The Useless Tree

Travel

  • Beijing Pictures

    Here are some shots I took today. This first one is from the Confucius Temple.  I just happen to have another picture on my computer here from 2006, which allows for a bit of comparison.  Behind my daughter (mugging with… Continue reading

  • Another Day in Beijing

    Here I am, in an internet bar (wangba) just across from the south gate of Beijing University, my old, old stomping grounds.  Just came from doing a class with Jeremiah's students.  It was a good session.  I presented the ideas… Continue reading

  • Beijing Notes

    After checking into the hotel late yesterday afternoon, I headed out to find some dumplings.  I walked along Jinbao Jie to Chaoyangmen Nanlu and pulled into a spot, Dongfang Jiaozi Wang. It was good.  Nothing fancy.  Just standard northern dumplings… Continue reading

  • Off to Beijing and Nanjing

    I'm taking a trip, so posting may drop off a bit over the next week or so.  From Saturday to next Tuesday I'll be in Beijing.  I'll meet up with Jeremiah, and perhaps some other bloggers there, and generally reacquaint… Continue reading

  • On the Day or Our Return Home

    Return is the movement of Way,and yielding the method of Way. All beneath heaven, the ten thousand things: it's all born of being,and being is born of nonbeing. Tao Te Ching, 40 Continue reading

  • What I Learned about Way in an Airport in Connecticut

       We are happily in Oxford, after a great day in London.  But getting here was quite the adventure.  We were stopped in our tracks at the airport in Hartford CN by a wicked thunder storm.  The original plan was… Continue reading

  • Packing and Moving

    August is a time of transition for me this year. First, we are moving offices. When I say "we" I mean about two thirds of the faculty at my college. It is a massive undertaking: two new office buildings and… Continue reading

  • More on Dunhuang

         As some readers might remember, I am a fan of Dunhuang.  So, I was quite happy when I discovered today this article in tomorrow’s NYT that gives a nice description of the place.  An accompanying slide show is included. … Continue reading

  • Go to Dunhuang – Now!

        Dunhuang, the oasis city in Gansu province and home to the magnificent Mogao Caves, filled with extraordinary Buddhist sculpture and paintings, may be less accessible in the future.  That, at least is what I get from this story:… Continue reading

  • Lots of Travel, Little Blogging

        The bad news: a long, long flight from Hong Kong to Taibei to LA to Chicago to Albany.    The good news: business class on China Air from Taibei to LA.    The bad news: a ten hour(!)… Continue reading