I had to leave the office at lunchtime, and on the way back to the office I saw what was almost a very serious crash. Note, I said “crash”, it would have been no “accident”.
Two lorries were in front of me, a heavy earth moving one and a container lorry. The container lorry driver must have been in an awful hurry – on a junction just outside Ballincollig he tried to overtake the earth-mover. Unfortunately for him, a woman driving a Toyota Corolla was turning into a residential park at the junction.
The lorry driver slammed on the brakes, turned left to avoid the car, almost hit the lorry in front of him, and came to a complete halt! The earth-mover moved off, the container lorry pulled in and then carried on down the road, and a very shook woman indicated and waited at the junction for a break in traffic..
That was bad enough, but then, in a 30mph zone the lorry proceeded down the hill at a speed of 40mph or more. He pulled away ahead of me and I saw him swerve from side to side as he followed the other truck.
Eventually he went off in the direction of Iniscarra, I went into work and moments after I pulled up in front of the office I saw the same lorry go past. I don’t know many people who could have gone down the road he went, turned around, and come back up again in such a quick time, even in a small car! The road is narrow, there aren’t many places to turn, and it’s busy!
Only one thing for it.. I called the Gardai and they’re on the look out for him. He’s going to kill someone driving like that!
At least 173 killed in Madrid train bombings
30, 40, 173… the death toll rises. I heard this on the morning news as I got ready to leave for work. I texted Cachu in Madrid and she and her friends are fine, but they were watching it on tv. She couldn’t describe the horror of it.
Last November, I visited one of the train stations in Madrid with Cachu so I’m wondering now if that was one of the stations attacked.
The BBC has more coverage as does elpais if you speak Spanish.
Later.. More people have died. What a day. Yahoo has more, and photos.
Later Still.. I rang Cachu. She and her immediate friends are fine, thank God, but they’re all very upset and distressed. College was canceled early as parents were ringing all the time asking about their children. Some didn’t show up today. She told me that we met Carlos in one of the train stations that had been targeted. The train was late this morning and the bomb went off outside the station, but I remember the place well and I’ll post some photos of the indoor garden there later tonight.
We're fat, and it's official!
It seems that obesity levels in Ireland have, increased by almost one third in the past four years, and recent surveys show that one in five Irish boys and girls are overweight.
Since I came back from the States (where I put on a few extra pounds weight!) I’ve been following my own diet – eat less and do more exercise. Has it worked? Yes! I’ve lost about 7lb since December! 🙂
And in other news, the Irish drink more than anyone else in the EU! Oh! Surprise!
New to digital photography?
Murder – Victim Impact
I meant to comment earlier as I heard this on the news this morning, but Karlin posted first about Mary Murphy, mother of Brian Murphy who was kicked to death outside a nightclub in Dublin in August 2000. She spoke at the trial of those accused of the manslaughter of her son. Here’s a re-enactment of part of that statement. Her family went through hell, twice. Once in 2000, and then again through this trial.
The Beauty of Life
This is a really nice animation! Relax for the 9 minutes this lasts and enjoy a feel-good movie.
Lars Keagan is an ordinary farmer who paints the most important moments of his life. We witness his artistic progress from infancy to old age as he reflects the dearest moments of his life.
You can download an mpeg 1 version from pocketmovies.net and a Divx version is available from the author’s site.
2017 Edit: The Youtube version (This blog post was made before Youtube was founded!)
Smile Please! Don't drool over all those cameras!
Is a photo a real record of what happened if the subject is payed or manipulated? Does it really matter? By the act of being “there”, a photographer has changed the outcome of a situation anyway. Mike Johnston looks at this and covers it in more detail. Read the article if you’re tempted to comment here. It’ll make you think!
And then of course, this report from the PMA this year will make you drool over all the new cameras available! (Plenty more on Digital Journalist!)
Digital Photography is no longer special. It now is photography.
(via Photography Blog)
The Rainbow Plucking Orgy
It’s perfectly safe for work, if everyone around you is sweet and innocent. Ok, this animation probably isn’t safe for work then! 😉
Dining In Cork?
I enjoyed one of the best meals I’ve eaten out in a long time on Saturday night! It wasn’t in Cork City, it wasn’t in Kinsale, or anywhere you’d expect, but in Oyster Haven. In Oz Haven to be exact!
The menu is varied, from wild boar and ostrich to seafood such as salmon and sushi. Yum. I loved the setting, we weren’t squashed in, there was plenty of space between tables, a fireside table was a luxury not available in many restaurants in town! Paul was a knowledgable and courteous host and can tell you whatever you need to know about the food or wine available.
If you’re looking to impress your significant other, or simply looking for good quality and delicious food, dine in Oz Haven!
YACCC – CSS Colour Chooser.
This looks really useful. It lets you choose a colour scheme and paint it onto a mini web page. (Via Scripty Goddess)