Presumed Innocent (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Presumed Innocent (TV 2024): Excellent whodunit. The plot is an intricate clockwork, full of suspects and red herrings. Based on 1987 novel. Public prosecutor is charged with murdering another prosecutor, one he has been having an affair with. Did he or didn't he? Even his wife and kids are torn. A-

AppleTV+

Salvage Yard: Gateway to Richardson IQ

At the Richardson City Council meeting of October 14, 2024, the Council approved yet another car dealer to locate in Richardson. And not just any car dealer. This was a request by AutoSavvy. Does Richardson benefit from yet another auto dealer? Especially AutoSavvy? I say no. No City Councilmember could offer a reason to say yes, except maybe as a placeholder for five years, the length of the special use permit under consideration. But they unanimously voted for it anyway.

Council Recap: Cars & Signs, Ad Infinitum

At the Richardson City Council meeting of October 14, 2024, the Council approved yet another car dealer and, in a separate action, amended the existing planned development for the Eastside development to allow the applicant to develop a "master sign plan" for the development. A master sign plan is a way of getting approval for signs that are currently prohibited by ordinance. Because of course they did. They know better, just listen to them during deliberations. But when it comes time to vote, they can't help themselves. They vote yes.

POTD: Serrano Glacier. Salud!

"Blue ice, ages old,
chilled hands hold a frozen past,
soon to cool our drinks."

— h/t ChatGPT

From 2024 03 11 Chile Patagonia

Today's photo-of-the-day is from our first South American glacier, Serrano Glacier in southern Patagonia in Chile. Ellen is holding a piece of ice that calved from the glacier. Soon it will be cooling our drinks.

A bonus photo is after the jump.

POTD: Puerto Natales, Chile

"Southward, dreams unfold,
Patagonia's heart revealed,
One step closer now."
— h/t ChatGPT

From 2024 03 11 Chile Patagonia

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Puerto Natales, Chile. It was our first overnight stay way down south in Patagonia. The Andes Mountains stand tall, beckoning us to come closer. That awaits for another day.

Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker

Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker.
Resident, Employer, Landowner, Developer.
Renter, ..., wait, where are the Renters?

The City of Richardson has published a draft of its long-overdue Comprehensive Plan update, the first since 2009. I noticed words like residents, citizens, stakeholders, etc., used in different contexts. Are the distinctions significant? Dunno. The Plan doesn't say. And the closest it comes to a definition for any of the terms is this: "stakeholder—residents, employers and business owners, landowners, brokers and developers, partner agencies and organizations, nonprofits, and public officials." That's pretty comprehensive. It doesn't explicitly include renters, but because renters are residents, I'd argue that it implicitly includes them. But does the City think that? Really?

Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (TV 2024): The backstory behind Truman Capote's unfinished novel about New York's elite society women. No one comes out looking good, Capote worst of all. He's a drunk, manipulative whiner. The Swans are entitled and self-absorbed. The series is more exhausting than revealing. C+

Hulu

Grading Richardson's Comprehensive Plan

Source: City of Richardson.

The City of Richardson has published a draft of its long-overdue Comprehensive Plan update, the first since 2009. The initial grade I'd award? Incomplete. I was interested in, for example, what the recommendations would be for increasing the so-called missing middle housing in Richardson, that is, housing types like duplexes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), bungalow courts, and townhomes. I found some mushy aspirations, but nothing that commits the City to any changes.

Point North...Park?

The City of Richardson has published a draft of its long-overdue Comprehensive Plan update, the first since 2009. My eyes went immediately to how Point North Park is represented in our new plan. Point North Park is in far northwest Richardson, wedged between Canyon Creek and UT-Dallas.

POTD: San Cristóbal Hill

"From the hill’s great height,
her hands open, blessing all,
A promise of peace."

— h/t ChatGPT

From 2024 03 08 Santiago

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the top of San Cristóbal Hill in Santiago, Chile. "On April 26, 1908, the sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception was inaugurated, with its large statue [of the Virgin Mary]. This statue, visible from much of the city, is considered a symbol of Santiago."

A bonus photo is after the jump.