5 posts tagged “judge”

I can say that my ANZAC Day was unique. I have done the odd service, but this was the first time I marched in an ANZAC Day parade, with the Miss New Zealand contestants, in the town of Levin last Saturday. We began outside the library and went to the cenotaph for the service. The girls had to leave early because of make-up and hair appointments, but we oldies stayed on for the duration and put our poppies down at the memorial.

ANZAC band

ANZAC Day—Army arrives from Linton 2

Fire rescuers at parade

ANZAC Day—Navy

ANZAC Day—Miss Universe New Zealand contestants arrive

ANZAC Day service 1

Lina Hahne, Fröken Sverige 2007

7 comments

[Cross-posted from Lucire] The search for the next Miss Sweden has begun.
   My own affiliation with this pageant—Fröken Sverige to use its name in its native language—began six years ago, and I am happy to say this year I will be far more involved. I will let the publicity machine talk about my role in due course. (I will remain a judge at Miss New Zealand.)
   But for now, let me announce that the pageant is open and accepting entrants. The winner will go on to Miss Universe 2009 at Atlantis Paradise Island, Nassau, in late August.
   After protests grounded the pageant in Sweden some years ago, it was retooled to reflect modern women, though during the past year, Miss Sweden was, according to the organization, a ‘dormant project.’
   It continues, ‘The Board of Directors have spent this time evaluating and collecting impressions and inspiration from around the world—all in order to further develop the concept.
   ‘During this time intensive pressure from various channels and interests have shown that Miss Sweden is missed and more and more people have raised their voices asking that the pageant continue. Just now, when in these somewhat darker times, it is more important than ever to brighten up the world with hope, engagement and all the positives that Miss Sweden represents. We think it is important that we once again place in focus sound role models who create faith in the future and trust in one’s own abilities.’
   The role-model angle is important and it is one I have always borne in mind, ever since I began judging beauty pageants in 2007.
   I have always said to entrants that the interview is ‘80 per cent’. While the points don’t add up that way, judges place a great deal more on the entrant’s intelligence and initiative far more than we are given credit for.
   It may be fairer to say that after an interview, I can usually pick who could win with 80 per cent certainty.
   In New Zealand, interviews can last 20 minutes with each candidate. After speaking with a former Miss Israel, Gal Gadot, who is in the new Fast and Furious film, I understand that she was subjected to eight to ten minutes per judge—and there were eight to ten of them.
   Sweden, too, has a very involved procedure when it comes to interviews—if it didn’t, I doubt that the first winner of the retooled pageant, Josephine Alhanko, would be a young woman with two masters’ degrees with an ambition to get a doctorate.
   For those who wish to be a part of one of pageantry’s most successful competitions, Miss Sweden is now accepting applicants at www.frokensverige.se.
   In the words of my friend, Panos Papadopoulos, the initiator of the pageant and the man behind Panos Emporio, ‘For those who are interested in participating the recruitment of the New Miss Sweden is an adventure that proves that one can conquer the world with the right attitude. New Miss Sweden gives endless possibilities for talented young women to realize their dreams. One year of important and inspirational work awaits. Everyone else can take joy from this fairy-tale of success and be a part of the festivities that surround it.’

Got this in the feedback form from my main site last night, from the law firm representing a Mom-and-Pop dry-cleaning outfit. If you recall, a Korean family was being sued for $65 million by an American judge because they lost his favourite pants. It looks like they are about to have their day in court, with an amended claim from the judge after outcries. Still, he wants $54 million—that’s some amendment.
   I’ll post more if Manning & Sossamon inform me of developments. My best wishes go to Jin Nam Chung and Ki Chung. No prizes for guessing what I want to happen, especially to Judge Pearson. I think I share most people’s feelings, especially those Americans who feel Judge Pearson is giving their entire nation a bad name.

Update: $67 Million Dry Cleaning Case

On May 31, 2007, D.C. Administrative Law Judge, Roy L. Pearson, filed a Pre-Trial Brief in the Pearson v. Chung dry cleaner case. In the brief, Pearson shifts the focus of his claims from his allegedly lost pants to claims related to signage in the Chungs’ store. One sign reads “Satisfaction Guaranteed” and another reads “Same Day Service.” Pearson claims the signs are somehow misleading and apparently continues to seek over $54,000,000 in damages from the Chungs. Pearson had previously sought $67,000,000 in compensation from the Chungs.
   Christopher Manning, of the law firm Manning & Sossamon in Washington D.C., represents the Chungs and made the following statement in response to Pearson's recent actions:

"Although it is always encouraging to see claims withdrawn, it is simply baffling that Mr. Pearson continues to assert that he is entitled to tens of millions of dollars as a result of two completely harmless, completely straight-forward signs. Mr. Pearson's claims are not founded in common sense and are extraordinarily abusive towards the Chungs. As a result, the Chungs' terrible ordeal continues. The Chungs' decision to move to and build a business in America began with the classic American dream. Mr. Pearson has turned that dream into an American nightmare."

Mr. Pearson's lawsuit has cost the Chungs tens of thousands of dollars in defense costs. Donations to a defense fund set up by the Chungs may be made at www.customcleanersdefensefund.com.
   This case will be tried in courtroom 415 of the District of Columbia Superior Courthouse on June 11th and 12th beginning at 9:30am each day.
   All questions regarding the matter should be directed to the office of Manning & Sossamon at:

Manning & Sossamon PLLC
1532 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 387-2228 (voice)
(202) 387-2229 (fax)
chungdefense@manning-sossamon.com

Laural

I hadn’t expected a gambling newsletter to be a place where I could find my name, but these folks are laying odds presently on Laural Barrett’s (and others’) chances in Miss Universe on Monday.
   The Online Wire in Fla. has reported my comments (I like how they portrayed me as a politically incorrect loudmouth) defending Laural in early April as a Kiwi–Aussie rivalry thing, but I want to add that that wasn’t the case. It was, more accurately, a side-swipe at foreign-owned media and their “patriotism”.
   The interesting thing is that the Online Wire has done a better job of reporting the so-called “incident” that Laural and her sister Sharaine were allegedly involved in than the newspaper which originally broke the non-story.
   It also asks:

Meanwhile reports from Mexico indicate that Laural Barrett appears to be getting along with Aussie sad beauty Kimberley Busteed. Could it be that these two young women are showing to be far more mature than their fans/supporters?

   In a word, yes.

Not OKed by Miss Universe New Zealand’s Val Lott yet, but here’s what we’re issuing—just received this draft. The judges have changed a little.

Miss Universe New Zealand must represent the nation brand, says Jack Yan

Wellington and Auckland, March 19 (JY&A Media) Lucire publisher and marketing expert Jack Yan says the winner of Miss Universe New Zealand must express the 'nation brand' confidently, and will use his position as a judge to maximize the country's chances at Miss Universe 2007 in Mexico City.
   Miss Universe New Zealand 2007 will take place at the Langham Hotel in Auckland on March 31, with Lucire its official fashion magazine. Mr Yan is a judge, alongside Hilary Timmins, Megan Alatini, Yvonne Brownlie (of the Look Good Feel Better charity) and Peter Fahey (former MD of YSL Beauté) at the event.
   The winner will represent New Zealand at Miss Universe 2007 in Mexico City on May 28.
   Mr Yan says that he expects to take a branding approach to selecting the winner. 'She must be able to communicate, symbolize and differentiate our nation. At the end of the day, Miss New Zealand is about exhibiting Kiwi values confidently, and showing that they surpass any that her rivals at Miss Universe have.'
   He adds, 'Of course, she must also be stunning. This is a beauty pageant, after all.'
   Mr Yan's involvement began in mid-January, when he was asked by Miss Universe New Zealand organizer Val Lott to judge the pageant.
   In June, Lucire plans to profile the winner of the competition in both its print and online editions.
   In 2003, Mr Yan had assisted in securing Miss Sweden for its current owner. The pageant, after some controversy from feminist groups, was revamped and returned in 2006. Last year, he met with Miss Universe sponsor, California-based fashion designer Tadashi Shoji and plans Lucire special features with him.
   'It's nice to do something for the home team,' says Mr Yan, who travels to Auckland shortly for a judging event.
   This year's Miss Universe New Zealand has an added feature. The public can text and vote for a winner using their cellphones. More information is at www.missuniversenz.co.nz.
   In addition to publishing Lucire, Mr Yan co-authored Beyond Branding: How the New Values of Transparency and Integrity Are Changing the World of Brands (Kogan Page, London, 2004) and is a commentator on nation branding issues. He is a member of the Medinge Group branding think-tank in Sweden.