Monthly Archives: July 2012

Alpine Mountain High

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

It’s been quite a few years since I’ve visited the Vierwaldstättersee region of Switzerland around Lucerne. Last week’s news that they’ve inaugurated an amazing new double-decker, open-air cable car on the Stanserhorn has me planning a return visit. The way … Continue reading →

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Silk Purse from Sow’s Ear

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The International Interior Design Association has selected the McAllen, Texas Public Library as the winner of the 2012 Library Interior Design Award. The enlightened city of McAllen, with the help of Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd., transformed an abandoned Wal-Mart … Continue reading →

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TED : not just talk anymore

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Focused on short, quick-read books, the new TED Books app, set to launch this month, is a dedicated platform for TED‘s publishing efforts. Most of the e-titles will be in the 20,000 word range. The nifty app will offer optional … Continue reading →

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Eurolapse

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Eurolapse takes us on a whirlwind three month tour of Europe in under five minutes. The film, created by photographer David Smith, was taken between May and August 2011.If you look closely, you can pick-out Vilnius, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, … Continue reading →

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The Bookshop Band

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Today marks the end of Independent Booksellers Week in the UK. To celebrate their love of indie bookshops, the “Bookshop Band” composed and recorded “A Shop With Books In It’ and toured England for three weeks performing at indie bookstores.

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Free Wi-Fi (redux)

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

This summer, New York subway riders might be able to actually get some work done on the train (rather than just beating their high scores in Temple Run). Beginning Monday, free Wi-Fi will be available at a number of stations … Continue reading →

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Another Travel Magazine

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

I just received a gratis copy of a new, glossy travel magazine; it’s one of the perks of the blog. This new contender reminded me of all of the ambitious, and failed, travel magazines that have been unable to sustain a readership … Continue reading →

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Getting Sky High In London

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Londoners and tourists alike can now enjoy a sky high trip across the Thames between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks courtesy of Emirates Airlines. After two years of construction (and a mere £60 million), last week Britain’s first skyline … Continue reading →

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Street Eats American Style

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Visitors to the United States sometimes wonder: “What’s up with all of those food trucks”. Although the “food truck” has been around since the 1920s, the tiping point for the massive spread of the phenomenon around North America was probably … Continue reading →

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Not Another Independence Day Celebration

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

At 309 meters tall, London’s Shard is now Europe’s tallest building. On July 5th, it will be celebrating the official completion of the external structure. The inauguration will be capped-off by a light show using 12 lasers and 30 massive … Continue reading →

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