How busy can it get?

On each day this week I have wondered why people have been disappearing home "early" from work, only to discover that it was after going-home time. How time flies when you're busy! Every minute has been taken up with something, and I've also missed doing lots of things I should be doing. However, today I think I've nearly finalised the bonus file so that I can send it to payroll. Tomorrow I need to complete the salary file for all the salary changes for 1st March. In addition we decided to change our health insurer, so there have been meetings with the new insurers, and people who need to be reassured that their various ailments will still be covered, without a break, by the new insurer. We've also had a visitor from the US who has needed attention, and a set of interviews for a senior vacancy. At least it is a good complaint to be busy during a recession.

I think the dogs are exhausted by it all. They are certainly being quiet, for once, and seem comfortable lying in their various locations. Goldie is dreaming as he grunts every now and again.

Why is it that when I find a hairdresser that I like she goes and works elsewhere? It's happened again. Is this a reflection on me, or is it that it isn't worth being a hairdresser if you are having to rely on someone like me to keep you in style? Anyway, instead of having a haircut on Saturday I'm going to have my eyes tested. The dogs decided that my glasses tasted good, so they (the glasses, that is) are no longer. Luckily they aren't my only pair, but my sight is deteriorating so I'm going to see whether there are glasses that will help when I look at a computer.

The new engine in Knocknagow is nearly ready for trying out. It's very exciting. We might actually have a working boat in time for Easter! They are now going to do some work on the hydraulics, so we'll be able to use our anchor again without getting it permanently stuck on the bottom of the lake. We'd better go up and have a look at it all soon, and even do some cleaning.

Prime Time is on TV at the moment. It is, as usual, very boring. It's not a programme I enjoy. I watched the final of Masterchef earlier, and the goody (my favourite) won. I think I might head to bed now and read my book by Barack Obama.

Tired now

There is so much to learn about wine that what I really learnt this weekend is just that. I think, however, that I could attack a wine list with a bit more knowledge, and even be able to pretend I knew my Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays from each other. The blind tasting we did yesterday wouldn't have shown that, though.

The food in Ballymaloe is out of this world. Last night we had a six course dinner, with wines to match. It was absolutely splendid! Even breakfasts are wonderful, with really good coffee. There were some people on the wine course who were also attending the 12 week cookery course at Ballymaloe cookery school. Two of them recently retired. Instead of a round-the-world trip they are spending 12 weeks at cookery "boot camp" and having a great time. The husband had never so much as cooked a boiled egg but is thrilled at everything he is learning. It sounds like an excellent course to do (expensive, though, as it is 10,000 smackers for the course without accommodation).

Anyway, now I am very tired and could do with a week off to recover from all the travel I've done over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately work is too busy to allow for this, though I think I might try to put off a meeting arranged for next weekend in Newtown as I could do with a weekend at home. The weather might even continue to be nice enough to head out into the garden.

Did I tell you that I saw "Slum-dog millionaire" while I was in Dublin? It was excellent. The story line is very clever, and made for an enjoyable movie. I rarely go to films, but had a free evening with no need to entertain with others, so watched it in the film centre at The Square in Tallaght.

The economy continues to deteriorate here. 100,000 people marched through Dublin yesterday, protesting at a levy imposed on public servants by the Government to help to fund their pensions. It was also a protest against the frolics of the bankers who have helped to get us into such a mess. I don't see how Brian Cowen can go on much longer, but no doubt he'll continue to hold out. I wonder will the Greens pull out of government soon.

Tomorrow it's Ballymaloe

Well, I'm off to learn about wine at Ballymaloe tomorrow evening after work. It's going to be a hard weekend... first, a wine tasting, then a dinner. On Saturday it's straight into a day of learning about wine (after a sumptuous breakfast), followed by another dinner. I'll tear myself away on Sunday morning after another breakfast. Tough, isn't it?

Anyway, this has been a busy week. I managed to get home from Dublin last night, a day earlier than expected. I've only been at work for 1 day in the last 10 so it was hectic. I'm going to be spending long hours catching up at what is one of the busiest times of the year. Pay increases and bonuses are all to be calculated and agreed by the end of next week, so panic reigns.

Goldie decided to eat the door-post in the middle of the night last night. It didn't make for easy sleeping. He wasn't interested in going outside, but couldn't settle. He disturbs quite a lot of nights at the moment. He doesn't seem to be in pain, but also can't settle. Leavy (at least, we assume it was her) managed an interesting task today. She emptied the meat from one bowl into the water bowl, making a lovely watery mix. It was neatly done!

It's eating time, so bye bye for now.

For some reason

I don't know why the link that leads me to the web-site on this (work)lap-top gives the instructions and locations in German. Luckily, I've worked out how to get here anyway.

Ho, hum, not so good news on the TV as I woke this morning. A Continental airlines plane went down, killing all on board, late yesterday evening. It was going between Newark and Buffalo. I'm flying Continental today, and into Newark. If you follow statistical probability this means that I may be going on the safest airline in the world today as the likelihood of 2 crashes happening to one airline within 24 hours is very small. On the other hand, that is not a logical statistic.

I'm reading a great book that I bought for Ian. It's called "Plato and Platypus walk into a bar.... Understanding philosophy - through jokes -" The jokes are hilarious, but make you think. One piece of advice given is that you should bring a bomb with you each time you go onto a plane, because that means that it is unlikely anyone else will as 2 bombers on a plane is a statistical unlikelihood. That's the same kind of logic as is in the last paragraph. Ian should enjoy it, but I hope he doesn't mind that I'm just checking it's suitable for him!

I went for a walk earlier as it is nice and sunny out and there is a kind of spring coolness in the air. I'll be stuck in airports for most of the day so it was good to stretch legs. There are no pavements here. Or, rather, there are occasionally bits of concrete that seem to be leading somewhere interesting, but then they stop in the middle of nowhere. Another thing I don't understand is the grass. It is very coarse-leaved, and completely brown. Why don't they import Irish grass? Is this a business opportunity in these straitened times? And one other thing - the lake/pond I'm looking out on from the hotel apparently has alligators in it, but I haven't yet seen any. I'm disappointed.

Anyway, I'm homeward bound and looking forward to being back.

Here in America

I don't like travelling as much as I used to. As we flew into Newark, in an extremely bumpy landing, I found myself relieved (as I emptied the contents of my stomach into the nicely supplied bag) that the Hudson river was close enough to land in. How sad!

I was glad of the few hours between flights as I really didn't want to get onto a plane again, or rather my stomach didn't. The flight to Jacksonville was fine, though my stomach objected to the landing even after 5 hours of settling.

Monday was an interesting day as I spent it learning about the new system we are installing worldwide in HR. It went live here on 1st January, and they have had some "interesting" experiences that we need to avoid when we go live on 1st July. I wonder whether I will get summer holidays!

I'm in a different hotel from the one I was in on previous occasions. My bedroom overlooks a pleasant small lake, and there is a lovely big window to view it from, with a large desk to work on. It's 5.15am here and I've been awake for over an hour, so jet lag rules OK! Don't worry - I'll have got into the routine for here by Friday, when I then have to head home.

I went to the nearby shopping mall on Monday evening. It is very expensive and there were no sales on, so I didn't buy anything. Last night we had a group dinner, but tonight I might see if I can go to a normal shopping place. I perhaps need to keep reminding myself that my euro buys 1.28 dollars, but I am surprised at the prices all the same.

Yesterday morning I enjoyed watching CNN's reporting of Obama's first press conference. The commentators all declare for a particular political persuasion, so everything is coloured prior to them opening their mouths. I've found it is acceptable here to say that I like Obama, whereas I used to feel that it was prudent to keep my mouth shut on anything political. I still tread with caution, only saying something if asked directly.

Anyway, that's it for the moment.

and..

I forgot to mention that I planted garlic today. It is supposed to need some frost in the ground before it sets properly, so hopefully it will spring up with the coming summer weather.

Sun, and all that

It is absolutely beautiful out today. It's very cold away from the sun, but the skies are clear and there is no wind.

I attempted to light a bonfire this morning as I have a pile of old raspberry canes in the veggie garden. It wasn't successful as they are still too wet, but I enjoyed just trying to get it started and hanging around watching the flames that did come out of it. I also went for a walk with the dogs, passing pleasanteries with other walkers who were also enjoying the day.

We have rats in the compost heap, which is not very nice. I bought lots of poison last Sunday and we are waiting to see whether it has been successful. They seem to have been attracted by the bird seed that was falling onto the compost, so we've moved the bird food back onto the patio area where the dogs might act as ratters if they appear.

Did I tell you about my visit to Ballymaloe? Well, I've been given a present of a wine appreciation course in Ballymaloe House. It is the weekend after next. It starts with a dinner and wine on Friday evening. The course itself is on the Saturday, followed by dinner again on Saturday evening. It finishes after breakfast on Sunday. I'm invited on my own, so b will stay at home with the dogs, and that is the only down side of it. He has encouraged me to go, so I'm determined to relax and enjoy it.

It's official

Newtown Letter, sent out today.

Dear Students, Staff, Parents and members of the School Community,

I am pleased to announce the appointment by School Committee of Keith Lemon to the position of Principal at Newtown School.

Keith is currently Head of Boys Physical Education and Year Head for Transition Year in Wesley College, Dublin, where he has taught for the past 18 years. During this period he had responsibility for boarder boys for six years in Wesley, and was resident housemaster in The Royal & Prior School, Raphoe for a short while, so is familiar with this aspect of school life. He teaches Physical Education, Religious Education, CSPE and SPHE to the range of year groups in Wesley, and has successfully coached and assisted hockey and rugby teams both in Wesley and elsewhere. He gained his primary degree in Sport and Leisure Studies at University of Ulster and taught at St Andrews College before moving to Wesley. He recently completed a Masters degree in Education (Leadership and Management) with the Open University.

We will also be welcoming Keith’s wife, Lorna, and their two young children, to the community.

Keith will continue to fulfil his current appointment at Wesley College until the end of the school year. In the meantime he will engage in the school community at Newtown, visiting the school and participating in appropriate meetings and events, and working with everyone to ensure a smooth transition to his new role. He looks forward to working full-time here from 1st August.

I’m sure you will join me in welcoming Keith and his family to Newtown. This appointment brings to Newtown an energetic and inspirational leader with the experience and expertise to meet the opportunities and challenges that we face as we move into a new and exciting phase of the development of our school.

Anne Goggin
Chairperson, School Committee

Daffodil time

b bought daffodils at the market last Saturday. They are now in full bloom, spread in various jars around the house. In an otherwise gloomy week, they give some hope of good things to come. Maybe spring will come, and even summer after that...