Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Death Takes A Holiday

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Everyone needs a break from their job now and then, even the grim reaper. This darkly humorous Instagram campaign titled “The Swim Reaper” was created by the government of New Zealand to raise awareness about watersport and beach safety. You … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Norway of the year

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Every year when November rolls around I am reminded of the quote above from the great American 19th century poet Emily Dickinson. I probably first read the line during high school when I was going through that adolescent poetry phase. … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Did you remember to get your visa

Posted on November 1, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Some of us spend more time traveling through fictional lands than we may care to admit. What if those imaginary countries actually issued their own passports and travel documents? Well, thanks to NeoMam Studios and Budget Direct we can have … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dance Macabre

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

 La portentosa vida de la muerte (The Prodigious Life of Death) by Joaquín Bolaños, is a late 18th century Mexican novel that stars Death as a female protagonist ( la muerte in Spanish is a feminine noun).  The story begins in the Garden … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, South America, Writing | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

David S. Pumpkins was not involved

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Oh My Gourd is a timely and wonderful stop motion animation carved from pumpkins. The amusing video, which required hours of work carving dozens of gourds, was directed by Sean Ohlenkamp and Rob Popkin.  

Posted in Animation, Art, Film, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Library of the Future

Posted on October 29, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

While libraries in the West struggle with budget cuts and closures, China is building institutions for the future. Looking like it’s straight out of Bladerunner 2049, the new Tianjin Binhai Library occupies five floors of a huge cultural center and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Asia, Libraries | Tagged , | 1 Comment

and let me play among the stars

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Air Travel, Art | Tagged | Leave a comment

Hackney not hackneyed

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I was happy to discover that London-based artist/illustrator/cartographer Jenni Sparks has released a new series of London culture maps. The highly detailed typographic illustrations are the result of a year’s research and work. Each piece incorporates Sparks’ impressions of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Maps, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just Denali

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

A big h/t to TBTP follower Daniel Wood for sending the link for the video below. As I have mentioned previously, I’m an evangelist for Alaska travel. If you’ve got the time ( and the cash), it’s more than worth … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Photography, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Stephen King Inspired

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I’m a huge fan of the always wacky art work by the brilliant Brazilian artist and illustrator who goes by the name Butcher Billy. These seasonally appropriate pulp fiction and horror inspired faux book covers are a treat. Here’s what … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, South America, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment