"Domo Arigato, Mr. Rob....oto"

I'd like to thank the Academy

...for Rob Hummel.

We had a great time at his presentation last night at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills on Behind the Motion Picture Canvas: Film Formats through the 21st Century

Rob gave a fascinating history lesson on aspect ratios, film formats, and film grain. He showed us more film masterpieces than I could count (The Sound of Music and Once Upon a Time in the West were my favorites). As always, his rare sense of humor came through again and again. A great bonus was the panel of distinguished cinematographers that he moderated after his talk -- which turned into an impromptu and fascinating debate on the merits and drawbacks of digital cameras.

I actually have a bit of a history with this presentation. It starts way back in 1995 when I saw him give a talk in London (I remember the Taj Mahal slides and the Little Buddha clip). Then, almost two years ago, after I had arrived and was headed to my seat at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood to see this presentation, Gina called to tell me that her water broke -- good thing I ignored the sign to turn off my cell -- and I raced to the hospital and missed the whole talk (Thomas was born a few days later).

But there were no problems last night. Matt, Jenny, Abby, Anne and 800 others saw the whole thing. We even braved the groupies that mobbed Rob afterward to prove that we actually knew him -- but Rob still refused to sign autographs. I walked up as one guy was telling Rob how he took his class at UCLA and was now working as a cinematographer. I enjoyed seeing the impact Rob has had on the industry.

In many ways this presentation is a perfect representation of Rob's career (at least so far) -- it shows him as a distinguished expert and film buff, surrounded by some of the industry's best and most talented, easily switching gears between uber-geekness and passionate artistry. I remember way back when I thought he was cool because he sent me some Tron stationary...

I learned a ton, although I am glad I slipped away before the test was passed out.

thanks Anne for inviting us!

Tom's 1966 speech to Adventure Unlimited

Here's a link to a speech that dad gave to a group at Adventure Unlimited, a Christian Science camp organization. It's a speech about business and life goals, and except for a dated reference in the opening paragraph to a "beatle-type hairdo," it's as relevant today as it was 33 years ago. I know you will enjoy it. It's vintage Tom. Don't believe what he wrote at the top when he sent this copy to his mom and dad - "Not very exciting but you may be interested. Tom"

CLICK HERE for the link.

More photos uploaded

I have uploaded a few more photos from Grandpa's family album. These are mostly from the 50's and aren't necessarily in order (yet). But I thought that you might like to see them. Click here to be linked to the photos. Then click on SLIDESHOW in the upper left corner. You can set the speed, and you can also pause it. Enjoy.

Colin Powell talks about being a "Jack Kemp Republican"

If you didn't have a chance to see Face the Nation on 5/24/09, here is Colin Powell talking about his friend, Jack Kemp. Enjoy.  [Click on the image below and then click on the same image when it appears in Picasa Web Albums.  The short video should start automatically after that.]

Colin Powell talks about Jack Kemp

Be a leader....

In the midst of the gloriousness of praise and tribute for Jack, I'm still struck by this one photo of him last summer. It's one moment with Babbie and you can see in his eyes what family meant to him. He and Joanne had brought us together for one of the all-time great reunions, in celebration of their 50 years together. Others had a front row seat at games and politics. But we were privileged to have a front row seat at the family table. And more and more I understand that being a leader has many more dimensions than I ever realized. We miss you, Jack, but more importantly, we love you.

Facebook link to articles about Jack

CLICK HERE for a link to a Facebook page that links to articles about Jack.

Paul Sr. practicing as First Reader

Here is another audio tape found in dad's attic. It is from approximately 1967. We hear Paul Sr. practicing to be First Reader at his Christian Science church. This is most likely a reading for a Wednesday night testimony meeting. It begins with him reading from Hebrews, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

(There are a couple of images that will appear. They are there only so Google will think this is a video and not solely an audio recording, as they don't accept only audio.)

(To play, click on triangular play button lower left of the box.)

Grandpa's New Tape Recorder - Christmas 1966

This is the first in a series of audio tapes found in the attic of Tom Kemp Sr. It's Christmas 1966 and Paul Kemp Sr. has a new tape recorder. (For those of you too young to remember, a tape recorder had 3 inch reels of tape that had to be threaded through the machine.) This tape features Tom Kemp Sr., Paul Kemp Sr., and Paula and Tom Jr. Enjoy!  More tapes to come, as soon as Rob edits and uploads!!

(TO BEGIN, click the button with the triangle on it, under the black box, left side.)

san francisco, take II

Well, I was in the Bay Area for a brief weekend (ok, it turned into something longer when my flight got cancelled, but I digress), and popped into the city to see cousin Amanda. Hooray! I met her friend Brittney, and we chatted about studying abroad, random websites, and more for a while. It was a blast -- and now Amanda can say that both times I've been to San Francisco, I've managed to swing by and see her! 

Also, we look fabulous!

Another photo from the Watertown NY trip

I found this photo which appears to have been taken on the trip to Watertown mentioned in my previous post.  You'll see Jack in the back left, Paul Sr. toward the right, and Imogene on the far right. The look on Paul Sr.'s face is priceless...  (click on photo to enlarge)

Conversation with the Kemps - May 7, 1969

And now, for your listening pleasure, an audio interview with Paul Sr., Balboa Jack, and Imogene! I just found these photos of the occasion for the interview. (You'll see Paul Sr. and Balboa Jack on the left side of the dais. Click on photos to enlarge.)

Rob opened a box that had been in dad's attic and found a reel-to-reel tape labeled, "Conversation with the Kemps." Inside the box was stamped, "KSDR-radio, Box 293, Watertown, SD, 57201." We had it converted to a cd and Rob has uploaded it to Google Video so that we all can listen. It's an interview done by the Watertown, South Dakota, radio station on the 100th anniversary of the chartering of Watertown, New York. Apparently Paul Sr., brother Jack, and sister Imogene (aka "Mrs. Laurin Wood"), went to New York for the festivities, as did someone from the South Dakota radio station. This is the interview with "Watertown's Founding Family." [Note: Rob put a few photos up, mostly because Google doesn't accept just audio, so with a couple of photos, Google thinks it's a video. That Rob is a clever one....] Click on the "PLAY" arrow to begin.

Gabor takes the gold!

Gabor Boritt - Civil War historian and author, subject of the documentary "From Budapest to Gettysburg," head of the Civil War Institute, former boss and mentor of Miss Emily Hummel, host of the annual FOG ("Friends of Gabor") society party (to which Jenny and Anne were invited with the comment, "Ve need more girls dare..."), and honorary member of the Kemp family - has now been selected as a recipient of the 2008 National Humanities Medal in a ceremony at the White House. There he is, to the right of the President in the photo above. To read more about it, you can follow this link to the White House press release, or a detailed bio of Gabor as part of the National Endowment for the Humanities "Ten Who Make a Difference," or go to Jake Boritt's website for other articles about the honor. Congratulations Gabor!

Citizen Nadia and "Mr. Tom Kemp"

From Nadia's Citizenship Ceremony

I just finished writing on my own blog about the experience of watching Dad's friend from Afghanistan, Nadia Dildar, become an American citizen. Nadia is Daoud's wife. 

Becoming an American was Nadia's dream. It was also Dad's dream for her. And to be there at the ceremony was to witness the power of dreams and of freedom. Afterwards, we went out to dinner and talked about Taliban, and burqas, and America. When dad knew her, she knew little English and he continued to encourage her and praise her every new English word. And he was apparently close at hand in more ways than one, as you'll see in the story. Anyway, I think that you might enjoy hearing about the experience. Click here to read more.

Dinner anyone?

Who wants to sit next to me for dinner in Vail?! I'm lots of fun, a good conversationalist, and I'll share my food.

I can't wait to share a giggle with everyone this weekend. Safe travels!

Love, Noah

Gettysburg

Gettysburg provided the setting for a mini-reunion of Paul, Nancy, Jacqui, Emily, Jenny, and Anne. Some of us were there for the Civil War Institute (Paul, Nancy, Jenny, and Anne), one of us to see Gburg for the first time (Jacqui), and one of us (Em) came to see the rest of us. We had the traditional Dobbin House dinner (dad's favorite) and Emily and Jacqui drove through the battlefield on their way home to DC. Will post more details later. (click on photo to enlarge)

A ballerina is born

Amelia has just finished up her first experience with ballet - a week long ballet camp. The dance fire has been lit!

Today was her very first recital. Imagine five little 3-5 year-old-girls dancing (aka running) around a room to the music of "Cinderella" and you've pictured it clearly.

Click on over to the Brinson Blog for more photos... and some silly videos.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Vail. Maybe Amelia will put on an impromptu performance of her mad ballet skills!

New photo of Jack and Dorothy and Spongbergs

My friend, Pam Davis, loaned me this photo of Jack (front right), Dorothy (center back), Connie and Art Spongberg (back left), Barney and Ethel Noyes (at right, inbetween Dorothy and Jack), and Gordon and Melissa Funk (front left).  The photo is labeled, "Homecoming Party after WWII, Beverly Hills Hotel."  

Pam's parents are Ethel and Barney Noyes (in the photo), one of whom was related in some way to Dorothy, and they were also long-time friends of the Spongbergs.  On a side note, Pam's husband, Craig, worked for dad at Coke.  

I just loved this photo and thought the Thomasville group would enjoy it as well.  You can click on it to enlarge.

graduations (assorted)

Emily here, reporting from our great Federal City, Washington DC.

So I'm not sure if everyone has heard, but I'm going to be joining Jacqui Kemp at American University this Fall. She has two years left, and my program (MA, Public History) is two years, so this is letting everyone know now that not one but two members of the extended Kemp family will be graduating May of 2010 in DC.  Also, Amanda Donahue will be graduating from the University of San Francisco in 2010 as well!  

It will be a busy, busy month -- make your plans now-- though I ask that your priorities be the undergraduate graduations! 

In the closer future (approx. 2 weeks), sister Claire & cousins Thomas & Patrick Donahue are all graduating this year, Claire from the Rhode Island School of Design, Thomas from University High, headed to Orange Coast College, and Patrick from Chapman University.  That's just on the Tom Kemp side.  Branching out, we've got Jennifer Nolan graduating from Holy Child, headed for Wake Forest (I think).  Phew!

It has become clear that because of this, perhaps, I might possibly be a grown-up, as I am officially in complete shock that everyone is already graduating.  Wasn't I just in college two seconds ago?  (Answer: Not really, no.)

Congrats to all of our graduates this year -- I'm so excited for you!  

p.s. congrats to Andy Kemp too, who's graduating from 5th grade and off to jr. high! :) 

Jack's been opining again....

Jack wrote a great article for the Wall St. Journal on April 17th.  Here's the link.

Click here for link to "Obama and Economic Opportunity."

Final Four

Well the UCLA, North Carolina matchup we were all hoping for never happened on the basketball court, but Pat, Thomas, and Terry got to meet up with Lee for a great 2 hour lunch filled with laughs. The final game was unbelievable and lucky Thomas got the trip of a lifetime.