Into the thick of the Olympic sporting competition, Canada is rolling in a litany of 5th, 6th, 7th places ... but with track and field, rowing finals and trampolining yet to come, the Canucks still have a chance to visit the podium.
As Tod Maffintwitter'ed: "Maybe Beijing will at least give us a courtesy Participaction pin?(Dont understand this? Ask a Canadian over 30.)" (ed note: or view this Participaction toque).
In the social media production department, Scales continues to create video at an epic pace despite losing his co-hort Kris who was repatriated to Vancouver in time for a glorious summer weekend. Scales is staying busy by picking up more tickets for varied events at the incredible new venues including the whitewater kayak run (plus visits to the Danish hospitality house).
I'm heading to the hills with tent and beverages so here's a few highlights to enjoy with your weekend viewing:
In this installment of the Beijing Summer Olympics social media report, we join Robert Scales and Kris Krug as they spread their on-the-ground reportage around the world. Indeed, their barrage of videos, photographs and words are deepening the coverage for fans, pundits and athletes' families as their coverage is picked up by social and mainstream media outlets.
Krug's Olympic photos are in the LATimes blog with a photo essay called the Faces of Beijing - the candid photos show KK's skill of relaxing the subject to be themselves - you can almost feel the humidity in the photos.
Raincity Studios Sino-Away-Squad of Scales and KK, are on the ground in Beijing to cover and participate in the Olympic experience as citizen journalism, technology experts, social pundits and cultural ambassadors.
The Glimmer Twins' tasks are diverse and their methods varied so here's a preview:
Take a stand for human rights in China and join in the rally, torch walk and live music with 4 bands. The Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR) is a global grassroots campaign to raise awareness prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics of the Chinese communist regime's human rights abuses, providing a platform for all persecuted groups to speak. Contact: 606-809-8612; 778-895-9242 relay@humanrightstorch.org
Well VANOC the verdict is in. Canadians are a much prouder race than you give credit. After your extensive market research geared to a younger market consumer YOU FORGOT it is the CANADIAN moms, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles who will be buying on behalf of your niche chosen pre-teen market.
Made in China for any merchandising is going to raise havoc with proud adult Canadians everywhere. And for many good ethical reasons including the loss of Canadian manufacturing jobs! How much research VANOC did you really do in seeing if Canadians were willing to pay a little more for Olympic merchandise that displayed a "made in Canada" label...not!
Your continued shortsightedness in the operations of our upcoming 2010 Olympic Games is turning into a national embarrassment! With your apparent allegiance to China no doubt we can expect ALL official Olympic merchandise and apparel to be "made in China".
Again you have a wonderful Canadian model to work from - the 1988 Olympic Calgary Committee - OCO'88. They at least supported Canadian manufacturing which launched the successful "local" apparel company "Sun Ice".
Perhaps VANOC you should really be marketing the Beijing Olympic Games!
You just don't seem to get it...back to the drawing board.
If you want to see my editorial cartoon on this issue - click on the above "artboomer" link and on my homepage click on Blog drawings.
You are invited!!!
The World Poetry Reading Series Celebrates Asian Heritage Month!
Monday, May 28, 7:30 pm
Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia, St.
With your hosts Ariadne Sawyer and Alejandro Mujica-Olea.
Featured readings by World Poets:
Mahin Milani,
Aly Sunderji
Anita Aguirre Nieveras
Ahn Bong Ja
Wu Yi Min: a Chinese song.
Chinese dance: In the Land of Hope.
Featured Musicians:
Famous Gamelan musicians:
Sutrisno Hartana
Anis Astuti Sutrisno.
Admission free.
Info: 604-526-4729
