Greetings from San Antonio, Texas. I am attending a conference of the Religion Newswriters Association. It really is a great organization for people who cover religion for newspapers and magazines and the conference is jam-packed with helpful workshops and lectures.
A lot of the lectures thus far have focused on religion and politics, with people like John Green of the University of Akron and Pew Foundation discussing voting trends among different religions groups, and author and sociologist Michael Lindsey speaking about the diversity found in evangelical groups.
I"ve also had a lot of comments about my book and I am doing what I can to get people's interest. I have had many positive comments, such as Ann Rogers of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who said she "could not put it down, wonderful job." Another religion journalist said she gave it to her father, a devout Catholic who lives in Perrysburg, and who never reads books, and he read it straight through on a Sunday afternoon.
Of course, what's a business conference without a little sight-seeing. One of our sessions was held in the Alamo! I've read about it since I was a little kid, fascinated with the stories of Davey Crockett and Jim Bowie. And we are staying in a hotel right next door to it, the Menger. I walk outside and there is the Alamo... simply amazing. Interestingly, it is considered a shrine and there is a sign asking you to remove your hat and be silent upon entering. The religion journalists were disappointed that there was no alcohol at the reception in the Alamo because of the spiritual nature of the landmark. (yes, most of the reporters in this group love their jobs and also love their free drinks!)
The San Antonio River Walk is a marvel to see. It's down a flight of steps from street level, and there are bars and restaurants all along winding flagstone sidewalks, with lots of trees, plants, and eye-catching buildings along the paths. I took a stroll through it last night and it was so packed ... with soft lights from the restaurants, jazz and other music filtering through the air (never too loud), lots of conversation and laughter in the air ... This is an example of how a city's night life should be. Of course, San Antonio is a very large city -- it's actually the seventh-largest in the country, something that many people are unware of.
When I get some free time, I think I have to buy some cowboy boots and a cowboy hat! Yeehaa!
San Antonio, Texas
Sept. 29, 2007