Dad's brother Sande, Dad, and his brother Gary at Montana Pride in the seventies
(JUST KIDDING!)
My Dad's always perfect ... and timeless sense of fashion!!!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Fashion Plate
AND LET'S NOT FORGET ...
Dad's brother Sande, Dad, and his brother Gary at Montana Pride in the seventies
(JUST KIDDING!)
My Dad's always perfect ... and timeless sense of fashion!!!
Dad's brother Sande, Dad, and his brother Gary at Montana Pride in the seventies
(JUST KIDDING!)
My Dad's always perfect ... and timeless sense of fashion!!!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Kemp Jeff Wilson
KEMP JEFF WILSON 1939 - 2008
It's been a wonderful, yet challenging year! My Father was diganosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer a year ago. Over the past year our family has spent a great deal of time together, celebrating our happiest moments and acknowledging the difficult times. For me it's been an amazing experience and I've had the opportunity to spend quality time with my Dad laughing, crying and just being together. On April 5th in the early morning, my Dad died. It was very sad and painful, yet I feel such a strong sense of relief that he's out of pain and moved on to his next life. I had a dream that night prior to his death that we were together and I was telling him about different struggles that I was experiencing and his response was "Meg, just laugh." And that was who my father was (and is) -- a very supportive, loving spirit who had the gift and ability to laugh when things became difficult. He was always wise and knew when to laugh and use humor to help people put things into perspective.
When I was a senior in high school, I had to write an essay in my government studies class on the person I admired the most. I chose my dad. I wish that I still had the essay, but I'm sure that many of the things that I admired about him then, are what I admire about him now. My Dad was a man of great integrity and true loving kindness. I remember as a child time when we'd be out somewhere and someone would act pissy. I'd comment on this, and my father would say "Meg, you never know what's going on in someone elses life and it's always better to be kind."
My father loved knowlege and history and was always reading to learn more. He made a career as an oil and gas attorney, but when I asked him on his last visit if he were to do it over again, would he have gone into law -- he said "no," he would have been a journalist -- as he was as an undergrad at Montana State University. One of the things that I'll miss about my father's absence is that he was always the person I could call on for information -- if I had a political or historical question, he was always well read and versed on the subject.
My father was also very committed to family and family history. He's the one who has inspired my interest in this as well, I have become the family archiver and have taken the role with great love and commitment. My father and I often spoke about collaborating on a book about our family history -- since it is such an interesting one -- and I hope to fulfill this project with my father's guidance.
I love you Dad.
Dad with his dad, Jeff Wilson 1939
Dad with his grandmother Ana Wilson, 1940
Dad with his dad, Jeff Wilson, 1940
Dad with his dad, mother and little brother Sande, 1942
Dad with his grandfather, Jack Wilson, 1941
Dad with his grandfather, Harry Kemp, 1940
Dad and his brother Sande, 1944
Dad with his brother Sande and grandfather, Jack Wilson, 1944
Dad with his brother Sande and grandfather, Jack Wilson, 1949
Dad with his brothers Sande and Gary, 1950
Dad, 1957
It's been a wonderful, yet challenging year! My Father was diganosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer a year ago. Over the past year our family has spent a great deal of time together, celebrating our happiest moments and acknowledging the difficult times. For me it's been an amazing experience and I've had the opportunity to spend quality time with my Dad laughing, crying and just being together. On April 5th in the early morning, my Dad died. It was very sad and painful, yet I feel such a strong sense of relief that he's out of pain and moved on to his next life. I had a dream that night prior to his death that we were together and I was telling him about different struggles that I was experiencing and his response was "Meg, just laugh." And that was who my father was (and is) -- a very supportive, loving spirit who had the gift and ability to laugh when things became difficult. He was always wise and knew when to laugh and use humor to help people put things into perspective.
When I was a senior in high school, I had to write an essay in my government studies class on the person I admired the most. I chose my dad. I wish that I still had the essay, but I'm sure that many of the things that I admired about him then, are what I admire about him now. My Dad was a man of great integrity and true loving kindness. I remember as a child time when we'd be out somewhere and someone would act pissy. I'd comment on this, and my father would say "Meg, you never know what's going on in someone elses life and it's always better to be kind."
My father loved knowlege and history and was always reading to learn more. He made a career as an oil and gas attorney, but when I asked him on his last visit if he were to do it over again, would he have gone into law -- he said "no," he would have been a journalist -- as he was as an undergrad at Montana State University. One of the things that I'll miss about my father's absence is that he was always the person I could call on for information -- if I had a political or historical question, he was always well read and versed on the subject.
My father was also very committed to family and family history. He's the one who has inspired my interest in this as well, I have become the family archiver and have taken the role with great love and commitment. My father and I often spoke about collaborating on a book about our family history -- since it is such an interesting one -- and I hope to fulfill this project with my father's guidance.
I love you Dad.
Dad with his dad, Jeff Wilson 1939
Dad with his grandmother Ana Wilson, 1940
Dad with his dad, Jeff Wilson, 1940
Dad with his dad, mother and little brother Sande, 1942
Dad with his grandfather, Jack Wilson, 1941
Dad with his grandfather, Harry Kemp, 1940
Dad and his brother Sande, 1944
Dad with his brother Sande and grandfather, Jack Wilson, 1944
Dad with his brother Sande and grandfather, Jack Wilson, 1949
Dad with his brothers Sande and Gary, 1950
Dad, 1957
Friday, April 4, 2008
2008 Olympics
2008 OLYMPICS IN BEIJING
Hundreds of thousands of Chinese in Beijing have been left homeless due to the destruction that has been launched in preparation for the 2008 Olympics. While images of Chinese wandering the streets of Beijing, sobbing amidst the debris they once called "home" are being viewed on televisions throughout the world, the bulldozers continue with the demolition sanctioned by the Chinese government and millions continue to make plans to attend the 2 week event. The price that is being paid by so many families in Beijing is for a government that cares more about its global image and lining the pockets of an elite few, rather than the majority of its people.
Hundreds of thousands of Chinese in Beijing have been left homeless due to the destruction that has been launched in preparation for the 2008 Olympics. While images of Chinese wandering the streets of Beijing, sobbing amidst the debris they once called "home" are being viewed on televisions throughout the world, the bulldozers continue with the demolition sanctioned by the Chinese government and millions continue to make plans to attend the 2 week event. The price that is being paid by so many families in Beijing is for a government that cares more about its global image and lining the pockets of an elite few, rather than the majority of its people.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Integrity
INTEGRITY
The past couple of weeks have been disheartening politically with all of the finger pointing and the exhausting accusations around Senator Obama and his pastor. However, I did find Senator Obama's s speech earlier this week to be very inspiring and a breath of fresh air. As I've noted in the past, Obama showed his maturity and integrity in his ability to be measured, respectful, and compassionate -- something that the United States is SO in need of in its next president. I don't find the degree of these traits in either Clinton or McCain, and instead often the opposite.
I remember watching the last debate between McCain and Romney and cringing with embarrassment for McCain as he behaved like a pre-schooler -- even though I've never been a McCain supporter. He also revealed an edge of anger and hatefulness that I remember thinking if he were to ever hold the presidential office, the country could be in even worse shape than it is now. Clinton too has continued to posess such an air of being high strung in her desperation to do anything to win.
The primary has become tired and I think most of us wish it would just end! Obviously, I wish Clinton would drop out, and just as obvious, that's not going to happen. I suppose it's always an option to move out of the country if she takes the candidacy. Perhaps we could start a campaign for a Free Trade Agreement through which we could freely exchange citizens.
The past couple of weeks have been disheartening politically with all of the finger pointing and the exhausting accusations around Senator Obama and his pastor. However, I did find Senator Obama's s speech earlier this week to be very inspiring and a breath of fresh air. As I've noted in the past, Obama showed his maturity and integrity in his ability to be measured, respectful, and compassionate -- something that the United States is SO in need of in its next president. I don't find the degree of these traits in either Clinton or McCain, and instead often the opposite.
I remember watching the last debate between McCain and Romney and cringing with embarrassment for McCain as he behaved like a pre-schooler -- even though I've never been a McCain supporter. He also revealed an edge of anger and hatefulness that I remember thinking if he were to ever hold the presidential office, the country could be in even worse shape than it is now. Clinton too has continued to posess such an air of being high strung in her desperation to do anything to win.
The primary has become tired and I think most of us wish it would just end! Obviously, I wish Clinton would drop out, and just as obvious, that's not going to happen. I suppose it's always an option to move out of the country if she takes the candidacy. Perhaps we could start a campaign for a Free Trade Agreement through which we could freely exchange citizens.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Fever
THIS FEVER ...
Following my Dad's and Eliza's visits, I've had to refocus on upcoming projects. Carolyn Castano and I have a show, This Fever I Can't Resist, coming up at thirtyninehotel in Honolulu Hawai'i in June so we've both been working on preliminary drawings and ideas.
thirtyninehotel is quite large and also serves as a nightclub. Given our interest in context and space, we've decided to work with fluorescent colors and glow-in-the-dark paints.
Floor plan for thirtyninehotel
Carolyn was recently highlighted in Dwell Magazine for a show that she's in at the Los Angeles County of Art (LACMA), Phantom Sightings: Art After the Chicano Movement:
Carolyn's preliminary drawing
Yes, my signature flowers ...
More soon ... I have a lot to blog about on the recent developments in the 2008 campaign.
Following my Dad's and Eliza's visits, I've had to refocus on upcoming projects. Carolyn Castano and I have a show, This Fever I Can't Resist, coming up at thirtyninehotel in Honolulu Hawai'i in June so we've both been working on preliminary drawings and ideas.
thirtyninehotel is quite large and also serves as a nightclub. Given our interest in context and space, we've decided to work with fluorescent colors and glow-in-the-dark paints.
Floor plan for thirtyninehotel
Carolyn was recently highlighted in Dwell Magazine for a show that she's in at the Los Angeles County of Art (LACMA), Phantom Sightings: Art After the Chicano Movement:
Carolyn's preliminary drawing
Yes, my signature flowers ...
More soon ... I have a lot to blog about on the recent developments in the 2008 campaign.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Dad's Dinner Soiree
San Francisco Revisited
My Dad visited me last week in San Francisco. Of course I love my Dad, but he's also one of my favorite people to spend time with; I have such deep respect for his kindness, compassion and intelligence ... and we laugh a lot together.
Many giggles were had going through old photographs -- the more things change, the more they stay the same!
It was great to share San Francisco with him and to hear more of his stories from when he and my mother lived in SF in the mid-sixties. My Dad clerked for Judge James Browning of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Browning is from Belt, Montana and both he and my dad received their undergraduate degrees from Montana State University and their law degrees from University of Montana -- though 20 years apart.
Dad and mom's SF Flat at Bay and Van Ness -- it's still there!
As part of Dad's visit I threw a dinner party in his honor -- with lots of help from Mz. Eliza! I made lasagna and Momma Barrios made pork adobo that she sent with Eliza from San Diego (thank you Leonicia!). Unfortunately, I forgot to pull the camera out until later in the evening after a number of folks had left.
Eliza and I celebrating my new rice cooker (thank you EBX!!!)
Galleon Traders very psyched about the abobo
Ly (looking beautiful and with baby bump) and I happy to see each other after months
Kevin and Jim
Me and Maryann
Traders!!!
Dad and Barb
Dad and Maryann
Stephanie and Mike
Ayano and me (the trees are finally blooming!!)
Roomies reunited! (we all shared a room in Manila during Galleon Trade)
Christine: hmmmm ... should I have more adobo or lasagna?
Ayano and Dad
Kevin and Michael
Sama-sama!
Dad and I (thank you Christine!)
Sharing stories with Dad from Galleon Trade ...
And the stories continue ...
The morning after the party ... Dad loved everyone he met and made the comment that "you can tell the character of a person by the friends they have." Subtext: both he and I have great characters!
It's hard to see, but Dad has a rosary on his knee that Momma Barrios made for him. She actually made three! But Dad had already packed the other two (and this is one that I actually hijacked). Thank you Momma Barrios, this meant so much to my dad!!! (Thank you EBX for the photos!)
My Dad visited me last week in San Francisco. Of course I love my Dad, but he's also one of my favorite people to spend time with; I have such deep respect for his kindness, compassion and intelligence ... and we laugh a lot together.
Many giggles were had going through old photographs -- the more things change, the more they stay the same!
It was great to share San Francisco with him and to hear more of his stories from when he and my mother lived in SF in the mid-sixties. My Dad clerked for Judge James Browning of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Browning is from Belt, Montana and both he and my dad received their undergraduate degrees from Montana State University and their law degrees from University of Montana -- though 20 years apart.
Dad and mom's SF Flat at Bay and Van Ness -- it's still there!
As part of Dad's visit I threw a dinner party in his honor -- with lots of help from Mz. Eliza! I made lasagna and Momma Barrios made pork adobo that she sent with Eliza from San Diego (thank you Leonicia!). Unfortunately, I forgot to pull the camera out until later in the evening after a number of folks had left.
Eliza and I celebrating my new rice cooker (thank you EBX!!!)
Galleon Traders very psyched about the abobo
Ly (looking beautiful and with baby bump) and I happy to see each other after months
Kevin and Jim
Me and Maryann
Traders!!!
Dad and Barb
Dad and Maryann
Stephanie and Mike
Ayano and me (the trees are finally blooming!!)
Roomies reunited! (we all shared a room in Manila during Galleon Trade)
Christine: hmmmm ... should I have more adobo or lasagna?
Ayano and Dad
Kevin and Michael
Sama-sama!
Dad and I (thank you Christine!)
Sharing stories with Dad from Galleon Trade ...
And the stories continue ...
The morning after the party ... Dad loved everyone he met and made the comment that "you can tell the character of a person by the friends they have." Subtext: both he and I have great characters!
It's hard to see, but Dad has a rosary on his knee that Momma Barrios made for him. She actually made three! But Dad had already packed the other two (and this is one that I actually hijacked). Thank you Momma Barrios, this meant so much to my dad!!! (Thank you EBX for the photos!)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
OBAMA
PRESIDENT OBAMA
One of Hillary Clinton's recent strategies to debase Senator Obama is to dismiss the overwhelming support he's receiving through huge turnouts at Obama rallies. Clinton has continuously repeated: My opponent gives speeches, I offer solutions. It's one thing to get people excited, I want to empower you to live your dreams so we can all go forward togetheR... So there's the difference between us - speeches versus solutions. Talk versus action.
3. Murders (per capita) - The United States ranked 24 out of 62 countries. http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capita
http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/11/content_6861546.htm
It's been a while since I last posted, however I have continued to keep up with Presidential Primaries. I'm thrilled that Barack Obama has swept the last ten primaries and caucuses:
Alaska: 74%
Alabama: 56%
Nebraska: 68%
Louisiana: 57%
Maine: 59%
Vermont: 64%
Maryland: 60%
D.C.: 75%
Wisconsin: 58%
Washington: 51%
Hawai'i: 76%
The more that I watch and listen to Senator Obama, the more convinced I am that he's the best candidate to be our next President.
I've been impressed with Obama's performances during the debates between he and Hillary Clinton. I appreciate his ability to remain calm, listen to the questions posed to him, and then respond thoughtfully. I also admire his practice of staying on track and addressing the debate topics, rather than taking cheap shots at Clinton. Conversely, I've found Senator Clinton's demeanor to be one in which she's practically chomping at the bit to respond and then fires off sound bites. It's also been disappointing to watch her grab at tiny threads of insignificance in an attempt to unravel Obama's character.
One of Hillary Clinton's recent strategies to debase Senator Obama is to dismiss the overwhelming support he's receiving through huge turnouts at Obama rallies. Clinton has continuously repeated: My opponent gives speeches, I offer solutions. It's one thing to get people excited, I want to empower you to live your dreams so we can all go forward togetheR... So there's the difference between us - speeches versus solutions. Talk versus action.
The subtext here is that Senator Clinton, like so many machine politicians before her, can only provide a hollow sound bite with the hope that by repeating it, it means that it's true (the Bush Administration excelled in this approach - until Americans finally began to realize the Emperors weren't wearing any clothes). What is noteworthy about the Obama campaign is that Barack Obama is energizing and inspiring Americans, as well as people around the globe, to be informed, to participate, and to have hope for the future - on a scale that's unprecedented.
I do believe that Obama's appeal has a great deal to do with his charisma and demeanor. However, one shouldn't forget that those traits are invaluable to diplomacy, negotiation, and the implementation of solutions.
One area that has most impressed me about Senator Obama is his perspective on the current administration's arrogance towards every other country in the world and his belief in a new approach to global relations - diplomacy.
I'm so tired of hearing "The United States is the Greatest Country On Earth," and "The United States is the example for the rest of the world." The best messenger of similar sentiments was Hitler - just keep saying it and "the people" will believe and adopt it as truth. Sadly, in both cases, it's worked.
The truth is: The United States Is NOT The Greatest Country On Earth.
However, I guess that it does depend on what's being measured:
The Greatest Country On Earth for wasting its resources - human and monetary - on its inability to admit a mistake?
The Greatest Country On Earth for handing its power over to corporations?
The Greatest Country On Earth for consuming the majority of the world's resources?
The Greatest Country On Earth for being responsible for global warming?
Hmmmmmmm, well I can tell you what the United States is NOT the Greatest Country On Earth for:
1. Peace - The United States ranked 96 out of 121 countries. http://www.visionofhumanity.com/rankings/
2. Literacy - The United States ranked 18 out of 45 countries.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/nov/29/schools.booksnews
3. Murders (per capita) - The United States ranked 24 out of 62 countries. http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capita
4. Health Systems - The United States ranked 37 out of 190 countries.
http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html
5. The Environment - The United States ranked last out of 21 rich countries.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/11/content_6861546.htm
My point here is not to say that the United States is not a great country, it is in many ways. However, every country has its greatness and should be recognized and approached as such. No one wants to hear: "We're better than you, and in fact, we're the best and we know what's best for you and everyone else"
From what I've observed of the candidates, Senator Clinton reflects the status quo in how she views international relations - the United States know what's best for the world and dictates that. Senator Obama represents a respectful approach that is open to listening to other nations and working with them.
During the Democratic debate on February 21, 2008, Hillary Clinton was asked by Jorge Ramos:
RAMOS: Very simply, would you meet with him or not, with Raul Castro?
Clinton's response was very telling and spoke to the current status quo:
CLINTON: I would not meet with him until there was evidence that change was happening, because I think it's important that they demonstrate clearly that they are committed to change the direction. Then I think, you know, something like diplomatic encounters and negotiations over specifics could take place.
But we've had this conversation before, Senator Obama and myself, and I believe that we should have full diplomatic engagement where appropriate. But a presidential visit should not be offered and given without some evidence that it will demonstrate the kind of progress that is in our interest, and in this case, in the interests of the Cuban people.
Campbell Brown followed up with the following to Obama:
BROWN: Senator Obama, just to follow up, you had said in a previous CNN debate that you would meet with the leaders of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, among others, so presumably you would be willing to meet with the new leader of Cuba.
Obama's response provided a clear core difference between the two:
OBAMA: That's correct. Now, keep in mind that the starting point for our policy in Cuba should be the liberty of the Cuban people. And I think we recognize that that liberty has not existed throughout the Castro regime. And we now have an opportunity to potentially change the relationship between the United States and Cuba after over half a century.
I would meet without preconditions, although Senator Clinton is right that there has to be preparation. It is very important for us to make sure that there was an agenda, and on that agenda was human rights, releasing of political prisoners, opening up the press. And that preparation might take some time. But I do think that it's important for the United States not just to talk to its friends, but also to talk to its enemies. In fact, that's where diplomacy makes the biggest difference.
He continued:
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