Category Archives: Uncategorized

Almost As Good As New

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

You may have to look closely to get the gist of these clever ads for Lisbon’s Livraria Avelar Machado secondhand bookshop. The 142 year-old bookstore has a way with print ad campaigns.

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Tourism, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The bearded are better

Posted on May 20, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

As someone whose face has not felt the razor for more than three decades, The Philosophy of Beards is a must read. I haven’t downloaded my copy yet, but the terrific website the Public Domain Review has posted a digital version of … Continue reading →

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Benefits of Studying Abroad

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I’m grateful for all of the many travel opportunities that I’ve had over the years, but I do regret that I never had the chance to participate in a study abroad program. The guest post below, along with the infographic, … Continue reading →

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Van Life Baby

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Many, many years ago, I spent some time living in a VW van. It was summertime and I was traveling with my brother Steve, so it was pretty damn awesome. That is until we lost the keys swimming in the … Continue reading →

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Cue the zither music

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Brian D. Butler
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Another Roadside Attraction

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Historian and self-taught photographer John Margolies spent the last three decades of the 20th century wandering the back roads, small towns, and old highways of the U.S. capturing images of a disappearing culture. His saturated Kodachrome images of kitsch signage, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, History, Hotels, Museums, Photography, Public Transport, Restaurants, Tourism, Uncategorized, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Maps Clear Up Any Confusion

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

While visitors to the U.S. are often confused by the language that we use to describe commonplace things in our culture, those of us who were born here are frequently baffled as well by the linguistic choices of other Americans. … Continue reading →

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Bookstore Support

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I frequently get approached to support various crowd funding projects for bookstores. To be honest, I often feel a bit annoyed that business owners are asking for bailouts when so many people face their own financial struggles. However, in some … Continue reading →

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Travel Buzz

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

It won’t be available for sale for two years, but I’m already psyched about Volkswagen’s modernized electric microbus van. After spending much of a summer living in a VW  just like the red one pictured above, I’m a little nostalgic … Continue reading →

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See Venice And Die (or take a number)

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I feel very lucky to have visited Venice before the advent of cruise ships and budget airlines. During my earliest trips to La Serenissima, it was possible to enjoy the city without hoards of cruise ship passengers and daytrippers. In … Continue reading →

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