WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 29

Living Wide Open:
Landscapes of the Mind

I will not die an unlived life.
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days
to allow my living to open me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible,
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance,
to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom,
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.

By Dawna Markova

EDITORIAL - EURO

Making the Most of Your Euro

With the challenging times posed by the current economic climate, it makes sense to ensure that you are getting value for your money, in both investing and spending what you have wisely. It can pay to sit down and take a look at what you are earning and spending and what your saving needs are, e.g. if you have two children who are hoping to go to college. It can seem that we are too busy or we don’t have the skills to plan our finances effectively, so it might be useful to call on the professionals.

Savings
Some €39bn of savers’ money is earning an average interest rate of just 1.48pc, which represents about half of the money households have on deposit. This is at a time when many banks are offering in excess of 5pc, even for demand deposit accounts.

Switch your mortgage
Your mortgage is probably your biggest monthly expense, yet many people are not aware whether they are getting value for money. If your mortgage is based on a standard variable rate you are probably paying much more than you could do. Lenders have been increasing rates on standard variables in excess of the European Central Bank (ECB) Rate. Switching your mortgage could have you thousands over the life of your mortgage.

Pension
At this time of year, you will hear many people extol the virtues of pensions, the main reason for their popularity is tax relief on contributions. You should also focus on the purpose of a pension, to replace your earned income on retirement, the tax relief is an added benefit. Choose a provider who you can rely on and who offers a wide range of investment options that suit your needs .

Claim your entitlements
Make sure there is no unclaimed money from the tax office, you could be entitled to a rebate on any money spent on medical or dental bills, bin charges, trade union subscriptions, employment and rental allowances, donations etc.
Ensure you are getting your full entitlement to mortgage interest tax relief. A married, first-time buyer couple can get €4,000 a year from the State in tax relief on their mortgage. For those couples with older mortgages, relief of up to €1,200 a year is possible. Getting expert advice is the key.

Professional Financial Services
Professional Financial Services in Buncrana offers a unique opportunity to review your existing financial status. They will assist you in finding the best provider for savings, mortgage and pension, and help you claim tax relief and other entitlements. They have a qualified accountant available to assess the information and access to 19 lenders on the market including all the major banks. They offer a friendly, confidential service and advice delivered in plain English.



Looking for Bargains
Discount shops like Borderland in Muff are at the cutting edge of money thriftiness as they stock good quality, brand name clothing that is well below the manufacturers retail prices. European supermarkets are also increasing in popularity as we tighten our belts and look for cheaper alternatives to our weekly products.

Another way to save is to only buy what you really need? Before you go shopping, make a list of necessities and stick to it.



Did You Know?

When you buy that bargain, endorphins are released which can become addictive.

If you are in debt, don’t ignore it. MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service) will help you take control of your finances.

5 MINUTES WITH - TONY KEARNEY

Tony Kearney left Christchurch in New Zealand to travel the world and settled in London where he practiced law for 25 years. He moved from the hustle and bustle of city life two and a half years ago to settle in Malin, and now couldn't imagine living anywhere else. As well as being a consultant, trainer, facilitator, farmer and mediator, he also runs workshops, seminars and lectures on matters of personal, planetary and global change. He has just published his first book called Who Owns The Future?

Who Owns The Future has a fresh approach to many current issues and explores humanity's questions about topics including the environment, religion, gender relationships, politics, poverty and population. It asks how the human race can address the challenges facing it both now and into the future.

Tony is busy giving talks around the peninsula and further afield to promote the book and if you would like a preview, or to buy a copy then check out his website: http://www.whoownsthefuture.com/

What music do you like?

It depends what mood I am in. I like everything from Beethoven to Led Zeppelin. Amy McDonald, the singer songwriter from Scotland is very good. I also enjoy traditional and world music particularly the Gypsy Kings and a bit of Samba.

What would you never throw away?

I don't believe in throwing anything away if possible. Always recycle!

What book are you reading?

I have a couple of books on the go. The Origin of Wealth by Eric Beinhocker and The Growth Illusion by Richard Douthwaite. They both highlight the imbalance of economic growth

What was your favourite childhood game?

Treasure hunts. I enjoyed following a set of clues, it gave me a sense of discovery and adventure… I am still doing them in my adult life though possibly on a bigger scale!

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?

I went to see WALL.E. It is set in the distant future about a waste collecting robot. It's very well done and without preaching, examines what the world could look like if it was turned into a rubbish tip.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?

World events, cartoons or anything in- between. Like listening to music, it depends what mood I am in. I tend to open it at random and see what catches my attention.

What is your idea of a good night out?

Connecting with people who care and listening to their hopes and visions of the future. I am busy promoting the book at the moment and as I am doing talks around the county, it is a great opportunity to meet lots of people.

When are you most embarrassed?

When I realise that I have been insensitive to others. Sometimes I can get caught up with my own enthusiasm and not see other people's needs.

Have you a favourite TV programme?

I enjoy inspiring documentaries that give an insight into our reality and future possibilities. I love David Attenborough's passion as well.

How do you relax?

By doing what I love to do. I do facilitation and conflict resolution work and also tend to a lot of trees that we have planted on the farm. I find weeding around them particularly relaxing.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?

I didn't want one!…. I wanted to be free and live in a caravan. When I chose my career path I went for law, which seemed the least bad option at the time!

Where would you like to go for your holidays?

Although I love being at home in Malin, I do enjoy travelling. I get inspiration from different places and really enjoy meeting different people from different cultures and finding out what makes them tick.

What people would you invite around for dinner and why?

There are a lot of unsung heroes throughout history that are champions of what is right and natural and get no credit. I would invite them. The table will need to be massive to accommodate everyone…. the wood will need to come from a managed forest; mine should be ready in 50 years!

Favourite animal?

The otter. I love those guys! Remember Mij from Ring of Bright Water?

What couldn't you live without?

Hope.

Biggest fear?

Being governed by fear.

Biggest thrill?

Change. Personal growth leads to planetary growth and makes a positive difference.

The world's most irritating invention?

The clock. It highlights how our lives are conditioned by time. It's so linear. It would be great to live our lives without it and ignore the "Time is Money" attitude.

What is your idea of a good night in?

Reading and conversation.

Do you have a hobby?

I like to keep fit and also enjoy swimming and then there are the trees to look after.

Biggest disappointment?

I use my energy to focus on the positive. You can't change what you have done but you can change what you haven't done or what you will do….

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?

I am passionate about history but my time to learn is in the here and now.

World's most useful invention?

Human Beings. It is amazing what we are capable of. To use an analogy, we are designed like a surgeon's knife and yet we often use ourselves like a sledgehammer!

What do you have for breakfast?

An orange, a coffee and a cereal energy bar type thingy.

What is the best/worst piece of advice you have been given?

Best: You become what you think about.

Worst: What's the point or why bother?…. That question can be so demoralising.

Personal philosophy?

You have one life and one opportunity. Why not be all you can be? Don't settle for anything less.

PRESS RELEASE

Who Owns the Future?

New Book Provides Compass for Humanity’s Journey into an Unknown Future

Freedom is the key to a better future I believe. We have the freedom of choice about which future we want. Let us use that choice wisely. The future demands nothing less.
– Tony Kearney, from Who Owns The Future?

“With the world being inundated with facts and statistics about everything from global warming and climate change to GM food to energy and resource crises to poverty and alienation it is easy to be swamped and overcome by the seeming uncertainty and apparent impossibility of it all,” writes Tony Kearney as he points the way forward in Who Owns The Future? (published by AuthorHouse).

A fascinating and epic appraisal of humanity, the Earth, the universe, God and more, Who Owns The Future? merges themes of environmentalism, philosophy, science, psychology, language, sociology, metaphysics, religion, gender relationships, politics, poverty, and population in its search for ways to address the awesome challenges confronting us.

“The problems we face today are largely of our own making due to our short-sightedness, selfishness and over-inflated sense of self-importance,” Kearney writes. “As a result we are forever having to deal with the side effects of these selfish attitudes and as a result we never really address the truly important issues of our existence because all our time is spent troubleshooting the problems we have created for ourselves and for every other life form on this planet.”

Who Owns The Future? pulls no punches about the peril of our current situation, but essentially offers an optimistic and realistic view of the future based on the premise that the human race can successfully change and adapt its behaviour in order to survive and flourish. The question Kearney proposes is: Will the human race make those changes? Will you?

About the author: Tony Kearney was born in New Zealand, practised law in London for nearly 25 years, and now lives in Ireland. He has lectured on many diverse subjects, from personal, planetary and global change, to children’s education, to gender relations. Who Owns The Future? is his first book. More information is available at www.WhoOwnsTheFuture.com and www.authortree.com/WhoOwnsTheFuture.

5 MINUTES WITH - JOSEPH MURPHY

Fifteen year old Joseph Murphy lives in Moville and has just started 4th year at Moville Community College. He is a keen Scouter and recently took part in the Phoenix Challenge where he was hill walking in County Wicklow. He also waded through the mud at this years Jamboree celebrating 100 years of Scouting at Punchestown. He has two sisters, Karen and Heather.

What music do you like?
I like classic rock. Meatloaf’s Bat out of Hell is a classic, well the 6 minute version anyway. I also enjoy Bluegrass and went to the Omagh Bluegrass Festival this year.

What would you never throw away?
Old computer parts. I have a hiking rucksack full of old, out of date parts, which I will probably never use, but you never know….

What is your favourite book?
The Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer are great. It’s a story about a twelve-year-old boy called Artemis Fowl, who is the most ingenious criminal mastermind in history.

What was your favourite childhood game?
Well, as I am still a child…. Judo. The fun part is to be also to throw people about with no hard feelings. I go to the Samurai class in the Community College in Moville. There is a quote from a book called the Pyjama Game, “Judo is a sport of balletic beauty and extraordinary violence” which just about sums it up.

What was the latest DVD you watched?
The Mighty Boosh series. It’s a great comedy series full of random stuff.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I used to go straight the Funday Times in the Sunday Times. They have stopped doing that now so I go to the In Gear section first, not because of the cars but to review all of the latest gadgets and read the articles about outdoor pursuits.

What is your idea of a good night out?
A good night in.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
I haven’t had any yet…

Have you a favourite TV programme?
Again it has to be the Mighty Boosh. It’s on BBC three and unfortunately I can’t watch it through the iPlayer on the computer (you need a licence from the BBC). So I watch them on DVD. I do enjoy the naval criminal series NCIS as well.

How do you relax?
By working on the computer and meditating. I started meditating a year or two ago and all I need is about four minutes peace to charge me up again.

Have you been working over the summer holidays?
I have. I worked in the family building business. We have been building a house from scratch and also putting on a new roof on one of the coastguard houses in Greencastle. It’s interesting to see the irregular shaped slates and the hand forged nails (not forged as in counterfeit…) I spent a lot of time going up and down ladders.

What else did you do?
I went to Musicool in Derry. It was s singing and song writing course and we got to meet well-known people like Mickey Joe Hart and Francie Conway.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
New York again and the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland. It’s part of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and began in 1923 with Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who, after the first World Scout Jamboree, had a dream about a place where all Scouts from all over the world could meet.

Your idea of heaven?
To be happy and healthy.

Your idea of hell?
Going somewhere that has permanent internet access failure.

Favourite animal?
Pterodactyl. Unfortunately you don’t see them in pet shops…

What couldn’t you live without?
A computer…it contains my soul… Well not really, but it does give me access to friends all around the world who I can do online gaming with. I enjoy playing Runescape and I have just found another good one, called Pirates of the Caribbean

Where would you least like to live?
I wouldn’t like to live in a country where it was illegal to be a scout. There are still some.

Biggest thrills?
Opening up a box with a brand new computer in it. I also get a thrill from seeing a successful rocket launch.

The world’s most irritating invention?
The alarm clock.

What is your idea of a good night in?
A good night out….

Do you have a hobby?
Rocket building with Ash McFadden, down at the Maritime Museum in Greencastle.

Biggest disappointment?
I don’t have any, to quote from The Life of Brian..”Always look on the bright side of life”

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
All of it. I would need to be a Time Lord.

World’s most useful invention?
A hammer - to get rid of the Least Useful Inventions.

What do you have for breakfast?
A crunchy muesli with yoghurt. I might mix a few Co-Co Pops in with it too.

What is the best/worst piece of advice you have been given?
I was rock climbing at about 50 metres and the instructor told me to put my foot on a ledge that gave way. Thankfully there was a safety rope. It’s the only time I have fallen because I didn’t listen to myself. The best advice is from the back of Ash McFadden’s safety jacket on rocket days…”If you see me running, try to keep up!”

Personal philosophy?
When things are at their worst they could be at their best….

ENERGY SAVING IN THE HOME- EDITORIAL

Since the year 2000, the price of home oil has risen 65%, gas has gone up 55% and electricity 44% with ESB announcing a further increase of up to 30% on today’s
Prices…. It’s time to save energy.

“Having an energy assessment for the home could save 20% on your energy needs with savings of up to 60%”.Jim Duffy National Energy Assessor.

You've planned everything from flooring and fireplaces to designer door handles in forensic detail. But have you thought about energy proofing your home?





INTRODUCTION
Awareness for energy conservation has increased dramatically over the last few months in Ireland. The main reason is because of the huge increases in fuel charges. Filling a tank with home heating oil or the car with petrol can be a shocking experience and the fewer times this happens the better. By following a few easy steps you can save a fortune in heating bills and do your bit for the planet.


HAVE YOUR HOME ENERGY RATED
A Building Energy Rating (BER) is a label similar to the efficiency rating given to white goods such as fridges, freezers, and washing machines. A BER indicates the energy rating of a property in the form of performance bands, 'A' being the most energy efficient to 'G' being the least energy efficient. National Energy Assessors, (NEA) such as Jim Duffy, are well qualified and accredited to provide quality assured Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificates.

Since the 1st of January 2007, all new homes for which planning permission has been applied for must have a BER. “The report is based on the holistic specification of the house,” says Jim. “The audit can help a customer even before the house is built. Small adjustments to the shape of the house in the design stage can also save a lot of energy”.

“The rating is just as important for old houses,” Jim continues. “Even if the house is 100 years old we will look at ways to improve energy efficiency at the lowest investment for the highest gain”. The Building Energy Rating Certificate report is particularly useful to those who have just bought an existing house, and plan to improve or remodel. “This report will outline to you how you can gain the full benefit of energy usage in your home and will suggest methods to improve efficiency such as increasing insulation and lagging pipes. It will help save you money from the moment you move in”. Jim concludes.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON HOUSEHOLD BILLS

Turn off everything not in use.
Activate sleep features
Regularly clean light fittings and lampshades.
Only put as much water in the kettle as you need (cover the element though.)
When cooking, turn down a boiling saucepan and put a lid on to reduce energy use and condensation.
Have a shower instead of a bath.
Set the hot water thermostat to 55 - 60 Degrees Celsius
Close your curtains at dusk making sure not to cover radiators.
Close all doors in unused rooms
Only use washing machines and dishwashers when full.
Wash clothes at as low a temperature as possible.
Use the economy buttons.
Defrost your refrigerator and freezer and don’t leave the doors open.


LOW COST WAYS OF SAVING ENERGY
Fix dripping hot water taps promptly.
Always keep your fridge fully stocked. An empty fridge costs more to run.
Fit Thermostatic controls on radiators. Set a lower temperature in rooms that are not being used.
Weather strip windows and doors.
Fit CFL light bulbs throughout your home.
Install modern vents in walls.
Have NEA provide you with an Energy Audit and start saving money straight away.



RECYCLE YOUR WASTE
Recycling in the home makes a big difference on the environment. When something is ready to be thrown out, stop and think if it can be recycled. Can the material be worked on, cleaned up or reprocessed in some way so that it can be used in some form again? Blue bins collections are now widely available around the peninsula, which save you time and money in fuel costs getting to the recycling centres. If you are doing some home improvements and producing a lot of waste then hiring a skip from Inishowen Recycling gives you the piece of mind to know that everything that can be recycled is pulled out and processed.



AIR PRESSURE TESTING
Air tightness testing for residential homes is a very effective way of increasing a buildings energy rating & reducing heat loss and overall running costs of existing buildings & new buildings prior to completion. All new single dwellings require an air pressure test. The aim of air tightness testing is to measure the flow of air within a building and identify areas that are experiencing heat loss. Air leakage is the uncontrolled flow of air through gaps and cracks in the fabric of a building. Improving air tightness in a dwelling can reduce air leakage. The aim of air tightness is to “build tight, ventilate right”. After the survey has been carried out a report is then compiled which will illustrate exactly were the air leakage is taking place and in addition the report will contain advice on how to best reduce this heat loss..


CHIMNEY BALLOONS
The best ideas are often the simplest ones, and this can truly be said about the Chimney Balloon. Chimney Balloons are simply put into place and inflated to form an airtight seal. This stops chimney draughts, reduce noise and heat loss. A room with a blocked chimney needs only half the heat compared with rooms with open ones, so it makes sense to fit this device in every chimney that is not in every day use.

Initially designed in 1990, it quickly became clear that the Chimney Balloon had many other benefits including reduces noise keeping back soot and stopping bird mess. The Chimney Balloon not only stops cold draughts coming down your chimney, but also stops the warm air in your room disappearing. It is designed to be used again and again, making it very cost effective at keeping the bills down and improving your living space.

DID YOU KNOW?
Driving an average of 1,000 miles a month produces about 120 tons of carbon dioxide a year.

The amount of wood and paper we throw away each year is enough to heat 50 million homes for 20 years.

A single polystyrene (Styrofoam) cup contains one billion billion molecules of CFCs--that's 1,000,000,000,000,000,000.

By turning down your central heating thermostat one degree, fuel consumption is cut by as much as 10%.

Insulating your attic reduces the amount of energy loss in most houses by up to 20%.

The use of recycled paper helps to protect wildlife habitats as natural woodlands can be preserved.

You can claim back the cost of blue bins on your tax credits.

5 MINUTES WITH - BETTINA LINKE

Bettina Linke is originally from East Germany but has been living locally with her three cats for the past twelve years. Her son, David is studying physics and astrophysics at Maynooth. During the day job, Bettina answers phones for Keith Prowse in Lisfannon, but her free time is spent delving into our local history. Her passion, enthusiasm and energy for the preservation of local historical monuments is inspiring and she shares her knowledge on her website, Unknown Swilly. She also writes a blog keeping readers up to date on heritage sites. A keen photographer, Bettina’s website and blog are full of her beautiful local images

What music do you like?
I enjoy listening to Bob Dylan and Kila. Kila are an Irish traditional band with Eastern European influences. I grew up with music and most of it had lyrics in English. I didn’t have a clue what they were singing about but it didn’t take away my enjoyment.

What would you never throw away?
My stubbornness and independence.

What book are you reading?
I don’t really read novels or works that include fictitious people anymore. I have piles of reference books, everything from, history, heritage, archaeology and lost civilisations. I also have books by Harry Percival Swan and Mabel R Colhoun, they are invaluable.

What was your favourite childhood game?
When I was young there was a lot of concrete jungle development work in Eastern Germany and we used to play in the large concrete pipes on the building sites. We would head out in the morning with our lunchbox full of goodies for the day.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
The last film I went to see was Lord of the Rings, Fellowship of the Rings. It was right up my street, I loved their long swords.

What is your idea of a good night out?
I had a ball during the O’Doherty clan meetings as I found myself in the massive conference room at the Lake of Shadow hotel packed to the rafters with people interested in heritage and history. Since this medieval dinner is only held every five years, I fill the gap in between listening to live music sessions and great musicians around the bars around Inishowen.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
More embarrassing than filling in this questionnaire?

Have you a favourite TV programme?
Midsomer Murders, Babylon 5 and Star Trek. There are still episodes I haven’t seen.

How do you relax?
Walking in the countryside around Inishowen. You can nearly fall over the historic sites that we have. If you find an early church ruin, you can bet that there was an older settlement there before. Take Carrowmore for example, the stones there would have probably been from a monastery and originally come from the Stone Age. The ancient builders were great recyclers…

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
I would love to travel into outer space, as long as there was a smoking room.

Your idea of heaven?
Inishowen bathed in sunshine for weeks and having time to enjoy it.

Your idea of hell?
Marriage…

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
The builders of Grianan, a representative from the Office of Public Works involved in the “Restoration”, and so they have company I would also invite Cahir Rua, Eoghan, from where Inishowen gets it’s name and the Minister for the Environment.

Favourite animal?
Cats. I have three, Setanta, Odin and Trouble, who lives up to her name.

What couldn’t you live without?
My son.

Biggest fear?
Losing him.

Biggest thrill?
The last thrill was just a few days ago, I had the opportunity to see and go into a newly discovered underground chamber (Souterrain) in the north of the peninsula.. These tunnels are rich in heritage. I am sure there are more thrills to come.

The world’s most irritating inventions?
Bureaucracy and plastic.

What is your idea of a good night in?
A “Plotting session” with my best friend Ann over a bottle of wine or two. The idea for the tourist shop on Buncrana pier came from one of them.

Biggest disappointment?
When people (myself included) give up their hopes and dreams.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
Between 5000BC and 500AD. I would like to have been at Greenan Hill every time a new structure was built. I suppose I would need a time machine…

World’s most useful invention?
The Internet. I couldn’t do research without it. I use it to get onto the Celt website and the collection of old manuscripts called The Annals of the Four Masters, an invaluable document that was published and printed in Donegal town in 1604.

What do you have for breakfast?
Coffee, coffee and more coffee and anything else that I can grab.

What is the best/worst piece of advice you have been given?
The best was from my mother. A man can eat everything but doesn’t have to know everything. The worst: Say nothing.

Personal philosophy?
Find out who and what you are and what you want then don’t let anyone tell you different.