Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Tokyo Night Light

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I am absolutely fascinated by projection mapping technology. So, of course, I need to share this new project where Panasonic illuminates the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, Japan using the world’s largest permanent projection mapping display and a series live animations. … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Architecture, Art, Asia, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Making Space for Everyone

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I have been visiting the Netherlands for more than 40 years and have been truly impressed by the transformation in the way the country manages public transportation. I only wish that the U.S. would begin to follow their lead. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

A Kafka Centennial

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Kafka: Making of an Icon is an upcoming exhibition that will mark the centennial  of the great writer’s death and celebrate not only his books and creativity, but also his continuing inspiration for new literary, theatrical and artistic creations around … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Libraries, Museums, Theater, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The saddest noise, the sweetest noise

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The saddest noise, the sweetest noise — Emily Dickinson  

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

Bilbo’s Last Song

Posted on March 31, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Bilbo’s Last Song (At Grey Havens) is a poem about leaving Middle-Earth. It first appeared, as seen here, as a poster published in 1974 by George Allen & Unwin Ltd., the original English publisher of his famous novels, with illustrations … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Are you strawn

Posted on March 30, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I have been fortunate enough to have visited glorious Scotland many times, but I only recently heard about the Scottish term thrawn. So, thrawn is a Scottish word that means ‘stubborn’ and unbending. Sometimes it’s an insult but increasingly an admirable characteristic. … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Not Just a Phone Booth

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Like many other overseas Anglophiles, I was dead chuffed to finally get to make a call from a genuine red phone box on my first visit to London many decades ago. So, I had a tinge of nostalgia watching the … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Tourists Go Home

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Málaga, in the hugely popular Costa del Sol in the south of Spain, is fed up with tourists and locals have resorted to sticking unfriendly stickers to show their displeasure with the situation. Tourist apartments and buildings are carrying angry words … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Europe, Hotels, Tourism | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Course des Cafés

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

My very first encounter with a Parisian waiter reinforced every stereotypes of French restaurants. To be fair, it was an early morning visit to a railway station café after a night train from Amsterdam. My traveling companions included three other … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Restaurants, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Cultural Connections

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I hesitate to promote apps because so many turn out to be disappointing. However, I really like the Bloomberg Connects app which offers access to exhibitions, collections and renowned artists at over 350 museums and other cultural organizations. Bloomberg Philanthropies … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Architecture, Art, Asia, Canada, Europe, Libraries, Museums, South America, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment