The first, and hopefully least memorable, of the OlyBlog Book Club's monthly reads.  William J. Mitchell, dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at M.I.T., directs a challenge to architects:  incorporate evolving technology into building design.  All present seemed to be in agreement that Bill's ideas in this book aren't too pertinent regarding community and the World Wide Web.  May future books burn more brightly.

This week there will be more pedestrian interference talk (which I don't need to elaborate on I hope), a somewhat strange staff report on police photography and the end of the budget cycle (which I won't write about, but you should know its here).

As always (except last week when I thought the council was being covered well enough on its own) this is the "What's on the city council's plate this week" review. I don't cover everything, so if you want the full rundown, read the packet and agenda yourself.

1. If you haven't let your voice be heard on the pedestrian interference ordinance, where the heck were you? This week (at least on the agenda), the council will make their vote.

As a sort of background, there are also two other ordinances the council is considering, in addition to the much talked about "sidewalk sitting" ordinance.

The first is the "boot and tow" rule that increases the penalties for parking infractions. From what I can see, this is a rule change to decrease the number of junkers around town.

The other is focussed on property owners downtown who don't keep up their properties. The city can declare a "public nuisance" to these buildings and take actions against their owners.

You can find pdf files of both ordinances here. So, with all of the talk about the one ordinance, what is anyone's opinion on these two?

2. Here is the strangest staff report I've ever read. Its about the police department's photography work during public events around town. Read, if you dare:

BACKGROUND: Over the past several years members of the Olympia Police Department have either video recorded or digitally photographed community events and protests occurring in areas open to the public. On some of those occasions, members of the public have questioned why the Department followed this practice; if the practice was consistent with First Amendment rights; and what became of the results of the photography done at such events. The General Government Committee requested that the Department provide it with information addressing those questions.

Thanksgiving is an odd time for me.  Not quite sure why that is.  I’m not really, as of late, a fan of over doing it at the dinner table.  Indeed, I find it ironic that we would celebrate the giving of thanks with overindulgence.  To be sure, I am grateful that meals were being provided to the less fortunate in our community.  I’m almost inclined to believe that those with access to regular meals should do something like fast on this day of thanks.

As usual I have far too many stops to make on this day.  I have vowed to limit my food intake as I will be forced to partake no matter where I go.  It just goes with the territory when you work your trap line on Thanksgiving Day.
 
I started my day with two old Jesuit priests that will be unnamed.  I am working on a communications project with them.  Seems that they want to enter the 21st century and I have been recommended to them as an able guide.  Blogging and media are things they have heard of and are very interested in.  Now if I can only teach the padres how to type.

I assured them that all was possible, if they had faith, and it seems that they have faith in abundance.  This is particularly gratifying to know on this Thanksgiving Day.  Technology issues behind us, we settled into matters of greater importance.  I’m not sure how we arrived at the following, but it impressed me greatly.  Both priests are not men of means and take their vows of poverty very seriously.  They travel frequently and rely on the hospitality of others to make their travels possible.  They also recognize their obligation to make sure they provide hospitality for those that pass their way.  It is a good system and they regard themselves as pilgrims.  Pilgrims on Thanksgiving Day.  There I am sitting in a living room, thankfully devoid of turkey or any trimmings, and I’m having this conversation with a couple of pilgrims.