Hijabs and the Olympics

"Hijab outlawed: Saudi judo competitor refused permission to wear head scarf" (SMH 27/07/2012)

What should have been the article: Celebrating the fact that women for the first time are competing from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar.
Instead ... we get this, fuelling sentiment that Hijabs are not welcome even on the international arena.

I understand that it is in relation to safety, but it's the way it is phrased and presented.
Why cant the Olympics be inclusive and allow her to wear what Cathy Freeman wore when she ran in 2000?

Some women go to great lengths to maintain their right to wear a Hijab and cover their head and then on the international stage for the Olympics there is no alternative? Must they choose either to expose their head or not participate? It's not very in the spirit of accepting all athletes to the Olympic Games!!

References:

http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/news-london-2012/hijab-outlawed-saudi-judo-competitor-refused-permission-to-wear-head-scarf-20120727-22we3.html

Drinking while Pregnant

The title of this article ... "I can't serve you.  You're pregnant" struck a chord with me.  A real conflict of values question... As a pregnant woman, can you be served alcohol?
If I was serving in a pub/restaurant, what is my duty in accordance with my RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol)?  If I'm hosting a party, what is my responsibility to intervene if a woman is pregnant and requests a wine or spirit?

Is it straight forward as being black and white? No alcohol while you are pregnant?  What if its the odd drink for a celebration? Is an expectant mother free to drink as she chooses? It's a question of Freedom to act Vs Whats best for the baby (who doesn't have a say).

I can't really comment on the recent research or the current stance of various health departments, I haven't researched it. I know women are entitled to consume as they wish. They can even smoke while pregnant. (I guess the same question could be asked, as a pregnant woman, can you be served cigarettes?)

It's a bit of a conundrum ...


In a licensed establishment, I would probably refuse service. (I would also want to see what the premises policy is on serving pregnant women).  I know I may unknowingly serve a pregnant woman alcohol, but if i can see it, I probably won't serve her.  As to giving a friend a drink if she were pregnant? I would say something? Probably, but I would ultimately serve her. 

The F-Word at Work

I'm not one to use the F-word. It's quite a harsh sounding word and is somewhat uncivilised.  It's overused and since I've become an adult, it's become so common place to use it. Seriously, its EVERYWHERE.

I accept that people use it, I even laugh if it's in a joke, however, there are few instances when I think it is completely inappropriate to use. 

It's inappropriate to use it in the presence of children (so they don't learn your bad habits), when speaking with elder people (it's quite disrespectful) and at work.

Swearing at work is very unprofessional.  Some words could even be regarded as workplace harrassment, however I find that it is the F-word that people feel that they can get away with saying it within certain context.

To me, you don't get away with it. I remember those who use it at work and think that they're slightly less professional than the others.

Reference:http://www.hcamag.com/newsletter/content/140856/

Seats on Buses and Trains

I'm quite picky when it comes to who I sit next to on public transport.  That is, until its a choice of sitting versuss not sitting. 

I find myself drawn to sitting next to people who are reading or have a book. 

I'm not sure if it's an observation or it's now a self-fulfilling prophecy. However, It's occurring more and more and not just initiated by me, also by the other person who is taking their seat next to me.

Sometimes my neighbour will surprise me and will pull out their book half way through our journey.

Either way, look for us up the back.  We're the intellects on the bus reading.



Picture taken from:
http://www.acrilico.org/wp-content/busreading.jpg

Half-Mast for What?

I follow the news. I know what's generally going on locally and internationally. However, there are days when I feel that maybe I have been living under a rock.  My under-rock-living days include the majority of  times when I see the flags across Sydney's CBD at half-mast.

There has to be a way of communicating to people and informing them that this is why we are lowering our flags. A neon sign is tacky, but maybe a more tasteful sign?  Or have a section on the front page of newspapers? Maybe there is an app. for that?

There is nothing more frustrating when you want to know whats going on and google or SMH don't really help.




Photos taken from:
http://www.australianphotography.com/images/yafPhotoEntry/podImage300/0568%20half%20mast1.jpg
 

Just Drive!

I'm quite patient these days, except when it comes to driving. I'm frustrated at how slow people are, how people just cannot keep to their lane & how everyone seems to always be on their phone while driving.

At times and over the years, I wanted to take things into my own hands.  One way I was thinking about taking things into my own hands was to have a collection of some signs/placards that I could flash up as I'm driving past. 

Some of the most needed signs I need are as follows:

1. Stay In Your Lane (Yes you in the Barina.  It's so small as it is, I don't know why its so hard for you)
2. Put Your Headlights On (Doing a public service, not really helping you)
3. Get Off the Phone (I don't really care what he/she said last night, you're going to kill someone)
4. Just Drive! (Stop being so conservative and hit the accelerator, it says 80!)

So if you see a sign being waved towards you on Sydney roads, chances are, it's probably me. So get on with it and just drive normally!

Ball in my Court

In relationships, (from the little I know) I realised that sometimes when the ball is in my court, the ball is not where I really want it & sometimes, if given the choice, I wouldn't have the ball in my court at all.

I just moved the ball from out of my court & I cannot tell you how much more peaceful & less stressed I feel. 

In the lead up to it, I was umm'ing & ahh'ing what should I do? Should I do it now? Do it later? ... Tomorrow?

Now that the ball is out of my court, I know that whatever the reaction is I'm going to be comfortable & at peace.

Maybe its a mixture of not procrastinating, making a decision or not having to worry about something 'to-do' as it's done.  Either way, a weight has been lifted, the ball has been returned & now I feel that I can move on.




Picture taken from:
http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/g/ga/gabetarian/530894_tennis_ball_on_court.jpg