Introductions
Introductions set the scene for meetings and workshops and have a significant influence on how well the group will interact. I’ve been trying to get more creative about introductions than names, titles and workplaces.
Author: Jane Shearer
Difficult decisions
So many decisions to be made at so many levels. Which rock to put in the pondlet. Which face covering to wear on the plane. Which levels of vaccination NZ should target.
Blowing bubbles
A travel bubble with Australia is proposed and insurance companies are suggesting the government should pay for travel insurance because it will be too risky. Isn’t it up to businesses to price appropriately rather than ask for the tax payer to subsidise them?
Squashed frog
Sometimes I feel like a squashed frog. In COVID times, this is a reasonable feeling. How to break out of it?
What’s in a year?
A year on from Jacinda Ardern announcing the first COVID lockdown and we’re still in the midst of COVID. So much has changed but there’s so far still to go. The next year’s questions look to revolve around vaccination and when we might leave NZ again.
Are you on an e-bike?
How you think about yourself is impacted by what other people are telling you. We don’t look young so people ask if we are riding e-bikes, as we cycle west to east across the central North Island. This can make me feel like I’m not competent, even when my cycling proves otherwise.
Early or Late?
The Serum Institute in India has rapidly pivoted to producing COVID vaccines while other entities have sat on the fence, wondering about what to do, slowing the progression towards available COVID vaccines. This is a common problem – I estimate 5% of the population like to be early and the remainder are not too stressed about timing.
A diverse life
Marie Stopes, born in 1880, was variously a coal geologist, an international advocate for birth control, and a writer. Her diverse life makes Marie one of my heroes, although her belief in eugenics isn’t something I aspire to.
How about thia?
Could we please have a new 3rd person English pronoun that is gender neutral to simplify life? Rather than having to tell everyone our pronouns on emails, it would be much easier if pronouns could be the same for everyone.
Customary practice
The Speaker of the House tried to force Rawiri Waititi (Māori party co-leader) to wear a tie but had to back down after commentary including Waititi calling a tie a ‘colonial noose’. Cultures and times change…there’s a related challenge in the Māori community over the rights of wahine Māori to speak on marae.