You may have noticed a lack of updates. That's mainly because finding, and updating, all the image links in my blog takes a very, very long time. Did you realise I've had this blog nearly eight years? I certainly didn't.

In other news, I'm falling down the Quantified Self rabbit hole. I'd like to have a blog to reflect it. So that's another project on the backburner.

I came upon this post just before bed, and now am having trouble getting my ticking brain to sleep. These photos, reportedly the first colour photos ever taken in Ireland, are 99 years old. They represent some of the poorest people and places of that time, some of the furthest from Dublin, and some of those retaining most of the old native Irish way of life. These people were the neighbours of my ancestors; my grandparents' parents. Irish identity is a tricky thing, a nebulous thing. For so long the colonised, the Free State only 89 years old. The records of our recent past burnt in uprisings, the stone monuments of the ancient past strewn about the landscape. And in between only the stories. (This is a good podcast by the way, if you're interested in the old Irish stories.) Then out of the blue (I like to think of the internet as blue) comes these photos.

It struck me, looking at them, how many are doing something, associated with their craft. Which in turn reminds me of the Hands boxset of documentaries from the early 1960's about traditional crafts, with a focus on those dying out due to industrialisation. I come from a people that tell stories and make things. What with the nature of this blog and all, it just kind of resonates. And my, how the world has changed in a hundred years.

A short post, just because I think this is a brilliant idea; a hackerspace, a safe space for women and mothers, and the icing on the cake, child-care! Mothership hackermoms. I look forward to more innovations on the hackerspace model, it promises to be interesting :)

*edit* Forgot to give props to Julie for finding the link.

/me is here. /me is just very very busy. But, just back from Vancouver, Canada. Expect photos. ... Eventually.

I attended the Knitting & Stitching Show in the RDS this weekend. Actually, in the very hall I had my first and second year college exams. *shiver* It was my first time going, and I went with a mission. One that I unfortunately failed to complete. See, I went looking for fabric, a kind of fabric that doesn't seem to be available in the retail sewing shops around here. And while there was lots of lovely fabric, it was mostly quilting weight cotton. I saw one or two stands with dressmaking fabrics, but sadly none had what I was looking for.

The rest of the hall was full of knitters, embroiderers, jewellery suppliers, machine retailers, and small designers showcasing. Now and again I'd stumble across a stand a little bit unusual, like Colourcraft. More of a general craft suppliers I was surprised to find that they stocked many items I had failed to locate anywhere within reasonable shipping rates. Things like standalone wax pots (originally made for beauty salons, sold for batiking purposes, but which I intend to use for candlemaking), foil transfers, fusible thread, and even Angelina fibre (what do you mean you've never heard of it? To google with you!). Needless to say, I shall be keeping myself busy for the next while. Which isn't hard, as I've been brimming with ideas lately. But powerful all-consuming ideas that have to be written down right now. Which tends to get in the way of actually doing any of them. But I hope to strike the right balance soon.

I got the 'WordPress 3 Complete' book earlier this week, and devoured it in a couple of evenings. Looking forward to setting up an environment to play around and write some things I've been meaning to get done. Ahh php, it's been a while.

Also, I don't think I've mentioned it here before but I'm starting up a reading group, book club kinda thing, very casual style, at tog. Primarily we'll be reading speculative fiction. Some classic sci-fi and cyberpunk books with a maker/hacker ethos, or that look at consequences of new tech. But it will be up to suggestions and majority vote of the group. First meeting is Friday 25th, and we'll be talking about “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Philip K. Dick. It's my second time reading the book, and I still prefer it to 'Blade Runner' :)

I'm going to ask you for a little indulgence here as I talk about something quite outside my normal topics; make-up. It's okay if you tune out now, don't worry, this is most likely a one-time thing.

( Shall we adjorn to the powder-room? )

This year was Octocons 21st. But it's the first that I have actually managed to attend. It's a Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror convention (with a great representation from the comics world) and I had a really good time. There was a wide range of things that I wanted to attend, even allowing for the inevitable problem of sometimes wanting to be in two places at once. (Why was there another panel on at the same time as the awards ceremony? That was just cruel. ... Can anyone tell me who won?*) And although I did actually run a workshop, for most of the time I got to sit back and enjoy as a regular attendee.

Something that was pointed out to me, was the almost complete lack of any actual science-fiction. I happily lapped up all the horror talks, was glad to see diverse topics like YA fiction, the issue of ebooks and piracy, and the rather meta panel on whether female-focused panels at cons are actually helping. But where was the sci-fi? I suspect this problem is far more wide-spread as I look around local and virtual bookshelves and see endless heaps of paranormal romance, but no new sci-fi. Where is it?

Also, this was a con at which the majority of the panelists were authors. Published, successful authors in a range of fiction, talking about what makes a gripping story, what makes a good character, what elements can be included and what pushes the suspension of belief too far. Yet none of the people I know who aspire to be published authors were there. Not one. Why?

Nonetheless, I had a great time. The staff and organisers were helpful, the event was well run, very organised, and only the last couple of time-slots on the last day ran over (because they wanted to squeeze in a couple of extra shorts, and some people have run-away, if entertaining, mouths). Speaking of which, I feel the film shorts (entrants for the Golden Blaster award), the Vault of Terror (commentated sections of a really bad film), and the Fandom Challenge (university challenge style quiz) were refreshing changes of pace that added to the roundness of the whole event. I made it all the way from Opening Ceremony to Closing Ceremony and am currently very tired, but in a happy way. I'm left with a head swimming with ideas, book recommendations, and a renewed interest in the entire range of speculative fiction. I'm even already looking forward to next year. Yep, definitely a good time.

*Oh twitter, you do fill in all the gaps: Blasters and script award winners.

Em. Hi! So I haven't been around much, and I am terribly sorry, I just lacked the time and energy to make anything new, or write anything up (still have some three or four old projects to mention). But, I'm back now. And with news!

This week is Irish Hackerspaces Week. Check out the list and pop over if something catches your eye. I'll be at the Craft Night tomorrow (Tuesday) working on some project ideas.

September 3rd and 4th a bunch of us from tog will be running drop-in workshops at Electric Picnic! For those not in the know, it's a large outdoor music festival with a strong cultural focus and many non-music activities. We will be running soldering, origami, and electro-craft (yep, that one is me) workshops. Still sorting out the finer details, will let you know when I do.

October 15th and 16th I will hopefully be at Octocon, which is a sci-fi, fantasy, and horror convention! Running more electro-craft workshops, but I reckon this one could be more fun and I am on the look out for sufficiently sci-fi-themed project ideas.

On a more personal note, I've been getting back to skating, and have signed up for roller derby freshmeat training with the DRG. I just hope I don't break anything!

So yeah. Busy, but so much fun :) And simply because it seems all the cool kids have them, I'm getting moo mini-cards printed up; very nice, and good value little cards. I'll be back with the regular project updates soon. Thank you for sticking around.

It seems to me that we often have a problem simply finding out about the cool things happening in our own backyard. I would like to open up a call to all in Ireland, Dublin especially, to come and tell me about the great alternative (recurring) things that happen here. Not just for the people who live here, but also as a resource for people who might only be visiting for a short time and are looking for something a bit more adventurous than a good pint and decent meal. Let me know your ideas and suggestions in the comments below!

But please note; these are not endorsements, nor a guarantee of greatness.


Arts and Crafts:
Dr Sketchys. Life-drawing sessions, with alternative models, and a burlesque flair, set to a typically excellent custom soundtrack. Fun, games, and plenty of other entertainment thrown in for good measure too!

Irish Knitting and other crafts. There is a lot going on in this sphere that I can't keep track, but this website goes a really good job of it.

Craft in Ireland. 2011 is the Year of Craft. Check out this website for workshops and talks the country over.


Spaces:
Makerspaces, or hackerspaces. Community based and driven spaces where people deconstruct and improve anything that takes their fancy. Technology, computers, crafts, art, music, even meditation, are fair game. With many events, talks, workshops, or simply open evenings to drop by and check it out, I may be biased, but I think you'll enjoy it.

TOG, the Dublin space.

091 labs, the Galway space.

miLK labs, the Limerick space.

The Knitting Club, the Clare space (with surprisingly little knitting).

There are other spaces starting (or setting up websites) all the time, so check out hackerspaces.org for more details.

Exchange Dublin. I'm not sure how to describe the Exchange, it's like the above spaces, but more professionally organised and run. It's a venue provided for use of the local community. They host showcases, talks, a Stitch&Bitch group, and anything anyone wants to run. Bonus, you can always just drop in for a cup of tea.

The Science Gallery. They hold interactive exhibits based on different scientific topics, which are always fascinating, as well as really big talks, often with really big speakers. They also play host to great groups and events like the Irish Robotics Club, Ignite Dublin, and TEDxDublin!


Entertainment and Relaxation:
Tea Garden. Not your typical cuppa, and defintely no coffee. Try exotic types and blends of tea as you hang out and relax.

Fibbers. A kind of hard-rock/metal place with live bands and DJs. Actually two venues now, 'old' Fibbers with multiple floors and a dancefloor, and 'new' Fibbers on the quays that I affectionately refer to as an 'old metallers' pub. It would be fair to say that it doesn't have the best of reputations, but personally I usually have a good time, and they've fixed the plumbing!

Dominion. A kind of goth/industrial club night, usually every Saturday. It has been known to move venues, but is currently back in it's original home, just around the corner from Fibbers. Smoke-machines, light shows, regularly rotating DJs, it's a good night if it's your thing.

Limor "Ladyada" Fried; of ladyada.net, on the cover of WIRED magazine. Limor's general awesomeness being recognised shows that things are changing, and all you have to do is tirelessly pursue your interests, and be brilliant. Makezine article.

Leigh Honeywell; co-founder and president HackLab.to; gives a keynote talk on hackerspaces at SCALE. Uploaded here. Leigh's keynote is full of enthusiasm, and I'm struck by how easy it seems to get involved with projects at hacklab.to. She acknowledges that not everyone will fit your group, that having other spaces and groups is a good thing; increasing the chance of there being a place for everyone. And of the good things that can happen when you're open to greater diversity.

Mitch Altman; co-founder of Noisebridge (man has his own wikipedia page) gave a talk on hackerspaces at MakerFaire UK.

It started with Mitch's talk. He does this really awesome thing; at the end of the talk he offered keys to Noisebridge. A symbol of the openness of the space. (It is an actual key, that works, but there is another door on the space that is locked when no-one else is there, and rightfully so.) He talked about diversity, and being welcoming, and open. There's that word again.

It turns out I'm not the right person to point out where things could be better, what doesn't work, or to debate on the direction of things. So I'm just going to leave it here; Openness. We need more of it.

*edit* And here's one fantastic way we can start: http://www.jpichon.net/blog/2011/03/dexy-documentation-workshop-tog/