To infinity and beyond

26 Jan 2012

My meeting with IWIB didint happen so I went running by the seat instead

17 Jan 2012

The new Samsung 22" in the kitchen. White nice :)

14 Jan 2012

Vesper boning up on #jogsfordogs this-morning

2 Jan 2012

In the clan stand for Connacht v Leinster and its windy!

31 Dec 2011

How'd you know where you goin if you don't look back ~ Everlast

31 Dec 2011

Bubbles thanks to @evilbubbles - Thanks man!

31 Dec 2011

Not the cheap stuff. Happy New Year folks!

23 Dec 2011

I must be the last person in the world to post a pic of their tree on the web?

22 Dec 2011

Too many Christmas goodies already :o

20 Dec 2011

212 Pages 500+ slides x4 years of past papers and several patent searches all consumed before breakfast!

5 Dec 2011

Probably my most neglected online tool gets a boring facelift www.bfitzsimons.tumbler.com

3 Dec 2011

Mulled wine. I'll take that :)

29 Nov 2011

Somebody got a badass advent calendar for the office ;)

27 Nov 2011

X2 Intensive days of Innovation & Technology coming to an end

24 Nov 2011

Zurich/Milan - February 2011

Ooh look planes!

Fly Swiss.com :)

I Like

Comp Nom nom's

Zurich Pasta. Cost €2 Sold for €20. they saw me coming

Mini Swiss.com Zurich/Milano

Swiss Alps 2 from Air

Swiss Alps from Air

Central Station Milan

(download)

18 Feb 2011

Pre-morning run strategy briefing with Vesper

17 Feb 2011

TIME looks interesting this week.

10 Feb 2011

So much nicer when there free!

Taken at massimo

5 Feb 2011

Spring visits the west of Ireland

Taken at The Claddagh Galway

5 Feb 2011

Guess who got a ring for Christmas?

Taken at Banke hotel paris

5 Feb 2011

2010 - A Personal Review of a Great Year

In brief 2010 had more hits than misses for me. It was a year I'll look back on as a welcome change in direction and for all good reasons. Following on from a disastrous 2009 personally and it only felt like things could look up. I decided contract work and establishing a business in 2010 was what I wanted to do back then and in 2010 I set out to do this. I took the decision in 2010 to relocate to Galway which was a big decision because it meant moving away from family, friends and career progressing opportunities however it also meant a clean slate and a real opportunity to make decisions around what I wanted in the long term and not just the career map that I found myself following. For a long time id felt frustrated that my career was progressing on paper like it should but I didn't feel I was seizing the moment in quite the way that felt right to me. Good things start from humble beginnings so I started Karma Media and stepped into the arena of running my own business. I'll save all the details and say that Karma is doing well, keeping me afloat financially and helping to fund some subsidiary projects I plan to launch in 2011.

Starting a business is something I wanted to do for literally years but being well paid and on a consistent salary can often drown out those thoughts and keep you in a safety net from achieving your real potential. Now thats just my view today because I've had an exciting challenging and rewarding year, had Karma not taken off than maybe this view would be different? In 1999 I made a plan, I planned to work hard and study my way through to 30 (which I turned in December) then decide if running my own business was something I'd like to do. Looking back at my achievements I can only say I'm proud to have worked with incredible people on really incredible projects that have impacted millions of peoples lives its given me so much experience and equipped me for going on to do bigger and better things.

Besides my work, on a personal note 2010 has been incredible too with lots of hits.

The high points :

I learnt to swim for the first time after two serious incidents when I was a kid which kept me out of the pool for most of my teens. Funny how something you can barely remember can have such an impact on your life eh?
I did something I've always wanted since I was a kid and got a puppy for my 30th. She's a beautiful thoroughbred Vizsla called Vesper, i'm currently teaching her to retrieve and point.
I started UltraRunning, whats that I hear you say? Well its running distances further than that of a marathon, usually between 31miles - 62miles. Yes it sounds long but its important to note that you are not running at marathon pace so it does take longer and you don't fatigue as quickly.
As above I started my business Karma Media, its first iteration is Webdesign and we specialise in Website Design, Online PR, Social Media, Web Development, CMS, Internet Strategy, Online Marketing, Digital Media, Web Marketing Strategy.
I got engaged to my wonderful Fiancée Majella in snowy Paris just after my birthday. Were currently in the process of wedding planning, its very exciting but i'm glad its something you only have to do once.

The not so high points :

I missed the entry date for the Enterprise Ireland iGap programme. I really could have done with the mentoring an introductions that come from the programme and I'm seeking investment in a incredible project I just cant not pursue. I was devastated to hear that my entry was too late but other opportunities are presenting themselves and I'd do anything to make this happen.
I was supposed to travel to New Zealand and see U2 360 live at the end of the year. Although I had the tickets for U2 etc I made the decision that you can either make a success of your business or be that guy who disappears for two months which I am most certainly not. I'm happy I skipped the trip, turns out I got engaged instead.
I didn't get my drivers license. Not that I failed, I never tried. This appalling lapse in priorities will be corrected shortly as I just booked lessons.
I didn't run a official marathon. I'm bummed out about this one because I wanted to run a overseas marathon annually but with such a hectic year it's just been impossible to put in adequate training. I applied for the 2011 NewYork Marathon in October, currently waiting to see did I get in.

What does 2011 have in store?

Well the plan is to grow Karma Media into a more well known brand and continue to work with customers and clients on a dial basis. I have my eye on some new offices in Galway and in Dublin so news on this should follow soon. The Karma Design website is due to go live very shortly while I sort out some of the SEO between my client work. I have a major launch coming up for thenewbusinessman.com, cant say just what it is at the moment but I can say I've put months of work into building it and getting incredible people involved so there should be an announcement in March on the actual live date. I suppose the most important piece of news at the moment is that I am actively seeking investment for a web platform I am building. Its been hard to navigate and understand just what opportunities are out there at the moment but I'm sure as soon as I can get the investment to build the initial platform other investors will follow and help grow the platform and build a bigger audience. If your reading this and you think you can help or point me in the right direction please get in touch.

On a personal level this year I'm joining the Galway Sailing Club, sailing is something I've been passionate about for quite some time and one Irelands most prestigious clubs is on my doorstep so why the heck not. Oh of-course before I forget I'm getting married, better put that one in the diary!

Well thats all for this year friends.

Happy new Year and I wish you all health, happiness and success in the coming year.

31 Dec 2010

Random photos from 2010

(download)

31 Dec 2010

(Video) Happy New Year and all the best for 2011

Just a short video to to say thanks and wish you the best for 2011!

(download)

31 Dec 2010

Moulin Rouge Paris

23 Dec 2009

Steorn Orbo visit

(download)

Sent from my iPhone 3GS

27 Sep 2009

Lead up to Chicago and the Dublin Half Marathon

I cant believe that the Chicago Marthon is only 2 weeks away. I've been looking forward to this for the past 8 months and now that its on my doorstep Im feeling more than a little nervous. Yesterday I ran the 13.3 Mile Dublin Half Marathon, Miles 1-6 I ran in prefect form and using RunKeeper on my iPhone 3GS I could see that I was spot on the hour. At mile 6 I took a Gel sachet to boost my Glycogen stores and get a much needed boost to level myself and pace for the next 6 miles.

Miles 6-10 had some hill work, I heard people complaining that the hills were too steep for a half marathon but to be honest it wasn't that bad. I think, although they didn't realize it that they were just dehydrating on what was quite a warm day in Dublin and there was still a few miles to a water station. Mile 9 was good but I had slowed down a little as I was beginning dehydrate myself but I kept my chin up and sweated it out. Around the 9-10 Mile there was a water station so I stopped momentarily for a breather, some water to beat the heat and a stretch.

After the mile 9-10 Water station I ran into a little trouble. We had climbed several feet to get to this section and the course was turning downhill for 1.1 miles and the remainder was on the flat. I'd been running a good time and I felt I would be looking at a 1.40 finish. I continued running and at this point changed from listening to Chet Baker to Metallica to really "Get going" when I felt a excruciation pain in my right calf. I looked down to see the muscle completely distorted and locked in a tightened position. Quite frankly I didn't know what to do and instinctively I straightened my leg out in agony, a passing girl asked "Are you Ok?" and mentioned that looks sore. I sat on the grass for about 10 minutes disappointed seeing people were passing me by. I stretched, calmed down and made a decision to walk the next section and see could I jog. I made it to mile 12 where I saw a familiar face an we jogged to the finish together.

After the race, rehydrating and winding down I managed to get into one of the Massage tents (I wasn't supposed to be there, club members and St. Johns Ambulance patients only apparently) and get my calfs looked at by a professional. He recommended I take Dioralyte Oral Rehydration Sachets and that my diet is lacking in Magnesium, he also mentioned that a trip to the Physio obviously was on the cards before Chicago. I've picked them up and Im going to start a course today as I look into the reasons behind it.

If I was to take any lessons away from the Half-Marathon they would be this. 1.) New socks, the socks I have resulted in blistered feet. Not nice. 2.) Hydration - Do what Ive been told time and time again and get my 8 glasses of water a day, hydrate properly before and after a run and be disciplined before and after a race. 3.) Make sure I have a full charge on my iPhone, the GPS killed it 2 miles from the end of the race. 4.) Ensure my Glycogen stores are at their maximum, Mile 9 was tough and Chicago is twice the distance so I should be tired at mile 18 not 9. 5.) Sleep - The previous night I'd a restless night. I retrospect I wont be repeating this in Chicago, bed early for me and up early for the race.

A painful experience in all but a experience. The Race Series is a superb opportunity to prepare for the main event. Its better that I made these mistakes now rather than on the big day. Im not quite as anxious either and Im really looking forward to Chicago on the 11th.

excerpt from www.6amrunner.com

25 Sep 2009

Nutrition and Training Apps for iPhone 3G &3GS

Waiting @ the passport office to progress a last-minute renewal before I head to Chicago, IL for the marathon. Just clicking around on my phone and I'm really impressed with My DailyBurn iPhone App. Just logged the Cheerios and Innocent orange Juice I had for breakfast & the Starbucks Grande Soya Latte I had in the city, it's added up an I know precisely my goals for the day. I'm using RunKeeper GPS to log my training, I'm updating DaliyBurn with my runs and it's calculating everything. As I said, really impressed and it's giving my understanding of nutrition a significant boost.

Check out: www.dailyburn.com & www.runkeeper.com for more information.

Sent from my iPhone 3GS

23 Sep 2009

Microsoft Windows 7 Cringe, I mean Launch Party

23 Sep 2009

Current Status: Pre Exam Nerves

Sent from my iPhone 3GS

22 Sep 2009

NAMA debate on the Front Line, RTE

I just watched the first episode of Pat Kenny's new show The Front Line. I was quite impressed with Pat's ability to keep on topic given how deeply this affects peoples lives both in the audience and at home. I think its worth a watch, it doesint dig nearly deep enough into the alternatives to NAMA but what it does is expose that the debate is far from over and the repercussions of what we know now to be bad banking practices will not be rectified until trust between the Government, the Bankers and the People of Ireland have been restored. How long will this take? Well my personal view is that the Government need a structured Communications strategy and rely far too heavily on the media to report and speculate. If the Government choose to move ahead with NAMA without public approval or clearly explaining why to the people who supported their polices in a pre recessionary world I feel they are setting themselves up for failure just like Lisbon 1. Whether NAMA is the right choice I am still on the fence but I know for a fact that this Government is not driven by opinion poles and often the strange ones turn out to shine the brightest.

"In the first episode of this series, Pat Kenny speaks with selected audience members about their current financial situations. Fintan O'Toole of The Irish Times and broadcaster Eamon Dunphy put their questions to the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan about NAMA."

http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1055891

21 Sep 2009

Meet Wired.com’s Terminal Man

Media_httpwwwwiredcomimagesblogsautopia200909brendanrosssizedjpg_haaktffugihzfjq

via wired.com

Really enjoying reading about Terminal Man's (Brendan Ross) adventures flying from state to state at the moment. sounds utterly frustrating to me as Im not a big fan of Airports but its turning out to be a interesting adventure all the same. Not going to mention the Carbon Footprint, Im assured there are pans in place to counter-act it.

From Wired.com - "Remember the guy we told you about who desperately wanted someone to buy him a JetBlue unlimited travel pass? The guy who actually thinks flying every single day for a month will be fun? Well, he got his ticket.

We’re the suckers who bought it for him.

Meet Brendan Ross, Wired.com’s Terminal Man. The 28-year-old Texan is waiting for the feds to grant a security clearance so he can begin working as an air traffic controller. Until the FAA makes sure he’s never applied for a position with the North Korean government, Brendan has no money, no responsibilities and a severe case of wanderlust. He figured jetting around for a month would pass the time, but he couldn’t swing the ticket. We got wind of him after reading his funny Craigslist ad and offered him a job blogging about his adventures exploring JetBlue’s route map.

Sounds like a cushy gig, no? Well, wait until you hear the rules. We aren’t gonna make this easy on him. And we’re going to let you, our dear readers, help us decide where he should go and what he should do.

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