Finding the Real with Michael Jackson

So I am in a diversity and multiculturalism class, and we had to respond to a blog posting on the sexual and racial identities performed by Michel Jackson.  Here were my thoughts:

Where does one find the "real" with Michael Jackson?  Certainly his music, his dance, and innovation as a performer have literally moved millions of people. Whom among those growing up in the era, or shadow of the era, of “Thriller” or “Beat it” has not spent at least some time trying, unsuccessfully in my case, to appropriate a personal version of the “moon walk”.  Few can contest that the man had moves and he had rhythm.  In these realms I celebrate his life and contributions to the world.    

In relation to the sexual and racial contradictions enacted throughout his life I find it harder to find the “real”. Possibly it is precisely the unknown and fluidity of his sexual and racial positioning which drew increased attention to his passing.  With millions of viewers watching was it all an honoring and paying of respects? Or was there a perverse hope that in his death and the cameras decent into Neverland the chance of revealing some scrap of evidence that might add certainty to an identity that is shrouded in mystery, conjecture, and option. 

What remains certain is the uncertainty.  MJ's personal struggles with identity manifested in personal transformation were played out in the media’s eye, uninhibited by any financial constraint. He could afford to manipulate physically that which others grapple with in quiet and hidden places. Many people conduct identity experiments and alterations.  Usually these are manifested in a new wardrobe, trying a new hair color, a tattoo, or a piercing.  Few carry their experiments to the extent and audience of MJ.  Possibly his vivid and exaggerated uncertain sense of self and subsequent physical manipulation was the hyper version or the supersize of our own questions and experiments with self?

 What is real is the gratitude I have for those who were patient, non-judgmental, and compassionate with me in and through my search for self.  If others struggle as Michael did, and they do, maybe we should supersize our compassion?

The STATS

In addition to the fact that our little darling is past the one year mark, I thought we should share some of her latest accomplishments and signature moves. 

First word: Hey!

Second word: Hi!

Oh yes, this is a social little creature. She often uses Hey! to get strangers' attention or to greet people entering a room.

Others which are occasionally repeated: Da da (sometimes meaning Abe), Mama (sometimes for me)

Bye!

Wagon (agon--close enough)

Loolo (must be important, she says it all the time:)

De de (for Aparna de de, our fabulous roomie)

Yesterday she did something clever and I said "Good job" and she said " ood ob!

First birthday gift: bike helmet

Aurora LOVES riding on the bike with us. She laughs and kicks her little legs and starts pointing at things we past and narrating. She really enjoyed going out for cycles when we were visiting my folks in the desert and getting to sneak up

 on Grandma or Grandpa. 

Favorite sport: Climbing

I know, I know, but we don't have horses yet and somehow taking her kayaking, well, it just doesn't seem to be time yet. Something about those hypothermic waters.....

At the end of this post there's video evidence of her first major ascent (after 2 weeks of trying)

 Most trusted mode of falling asleep: the jogger

Most enthusiastic caregiver: Grandma McCune

First discovery of whipped cream: May 15

Preferred mode of travel: Scooting

She sits upright with the right leg tucked under and her pulls herself around with the left leg leading out. I'll have to upload a video of it, but as you'll see below, our camera seems to record in hyper mode....

First series of steps (4!): June 18 with Grandma McCune

I really think with the scooting and speed of crawling, she just hasn't been that motivated to try to walk more, but she'll be walking the rest of her life

 (God willing), so we're in no hurry to rush her out of scooting. 

Climbing things however, is a major temptation.....

ONE

This posting is coming over a month late, but our little lady is growing up.  As long as she continues to "scoot" and crawl we can get away with calling her a "baby" but I don't expect that to last much longer.   

Ronin's Corner

When the sun comes out in the North West this place is hard to beat.  We took advantage of another sun filled saturday climbing with friends in Squamish.  This weekend we joined forces with some friends, McKay, Julianne and Banyan for another family day at the crag. 

Spring Climbing in Squamish

Spring is happening here in the North West.  We took advantage of the beautiful day, driving up to Squamish to climb with the WildReilly family.  This has become something of a tradition. Waking up saturday morning, packing up, driving along the Sea-to-Sky highway to the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada".  
Instead of heading straight to the crag, we end up at Jen, Chris, and Eric's home and have breakfast.  This time it was french toast, maple, syrup, and fruit salad on a sunny deck looking out over the mountain scenery.  What starts out as a slow morning, always turns into a full afternoon.  
We climbed at the smoke bluffs; the octopus's garden wall that had a good mix of moderate to challenging crack climbs.   Aurora slept for an hour in a small pack and play that we had carried up with us and then spent the whole afternoon playing, eating, crawling and hanging out with Eric.  We are psyched that she is always so chill hanging out outside.  Shannon had a great climbing experience, ticking several climbs including an awkward 5.8 off hands route that was really pretty tricky. We climbed the entire afternoon, juggling belays, kids, and climbing.  As usual it was great afternoon and another successful day of family climbing.   

St. George

After a whirlwind of classes, papers, conference presentations, Bethany's wedding, more papers, and research work; things took a welcome pause in St. George. The desert was in spring bloom and the temperatures were on the rise.  Our North West climatization had us running for the shade.  We had a good visit with Shannon's parents and spent some time bouldering in Pioneer park.  Several times I had driven along skyline boulevard, past large white house-painted  "DIXIE" on the south facing cliffs overlooking St. George, and thought "I am sure there is some bouldering back in there."  Sure enough in the local guide book the bouldering section included a brief description of un-rated problems on good rock that were easy access and family friendly. There were several things I'd like to try again with a larger crash pad and a spotter who wasn't distracted with an 11 month old discovering cacti.  The great thing about having family in that part of the world is we always find our way back there.      

Bethany Rose Barnes

It is still a shock for me to see these photo of my sister... Married! When did she grow up?  When did she become such a beautiful, hilarious, intelligent, caring, and capable woman?  We had a wonderful time with Bethany, her now husband Christopher, and most of our combined families.  I had he humbling privilege to be the surrogate father, as my folks are on a mission in Cambodia.  We had a fun filled reception followed by a beautiful and simple ceremony the following day at the Salt Lake Temple.  CONGRATULATIONS Bethany and Christopher!