WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 4

STIRRING HEART

Once long ago an Indian warrior found an eagle’s egg on a mountaintop, and he put it next to the eggs that a hen was hatching. When the time came the little eagle hatched alongside the chicks and he grew alongside the hatchlings. After some time it learned to cackle like a chicken, to scratch the ground and look for worms, and it limited itself to going only into the lower branches of the bushes like all the other chickens. It behaved like a chicken and thought it was a chicken. One day when it was old, the eagle looked up to the sky and saw something that stirred his heart. Up there in the bright blue sky, was a magnificent, majestic bird flying in the open sky, with seeming effortlessness. The old eagle was awe struck. It turned to the nearest chicken and said what kind of bird is that? The chicken looked up and answered, “Oh, that’s the golden eagle, the queen of the skies. But don’t pay any attention to it. You and I are down here below. The eagle never again looked up and it died thinking it was a chicken.

If you argue for your limitations, they are yours. Dare to own your greatness!

CLIVE WASSON

Clive Wasson with his helium filled balloon used for aerial photography

5 MINUTES WITH - EMMA MCDERMOTT

Emma MCDermott is the dynamic assistant manager of Inishowen Community Radio (ICR). Emma loves travelling and is just back from Los Angeles where she was volunteering at two radio stations (KCRW and The sound of young America). Since her return, Emma has been kept busy setting up the hugely successful Sports Show (3-6pm on Sundays) which gives live, up to date reports, on sports happening throughout the peninsula. In the next couple of weeks the intrepid Emma is off to India to put together a documentary about the Dalits of India (also known as untouchables), which will be funded by the Simon Cumbers Media Challenge Fund.

What have you been downloading on your iPod?
The last download of iTunes was some dance music called Ghetto Blaster by Armand van Helden. It’s very “get up and go!”

What book are you reading?
I have just finished reading The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It’s an American best seller about creative visualisation and the laws of attraction. I found it quite inspiring and I believe that what we believe can effect our destiny.

Have you been to the cinema recently?
When I was in L.A. I went to see Kings, which is an Irish Language film by Tom Collins of Derry, based on the lives of five Irishmen in America. It opened up my eyes to how hard a life it was for the immigrants. I also had a bit of fun watching Fred Claus. Fred is Santa’s big brother…

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I always go the horoscopes. Oh I hope that doesn’t make me sound too new agey, I know its just a bit of fun!

What is your idea of a good night out?
A few drinks with friends and maybe end up dancing.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
I was on a beach with my mate in Bali and was pure white because of the lack of sun from the Irish winter. I overheard someone say, “Look, its Casper and his friend”…. I have used fake tan ever since!

What is your idea of a great meal?
I love Indian food. Good company makes it more enjoyable.

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I don’t usually sit still long enough to watch the box. I do make a point of watching Shameless every Tuesday though.

How do you relax?
As I said I don’t like sitting still so I am never in the house long enough to relax. I do like walking, and visiting friends can be very therapeutic.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I always wanted to work in the media. I strayed away from my ideal by studying IT, but got back on course joining the radio station.

What is your ideal car?
A black Audi A4 convertible.

Apart from Inishowen(!) where would you like to go for your holidays?
It would have to be LA. I have always wanted to visit and when I am there I love it! I always feel fully charged when I come back. The life style and people are great.

Your idea of heaven?
Somewhere warm! After saying that I am going skiing next week!

Your idea of hell?
Somewhere where people complain all of the time and can’t drive properly.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Adam Brodey from the O.C. programme, (because of his acting talents) and Larry Mullen Junior from U2 (because he is good with the drumsticks!)

Favourite animal?
Chimpanzee- I always wanted one when I was young as I thought they were cute.

Biggest fear?
Spiders! I hate them with a passion. I was in Australia a few years ago and had to endure Huntsman spiders, they are as big as your hand and poisonous as well! My friends would chase them round the house trying to hit them with a shoe.

Biggest thrill?
It used to be roller coasters but I have found skiing. That’s far better.

The worlds most irritating invention?
The umbrella. I get fed up with being poked in the eye!

Personal philosophy?
If you want something, go for it.

Any last words?
How did you get those 120 candles on to my birthday cake?

WISDOM OF THE WORLD-WEEK 3

A TEACHER PRAYS

(Based on 1 Corinthians, Ch:13)

If I could explain everything perfectly to my students but do not love them, I might be talking to an empty room.

If I could buy every kind of education aid, but do not have love for my students, my money would be wasted.

Love is patient, when it is necessary to repeat a concept over and over again to a student who is having difficulty.

Love is kind, when an irate parent accuses and berates other teachers or me, and I do not retaliate in anger.

Love is not jealous, when another teacher has an entire class of well-behaved and intelligent children and mine are not.

Love is not proud, when my students improve greatly and tell others how much they love and enjoy my classes.

Love does not scream at my class when they misbehave, but helps them understand the importance of self-discipline.

Love does not broadcast my student’s problems to others, parents or even my family members, but remains discreet.

Teaching methods, textbooks and other technological aids will eventually be discarded, but love will remain forever.

These three things I have learned through TEACHING: diligence, patience and LOVE, but the greatest of these is LOVE

Author unknown

SWILLY HOTEL BUNCRANA

If you have any more information about the old Hotel please let me know. Thanks

Photo of the hotel taken when the trains brought in the tourists from the north. The large image is on the wall of the Buncrana Coucil offices.

The owners of the building are trying to get planning to convert into flats (or knock down and start again)

Updated 22/8/12. Thanks to Adam Porter for the amazing Image. 

BUNCRANA PANTO-SLEEPING BEAUTY

Euanan McConnell in make up

Gerald McDaid and Denise Arbuckle

Karla Duffey and Brendan Fletcher

WILLIE DOHERTY AND THE PRODUCTION TEAM

LEFT TO RIGHT:

Paula Fletcher, Liz O’Donnell, Cathy Kelly, Willie Doherty, Michael Doherty, Sally McDaid, Patricia Doherty, Marie McConnell.

Gerry O'Niell,Denis Kelly and Craig Houton.

Niamh Gaffney

Brendan Fletcher as Prince Gregor.

Liz O,Donnell as the princess

Shauna McKinley as the witch

Euanan McConnell and Eddie Murphy

Fairy parincess Liz O'Donnell

Arriving to see the first show

Flamenco dancers- Claire McGinley,Niamh Gaffney and Emer Parke

Karla Duffey (Witch) Niamn Gaffney and Maria Doherty (fairy queen)