Sunday, May 26, 2024

POTD: View of Toledo


"Grade school memory
of El Greco's Toledo.
Homage through my lens."

—h/t ChatGPT
From 2023 09 15 Toledo

Today's photo-of-the-day is of Toledo, Spain. It's my homage to a famous painting that I first became aware of when I took a Spanish language course in grade school. The painting is El Greco's haunting "View of Toledo" owned by the Metropolitan Museum of New York.

El Greco's painting is after the jump.

Saturday, May 25, 2024

POTD: Almonacid Castle

"Time's relentless march,
Leaves marks on every stone.
Almonacid's pride."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 09 15 Toledo

Today's photo-of-the-day is of Almonacid Castle in central Spain, south of Toledo. It dates back to the 9th century. As far as I can determine, it is unoccupied. Wikipedia says it is available for sale for "one euro cent to anyone who undertakes to completely restore it." It's a majestic opportunity.

Friday, May 24, 2024

Council Recap: Comp Plan Planning

Source: h/t DALL-E

On May 20, 2024, the Richardson City Council reviewed and discussed the Envision Richardson Comprehensive Plan update and upcoming Community Summit 3. That was the agenda item anyway. In fact any details of the Comp Plan were missing and the plans for the community summit took up all the time.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Stefani Carter and Monty Bennett's "Buffoonery"


2013: Ringing Opening Bell on NYSE (Stefani Carter on left)

Stefani Carter is in the news again and not in a good way. Again, it's about Blackwells Capital LLC making a hostile attempt to install independent directors to the board of Monty Bennett's Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. The Wheel has followed Monty Bennett for his own behavior but mostly because of one of his company's directors, Stefani Carter ("What Has Stefani Carter Been Up To"). Carter is a former member of the Texas House of Representatives. She represented Richardson from 2011-2015. Or rather, she represented herself. She turned her service into a gig with Monty Bennett. Or, as D Magazine puts it, she "suckles at Bennett’s REIT" (Real Estate Investment Trust). Blackwells has now released a presentation titled "The Buffoonery of Monty Bennett" in which Bennett is featured and Carter, his lead director, is mentioned and not in a flattering way.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

WAIW: This Might Blow Your Mind

Where Am I Wednesday!

Fifty points to the first person to identify where this photo was taken.

Answer will be given on Thursday.