A Way of Remembering My Dad 15 Years Later.....

People often ask me how I manage all of my responsibilities.  The answer: motivation.  Recently, I have found that I need to spark a little motivation in my colleagues.  Below is part of an address I will be recording and sending out to staff as a means to garner an understanding for, and a commitment to, community service.  There are parts where the "I" will be transformed into the "We" but this is where I began from - my heart.   

My father, Fred, was a beast of a man.  He was a loud and vivacious Sicilian who pushed people out of their comfort zones because he always saw they could do more and be more.   Those that had lost their way and sought solace in his advice learned quickly that giving up was never an option.  My father had the  gift of insightfulness that when coupled with his wisdom would guide a soul in an infinite number of directions.  Many found it impossible to not be inspired by him as he taught them the power a having a dream.                   

 

My father dedicated his adult life to giving back to his community.  He knew that there was magic in selfless acts.  He led by example and inspired others of all ages, makes, and models to do the same.  He knew that the life you lead when you believe no one is watching is a powerful way of measuring the human spirit.

 

My father also recognized that our characters as people are also defined by what we do when no one else is watching.  My father’s character was one of integrity, strength, and even humiliation.  In all of the work he did for different organizations, and ultimately, his family, he did so because he recognized the need to create a culture that sustains positive human learning and growing.  

 

My vision for Wilson is built from the foundation that my father created for me from which to dream upon.  I vision our Wilson family working collaboratively to continuously examine our school’s culture so that it may be a school that is universally hospitable to student learning and achievement in and outside of the classroom.  I truly believe in making not only our students more knowledge and caring, but also ourselves.  This is why I strive for excellence.

 

My father may be gone, but he and his lessons are not forgotten.  He left a lasting legacy.  He left his dream. 

I'm Stripping.....

Skinny people have a freaking obsession with fat.  What happened to the good 'ol days?  It used to be that when a pseudo celebrity needed an ego boost they would slum it to where the commoners are and have someone yell, "Oh my god it's.......!"   Well, it seems a new trend is forming to boost the egos of these egocentric and demoralizing women.  It seems as though nothing in this world can be as demonizing as being fat.  So, that is what these women are doing - they are putting on fat suits to "expose" the discrimination that overweight and obese people experience in this country. 

BULLSHIT!!!!!

Let's call it for what it is.   The fact that is these women are not parading around in elephant sized asses to do society a favor.  These women, who are deemed thin by society's standards, are putting on these fat suits in an effort to make themselves feel better.   The act of putting on a fat suit and hitting the streets while being followed by cameras seems to be more common practice thanks to shows like Entertainment Tonight.  Their latest stunt's headline read "Melissa Gorga's Crusade Against Fat Discrimination."  And the crusade?  When I figure it out I will let you know.  To my understanding, the woman, whose job it is to be a desperate housewife in Jersey, hit the streets of NYC in her "normal" look.  She then underwent 5 hours of make up to transform into a 400 pound woman in a freaking bright pink jumpsuit.  Who would not look at that?  WHO!  Notice, I purposely did not end that with a question mark.

I have stated it before and I will state it again.  Fat discrimination is the last socially accepted form of discrimination.  It does not take a desperate woman from Jersey donning a fat suit to tell us this.  Strip off the fat suit.  If you want to see the discrimination walk out your front door. It is everywhere.  

Check out my next blog entry - Weight loss companies are a billion dollar a year scheme.