Sunshiney Day in Ballinamore

Warm, dry and sunny … a rare summers day in Ballinamore so far.

Met up with the IT geek squad in Moo for lunch.

Jimmy had a look at my large laptop that’s been in a coma. He took off the back and checked the RAM … nada.

We all got to see the laptops skeleton … which I may have to bury as I think she’s dead. RIP laptop.

Miriam & Jimmy are great craic and run a business called Eirbyte.

They develop renewable energy systems [ solar + wind + hydro power] for homes and businesses.

They’re running a ‘How to Build a Wind Turbine’ course at Crann Og, Gort, Galway from 8 - 13 September 2008.

Derek and Lynda were there as well and we all chatted away for a few hours then went our separate ways on this sunny day.

I went visiting Maggie in Smyths shop.

It’s just across the road from me and full of great gifts, books and tourist info. You also get to chat with Maggie … which is a great bonus.

Then I went to say hi to Noeleen and Eamonn in the garden shop right across from me.

While I was there I saw Gabriel relaxing in the Forge.

Now dear reader …you know that Ballinamore is a very special place.

And just so you know … this is how we all dress on any day ….

Yeh right.

These are the young ones off to their Debs (the end of Irish Leaving Cert Ball) … one of the transitions from teenager to young adult.

And this is the great street I live on - it’s made up of Main Street and High Street - where I live.

And as I was wandering back to my place I noticed the post man leaving a note ‘yahoo … it’s a birthday present’ says I.

Noeleen in the garden centre took in the parcel … love the neighbours.

Dad … here is a photo showing that I haven’t opened it yet.

See folks … I never did ‘get’ delayed gratification and impulse control.

Many year ago in Perth I was a wee 7 year old in a catholic school. The nun was telling the parable of the cricket and the ants …. ants work hard thru the summer to have enough food for the winter …cricket plays and starves in the winter.

The nun turns to the class and asks ‘ children …which creature should you grow up to be like?’

I put my we hand up and said ‘ the cricket …because he really enjoyed himself even though he died young’.

I was serious …and got smacked for being cheeky.

I’m a cricket … not an ant.

Anyway … just for the craic I try delayed gratification every now and then.

Pa … I’m not going to open the present until Saturday morning …

3 WHOLE DAYS.

And … to prove it I will show Maggie the package each day.

I decided I’d go up to the Sunny Funny Garden as it was soo sunny (and I am procrastinating about cleaning my cottage).

You know how I was talking about the kids Bat Radar when it comes to me?

I very very quietly opened my back gate and was rolling the cart out to the lane … not a soul in sight.

He couldn’t even see me and Eoin started shouting down the street

‘Liz is going to the Sunny Funny Garden … Liz is going …… Hurry everyone …. Liz is going …’

Strange.

James had strimmed all the weeds down the day before … thanks mate and a great job.

The kids all started painting and I left them to themselves and started shoring up the bamboo fence.

The plants are looking lovely …sweet peas are triffids … nasturtiums are tasty … jasmine is lovely …some things are doing really well … others are just getting eaten.

We have a new addition to the neighbourhood.

A wee cat was abandoned and all the cottages have taken to feeding and loving him.

Mags has made him a bed in the garden shed and he loves to wander up to the garden and get pets and scratches.

Some of the kid are afraid of the cat … and I’m trying to show them that it won’t hurt them … interesting how fears start so young …

Another lovely day … and any minute my house will be sparkling clean … any house cleaning fairies around?

I hope your day has gone well.

Liz

 

A simple day

Sometimes a simple day just gives me a sense of ease and peace.

For some reason I’m sleeping and dreaming deep and waking slowly through the day … nice feeling. When dreaming and waking blurs … is fun for a while … very relaxing.

I have no major work pressures at the moment so I can drift a little and have serendipity days this week … no rush before my birthday on Saturday.

The day was covered in a misty rain that cleared and left a sense of damp stillness.

I wandered to the Sunny Funny Garden to see what the rain had done to the kids painting … a nice kind of blurring.

It’s funny …I must send out some bat signal … silent and only heard by certain children.

There I was standing silently by the paintings taking a few photos … when out of the mist came Maeve and Thomas.

And off they went playing with the paint again … they learnt what ephemeral meant and we chatted away about colours and people around town.

The kid keep me up with who’s who … and who’s doing what …

I left them to it as I wanted to chat with Dee … then she and Gabriel wandered up to the garden … and then a cat … the place is like a magnet.

I was going to start taking photos of the shops and the street to show you but it’s a bit grey outside.

Here is a shot of our cottages … Lynda and Derek in yellow one … Mags in Red one … moi in pink one.

Maggies flowers are looking lovely. A local man made the lovely wheelbarrow for her fab flowers … if you want one made go ask Maggie (or leave a comment here.).

I ordered one and will plant it for my birthday.

My plants are looking well as are Mrs H’s next door.

Oh yeh - and to the person who ‘liberated’ 2 of my wee plants … karma will get you sweety … nothing to do with me.

I think the sky is clearing so I might go out and take some photos or go play in the garden.

It’s that kind of day … full of simple pleasures.

Liz

 

Happy Monday from Ballinamore

So - how’s the week going for you so far?

I had a relaxing weekend after a really late night Friday.

When Maggie, Adrian, Derek, Lynda and me get together - time flies.

Lots of chat and laughter.

Watched the latin dancing. The teacher is really great.

I was having a drink with Greg and we decided to give the dancing a go this Friday. I’m up for a challenge …hope my toes survive. Kidding Greg.

And the next night will be my birthday party.

Remember … if you’re in Ballinamore … drop in for a drink. Slainte.

Anyway … it was a great night and the Moo Bar was packed.

So … a quiet weekend after all that fun.

Last night (Sunday) Ber Hamill (fab Mum of James, Eoin & Maeve) invited me up for dinner to celebrate my birthday. Lovely meal and company.

And after a night of very vivid dreams (ever been in a small plane that’s about to crash into a river … and you have to jump. Fun) .. I woke and decided to have some Sunny Funny Garden fun.

James and I had brought up pallets that Dee gave us.

We thought it would be fun to paint and draw on them … and it was …

The D’Arcy children - Aoife, Gavin & Thomas - and their Uncle Paul - joined us for some painting fun.

The grown ups got to supervise … then Paul had a great idea… not

‘Why don’t you all paint your hands?’

Thanks Paul.

And then Eoin said

‘Let’s do nose painting.’

Thanks Paul.

Regardless of the paint all over the kids (sorry Damien) we all had a great time.

Then it started raining … I explained about ephemeral art … that which changes with the weather.

So … have a wonderful week dear reader.

Liz

 

Upside Down Chickens

As I tried one way and then another and another … to solve the photo editing debacle … a thought arose …

Upside Down Chickens.

Yup.

Upside Down chickens.

One of my Paris photos is of upside down chickens in a shop (calm down -no real ones).

When I saw them I laughed … it was visually quirky and unexpected.

(I had a vision of the conversation the window designers must have …

‘OK guys … last month we outdid ourselves with the dancing aardvarks… well done Bruce for the idea. What can we do to top that?’)

And … as I wandered hither and thither yesterday down different problem solving paths … I realised that the upside down chicken view was really vital.

An unexpected view.

A different look at a common situation.

A new way of finding solutions.

That’s when I took a break and went to play outside.

My brother Marc wrote a great post on creativity and divergent thinking today.

And that got me rethinking about Upside Down Chickens.

He (that’s Marc …not a UDC) sent me another solution to my photo dilemma …it’s so close to being an ideal solution I can taste it.

So … I have found a new mantra for when I want to view something a different way …

Be an Upside Down Chicken …

Off to pay bills (UDC never pay bills) and then sort a few things for the Sunny Funny Garden.

Then … watching the dancing tonight in the Moo Bar with Derek and Lynda … and Maggie … come out and play with us Maggie. We’ve all been so well behaved this week.

Update - Marc has helped me solve the final piece of the photo editing and insertion puzzle. So - without further ado ….

I give you a few more photos of Paris.

The cow restaurant - every window had cows in it

The buildings - old and new - have a grace and proportion that is magic. The modern building is the Arab Institute and each window (and every piece) works like a camera arpeture.They each open to changes in light and heat. Amazing.

It’s a full moon so I made a few clear wishes for the next month.

Now stop rolling your eyes person in the back of the room …

If you don’t like the word wishes ( and when did you stop having fun?) … use words like ‘goals’, ‘outcomes’,…. ‘aardvark’ …I don’t care … just focus your intent and passion on the things in your life that are important to you.

Why the full moon?

Why not?

Do it on a Tuesday … or 10am on the 12th of every month … doesn’t matter.

What matters is that I take some time on a regular basis to stop and see/feel what’s important to me in my life right now.

I did a special wish which is like a gift card.

I send you a wish … to make your own.

Careful now …..

Have a wonderful weekend.

Liz

p.s - sorted the whole photo thing now.

Was all that time and frustration worth it?

Well … I don’t love being frustrated … but being patient and persistent (stubborn some would say)has paid off.

I now have a whole new skill set and a much better way to edit and sort photos into my blog. I only have to learn something once - so it’s all sorted.

Thanks brother.

p.s.s - decided to have my hair cut and it now is spiky short with purple and red highlights - just the thing for latin dancing tonight.

Maggie, Derek & Lynda are wandering out and have promised to behave - damn.

I’m in the mood for mischief.

 

Ok - this is just getting crazy

In the last episode of Liz’s Crazy Crazy Photo Editing Comedy we saw her …

Spend 10 hours sorting photo editing software on her Linux driven Diva and then resizing 30 photos …

Only to find that … her blog host (WordPress) would not upload her now beautifully resized photos…

Cue to trembling lip and a tiny tiny tear toppling down her cheek …

Then …

Cue close up of her bravely wiping the tear away … and setting her jaw courageously to the new problem … trumpets blare and angels singing…

Thinking laterally… (cue Liz lying on the couch) … she went to Flickr (free online photo hosting site) and uploaded all the Paris photos …6 at a time… slowly

Then …

She saw that Flickr had a blog feature where photos could be embedded into Liz Biz …

Cue crazy string quartet and triumphant music ….

Then … sad cello notes and a blues singer … she saw that she could only post one photo at a time … (cue quiet sobbing of a patient and persistent woman losing the will to live) …

But …she wouldn’t give up …

She searched and searched on the Flickr Forums … cue the whole string section of an orchestra going crazy ….

And found someone who had written a programme that enabled the creation of a photo album … that could be posted in a blog … she created the album… while singing praises to the developer …

There was one more step to go … scarey music

Some code had to be copied into the blog post … cue Jaws music … that code held the photo album ….

could she do it? … had she come this far only to fall?

We’ll see ….I’m now going to see if I can embed the code (and therefore the photos into this post).

Wish me luck ….

Cue .... triumphant music ....

I did it.

I’m so proud of myself …I worked it all out.

Here are the photos … and if all the effort I put in today to sorting this was money … I’d be able to fly you all to Paris.

Generated by Flickr Album Maker

Code in ….now all I have to do is save this post.

I’m still going to have to find a simpler way …I want to be able to write text between the photos … but this will do for now.

Liz

 

so, how was Paris?

Originally uploaded by lippylala

This is my first go at using Flickr and moving photos to the blog.

I hope I don’t have to do a separate post for every photo.

We’ll see.

Anyway - this was the studio I stayed in.

Lovely Chaise Lounge, french doors and a little table loaded with fresh fruit and vege.

Wonderful.

And if I remember …it was about 30C that day.

Liz

p.s it worked.

Now- the next Wicked Problem … how to get more than1 photo from Flickr into a post.

 

So …How was your day Honey?

Some days are a really good test of how well I live the adage that drives me

‘you have power over the attitude you bring to every situation’

Sometimes it’s just tempting to have a hissy fit and sulk.

As you know … my dear and devoted reader … my big laptop is in a coma and I’ve been trying to sort out the photo editing software on my small laptop Diva.

I want to post photos here and I haven’t been able to for a few weeks.

Sooooooooooooo ….over about 6 hours today I wandered lost and lonely on the web - and mainly in the Asus users forum (sounds like a place for IT junkies …and thank god for them or I’d have lost the will to live).

I was trying to sort the problem and came at it from numerous angles - downloaded software - nada - wrote text in the main software - nada (but very cool) - left messages on forums - nada - tried online photo resizing software - nada.

Frustrated? Oh yeh.

Feeling a little IT challenged? Oh yeh.

Wondering what the hell I was doing thinking I could build SKIL2 when I couldn’t even sort a photo editing problem?

Sing after me - OH YEH.

So - I did what everyone should do when they have reached their limits and feel like the wheels are turning in the mud - I gave up.

Beating head against brick wall doesn’t solve the problem.

I decided to shift into another mode away from my head - and into my body.

Went outside and found young James and we moved 2 wooden pallettes to the Sunny Funny Garden.

We’ll use them as art tables and seats and places to loll.

I chatted with James (nearly 10 and a wonderful young man) about how his intelligence and learning preference looked like it was kinesthetic….

……learning and being by doing (really good builders, artists, boat makers, dancers, crafts people, carpenters, sports people have strong kinesthetic intelligence).

I asked him if he liked being still and how school work went for him. He said fine but he loved just doing things.

He is such an able person and I rely on him in the Sunny Funny Garden.

I love all the different ways that each of the children are themselves - and I relish the thought that I will live here for years and get to see them grown.

Anyway - I was telling James about the frustration of the computer and my persistence and then need for a break.

And - I decided to go back to it after an hours break.

He said ‘Liz, take some more time away from it’.

I said ‘The problem will still be there whether I go back now or wait longer. I feel like I will solve it now’.

He said ‘I bet you’ll walk back in and you’ll do something and it’ll all be worked out.’

I smiled and replied ‘ Well you know how I feel about good wishing … so what you say will come true. And I like that attitude.’

James is a ‘can do’ kind of young man.

I went inside and tried a few more things and I think something I’d downloaded and written code for - started to work!!

It was an editing programme called Digikam - and it’s a little beauty.

I’ve now resized the Paris photos and will post them over the next few days.

Interesting learning from today?

• persistence in the face of a problem is important - and - know when to take a break
• believe that you’ll find a solution (or three) - it just might take some time
• let yourself feel frustrated and lost - it can act as a motivator
• don’t let any of the emotions own you - revelling is fine - wallowing is boring
  
• change course and move from the predominant style (me using my brain) to another style (physical - dancing and moving) to free up and release the frustrated energy that can build up
• talk to a 9 year old boy - particularly if he’s James - he’ll help put things in perspective

So - if someone asked me

‘How was your day Honey?’

I could have answered

‘wait til I tell you what a frustratiing and futile day it’s been … nothing went right … just like my whole life … blah blah blah’

Or

‘ It has been frustrating and I lost it there for a while … but that’s not like me … I find solutions … I did after a while … and I spent time with James and I got to chat with Noeleen across the road … and Gabriel … and Phillip …and got an email from Amy who was in Paris and she would love to be my Developer/Mentor for SKIL2 … and I had some cake…blah blah blah’

Same situation … different perspective… my choice.

And … i’m soooooo going dancing tomorrow night.

Feel like I’ve been a little too lost in my head and need to not think for a while.

There will be photos - be afraid ….

Hope your day has been interesting.

Liz

p.s

Ahhhh - how the universe laughs in our face as we think we have things sorted.

Went blithely to upload some of the Paris photos I had resized on Diva (linux OS, digikam addition to the Open Office Photo Manager).

WordPress image uploader say it won’t accept the photos as it doesn’t fit their security profile.

So - it has a problem with Linux.

Hmmmm - I now see myself spending the next few hours wandering the WordPress (this blog hoster) forum.

There’s a wonderful concept called Wicked Problems that beautifully encapsulates this situation … you diagnose 1 problem and find ways to analyse and ’solve’ it … only to find another one arises …and another one ...

Fascinating.

I hope to post photos tomorrow.

L

 

A nice day

So- after I wrote the last post this afternoon I went outside awandering.

Started with a visit to say hi to Maggie in Smyths shop across the road from my cottage (Smyths is a lovely shop and has great tourist info … and Maggie of course.)

Maggie is a great woman and has me in stitches with her wry wit.

We were talking about Marrakesh and Essauira in Morrocco - as you do.

I said ‘ the wood work there is amazing’.

She turned to me looking puzzled and said

‘ what would you want to buy wood for?’

I said ‘ they make intricate boxes and things’.

The penny dropped and we both lost it.

She thought I meant blocks of wood!

I said

‘Yeh, Mags. I can just see you coming back from there and declaring your amazing expensive blocks of wood … this one’s from Marrakech… and this one’s from Essauira’.

When she stopped laughing she said

‘ Yeh - Me standing outside my cottage and saying to passers by … see that smoke … that comes from a very expensive log I bought from Marrakesh.’

Ah - the wit and repartee in Ballinamore.

Then I popped in to say hi to Noeleen in the florist/garden centre across from me … had a lovely catch up and admired the range of window boxes and interesting objects neighbours in our cottages have put up - enough said.

Had lunch at Moo Bar - best bagel with ham, cheese and tomato - yum.

Nice chat with Brent.

By the way folks - the Latin dancing is on again in Moo this Friday.

Last week some of the teachers Sligo Students came over and had a ball. I hear that there are more men than women in the 60 plus Sligo dance class.

The night is great craic. I don’t join the class but I enjoy watching over a glass of red wine and a chat with the neighbours.

Then I was off to our art gallery in the garden shop across from the library.

Had a lovely chat with Gail. And really enjoyed the photography exhibition.

In one room are photos taken by people of new irish citizens. In the other room were photos taken by new Irish citizens of their view of Ireland.

It’s a travelling exhibition and is well worth a look.

If you’re in town go see it before they take it down over this weekend.

I will be writing and photographing (please let me get the photo editing software sorted soon.) exhibitions from the gallery.

Next week on the 25th July (day before my birthday… still time to mail those card and presents) there will be an opening of a group art exhibition.

Brent has entered one of his paintings and I love it.

After my creative fix I popped across to the library and took out a few books.

Then back up the street to say hi to Dee and Gabriel in the Forge shop.

Bought some colourful twirly things for the Sunny Funny Garden.

Popped across to the garden shop and talked with Eamon about buying some trellis to take the place of my poorly built bamboo fence.

Eamon has kindly offered to help me put it all in place tomorrow.

Is Ballinamore a great place or what?

Then - to round off a lovely walk about - I popped in to Lynda and Derek for a cuppa.

Yup they had read my last post and my vow not to talk about the W thing.

And yup - they tried to get me to comment about the W … but I stood firm and brave and responded with calm intelligence by saying

‘lalalalalalalalalalal… lalalalalala … can’t hear you … can’t hear you’

Yes dear reader - I rise above the childish teasings of dear friends.

Have I mentioned Derek’s recently published book?

It’s called

Charlie Kaufman and Hollywood’s Merry Band of Pranksters, Fabulists and Dreamers. An excursion into American New Wave.

Just published in the UK by Kamera Books and on sale in the USA in September.

(No-I haven’t sorted the photo editing problemo … I saved this from Derek’s blog).

Now you know I’m not a film nerd so I didn’t know how I’d respond to the book.

Derek gave me a signed copy and I started reading it the other night.

Folks - even if you’re not into film (and particularly if you are) this book is a page turner.

Now - if someone had told me I’d be riveted by reading about the Nouvelle Vague Movement of French film directors - or - the American new wave … I would have laughed.

Derek is an awesome writer.

I think he could write about grass growing and cars rusting … and I’d read it.

His writing style is a mix of fluidity, deep scholarly insight, and a fun conversation with a friend.

Who’d a thunk that I’d want to know more about a guy called Jean Luc Goddard ( Jean Luc Picard maybe… )?

But I did.

The American film directors that he covers in this book are:

• Richard Linklater
• David. O Russell
• Wes Anderson
• Spike Jonze
• Sofia Coppola - (a woman at last!)
• Michel Gondry
• Single Incursions - mention of single films by a range of directors

Each chapter gives a bio of the director and a critique of 3 of their films.

It’s a great read.

If you’re interested in getting a copy - go to Derek’s blog.

So as my day draws to a close and I wander off to read some more of Derek’s book … I bid you good night and sweet dreams.

Slan.

Liz

p.s. when I wake up in the morning I would have had more than 6000 readers since I started this blog in Jan 2007.

Now - if that’s just 3 or 4 people reading the blog a lot - fair play to you …and …sweet mother of god … get a life.

I know it’s more than 4 - because you let me know.

Since May my readership has risen from an average of 250 people a month to over 1200 last month.

To readers - old and new - thanks.

To the folks who refer me onto other friends - many thanks and if you have a blog - let me know.

I know some of you … and delight in your comments.

To the quiet reader who just wanders in for a read - welcome.

To all of you … I send big wishes for delight and good health in your lives … and some chocolate and the beverage of your choice.

To my Pa who reads every post … and my brother Marc. Thanks guys… no words…

To all my Ballinamore friends and neighbours … you make my life very happy and it cracks me up these days when you refer to things you’ve read in the blog.

People are often saying to me now ‘ So I read that you had a late night in the Moo bar’.

Folks - just be glad I don’t tell you everything I get up to!

And now … after that Oscar winning speech … sweet dreams.

xx Liz

 

I’m Singing in the rain… I’m singing…

Raining again in Ireland … in the middle of summer?

Oh yeh.

Last year we had something like 63 days straight of rain in our summer - that still makes my brother Sean in Oz laugh.

Well … it’s raining … it’s pouring.

Funny thing.

I think if we could blame someone for the crappy weather we’d all feel so much better.

Like we can blame politicians and multinationals for heaps of stuff …and let’s not get started about banks (thank all the deities for Credit Unions).

But - who can we blame for the weather?

So … we seethe.

And … we talk and talk and talk about it.

I’m going to try an experiment for the rest of the week.

Until Saturday I will not mention the weather (good or bad) to anyone. And if they mention it to me … I’ll just go ‘hmmmm’.

I now have visions of my Ballinamore readers tracking me down and talking to me about nothing but the weather just to amuse themselves.

Maggie … that means you … and Derek and Lynda. I’ll know if you’re amusing yourselves at my expense …

Taking the day off today to just play at whatever I want.

Going to read some books and maybe potter around the house.

I had a lovely surprise yesterday.

Three of my brothers, their wives and some of their kids must all have been on Exmouth (Oz) at the same time a few weeks ago.

They sent me a bottle of my fave Oz wine for my birthday next week (26th July … send lots of love and presents… damn it … I’m a Leo …we can get away with that stuff!).

Much as I loved the wine …what clutched at my heart was the card they sent me.

Everyone had sent me a message- it actually makes me tear up to read them.

Pretty strong response to a card you may think.

Not really.

I get to see my family about every 3 years.

I love living in Ballinamore and Ireland but every decision we make in our lives has an opportunity cost.

The opportunity cost is that I don’t get to spend a lot of time with my family and I miss them very much. And we’re not a family that call each other a lot - and apart from Marc - no one emails.

And did I tell you they put coloured stars in the card?

It now has pride of place on my mantel piece.

So - I’m off to play and see what magic happens.

Take good care.

Liz

 

So Liz - where are the photos?

Where are all the photos of Paris and the Sunny Funny Garden?

Good question dear reader.

Since I got back from Paris just over a week ago I have been:

• relaxing and enjoying a kind of post Paris slow down.
• uploading all the photos to my main laptop
• had some fun in the garden with the kids - the weeds are like Triffids

Went to open the laptop this morning to find that … it won’t open.

Housten … we have a problem.

Good news … I have Diva (the asus 7inch laptop) and an external hardrive that has the old laptops files stored on it.

Yup - I backed up everything a month ago and wouldn’t have lost anything major.

Not so good news - Diva doesn’t seem to have a photo editor in her photo manager software.

I’ve spent the last few hours online in forums trying to find out how to download Gimp or Picassa (free photo editing software).

Linux needs something called command lines in its terminal to configure and then download software. I tried (and now know how to open a terminal to write command lines - ctrl alt t) and tried but it wont accept my commands.

Damn.

I’ll work something out eventually but there won’t be photos for a few days.

Life after Paris is fine.

Ballinamore has been soggy wet but the people are always fab.

Ber, Theresa, Eoin and Gavin picked me up from the train station the day after I flew into Dublin from Paris.

Please don’t ask me about the flight and the complete chaos in Dublin Airport. I’m trying to forget the trauma.

Many thanks to Mary and Billy for waiting until nearly midnight to let me into their house in Dublin. Ahhh - don’t you just love good friends.

On the way into Ballinamore I was in the back of the car with the 2 boys - and Eoin had me in stitches.

We were saying French words to each other and he put 2 together - Bonvouir - so that when you’re in a hurry you can say hello and goodbye at the same time. Too clever… for anyone … even a 4 year old.

It’s now Monday and apart from feeling a little frustrated about the photo editing stuff - all is well. I’m lolling on my sofa bed working online and just having a quiet day.

Tomorrow night I’m facilitating a brainstorming session for Experience Leitrim Week.

It’s planned for April 2009.

Basically I’m recommending a week where locals and visitors can celebrate and experience the wonderful county Leitrim.

There’ll be some packaged tours that people can take - as well as a ‘Build Your Own Experience’ approach that will encompass themes under Heritage and Lifestyle.

People will be able to see the range of attractions around the County - and build their own experience:

• stay in a great B&B
• go for a kayak in the adventure centre
• walk around the ancient graves of Fenagh
• have a massage at Ard Nahoo
• picnic by one of the hundreds of lakes
• afternoon tea in a castle
• an irish lesson
• dinner in the Oarsman or the Mountain Tavern
• a wander around the Rossinver organic centre
• drinks and music in the Moo Bar
• stargazing in one of the least polluted counties in Ireland.

Just a tempting taste of what’s on offer.

There will be an Experience Leitrim Week website and I want to develop spaces for Leitrim people to:

• say what they love about Leitrim
• upload photos of Leitrim
• tell stories about the past and present in Leitrim
• develop their own ideas for activities during the week

I have a few ideas for things I’d like to organise around Ballinamore and want to talk to a few people and get their thoughts.

I’d love to do something like help organise a local bus tour that covered:

1. a drive around the lakes near us and some stories about their history
2. a walk along where the old railway used to be - not the whole way obviously
3. lunch at the Mountain tavern
4. a visit and chat with the people who have restored their family home in an eco sustainable way
5. Stop at the waterfall along the way
6. a drive up to the Slieve na eiran (always spell it wrong) mountain and a quick walk up the hill (even I have done it) to see the views to Ballinamore
7. Stop at Patricks well for water and a wish
8. afternoon tea at the Moo Bar and a quick irish language session where you learn 5 phrases.

Something like that anyway - a mix of heritage and fresh air and good food and seeing our gorgeous lakescape and mountains.

We’ll see how it all goes tomorrow night with the organisations that have been invited.

I also believe that we need to use social media to give people - young and old - the chance to put their ideas forward.

I know that there is a wealth of amazing people in Leitrim and they could organise and support a range of activities and ideas.

I’m going to do something … and I won’t need to form a committee to do it.

I’m also not dissing committees.

So much gets done in our communities because of the unpaid work of people on committees.

I just don’t have the patience for endless meetings. That’s my flaw.

Anyway - if any of you (living in Ballinamore or who would love to visit) have ideas please leave a comment:

• what do you love about Leitrim? Do you have fave places,people, stories?
• what activities do you think visitors would enjoy?

I’d appreciate any point of view and ideas.

I live in Leitrim and I want to be part of celebrating it.

Have a lovely week.

Liz

 

Last day in Paris- July 5

Last day in Paris.

Yesterday was fun.

I had lunch with 2 great people from Indiana Uni - Roger and Amy. Chatted away happily for a few hours.

Then wandered off to what I thought was an Aussie bar. Thought it might be fun to have some Oz wine.

Well - it’s not an Oz bar anymore but there were some nice people to chat with anyway.

Got talking with the scottish barman - Dave and a New York woman living in Paris - Julia.

Met up later with Julia and went to another local bar called Rhubarb to meet some of her friends.

Had a lovely time and then home to bed before midnight.

Up and about now.

Have to be out of the studio by 12.30. Need to pack and clean up.

I located a storage facility about 30 minutes walk from here. Will book my big case in and then have until 6pm to wander a few more Paris streets before getting a cab to the airport.

Staying with a friend in Dublin tonight and then back to Ballinamore on the 1pm train.

Looking forward to getting home.

Have a lovely weekend dear reader.

Liz

 

Early evening - Paris - Thurs. July 3.

The Sakai conference is over.

It’s been an amazing experience in a lot of ways:

• went to sessions where I received some great info
• had a Sakai elder spend 3 hours showing me ‘under the hood’ of Sakai - brain melt down but not impossible
• met some very cool people from Universities in USA and South Africa.
• gave out a lot of SKIL2 business cards - everyone thinks they are beautiful and love them.
• made an IBM contact which I really wanted to do.

Tres successful.

Totally worth the time and money - and having to travel through Dublin Airport (spit).

This afternoon I continued my wandering.

Went to the Rue des Ecoles in search of contemporary cinemas.

I wanted to get Lynda and Derek flyers of movies that were on.

Would you believe - July is French Film Month!!

I went to 4 cinemas and got some cool flyers, postcards & film guides.

Wandered to Rue Dante which has all the comic and manga shops.

Marc - can’t find the ones you want - yet. I’ll keep looking.

Got some great women warrior comics;-

• Witchblade
• Tomb Raider
• Elektra
• She Hulk
• Red Sonja

Landed up in a great cafe ( La Fourmi Ailee) that’s 3 minutes from me - just along the Rue Dante.

Acid green couches … walls of books … jazz playing

SIpped on a sauv blanc and tasted an amazing tarte citron with a fig base - and a great pot of lapsang souchong.

All was well in the world.

I’m having lunch there tomorrow with Amy from Uni Indiana.

Then I thought I’d go on a nostalgic walk to the Ille St Louis - where I stayed on my last visit to Paris.

I went to the restaurant where I had eaten alone - and loved it.

Brent & Mary (Moo bar) - I had forgottent that the restaurant was called The Cow - in french.

How could I forget all the different cows in the window!!!

Took photos and will be posing Bo there tomorrow.

Home now and sipping a glass of Grenache Cinsault.

I’ve drunk less wine in a week than I do on a night in the wine bar in Ballinamore with Mags, Adrian, Derek & Lynda.

It’s the neighbours leading me astray dear reader - I’m so impressionable!!

I’m having a quiet night tonight.

A glass of wine - some hummous and greek bread - a salad - spanakopita and tsaziki. All bought yesterday.

I spent about 30 euro in a Greek cafe take away yesterday and have had 4 meals from it.

Hope you’ve had a lovely day wherever you are dear reader.

Liz

 

Thursday - July 3. Ballinamore/Paris Liz

Hi great readers.

I’m blogging live from the Sakai conference.

There are heaps of IT geeks (me too) typing away and chatting.

Feeling much more energised after my lolling day yesterday.

In the last hour I’ve chatted with two great women from the Uni of Indiana - Rita Pavolka and Uni Michigan - Linda Place.

They are really interested in SKIL2 and Rita has invited me to lunch with some other people so I can chat about SKIL2 and my perception of Sakai.

As a newbie - my sense is that the Sakai brand message says ‘Sakai is for universities’.

That could act as a barrier to entry for organisations - say non profits - who think it’s too complicated or only has tools that universities will use.

My sense is that Sakai has a steep learning curve but a lot of great tools that would build SKIL2.

The other added advantage of Sakai is the strong community.

Many top universities have provided their teams to build and test Sakai tools - it’s always evolving.

I’ll be contacting the people I have met in a number of universities in America and South Africa - and ask them if they will be SKIL2 support/partners.

Regardless of whether you are interested in open source or learning management systems - this journey is interesting as it’s like all new journeys we take.

It has

• risks,
  
• excitement,
  
• frustration,
  
• chaos,
  
• creativity,
  
• fear,
  

I have a very clear vision for this SKIL2 journey.

I can actually see what the SKIL2 learning space will look like.

The steps to the realisation of SKIL2 will be counted in the millions.

And I’ll need patience, persistence, a sense of humour & lots of champagne.

Still blogging live folks.

Sitting at this table is really useful.

People come up and link their computers and then say hi.

Just finished chatting with Patricia Sullivan - IBM exec from San Fran.

She is off to Dublin tonight and tomorrow night. She asked for some hints on Dublin.

She wants me to contact her when I get home. Cool. I’d love IBM as a support/partner.

Funny - I was sitting here thinking ‘ I’ve met some of the key universities. All I want to do now is meet someone from IBM’ and voila - IBM turns up.

Happens to me all the time - so I’m very careful who I think about.

I think I’ll just sit here at the table and see who else I meet.

So - how’s Ballinamore going?

Maggie- is it still raining? How’s the Sunny Funny Garden? Any more strawberries?

Lynda & Derek - I have found a street that has some contemporary film spaces. I’ll be going to them to grab some free film postcards for you.

After lunch I’m off for a wander to the Jardin des Plantes and maybe across to the Right Bank - to the Marais.

Have a lovely day.

Liz

 

July 2 - your Ballinamore Paris Liz

Yesterday was super busy with the Sakai conference.

I went to a great session on how the Uni of Indiana is using podcasts as a learning tool. Liked their process a lot and can see real applications for SKIL2.

One of the Sakai committee members - Jim - gave me 3 hours of his time to show me how Sakai works.

Folks - it’s both really clear and totally complicated.

When Jim started showing me computer code to reconfigure elements of Sakai tools - my brain got a little woozy - but I could follow him.

By 3pm I was bushed so went back to the studio for a shower and siesta - it was about 30C and really hot.

Up and about for the Sakai reception - a 45 minute walk from the studio.

Walking up the Boulevard St Germain and then Bvd. St Michel - it’s so lovely. I walked past the Luxembourg Gardens and watched kids playing in the park.

The reception was fun and I got talking with some great people from South Africa, America and Spain.

A few of us went out to dinner later. got something to eat but I wouldn’t rave about the cafes on these roads - high prices and mediocre food.

Woke today and was totally exhausted.

I think all the walking (2 to 3 hours a day in the heat) and the intensity of my brain trying to take in a mountain of new information - just made me tired.

I stayed in bed and slept for ages and then went out to get some food in the afternoon. It was raining (Maggie don’t get mad - but I loved the rain after all the heat) and the place was cooling down.

I walked along a street that has an amazing number of comic stores. I had no idea the French loved comics - and many of them are hardback.

Bought some lovely food from a Greek takeaway around the corner as I was getting very wet.

Spent the rest of the afternoon lolling.

Will be more energetic tomorrow as there is a really interesting session on mashups at the conference.

And I have a free day on Friday and will wander and buy some chocolate and comics.

Decided not to come to Paris in October.

I’m going to Singapore for 2 weeks to work with Marc and some of his developers to start to build the SKIL2 foundations.

Whether I use Sakai or another OS CMS/LMS is yet to be seen. I need to review a few more.

EIther way I’m going to have to learn about:

• Apache Maven
• My SQL
• Tom Cat
• Java

Yeh - scarey.

But - that’s why it’s called a learning curve.

New knowledge and skills doesn’t just wander into our heads fully formed.

We have to struggle with some stuff, find other stuff easy -and just be patient and persistent.

Oh yeh - and get all the help and support I can.

The SKIL2 vision I have is very clear.

Now it’s time for some of the baby steps.

Hope your day has gone well.

Loving Paris and looking forward to getting back to Ballinamore and my friends and the Sunny Funny Garden.

Liz

 

Paris Ballinamore correspondent - 10pm June 30

How long can a day be?

Last time I wrote I was sharing my new girl nerves.

I got over them and went to my Intro to Sakai session.

We were a small but gorgeous group so we introduced ourselves and then settled in for the next 3.5 hours.

At the break I said Hi to the guy in front of me who’s from Oz. Turns out he lives in Perth - Scarborough!

Yup - small world. He’s a Brit who has an Irish mum and moved to Oz.

I’m a hybrid with Irish parents who moved to Ireland - a kind of karmic people balance.

The Sakai introduction was great and made me feel both shit scared and excited.

Thank God/dess they have the same physical manifestations (increased heart rate and breathing) or I would have been in trouble.

I can see the real potential for Sakai to be the base for the SKIL2 learning space.

And - I have to learn a lot. So much that my head may explode.

And -I do not exclude the possibility that after a year I may not be able to build the vision of SKIL2 that I have … but that’s a very worst case scenario.

What I am experiencing is totally common in any new learning experience ... that sense of the huge chasm between what you want to know … and knowing how much you don’t know and have to learn.

Then Mike and me and Amy (one of the presenters) walked the 40 minutes to the newbie reception. It was fun chatting and laughing as we went along.

Paris is really beautiful and a walking city. Every corner has beautiful buildings and little cafes ….

Met a few really nice people who have offered any help I need to build SKIL2.

They weren’t just saying it - they were asking for time to chat with me during the conference … and was there anyone I wanted to meet … too sweet.

An aside - we find it easy to dump on Americans (and darlin’s some of them really don’t help themselves. I listened to a couple at my gelato stand say things - very loudly - like ‘ there’s no bell,,, I bet we wait here for ever,,’).

Well - Mags and my neighbours (Lynda and Derek) are fab and two of my favourite people.

And the Sakai folks are American - and totally delightful.

I have a feeling that if I asked nicely - they’d pretty much build SKIL2 for me.

I think the real sense of community and support appeals to me.

I’m deeply value driven so it’s a real buzz to have people offering their time and skills for free.

Apart from me - there were 2 things people loved at the reception when I chatted with them - the SKIL2 business card (got rave reviews from everyone - beautiful,cool, love it … ) and Diva (my new 7 inch laptop)

People were asking if they could borrow her to show their mates.

If I was on commission to sell the Asus Eee 701 - I’d be able to finance SKIL2.

I left the reception and walked for over an hour home.

Lolling Liz not happy.

Even with a map I get lost - but what a city to get lost in.

I wandered past the Luxemborg Gardens and down the Boulevard Saint Michel - then into the Boulevaard Saint Germain and into my street - Rue Maitre Albert.

Went to the Creperie for a so so dinner.

I realised around 9.30 that all I’d eaten was a fruit salad for breakfast. I tend to forget food when I am energised.

Drinking about 3 litres of water a day and walking about 3hours.

Tired Lizzy.

What no photos!!!!!! - I hear you yell.

Yeh - and when exactly have I had the time to upload and resize the photos my dear reader?

No time at all at all.

Patience mon ami - I will get it sorted soon.

Love Paris and will be renting this studio for a month either in the Autumn or next year - early Spring.

If people want the contact I will share it only with my devoted readers. And I’m booking it for October.

I feel really comfortable here - as I do in Ballinamore.

Should have heard me raving about Ballinamore at the conference drinks - I love living there.

I don’t speak a lot of French but I say hello, and good, and bye, and thank you instinctively - not just verbally but in my head.

Off to sleep now. Tired … tired,

Sweet dreams.

Bon nuit.

Liz

 

Sakai Geek heaven - Paris. June 30.

So - here I am at the conference at the Marie Curie Uni.

Lots of men and a few women. Lots of American accents talking programming talk. Some french men across at another table - probably talking about dinner.

Me?

I’ve got my conference pack and a wireless connection. They have set up this huge room with tables and connections. There are a few people typing away on their computers.

My Diva laptop is the prettiest.

Feels a bit like being the new girl at the new school (something I have had a lot of experience doing - 6 or so schools when I was a kid). Everyone has someone to play with but me.

And I’ll just sit back and watch people for a while.

I’ll find some playmates real soon.

The newbie reception tonight will be a good place to start meeting people.

I’m also about to go to an ‘Introduction to Sakai’ session for 3 hours. The room will be full of newbies like me.

Hot and sunny outside.

liz

 

Bonjour from your Ballinamore Paris Liz

Bonjour mes amis

Sorry it’s been a few days since my last blog … it’s taken me all weekend to find an adapter for the computer … and … get the computer linked to broadband.

I did get a chance to write some stuff offline so I’ll paste it in here.

The trip from Dublin to Paris redefines nightmare.

The Dublin Airport Authority deserves a good thrashing.

There so called ‘welcome helpers’ sent me to the wrong line where I waited for an hour only to be then told to go to another line.

It’s like the 9th pit of hell combined with what I think Limbo must have been like.

Folks - it is a rare thing to see me in a rage … and it’s a cold and scarey thing.

I seethed.

Anyway - read what I wrote on the plane as I was living it.

June 27 In Dublin the day before going to Paris.

Lolling in Brown Thomas restaurant waiting for my sauv blanc and duck roll.

So - here I am sipping on the sauv blanc and eating the yum duck roll - and - I’m watching the well dressed women around me leaning forward to each other and chatting about who knows what.

Its hot as hell in here and in Dublin.

I left Ballinamore wrapped up and cold. Thanks Cathy for the lift and great chatting to Mrs Smith & Siobhan - they’re off to party in Cork.

Look at the new banner again.

Does anyone remember the tv series - Bewitched?

I thought the type face and design had a resonance of that show. I loved the show and I wonder if Marc thinks I’m a witch.

Did I mention I’m off to Paris?

I’m pretty sure that Maggie and the rest of the neighbourhood is sick of hearing about this Paris trip.

Somehow I’ve been able to bring it into every conversation

‘ Ah - your dog died. Did I tell you I’m off to Paris.’

‘Great to hear about your bypass surgery … love affair …new book (congrats Derek) … Spain being in the final … Did I tell you I’m off to Paris?’

28^th June - Saturday - 7am.

And here I sit in the Aer Lingus plane.

After a long, long, long wait in the wrong line (thank you customer care at Dublin Airport - not - you big stupid people) and then another wait in another line - and then a run to get on the plane …. we wait.

We wait for an hour in the plane to get a berth to take off.

The plane is full … of big and small people … goddess bless them for their patience.

I did the quick check in online. And then we all had to line up to get our baggage checked in - yup - that’s efficient - not.

To say I’m a little irritated would be to understate my feelings … I’m an easy going woman but stupidity and bad service do my head in …. breathe … breathe … breathe… breathe

Oh - and did I tell you I have a middle seat?

And I’m deeply claustrophobic.

Yup - that’s me screaming at the back of the plane …. breathe ….

And did I have an early night last night?

Not at all.

I was at Eden restaurant with Mary & Jo eating and drinking more white wine.

The cab woke me at 5am. I had about 3 minutes to get ready.

Looking forward to getting into my studio apartment in Paris and just lying down.

Folks - this