Monthly Archives: May 2025

Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.

Posted on May 31, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Grossing the highest box-office of any British film in the US when released in 1975, this “cult classic” comedy from the Monty Python team loosely follows the legend of King Arthur (Graham Chapman), along with his squire (Terry Gilliam) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, movies | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

I can’t believe that NYC is #17

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

To paraphrase Tolstoy’s famous opening line: All happy cities are alike; each unhappy city is unhappy in its own way. Maybe that’s too clunky a way to introduce the 2025 Happy City Index, but I’m seriously jetlagged so it will … Continue reading →

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A Little Fable

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“Alas,” said the mouse, “the whole world is growing smaller every day. At the beginning it was so big that I was afraid, I kept running and running, and I was glad when I saw walls far away to the … Continue reading →

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It’s going as planned

Posted on May 27, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Passenger train networks: United States vs Europe.

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It Explains So Much

Posted on May 26, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“Neglect” by Joy Williams from 99 Stories of God The Lord was asked if He believed in reincarnation. I do, He said. It explains so much. What does it explain, Sir? someone asked. On your last Fourth of July festivities, I … Continue reading →

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A good book and a chilled Sancerre

Posted on May 25, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

 

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In my dreams the world would come alive

Posted on May 24, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

In my dreams the world would come alive, becoming so captivatingly majestic, free and ethereal, that afterwards it would be oppressive to breathe the dust of this painted life. But then I have long since grown accustomed to the thought … Continue reading →

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Watching the Detectives

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“Detective Novel” by Robert Walser translated by Tom Whalen HE PRETENDED to possess technical expertise. Anyway, the title seemed quite brilliant. I resolved to learn more and started reading him, but he left much to be desired. Both he and … Continue reading →

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Extreme Cartography

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Mercator Extreme is a fun tool that you can use to choose any point on Earth as the pole and then view the resulting ultra-distorted Mercator map.

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Nobody can explain a dragon

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

So these are reports of my explorations and discoveries: tales from Earthsea for those who have liked or think they might like the place, and who are willing to accept these hypotheses: things change: authors and wizards are not always … Continue reading →

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