If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.

Albert Einstein, Observer, Jan. 15, 1950
US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)

There is nothing more refreshing than watching waves break. I love watching the waves swell up and then break over rocks. Ireland may not have the best weather in the world but it does have an interesting coastline which makes going to the beach enjoyable, even in crap weather (like our current summer!). The sound of waves breaking and the fresh smell from the sea is very therapeutic.

I was in West Cork at the weekend and took some pictures of pretty poppies in a field by the sea. I love the colour of poppies especially in contrast to the green and grey in the background.

Hammock – noun

A wide strip of canvas or rope mesh suspended at both ends, used as a bed.

ORIGIN – from Taino (an extinct Caribbean language)

Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new.

Og Mandino
(1923 - 1996)

I went on a report writing course recently and part of the advice we were given was about being clear and avoiding overly complicated language. The following were a few examples of not spelling things out clearly…

‘Pre-experienced Vehicle’ – Used Car

‘Localised Capacity Deficiency’ – Traffic Jam

‘Grain Consuming Unit’ – Cow

‘Aerodynamic Personal Decelerator’ – Parachute

I came across ‘freerice’ in a magazine and like all the good ideas it’s simple and fun. If you enjoy word games and would like to help the hungry then check out the freerice website. On the screen you will see a word and under it there will be four potential meanings. If you pick the correct meaning then you will get 20 grains of rice to donate. According to the website FAQs ‘The rice is paid for by the sponsors whose names you see on the bottom of your vocabulary screen when you enter a correct answer. These sponsors support both learning (free vocabulary for everyone) and reducing hunger (free rice for the hungry).’ Beware… it’s a bit addictive. :-)

My mother drew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that 'achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that is in you. Success is being praised by others, and that's nice, too, but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about success.'

Helen Hayes
US actress (1900 - 1993)

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.

Japanese Proverb

Capellini – plural noun

Pasta in the form of very thin strands.

ORIGIN – Italian, ‘small hairs’

I went to ‘Taste of Cork’ last Saturday afternoon and I really enjoyed it. Fortunately the weather was dry and sort of sunny, practically the opposite to the horrendous rain we have had this weekend. I was impressed with how well the Taste of Cork event was organised. I went to see two cookery demonstrations, the first was by Rachel Allen and the second was by Clodagh McKenna. I have a couple of Rachel’s cookery books and I like her recipes. I’m not that crazy about her on TV but she came across much better during the demonstration. At one point she was showing us that beaten egg whites should be stiff enough so that you could tip the bowl upside down without losing any of the egg mixture. Unfortunately some of her egg white mixture slide out of the bowl. She coped well with the embarrassment of the situation and everyone had a good laugh. Clodagh McKenna had a different, more scattered style of cookery demonstration. She brought a lot of food producers onto the stage and introduced them to the audience. It was interesting to hear a bit about the makers of the different items of food that she was using as ingredients. There were lots of great stalls there on the day. I particularly enjoyed the stalls that were giving away free samples of chocolate!!! All in all, it was a very enjoyable day and I’d highly recommend it. [I’d also recommend not driving to it so you could experience the cocktail making and sampling. :-)]

Success isn't permanent, and failure isn't fatal.

Mike Ditka
US football player & coach (1939 - )