Saturday, 4 December 2010
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-United-Kingdom/Bristol-Harbour-Harlots
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-United-Kingdom/Bristol-Harbour-Harlots/126058504109312?ref=mf#!/photo.php?pid=130099&fbid=126140827434413&id=126058504109312
Bristol Harbour Harlots's Photos - Press!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-United-Kingdom/Bristol-Harbour-Harlots/126058504109312?ref=mf#!/photo.php?pid=130101&fbid=126140834101079&id=126058504109312
Michele Ong, AUT journalism graduate
http://www.asianz.org.nz/our-work/media/field-notes/ong-china-daily
Michele Ong, AUT journalism graduate working for the Rodney Times, spent three months in China on an Asia:NZ-supported internship at the online arm of China’s national English newspaper, China Daily. Below are the experiences and tips she shared on her return.
I went to Beijing in April 2010 - by then I was already working for the Rodney Times for three months, but my editor was very supportive of me and granted me three months off.
The organisation is comprised of the newspaper, China Daily, and the website, ChinaDaily.com.cn. Both are independent of each other in terms of operation but share the same masthead. I worked as a copy-editor for the website’s travel and culture department.
I had an amazing experience working in Beijing—I definitely enjoyed my time there.
Working for the website’s travel department, I spent my days editing travel brochures and cultural stories. Although it sounds cushy, the reality of it is quite different. The brochures were often many pages long (I once edited a 16-page long article on Anhui province which took me a good three days. I later discovered it was bound, printed and distributed to visitors).
The brochures were also often translated to English from Mandarin by a freelance translator or someone who works for the local government tour board. So deciphering the sentences can sometimes be a major challenge as well as a huge test of patience. I did the best I could with those stories.
But what I’ve learnt is as long as you are enthusiastic, polite and willing to learn, the local colleagues are more than happy to help you understand the mumbo-jumbo that’s in front of you. It can be tempting at times to just do a “whatever” job in editing the pieces—after all, it’s not like they are none the wiser, right? Wrong. I checked with a local colleague and he told me they can sort of tell if you’ve put any effort into editing the stories.
Sometimes you’d have the reporters coming back to you asking about the changes you’d made to their work. The thing to remember is, they are not undermining your work, but they are just keen to learn. If I was not pressed for time, I would explain to them the changes that I’d made. They were usually very grateful for any input.
Travelling to Anhui
During my internship, I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to travel to Anhui province with a local colleague. Anhui’s local tourism board had just launched a campaign to promote tourism in their city and was keen to have two China Daily reporters do a write-up.
The board sponsored me and my colleague’s accommodation and food. The local tourism board put us up in a fancy hotel by Shanghai’s The Bund before arranging a two-day tour for us at Anhui, where we climbed Huangshan Mountain and visited an ancient town. My job was to do a write-up of the trip. It can be found here.
Although it was a very tiring week, with lots of late nights (I was basically my colleague’s editor on demand. She would write the story and have me edit it before sending it back to the website), early mornings and crazy long hours on the road (I counted I had spent at least 33 hours on the road in just a week), it was definitely one of my highlights working with China Daily.
When I whined to my local friend about my five hour bus trip from Huangshan Mt to Hefei, capital of Anhui, followed by a 12-hour ride from Hefei back to Beijing (all on the same day), he said “You’re now travelling like a local!”.
Living in Beijing
My work hours were 8.30pm till 5.30pm with an hour’s lunch break. I was given an allowance of 2000 yuan a month (NZD400). I was given an apartment at the newspaper’s compound.
Because I was a “foreign expert” I had the whole apartment, fully furnished, to myself (I even got the newspaper delivered to my room every morning. It’s unbelievable). It got a bit lonely at times, going home to an empty apartment but I can’t complain because it beats having to share it with a stranger. I didn’t have to pay for rent, although I did have to pay for utilities which were a flat rate of 300 yuan a month (NZD60). If you’re too caught up in other work to sweep and mop your apartment (Beijing is one very dusty city), for 50 kuai (NZD10) you can get the apartment service lady to come and tidy your apartment for you.
As for my meals, I initially had my breakfast, lunch and dinner at the newspaper’s canteen but I soon got bored of it and would only have lunches there with my colleagues. Canteen food costs on average eight yuan (approx NZD 2.50) for rice and two meat/vegetable options.
I found my three month stint at Beijing to be a bit short although I’m sure my editor would dispute this. At times I found the Chinese capital overwhelming with its traffic jams and its crowds (people everywhere!) but I soon got used to it. It took me about a month to get used to the work environment and find my way around Beijing using the subway.
Tips for surviving in Beijing:
• Learn basic Chinese. I majored in Chinese when I was at University, so I can understand and speak the language, even if I’m not very fluent for lack of practice. However, basic knowledge of Chinese will be an advantage. If all fails, have an English-Chinese app loaded on to your iPhone, a complete life saver.
• Make contact with the intern who went before you. I got in touch with Guanny Liu who went in 2009.
• Do make friends with the locals. I found them to be very friendly and helpful. They helped me settle down and even took me to out during the weekends to popular tourist spots.
• Do make friends with the foreigners, because sometimes you just want to have some good old burger and fries.
• Do bring some food (optional) such as longlife milk, Milo, chocolates, biscuits… your favourite foods basically. You don’t want to be left out in the cold should homesickness strike.
• Do pack medication such as Panadol, cough drops, cold/flu and diarrhoea tablets.
• Do notify New Zealand Embassy you’re heading to Beijing.
• Go with an open mind and have fun
Photos by Michele Ong:
1) Michele in the Forbidden City, Beijing
2) Hongcun village, Anhui province
3) Michele's apartment block in Beijing
Michele Ong, AUT journalism graduate working for the Rodney Times, spent three months in China on an Asia:NZ-supported internship at the online arm of China’s national English newspaper, China Daily. Below are the experiences and tips she shared on her return.
I went to Beijing in April 2010 - by then I was already working for the Rodney Times for three months, but my editor was very supportive of me and granted me three months off.
The organisation is comprised of the newspaper, China Daily, and the website, ChinaDaily.com.cn. Both are independent of each other in terms of operation but share the same masthead. I worked as a copy-editor for the website’s travel and culture department.
I had an amazing experience working in Beijing—I definitely enjoyed my time there.
Working for the website’s travel department, I spent my days editing travel brochures and cultural stories. Although it sounds cushy, the reality of it is quite different. The brochures were often many pages long (I once edited a 16-page long article on Anhui province which took me a good three days. I later discovered it was bound, printed and distributed to visitors).
The brochures were also often translated to English from Mandarin by a freelance translator or someone who works for the local government tour board. So deciphering the sentences can sometimes be a major challenge as well as a huge test of patience. I did the best I could with those stories.
But what I’ve learnt is as long as you are enthusiastic, polite and willing to learn, the local colleagues are more than happy to help you understand the mumbo-jumbo that’s in front of you. It can be tempting at times to just do a “whatever” job in editing the pieces—after all, it’s not like they are none the wiser, right? Wrong. I checked with a local colleague and he told me they can sort of tell if you’ve put any effort into editing the stories.
Sometimes you’d have the reporters coming back to you asking about the changes you’d made to their work. The thing to remember is, they are not undermining your work, but they are just keen to learn. If I was not pressed for time, I would explain to them the changes that I’d made. They were usually very grateful for any input.
Travelling to Anhui
During my internship, I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to travel to Anhui province with a local colleague. Anhui’s local tourism board had just launched a campaign to promote tourism in their city and was keen to have two China Daily reporters do a write-up.
The board sponsored me and my colleague’s accommodation and food. The local tourism board put us up in a fancy hotel by Shanghai’s The Bund before arranging a two-day tour for us at Anhui, where we climbed Huangshan Mountain and visited an ancient town. My job was to do a write-up of the trip. It can be found here.
Although it was a very tiring week, with lots of late nights (I was basically my colleague’s editor on demand. She would write the story and have me edit it before sending it back to the website), early mornings and crazy long hours on the road (I counted I had spent at least 33 hours on the road in just a week), it was definitely one of my highlights working with China Daily.
When I whined to my local friend about my five hour bus trip from Huangshan Mt to Hefei, capital of Anhui, followed by a 12-hour ride from Hefei back to Beijing (all on the same day), he said “You’re now travelling like a local!”.
Living in Beijing
My work hours were 8.30pm till 5.30pm with an hour’s lunch break. I was given an allowance of 2000 yuan a month (NZD400). I was given an apartment at the newspaper’s compound.
Because I was a “foreign expert” I had the whole apartment, fully furnished, to myself (I even got the newspaper delivered to my room every morning. It’s unbelievable). It got a bit lonely at times, going home to an empty apartment but I can’t complain because it beats having to share it with a stranger. I didn’t have to pay for rent, although I did have to pay for utilities which were a flat rate of 300 yuan a month (NZD60). If you’re too caught up in other work to sweep and mop your apartment (Beijing is one very dusty city), for 50 kuai (NZD10) you can get the apartment service lady to come and tidy your apartment for you.
As for my meals, I initially had my breakfast, lunch and dinner at the newspaper’s canteen but I soon got bored of it and would only have lunches there with my colleagues. Canteen food costs on average eight yuan (approx NZD 2.50) for rice and two meat/vegetable options.
I found my three month stint at Beijing to be a bit short although I’m sure my editor would dispute this. At times I found the Chinese capital overwhelming with its traffic jams and its crowds (people everywhere!) but I soon got used to it. It took me about a month to get used to the work environment and find my way around Beijing using the subway.
Tips for surviving in Beijing:
• Learn basic Chinese. I majored in Chinese when I was at University, so I can understand and speak the language, even if I’m not very fluent for lack of practice. However, basic knowledge of Chinese will be an advantage. If all fails, have an English-Chinese app loaded on to your iPhone, a complete life saver.
• Make contact with the intern who went before you. I got in touch with Guanny Liu who went in 2009.
• Do make friends with the locals. I found them to be very friendly and helpful. They helped me settle down and even took me to out during the weekends to popular tourist spots.
• Do make friends with the foreigners, because sometimes you just want to have some good old burger and fries.
• Do bring some food (optional) such as longlife milk, Milo, chocolates, biscuits… your favourite foods basically. You don’t want to be left out in the cold should homesickness strike.
• Do pack medication such as Panadol, cough drops, cold/flu and diarrhoea tablets.
• Do notify New Zealand Embassy you’re heading to Beijing.
• Go with an open mind and have fun
Photos by Michele Ong:
1) Michele in the Forbidden City, Beijing
2) Hongcun village, Anhui province
3) Michele's apartment block in Beijing
Friday, 6 August 2010
“Pondlife”
http://thepulse.org.nz/Play/Drama/Court-Theatre/2006/PondlifeAngels/
Kyle Chuen’s many characters are so alive and totally convincing - and he doesn’t even change costumes, so it’s totally about his incredible acting abilities. He’s Jean’s mother, father, 3 friends, supermarket colleague and the love of her life.
Kyle Chuen’s many characters are so alive and totally convincing - and he doesn’t even change costumes, so it’s totally about his incredible acting abilities. He’s Jean’s mother, father, 3 friends, supermarket colleague and the love of her life.
Singers get on a roll
Olivia Wakem has won a role in the New Zealand version of roller-skate musical Starlight Express, despite never having skated in her life.
The Christchurch resident tried roller skates for the first time recently, but had to crawl up her own driveway to get back home.
Wakem is one of 18 Kiwi performers chosen for the 28-strong cast that will tour the country from July. The show, which has run for decades in theatres across the world, will run for just over a week at the Westpac Arena from July 11.
The performers wear roller skates for the whole show as they play toy trains that come to life in a child's dream. The cast will rehearse for 10 weeks, including four weeks intensive roller-skate training.
Wakem, who will play Volta, said she had not had much success on roller skates so far. "I have never skated in my life before and I cannot skate to save myself. I will probably be the one being taken out in a stretcher," she joked. "My flatmate walked me down the drive and I was holding onto his arm. He told me to skate back down the drive to him, but I couldn't and crawled back on my hands and knees."
Christchurch performer Kyle Chuen will play Caboose and has had slightly more experience on wheels. "I have not done it since I was very young," he said. Chuen has struggled to find a pair of practice skates. "It is really hard to find men's skates in New Zealand. I have been trying."
The New Zealand tour begins in Wellington TSB Arena from July 1 and will move to Auckland after Christchurch.
John Kirk-Anderson/The Press
SKATING ROLES: Olivia Wakem and Kyle Chuen have landed parts in Starlight Express.
The Press
Last updated 23:53 16/01/2009
The Christchurch resident tried roller skates for the first time recently, but had to crawl up her own driveway to get back home.
Wakem is one of 18 Kiwi performers chosen for the 28-strong cast that will tour the country from July. The show, which has run for decades in theatres across the world, will run for just over a week at the Westpac Arena from July 11.
The performers wear roller skates for the whole show as they play toy trains that come to life in a child's dream. The cast will rehearse for 10 weeks, including four weeks intensive roller-skate training.
Wakem, who will play Volta, said she had not had much success on roller skates so far. "I have never skated in my life before and I cannot skate to save myself. I will probably be the one being taken out in a stretcher," she joked. "My flatmate walked me down the drive and I was holding onto his arm. He told me to skate back down the drive to him, but I couldn't and crawled back on my hands and knees."
Christchurch performer Kyle Chuen will play Caboose and has had slightly more experience on wheels. "I have not done it since I was very young," he said. Chuen has struggled to find a pair of practice skates. "It is really hard to find men's skates in New Zealand. I have been trying."
The New Zealand tour begins in Wellington TSB Arena from July 1 and will move to Auckland after Christchurch.
John Kirk-Anderson/The Press
SKATING ROLES: Olivia Wakem and Kyle Chuen have landed parts in Starlight Express.
The Press
Last updated 23:53 16/01/2009
Dial M for musical
Murderous intentions run riot in a tent in the town hall, and Sharu Delilkan is not talking about the singing.
Pull a trigger and change history. That's what Kyle Chuen's character, Giuseppe Zangara tries to do but fails, in Silo Theatre's next production, Assassins.
Zangara is no figment of the show's writers' imaginations. Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman plucked him straight from the pages of history. Like all the other assassins or would-be assassins in this piece, he wanted to kill a US president.
If he'd been taller and a better shot, Zangara might have succeeded in killing Franklin Delano Roosevelt but he missed, and killed Chicago's mayor, instead.
Oliver Driver directs the dark musical. Only one month separated Zangara's six random shots and his execution, now recorded as the hastiest in US legal history. At only five feet tall, the killer stood on a chair to fire at Roosevelt, most certainly ensuring he'd not make a fast getaway.
Chuen, the actor playing Zangara in this production, says he's enjoying the character's furious emotional outbreaks. "It's a great thing to be able to tap into, since Giuseppe is constantly on edge. I'm quite a low-key sort of person so getting to act out these emotions is a huge outlet for me.
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It's almost therapeutic."
Chuen, who holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in musical theatre, says acting is just something he decided upon after high school. "I did it mainly to leave my hometown, Foxton. In retrospect, I realise I was rather naive."
Having recently relocated to Auckland for a role in the Sweeney Todd musical, Chuen is looking forward to his second local production, which also marks his Silo debut.
Working with choreographer Sandra Rasmussen has been a comfort for him, having worked with her before.
"It's amazing doing such a great role for such a great company with such an awesome line-up."
Indecent haste
In February 1933, Giuseppe Zangara, an Italian migrant bricklayer shot five people in Miami, Florida.
He was aiming for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, president-elect. Instead, he hit five other people, one of them the mayor of Chicago, Anton Cermak, who died.
Zangara made his attempt on Roosevelt's life at a crowded political gathering. Rather unfortunately for him, he drew attention to himself by standing on a chair.
He had to. He was only five foot tall and could not have seen his target otherwise.
At his swiftly convened trial, Zangara claimed the savage pain from gall bladder lesions drove him to his fateful act. He made a lot of other claims in mitigation of his guilt, but all were dismissed as self-serving rants.
By March 20, 1933, 32 days after the shooting, he'd been tried, convicted and executed.
Assassins, Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, Queen St, CBD, July 24-Aug14. Tickets: ph 357 3355 or see www.buytickets.co.nz
Sharu Delilkan | 23rd July 2010
If he were alive today, Franklin Roosevelt
If he were alive today, Franklin Roosevelt's failed assassin, Giuseppe Zangara (Kyle Chuen), would surely be puzzled to be mentioned in a musical. KELLIE BLIZARD
http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/living/news/dial-m-for-musical/3917638/
Pull a trigger and change history. That's what Kyle Chuen's character, Giuseppe Zangara tries to do but fails, in Silo Theatre's next production, Assassins.
Zangara is no figment of the show's writers' imaginations. Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman plucked him straight from the pages of history. Like all the other assassins or would-be assassins in this piece, he wanted to kill a US president.
If he'd been taller and a better shot, Zangara might have succeeded in killing Franklin Delano Roosevelt but he missed, and killed Chicago's mayor, instead.
Oliver Driver directs the dark musical. Only one month separated Zangara's six random shots and his execution, now recorded as the hastiest in US legal history. At only five feet tall, the killer stood on a chair to fire at Roosevelt, most certainly ensuring he'd not make a fast getaway.
Chuen, the actor playing Zangara in this production, says he's enjoying the character's furious emotional outbreaks. "It's a great thing to be able to tap into, since Giuseppe is constantly on edge. I'm quite a low-key sort of person so getting to act out these emotions is a huge outlet for me.
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It's almost therapeutic."
Chuen, who holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in musical theatre, says acting is just something he decided upon after high school. "I did it mainly to leave my hometown, Foxton. In retrospect, I realise I was rather naive."
Having recently relocated to Auckland for a role in the Sweeney Todd musical, Chuen is looking forward to his second local production, which also marks his Silo debut.
Working with choreographer Sandra Rasmussen has been a comfort for him, having worked with her before.
"It's amazing doing such a great role for such a great company with such an awesome line-up."
Indecent haste
In February 1933, Giuseppe Zangara, an Italian migrant bricklayer shot five people in Miami, Florida.
He was aiming for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, president-elect. Instead, he hit five other people, one of them the mayor of Chicago, Anton Cermak, who died.
Zangara made his attempt on Roosevelt's life at a crowded political gathering. Rather unfortunately for him, he drew attention to himself by standing on a chair.
He had to. He was only five foot tall and could not have seen his target otherwise.
At his swiftly convened trial, Zangara claimed the savage pain from gall bladder lesions drove him to his fateful act. He made a lot of other claims in mitigation of his guilt, but all were dismissed as self-serving rants.
By March 20, 1933, 32 days after the shooting, he'd been tried, convicted and executed.
Assassins, Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, Queen St, CBD, July 24-Aug14. Tickets: ph 357 3355 or see www.buytickets.co.nz
Sharu Delilkan | 23rd July 2010
If he were alive today, Franklin Roosevelt
If he were alive today, Franklin Roosevelt's failed assassin, Giuseppe Zangara (Kyle Chuen), would surely be puzzled to be mentioned in a musical. KELLIE BLIZARD
http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/living/news/dial-m-for-musical/3917638/
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Girls on a roll with destruction derby
Roller derby is described as a mix of speed-skating and rugby, but without the ball. And it's the latest sporting craze to hit the streets of Bristol.
The full-contact, woman-only sport was first popular in the 1930s and has undergone many transformations since then. It has recently seen international revival thanks to Drew Barrymore's directional debut Whip it!. Bristol roller derby, whose league name is the Bristol Harbour Harlots, was started earlier this year by New Zealand-born Anna Wong.
Anna, 27, from Stokes Croft, says: "I found out about derby in 2006 when I was invited to a fundraiser in my hometown of Auckland and decided to give it a go. I've been playing ever since but took a bit of a hiatus when I moved to the UK and had no one to skate with. I really wanted to start skating again and there was definitely a demand for derby in Bristol, but no one was sure what to do about it. When I realised that I might be the only roller girl in town, I knew I had to step up to really make it happen."
The group has been together for almost three months now and has more than 50 regular members, with more turning up at each training session.
Click here for more
Roller derby consists of two teams skating around an oval track with one player "the jammer" trying to lap the opposing team, and "the blockers" who can stop them using almost any means necessary. Injury is highly likely even with full protective gear, but bruises and "rink rash" are worn with pride.
Players also take on alter egos and pseudonym names such as Anna Mocity and BootyVicious. Anna, whose skating name is Wonton Destruction, says: "Roller derby has all the kitsch sex appeal of a burlesque act with the same fierce athleticism of any contact sport. People either want to see it or be part of it.
"I've been so amazed at how popular it's been, especially considering that most of our skaters had never met before they started training. I think part of the appeal is that it is incredibly sociable and open to everyone – no matter what size, shape, fitness level or background."
And it shows. Team members range from 18 to 40 with everyone from teachers to trainee midwives and PR executives to paramedics. Many of the girls who play roller derby see it as a way to leave their real lives behind. They fully embrace the alter ego side of the sport and dress the part with fishnets and raunchy outfits.
So why did I get involved in Bristol roller derby? As a 25-year-old who is fairly new to Bristol, where I work as a PR executive in Filton, it just seemed a great way to meet people. And it's a lot more fun than the gym.
My parents and boyfriend were shocked when I told them as they've always known me as being clumsy and they were worried about me getting injured.
Most people react positively though, but you do get some strange looks from those who don't understand the sport and thinks it's like a roller disco.
One of my team mates, Maria Drown, 35, a part-time youth worker from Thornbury, is a mum of three who gave up her knitting class to join the league. She said "Derby is a great way to release the stress of life.
"The whole package of roller derby is exciting; thinking up team names, outfits, skating in the pack, the whole culture that surrounds it. It's one of the first times I've felt I really fit in."
Gabriella de Luca, 28, a secondary teacher from Bedminster, agrees: "I wanted to do something indie, outrageous and social and I wanted something very different to my day job. My colleagues know about my new hobby but I haven't mentioned it to the students yet.
"Ultimately, being a teacher is a professional role that I'm able to fulfil, whereas being in the roller derby team is more of an extension of who I actually am outside of school – and I am as proud of that as I am of my academic and career achievements."
With more players signing up each week the craze doesn't look like its going to stop any time soon. The sky's the limit according to Anna, who says: "We're getting ready for our first challenge bout in December but beyond that, who knows?"
Bristol Roller Derby practice is every week at St Paul's Sports Centre, Newfoundland Road. For more information email the group bristolrollerderby @googlemail.com.
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/news/Girls-roll-destruction-derby/article-2478899-detail/article.html
The full-contact, woman-only sport was first popular in the 1930s and has undergone many transformations since then. It has recently seen international revival thanks to Drew Barrymore's directional debut Whip it!. Bristol roller derby, whose league name is the Bristol Harbour Harlots, was started earlier this year by New Zealand-born Anna Wong.
Anna, 27, from Stokes Croft, says: "I found out about derby in 2006 when I was invited to a fundraiser in my hometown of Auckland and decided to give it a go. I've been playing ever since but took a bit of a hiatus when I moved to the UK and had no one to skate with. I really wanted to start skating again and there was definitely a demand for derby in Bristol, but no one was sure what to do about it. When I realised that I might be the only roller girl in town, I knew I had to step up to really make it happen."
The group has been together for almost three months now and has more than 50 regular members, with more turning up at each training session.
Click here for more
Roller derby consists of two teams skating around an oval track with one player "the jammer" trying to lap the opposing team, and "the blockers" who can stop them using almost any means necessary. Injury is highly likely even with full protective gear, but bruises and "rink rash" are worn with pride.
Players also take on alter egos and pseudonym names such as Anna Mocity and BootyVicious. Anna, whose skating name is Wonton Destruction, says: "Roller derby has all the kitsch sex appeal of a burlesque act with the same fierce athleticism of any contact sport. People either want to see it or be part of it.
"I've been so amazed at how popular it's been, especially considering that most of our skaters had never met before they started training. I think part of the appeal is that it is incredibly sociable and open to everyone – no matter what size, shape, fitness level or background."
And it shows. Team members range from 18 to 40 with everyone from teachers to trainee midwives and PR executives to paramedics. Many of the girls who play roller derby see it as a way to leave their real lives behind. They fully embrace the alter ego side of the sport and dress the part with fishnets and raunchy outfits.
So why did I get involved in Bristol roller derby? As a 25-year-old who is fairly new to Bristol, where I work as a PR executive in Filton, it just seemed a great way to meet people. And it's a lot more fun than the gym.
My parents and boyfriend were shocked when I told them as they've always known me as being clumsy and they were worried about me getting injured.
Most people react positively though, but you do get some strange looks from those who don't understand the sport and thinks it's like a roller disco.
One of my team mates, Maria Drown, 35, a part-time youth worker from Thornbury, is a mum of three who gave up her knitting class to join the league. She said "Derby is a great way to release the stress of life.
"The whole package of roller derby is exciting; thinking up team names, outfits, skating in the pack, the whole culture that surrounds it. It's one of the first times I've felt I really fit in."
Gabriella de Luca, 28, a secondary teacher from Bedminster, agrees: "I wanted to do something indie, outrageous and social and I wanted something very different to my day job. My colleagues know about my new hobby but I haven't mentioned it to the students yet.
"Ultimately, being a teacher is a professional role that I'm able to fulfil, whereas being in the roller derby team is more of an extension of who I actually am outside of school – and I am as proud of that as I am of my academic and career achievements."
With more players signing up each week the craze doesn't look like its going to stop any time soon. The sky's the limit according to Anna, who says: "We're getting ready for our first challenge bout in December but beyond that, who knows?"
Bristol Roller Derby practice is every week at St Paul's Sports Centre, Newfoundland Road. For more information email the group bristolrollerderby @googlemail.com.
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/news/Girls-roll-destruction-derby/article-2478899-detail/article.html
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
New Zealanders put potatoes on pedestal
New Zealanders hate their sprouts but love their spuds, which narrowly squeaked past tomatoes to take the No 1 spot in a survey to find the country's favourite veggies.
A New Zealand Gardener magazine readers' survey found Kiwis also love broccoli, beans (except broad beans), carrot, pumpkin and peas.
Silverbeet and spinach were the only vegetables to make it into both the 10 most-liked and most-disliked lists.
The least popular vegetable was, by a large margin, the Brussels sprout which received twice as many votes as its nearest rival, the broad bean.
While popular in Southland, the hardy swede was the third least popular vegetable in the country, followed by cabbage, turnip, silverbeet, spinach, globe artichoke, parsnip, eggplant, zucchini and marrow.
The nationwide survey had more than 2000 respondents.
NZPA June 30, 2010, 8:06 pm
A New Zealand Gardener magazine readers' survey found Kiwis also love broccoli, beans (except broad beans), carrot, pumpkin and peas.
Silverbeet and spinach were the only vegetables to make it into both the 10 most-liked and most-disliked lists.
The least popular vegetable was, by a large margin, the Brussels sprout which received twice as many votes as its nearest rival, the broad bean.
While popular in Southland, the hardy swede was the third least popular vegetable in the country, followed by cabbage, turnip, silverbeet, spinach, globe artichoke, parsnip, eggplant, zucchini and marrow.
The nationwide survey had more than 2000 respondents.
NZPA June 30, 2010, 8:06 pm
Saturday, 12 June 2010
City full for historic clash
All roads lead to Yarrow Stadium tonight.
In an historic match, the All Blacks play Ireland at 7.35pm – the first time Taranaki has hosted a test between two of the world's traditional top rugby nations.
More than 25,000 people are expected to pack the park, with less than 1900 ground admission tickets still on sale.
New Plymouth is ready for a party on a scale seldom, if ever, seen before.
The big tent is up outside Peggy Gordon's and with live entertainment on again, tonight will be popular with many. But the choices are plentiful with many bars planning special promotions.
Accommodation is at a premium, with New Plymouth booked out. Taranaki Motel Association president Deborah Tawa said there wasn't a spare motel room in New Plymouth tonight.
Yesterday the nearest available accommodation was in Stratford with about half a dozen rooms left, with another 20 units in Hawera, Mrs Tawa said.
"We're full and it's fantastic for the region. It puts us on show for next year and proves we can host a big game."
Taranaki Rugby Football Union chairman Peter Crawford described the occasion as "magnificent".
"I've been involved in Taranaki rugby for 21 years and in all that time the only thing that would rival it is the 1996 Ranfurly Shield games.
"But to get both the Irish and All Black teams here is great. If anyone had have suggested even five years ago that this could happen they'd have been laughed at.
"It's magnificent for a small province like this, for rugby and the region should feel incredibly proud."
During the week the build-up has becoming increasingly intense on and off the field, with the All Blacks proving popular as they have immersed themselves in school visits and making themselves accessible to thousands of fans.
After their arrival last Sunday, they've been the only team in town until Thursday night, when the Irish contingent belatedly arrived.
Since then, they, too have joined in the the fun and yesterday five players dropped into Fitzroy primary School, much to the delight of the pupils.
The rugby flavour is everywhere, and while some emerald green is being displayed, the dominant colour is black with many New Plymouth CBD retailers having special displays in their windows.
Spectators at tonight's match will notice some new conditions of entry, putting New Plymouth on the same footing as conditions required for next year's Rugby World Cup.
Smoking is prohibited in all internal areas, and intoxicated patrons or those under the influence will be refused entry.
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That prompted New Plymouth police to issue a friendly reminder of what was expected.
About 40 police will be at the ground, as part of a wider presence in the city as well for the evening.
Acting New Plymouth area commander Blair Telford said patrons must drink responsibly, as they will do their part to help ensure more test matches are played in New Plymouth in future.
"It's good for people, it's good for New Plymouth, good for everybody having the All Blacks here."
He encouraged people to get to the ground early, as all bags will be searched as part of the new rules.
The weather forecast for today is not good, with squally showers, thunder and strong westerlies, although it should clear for the game.
And be warned – umbrellas are not allowed.
Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 12/06/2010
In an historic match, the All Blacks play Ireland at 7.35pm – the first time Taranaki has hosted a test between two of the world's traditional top rugby nations.
More than 25,000 people are expected to pack the park, with less than 1900 ground admission tickets still on sale.
New Plymouth is ready for a party on a scale seldom, if ever, seen before.
The big tent is up outside Peggy Gordon's and with live entertainment on again, tonight will be popular with many. But the choices are plentiful with many bars planning special promotions.
Accommodation is at a premium, with New Plymouth booked out. Taranaki Motel Association president Deborah Tawa said there wasn't a spare motel room in New Plymouth tonight.
Yesterday the nearest available accommodation was in Stratford with about half a dozen rooms left, with another 20 units in Hawera, Mrs Tawa said.
"We're full and it's fantastic for the region. It puts us on show for next year and proves we can host a big game."
Taranaki Rugby Football Union chairman Peter Crawford described the occasion as "magnificent".
"I've been involved in Taranaki rugby for 21 years and in all that time the only thing that would rival it is the 1996 Ranfurly Shield games.
"But to get both the Irish and All Black teams here is great. If anyone had have suggested even five years ago that this could happen they'd have been laughed at.
"It's magnificent for a small province like this, for rugby and the region should feel incredibly proud."
During the week the build-up has becoming increasingly intense on and off the field, with the All Blacks proving popular as they have immersed themselves in school visits and making themselves accessible to thousands of fans.
After their arrival last Sunday, they've been the only team in town until Thursday night, when the Irish contingent belatedly arrived.
Since then, they, too have joined in the the fun and yesterday five players dropped into Fitzroy primary School, much to the delight of the pupils.
The rugby flavour is everywhere, and while some emerald green is being displayed, the dominant colour is black with many New Plymouth CBD retailers having special displays in their windows.
Spectators at tonight's match will notice some new conditions of entry, putting New Plymouth on the same footing as conditions required for next year's Rugby World Cup.
Smoking is prohibited in all internal areas, and intoxicated patrons or those under the influence will be refused entry.
Ad Feedback
That prompted New Plymouth police to issue a friendly reminder of what was expected.
About 40 police will be at the ground, as part of a wider presence in the city as well for the evening.
Acting New Plymouth area commander Blair Telford said patrons must drink responsibly, as they will do their part to help ensure more test matches are played in New Plymouth in future.
"It's good for people, it's good for New Plymouth, good for everybody having the All Blacks here."
He encouraged people to get to the ground early, as all bags will be searched as part of the new rules.
The weather forecast for today is not good, with squally showers, thunder and strong westerlies, although it should clear for the game.
And be warned – umbrellas are not allowed.
Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 12/06/2010
Monday, 7 June 2010
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Township doomed as locals given boot
A community in an idyllic coastal spot has been told it must leave within a year, abandoning baches which have stood on the site for 65 years.
At least 29 homeowners in Little Waihi, to the east of Tauranga near Maketu in the Bay of Plenty, have had their yearly lease terminated by the commercial arm of the Arawa iwi, which owns the land. More than 120 people will be affected.
Many of the baches skirting the estuary are owned by beneficiaries and pensioners, who say they will have nowhere else to live.
Emotions run deep - residents the Weekend Herald spoke to said they would burn their homes to the ground rather than let Te Arawa Management take them over.
The company said it was removing the residents because their poor wastewater systems were causing serious environmental damage to the estuary.
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council plans to build a modern sewage system next year at the earliest, but the settlement uses septic tanks.
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Residents said they signed a "flimsy" licence to occupy, but feel the eviction came without notice or a clear reason, and under severe terms.
It would uproot Maori and Pakeha who have called the estuary home for four generations.
Jackaileen Elsworth, a second-generation resident, said: "My grandchildren's placenta is planted in the soil here. That means everything ... because this is their roots."
Working part-time but "without a cent to her name", she said her only money was in her house. If Te Arawa forced her to leave her home next April, she would burn it. "I'd far sooner help rectify the environmental problem or pay more rates. But under the current circumstances, my house would be an exercise for the Maketu Volunteer Fire Brigade."
Te Arawa director Roku Mihinui said he could not comment until he had spoken directly with the community.
He said the council had been trying to rectify the wastewater problems for five years, and residents knew their baches were damaging the estuary.
The trust's termination of leases has divided the community, as a few elderly residents will be able to stay.
"What are the criteria here?" asked one resident. "It seems as though they've just allowed the elderly to stay in the hope they'll soon pass away."
By Isaac Davison
4:00 AM Saturday May 29, 2010
At least 29 homeowners in Little Waihi, to the east of Tauranga near Maketu in the Bay of Plenty, have had their yearly lease terminated by the commercial arm of the Arawa iwi, which owns the land. More than 120 people will be affected.
Many of the baches skirting the estuary are owned by beneficiaries and pensioners, who say they will have nowhere else to live.
Emotions run deep - residents the Weekend Herald spoke to said they would burn their homes to the ground rather than let Te Arawa Management take them over.
The company said it was removing the residents because their poor wastewater systems were causing serious environmental damage to the estuary.
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council plans to build a modern sewage system next year at the earliest, but the settlement uses septic tanks.
XXXIXXX
CCID: 34326 | adwidth=300 | type=RM
Residents said they signed a "flimsy" licence to occupy, but feel the eviction came without notice or a clear reason, and under severe terms.
It would uproot Maori and Pakeha who have called the estuary home for four generations.
Jackaileen Elsworth, a second-generation resident, said: "My grandchildren's placenta is planted in the soil here. That means everything ... because this is their roots."
Working part-time but "without a cent to her name", she said her only money was in her house. If Te Arawa forced her to leave her home next April, she would burn it. "I'd far sooner help rectify the environmental problem or pay more rates. But under the current circumstances, my house would be an exercise for the Maketu Volunteer Fire Brigade."
Te Arawa director Roku Mihinui said he could not comment until he had spoken directly with the community.
He said the council had been trying to rectify the wastewater problems for five years, and residents knew their baches were damaging the estuary.
The trust's termination of leases has divided the community, as a few elderly residents will be able to stay.
"What are the criteria here?" asked one resident. "It seems as though they've just allowed the elderly to stay in the hope they'll soon pass away."
By Isaac Davison
4:00 AM Saturday May 29, 2010
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
OK to call lollies 'Eskimos'
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) says it is OK to call lollies "Eskimos", despite the term making one television viewer uncomfortable.
The ASA received a complaint from J Hemingway about an advertisement for the Pascall Party Mix Bag, which referred to "old favourites" including Eskimos.
The complainant was "uncomfortable" with the reference to Eskimos, saying "the official title as a culture is Innuit".
However, the ASA ruled that the context in which Eskimo was used meant the advertisement met social responsibility guidelines and it did not cross the threshold of causing widespread offence.
It is not the first time there has been complaint about the lollies. Last year an Inuit tourist from the Nunavut Territory in Canada told the Taranaki Daily News she was shocked to see the lollies on sale.
She said the word Eskimo was unacceptable and carried racist connotations.
Last updated 17:54 25/05/2010
The ASA received a complaint from J Hemingway about an advertisement for the Pascall Party Mix Bag, which referred to "old favourites" including Eskimos.
The complainant was "uncomfortable" with the reference to Eskimos, saying "the official title as a culture is Innuit".
However, the ASA ruled that the context in which Eskimo was used meant the advertisement met social responsibility guidelines and it did not cross the threshold of causing widespread offence.
It is not the first time there has been complaint about the lollies. Last year an Inuit tourist from the Nunavut Territory in Canada told the Taranaki Daily News she was shocked to see the lollies on sale.
She said the word Eskimo was unacceptable and carried racist connotations.
Last updated 17:54 25/05/2010
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