Category Archives: USA

Nightfall

Posted on April 9, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Imagine a planet in a system with six suns where total darkness, in the form of a solar eclipse, comes only once every 2,049 years. This is the setting of “Nightfall,” a short story that appeared in the September 1941 … Continue reading →

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The Sun and the Moon and You

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

NASA commissioned gifted artists among their ranks to create an exciting series of posters commemorating the total solar eclipse that will cut a wide swath across Mexico, the United States and Canada today. On April 8, 2024, a total solar … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Art, Tech, USA | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Bookstore Tourism: A bit of France in NYC

Posted on April 7, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

La Joie de Vivre, a bookstore and café selling titles in French and English, has opened in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. Forbes reported that the shop, located at 145 W. 27th St., “offers a quick getaway to France. 50% of books sold in the … Continue reading →

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Around The World

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I am a complete sucker for the rediscovered and digitally enhanced old films and travelogues from the late 19th century. The YouTube channel Lost in Time has taken footage from the renowned Lumière brothers that was shot in 1896, then enhanced and … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Europe, Film, History, Middle East, movies, Photography, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The saddest noise, the sweetest noise

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The saddest noise, the sweetest noise — Emily Dickinson  

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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

New York State of Mind

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Both branches of my family emigrated to New York City from Eastern Europe during the late 19th century. So, it’s natural that I’ve always viewed New York as the center of the known universe. Back in the 19th century, marketers … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Architecture, Art, History, Museums, Photography, Public Transport, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

How big was it

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Growing up in and around New York City I have always been fascinated by the process of urbanization. So the animation (below) by Ollie Bye intrigued me. The examination of the growth of the world’s largest cities from 3000 BCE … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Europe, Film, History, Maps, Middle East, South America, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

How could they leave it out

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Last week, the Atlantic magazine published a list of great American novels — 136 of them. I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve only read 60 or so novels on the list. However, when I took a closer look at the … Continue reading →

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One man’s junk is another man’s museum

Posted on March 17, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I’m not much of a collector, other than books, but I have to respect this guy’s commitment to his beachcombing project. The video below is an intimate portrait of retired plumber John Anderson and his 46-year obsession with collecting manmade … Continue reading →

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