THIS IS from Saturday's photomeet at the Irish Blog Awards, I've still to catch up on posting about it, which I will do, but for now, I'm just catching up with my 365 pic from Saturday. Taken just before I murdered my lens with my handbag, seriously, I had to go and get a new one today, a lot of jobs this week.
Anyway I'll catch up here in the next day or two.
OVER the weekend I got two mentions in the papers, one which made me go ‘woo hoo’ and the other which made me go ‘wha…’
First Shane Hegarty in the Irish Times included this blog in the article ‘Blogs, what to read and why’ in Saturday’s paper, so thanks very much for that, I and my Mammy are delighted, and if you are here via that article, thanks for stopping by.
The second one was strange to say the least and was in the Sunday Tribune.
I first knew about the impending article on Friday when I got a message to contact the reporter, so I did and when he called me back we talked for about three minutes at most.
It seems an anti-vaccine (I won’t say anti HPV vaccine as their anti-ness is more encompassing than that) campaigner got onto the paper and complained that her comments were removed from the Facebook group I established in November (nearly 13, 500 members now).
In the article the Facebook group was called an ‘online petition’ which in actual fact it is not. I think actually a misunderstanding of the Facebook group as well as netiquette is in play here, which I shall explain as we go along.
For those of you who have followed this, it won’t come as a surprise that I knew exactly who would have been in contact with the paper, after all she had already phoned me to work, where she yelled insults and accusations at me, including how I must have ‘shares in the company’, I have ‘blood on my hands’ and how I am ‘killing children’.
So on Friday I talked to the journalist, for all of three minutes about this and he asked twice should she was not be allowed to raise alleged health concerns in the group. I tried to explain that wasn’t the issue and I’ll explain why in this post later.
The article itself copied a comment I made in the group where I told the poster that they might set up their own Facebook group, a comment we (myself and other admins) made repeatedly to her when asking her to stop bombarding the group.
The campaign group is for people to campaign on the issue. Seeing as how when she first commented she had no friends, it could be a safe bet that she joined Facebook to join the group given the coverage the group received in the media.
It is also worth noting that, as I will explain later, this all happened WELL before Christmas, and other comments not agreeing with the campaign are still on the discussion board, it was the conduct of that person within the group that has us remove their comments. That fact was not included in the story, I suppose it just doesn't fit in with the tone of the piece.
I should also add that I laughed at the headline of the article which read ‘Row erupts over safety of cancer vaccine’.
Oh really, I thought, surely at the very least it is downright rude to have a row with someone and not let them know, unless of course there has been absolutely no row. The Tribune reads that there are two of us in this Facebook comments row, but only one of us is arguing with themselves in an empty room.
I wonder as well if the Tribune realise her comments were removed about two to three months ago, does that make it news?
I wonder also if they understand trolling (I did explain that this is what was happening), which this person was doing, or indeed spam, which they were also doing. I had complaints from group members about this, she was told over and over again to stop and she didn’t so we deleted her comments. End of. It happens all the time in fora such as this when people troll, spam or go off topic.
The Tribune should also be aware in its non-story that this woman is still a member of the group. It just seemed to be more concerned with linking this to my work in the Labour Party. Now I have said time and time again, that I started this campaign off my own initiative, it was not and is not related to work. At a very basic level there are members from all political groups/backgrounds and it was vitally important that anyone who felt strongly that not bringing in this vaccine was a bad decision did not feel unable to join in because of party politics– that too is prominent within the group information and has been from the beginning.
The final straw for me in regard to the behaviour of this person was when they phoned my work to complain about me, she was crossing the lines between the Facebook group and reality. To see this in a ‘newstory’ now is frankly laughable.
But how and ever I would like to thank the individuals for once again highlighting the group particularly seeing as how the article was placed next to an article about Jade Goody, who is facing the last weeks of her young life. Kinda puts it in perspective, don’t you think?
[On a related note the group's membership keeps growing and growing, currently we have nearly 13,400 members, well done everyone. Please join, we need you, and we will be organising more action soon.]
THIS isn't my blog awards round up, not tonight anyway. I am just too tired. Needless to say it was a brilliant weekend, I didn't pick up a gong for Best Photoblog, that honour went to Glassey Alley and is well deserved.
I did represent Dublin Blog when picking up our gong for Best Group Blog which was fantastic and I know I speak for everyone when I say a massive thank you and we are thrilled.
But I will post about the weekend, and catch up on my 365 but not tonight. Too. Tired. To. Think.
In the meantime Made In Hollywood gave us great props for all sorts of fun.
The Godfather - or the level of debauchery has increased massively at the blog awards
WELL we have been in Cork since early this afternoon and are now in the hotel room taking it easy for an hour before heading downstairs to meet those who are here tonight as well. Of course we were not the only bloggers on the plane, Phil and Sinead were on our flight also and we met in the Hotel with Sharon and Andy (there were others but I don't know if they have blogs). So things are shaping up well.
So here's today's 365, well more than one. I had one of those journeys where someone was hauling at the seat the whole way, then I saw the hand, then I photographed the hand (by pointing the camera the wrong way round), then I realised I had also captured the man himself, oops.
I SPOTTED this guy this evening when going home, he has this new fangled high-tech (ha ha) placard strapped to him that was actually a mad balloon contraption, all lit up. While I couldn't read the top of it he was calling for CAB (Criminal Assets Bureau) to investigate the banking scandals and 'jail the' somethings, sorry I didn't get that :(
Anyway I love the ingenuity of Irish protesters.
I HAVE been meaning to get this up for a while but I've been so busy and kept forgetting; I was recently at a media workshop organised by the Feminist Open Forum talking about blogging, etc and at one stage the meeting heard how the Irish Times is looking for your contribution on the paper's representation of women.
So if you have comments, observations or suggestions on the paper's coverage of women in the Irish Times. Let them know by emailing women@irishtimes.com and your contribution will be passed onto editor Geraldine Kennedy. And you can't say fairer than that so get writing.
EDITED: (February 23rd to amend email address and website, although the dot ie domain works for the Irish Times.)
I SPEND a large percentage of my morning time getting ready for work looking at this view (or peering into a mirror doing makeup). In my clutter defense it is a small room so all space is optimised. And speaking of optimised space that reminds me I really need to get back into my yarden to prepare, clear and plant for what I hope will be a lovely summer.
(Yesterday's 365 - morning bus portrait)
And thanks to everybody for the nomination and for the votes that have brought me into the shortlist for Best Photoblog at the Irish Blog Awards. Once again I am in fantastic and strong company do check the others out, most of whom are planning to come to Saturday's photowalk during Irish Blogs week. Fancy popping along? You can find out all the details here.
Best Photo Blog - Sponsored by Pix.ie
I WAS going home last night when I spotted these shop mannequins sporting Obama's face. A group of American's were not at all happy complaining about the Irish obsession with Obama and how his family tree was even traced to Irish roots. I felt compelled to say that happens with all American presidents, they didn't seem pleased at my contribution to their moan.
At first it sounded to me like kids going 'mine' with toys but as someone pointed out today they are more likely not Obama supporters so the Irish and worldwide obsession with the American President must grate particularly hard on them.
So I snapped my pic and went on my way until 2o feet down Dawson Street where the Apollo Gallery is sporting an Obama portrait painted by Tom Byrne in the window. Obsessed, us?
I SPOTTED this on the ground the other day - I suppose dropped by an elderly person. I'm sure they'll be sorry to have lost it, it has been well thumbed so I placed it on a wall in the hope they will pass by and see it. For those who aren't Catholic, seriously lapsed or not, this is for saying the rosary and it reminds the person to think of the glorious mysteries when praying the rosary on Wednesdays.
EDIT: February 18th @10:50am:
Meeting place: Oak Pub, Oliver Plunkett Street and Caroline Street (map). (Thanks Donncha)
Time: noon in Cork City and 11.30am for those of us staying in the hotel to head into town
WE'VE done a bit of talking on Twitter about the photo meet before the Irish Blog Awards in Cork next weekend, February 21st and seeing as how the Ladies Tea Party begins at 4pm and some of the photowalkers are booked in for that, I would suggest that we finish up by 3ish so the lady lunchers can make it back to the Cork Airport Hotel.
So far we haven't settled on what to do, but I believe there is a general consensus that we will make our way into Cork City and follow our noses. I imagine to give us a good shot at the afternoon that we should meet in Cork City at noon. For those of us staying in the Cork Airport Hotel, I'd say we should get taxis from 11.30ish into town.
I know a good gang have already said they are up for the photowalk so what about you? Any thoughts on what we should do, where we should go, what we absolutely cannot miss? Oh yeah where should we meet in town. As things are firmed up, I'll update this post so do check back.
As always this event is open to absolutely anyone. If you cannot make the noon start, drop me an email with your mobile number and we can keep in touch over the afternoon.
You can find out about the other blog awards events on the awards blog. And thanks to Sabrina who made the photo walk graphic last year, hopefully she won't mind that I recycled it.
If you have any thoughts let us know in the comments.
EVERY morning the next door's cat drives the doggie nuts with her/his miaowing. Over the year we have been here I have taken loads of pics of this cat as it sits looking arrogantly at me saying 'yeah I was in your yarden at your rubbish And...'
I believe it this creature that nearly impaled itself going over my yarden wall when it decided to jump onto my plastic greenhouse ripping it and landing on my stick-supported tomato plants, what a lovely sight that would have been to get up to in the morning.
Anyway it bothers the doggie who is not at all happy to be so close yet so far to the cat and when she hears it miaowing to get in in the morning the doggie goes nuts. This morning I was alerted by the frantic barking that the cat wanted in. Its a fully grown cat and the next door neighbour grabs it by the scruff off the wall and hauls it in. Normally all I see it the top of his had and his hand. I caught it sort of this morning, I say sort of because the actual pic of it being pulled in is once again shaky. Still it makes me laugh.
I LOVE it when my goddaughter comes over, I have a ready-made and accessible model. Sometimes our photographic sessions veer between running away from my camera to doing the awful, strained CHEEESEEE smiles most overly photographed kids adopt at some stage (the Young Wan adopted it later but hey film is more expensive). This little lady started it early, but I suppose seeing as how there are just short of probably about 1000 pics of her on Flickr and she's two and half what should I expect.
But she was brilliant over the weekend, 'stand there', hold it there', 'can you hold that up', 'don't move' (well that worked more than it didn't) and she mostly did it all. So all that running around, chasing the dog, painting, dusting (she is a great cleaner), eating, playing, shouting, dancing and singing resulted in one tired out little girl by mid-afternoon. So what do I do? Why lean over her and take more pics. I cannot decide which is my favourite here.
I love the black and white version, I really like the tonal qualities of the image, I love the muted colour version, it feels rich and luxurious and I love the full colour version which according to her Ma is full of blues which makes her eyes pop out. So I am posting them all. Bear in mind there is a hint of camera shake as I was hand holding the camera, and the only light was from a segment of light coming in the open living room door, as we were trying to get her to sleep we closed the curtains. Course in the middle of the pic, the doggie sat down beside her blocking all the light, one pushed away doggy later here are the results.
I CAN categorically state I have indeed uttered every single line of this. The Young Wan laughed her head off at this, now if I had known that by singing my Mummy statements I might get further I would have tried it years ago, well beyond toddlerhood anyhow. Enjoy.
I HAD Ellybabes over last night for dinner and I made this chicken dish (just the chicken part mind you) from Smitten Kitchen and lovely it was too.
But seeing as how my week was mad and seeing as how I was babysitting from early on Saturday I didn't get to the shop and sent the Young Wan to the supermarket for the necessaries. And I wrote her a list too, but she seems to have an aversion to lists, always has done.
The amount of times I have discovered the long-listed note after she has left for the shop. Or indeed the amount of times she has come back, minus the note, and minus most of the main items and many additional new ones, I have lost count on both of those.
Even though this happens more than I'd like you would think that I would've learned by now, never mind herself. And once again over the weekend, she was sent to the supermarket with a list that I had put together over a while in between cleaning. One of the main ingredients was Parmesan, a small wedge, not flakes, not the one you get in a container; a small wedge of Parmesan.
So she phones from the supermarket and has forgotten the note, course at this stage so have I, all I can remember is Parmesan and eggs. Luckily the Young Wan remembers the bread crumbs but forgets, despite it being on the list and despite being told on the phone, the Parmesan.
Now she was in a rush to get out to the cinema but had been warned on the phone that if she forgot something that I needed she would have to go back out to get it, I was babysitting with no pram so I couldn't run up later.
When I realised there was no Parmesan, a vital ingredient in Parmesan chicken, she was told she would have to go back up; her face dropped.
"Do you need it?, she asked.
"Yes I need Parmesan for Parmesan chicken."
*penny drops followed by a big sigh* "Can you not make cheddar chicken, we have lots of cheddar?
"Nope, you'll have to run quickly."
So she did, and came back with those flakes which aside from being a waste of money in comparison to getting a small block, are harder to break down into smaller pieces. But better than nothing.
I would definitely recommend the Smitten Kitchen chicken recipe. You do need to have your frying pan sizzling hot, which was hard on an electric cooker, but it was lovely and well worth doing.
I AM delighted to have made it through to the first cull in the Irish Blog Awards into the long lists and in three categories, Best Personal Blog, Best Photoblog and Best Blog Post. There's also the group blog nomination for Dublin Blog which I am proud to be part of. I am chuffed to bits, so thanks for the nominations and for my getting this far.
Do take some time to check out all the other blogs nominated, you will find many crackers. The sponsors of all the categories also deserve credit for supporting the awards, so do check out the people responsible for the categories I'm in and they are Pixie, Bubble Hits, Microsoft Ireland's Developer and Platform Group and Dine to Meet. (You can find all the others on the Irish Blog Awards website.
The awards week/end are coming up fast, and like others we are planning the weekend in Cork, can't wait it should be mighty craic.
I WILL have to stop taking this view, but I can't help it, once I see the shadows I start looking for the camera. Unfortunately I will probably always have cars in the shots, our street is the only non pay and display streets so there are always cars parked. I'll stop with the chimney shadow pics now.
JUST going to do a catch-up with my 365 shots, so its back to Thursday, February 5th. I ended up with an audience of work men trying to get this. I left it with this one.
I WAS at the 'No to third level fees' protest this afternoon, while I have more pics which I will process tomorrow and post but for now this is my 365. I'll come to back to third level fees in the next post.
I TOOK quite a few pics today, culminating in this selection. I took more on my way home, featuring things like lone footprints on snowy pavements, me sliding (yahoo), my snowy street and for the first time ever the card became corrupted. I managed, thanks to help from Twitter buddy @magnumlady, to recover the files, but they are too teeny tiny to do anything with, so this is it for today.
The big child in me wants more snow, I want photographs. And of course everyone, be safe in the weather.
I HAVE a catch-up of 365 pics so bear with me, these were all taken over the weekend. First up is Friday's 365 and my new iphone which despite a lot of downloading all weekend I haven't managed yet to break. But I will persevere and failing that will be calling on others who know more about this than I do. My first impressions of it involve drool, it is beautiful and I am in love.
