Category Archives: USA

Fear and Loathing in America

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

I have long been a fan of the outrageous gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. More recently I found myself binge watching the television show Succession which stars the great Scotish actor Brian Cox. So I was tickled to stumble on the … Continue reading →

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All in the Family

Posted on March 27, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

This week marked the 50th anniversary of the nationwide release of what in my humble opinion is the finest American film ever made. The Godfather is an epic American story directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo, based … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Film, movies, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

TGIF (Thank God It’s Frida)

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

 

Posted in Art, South America, USA | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Sweetest Attraction In NYC

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

I love the internet for the surprising randomness of its gifts. The other day by chance I spotted the wonderful video below about a magical candy store on the Lower East Side of Manhattan that I haven’t visited since I … Continue reading →

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Everybody Loves a Good Book Hoax

Posted on March 19, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

When I was a young child growing up outside of New York City one of the most popular late-night radio personalitues was the wonderful raconteur Jean Shepard. Although he became better known for writing the classic holiday film A Christmas … Continue reading →

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Book the Vote

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

The group Writers for Democratic Action along with dozens of independent booksellers, librarians, and the student group Democracy Matters has launched a new project called  Book the Vote, with the aim of registering more voters, particularly in battleground states, before … Continue reading →

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“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.”

Posted on March 15, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Like many old codgers from my generation, the Beat writer Jack Kerouac had a tremendous influence on my adolescent world view. His seminal novel On The Road encouraged wanderlust for millions of young people, including yours truly. This week marked the centennial … Continue reading →

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forever making poems in the lap of death

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Humanity I Love You Humanity i love you because you would rather black the boots of success than enquire whose soul dangles from his watch-chain which would be embarrassing for both parties and because you unflinchingly applaud all songs containing … Continue reading →

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February Midnight Moments

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Times Square in New York City has usually been considered a tawdry, tourist mecca, until now.  The full-on art installation, Continuum by Krista Kim  synchronizes across 90 electronic billboards, with a slowly shifting gradient of color washes over Times Square, … Continue reading →

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Who remembers that famous day and year

Posted on February 27, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

On this day in 1807, the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland, Maine. During his lifetime, Longfellow’s poetry enjoyed extraordinary popularity at home and abroad. Many of his poems served as standard recitation pieces in American schools well … Continue reading →

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