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.
Thursday 19 February 2009
Friday 13 February 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday 11 February 2009
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.
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.
Saturday 7 February 2009
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.
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.
Thursday 5 February 2009
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
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
Wednesday 4 February 2009
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...
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