Camping

Went camping this weekend to L'Ideal at Annacy. Nice campsite, very grumpy staff. Sad to see the USA leave the World Cup.

The Smiths get back to nature

Ciara plays the poubelle

We went to concert this evening at Ciara's school for her end of year show, where the class put on a performance on the dustbins. Contrary to what you might think, they were actually very good.

And the band played

on and on and on and on... while we quietly and politely cursed them as we died of thirst and hunger.

Guest post by  Graeme Stewart.

Blogging

A blog post about blogging - a bit of navel-gazing going on here at AYearInThoiry. I must say I've really enjoyed creating and posting to my blog. It elevates the mundane happenings in my life to high art (doncha think?). I've kept a diary all my life, but after this I might just forgo the paper edition and switch to digital. I mean, it's different in a way because it's out there, and public, and I think people have to guard against oversharing and put on some filters, but then on the other hand I think hey, it's their blog and their business what they disclose to strangers. One of my favourite ways to waste time do research for this class is to click on the next blog link on the blogger header. I'm often very surprised by how creative and profound the postings can be. On the other hand it can be quite scary - you can get stuck in a homeschooling Proverbs wives inescapable loop and end up watching a video on how to properly fold a sheet (don't click!). Sometimes I think, this must be satire, it's just too OTT, but I fear not.

Checking out other people's blogs also helps me to humanize strangers and stop making generalizations and quick judgments about people. I'll be on some blog where the parents are detailing every aspect of their child's life and I'll be thinking Why, then further down, I'll see they've had a terrible tragedy, such the earlier death of child and that'll stop me up short. Blogs are making me a better person!

I've been listening to podcasts from women's hour which takes me back a bit. It's a great mix of current affairs, politics and culture and I really enjoy the convenience of just clicking and listening.

As far as how blogs have impacted society, I think blogs have more of an individual effect rather than affecting society at large. It's so personal, it's like reading a stranger's diary, but with their permission. You're either going to connect or not with that person based on their interests, sense of humour, worldview etc. and I don't think that effect can translate to a mass movement.

BBQ

Beautiful weather and great food for the BBQ at Geneva Quaker House. Ciara and Evan fell in love with Jane's dog Bongey- a very gentle and patient soul.

Podcast

Coming to you in mono ! (No roosters were harmed during the making of this podcast - unfortunately).

Karma

France 0 - Mexico 2!!
Allez les bleus? - je crois NON.

I hear the Irish were wearing sombreros and downing tequila shots as the match was being played. God bless us - we never forget an injustice.  See Hitler react to le main de Thiery  Henry- caution - bad language and tasteless humour (and some misspellings too).