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.