Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Alternate Worlds of Philip K. Dick

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Last month I posted a newly discovered letter by author Philip K. Dick to the producers of the film Blade Runner. This prompted a perspicacious TBTP reader to direct me to a marvelous website sponsored by the Philip K. Dick Trust. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Propaganda or Art

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Once again the United States has embarked on another seemingly endless Presidential Campaign. As electoral advertizing moves in to topgear we can expect to see all manner of campaign commercials, print art and propaganda. At least we can all enjoy … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, History, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Trainiacs Alert

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The 5th annual National Train Day on May 12th marks the 143rd anniversary of the completion of America’s first transcontinental railroad. On May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit, Utah, the famed “golden spike” was driven into the final railroad tie … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Free Comic Book Day

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Tomorrow marks the tenth anniversary of Free Comic Book Day, an annual event that delivers precisely what it promises. Retailers across the U.S. will be offering specially printed copies of comic books, along with discounts on back-issues and other items; … Continue reading →

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Hemingway Hotels ?

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

It seems that the entrepreneurial minions who manage Ernest Hemingway’s estate have entered into an agreement with developers to build a chain of Hemingway -themed hotels across the world.The notion is that the “Hemingway’s lifestyle” is a lifestyle worth emulating, or … Continue reading →

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World Press Freedom Day

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Each year, May 3rd is the date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost … Continue reading →

Posted in Freedom of Speech, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Free WiFi

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Free wifi service in public spaces has become common in the United States and in Europe, but the concept is not widespread in Mexico. Now South American internet provider Terra has come up with an amusingly creative way to bring … Continue reading →

Posted in South America | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Strike

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

On Strike: Today we are joining in solidarity with the workers, students and unemployed around the world in a global general strike. No work, no banking, no business, no commerce for me. If you can’t join the strike, you can … Continue reading →

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Koninginnedag (finally)

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Every April 30th, the citizens of the Netherlands celebrate Koninginnedag or Queen’s Day, a national holiday that commemorates the reigning Queen’s birthday. Like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, New Year’s Eve in Times Square, St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin and … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Herman Melville Meets Zeppelin

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

I am embarassed to admit that I just found out the other day that Herman Melville‘s iconic novel Moby Dick was out of print for decades. In fact, if a copy had not discovered in a secondhand bookshop, the seminal work may have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Film, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment