Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Good News for Flyers

Posted on January 18, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Emirates is leading the way for neurodiversity needs, becoming the first airline in the world to achieve Autism Certification with a landmark recognition by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). By early 2025, the company plans to … Continue reading →

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“back when tigers used to smoke” (호랑이 담배 피우던 시절에)

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Once upon a time… korean: “back when tigers used to smoke” (호랑이 담배 피우던 시절에) czech: “beyond seven mountain ranges, beyond seven rivers” (za sedmero horami a sedmero řekami) georgian: “there was, and there was not, there was…” (იყო და არა იყო … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Europe, Restaurants, Writing | Tagged | 1 Comment

heaped with shining hills

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

First Snow by Mary Oliver The snow began here this morning and all day continued, its white rhetoric everywhere calling us back to why, how, whence such beauty and what the meaning… The silence is immense, and the heavens still hold … Continue reading →

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Sacré bleu

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

The 1937 phrasebook Collins’ Pocket Interpreters: France paints an alarming picture of a typical visit to France: I cannot open my case. I have lost my keys. I did not know that I had to pay. I cannot find my porter. Excuse … Continue reading →

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Driving In Circles

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I’m no Luddite, but I have serious reservations about self-driving automobile technology. This recent news story seems to prove me right. Last week, Mike Johns was on his way to the Phoenix, Arizona airport in a Waymo autonomous taxi to … Continue reading →

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No But Yes

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

You all know by now that I am serious about coffee. I take it so seriously that I got my own roasting machine and learned to be a competent amateur roaster. So when I read about coffee in a tube, … Continue reading →

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Who knew that we are climate heroes

Posted on January 12, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I have always contended that secondhand and antiquarian booksellers were the epitome of recyclers, but now we’re getting awards for our efforts. One of the most popular antiquarian and secondhand bookshop in the North East of England has won the … Continue reading →

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All eyes on Greenland

Posted on January 11, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Once again, Creamsicle Caligula has made headlines with his wacky claims about taking over Greenland and making it a U.S. territory. And again, the mainstream media has taken the bait and focused on his cockamamie pronouncements while ignoring his outrageous … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Maps, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A message that sadly needs repeating

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

As 2025 dawns, here in the United States we face the prospect of a four year (or more) reign of Christo-Fascist zealots. But the world has seen it all before. The League of American Writers was formed by artists, authors … Continue reading →

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Would you pay a fee to visit a bookstore

Posted on January 9, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Bunkitsu (文喫) in Tokyo’s Roppongi neighborhood is a bookstore that stocks more than 30,000 titles. It also features something else: an admission fee. It costs 1,650 yen (USD $10.50) on weekdays and 2,530 yen ($16) on weekends. There’s also a … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment