The 100 days project

Posted on November 13, 2012 by

Emma Rogan, a New Zealand designer, read about the “100 Days of Design” project on the Design Observer Blog and instantly wanted to go to the Yale School of Art to take part.  After finding out the fees were $US 55,000 and remembering her family and many other commitments at home, she decided to run her own 100 days project.

Last year, Emma invited as many local creatives, designers and friends that she could think of to embark on the project with her.  The premise was simple: For 100 days you must repeat a creative task of your choosing.  The task must be repeated in some form every day and every time must be documented for eventual presentation. Continue reading →

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PledgeMe’s Anna Guenther on gender and business

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

During April, over a long weekend I attended a Women’s Studies Association conference in Wellington. Where there were discussions, presentations, and communion around such topics as women being oppressed, violence against women, women with disabilities, and sexuality.

On a much more upbeat note, the final session of the weekend was a panel discussion with young influential women. One of these women was Anna Guenther, Co-founder of PledgeMe. Continue reading →

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The introversion extroversion balance

Posted on May 6, 2013 by

I recently watched a great TED talk by Susan Cain, called “The power of introverts.”  Susan, who has written a book of the same name, talks about how, in a culture where being social and outgoing are prized, being a true introvert can be difficult.  People who prefer to be alone, do their own thing, or shy away from socialising or collaborating with others, often seem unusual.

But Susan argues that introverts have their own talents and abilities, which we should make room for and encourage.  She argues that we should celebrate the diversity that introverts bring to the world. Continue reading →

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ANZAC Day, a day to remember

Posted on April 29, 2013 by

Last Thursday was ANZAC day.  According to Wikipedia, ANZAC day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.”

Originally 25 April, ANZAC day was established to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Continue reading →

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Busting the arguments against gay marriage

Posted on April 22, 2013 by

Last week the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill passed its final reading, 77 votes to 44, making New Zealand the 13th country in the world to legalise same-sex (and trans*) marriage.

The bill, which comes into effect in August, not only allows same-sex and trans* couples to marry, but also allows both people in a gay or trans* relationship to be recognised as parents of an adopted child. Continue reading →

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Botox – toxic and addictive. So what?

Posted on April 15, 2013 by

Botox. Cosmetic, medical, controversial and beneficial.

Now I can only talk from the perspective of personal experience, so I will.  Every three months I have botox injections into the spastic muscles in my left arm. Two vials of the toxin is injected into my arm, at multiple sites, targeting specific athetoid/spastic muscles throughout my whole arm. From my biceps to my finger flexors.

My experience is over 16 years in the making. Continue reading →

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