2/21/06

Admittedly, somewhat embarrassingly, what first attracted me to an leabhar a leigh me (the book that I read) was the title.  What fan of the old sod wouldn't at least pick up the book entitled Ireland, and page through it?  When I did, my personal "novel tests" had to be passed: is the first line good? is the author's note intriguing? and finally: read the author's bio on the back page.  All have to pass muster to read a 560 page leabhar (book)!  Ireland by Frank Delaney passes with flying colors.

This is truly an epic novel.  It begins in 1951, with the introduction of a Seanchai (storyteller), who proceeds in various instances to engage and enlighten us with what becomes almost the entire history of Ireland told via stories.  Historical figures, historical places, religious figures, legends and myths - all told through wonderful stories.  Throughout the book is intertwined the story of a young man who wants to know all he can about the history of Ireland, and finds the Seanchai to be his best teacher.

Now I should say, is liomsa an leabhar - I bought the book in hardback (not cheap), because I KNOW this is a book I'll read again, and again, and parts of here and there.  It's that good.  For anyone who loves Ireland, or loves stories.

This review is short due to space constraints, but then Is leor nod don eolach. (A hint is sufficient for the wise).  For more, check out www.frankdelaney.com and the local library (where I first spied it).  And be aware, it's coming out in paperback this summer.

Ireland by Frank Delaney, ISBN 0-06-056348-6

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2/17/06

Ethics.  Ethics in business, ethics in life.  What does it mean in this post-Enron, Jack Abranoth world we live in? 

I was searching the web for another speaker to recommend, for an event that didn't fit my schedule.  I found sites for speakers that I knew, and those that I had never heard of -- I even found the "old retired football coach" from my college -- speaking on training for a marathon, if I understood that link correctly!  I stumbled upon an interesting site for a woman I didn't know - and saw she had a GLOWING testimonial from someone who I do know, in fact that  I know quite well.  So naturally, I picked up the phone and contacted him for his verbal testimonial, and that's where ethics comes into the picture. Or, should I say, lack of them.

He didn't give her the glowing testimonial, nor does he have any recollection of ever saying those things she has quoted on her web-site.  He was quite concerned, and I left him mulling over his next step.

That got me thinking of ethics, and also a little bit about  "care." Take care that you are honest in what you do! Care about your reputation!  Take care that even a small town, or a small community, or a small organization, can have people from all over hearing about you and reading about you: make sure what they are hearing and reading is true ! Accurate! Honest!  Certainly, you can't control what others say about you 100% of the time, but you CAN control what you say about yourself!

I mean really: if you can't trust a testimonial..Hmmm..well then, I think maybe I'll make one up! From...from...from...Oprah! That's the ticket! 

Well, of course, I won't make one up.  Oprah's never seen me, never met me, never commented on my skills (at least not to my knowledge! and I think I'd remember).  Don't worry: you won't find me putting her testimonial on my web site -- at least not until she really gives me one! ;-)

Ethics.  In this post-Enron Texas environment - ethics means so much more than in the past!

Be careful. Take care.  It's a small world: have ethics.

 2/13/06 - update

Peter Benchley died at age 65 yesterday.  Why this in my blog? Well, dating myself - I can tell you, JAWS was a HUGE part of my teen-aged years! The book - awesome, the movie - one of the ONLY that did justice of a great novel!  I truly beleive my desire to be a marine biologist was solidified by the hysteria over this great weriter's work.  The world was abuzz, and our trips to Ocean City Maryland were NEVER the same after this movie. 

Additionally, Benchley wrote one of the best travel books ever (I love travel esseys).  Time and a Ticket was published in 1964 -- and worth a read if you can get your hands on a copy.  I thought of it often on my 1982 excursion to the beaches of Sri Lanka and Thailand (that's another story for another day).

To me, it would be fitting for his ashes to be thrown into the ocean off Montauk Point, Long Island, where the largest Great White shark was caught on a line a few years ago.  But the conservationist always, I doubt he'd agree...

2/13/06

SNOW DAY!! (at least back home!) A huge snow storm in the Northeast, and here we are in Austin enjoying screaming bright sunshine.  Boy do I miss “home” on snow days like this!  I had to get first hand accounts of course, so picked up the cell and started dialing – a friend in New York City, a school chum in Baltimore (out sledding all morning) to friend’s high school aged son (my Godson) who told me he had just come in from “throwing nowballs at unsuspecting pedestrians around the neighborhood” – some things just bring back great old memories! 

The best call of the day was to Isabel Wilner.  Miss Wilner was my elementary school librarian (still a friend) and is the author of a hand-ful of children’s books – from B is to Bethlehem to The Poetry Troupe.  She is the BEST STORYTELLER IN THE WORLD!! – and I’ve heard a lot of them!  Just hearing her voice brought back oodles of recollections of the library at Lyda Lee Tall Elementary School in Towson, Maryland.  She entertained me with her latest storytelling event: she was a “teller” (the official name for a storyteller in action) at an event in Tunkhannock Pennsylvania (www.tunk.com) at the famous Dietrich Theater )(www.dietrichtheater.com) -- it was a story, music and entertainment event, and ALSO the celebration of her 86th birthday!!  (yes, they DID ask permission to include the number on the invitations!)  She told stories, a banjo accompanied her at times, and a grand time was had by all!

Do check out the Dietrich’s website – it’s a unique old place with a marvelous history. 

2/12/06

Today was another Irish language lesson day! Now I know why I couldn't understand half of what the bartenders were saying in Ireland last year! ;-)  I'm getting the hang of it - now if I could just get the brogue down...