The Day of the Jackal (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Day of the Jackal (TV 2024): A British sniper-turned-assassin is hunted across Europe by MI6 agent. Family lives complicate the chase from both sides. Plot is implausible but set pieces are compelling and, at times, exciting. B+

PeacockTV

Book Review: The City and Its Uncertain Walls

From The City and Its Uncertain Walls, by Haruki Murakami:

Amazon

" 'The real me lives there, in that town surrounded by a wall,' you said. 'So the you that is sitting here next to me isn't the real you?' I had to ask. 'That’s right. The me here with you now isn't the real me. It's only a stand-in. Like a wandering shadow.' I thought it over. A wandering shadow? But I kept my opinions to myself."

POTD: Mevlana Museum

"Rumi’s words take flight,
In the Mevlana’s calm halls,
A soul’s journey ends."

— h/t ChatGPT

From 2024 05 13 Konya

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Mevlana Museum in Konya, Turkey. Originally it was the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes. It houses the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Rumi, a Persian Sufi mystic who founded the order. He died in 1231.

Bonus photos after the jump.

POTD: Caravanseria in Central Turkey

"Old walls hold the tales
Of journeys made long ago
Along the Silk Road."

— h/t ChatGPT

From 2024 05 13 Konya

Today's photo-of-the-day is from a caravanserai halfway between Cappadocia and Konya in central Turkey. A caravanserai is an ancient roadside inn where travelers (caravaners) could rest and recover from the day's journey. This particular one has been restored and serves as a museum.

Bonus photos after the jump.

Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Deadpool & Wolverine (2024): Supervillain prunes the multiverse timeline with goal of leaving only the Void. Our heroes stop her. Gratuitous violence and foul language. Lots of cameos and callbacks and breaking the fourth wall. "Wizard of Oz did the multiverse first. And they did it best." C-

Disney+

The Sticky (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Sticky (TV 2024): Absolutely not the true story of the great Canadian maple syrup heist, but a whole lot more absurd and fun. A "Fargo" knock-off full of wacky, small-town people who stumble into and through a multi-million dollar heist. Abrupt ending. B+

Prime

POTD: Merry Christmas

"Gilded faces shine,
In Hagia Sophia's hush,
Lost in time's embrace."
— h/t ChatGPT

Virgin and Child, Hagia Sophia, ca. 1134

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. The Hagia Sophia is the last of three church buildings to be successively erected on the site by the Eastern Roman Empire. It was completed in AD 537. For almost a thousand years, it was the world's largest cathedral. It was converted to a mosque in 1453 after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans.

The photo shows a mosaic of the Virgin and Child from the south gallery. It dates from ca. 1118-1134. The full mosaic (not shown) has Emperor John II and Empress Irene of Hungary flanking the Virgin and Child.

Enough art history. To all readers, neighbors, friends and family, Merry Christmas! And thanks for visiting.

The Miracle Club (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Miracle Club (2023): Maggie Smith's last movie. Dublin churchgoers take a pilgrimage to Lourdes, hoping for miracles. Ensemble cast of stars. Plot is heartwarming, but predictable. Lourdes comes across as a bit of a tourist trap, but movie shouldn't offend anyone, churchgoer or not. B-

Airplane

City Charter: Initiative and Referendum

On December 2, 2024, the Richardson City Council appointed eleven members to a Charter Review Commission, as required by law every ten years to review and suggest changes to Richardson's City Charter. Here, in a series of posts, I am presenting my own suggestions.

POTD: Whirling Dervishes

"Within ancient walls
A sacred dance fills the room.
Faith in motion swirls."

— h/t ChatGPT

From 2024 05 13 Konya

Today's photo-of-the-day is from a caravanserai between Cappadocia and Konya in central Turkey. A caravanserai is an ancient roadside inn where travelers (caravaners) could rest and recover from the day's journey. This particular one is now used as a religious center that opens its doors for tourists to witness the sacred dance and prayer ritual known as the sema, performed by whirling dervishes, members of a Sufi Muslim religious order founded in the 13th century by Rumi, a Persian poet who believed that dance and music are a path to enlightenment. Accordingly, the dance and music are a religious ritual, not a "show". The audience doesn't clap. It's an altogether calming and moving experience.

Bonus photos after the jump.