Monthly Archives: August 2017

Can You Trust Airbnb Reviews

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Brian D. Butler
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North to Alaska

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I have only been to Alaska once and I only spent two weeks in the enormous state, but it left a lasting impact. The stunning video below captured many of the extraordinary wilderness areas that I was lucky enough to … Continue reading →

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Amsterdam: Tag you’re it

Posted on August 19, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I recently received an email from KLM about their new “KLM Care Tag” project. The video below explains how it works, but it’s basically a cleverly designed location-aware luggage tag that provides voiced tips for tourists in Amsterdam. The speaker-equipped … Continue reading →

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Manhattan Cowcatcher

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I recently read Kim Stanley Robinson’s outstanding—but way too long—climate change, post-apocalyptic, science fiction novel “New York 2140.” Although much of the plot takes place in Manhattan’s Met Life Building, the characters frequently comment on the neighboring Flatiron Building. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, History, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Sharing is caring

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

When I was scrambling to learn a little Russian last year prior to a trip, I naively thought that shared letters between the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets would somehow make the task a little easier. Of course that proved to … Continue reading →

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Look to the Skies

Posted on August 16, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

With the solar eclipse less than a week away, much of North America is looking to the skies.

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Shadowfest

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

For the first time in decades. folks in North America will have the opportunity to view a total solar eclipse on Monday August 21, 2017. Astronomer and artist Tyler Nordgren has created a series of colorful posters to celebrate the … Continue reading →

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Cover Art

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Two years ago I shared a story about German designer Henning M. Lederer’s clever animated book covers. Now he’s back with another set of intriguing 20th century abstract cover design animations.

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I needed color

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Okay, I admit that when I first ran across this short documentary video about the artwork from actor/comedian Jim Carrey I waited for the punchlines, but they never came. The film shows Carrey sketching, drawing, and painting large, colorful canvases … Continue reading →

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Is It Mold ?

Posted on August 12, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

One of the hazards in collecting and/or selling antiquarian and secondhand books is the frequent presence of mold. Active book mold is usually identifiable, as it is typically damp and fuzzy, but inactive mold can often be confused with dirt, … Continue reading →

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