Category Archives: USA

Think Globally, Act Locally

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I was shocked to discover that the Bronx, a New York City Borough with a population of 1.4 million people, has no bookstores. Although the Bronx has undergone an amazing transformation during the past decade,its last remaining bookstore chose to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Libraries, USA | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dystopian Literature Sells Bigly

Posted on January 31, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Since the election of the bloated, orange pustule, dystopian fiction has become so popular that George Orwell’s iconic novel 1984 has jumped to the top of bestseller lists around the world. Penguin publishing has announced that it is rushing another … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Freedom of Speech, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alternative Reality

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Since the depressing events of January 20th, I have been thinking of Philip Roth’s alternative history novel The Plot Against America. Our would be dictator’s references to “America First” reminded me of the anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, fascist movement championed by Nazi-loving Charles Lindbergh. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Freedom of Speech, History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Hashtag Tourism

Posted on January 28, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

The always inventive urban transit cartographer Jug Cerovic has teamed up with graphic designer Andrea Rohner and software engineer David Goldwich to create a new travel website featuring metropolitan transit maps labeled with popular Instagram hashtags rather than subway stations. … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Maps, Museums, Public Transport, Restaurants, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Intellectual Raves

Posted on January 26, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Beginning tonight and running through the early hours of Monday morning, the Institut Français will be hosting a series of all-night marathon “intellectual raves” in dozens of cities around the world. The 2017 La Nuit des Idées or Night of Philosophy and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Film, Libraries, Museums, Music, Tech, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Down With Big Brother

Posted on January 21, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

As millions of enraged U.S. citizens and supporters around the world take to the streets today—including me—to protest the ascension to the Presidency of the illegitimately elected tumefied, orange klepocrat, we are also ironically noting the anniversary of the death … Continue reading →

Posted in History, USA, Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dear World, We Are Sorry

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Illustrator Robert Sikoryak has been trying to cope with our national tragedy by transforming Donald Trump quotes into cartoons in the style of famous comic books and graphic novels on his blog Unquotable Trump. The rest of us are just … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Freedom of Speech, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Pure Aesthetic Enjoyment

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I have only visited Alaska during the early days of autumn, but after seeing this stunning video I’m reconsidering a winter time trip. Filmed by London-based cinematographer Tom Welsh during a week long visit this New Year by train, plane, … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Film, Photography, Public Transport, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sunshine Express

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

The new Florida intercity passenger rail system is called the Brightline, but I would have called it the Sunshine Express. Just my opinion, however I did live in the Sunshine State for most of my 20s and I just don’t get “Brightline”; it sounds like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Transport, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Landmark Day For Landmarks

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

If you are the type of traveler who believes that visiting local historic sites offers unique and essential ways to experience and understand a place, then you will applaud this week’s announcement of the addition of twenty-four newly designated historic … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, History, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment