July 1, 2009
2009 Black Non-theism Conference
The first annual Black Non-Theism Conference will be held August 7-8, 2009, in Atlanta, GA. African American pantheists, deists, agnostics, and atheists will gather to discuss what it means to be an African American non-theist in the United States.
June 25, 2009
June 21, 2009
Japan 2009
Well, it's been a week since I returned from Japan, and I still think it was an amazing trip! Here are a few overall impressions in this final blog entry on the subject.
- I love the juxtaposition of the old and the new in a very cosmopolitan seting.
- I was surprised at how infrequently the gaijin (foreigners) acknowledged each other's presence. Even the other Black folks averted their eyes when we came near (!).
- I did not stand out as much height-wise as I thought I would. Although I did not see anyone taller than me, there is a considerable height variance among Japanese folks, plus there were a bunch of tall Aussies around.
- Although 7 out of 8 days were in Tokyo, we only saw a portion of the city. There are many other neighborhoods we want to visit.
- One can get around the city fairly easily with just a knowledge of English: there are plenty of signs in English, and lots of people speak English too. In order to get around better next time, though, I'm taking Beginning Japanese in fall 2009!
June 14, 2009
trip to Japan
From June 4-12 V and I visited Japan. We were primarily in Tokyo, but also spent a day and night in the Hakone area. I posted pictures and videos on my facebook page. The videos are embedded in today's previous 4 blog entries. Pictures can be accessed via a public facebook photo album link. I also made daily blog entries about our activities. Scroll down below the videos to find those postings. Overall, the trip was fantastic, and we can hardly wait to return!
June 12, 2009
Japan day 8 addenda
I wrote the day 8 summary just before heading to the airport to fly home. I should have waited until I got home, as I just added some info to the list.
June 11, 2009
Japan day 8 (June 12)
- Visit to the Central Fish Market.
- Sushi brunch in the Central Fish Market.
- At brunch witnessed a plate prepared where the fish was still alive when presented to the customer (!).
- Took the subway and JR Narita Express train line to the airport. (Took a bus and taxi to the hotel on day 1.) My scheduled train was initially delayed and then taken out of service due to mechanical problems; the next scheduled train packed in two loads of passengers.
- Arrived home before I left (departed NRT at 4:25 PM on Friday the 12th; arrived MSP at 1:00 PM on Friday the 12th).
- Did not receive an exit row seat on the flight. Luckily the guy in front of me did not recline.
- Decided that Steerage (Economy/"Coach") is OK for domestic flights, but I'll have to shell out for First Class or World Business Class on the next international flight.
Japan day 7 (June 11)
- Self-guided tour of the Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.
- Another unsuccesful search for an eating establishment in Ginza. The guidebooks need to improve the maps of that area!
- Found a building I missed on an earlier tour of Aoyama architecture. It (the Spriral Building) was not one of my favorites.
- Saw some cool buildings in Shinjuku.
- Visited the Imperial Palace park.
- Had a late dinner in Shinjuku, and dessert in Aoyama.
