Update Time!

Finally, its blogging time again.   So much has happened since last I blogged.   For one, have been on the wireless!   http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nights/20120717

Doing lots of tweeting and facebooking for Eventing NZ as we get ready for the Olympics.  Not long to go now, and am so excited I could burst.  Well  maybe not quite burst, but am really looking forward to it.

Have submitted a letter to the Editor (Christchurch Press) on the woeful female representation in the NZ Media team.  Doubt it will get printed, so I have given you the full (unedited) version in the previous blog.  I edited it down to 180 words, still not quite at the recommended 150....   Will they print it?  I doubt it but what the hell, its a first for me, actually sending a letter to the Editor.

The photo below was from the Athens Olympics when I was one of the female accredited media at the Games, specialising in the equestrian events.  We (New Zealand) had teams in both the Eventing and the Showjumping, as well as one dressage rider so it was full on for the entire two weeks of the Games.   The Equestrian venue was also miles away from the other Olympic events.   No such specialist role was available this year (not that I would have  been in line to go).   Greenwich was considered close enough for the mainstream journalists to cover as well as the other events, and this Games we have no showjumpers. 

The photo features Tony Smith and Keven Norquay with Dave Leggat standing.  Both Dave and Tony are in London, lucky buggers, but good on them, they do both write well (as does "Norqs" but he's too important as Content Manager for Fairfax to go to the Games now!)

Women, Media and the Olympics

There has been much made of the diversity that these London Olympics will deliver.   Every country will, for the first time, have a female representative.   Women can compete in every sport (yes, even boxing now!).   Just under half of the athletes at the Games are going to be women.   47% of our own kiwi team are women.

Predictions in UK are that the British women will bring home more medals than their male counterparts in these Games.  Women compete directly against men in 4 events; the equestrian disciplines of eventing, dressage and showjumping and one class in sailing (49er).  Expect to see women shine in the equestrian events (and hopefully our kiwi women!). The first competition of these Games will be the women’s football, when our own team takes the field to play the British team.

The IOC is making small inroads into equality in their structure, with 20 of their 106 board members being women.  Our own NZOC has an equal number of men and women.  For the first time ever, a woman (Debbie Jevans) is the Director of Sport for LOCOG.  

The Games has a very important role to play in changing society through sport.  You only have to look at the influence sport had on the public perception of apartheid in South Africa.  

Diversity is therefore an important and admirable goal for these Games.

NZOC’s website states that “Despite stunning progress on the sport field in the past 100 years, women’s representation off the field remains a serious challenge”   NZOC’s aim to improve this is to focus on the underrepresentation of women on sports’ boards and to this end, have commendably established a mentoring, information and support programme.

I believe this goal needs to go further.  Media shapes, changes, and re-enforces society’s values and attitudes.  It is therefore important to look at just who is bringing us the stories from the Games.

There are 21,000 journalists, photographers, camera operators and technicians from 190 different countries covering the Games this year – twice as many as the athletes.    Many of these are sent to cover the non-sport aspects of the Games, from security to transport.  No doubt there will be others to write the celebrity stories.   

I have not been able to establish how many women there are in this army of media people.   I have, however, seen how many of the 22 (approx) strong New Zealand print media team are women.   None.  Zip.  Nil.   Broadcasting does better, just.   From what I can ascertain, there are 6 women involved in radio or television for NZ at the Games.  

Why doesn’t our New Zealand media team have more women journalists?   Who decides who goes to the Olympics in the media team?   The male sports editors?  The mainly (or is it all, now) male editors?  Does NZOC have to step in to demand better of the media organisations before accreditation is granted?  

Come on New Zealand media.  Kiwis have a proud history of leading the way with diversity so why are we lagging so far behind with your team?

More Snow

Luckily lambing hasn't started yet, and hopefully the ewes will keep those babies in for a few more days as we have snow, snow and more snow and hail.  Did I mention wind and sub-zero temperatures as well....

Forecast is for a few days of this.   It is a winter wonderland out there, but I'm sure I will get very sick of it soon.  Some of the hail and snow has melted this afternoon, and now it is snowing again, so if it gets colder tonight, we are going to have some slippery surfaces out there tomorrow.   I always was useless at skating.

Himself came home for late breakfast and shower and did a snow streak - joined by the dogs and the cat.  Everyone was tearing around the lawn in the snow yelling, barking or laughing.   It was a huge bit of fun.   Photos were taken (of course) and through social media, were disseminated far and wide, much to the humiliation of himself's 21 year old daughter ("Dad you are so embarrassing").  

Now I'll have to post at least one photo of this shenanigans.....

Dogs' Life 2

Thought a close up shot was in order.  The flash going off didn't even rouse them!

Its a dogs' life

I like to get up early in the morning (with Himself who gets up at 5), and have that first cuppa while I check my emails, facebook and the online news.   The dogs get out of their bed, Himself gives them a biscuit and they spend a bit of time outside.   They then make their way  back to the office where they assume various positions (the pictured one is a favourite), until I am showered, dressed and ready for action.   Its a great routine!

And yes, seeing this photo makes me think I do need to clean up my desk a bit but I do know what is in each pile...

Competition for farming photos

These are my favourite photos of farming scenes. I need to submit 3 for a
competition (prizes include a case of wine and Redband gumboots). I can't
decide. Any suggestions?

Favourite Photos

Frankee, last year's pet lamb, with the dogs and chooks.

More Snow Photos

Kitten's introduction to snow on a Monday morning

Old Friends

I’m writing this with a bit of a hangover early on a Sunday morning.   Not sure why I am up so early on a Sunday, that 5 am alarm just goes off in my head somewhere and up I get.   It’s a nice time to catch up on the news and things before others emerge.    But, back to the reason for the hangover.   Bidi and Rick are staying with us.  I first met Bidi back in the early 80’s in Matangi, Waikato.   We got on well then and have ever since although some years go past at times when we don’t see each other.   That’s the best thing about old friends, they can turn up after a lengthy absence, and the friendship just turns up too.   Consistently.

So, as we caught up on friends and family news, and explored opinions on recent things, gave our version of events that have occurred, we had a wine, or two.   First the pinot gris, then the red....   Seemed like a good idea at the time, not so good this morning but nothing a bit of exercise and a good breakfast won’t cure.   The roast leg of lamb with roasted vegetables went down a treat with the wines, and the banoffee pie was a real winner.   Just as well I forgot about that bottle of desert wine in the fridge.....

Thieving Animals

Connie is a lovely chestnut and really loves carrots.   I often buy those 10kg bags of carrots - second - which usually cost about $7.   Great for the horses (and not bad for the juicer either).

Silly me left the feed bin open and Connie got in and ate what was nearly a full bag.   I didn't discover this until much later, when I noticed bits of carrot all over the ground.   She had long gone, but I think she was smiling for a long time.

Just as well she is chestnut (ie orange), or I think she would have turned orange anyway!

I've just replaced the carrots and will endeavour to be more careful next time.  She's not the only animal around here who is a good thief.   Millie, the poohound, regularly steals chocolate from our wwoofers, if they happen to leave any around and their door open.   One time she stole a flash packet of german chocolate biscuits which were obviously special.    The only way you discover the deed is to see the empty packet out on the lawn....   The german wwoofers left soon after, perhaps they thought I had eaten their biscuits!!!  Unfortunately I only discovered the packet after they had left.   Oh dear.

Christchurch Rebuild but first demolish

These are some incredible photos of Christchurch as the demolition continues in the central city.  https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2FRossBeckerNZ%2FChristchurchJuly7DiggersDemolitionInTheCBDRedZone&h=gAQBuqynz

The photographer, Ross, is involved in the project to capture the history as it happens.  Not only are there the photographic memories being captured, but people’s stories are also being collected in a number of ways.   Canterbury University is doing a great job of leading some of this.    One of the best things to come out of the earthquake is the levels of collaboration and bringing the communities together – whether it is physical communities or communities of people with the same interests.   There’s also a big group of people who are looking to rebuild the gardens, bringing back the Garden of the Garden City.    All very worthwhile projects and hopefully ones that will flourish.