The signs of Spring, though technically Summer, are well and truly underway.
For the last weeks, threats and fall of snow and ice have been keeping nature's blossoms at a slow pace, holding the burst of leave and colour.
You could see it as you're walking along if you cared to look. The tiny, tiny buds at the ends of stems and sticks. The great chestnut trees I feel for, their buds are not so small, yet you could see the swelling at the sticky bulb, almost feel the anxiety of the tree - waiting !
The Rye river below the house, swollen most of it's time due to the rain, was lowered and calm. Tadhg and I slowly wandering down for our own little break from the house, OK, my break, his adventure - he is 5yrs old after all. He's all questions and chat, bring him to the bridge, he wants to go to the village. Bring him to the village, it's only a short journey, one of the many great things about living in Leixlip.
Returning, and as we're walking, a flash to my right. Two kingfishers in aerial dual as they sped along the river. The first flash caught my eye, I twisted back to see the pair fly. A reminder of how alike the military jets doing manoeuvres in the Scottish highlands the two birds appear. Flitting left and right, bursts of speed, the dazzle of colour changing as angles of sight and light changes with their rotations and banking.
Incredible patience will be needed to get their image. Every year I promise I'll track them to a perch and photograph them. But then again, if I don't - I'll still have the pleasure of having seen them each year since I moved here. Long may the dream of the photograph or just the sighting keep the summers pleasant.
I wish them well. Not a dogfight in my mind, more an amorous chase - after all - Winter is over !
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
How to choose a book
I was browsing the shelves of a bookshop the other day, looking to pick up a new read.
Over the years, I have read a wide range, literature, fiction, non-fiction. Biography/Auto biography. 'Mens' war and Espionage and thriller. 'Ladies' romance and crime.
No category should be banned, If I like a book - I'll read it. Reading my kids Harry Potter books - it's still reading....
Anyhow, I was picking up books but quite rapidly discarding them and moving on - it got me wondering why do I do that.
What is it that allows a book to be chosen or discarded.
Sometimes a title stands out - only to be let down by it's subject.
Sometimes it's the cover design, a great piece of Art or Striking graphics, maybe subtle enough to match a given mood.
Maybe I know of the Author or the screenplay taken from it - The latest academy award nominee or booker prize winner.
Strange as it maybe, all the above are more in line with what makes me 'want' to buy. Exceptions, granted do come in - but after all if a book isn't high on the perceived like-list then it implies it's on the dislike-list and is rejected.
But above all, there stands out one reference point to any book that makes or breaks a purchase.
The word count !
I'm not an analyst - I'm not able to tell if a book has 20,000 or 50,00 words. But instantly I do do know if the layout is presenting few words for big costs, let me explain;
If a book passes the initial Title/subject/cover/blurb/Author scan - the next obvious task is to open the pages.
Is the typeface large ?
Are the margins wide ?
What space between the lines ?
Barely a second has passed, and instantly I know, this book will or not last me a week.
Only then does the cost come into question.
But the end decision is - Is this book worth spending money on to give me an enjoyable return ?
Some books do, but sadly - most books don't pass. In the latter category I hate to suggest, but feel it's true - the more modern the Author, the less their effort in writing.
If the book designer has to hide little content in wide typeface - forget it - I decline and you, the Author lose out.
And as for 'Authors' who allow others to write books - in their name ! Shame !
James.
Over the years, I have read a wide range, literature, fiction, non-fiction. Biography/Auto biography. 'Mens' war and Espionage and thriller. 'Ladies' romance and crime.
No category should be banned, If I like a book - I'll read it. Reading my kids Harry Potter books - it's still reading....
Anyhow, I was picking up books but quite rapidly discarding them and moving on - it got me wondering why do I do that.
What is it that allows a book to be chosen or discarded.
Sometimes a title stands out - only to be let down by it's subject.
Sometimes it's the cover design, a great piece of Art or Striking graphics, maybe subtle enough to match a given mood.
Maybe I know of the Author or the screenplay taken from it - The latest academy award nominee or booker prize winner.
Strange as it maybe, all the above are more in line with what makes me 'want' to buy. Exceptions, granted do come in - but after all if a book isn't high on the perceived like-list then it implies it's on the dislike-list and is rejected.
But above all, there stands out one reference point to any book that makes or breaks a purchase.
The word count !
I'm not an analyst - I'm not able to tell if a book has 20,000 or 50,00 words. But instantly I do do know if the layout is presenting few words for big costs, let me explain;
If a book passes the initial Title/subject/cover/blurb/Author scan - the next obvious task is to open the pages.
Is the typeface large ?
Are the margins wide ?
What space between the lines ?
Barely a second has passed, and instantly I know, this book will or not last me a week.
Only then does the cost come into question.
But the end decision is - Is this book worth spending money on to give me an enjoyable return ?
Some books do, but sadly - most books don't pass. In the latter category I hate to suggest, but feel it's true - the more modern the Author, the less their effort in writing.
If the book designer has to hide little content in wide typeface - forget it - I decline and you, the Author lose out.
And as for 'Authors' who allow others to write books - in their name ! Shame !
James.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
And Finally, I'm off the couch !
So this post was a long time coming.
But like all good stories, this has many paths and directions. I'll try keep to the main story, but little vignettes into other blog topics may appear.
November 7th gone, a Monday, My wife points out a sign - 'Couch to 5K' starting on the Wednesday.
Ok - So I'm interested. it's 2 days away and leaves me little room for excuses.
'Couch to 5 K' - so what does it mean ? Basically the local athletics club say that this fitness programme will in a matter of weeks have me go from sitting about to being able to run 5Km.
If they could get me to run 1Km over that period - I'ld be chuffed. SO, off I go.
But running has always been a psychological block. I could run around a pitch chasing a ball with sticks (Hurling..look it up ), and for a few years I managed to do that. But if a coach was to ask me to run the outside of the pitch - I'ld be shattered after the 1st or second lap - I find giving up a lot easier, and find jogging so so boring. I could always claim with some justification - I just can't run - Or at least until now !
The programme is to meet twice weekly, ease into the running by...walking ! I kid me not. Now I could walk for Ireland, I love challenges of 10-20-50 km walks. Hillwalking has long been a favourite. So from a fitness perspective, I wouldn't be so close to zero.
But what surprised me most for the couch 5k programme was the mentoring to bring jogging along by introducing it over time.... walk 90seconds, very very slowly jog for 60 seconds. repeat.
The following week, walk 90/jog 90. then walk 2 minutes/jog1, and onwards toward walk 2 minutes jog/5 eventually jog 15/walk5 culminating after 7 weeks in jogging 32.5 minutes - I just ran 5 K ...21st December. What a Christmas present to oneself. Remember the 'if they can get me to run 1K...' Well 1Km was the personal goal, well exceeded.
So is that it ? No.
I managed against my own expectation to run 5k, but that was a once off. I proved to myself that yes I can. Now I need to sustain 5K until it becomes comfortable. Otherwise excuse will creep back in. Another explanation needed I think.
Just because I ran 5k, don't believe it was easy - sweating, snorting, spitting and pure exhaustion. Great euphoria, but hard none the less.
The couch/5K programme was an end of year offer from the local club 'Le Cheile Ac'. Come the New Year, if I wished, membership opens up again.
So to return the thanks for running the programme and getting me started, I join the club to continue with it.
Club meets are once a week and I just managed to do that. Old commitments/excuses/flu all join in to basically leave me at the 'just about' 5K level. Or so I thought.
A new couch programme starts, new members join. At 9 weeks - their turn to run 5K. My turn to mentor. And did I get a surprise, the slower of this group managed the 5k in about the same time as our group. But I felt as if this was 'way too slow'. In effect - my fitness had climbed. Still finding 5k just about manageable, but not realising that was because my expectations and fitness had increased.
I keep at it.
My kids school come out with a fundraiser. A 10 Km run.
I'm challenged, I go for it.
Practise: Run 9.5km - stopped 3 times for breath. (Still find it easy to stop)
The run: 10km - done with 4 (very short) walks.
And then last night, 1 week after the run. I go for a jog.
I ran the 10 Km route, without stopping !
Finally - I can say it - I'm off the couch and can run 5K
Many many thanks to 'Le Cheile Ac, Leixlip', the running club friends made, and to my Wife - for getting me off the couch !
But like all good stories, this has many paths and directions. I'll try keep to the main story, but little vignettes into other blog topics may appear.
November 7th gone, a Monday, My wife points out a sign - 'Couch to 5K' starting on the Wednesday.
Ok - So I'm interested. it's 2 days away and leaves me little room for excuses.
'Couch to 5 K' - so what does it mean ? Basically the local athletics club say that this fitness programme will in a matter of weeks have me go from sitting about to being able to run 5Km.
If they could get me to run 1Km over that period - I'ld be chuffed. SO, off I go.
But running has always been a psychological block. I could run around a pitch chasing a ball with sticks (Hurling..look it up ), and for a few years I managed to do that. But if a coach was to ask me to run the outside of the pitch - I'ld be shattered after the 1st or second lap - I find giving up a lot easier, and find jogging so so boring. I could always claim with some justification - I just can't run - Or at least until now !
The programme is to meet twice weekly, ease into the running by...walking ! I kid me not. Now I could walk for Ireland, I love challenges of 10-20-50 km walks. Hillwalking has long been a favourite. So from a fitness perspective, I wouldn't be so close to zero.
But what surprised me most for the couch 5k programme was the mentoring to bring jogging along by introducing it over time.... walk 90seconds, very very slowly jog for 60 seconds. repeat.
The following week, walk 90/jog 90. then walk 2 minutes/jog1, and onwards toward walk 2 minutes jog/5 eventually jog 15/walk5 culminating after 7 weeks in jogging 32.5 minutes - I just ran 5 K ...21st December. What a Christmas present to oneself. Remember the 'if they can get me to run 1K...' Well 1Km was the personal goal, well exceeded.
So is that it ? No.
I managed against my own expectation to run 5k, but that was a once off. I proved to myself that yes I can. Now I need to sustain 5K until it becomes comfortable. Otherwise excuse will creep back in. Another explanation needed I think.
Just because I ran 5k, don't believe it was easy - sweating, snorting, spitting and pure exhaustion. Great euphoria, but hard none the less.
The couch/5K programme was an end of year offer from the local club 'Le Cheile Ac'. Come the New Year, if I wished, membership opens up again.
So to return the thanks for running the programme and getting me started, I join the club to continue with it.
Club meets are once a week and I just managed to do that. Old commitments/excuses/flu all join in to basically leave me at the 'just about' 5K level. Or so I thought.
A new couch programme starts, new members join. At 9 weeks - their turn to run 5K. My turn to mentor. And did I get a surprise, the slower of this group managed the 5k in about the same time as our group. But I felt as if this was 'way too slow'. In effect - my fitness had climbed. Still finding 5k just about manageable, but not realising that was because my expectations and fitness had increased.
I keep at it.
My kids school come out with a fundraiser. A 10 Km run.
I'm challenged, I go for it.
Practise: Run 9.5km - stopped 3 times for breath. (Still find it easy to stop)
The run: 10km - done with 4 (very short) walks.
And then last night, 1 week after the run. I go for a jog.
I ran the 10 Km route, without stopping !
Finally - I can say it - I'm off the couch and can run 5K
Many many thanks to 'Le Cheile Ac, Leixlip', the running club friends made, and to my Wife - for getting me off the couch !
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Can a Sycamore tree live 450 years ?
I ask this question, not that I'm interested if a sycamore can or not live 450 yrs. I am interested, just not right now. What I am interested in is the man who told of this particular tree, and how we started talking.
Meet Johnny, an old soldier. In the UN memorial park at the rear of Arbour hill cemetary, Johnny was minding his own buisness this Sunday morning last. I happened into the park as a curios photographer does, always looking about, seeing what captures the eye or imagination, and Yes - I did have the camera.
Johnnys attire was not the best presented, shoes were ragged and open, wearing raintrousers and an old coat. He is probably in his 70's but his eyes don't show that - they still sparkle. He was freshly shaven - not sure if that meant anything, sure it did - why else would such detail be out of step with his clothes ??
"That Gun is 1935" he called. I had noticed him sitting in the corner amongst the leaves, playing with a stray dog. First impressions were typical, down+out, drunk, homeless. That wouldn't bother me, live and let live.
But Johnny was above that. He had interest and knowledge in the area and was willing to pass it on if anyone was interested in listening. I had time, I listened.
When Time came to part, Johnny had grown on me. I have a spate of knowledge on Irish history and military. Not extensive by any means I might add. But Johhny - he was living military history. Probably only a private, I don't know. But he spent his life in uniform. A marksman he says - could hit a fly at a hundred yards. Couldn't go to the Congo because of it. He loves Ireland. His talking of the graveyard - "see those trees, there's 19 of them there, and look - there's 16 of them there. 19+16 ...1916 - there should also be symbols like that, makes you look, makes you think"
The graveyard - Arbour hill is the resting place of the leaders from the 1916 uprising.
And the sycamore tree - it stands tall and wide looking over the graves. Its roots stretching wide, and it's where Johnny hangs out.
Meet Johnny, an old soldier. In the UN memorial park at the rear of Arbour hill cemetary, Johnny was minding his own buisness this Sunday morning last. I happened into the park as a curios photographer does, always looking about, seeing what captures the eye or imagination, and Yes - I did have the camera.
Johnnys attire was not the best presented, shoes were ragged and open, wearing raintrousers and an old coat. He is probably in his 70's but his eyes don't show that - they still sparkle. He was freshly shaven - not sure if that meant anything, sure it did - why else would such detail be out of step with his clothes ??
"That Gun is 1935" he called. I had noticed him sitting in the corner amongst the leaves, playing with a stray dog. First impressions were typical, down+out, drunk, homeless. That wouldn't bother me, live and let live.
But Johnny was above that. He had interest and knowledge in the area and was willing to pass it on if anyone was interested in listening. I had time, I listened.
When Time came to part, Johnny had grown on me. I have a spate of knowledge on Irish history and military. Not extensive by any means I might add. But Johhny - he was living military history. Probably only a private, I don't know. But he spent his life in uniform. A marksman he says - could hit a fly at a hundred yards. Couldn't go to the Congo because of it. He loves Ireland. His talking of the graveyard - "see those trees, there's 19 of them there, and look - there's 16 of them there. 19+16 ...1916 - there should also be symbols like that, makes you look, makes you think"
The graveyard - Arbour hill is the resting place of the leaders from the 1916 uprising.
And the sycamore tree - it stands tall and wide looking over the graves. Its roots stretching wide, and it's where Johnny hangs out.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Blue Sky Blue
Summers over, Autumn is upon us and after 16years of waiting, Dublin win the All Ireland Senior football championship. And against Kerry, sublime champions of last year and many others.
This is Gaelic football. Along with its sister code of Hurling - they form the heart and soul of the Irish psyche.
To understand us as a nation, just look into the games we play. The passion, the determination and physicality. Frienships forged in contest, loyalty to the club which is invariably where you live or were born... And this not forgetting to mention the Irish rugby team the day before ...but I digress.
The game over, I'm driving home. Totally euphoric, but having to remain calm due to the fact I'm driving. I do what I do. I stop to take photographs.
After the images are taken, I'm back in the car and on the radio is an interview with a former member of the band 'Hothouse Flowers'.
Eventually the song 'I can see clearly now' comes on. (Full lyrics at end of Blog.)
Sometimes things just match, 16 years waiting. The song starts off, piano giving a slow almost meloncholic air. Then the lyrics - I can see clearly now the clouds have gone.... I'm taking pictures of the landscape with blue sky starting to break through. Look all around, there’s nothin? but blue skies.
The tempo in the song builds and Liam O'Maonlai gives it his all.
Ireland gave it all on Saturday
Dublin gave it their all on Sunday
Dublin: All Ireland champions 2011 !
The picture by the way - is from Skerries Co Dublin. Home of Bryan Cullen, Captain of the All Ireland champions 2011 !
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
Full lyrics.;
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin?for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
Look all around, there’s nothin?but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin?but blue skies
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
This is Gaelic football. Along with its sister code of Hurling - they form the heart and soul of the Irish psyche.
To understand us as a nation, just look into the games we play. The passion, the determination and physicality. Frienships forged in contest, loyalty to the club which is invariably where you live or were born... And this not forgetting to mention the Irish rugby team the day before ...but I digress.
The game over, I'm driving home. Totally euphoric, but having to remain calm due to the fact I'm driving. I do what I do. I stop to take photographs.
After the images are taken, I'm back in the car and on the radio is an interview with a former member of the band 'Hothouse Flowers'.
Eventually the song 'I can see clearly now' comes on. (Full lyrics at end of Blog.)
Sometimes things just match, 16 years waiting. The song starts off, piano giving a slow almost meloncholic air. Then the lyrics - I can see clearly now the clouds have gone.... I'm taking pictures of the landscape with blue sky starting to break through. Look all around, there’s nothin? but blue skies.
The tempo in the song builds and Liam O'Maonlai gives it his all.
Ireland gave it all on Saturday
Dublin gave it their all on Sunday
Dublin: All Ireland champions 2011 !
The picture by the way - is from Skerries Co Dublin. Home of Bryan Cullen, Captain of the All Ireland champions 2011 !
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
Full lyrics.;
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin?for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
Look all around, there’s nothin?but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin?but blue skies
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Last week - this week 2
Do professional photographers take photographs whilst on vacation ? Now there's an interesting question !
So, to the next installment;
Have any images come my way, yes hundreds, thousands even.
Any good ones ? Hmmm, always a hope of a few in there.
But first what has been going on.
The last 3 weeks has seen me taking holidays 'en France' with the family. So 3 weeks in picturesque towns, vineyards, the occasional Chateau - of course something will come of it, in fact lots of great shots of ...my kids.
In fairness, I do not work as a professional photographer, nor do I claim to ( but I do in truth aspire to it...that's a different blog topic). So if on holidays, I take loads of the kids, the Mrs and the occasional vineyard - then I'm happy. Now if the balance was loads of 'art' and only some of the others...then I'm in trouble.
Sunflowers were but one of a theme I went away to capture, but the little yellow beasties kept turning their backs on me, I got some to play with, eventually liking the burnt out sad looking ones more than the bright yellows. Maybe it was reflection on how they and the weather treated me. Good, kind, bright sunshine even...but not always when I needed it.
The buildings in France, rural or urban, if over a certain age, just ooze character. Just walking and looking is worth it. Bringing the camera and walking slower than the rest of the family... well we can't always be leading the way. Mind you, carrying the youngest on the shoulders, while trying to fire of a quick shot of something you just caught a glimpse of... lets say that not images worked as well as they possibly could have.
It is amazing though, how, often when out on a short errand, I could find myself taking the wrong turn - quite by accident you understand ! Actually one of the best fun images came from such an occasion - so good - I had to bring the family to show them the follwing day. The fact I hadn't got the camera with me on the first day ..well that was An accident really !
If that was the last 3 weeks, the next 3+ will be the hardship end - sorting them out, processing, picking the favourites...and hopefully printing some to frame around the house too.
I'll insert a few images soon.
Let me know - was it family or art which won out.
James
So, to the next installment;
Have any images come my way, yes hundreds, thousands even.
Any good ones ? Hmmm, always a hope of a few in there.
But first what has been going on.
The last 3 weeks has seen me taking holidays 'en France' with the family. So 3 weeks in picturesque towns, vineyards, the occasional Chateau - of course something will come of it, in fact lots of great shots of ...my kids.
In fairness, I do not work as a professional photographer, nor do I claim to ( but I do in truth aspire to it...that's a different blog topic). So if on holidays, I take loads of the kids, the Mrs and the occasional vineyard - then I'm happy. Now if the balance was loads of 'art' and only some of the others...then I'm in trouble.
Sunflowers were but one of a theme I went away to capture, but the little yellow beasties kept turning their backs on me, I got some to play with, eventually liking the burnt out sad looking ones more than the bright yellows. Maybe it was reflection on how they and the weather treated me. Good, kind, bright sunshine even...but not always when I needed it.
The buildings in France, rural or urban, if over a certain age, just ooze character. Just walking and looking is worth it. Bringing the camera and walking slower than the rest of the family... well we can't always be leading the way. Mind you, carrying the youngest on the shoulders, while trying to fire of a quick shot of something you just caught a glimpse of... lets say that not images worked as well as they possibly could have.
It is amazing though, how, often when out on a short errand, I could find myself taking the wrong turn - quite by accident you understand ! Actually one of the best fun images came from such an occasion - so good - I had to bring the family to show them the follwing day. The fact I hadn't got the camera with me on the first day ..well that was An accident really !
If that was the last 3 weeks, the next 3+ will be the hardship end - sorting them out, processing, picking the favourites...and hopefully printing some to frame around the house too.
I'll insert a few images soon.
Let me know - was it family or art which won out.
James
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Last Week - This week
In an effort to keep the modern world tapping at the door, and the habit of procrastinating at arms reach, I've decided to start a new blog.
Last week - This week , a semi-regular note as to what I got up to photographically over the last week or 2. Similar to twitter but without the restriction of characters and with the inclusion of images.
In fact the more one thinks about it, the more it sounds like, well, a blog ! Interesting that ?
So as an inaugural This-week-last-week Blog. Here's a flavour of what I've been up to.
Hope it works.
J..
Last week: Lunar eclipse 16-19 June.
Managed to try some moon rise shots, have been contemplating this one a while, so as soon as I heard from both the news and a phone call from John, the procrastinating bit got a kick and I managed in the space of 3 seperate nights, to take some what I hope are decent images.
But, true to form, the images are taken - just not yet available...... I will, I will, get them processed....soon. (old film habits of anticipation definitely still in there) When I do - I'll insert some here.
This week: School fundraising. Again, as last week, 3 seperate outtings with camera
My kids go to the local Gaelscoill (School through the medium of the Irish language). Their 6th class (final year) students raised almost 1000 Euro toward the Irish Special Olympics team. Bravo and well done them. By 6th class is primary school... 6th year is secondary.
I was asked to take photo's for the school website of the presenting of the cheque. Happy to oblige.
Current school fundraising is toward the building of a new playground facility. To this end, a benefit concert was held, supported by the school band (An Banna Ceoil), An internationally acclaimed Irish band 'Kila' joined the kids on stage and then took the main stage to perform themselves. Kilas' music if you haven't heard of them, is excellent. Traditional Irish, with a modern rock yet hippy flavour (my words not theirs) Speaking of words, their lyrics are all through Irish also.
Anyway to cut the story, I was also asked to take the photographs at both the Banna ceoils rehersal, and then the main event. Happy out.
Images;
I'll come back to this post soon. I want to insert some more bookmarks in case you want to listen to Kila, buy their music (after all they gave of their time for free..) or feel inclined to help out with the school fundraising, or know more about the special Olympics
So that was the 2 weeks that were. Promise I'll insert the images soon.
Last week - This week , a semi-regular note as to what I got up to photographically over the last week or 2. Similar to twitter but without the restriction of characters and with the inclusion of images.
In fact the more one thinks about it, the more it sounds like, well, a blog ! Interesting that ?
So as an inaugural This-week-last-week Blog. Here's a flavour of what I've been up to.
Hope it works.
J..
Last week: Lunar eclipse 16-19 June.
Managed to try some moon rise shots, have been contemplating this one a while, so as soon as I heard from both the news and a phone call from John, the procrastinating bit got a kick and I managed in the space of 3 seperate nights, to take some what I hope are decent images.
But, true to form, the images are taken - just not yet available...... I will, I will, get them processed....soon. (old film habits of anticipation definitely still in there) When I do - I'll insert some here.
This week: School fundraising. Again, as last week, 3 seperate outtings with camera
My kids go to the local Gaelscoill (School through the medium of the Irish language). Their 6th class (final year) students raised almost 1000 Euro toward the Irish Special Olympics team. Bravo and well done them. By 6th class is primary school... 6th year is secondary.
I was asked to take photo's for the school website of the presenting of the cheque. Happy to oblige.
Current school fundraising is toward the building of a new playground facility. To this end, a benefit concert was held, supported by the school band (An Banna Ceoil), An internationally acclaimed Irish band 'Kila' joined the kids on stage and then took the main stage to perform themselves. Kilas' music if you haven't heard of them, is excellent. Traditional Irish, with a modern rock yet hippy flavour (my words not theirs) Speaking of words, their lyrics are all through Irish also.
Anyway to cut the story, I was also asked to take the photographs at both the Banna ceoils rehersal, and then the main event. Happy out.
Images;
I'll come back to this post soon. I want to insert some more bookmarks in case you want to listen to Kila, buy their music (after all they gave of their time for free..) or feel inclined to help out with the school fundraising, or know more about the special Olympics
So that was the 2 weeks that were. Promise I'll insert the images soon.
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