Florida ! Love it or hate it

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Florida is one of those places that you never really know unless you’ve lived there. Having spent the better part of my twenties in the Sunshine State, and having resided in both South and North Florida, I feel that my understanding of the place is equal to most. I can honestly say that I loved living in Florida, until I didn’t.

The new book Florida!, which is illustrated by Gabriel Alcala, takes a decidedly tongue in cheek look at America’s playground. The not quite travel guide book dives into local histories with essays and interviews, but also offers wacky Florida survival guides like a step-by-step diagram on “kicking a shark’s ass.”  This is not a fanciful diversion. If you swim off of Florida’s beaches, you are guaranteed to be sharing the ocean with sharks.

Surprisingly, Florida! is published by A24 the film production company that uncoincidently produced movies like The Florida Project, set in a budget motel in Disney World’s shadow. Zola, Spring Breakers and Moonlight .

Along with the on point clever illustrations, you’ll also find a selection of terrific photos at work in Florida! – both contemporary and licensed vintage work.

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Maps, Photography, Travel Writing, USA | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Exhaustive Output

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

 

Posted in Art, Books, Writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Starting with Common Sense

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Books That Shaped America is a new 10-part series – a joint original feature production from C-SPAN and the Library of Congress – will trace America’s history by examining masterpieces in literature that have had, and still have today, a major impact on society.

The series which C-SPAN will air LIVE on Mondays, starting September 18 at 9 p.m. ET for 10 weeks will feature:

  • September 18 – Common Sense by Thomas Paine (1776)
  • September 25 – The Federalist by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison & John Jay (1788)
  • October 2 – History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark (1814)
  • October 9 – Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass (1845)
  • October 16 – The Common Law by Oliver Wendell Holmes (1881)
  • October 23 – Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884)
  • October 30 – My Antonia by Willa Cather (1918)
  • November 6 – Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston (1937)
  • November 13 – Free to Choose: A Personal Statement by Milton & Rose Friedman (1980)
  • November 20 – The Words of Cesar Chavez by Cesar Chavez (2002)

The new series was inspired by a list of 100 ‘Books that Shaped America‘ and an exhibition curated at the Library of Congress 10 years ago based on the results of a public survey about books that provoked thought, controversy and change throughout American history. Viewers of the series this fall will be able to weigh in with their own thoughts about books that had an impact on the nation.

The audience will see first edition copies of famous works authored by Thomas Paine, Frederick Douglass, Mark Twain, Zora Neale Hurston and others, plus rare photos, maps, correspondence, and other items that highlight these books and the times during which they were written.

“Over the course of 10 weeks this fall, ‘Books that Shaped America’ will shine a light on a diverse group of books and authors whose skill with the written word and powerful storytelling left a lasting impression on our nation,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “These 10 books are just a start. Throughout the series, we will invite Americans to join the conversation and share their perspectives about more books that shaped America.”

 

 

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

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

It is that time of year again when the leaves in the northern hemisphere change colors. As it does each Autumn, SmokyMountains.com has published their best guess as to when the leaves will be changing in various parts of the country. I just returned from a trip to the sub-tropical paradise of São Miguel, Portugal and it certainly felt like Fall this morning here in the Philadelphia metro area.

 

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

Streets of Europe

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

During my internet wanders, I stumbled upon a mesmerizing series of data visualization videos on the streets of European capitals. The videos were created by Anders Sundell who teaches data visualization at the University of Gothenberg. Here’s how he describes his video project:

“This is just a visualization of the street network of the central parts of ten European capitals. It does not show growth over time. The animation was coded in JavaScript, with the help of ChatGPT. Street data from Open Street Map. Previous videos: Asia:    • Streets of Asia   United States:    • Streets of USA   Timestamps: 00:00 Paris 00:16 Berlin 00:29 Rome 00:43 London 00:59 Vienna 01:12 Madrid 01:28 Amsterdam 01:43 Copenhagen 01:58 Warsaw 02:12 Prague Music: Rejuvenate – Jobii from http://www.epidemicsound.com.”

nb: if the video fails to launch in your email, please click here.

 

Posted in Animation, Europe, Maps, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Great Art Cities

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I recently discovered a YouTube channel created by gallerists James Payne and Joanne Shurvell that focuses on lesser known art museums in European cities that are often overlooked by visitors. Their art and travel series, Great Art Cities Explained, concentrates on the excellent, smaller museums the superstar institutions often overshadow.

The first two episodes focus on  Sir John Soane’s Museum, Kenwood House, the Wallace Collection, Le Musée National Eugène Delacroix, Le Musée de Montmartre à Paris, and Atelier Brancusi .

 

Posted in Art, Europe, Film, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Exercise for Bibliophiles

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Dave Coverly

 

Posted in Animation, Art, Books | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Poet turned travel writer

Posted on September 12, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Not long ago, I was queried by a book buyer about the availability of a first edition copy of A Guide through the District of the Lakes, William Wordsworth’s travelers’ guidebook to England’s Lake District. Although I have seen early editions of the poet turned travel guide author’s book, I haven’t had a first. The book was originally written because Wordsworth was hard up for cash and he didn’t want to be associated with the guide. Although the first version was published in 1810 as anonymous text with a collection of engravings, the first complete book under Worthworth’s name wasn’t released until 1822.

According to Wordsworth biographer Stephen Gill,

The Guide is multi-faceted. It is a guide, but it is also a prose-poem about light, shapes, and textures, about movement and stillness … It is a paean to a way of life, but also a lament for the inevitability of its passing … What holds this diversity together is the voice of complete authority, compounded from experience, intense observation, thought, and love.

Late in life, Wordswoth expressed some regret that he contributed to what he saw as over-tourism in England’s Lake District. I have had similar feelings about my earlier incarnation as a travel guide author.

 

Posted in Europe, Travel Writing, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

AI Fictions

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

 

Posted in Art, Books, Tech, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

You do not have to be good

Posted on September 10, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

 

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