Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Back On Track

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to TBTP will be well aware of my fondness for train travel. Those of you who live in regions with comprehensive train services may take your public transit networks for granted, but here in North America the car … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Maps, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Train Time

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The new website Chronotrains is a terrific mapping project visualising the question: ‘Where can you go by train in x hours?’ You can narrow your search from 8 down to 1 hour. Playing with the tool can really provide perspective … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, apps, Europe, Maps, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Restaurant of Mistaken Orders

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

A very special restaurant in Tokyo offers its customers an honest message. You may or may not get what you asked for, but you are guaranteed a delicious meal that brings a spark of humbleness and openness, which customers are … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Film, Restaurants, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Microfiction

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“A Continuity of Parks” by Julio Cortázar translated by Paul Blackburn He had begun to read the novel a few days before. He had put it down because of some urgent business conferences, opened it again on his way back … Continue reading →

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Not only Caturday, but Caturday nonetheless

Posted on June 10, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“I used to think I was the strangest person in the world, but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Writing is the greatest of human inventions

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumble upon is wonderful short video below of the late Carl Sagan talking about books. It’s worth a minute of your time. Please note, if the video fails to play in your browser click here.

Posted in Books, Writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

from the pitcher to the bowl

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

 Wisława Szymborska’s epigrammatic poem “Vermeer” (translated by Clare Cavanagh and Stanisław Barańczak from the Polish): So long as that woman from the Rijksmuseum in painted quiet and concentration keeps pouring milk day after day from the pitcher to the bowl … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Museums, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Thank You For Not Answering

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Recently, I have found myself wavering between complete awe at the potential for open source AI programs and abject terror at the real possibility that AI can end life on Earth. Today, I find myself marveling at the fascinating art … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Art, Film, Tech | Tagged , | 2 Comments

They Had No Choice

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

On the annual anniverary of the D-Day invasion of France by the Allies, it’s customary to focus on the sacrifices of the human members of the military. This year, I thought that it was also time to acknowlege the contributions … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, History, Museums | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Freedom of the Press

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Every day I seem to be reading another story about the erosion of press freedoms here in the United States and around the world. The insidious takeover of print and online news outlets by rightwing corporate capitalist enterprises is just … Continue reading →

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