Towering Tourist Traps

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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I readily admit that I’m a sucker for observation towers, suspended glass walkways, giant wheels, and all manner of tourist traps in the sky. So, the next time that I visit Brighton UK I will spring for a ticket to the new British Airways i360 observation tower.

Situated at the seaside resort city’s West Pier, the i360 was designed by the same folks behind the London Eye wheel. Although this space needle attraction is built around a single pod that will hold up to 200 visitors. A special cable car system drives the observation chamber up and down.

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Be Who You Are

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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Why A Duck

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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This amazing book sculpture was created by Thomas Wightman for Visit Scotland. The work celebrates a childhood train journey over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct bridge. It may look familiar, if you’ve ever seen a Harry Potter film.

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all images ©Thomas Wightman

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Street Art Mapping

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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After posting a story last month on an amazing street art installation in New York City by JR, I received a few emails from readers who are planning visits to the city with questions on how to find street art. My somewhat flippant response was to suggest that they simply go to Brooklyn and wander around. But now I’ve discovered that the New York City Parks department has created an interactive map to public art. The NYC Public Art Map and Guide , which covers all five boroughs, includes both permanent art and temporary installations. There are even thumbnails with brief descriptions of the art works. You can check it out right here.

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A Town isn’t A Town…

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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h/t American Book Center, Amsterdam

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No offense to extroverts

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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if you are an extrovert, please keep an open mind and enjoy this wonderful (somewhat nsfw) spoken word poem from 18 year-old Rabia Kapoor. I always thought of myself as an introvert, but apparently I’m what is now known as an ambivert. Who knew? Any way, whether you’re an introvert, ambivert, or an extrovert, “The Introvert’s Banter” will no doubt entertain.

h/t to Somya Abrol

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All Libraries Are Beautiful

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Brian D. Butler
Clinton Childrens Library, Little Rock

Clinton Childrens Library, Little Rock

For true bibliophiles, all libraries are beautiful. Of course, some libraries are more beautiful than others. There’s a wonderful story at Tech Insider that looks at libraries in each of the 50 U.S. states that have at one time been judged as each state’s most attractive by the American Library Association or the American Institute of Architects. Take a look and judge for yourself.

Peabody Library, John Hopkins University

Peabody Library, John Hopkins University

Lawrence, Kansas Public Library

Lawrence, Kansas Public Library

Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona

Philadelphia Free Library

Philadelphia Free Library

Wilmington, Delaware Public Library

Wilmington, Delaware Public Library

Slover Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia

Slover Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia

Sage Seminary Library, New Brunswick, NJ

Sage Seminary Library, New Brunswick, NJ

 

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You can Count On Iceland For Wind

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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I was randomly browsing Iceland photos when I stumbled upon these amazing images from Italian photographer Guiseppe Lo Schiavo. The aptly named series “Wind Sculpture” was shot last year around Iceland with just a simple thermal weather rescue blanket a prop.

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all images © Guiseppe Lo Schiavo

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I am curious London

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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Readers of TBTP know that I am enamored with London. Over the years, I have had the good fortune to spend quite a bit of time there and I even wrote a budget travel guide for the British capital. So, I’m always on the look out for new and inventive travel books about the great metropolis. Curiocity, written by Henry Eliot and Matt Lloyd-Rose, offers readers an intriguing take on lesser known curiosities, historical sites, landmarks, and unusual aspects of London.

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The new guide, literally a London A to Z, is published by the Penguin Random House imprint Particular. The book is handily divided into 26 chapters, one for every letter of the alphabet. Along with fascinating details, the authors have included wonderful charts, maps, and original illustrations.

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A Game of Thrones at 20

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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Although it may seem that George R.R. Martin’s now iconic series A Song of Fire and Ice has been around forever, this week actually marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first book A Game of Thrones. You may be surprised to learn that it was not an instant success. Sales were OK, but it wasn’t a bestseller by any measure. Martin has been waxing nostalgic about the novel that changed his life over at his personal blog— Not A Blog. 

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