Tag Archives: Paris

Archives of the Planet

Posted on January 17, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

In 1908, French financier Albert Kahn created a project that aimed to photograph the diversity of humanity across the planet. He hired 12 photographers to capture images of everyday life and culture around the globe. His staff traveled to 50 … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Asia, Europe, History, Middle East, Museums, Photography, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

To Airbnb or not Airbnb

Posted on January 8, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Like millions of other travelers, I have used the accommodation service with mostly positive results. Lately though, it seems that most stories about Airbnb range from negative to nightmarish. Still, Airbnb remains the most popular rental service in most markets. … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Europe, Hotels, Maps, Tech, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read

Posted on December 24, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

“The truth is that even big collections of ordinary books distort space, as can readily be proved by anyone who has been around a really old-fashioned secondhand bookshop, one that looks as though they were designed by M. Escher on … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Recognition At Last

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Each day, nearly 12 million French consumers visit a bakery and leave with an iconic loaf of bread. Each year, French bakeries produce more than 6 billion baguettes. It is an international symbol recognized as part of the daily life … Continue reading →

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Down and Out in Paris and London

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to this humble blog are aware of my deep appreciation for George Orwell’s writing. I was chuffed to discover a new Orwell project set to launch this week. The Orwell Daily is a newletter which will offer tranches … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

write the truest sentence you know

Posted on October 7, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

“Sometimes when I was starting a new story and I could not get it going, I would sit in front of the fire and squeeze the peel of the little oranges into the edge of the flame and watch the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Drink coffee at cafes and write about stuff

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Support the comic on Patreon! Corey Mohler creates this terrific philosophy themed webcomic Existential Comics.

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

Magical Europe

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Magical Europe is a captivating timelapse video created by Stan Chang . He spent two years traveling around Europe with his wife and small son capturing a stunning array of sites. The compilation of timelapse videos that he created on his … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Europe, Film, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Just Another Manic Monday of Miscellany

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

The coolest doorway in Paris is at number 29 Avenue Rapp . Mondrian’s mysticism: Evolution (1910–1911) A NEW NATIONAL ANTHEM Ada Limón The truth is, I’ve never cared for the National Anthem. If you think about it, it’s not a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Photography | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Down and Out in Paris

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

In 1928, a former Colonial police officer and aspiring author named Eric Arthur Blair moved from his London home to Paris in order to buckle down and launch his writing career. The move didn’t work out so well, but it … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, History, Maps, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment