Categories
- Africa
- Air Travel
- Animation
- apps
- Architecture
- Art
- Asia
- Books
- Bookstore Tourism
- Canada
- Car rentals
- Cartography
- Comics
- ebooks
- Europe
- Film
- Freedom of Speech
- History
- Hotels
- Libraries
- Maps
- Middle East
- movies
- Museums
- Music
- Photography
- Public Transport
- Restaurants
- South America
- Tech
- Theater
- Tourism
- Travel Writing
- Uncategorized
- USA
- Writing
Share this Blog
Translate
-
Author Archives: Brian D. Butler
We all want to be told stories
“We exist for ourselves, perhaps, and at times we even have a glimmer of who we are, but in the end we can never be sure, and as our lives go on, we become more and more opaque to ourselves, … Continue reading
“It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry”
As you may have noticed, my latest travel obsession revolves around all things Japan. I have never been, but I’m looking forward to a three week visit this Spring. Between travel video warnings and admonitions about tourist etiquette from Japanese … Continue reading
Waiting for the Barbarians
The great performance artist Laurie Anderson and company presented a concert of new works inspired by poet C. P. Cavafy. Filmed at the Saint Thomas Church in New York City, the performance is commissioned by the Onassis Foundation. About “Archive … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Film, Music, Restaurants, USA, Writing
Tagged Alexandria, C.P. Cavafy, Laurie Anderson, New York City, Poetry
Leave a comment
“They’ve been going in and out of style”
Continuing a tradition started in 2016, Chris the Barker has made another collage frequently updated and up to the last minute to eulogize Olivia Hussey and Jimmy Carter, in tribute to those passed away this year. The field more crowded than … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Film, History, movies, Music, Restaurants, Theater, USA, Writing
Tagged Jimmy Carter, Quincy Jones, Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club, The Beatles
Leave a comment
There is no love of life without despair of life.
Albert Camus died on this day in 1960. Many have wondered over the last 65 years at an odd bit of trivia about that day when he was killed in a car accident. Why did he have an unused train … Continue reading
Posted in Africa, Books, Europe, History, Restaurants, Writing
Tagged Albert Camus, France, KGB, Nobel Prize in Literature, Russia
Leave a comment
What America has been reading
I’m always curious to know what other folks are reading. One way to find out is to check-out some of the most checked-out books in public libraries across the country. In 2024 , titles included Kristin Hannah’s The Women, Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Libraries, USA
Tagged Denver, New York Public Library, NYPL, San Francisco
Leave a comment
For what gives value to travel is fear.
“For what gives value to travel is fear. It breaks down a kind of inner structure we have. One can no longer cheat — hide behind the hours spent at the office or at the plant (those hours we protest … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel Writing, Writing
Tagged Albert Camus, Travel
2 Comments
Time is being
hymn to time :: Ursula K. Le Guin Time says “Let there be” every moment and instantly there is space and the radiance of each bright galaxy. And eyes beholding radiance. And the gnats’ flickering dance. And the seas’ expanse. … Continue reading
We are moving into a period of bewilderment
“We are moving into a period of bewilderment, a curious moment in which people find light in the midst of despair, and vertigo at the summit of their hopes. It is a religious moment also, and here is the danger. … Continue reading
Annus horribilis
It has been a horrible year for the world, for the U.S., and for me personally. But I would rather see 2024 out with something uplifting. I can’t think of anything more sublime and beautiful than this extraordinary video of … Continue reading
Travel Between The Pages 