Monday, February 2, 2009

Sequestered & Bamboozled

The view from my bedroom in one of the houses I stay in when I am in Ireland.

For twenty years I have guided small groups of interested travelers to the west coast Gaeltachts (Irish-speaking regions) of Ireland where we explore the history, archeology, music, poetry, and the general culture of one of the world's oldest and most fascinating cultures.

When I moved to my present location I took a sabbatical from all that in order to settle myself in my new environment. Now I am turning to "Irish planning" once more, a big part of which involves reviving my moribund website which, to my shame, is way, way out of date. To do this I have purchased new web-design software and am now trying to learn how to use it. Why it has to be so complex I do not know, but it is what it is.

I have scheduled this whole week to shut myself in the office and get this project done! In the years I have been working with computers I have faced many "insoluble problems" which have all been ultimately solved with time and patience. This will be no different, but it sure is daunting to be faced with what seems to be an insurmountable obstacle. I always try to remind myself: This too shall pass.

And now, back to work.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great way to earn a few dollars now and then.

Rio Arriba said...

Labor of love, Hermit. The only people who make money at this are the tour outfits that load the gullible into rolling aquariums and drag them in lock stop around the country.

I take six or eight simpatico souls and we have a helluva time.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with the web design. My sister in law is a native Irish speaker and used to be a Kinnara (I dunno if this is the correct spelling) in the gaeltacht in Denegal in Loughanuir for under 16s.

Slainte!

Anonymous said...

How did I spell Donegal like that. Arrgghh.

Rio Arriba said...

Hello, Darren, and thanks for the comment. I've seen Donegal spelled worse!

Are you referring to the Kenniry family, which is in turn a variant of MacEniry I believe?

I haven't spent a lot of time in Donegal, being mostly a "southwest man" myself (Kerry and Cork).

Anonymous said...

Rio, the Kinnara is the teacher. The older kids are able to teach the young ones when they are proficient enough. I'm still not sure of the spelling. Kerry and Cork are much more picturesque.
Heading to Cork in the next few months for a short break. Can't wait.