Swine vs. Avian 'Flu

 
Who'd win in a fight?
(Man 'flu, probably...)
 

Miss USA vs. gay marriage

 
What the hell is so wrong with what Carrie Prejean said, or even how she said it?

Prejean was competing as Miss California in this year's Miss USA pageant. She said: "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage... I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman... No offence to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

The press, however, referred to how her "outspoken opposition" to gay marriage "cost her first place in the competition." Here's one news article as an example, I assume many others ran with a similar line.

Re-read Prejean's words. "Outspoken opposition" is a pretty strong term - generally used in reference to demonstrations/protests, strikes or intensity in difference of opinion - and I am struggling to associate it with what she said. She stated her view genuinely, eloquently and politely. She didn't deny people of their right to choose or vilify anybody who had a different opinion to her.

"Her remarks drew a mixture of booing and applause from the crowd."

Let's make a reasonable assumption this reaction was split 50-50. It's also not an unreasonable assumption that the audience was at least loosely representative of (a) California where she's from, (b) other cities and states, including where the pageant was held, and (c) America as a country.

FACT: just four US states currently allow gay marriage while many others have passed legislation outlawing it. If you sought supporting evidence for the assumptions I'm proposing, there you have it.

Carrie Prejean believes in marriage between a man and a woman. SO WHAT? From what I can make out, so does America. Personally I want, if and when it happens, to marry a woman. SO WHAT? I have gay friends who want a man and lesbian friends who want a woman. SO WHAT? Why shouldn't somebody who wants a same-sex marriage have the right to be as happy (or miserable!) as somebody who wants a hetero' one? Does it have any impact on my or your personal happiness as an individual who somebody else you may or may not know wants to be married to?

But I'm not writing to debate her, my or anybody's personal preference or belief. It's the bigotry and hypocrisy of the "system" and the people JUDGING that's triggered me.

Miss USA - Miss Anywhere in fact - is at some level a representative of her country. Prejean's answer was in line with the politics and attitudes of most of her own most of America (not to mention many other countries she'd have been fortunate to visit during her reign). Otherwise there would surely there be propositions, ballots and legislation not just appearing all over the place, but being passed? That's not to say there aren't pockets of society fighting for it, they're more than likely not being listened to or even heard. She gave a politically correct answer that is socially acceptable to the majority only to be shot down for it by people who probably actually share her view but hide it, which stinks of hypocrisy and double standards.

Prejean, as things stand, doesn't seem like an inappropriate choice to me. Again, she simply stated her own personal belief. What's wrong with that? She didn't dump on anybody else for not sharing them or dispute their right to choose (though I'd like to be a fly on the wall for that conversation). So she'd be justified in feeling that her answer cost her the crown. She could have been three times as "good" as all the other contestants in every category but this answer would still have ruined her chances despite it being a representative of the nation. Freedom of speech, my arse.

Popular culture ridicules beauty pageants, stereotyping these girls as airheads obsessed with diet, cosmetics and wishing for world peace. They even made a movie - actually two - about it. All joking aside they're onto something with the world peace thing, something I'm certain I won't be alive for, but it'll continue to be a long and slow journey towards it while "society" (at whatever level you choose to think of it) continues to be reluctant / unwilling / scared to think outside the box, step outside its comfort zone and at least tolerate differences.

Actually, tolerance probably isn't enough. Try acceptance.
 

Adventures in Aussie Touch Footie Part 7 - Trans Tasman Series & NSW 14/16s Regionals

It's back to Wollongong this weekend for NSW 14/16 Regionals - which I am refereeing in - and Trans Tasman international test match series between Australia and New Zealand. It should be a great festival of Touch Football and I'm really looking forward to it.

I do feel different about this weekend, almost like the pressure (I put myself under) is off having put in the hard yards and achieved my goals - I got my red badge at NTL last month and am firmly back on track for my black [badge] and to nominate for 2011 World Cup selection. So I'm in good spirits, relaxed and have come down to hopefully give something back to the NSW Touch Referees organization that has been very good to me as a guest over the past 5 months. That I will get to see Australia and New Zealand go at it - that, and anything else - will simply be a bonus.

The Trans Tasman Series

"Wow" is pretty much how I would have to sum this up. Every game was played at WIN Stadium, except for one that took place at Dalton Park (venue for the 14/16s) on ANZAC day after the memorial ceremony. I watched 2 out of 3 games in each division and it was THE B-E-S-T Touch that I have ever seen. Don't take my word for it though, see for yourself.

I refereed the New Zealand women earlier in the week so I had some idea how fast those would be, but the Men's games were faster again and that just blew me away. It was literally a case of "blink and you'll miss it" both in terms of general play and individual skill - one particular highlight for me being the most delicious inside reverse switch pass for a touchdown in Mixed Open game 2.

NSW 14/16 Regionals

Again, wow. These kids are TALENTED and I reckon the Southern Suns 16s Boys (who won their division) would challenge if not knock over many a Men's Open side back in Europe. Bold statement? Maybe. Feel free to challenge it AFTER you've seen the speed these boys run and ball skills. I remember the first time one of them sprung a 25-metre pass from middle channel to his wing who scored easily - fortunately I was on the sideline at the time because all I could do was stand there open-mouthed... before I realized I was on the scorecard side and had to restart the game :-)

It turned out that I was ranked the #3 referee for the event and appointed to the top final. I have to be honest I did not intend for it nor did I see it coming - I've gone to every event with the stance that I am a guest and therefore ineligible - until Sunday morning when somebody planted the seed in my head and for some reason I started to feel anxious! It's always nice to be recognized and I really enjoyed the hit out with Kim and Adam so thanks guys.

In one of my earlier games though I developed a rather irritating habit of losing concentration on the Half. I must have missed three "Half caught" decisions and I think I even called a "Half caught" that wasn't... maybe I was overcompensating. The lesson I learned here is that you always need to be on top of your game, always. It's very hard to separate the top referees from one another so it's those little concentration lapses and resulting mistakes that can cost you a ranking and even a final as a result.

Another great Touch weekend. I do love this game.
 

Adventures in Aussie Touch Footie Part 6 - Reffing the New Zealand "Touch Blacks"

 
New Zealand are in town preparing for the "Trans Tasman" international series against Australia next weekend, 24-26 April, which coincides with ANZAC Day. There will be a men's, women's and mixed series - best of 3 games in each division - and I am looking forward to seeing them so very much.

Last night I had the pleasure of refereeing New Zealand women's side as they took on Australian national/regional NTL side, the Sydney Rebels. There was also a men's and a mixed game. Australian national squads are selected from NTL regional sides so these games were always going to be of the highest quality between the #2 Test playing nation in the world vs. some of the very best players from the #1 nation who are knocking on the door to represent their country.

Every one of these women was super fast, strong and skilful, which of course led to a hatful of touchdowns scored. The result wasn't kept to my knowledge but NZ outscored Rebels by a factor of about two to one.

This was arguably (at times definitely) the hardest, most intense run I've ever had on a Touch field - but was both happy and very satisfied that I could hold my own and (I felt) maintain my intensity and concentration levels throughout the game.

My first taste of refereeing the highest quality of Touch on the planet: I loved every minute and I want more.
 

Susan Boyle

 
I'm generally cynical of reality TV, but I do have time for Britain's Got Talent because it occasionally produces moments like this which charm the heart.

Susan Boyle appeared on the show's TV auditions the other night. As the judges did their initial chit-chat with her, I thought back to Paul Potts' audition from a few years ago, which still gives me chills when I watch, hoping I'd be about to witness something similar...

This clip tells a great story on many levels. Judging books by covers - go on own up it you did too and fair play to Amanda Holden for admitting it - Susan was written off within seconds of walking on stage and even mocked during her introduction, but by the time she'd sung about 4 bars she commanded a standing ovation and it was difficult to hear her over the cheering audience. Watch the judges' faces too while Simon's comments provide a real LOL moment in what was (I suspect) a heavily veiled apology / admission he too was wrong.

Goodonya Susan, congratulations and good luck to you.

Addendum:
Here's a great news digest from the BBC on the worldwide coverage this has seen in just a few days.
 

Small gestures

 
Today I observed an elderly lady exiting the main building here at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital, where I've been working the last week or so. She was on one of those underarm crutches while her other hand/arm balanced a full tray of something and held both a shopping bag and her handbag.

"Excuse me Ma'am, can I help you get where you're going or are you ok?"

She looked up and smiled.

"What a delightful young man you are. Thank you but I'm an independent, stubborn old woman and I'll be just fine."

I'm reminded just how gratifying a simple, polite gesture can be.
 

The paradox of stem cells

 
Better dead than alive? Ingenious title - deliciously ironic.

Reference:
Hunyor S. The Paradox of Stem Cells – Better Dead than Alive. Royal North Shore Hospital Cardiology “The Beat Goes On” Conference, 28th November 2008.

 

The Touch Blacks are coming AND I'LL GET TO REF!!

 
I am so excited right now I'm ready to burst.

There's gonna be a "Trans Tasman" Test Series here in Australia over Anzac weekend (Apr. 24-26) when New Zealand and Australia will contest full international Test matches in Men's, Women's and Mixed divisions. Touch Footie doesn't get any better than that and I've already been looking forward to seeing it for weeks.

Well, for me personally, it actually just did get better. NZ will play warm-up games earlier in the week here against Sydney Rebels, my NTL/regional affiliate. And I've just been nominated [by Rebels] to the referee panel for these games!

Is it a full international? Okay, no. But I'm gonna be in the middle of the #2 Test playing nation in the world vs. a National/Regional Rep. side from the #1 Test playing nation... probably the highest and most challenging level of Touch I will referee in my fledgling career so I will TAKE IT GRACIOUSLY, thank you very much.

So much for resting after NTL... it's back to training for me! Bring it on :-)