Monthly Archives: October 2024

Frankenstein Season

Posted on October 21, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The Frankenstein Varorium is an online tool which allows the user to explore the iconic Science Fiction novel’s text through its various incarnations, allowing the user to select individual passages and see how they have evolved through different revisions of … Continue reading →

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“Get on the stick”

Posted on October 20, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

While I was watching the new Marvel spin-off TV series “Agatha All Along”, which revolves around a coven of witches, I wondered when witches were first depicted flying on broomsticks. Thanks to the net the answer involved the image pictured … Continue reading →

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Geography Is Destiny

Posted on October 19, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I am an open Geography nerd and have been since childhood. One of my most treasured possessions as a kid was my globe. And, my favorite game was actually called “Geography”. So, it will come as no surprise that I … Continue reading →

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Kafka for Kids

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Do we ever really learn from history

Posted on October 17, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

LEARNING FROM HISTORY David Ferry They said, my saints, my slogan-sayers sang, Be good, my child, in spite of all alarm. They stood, my fathers, tall in a row and said, Be good, be brave, you shall not come to … Continue reading →

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Every October it becomes important, no, necessary

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Leaves by Lloyd Schwartz                          1 Every October it becomes important, no, necessary to see the leaves turning, to be surrounded by leaves turning; it’s not just the symbolism, … Continue reading →

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The Wildlife

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I was captivated by Wildlife Photographer of the Year Shane Gross’s amazing image above of tadpoles. Like many young lads, I often would wade into murky creeks and ponds to collect jars of tadpoles to examine. Gross won the title … Continue reading →

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General Headquarters

Posted on October 14, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

When I first read about a lost board game called “General Headquarters” that was created by Kurt Vonnegut, I was certain that it was an elaborate internet hoax. But, apparently I was wrong. Vonnegut’s life was not without its ironies. … Continue reading →

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Obvious travel advice and more

Posted on October 13, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Obvious travel advice, including “Mindset matters more than where you go”, and “Don’t confuse scarcity with value. A really good afternoon in the park (a really good one) is maybe about as good as it gets.” I recently purchased what may be … Continue reading →

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How not to blend in

Posted on October 12, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

With the return of mass U.S. tourism in Europe, there has been renewed chatter on social media about how American tourists stand out. After more than four decades of travel in Europe, I’ve accepted that I will never completely blend … Continue reading →

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