NOTE: THIS IS A REPRINT OF A BLOG FROM 11/27/2008 FOLLOWING BARACK OBAMA’S ELECTION. IT STILL RINGS TRUE AS HE PAYS HIS FIRST POST-PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO ACCRA, GHANA IN WEST AFRICA WITH FIRST LADY MICHELLE AND DAUGHTERS SASHA AND MALIA OBAMA. Our Ugandan driver picked us up from the airport in Entebbe on November 9. We were barely down the road before he asked us who we … Continue reading Africans on Obama
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
Blessings to Iranian human rights lawyer and Nobel Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi, who has courageously offered to represent the family of Neda, the young woman shot by snipers during a protest on the streets of Tehran. Perhaps she will also represent the parents of Kaveh Alipour who were told they must pay the Iranian government a $3000 bullet fee to retrieve their slain son’s body. I am gratified … Continue reading Fighting for Neda
When I produced the daily talk show, Kaleidoscope, at KAKE TV in Wichita, Kansas, I learned you could discuss just about any issue but abortion. It was too polarizing. People would talk until they were blue in the face, raise their voices and get angry but neither side would budge from their position. No matter how compelling the arguments for or against, those who were pro-life and pro-choice just dug their heels in … Continue reading Wrong Answer to Abortion
The plight of homeless children was the focus of two articles in the 5/18 edition of USA Today. One is about 11 year old Zach Bonner who is walking from Atlanta, Georgia to Washington, D.C. to raise money and awareness for homeless youngsters. He hopes to meet with President Obama when he arrives in July. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-05-17-wagon-boy_N.htm?csp=34 The other is by CBS anchor, Katie Couric, who … Continue reading Homeless Children
Who would you show up for? Who are the people in your life that you would be present for rain or shine? Who would you jump on a plane to see? My friend, Genevieve, and I were driving back from Beaver Creek after an overnight celebrating Nancy’s birthday with the ladies. We were talking about how your dearest friends were those you could count on … Continue reading Showing Up
Thanks so much to my friend, Kerry Sanders, who recognized a good story when he saw one and featured BeadforLife on NBC’s Today Show. Thanks also to Maryann Zoellner, Jim Bell, DeeDee Thomas and Meredith Vieira for their support. Phones are ringing off the hook in Boulder today as more women join the bead circle and get involved in the fight against global poverty in Africa. The women in … Continue reading BeadforLife on NBC’s Today Show
For parents struggling to communicate with their teenage children I recommend… drum roll please… American Idol (http://www.americanidol.com.) Like many parents I am often at a loss about how to have a meaningful conversation with my 15 year old son, Kyle. He loves sports and is a promising athlete himself so he and his father never run out of things to discuss. Patching up an argument is easy … Continue reading American Idol and the High School Male
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
Today as we were driving in my car I was talking to my 11 year old son, Blair, about the various and sundry things that were stressing me out. He listened then told me to be patient. All of his solutions to my issues were so simple and sensible. At one point, after we passed through the toll booth, he started to scribble with a pen on his … Continue reading Therapy
Vicky Collins Online 