Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Down and Out in Paris

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

In 1928, a former Colonial police officer and aspiring author named Eric Arthur Blair moved from his London home to Paris in order to buckle down and launch his writing career. The move didn’t work out so well, but it … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, History, Maps, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men

Posted on February 2, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

John Steinbeck took the title of his 1937 novel “Of Mice and Men” from a line contained in the penultimate stanza of ” To a Mouse”, On Turning her up in her Nest, with the Plough, November 1785. by Robert … Continue reading →

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Covers and Sleeves

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Over the years, I have shared some posts about the mesmerizing animations from German graphic designer Henning M. Lederer. I recently stumbled upon this fabulous video of his work titled “Books & Sleeves.” The intriguing film is a  compilation of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Art, Books, Film, Photography | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Possibility of Evil (and much more)

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

I recently discovered a terrific Audiobooks on YouTube playlist of free audiobook readings with more than 130 different titles, each of which is a full book or short story, read in its entirety and available to listen for free at … Continue reading →

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Please Close The Door

Posted on January 30, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

I always enjoy a good Mark Twain anecdote and this one tickled my fancy. In 1908 burglars surreptiously entered his Hartford mansion and stole a set of silverware from the sideboard. In response, he posted this notice on the front … Continue reading →

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If you see one coming, you should run

Posted on January 29, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Aa a child I was fascinated by the old European Jewish tales of the Golem. When I visited Prague just after the Velvet Revolution, I had the opportunity to walk the streets of the ancient Ghetto and see the places … Continue reading →

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I have passport envy

Posted on January 28, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmès launched the new Belgian passport. A document that is even more secure thanks to new security and personalization techniques. The new Belgian passport will also be recognizable thanks to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Art, Europe | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Books of the Year

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Snowstorm of Rejections

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

All authors face rejection at some point in their writing careers. Some of us throw in the towel and are content with publishing blogs, but the greats always seem to persevere. Here are some suggestions from writers who knew how … Continue reading →

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Observe Everything

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

I was deeply moved by the wonderful animated video below of “The Mushroom Hunters” by Neil Gaiman, read by Amanda Palmer with music by Jherek Bischoof. Science, as you know, my little one, is the study of the nature and behaviour of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Art, Film, Music, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments