Monday, December 31, 2007

The most scaryist time of the year

Well 2007 is on the way out. And as usual in Ireland, all things come to a halt for a while. Christmas is a scary time of the year because, usually, everything gets changed this week. This is probably the reason why resolutions are saved for this time of the year in this part of the world. You've just survived one week of changes intact. Why not make more...

For some people, this is a time of the year when they are handed responsibilities that they normally don't look after. (Some even learned new skills this way). These people (of which I'm one) have their lives thrown a little off kilter for a while. And they have to consider what's important and what needs to change.

For others everything comes to a stop. Work stops. The life of the office stops (and some people try to hide the evidence of what happened at the office party... ah flickr and facebook) and the news cycle slows. For them this comes as a chance to think. And they have to consider what's important and what needs to change.

So the adverts change from "buy this" to "stop smoking" or "start a new hobby with this magazine" and of course "sale now on..." since the Christmas stock costs too much to store.

And so the resolutions begin. The "I'll never rush in to a sale again" is heartfelt but unheeded within a week. So I'll ignore that one.

Yup... resolutions.

What do I want to do or change? Trust me I've had a while to think about these things so...

1) Be master of my own domain...
I don't mean tidy the house (but now that you mention it, the bathroom mirror does need to b put in the bathroom. I mean it's time that WillKnott.net and WillKnott.ie actually got used as something more than a redirect. Part of this is to do with changes that seem to be afoot. The "cork" in "cork-host" may need to change.
All advice gratefully accepted.

2) On your bike...
Personally, I need to get out more. I've used every excuse not to cycle this year. 2008 will see a saddle put under strain. Regularly. That and go back to Capoeira again. Things sort of stopped over December.

3) Learn (or relearn) a language...
I've always been more a OnLamppp man than an AJAX man. So I'm going to refresh and perfect my Perl, python and PHP. I do intend to get Ruby (and maybe rails) in my head. Sort of useful with a domain eh? Somehow I just know that Java will need something more formal than a commitment by me. Any pointer to classes or tutorials would be appreciated.

What, you assumed French? (Actually Portuguese would be useful for Capoeira but that's another story.)

4) Take time to smell the roses...
Or actually plant them. Simply put, my garden is a mess. Actually that not true. I was careful. My garden is black. Black weed-proof plastic. I need to do some things. Lay a patio. Do "something" with a terrace. I genuinely don't know what should happen out there. I do know I need the hardscaping finished. Help?

5) Give voice...
This is neither a resolution nor a commitment. But my attendance at PodCamp Ireland and the forthcoming Creative Camp gave me an idea... which I'll post later.

I think that is enough. You can't make yourself too many resolutions simply because putting too much pressure on yourself almost guarantees that you won't do any.

Any resolutions or advice?

take care,
Will Knott


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Sunday, July 01, 2007

Buns of Cake

I've been up early this morning slaving over a hot stove. Literally.

My Capoeira group, Candeias Ireland is having a picnic and exhibition session in Fitzgerald's Park.

Given the weather last night I assumed a cancellation was on the cards. This morning sees clear skies and a bit of warmth. So on with the over and in with the cakes.

Capoeira may help me loose the belly, so the belly has to fight back. Feel free to call in if you're around.

take care,
Will

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Friday, May 11, 2007

Ginga

A while back I noticed a flyer in a shop window in Fermoy advertising Capoeira lessons. I thought "that looks interesting" and went on my way safe in the knowledge that work would get in the way of my doing anything along those lines.

Well that reason is gone for now. But when I went looking, I couldn't find any sign of it. So the closest I got was playing games. Then roaming around a shop in Cork City I spotted a poster and realised that the lessons were in full flow.

The group is called Candeias Ireland, linked to Grupo Candeias and they do lessons in Cork and Limerick too.

It's fun and it's knackering. Look for yourself.

There is actually a big event and workshop series coming up over the June Bank Holiday weekend which means a lot to the capoeirista due to the caliber of Mestre due to attend

I think I need to practice a kick or two.



take care,
Will

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