Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Art For Free

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I’m always surprised about just how much great art is now available under the public domain, meaning you can use it for free however you see fit. Artvee is an open source archive of over 100,000 public domain works, including illustrations, photos, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Museums | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Copenhagen For Free

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

This summer Copenhagen is rewarding visitors who support sustainable tourism with a wide range of free perks. Travelers can earn rewards at Copenhagen attractions ranging from a free lunch or a cup of coffee to a kayak tour or even … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Public Transport, Restaurants, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Weeding out some stuff

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

“My relationship with cats has saved me from a deadly and pervasive ignorance. I prefer cats to people, for the most part. Most people aren’t cute at all, and if they are cute they very rapidly outgrow it.” William S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Books, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Post-apocalyptic Book Fest

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

 

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

Selling Nature

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I have fond memories of exploring the Greek islands way back in the 20th century when it was still possible to find secluded beaches and little family run hotels. Alas, mass tourism has made all of that unlikely. The Berlin-based … Continue reading →

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

Are you guilty of tsundoku

Posted on July 14, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The Japanese word tsundoku means buying books and letting them pile up unread. The word dates back to the very beginning of modern Japan, the Meiji era (1868–1912) and has its origins in a pun. Tsundoku, which literally means reading pile, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Reading Room

Posted on July 13, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The British Museum in London has reopened its famous circular Reading Room for visitors with free tours .The historic Reading Room was built between 1854 and 1857 to a design by Sydney Smirke using cast iron, concrete, and glass. Much of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Europe, History, Libraries, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

secret from the river

Posted on July 12, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

“Have you also learned that secret from the river; that there is no such thing as time? That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at … Continue reading →

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

Alien Picnic

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I recently ran across a reference to the fantastic Russian Sci-Fi classic Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky that included a link to a free online version of the novel. You can read or download the book here. The Strugatsky brothers … Continue reading →

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

That Girl

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Like many art lovers, I am a sucker for Vermeer’s wonderful paintings. And, of course, I am fascinated by the mysterious “Girl with the Pearl Earring.” Whenever I am in the Netherlands, I make time to visit the underappreciated Mauritshuis … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment