New Year’s Resolutions

Each year I vow to do things differently.  Lose weight, cut down on the wine and Starbucks, stop worrying so much.  But this year I resolve to look inward.  Oliver Thomas suggests that’s the way to go in his column for “The Forum” in USA Today.  A trifecta of resolutions that seem much wiser and easier to keep. http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/12/column-its-time-to-look-inward-.html For more information on Vicky Collins … Continue reading New Year’s Resolutions

Die 2009 Die

My Facebook friends and people I talk to are SO ready for 2009 to be gone so they can usher in a more promising 2010.  I hope all of us can count many blessings even in difficult times, but it’s true, the economy, layoffs, politics, war weariness, etc. all took a toll on us this year.  For many 2009 can’t exit soon enough, including those of us in journalism and … Continue reading Die 2009 Die

Slum Tourism

My story on slum tourism or “poorism” has been chosen by Ode Magazine as one of its top 10 positive stories of 2009.  It ran in the April travel issue.  This is my first magazine article and it came as a result of stories I introduced on my blog.  http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/62/slum-tours/ http://www.odemagazine.com/exchange/13599/ode_s_top_10_positive_stories_from_2009 For more information about Vicky Collins visit http://www.teletrendstv.com Continue reading Slum Tourism

Burka Barbie

To celebrate Barbie’s 50th anniversary a line of Muslim Barbie dolls have been released to help Arabic children connect.  There’s a love/hate relationship with Burka Barbie.  They wear hijab and brightly colored burkas.  What do you think of this diversity doll?     http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2009/12/arab-world-burka-barbie-iconic-doll-gets-an-islamic-makeover-for-50th-anniversary.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BabylonBeyond+%28Babylon+%26+Beyond+Blog%29 For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com. Continue reading Burka Barbie

Hawaii’s Big Waves

Hawaii is seeing the biggest waves in 40 years.  We were at this exact spot on the North Shore of Oahu at the end of October.  Waimea Bay was calm and my son, Blair, jumped off the rocks that these people are videotaping from.  To give perspective Da Big Rock, as it is called, is about 75 feet high. Earlier this week the waves were up to … Continue reading Hawaii’s Big Waves

Meeting Aron Ralston

It’s hard to wrap your head around what Aron Ralston had to do in a slot canyon in Utah in 2003.  While hiking he dislodged a boulder and his arm was pinned beneath the huge rock for six days.  To escape certain death he amputated his own arm then rappelled down a 65 foot wall and hiked eight miles before he found help.  The act … Continue reading Meeting Aron Ralston