http://www.meetforeal.com/retrieveblog.do A blog for interesting topics and events http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=117 It may sound strange, but on contemplation, apart from the obvious anatomical differences, I have never thought that being a female was anything drastically different than being a male. I feel I've been created as a person, not only as a female, of a generation that has a large measure of equalit... Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:00:46 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=117 2010-03-07T14:00:46Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=116 Our brunches, started in Galway in January as our New Year's resolution, influenced by a new friends during our stint in Germany over the New Year, have become a lot of fun. <div> <div style="padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;float:left;"> <a href="http://www.agtaistealletarlach.com/"><img src="http... Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:10:09 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=116 2010-03-02T18:10:09Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=115 I woke up this morning with a sense of happiness and freedom that I don't remember feeling for quite some time, and I thought I was a happy device. <br><br> I went out with old friends this weekend, and one of them downloaded our <a href="http://www.crowdscanner.com" style="color:#008ecf;">Cro... Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=115 2010-03-01T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=114 <div><img style="padding:0px 0px 10px 125px;" src="http://images.meetforeal.com/images/flying.jpg" width="320px" height="320px" alt="flying from failures, iphone app, conversations"> </div> <div> I always hate when people talk about failure and success after the fact - as though in their quest... Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=114 2010-02-28T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=113 I change my opinion on God every day of the week, depending on who I am talking to, and what I am going through at the time. Despite fluctuations, I do tend to settle back to the opinion which satisfies my needs most, which is that the only version of God that exists is the one within my own powe... Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=113 2010-02-22T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=112 <div> Over the last week I discovered the three stages of creation, according to Ellen. <br><br> <b>Part I: The Desire to Create Something Awesome</b> <br><br> First you decide you want to create something - and not just anything - something <b>awesome</b> - what's the point of even botheri... Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=112 2010-02-15T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=111 I went to a Hari Krishna event in Galway recently. It was an eye opener. I didn't know anything about their beliefs, and it was fun to listen to their idea of God and the universe and what's real and what's imaginary. I say fun, but that's only because I am too shy to say what was really going th... Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=111 2010-02-09T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=110 <div> <div style="padding:0px 10px 10px 0px; float:left;"><img src="http://images.meetforeal.com/images/image_men.jpg" alt="get ripped with this secret" width="120px"> </div> <div>The web seems to be littered with these images of built abs and skinny women, cartoon versions and real versions, ... Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=110 2010-02-03T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=109 It pisses me off that in order for people to read your work you need to be telling them how to do something. Your title needs to be so blatantly obvious that even the least educated member of society can feel drawn to it. Using the bait of knowledge to get people to click through to your pontific... Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=109 2010-01-24T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=108 I love photography, especially that which captures history through people. So there was a photography museum in Berlin. A must see. With the top floor dedicated to Helmut Newton, a famous photographer, of whom I had never heard. <br><br> As I waited in the comforting museum silence for jacket... Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=108 2010-01-23T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=106 My interest with eye contact started when <a href="http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/" style="color:#008ecf;">Timothy Ferris</a> dared his readers to make and maintain eye contact with strangers to see what would happen. I remember feeling overwhelmed by discomfort as I waited for the other person ... Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=106 2010-01-14T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=105 Here's a short interview we did at 26C3, Berlin, December 2009, with Christoph Derndorfer who gave a talk about what's happening with the one laptop per child project, (OLPC) and sugarlabs. <br><br> <embed src='http://blip.tv/play/hIQZgbylEAA' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='550' ... Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:34:45 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=105 2010-01-11T16:34:45Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=104 Do you ever find yourself in a situation that you didn't plan for? And that frustrates you? And that you feel like running away from? Because you feel out of control? <br><br> There are certain situations that I don't function well in, and I continually forget that I have a habit of avoiding t... Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=104 2010-01-09T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=103 This is from an interview we did at <a href="http://www.giocatorino.it" style="color:#008ecf;">Giocatorino's</a> boardgame festival in Torino, last November, 2009. Thanks to TinuZ for explaining the concept to us, and for a wonderful afternoon! <br><br> <embed src='http://blip.tv/play/hIQZgbyFe... Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=103 2010-01-08T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=102 Have you noticed the popular catch phrase on factual books, and cross disciplined event promotions claiming, "This will change the way you see the world"? <br><br> It makes me laugh because I used it to promote meetforeal events, before I started to see it <i>everywhere</i>. I think I must be ... Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=102 2009-12-14T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=101 <a href="http://www.greenhouselimerick.com/camp/" style="color:#008ecf;">Business camp</a> was on last weekend, and I wasn't excited about it - no offense Evert - but after so many business networking events this year, I thought I couldn't face another one. <br><br> But we popped in. And it wa... Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=101 2009-12-09T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=100 I am worried that I will suffer from mental fatigue or mental stress. I am almost tempted to stick a list of warning signs and recommended prevention procedures above the white bathroom sink. I wonder when someone will invent some kind of imaging technology that will enable me to inspect what's h... Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=100 2009-12-08T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=99 Here's a LONG illustration of the importance of communication & how I learned on the job that it is FUNDAMENTAL, and also something they can't teach you in college. <br><br> Or at least if they can, I must have missed that class. <br><br> Also about how the most ridiculous happenings can occu... Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=99 2009-12-01T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=98 So it seems kinda weird that I come back from an intense trip in Italy, not to mention a hectic time beforehand preparing stuff for Fred Pearce's talk in the Science Gallery, and yet I haven't blogged a single thing. <br><br> So I'm taking the plunge, and starting here - <br><br> It all sta... Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=98 2009-11-30T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=97 This is the clip we showed before Fred Pearce's talk in the Science Gallery last Wednesday. We asked some people in Galway - I think we have spoken to everyone in galway at this stage about something or other! - if they knew where their stuff came from. We were surprised at the results! <br><br>... Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:07:42 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=97 2009-11-21T12:07:42Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=96 There are so many phrases in start up world that are contradictory. For example people say that if you're doing something that has no competitors, it must mean that either you haven't done your market research, or you have no market (PJ King told me that). <br><br> Yet at the same time, people... Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=96 2009-11-16T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=95 Failure <br><br> It's a dirty word. <br><br> I even shy away from it. <br><br> I feel embarrassed to suggest it, shamed to even put it near my blog in case it may be associated with meetforeal, or with me, or with anything close to me. <br><br> I thought our days of Failure were over. T... Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=95 2009-11-09T00:00:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=94 When I used to work for other people, there would be so many moments where I would find myself daydreaming about what it would feel like if I never had to do *this* again... <br><br> Some of them I have written about, many of them have been long since forgotten, and most of them have been repla... Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:25:39 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=94 2009-10-29T11:25:39Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=93 Here's the clip we showed at the beginning of our meetforeal event with Bruce Bueno de Mesquita on Thursday in the Science Gallery, Dublin. <br><br> Stil waiting for sound recordings of the event itself, so it will be a couple days before I have that film ready for viewing. <br><br> Enjo... Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:57:02 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=93 2009-10-26T18:57:02Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=92 <div>Just checked out <a href="http://themutation.com/?page_id=740" style="color:#0083cf">MutantSpace's</a> events coming up in November, and I'm very tempted to make a film for their short film competition - closing date for registration is this Friday, the 30th, (or November 9th, I'm not 100% s... Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:50:59 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=92 2009-10-24T14:50:59Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=91 A normal scene in the life of me: <br><br> "Pull in here," I say, pointing to the empty parking space behind a RangeRover. <br><br> Adrian makes a swift turn in and deftly manoeuvres the car into position in a way that only someone who has parked in Mexico City knows how. He stays seated as ... Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:05:51 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=91 2009-10-21T22:05:51Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=90 Working with someone who you live with can have its challenges. <br><br> <img src="images/candypeanuts.jpg" alt="procrastination peanuts" style="padding-left:60px;"> <br><br> When I'm distracted, or feeling unproductive, looking over to see my partner typing away in earnest can be guilt-indu... Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:30:13 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=90 2009-10-14T17:30:13Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=89 I can see it now. It's like I can see things from the beginning and now I understand how things went out of control. <br><br>I was at my regular visit to my Doctor in Paris - he practices phytotherapy. <br><br><b>What's phytotherapy? </b> <br><br>Well, if homeopathy is on your left (contains... Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:25:30 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=89 2009-10-05T16:25:30Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=88 So I was in Paris last Friday, in Beauvais Airport, waiting for my flight to Dublin, having missed my flight to Shannon - their fault or my fault, lets not go into details. Regardless, it may have been <i>one</i> of the reasons why I was unable to figure this design challenge out. <br><br> That... Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:34:42 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=88 2009-10-04T15:34:42Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=87 It's funny - you can hear a million times from people what to do, or what not to do, but at the end of the day you continue to listen to what you want to hear, and block out all the rest. <br><br> There is so much information out there, but reading it or hearing it when you are not in that sit... Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:47:28 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=87 2009-09-29T10:47:28Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=85 We went onto Shop Street in Galway last week and conducted an experiment: <br><br> <b>1a: Can you identify the flavour of Jam? <br>1b: Which is sweeter? <br><br> Jam #1: <span "style=color:#008ECF;">Chiver Strawberry Jam - Contains Sugar</span> <br> Jam #2: <span "style=color:#008ECF;">St ... Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:44:27 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=85 2009-09-23T18:44:27Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=84 Had lots of fun this morning making this ridiculous video to show BAD DESIGN in honour of our <a href="designchallenge.do" style="color:#008ECF">Design Challenge!</a> <br><br> <b>Bad Design: Shower Door</b><br><br>Everytime I turn on the shower I get SOAKED with COLD water - in the winter this... Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:39:21 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=84 2009-09-23T14:39:21Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=83 Today I joined <a href="http://www.qype.co.uk/" style="color:blue;">Qype</a>, out of pure desire to advertise our upcoming event there. It was strange because after entering the necessary event details, I found myself taking the time to fill in my profile and ponder over what to say for items suc... Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:17:02 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=83 2009-09-16T20:17:02Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=82 <div> <div style="padding:10px 0px 10px 150px;"> <img src="images/credit_card.jpg" alt="credit card fraud"> </div> <div> Talk about inconvenient. Someone has been using my credit card. While I was off in simple silence, they were splashing my cash, or at least my imaginary cash, on sunglasse... Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:21:52 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=82 2009-09-14T14:21:52Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=80 Back from a long mindfulness meditation retreat, I have to say writing here is the last thing I feel capable of doing. Being in a silent environment for 8 days where it was recommended not to talk, text or make phone calls, not to read a book, or even make too much eye contact with people, I thou... Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:01:50 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=80 2009-09-11T13:01:50Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=78 Just back from the <a href="http://www.festivalofworldcultures.com/" style="color:blue;">Festival of World Cultures, in Dublin</a>, with a head full of new ideas, or should I say, new ways of looking at old ideas, and a body tired from standing for hours on end. Having zero expectations due to la... Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:36:55 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=78 2009-08-30T17:36:55Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=79 On my mind this week is the somewhat controversial idea of Feargal's talk, <a href="http://www.meetforeal.com/retrievepastevent.do?eid=23" style="color:blue;">"Are language and culture linked?"</a> which was an effort to explain how culture and language are <b>not</b> linked, but rather two separ... Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:36:23 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=79 2009-08-30T17:36:23Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=77 How do you open this door? Slide? Push? Pull? <br><br> <img src="images/door2.jpg"> <br><br> <img src="images/door1.jpg"> <br><br> Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:44:46 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=77 2009-08-27T12:44:46Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=76 Walking in the Spanish countryside on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the importance of speaking another language, and the doors that it opens into another world, are evident. English speakers, Germans, French, Italians and more, get by with plain descriptions, short sentences, pointing han... Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:55:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=76 2009-08-27T10:55:00Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=75 I have all these ideas about work, and the life of a boss, of an employee, of a successful business person, entrepreneur etc, as we all do, and they are all a combination of random incoming data from films, tv, books, media, online content, gossip, personal experience, related to living in partic... Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:48:35 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=75 2009-08-24T12:48:35Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=74 Just heard about a great event tomorrow night, wish I was in Dublin :( <br> <div style="padding:30px 25px 10px 35px"><b>Dublin Hub Open Evening II - Creating the Space</b> <br> Tuesday, 25th August, TCD Science Gallery, 6.30-9.00 p.m. <br><br> The second in our series of open evenings, thi... Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:50:43 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=74 2009-08-24T10:50:43Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=72 Love this ad, by the Japanese Ad Council: <br><br> It was shown at the whale/sushi (not at the same time) event organised by <a href="http://www.wacafe.net">Wa Cafe</a> at the Galway City Museum. <br><br> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CeX... Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:40:10 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=72 2009-08-20T10:40:10Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=70 As promised, here is the second film of people in Galway, giving their views on if its possible to make a living from art, along with some tips on how to do it. <br><br> As contradictions spread in all directions, it might be best to ask the experts tomorrow in the Gallery Cafe in the Galway... Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:46:12 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=70 2009-08-14T09:46:12Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=69 We wanted to do something special in build up to our event on Saturday, and get the people of Galway involved, so we decided to make a short film... After the <a href="http://www.euireland.ie/darklight/" style="color:blue;">Darklight Film event</a> recently, we were convinced anyone could do it! ... Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:23:39 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=69 2009-08-13T15:23:39Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=67 Leading on from the previous article about how great employers are, I was also reminded recently how we are all the employers of others. We are all creating stable jobs for eachother. <br><br> Someone twittered recently about the guilt they felt in purchasing the Sunday Newspaper as it had pro... Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:07:38 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=67 2009-08-11T09:07:38Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=66 As a budding entrepreneur, one of the things that has been evoked in me recently, is a huge respect for those who create stable employment for others. <br><br. The life of an employee is by no means perfect, don't get me wrong, but we would all agree that there are certain advantages to working... Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:28:42 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=66 2009-08-10T10:28:42Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=65 The beginning of the end of the INFECTIOUS Exhibit in the <a href=" http://sciencegallery.com/" style="color:blue;">Science Gallery</a> on the 17th July 2009. Luke O'Neill shows us Gary Larson's artistic take on the INFECTIOUS exhibition, and explores some "is laughter the best medicine" experime... Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:32:01 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=65 2009-08-03T19:32:01Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=64 So I read a blog post right now, and it's happening again. It's a long post, well written, lots of comments, the content is good. And here's the problem: <br><br> I feel jealous. <br><br> Similarly it happens when I find a cool website of a company that's succeeding at doing something simil... Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:21:12 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=64 2009-08-01T17:21:12Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=63 When I worked as a waitress in Wildwood, I was asked once why I was so friendly to the customers - why I bothered being so smiley, offering them a helping hand, never a harsh word or an angry comment; even when customers left no tip, or were rude to me; even when I was tired or in a bad mood.... ... Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:10:20 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=63 2009-07-28T18:10:20Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=61 Some of you may have seen the video we posted of the pecha kucha that happened in Dublin recently, below: <br><br> <div style="padding:10px 10px 10px 10px"> <object classid='clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000' codebase='http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.c... Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:34:24 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=61 2009-07-27T12:34:24Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=58 <div> Hey everyone! <br><br> Its been a long hectic week, had a wonderful time up in Dublin, and loads of cool content for the blog for the next few days, with lots of video clips to add to the video section, so keep keep coming back, or <a href="http://www.meetforeal.com/createuser.do" sty... Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:44:07 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=58 2009-07-21T18:44:07Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=57 There's been some confusion over what our event on Saturday actually is - is it only for Crewger people, is it a film about adventure sports, is it a talk, why are we charging etc etc... And then some people just get it as soon as they see it and sign up, or pick up the phone and ring us. <br><... Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:47:54 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=57 2009-07-16T08:47:54Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=55 'Against All Odds..!' is an exhibition by Emer Lynch, launched on Friday 3rd of July at 7.30pm in the MISE Art Space, The Twelve, Barna. <br><br> <div style="padding:0px 0px 140px 0px;"> <div style="float:left;padding:0px 10px 0px 10px;" > <img src="images/emer.jpg" alt="emer lynch" width="25... Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:30:28 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=55 2009-07-14T15:30:28Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=54 <img src="images/those_two_things.jpg" alt="Those Two Things"/> <br><br> So I have a new day's resolution that starts today. It's called <b>Those Two Things</b>, after a certain PR company in Galway, sorry I stole your name, but as you will see, I've stolen a lot of different ideas for this po... Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:29:45 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=54 2009-07-14T15:29:45Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=52 I am reminded of a post I wrote about <a href="http://mutantspace.ie" style="color:blue;">mutantspace.ie</a>, where you can donate a few hours of your time per week in what you are good at, to get other resources in return, and I was faced with the question : "What am I good at?". <br><br> With... Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:29:28 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=52 2009-07-14T15:29:28Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=51 <img src="images/girl_surfing.jpg" alt="girl surfing"/> <br> <br> Why do I think horse riding is dull, and surfing is cool? Why do I alert my eyes from anything remotely related to politics in the newspapers, or change the radio station when a song I don't like comes on? I would say change the... Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:13:43 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=51 2009-07-02T12:13:43Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=50 Does it really benefit you to have unyielding belief in yourself? Obviously if you feel good about yourself, your quality of life must be pretty high. But in terms of success... I would have thought that the higher your self esteem, the higher your achievement in life. That if you believe indiscr... Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:18:49 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=50 2009-07-01T15:18:49Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=49 When you leave a 9-5 job, it seems obvious that you can now embrace a new you. You can relinquish the classic structure and etiquette typical of a worker bee in a corporate environment and be finally free. You are free to grow dreadlocks, or shave your head, you can get piercings in all sorts of ... Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:36:52 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=49 2009-06-30T11:36:52Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=48 Running a company is such a rollercoaster. No day, no moment is the same. From potential investors with 8 million to invest sitting in front of you, to psychology questionnaires and free peppermint tea in coffee shops, with a stranger leaning over to try and steal answers, the noticing of a forei... Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:41:17 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=48 2009-06-29T11:41:17Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=47 I'm just back from walking in the Spanish Countryside for 8 days on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. This time we walked from St Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona; and from Logrono to Burgos. 8 days in total. The camino is something that is quite unusual to be described as a holiday activity. It... Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:46:09 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=47 2009-06-23T10:46:09Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=46 <img src="images/mind_front.jpg" /><br><br> Thinking is a topic that I am truly fascinated about. I've always loved books related with psychology, human behaviour and evolution. Last Saturday, our event was a great opportunity to learn interesting things, and ponder more about thinking. Ben F... Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:04:50 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=46 2009-06-20T14:04:50Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=45 Is it just me or do waiting rooms give you the jitters? <br><br> Waiting in Government funding offices, clutching your recently printed reformatted, readjusted, rewritten business plan in sweaty hands, practising the words of your carefully crafted presentation that tumble and stick in your br... Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:08:28 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=45 2009-06-04T13:08:28Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=44 Forums are scary places. I know they are a way that people can communicate based on common interests, but for newbies, they can be dangerous places. On a recent attempt to post details about an event we were holding, I had the sensation that I was an uninvited guest to a buzzing party. The reacti... Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:10:25 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=44 2009-06-03T14:10:25Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=43 <a href=http://dorothyrowe.com.au"><img src="images/dorothy.jpg" alt="dorothy rowe" style="padding:5px 0px 0px 25px"></a> <br><br>Reading Dorothy Rowe's book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dorothy-Rowes-Guide-Life-Rowe/dp/0006384226">"Dorothy Rowe's Guide to life"</a> changed the way I see the... Fri, 22 May 2009 09:50:41 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=43 2009-05-22T09:50:41Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=42 It is very interesting to see how mass media works and how much impact it can create. Whats even more interesting is to measure how much impact TV has in the current technological environment with the current massified internet usage.<br><br> As of July 2008, approximately 1,463,632,361 people... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:40:17 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=42 2009-05-20T09:40:17Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=41 <b>Getting a Knockback</b> <br><br> We all know how it feels to hear when you have just won a contract. You feel like punching the air! The opposite of that is the knockback. It comes in many shapes and sizes. Perhaps you've had a day of cold calling and nothing good has come of it. Maybe the c... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:38:12 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=41 2009-05-20T09:38:12Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=40 You can be a mad genius or the best creator on earth, but if you can't sell your idea or creation nobody is going to know about it, use it, or buy it, and it won't impact or change peoples' lives. Currently I am learning stuff about selling. It's interesting because I hate when an interaction is ... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:37:15 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=40 2009-05-20T09:37:15Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=39 <img src="images/Gary_quinn.jpg" alt="Gary Quinn of the Irish Times"><br><br> Damn Gary Quinn and his <a href= "http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/travel/2009/0425/1224245325224.html" style="color:blue; font-weight:bold;">surf board toting article</a> in the Irish Times. Is he paid by the Iri... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:36:34 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=39 2009-05-20T09:36:34Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=38 Imagine being a photojournalist, standing in the midst of a violent event, guns blazing all around you, people screaming and running. Now pause and watch how your body is reacting. Your adrenaline is pumping, you heart is pounding, sweat is squeezing out of all available pores, all the predicable... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:35:47 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=38 2009-05-20T09:35:47Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=37 Anton Mannering from Galway is organizing the Digital Media Breakfast Tomorrow. It's going to be an interesting one. I'll be there for sure.<br><br> The Digital Media Breakfasts In Galway Ireland are small gatherings of people involved in the Digital Media Space. Entrepreneurs, content creators... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:34:22 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=37 2009-05-20T09:34:22Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=36 <div> Currently I am in the process of the reading "The Art of Conversation" by Catherine Blyth. It is a very interesting book. But really hard to follow. Her way of portraying ideas is not very precise, and she has a tendency to ramble. She states why modern life is bad for conversation - "Com... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:33:32 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=36 2009-05-20T09:33:32Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=35 The price of always being available though high tech gadgetry - is it something we are willing to pay? Always being connected and constantly sharing through technological platforms has become part of our every day life's. Is it a necessity or completely overrated? I am not asking everyone to stop... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:32:36 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=35 2009-05-20T09:32:36Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=33 Yesterday was definitely a very interesting day. Galway has become such a cosmopolitan place where locals and foreigners mingle. I met and talked to loads of people yesterday, it was just incredible. I probably spoke to over 45 people or so. People from Ireland, Romania, Poland, USA, France, Sw... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:31:14 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=33 2009-05-20T09:31:14Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=34 Persistence is the trait that ought to take you very far. Well at least that is what they say. I am currently reading a book called The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris. The main core idea of this book is based on the so called "Pareto Principle", which states the following - roughly 80% of the... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:30:02 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=34 2009-05-20T09:30:02Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=32 Yesterday we had a very interesting day. We attended Brad Sugars from Action Coach talk about "The Recession Ends here" from Action Coach, and well I can tell you that he's a master salesman and knows how to set up a fantastic show and experience called the Action coach experience!<br... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:28:48 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=32 2009-05-20T09:28:48Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=31 Recently Ellen came across this project called the social innovation camp, <a href="http://www.sicamp.org">www.sicamp.org</a>, and they bring software developers and social innovators together. They organize events and camps creating a place to try new ideas, get adv... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:27:18 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=31 2009-05-20T09:27:18Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=30 Bizcamp Limerick was an absolutely great experience. I gave a talk entitled How to Create Your Own Epidemic, addressing the fact that roughly 20% of the population really want to create impact of some form. The ability to create word of mouth is a powerful skill that so many businesses rely upon,... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:25:54 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=30 2009-05-20T09:25:54Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=29 We are really excited about Bizcamp in Limerick this coming Saturday. I am going to give a talk at 12:00. The title of the talk was originally "Human Psychology and Social Interaction", something that I love studying and reading about. My real talk is going to be about "How to Create your... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:24:48 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=29 2009-05-20T09:24:48Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=28 Do you ever have those moments in life, those brief snapshots of clarity and utter self defeatism, when something sets you about wondering what on earth you have thats of any value to anyone? Of course these moments are fleeting - mental safety mechanisms kick in at any signs of danger, and push ... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:23:52 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=28 2009-05-20T09:23:52Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=27 I just find the possibility of creating impact in other people's lives amazing. Last night I had the second meetforeal "Talking to strangers workshop" in Galway and I had a really successful night. Sharing something of incredible value is such a fantastic thing to do and... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:22:26 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=27 2009-05-20T09:22:26Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=26 I was just reading around and I came across this blog post. I can't agree more with these 7 reasons. I found them here <a href="http://www.socyberty.com/Sociology/7-Reasons-Why-You-Should-Talk-to-Strangers.66377">http://www.socyberty.com</a> but I will put them here for people to read them more c... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:21:22 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=26 2009-05-20T09:21:22Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=25 After our visit to London this week end, and going to India in November, several facts struck me. London is such an incredibly impersonal city as opposed to say, New Delhi. The likelihood of some stranger striking up a conversation with you is very low, so if you want to remain in relative isolat... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:19:13 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=25 2009-05-20T09:19:13Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=24 Yesterday we went to the <a style="text-decoration:underline; " href="http://www.theschooloflife.com/" >School of Life</a> in London to see and meet <a style="text-decoration:underline; " href="http://www.jonahlehrer.com/">Jonah Lehrer</a>, the author of "The Decisive Moment". Seated in an old ... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:17:49 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=24 2009-05-20T09:17:49Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=23 Hey everyone this is our first press release for meetforeal.<br> check it out!!! <br><br> <a href="http://www.galwayindependent.com/entertainment/entertainment/language-swap:-speak-it-/">http://www.galwayindependent.com/entertainment/entertainment/language-swap:-speak-it-/</a> Wed, 20 May 2009 09:16:46 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=23 2009-05-20T09:16:46Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=22 Some people believe that the best way to learn a foreign language is to speak it. Others claim that speaking is imitation and as such, in order to talk speak like native speakers, you have to listen to the things they say and read the things they write.<br><br> However, speaking practice, onc... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:15:44 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=22 2009-05-20T09:15:44Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=21 I will just like to congratulate Juan Carlos for his newly released album called Total Relaxation Volume 3 - Solace Sunset.<br> You can get it here <a style="color:blue;" href=" http://www.emusic.com/album/Relaxation-Music-Total-Relaxation-Volume-3-Solace-Sunset-MP3-Download/11383571.html">http:/... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:14:37 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=21 2009-05-20T09:14:37Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=20 The Lemon Tree is an excellent Israeli movie directed by Eran Riklis. One of the striking facts is that it is based on a true story of a Palestinian Widow who defends her lemon tree field. It is shocking how the Israeli- Palestinian conflict affects so many lives of innocent civilians, and its al... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:13:02 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=20 2009-05-20T09:13:02Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=19 Ryanair's magazine should be banned. I usually resist taking one because I know that the main aim of the magazine is to advertise holiday destinations which happen to lie conveniently on ryanairs current flying routes, but this time I had nothing else to read, and had spent 3 hours sitting on tra... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:11:31 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=19 2009-05-20T09:11:31Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=18 Spanish is one of my favourite foods. When I was a kid I use to go to Madrid at least twice a year and have lovely chorizo and churros. Spanish food is very diverse if you consider its cultural diversity. The food from the north could be remarkably different from the south. <br><br> One of the... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:09:51 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=18 2009-05-20T09:09:51Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=17 Last Thursday we had our expert talk from Iain Mac Labhrainn, Graduate of the Universities of Edinburgh and Durham with a PhD in Cosmology and current Director of The Centre for Excellence in Learning & Teaching in NUIG. The talk, Life the Universe and everything, well 'the Universe' at least, to... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:08:32 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=17 2009-05-20T09:08:32Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=16 I came across this absolutely amazing article published by <a href="http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/well_being_top.aspx">NEF</a>, which reviews the interdisciplinary work of over 400 scientists from across the world and the aim was to identify a set of EVIDENCE-BASE actions to improve well-being.... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:06:05 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=16 2009-05-20T09:06:05Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=15 It is quite amazing to know that every situation, location and mood can change radically in a specific social encounter. Last night we had our travelling meeting and I think we experienced a completely different night. I had loads of fun. We stuck up on a world map on the bar's wall, and put pins... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:04:25 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=15 2009-05-20T09:04:25Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=14 It was a great experience having the language swap yesterday evening! It was a medium group, and everything worked out really well! Language swaps are incredible for people who want to go deeper in their language skills and attain more fluidity in everyday conversations.<br> <img src="images/bel... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:02:28 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=14 2009-05-20T09:02:28Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=13 According to wikipedia: Don't put all your eggs in one basket means that one should not focus all his or her resources on one hope, possibility or avenue of success. <br><br> Isn't it funny how sometimes when you are questioning an idiomatic phrase, such as this eggy one, and search for what ot... Wed, 20 May 2009 09:01:07 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=13 2009-05-20T09:01:07Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=12 1st of February. Finally. Waiting for your paycheck until the end of January is a killer. Now with the credit card bill paid off and the evenings getting brighter, it's like a fresh start. <br><br> Tonight we are going to the town hall theatre/Galway film society to see the film "Buddha Collap... Wed, 20 May 2009 08:59:52 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=12 2009-05-20T08:59:52Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=11 Hi everybody! <br><br> Now I'm not just writing to myself anymore! Yay! Welcome to our new users. We are having fun watching the site grow, slowly but surely. <br><br> We had a fun night last night meeting groups of language students and couchsurfers in Galway. I find it so hard to go out l... Wed, 20 May 2009 08:58:19 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=11 2009-05-20T08:58:19Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=10 <br>Its been a long week, today we can finally say its all done though! Yipee! We were having problems with the payment part and needed to make sure everything was perfect and solid, without cause for complaint so you guys can trust us with your dwindling funds in a rampant recession :) <br> <b... Wed, 20 May 2009 08:55:41 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=10 2009-05-20T08:55:41Z http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=9 <div> <p>Welcome everyone to our brand new beautiful site that Adrian has managed to create! With my help of course. We have spent so much time preparing for this day, so I hope you all enjoy what we have created!</p> <br> <p>Meetforeal has become much more than a solid site, or a cool list of... Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.meetforeal.com/postcomment.do?blogPostId=9 2009-05-19T00:00:00Z