Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

“read some books, pay attention”

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

“The line in the song ‘feed your head’ is both about reading and psychedelics. I was talking about feeding your head by paying attention: read some books, pay attention.” Grace Slick explains what she meant. Still good advice after all these … Continue reading →

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Is it possible to love a vending machine

Posted on September 2, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

TBTP has featured all kinds of weird and wacky vending machines over the years, but I think that I’ve found the best ever. Portland, Oregon artist/entrpreneur Taylor Valdes has created a thriving business by stocking 18 repurposed vending machines around … Continue reading →

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Not Applicable To Anyone Here

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Chortle at some nonce words and neologisms

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Who knew that Dr.Seuss coined the term “nerd” way back in 1950 in his now canceled book If I Ran the Zoo. Well, it seems that Dr. Erica Brozovsky was aware of the origin of the now ubiquitous nonce word. In the … Continue reading →

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How Cool Is This

Posted on August 30, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

If you have ever visited southern Spain during warm weather months, you are well aware that the sun can be brutal and keeping cool can be a real challenge. Well, the pretty town of Alhaurin de la Torre near Torremolinos … Continue reading →

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Fairy Tales Warn You

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

AMOR FATI Jane Hirshfield Little soul, you have wandered lost a long time. The woods all dark now, birded and eyed. Then a light, a cabin, a fire, a door standing open. The fairy tales warn you: Do not go … Continue reading →

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Might as well just stay home

Posted on August 28, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I really emjoyed this riff on New Yorker covers created by Tokyo-based artist and designer Luis Mendo. If you liked them as much as I do, check-out his other work and consider buying prints or postcards too.  

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a boundary-line of hate

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

“(…) Hate Orgoreyn? No, how should I? How does one hate a country, or love one? Tibe talks about it; I lack the trick of it. I know people, I know towns, farms, hills and rivers and rocks, I know … Continue reading →

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A Very Special Atlas

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

The Atlas of the United States Printed for the Use of the Blind was published in 1837 for children at the New England Institute for the Education of the Blind in Boston. The entire volume was printed without ink, the text … Continue reading →

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A Bibliophile’s Kama Sutra

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

 

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