Acid Attacks Hit Home

NOTE: THE ACID ATTACK IN OREGON TURNED OUT TO BE A SELF-INFLICTED HOAX. In recent days there have been two brutal acid attacks against women in the United States, one in Oregon and one in Arizona.  Many of you have read the story I wrote about a courageous acid attack victim from Kampala, Uganda named Juliette on this blog.  HDNet’s World Report aired an “in her own … Continue reading Acid Attacks Hit Home

Some Thoughts on Home

This month’s “More” magazine has a series of essays, by influential women authors, about the meaning of home.  “A Wanderer’s Retreat” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni really speaks to me.  Her writing is flavorful and evocative as chai.  Her story about first loving her grandfather’s home, connecting with landscapes after his loss, then finally finding home in her own heart resonates with the wanderer in me and perhaps would even … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Home

Vacation in Afghanistan

One year ago I was in Beijing, China for a three month gig working at the Olympics.  In November 2008 I headed to Kampala, Uganda again to do more television production work for BeadforLife (http://beadforlife.org) then immediately after a quick trip to Delhi, India for a wedding.  No exotic destinations this summer but I’m hungry for an overseas trip.  I’m already thinking about what to do … Continue reading Vacation in Afghanistan

India Ethics

I wrote a blog on Christmas Day 2008 (after seeing the movie “Slumdog Millionaire”) about how conflicted I was while in Delhi, India over what to do when children begged for handouts.  Apparently I’m not the only person who has struggled with how to respond.  Check out Sunday’s New York Times column, The Ethicist, by Randy Cohen. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/magazine/03wwln-ethicist-t.html For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com Continue reading India Ethics

How People Live

During April I’ve had a photo exhibit running in Studio 13 Gallery in Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District.  It’s called “How People Live” and is a collection of photographs from the streets and slums around the world that illuminate the diversity of people and the condition of the poor.  Photos were taken in Uganda, China, Thailand, India, Brazil, Mexico, and various places in America.  Most of the … Continue reading How People Live

Slumdogs

I can’t get the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” out of my mind.  Just like India, it was surprising and unexpected.  The beauty and brutality are staying with me.  It made me think back to a little street urchin who came up to our car window in Old Delhi.  I can’t get her out of my thoughts either.  She approached our vehicle when we were stopped at an … Continue reading Slumdogs

The New Face(book) of News

I first learned the layoffs had begun on Wednesday morning when I woke up.  A friend posted a desperate cry that she was trying to stay sane after half of NBC’s network bureau was let go  in Dallas.  It was deja vu for me.  I was downsized 10 years ago and I watched Facebook all day as people started changing their status and talking about getting their resumes together.  One colleague is … Continue reading The New Face(book) of News

Mumbai On My Mind

I’m taking this attack in Mumbai personally and it makes me sick. I just returned from India on Monday after an amazing few days in Delhi. We went to attend the wedding of Pravheen and Akanksha. We made Indian friends and were treated like honored guests. As Westerners we were welcomed with open arms by a warm and gracious people. We were invited into their … Continue reading Mumbai On My Mind