maintain. Kizuki knew it, I knew it, and so did you. Am I right?' I nodded."

After the jump, my review.

Remember Bulletin Boards?

Source: City of Richardson.

Remember bulletin boards? You might if you grew up in the 1950s, back when cork-and-pin bulletin boards were still a popular way to share public notices. In the mid-1990s, the Internet relegated bulletin boards to the dustbin of history. Except in government. The dustbin of history is government's natural habitat. That's evident from the notice that includes the excerpt above.

After the jump, my forlorn plea for the City of Richardson to get with the 21st century.

Are You Smarter than a Texas Legislator?

Apparently, Texas House members are not smarter than a fifth grader. Nor are Capitol staffers. And they aren't even smart enough to be embarrassed, instead acting as if there is something wrong with the questions asked, not with their inability to give correct answers.

What am I talking about? It's a letter sent to all Texas House members by Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston) containing thirteen sample questions from the middle school standardized STAAR tests. Wu admits he missed "two or three" of the questions. He said some Capitol staff "gave up."

Really? I took the test. I think I did better than Wu (I can't say for sure because Wu didn't provide answers). Before I say any more, pause here and take the test yourself. Don't hurry. It's not timed.

After the jump, I give my own impressions of the test. Spoiler alert: I also give my own answers.

Final Four: Fort Bend Travis 59, Berkner 52

The Berkner Rams men's basketball season came to an end Friday night, when the team lost to Fort Bend Travis High School 59-52 in the semi-final game of the UIL State Championship in Austin.

Thanks, Rams, for the best season in Berkner High School history (tied with the 2005-2006 Rams, who also made it to the Final Four). The Rams finish with a 33-6 overall record, a perfect 14-0 District 9-5A record, the District 9-5A championship and a six-game run in the state championship tournament resulting in a Final Four appearance. It's a great time to be a Ram!

S2L77: Holi, Festival of Colors

Agra, India
March 4-5, 1977

Up at dawn for the long drive from Benares to Agra, normally a two-day drive being made in one because of the Holi festival of colors. We spent the day virtually trapped in the hotel as Indians celebrated outside by throwing dye-colored flour on all passers-by.

Source: Personal travel notes.

From 1977 03 02 India

More photos after the jump.