“You Make My Day!”

Last Wednesday I received a treat from a friend – Ann gave me a “you make my day” blog award...



Thanks so much, Ann, I’m touched!

One of the joys of blogging is that it connects a circle of friends who may not otherwise have the opportunity to meet. In the spirit of encouraging and perpetuating those connections, I’d like to introduce some of the blogs that make MY day (linked at the side of my blog)... and I’m passing on this award like the hot potato that it is...

Zebadiah and Beauregard’s Front Porch – ZandB is my favorite Irish dance satirist. He is the Dave Barry of the Irish dance world. He is also a close personal friend, but believe it or not, I knew his blog before I knew him in person… and one of his posts triggered an incident two years ago which revealed to me the identity of this talented writer’s pseudonym. Since then, our families have enjoyed much fun together and have become lifelong friends.

Diochra.com – (I know, I know, this one is technically not a blog... but it has a blog within...) Although the home page is not updated as frequently as it used to be, there is a plethora of valuable Irish dance resources within this site. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Ashe (yet), but feel like I’ve met her through emails.

We Love Irish Dancing – Brooke has shared her professional experience as a newspaper designer with the Irish dance public and maintains a very informative site. I find her well-documented feis reviews most helpful. Brooke has also become one of my favorite Feis Friends. Although we live in different regions and don’t get to see each other often, we have fast become close friends.

Damhsoir.com – (Again, technically not a blog, but there’s a blog within so IT COUNTS!) This site has been my source for reassurance that I’m not completely around the bend to be attempting Irish dance as an adult beginner. It includes many helpful resources, and I particularly enjoyed the journal on the blog of an adult dancer who traveled to Ireland for Blas Week.

Megsdance Mumblings – Megan is a mentor and a friend whom I hope to have the opportunity to get to know better. Master of many other sites as well, Megan keeps this blog active with a smattering of interesting topics.

Feisanne – Anne Craig is an Irish dance dressmaker in the UK who I “met” on dance.net and through AIM over a year ago. Although we haven’t connected in quite some time, I would feel funny removing her blog from my sidebar, so there it sits... in hopes of rekindling a friendship someday. Hope that you are well, Annie!

Taoknitter & Taoknitter2 – Catch the potato, Ann!!! Ann Donahue is an insightful and innovative Irish dance dressmaker in Northern Virginia. Her sewing, her designing (with business partner Susan), her knitting, and her writing each exude creativity. Ann is also an educator by nature, to which I can relate. Top that with a wicked sense of humor and it’s not hard to guess why I cherish Ann’s friendship!

The next three blogs I’ve just added to my list of links...

Mother Bunny – This blog is the only one on this list that is completely unrelated to Irish dance. I LOVE reading this blog because it reminds me so much of those precious years of parenting my kids when they were very young. (It wasn’t even that long ago, but in some ways feels like another lifetime now that we’re so busy with school stuff.) This post is one of my absolute favorites, and in this post Jessica lists her favorite posts from last year. Jessica also shares her gift for photography on the site, which is particularly fun when the subjects are her adorable kids. (Jess, ever since you mentioned your interest in knitting I’ve wanted to introduce you to Ann... go check out Taoknitter2!)

Lymabean – OK, here’s a really good example of small-world syndrome... I first met “Mrs. Lymabean” through an email exchange when I replied to an advertisement for her daughter’s Irish dance dress. Long story shortened, Lynette realized that she had seen my daughter on a youtube video that ZandB had posted from the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Then, when we met at a feis to try on the dress (which sadly did not fit), I learned that her daughter’s new dress was one that Ann Donahue had just made. Later that week I saw pictures of the dress on Ann’s blog, and a comment linked to the Lymabean blog… which I continue to read and enjoy. Though I’ve never been a gardener, it is an art form that I admire. And I so enjoy having a Feis Friend who seems like-minded in so many ways.

Tinwhistler – As part of my midlife crisis, I am attempting all kinds of new and interesting things. Tin whistle is one of them! (Aren’t you glad that you don’t live in my house and have to listen to me attempt this new adventure?!) This site was introduced to me in a round about way from my Feis Musician friend Mark Arrington, who recommended the site Whistle This, which linked to the instructional blog. (How’s that for a paper trail?!) I have also explored the links from this blog to Ryan Duns’ other blogs, which in turn led to exploring other blogs with all sorts of interesting (and some challenging) reads.

So ZandB, Ashe, Brooke, Megan, Annie C, Ann D, Jessica and Ryan… thank you each, ‘cause you make MY day! Readers (if there are any others who read my blog besides a few of the people mentioned above!), please consider checking these out and continuing the connections. Exploring the links of friends’ friends could lead to an infinite array of blog surfing opportunities... mind bloggling, eh?!

May the connections continue indefinitely...

Music Video

On the list of stress antidotes, laughter ranks as high as dark chocolate and red wine. So, to my fellow MAIDs and Irish dance enthusiasts who (like me) may be experiencing some pre-Oireachtas stress…… WATCH THIS!



The women in the music group “Uncle Earl” are friends with Maureen Berry (TCRG and Owner/Director of the Teelin School of Irish Dance). When given the opportunity to shoot their first music video, Uncle Earl asked Maureen to choreograph it and dance in it along with several other dancer friends. It was an incredibly fun project, which required a marathon weekend of dancing and filming in Nashville last June.

The video is being aired by MTV in China. Why China? Dunno really. They must have a thing for Old Time music over there. The lyrics are sung by Abby, who is fluent in Chinese. (I don’t think she’s actually saying, “eBay”, but given that I am NOT fluent in Chinese, I really haven’t a clue what she’s saying.)

In addition to the extreme fun of this video, I am very impressed with Uncle Earl. Here’s an interview with the group:



Well, back to the task of unpacking the suitcases from the Thanksgiving trip, and leaving them in the corner to be packed for the trip to Atlanta next weekend… still laughing as I sort the laundry loads… wondering what other adventures this amazing world of Irish dance will bring our way…

(Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!)

Irish Dancer Falls at Feis, Gets Up and Runs Marathon!

An adult dancer friend of mine named Chris competed last weekend at the Rhythm of Ireland Feis, adding a bit of creative choreography to his dance steps as he was departing the stage. And in case anyone missed it, he valiantly offered an encore on his way to accept his award. Click here to see the feis photographer’s documentation of this move!

This same dancer will be running in his first marathon this coming weekend, the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 28 in Washington, DC!

Chris has been training vigorously for this event, but not only for his own quest to complete the race. His efforts are also benefiting many others by raising money for the Tourette Syndrome Association. His team could really use your help! Will you please consider contributing a donation? Click here for more information…

On a personal note, my 9-year-old nephew was recently diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS). TS is an inherited neurobiological disorder, and the Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA) is a well-run non-profit organization working to identify the cause, find the cure, and control the effects of TS. This organization has already helped my family immensely by educating us on the facts and myths of the syndrome, and offering suggestions for ways to help my nephew cope with some of the effects of TS.

Many people have either never heard of Tourette Syndrome, or only know of the Hollywood version of a rare symptom which affects a very small percentage of individuals diagnosed with TS. Whether you choose to donate or not, educating others about TS is very helpful. Click here to watch an educational video about TS presented by a young girl who, with her sister, founded the “TSA Youth Ambassador” program.

Thanks very much for your consideration…

And a big THANK YOU to Chris for his mission in this marathon! My family is cheering for him every step of the race!

Book Quiz

Well, so much for “remedial blogging”. August and September have been consumed by back-to-school stuff. And that goes for both “real school” and Irish dance school stuff.

No time to write anything unless it’s a dancer handbook, a newsletter, or an email coordinating something-or-other. Even finding the time to read has been tough lately. My message board addiction is suffering from atrophy.

But this morning, a friend called to say that I simply MUST visit the SR board. So I obliged…

In a thread discussing the very important topic of locating the nearest emergency sushi restaurants in Atlanta, the sushi search was trumped by an even more important topic – the location of the best Margaritas in Atlanta. Ahhh… such fond memories of last year’s MegaMargarita at the SRO!

And of course, after reading one board I just HAD to read the other boards… AND some of the other interesting Irish dance blogs…. (It is Friday, you know…)

Ann has an interesting post on her blog regarding an online book quiz. I decided to click on the link and take the quiz. I answered a few short questions with multiple choice answers, and so I fully expected “my book” to be something unfamiliar.

I love surprises. Here are my results:

You're Watership Down!

by Richard Adams

Though many think of you as a bit young, even childish, you're actually incredibly deep and complex. You show people the need to rethink their assumptions, and confront them on everything from how they think to where they build their houses. You might be one of the greatest people of all time. You'd be recognized as such if you weren't always talking about talking rabbits.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

A Time to Laugh

Recently my husband had the opportunity to introduce our friend, ZandB, to a previously unfamiliar adult beverage. Reading the label as ZandB enjoyed this beverage had me in stitches - it so accurately describes him!!!

http://www.theakstons.co.uk/LA/OldPeculier.htm

In fact, even the advertisements on that website are appropriate:

“…with a character all its own”
“…has a large and enthusiastic following… all around the world”
“… ‘The Legend’… with a long history”

(I so enjoy time together with our dance friends... We're a diverse group with a common interest, and it sure is fun to laugh together!)

Thanks for supporting this dancer’s family…

If you've read the post just before this one, then you already know of the recent sad news from Maryland. On Thursday, September 14, a dancer from the Teelin School of Irish Dance and her father both died in an ocean swimming incident. The Teelin website has a memorial page:

http://www.teelin.com/amy.htm

But the reason I am posting this message today is not to share the news, it is instead to say THANK YOU! The Irish dance community is truly an amazing community! If you choose to visit Amy’s memorial page, be sure to scroll all the way down and read the messages from families all over the world. The outpourings of condolences, prayers, and offers for support have been overwhelming, and are so gratefully appreciated! Please read the letter from the Martins. This is a family of strong faith and deep love which WILL carry them through this tragedy, especially with the support of caring individuals like you!

MAIDS, DAIDS, and dancers come together in good times and bad. Both the laughter and the tears shared together are equally precious. Teelin School of Irish Dance is certainly feeling that right now, and thanks to message boards like this one, it is also being felt literally across the world.

Amy Martin was a talented young dancer who performed with the Teelin Irish Dance Company. She didn’t compete in feiseanna, not because she lacked interest, simply because she was the second oldest child in a family of six girls, all home schooled, and feising requires a different level of family commitment than the performances do. Nevertheless, at the Baltimore Feis two days after Amy and her Dad’s deaths, the feis committee offered a moment of silence to pay respect not only to the lives lost, but also to Amy’s friends and teachers who were present at the feis that day. That is a prime example of the great good within the Irish dance community, and personally, I am forever grateful to the Broesler School of Irish Dance for that act of kindness!

So, thanks, friends! I’m proud to be a part of this Irish dance community! May we share more laughter than tears, but be there for each other through both…

A Time to Grieve

The week of July 31-August 4, 2006, was camp week for the members of two troupes of the Teelin Irish Dance Company. One of those days, amateur photographer extraordinaire, ZandB, generously took a day off work to come to the studio and photograph each dancer so that troupe portraits could be hung in the studio lobby.

That morning, the dancers arrived with their red school dresses, wigs and tiaras. ZandB arrived with his "toys": camera, lenses, tripod, fabric backdrop, and two new studio lights. The first dancer to be photographed was 15-year-old Amy. With extreme patience, Amy sat, stood, sat again, turned this way, that way... while the master photographer found the lighting and angle that he sought. Meanwhile, Amy's Dad, Doug Martin, quietly moved around the studio with his own camera, snapping pictures of his daughter.

There are certain people who have a gentle grace evident to anyone they meet. Amy and her Dad shared that grace with us. Their quiet smiles and simple goodness flowed freely, and the love that they shared for each other was overwhelming to witness, especially that morning. Amy didn't fidget, roll her eyes, or even comment on how long her portrait session was taking since she was first. That wasn't her way. Doug didn't interfere, or even seek to offer any advice. He smiled appreciatively, and took pictures of his own without intruding. For Doug and Amy, this morning was simply a fun opportunity to capture a picture of a dancer. And the smiles that they shared when their eyes connected with each other were almost giddy. They were so very genuine. Never was a father's love for his daughter more evident than Doug's. Never was a daughter's love her father more evident than Amy's.

Never, ever, did I think that I would be writing this, or posting this portrait for this purpose...

Amy and her father both died on Thursday, September 14, 2006, after an ocean swimming accident. Please keep Jeanne Martin (mother and wife) and Amy's five sisters in your prayers, along with all Martin family and friends.

Amy Martin

April 13, 1991 - September 14, 2006

http://www.teelin.com/amy.htm

For everything, there is a time.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:4

Jeanne Martin home schools her daughters. Amy was the second oldest of six girls. For anyone who may be interested, donations for educational scholarships for the five surviving daughters may be made payable to "The Doug and Amy Martin Memorial Education Fund" and mailed to:

Education Fund

c/o Mr. Dale Murphy, Trustee

P.O. Box 222

Gambrills, MD 21054