Franklin (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Franklin (TV 2024): Docudrama about Ben Franklin's years as an American diplomat in Paris. It's a painless way to learn history, but Michael Douglas as Ben Franklin? Forget it. In its favor, costumes and sets are beautiful. C+

Apple TV+

POTD: Catedral del Mazapan

"Gleaming sugar shrine,
Kids outside are unimpressed.
Toledo still grand."
—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 09 15 Toledo

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Toledo, Spain. The photo shows kids hanging around outside a marzipan store which is named after a prized display in the store: a model cathedral made out of marzipan. Unimpressed is the vibe I get from the kids. Your own mileage may vary. But Toledo itself is undeniably a great city.

Random Thoughts: Taking Down the UT-Dallas Protestors' Encampment

2024-05-02: Taking down the protestors' encampment at UT-Dallas involved officers from UT-D, Richardson, Allen (SWAT), Collin County Sheriff, and Texas Rangers. That shows impressive coordination...and maybe needless risk, as coordination on that scale doesn't come easily.

2024-05-02: Maybe they all have experience taking down homeless encampments. If so, you'd think any one of them was probably up to the task at hand. From reports, everything was peaceful before (and during and after) the police move.

Council Recap: The City Manager's Curious Statements

Wednesday, I reported on the Richardson City Council's review of the 2023-2024 Second Quarter Financial Report ("Council Recap: The Case of the Missing Sales Tax"). I included the comments from most of the City Council. Thursday, I reported on what the Mayor said (or didn't say) ("Council Recap: Where was the Mayor?"). Today, there's one more person to hear from whose comments deserve scrutiny — City Manager Don Magner.

Council Recap: Where was the Mayor?

Yesterday, I reported on the Richardson City Council's review of the 2023-2024 Second Quarter Financial Report ("Council Recap: The Case of the Missing Sales Tax"). I included what most of the City Council said. Privately, someone asked, "Where was the Mayor during this discussion?" The literal answer is that he was right there with the rest of the City Council. The more interesting question, "What was he thinking?" is one I can't answer.