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The new site

Posted by Fabio on Mar 31, 2009 in Cronicle, Reflections

I’ve been working on building the site so that is all included in one single place and has the same look and feel, I’m really enjoying working in wordpress is so easy and intuitive. More than anything I’m enjoying learning about working with the web. It is kind of amazing to think that I worked for IBM for more than 9 years and I never felt the motivation to put up my web site :-). And now it is hard to get away from playing around with it.

Well I guess there is a time for everything…

In the last few days there have been a lot of developments, the quest for a site has almost turned into a purchase of 20 acres land, still a work in progress. Some prospective option for our horses companion have been also surfacing, nothing certain yet, just possibilities.

I’ve got back to my rowing machine, and I’m planning to be doing some Yoga too, I know that body flexibility will be of essence. Rachel gave me some lessons on Cara, while lounging her, only half an hour, my legs remained stiff for 3 days I couldn’t even cross them ;-0.

The whole project entered a into a steady pace mode. It is ticking one day at the time….

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Questions…

Posted by Fabio on Mar 26, 2009 in Reflections

At time it is difficoult to find the right words to explain what is at work inside. In the last few weeks a number of emotion have been surfacing some very new for me. I’m looking for the right words and as these are new emotions  the search is an adventure in itself.

So let me see if I can paint a picture of it. It feels like there is a wonderful green field in front of me very inviting, it represent the freedom that is so important to me and the only thing I have to do is step into  it and run and jump and breathe in the fresh crystal air.

Yet as I try to do so it feels like there is some thing pulling back almost like a giant rubber band, it feels like it. What I found difficult is to see where it is attached to me and how come I cannot get free from it.

It doesn’t feel strong at all and I’m sure that if I pull hard enough it will give, yet I’m wondering if it will also pull something along with it.

So here there are the words, I’ve been going trough this emotional up and down for a while now, is this project a great idea or it is just a whim? I have been looking outside for signs that would tell me “yes Fabio go for it!”, and I found a lot of them all very encouraging, then I started to look also for signs that would tell me the opposite “Fabio what is this all about?”, and I didn’t really found many, and the few I did found where very weak (well I didn’t say anything to mum about this yet, I’m sure she will provide a good few ones anyway). So I started looking for sign against the project  inside, there I found something really interesting.

I keep asking myself the same question why am I doing this for? I mean really why am I doing this for?

And the more I come up with rational answers the more I found myself questioning them. So I’m at a point where my curiosity is driving the whole project; I really want to know why am I doing this for. (and a new question surface at the same time : ” is this the kernel of my motivation? Curiosity?”)

And as ask myself this question I’m wondering what is Matthew thinking about it. I guess I’ll have ask him 🙂

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Meeting Mise

Posted by Fabio on Mar 20, 2009 in Cronicle

meeting-miseIt has been another intensive week, it certainly started in style when we got to meet Mise, the Criollo that accompaigned Marianne across two americas. And as I suspected Matthew fell in love with her, he even got to ride Mise bare back, the contentment in his face was a priceless. And he was full of beans and ideas afterwords 🙂

good-byes

The project pieces are falling into places one at the time. To be truthful I’m still eager to start, but what I’m experiencing in the last few weeks is telling me that there is a certain value in holding my patience.

I’m not quite sure how to describe it. A good metaphor would be “waiting for the planets to align”. It feels like there is a series of event that are waiting to fall into place. I’m not quite sure what those events are. What I do know is that I have become able to recognize them when they are there or they are approaching and that is what counts.

Yes I guess is that sense of living in the moment. Carpe Diem. which I always believed was to size the moment as it come. Really what I’m experiencing is the I don’t have to size the moment for the sake of sizing it. Each moment, each experience has a deep value to itself and when I do understand its value and make a conscious decision to act (and the action is consistent with who I am at that instant), then and only then I’m living in that moment.

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The Stuff of Legends…

Posted by Fabio on Mar 15, 2009 in Planning

sir-ruaidhriWow time is flowing at an incredible pace I’ve been dedicating the last few evening researching equipment and learning about web site building and only now realized that is already almost a week since my last post.

It’s amazing to see how technology is progressing so fast. I was looking for a tent for the journey. The key is to keep the weight down to a minimum. Without pack horse all we carry with us will have to be accommodated between the two horses we will be riding. I understand that for such a lengthy journey the maximum a horse can carry is around 1/5 of its weight that means that that we will probably have less than 20 kilos each to carry.

I found a wonderous Terra Nova Laser tent that packed wights at 1.24 Kg. that is impressive, just what I need the downside is that with the weight reducing the price seems increasing. The same goes for all the rest of the equipment. so I’m starting now a shopping list to check out costs. Maybe if I found everything at a single store there is a chance I can ask for a discount.

I’m also considering hydration backpacks with 2 litres each per day. I’m a bit conscious about the weight on the shoulders but the practicality is undoubtedly there –  no need to pack bottles or anything like it.

The next thing I’m pricing is the horse first aid kit, there again there a whole new world to learn. Rachel is giving me lessons about what to do and what not to do with horses from basic grooming to understanding the intricate patterns of horse communication. Is not really that different from human communication if nothing else the words don’t get in the way. Is all about body language, ears moving direction twitching of muscles on the withers, it is all fascinating and at the same time it makes perfect sense.

I’m become more aware of each horse personality and this makes it easy now I think I know what it means to choose the right horse, there is a combination of fitness, suitability to the project but more than everything a sort of chemistry.

This reminds me what this journey is all about …. It is about Partnership, sharing a journey and working together to make it happen. just last week I had the privilege to hear Alexander Dunlop who is a management consultant that uses the patterns of mythology and storytelling to help organizations identify their image and branding. What struck me what his idea of the adventure, the initial reluctance, reaching the commitment, finding the guide all the way to facing the dragon and eventually the return. I can certainly see myself in the first few steps. When I had the idea there has been a long period of uncertainty between the want it to go and the hope the idea would disappear. Then building the website represented my commitment. I guess when Marianne responded to my e-mail so quickly I found my guide, she has been really supportive since then and she certainly is a very inspiring guide…. I’m just wondering when will I face my dragon, I think I can feel it approaching fast. 🙂

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Following the flow…

Posted by Fabio on Mar 10, 2009 in Reflections

Is a few days that I’m resisting the temptation to write in this blog, I’m not quite sure of the real reason, I guess is that lingering fear this might be too big a project.

At the week end I followed Oriana suggestion and I checked out the Long Riders Guild. It is indeed an incredible resource, I contacted the founder and I got immediate reply and support. I’m sure that despite my journey is not up to the Guilds standards they will be a significant source of information and help.

I began reading some of the incredible stories of riders around the world that accomplished incredible adventures and for a moment I allowed myself to dream what an exciting life style that can be. “One journey at the time Fabio” I keep telling myself, but hey dreams are for free. Turning them into reality is great fun 🙂

In the last couple of weeks I have been noticing a significant change in Matthew’s mood and manner of interaction with others. A very positive one, he is much more approachable and open to others than ever before. It is great to see him like that 🙂 I have great hopes for our journey and I have the impression that he is starting to get involved.

I’ve been receiving a lot of very useful suggestion and advice from a lot of colleagues and friends and I’m starting to keep a record of things I have to put into action.

Maybe I also identified a possible suitable horse, but I will need to ask its owner if they will be willing to let me use it.

A piece of the Puzzle at the time and I’m sure the big picture will take shape… 😉

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Migration to WordPress

Posted by Fabio on Mar 4, 2009 in Planning

I’ve just completed the migration of my blog entries from iWeb to WordPress. It was easy enough however in the process it seems I’ve lost the entry from my good old friend John and that of Anonymous CW. Guys I’m really really sorry about that and I really wish you will see this post and continue to contribute with your thoughts.

Thank you.

Tomorrow I will migrate Matt’s blog too, by doing that it will enable him to make his inputs even when I’m not at home.

 
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The First Act of Kindness

Posted by Fabio on Mar 4, 2009 in Cronicle, Milestones

early-play
Wow, on monday I send an e-mail to 800+ people announcing this journey. My heart was racing so fast that I had to get out of the house for a very long walk after that.
When I came back There was a lot of e-mail in my westrack inbox and for a minute I panicked “I wont be able to respond to them all!” I thought to myself. While I’m teaching communication I’m not that good at keeping in touch as I would like to.

Yet every single message I received was incredibly supportive and gave me a huge amount of courage to keep going.

After a while a thought started to form “Have I been sendimg out the right message? I’m wonder how many people will take up the challenge of a random act of Kindness?” I don’t know If I have sent the right message out but today I opened one mail and here it was ;-)) the very first Act of Kindness.

Thank you to Lucinda and Simon Boucher for making a donation to the Temple Street Children Hospital in Dublin. While I haven’t yet met Lucinda I know Simon since just over a year and you could always trust him in being the one to lead the way.

Thank you again guys.

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Hello world!

Posted by Fabio on Mar 4, 2009 in Cronicle

This is my new blog site to keep you all up to date on my adventure across Ireland with my son Matthew.

I made this change to make it easier for anyone to follow this journey and contributing by adding their Random Acts of Kindness.

I’ll look forward to read about you.

Ciao for now, Fabio

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The big Day

Posted by Fabio on Mar 2, 2009 in Cronicle

father-and-son-1
Yesterday was the big day I set for myself to send out the announcement via e-mail to all the people I know. It was quite tense, and part of me kept pushing it forward. And when I finally found the energy to do so technology had to spoil the day by making it difficult, I’m still wondering if it was technology or me. After sever attempt I decided to go to bed a bit disheartened a bit relieved. So here is a new day, and with it a new resolve to make this project work, and take the next step work. I’m considering split the mighty 800 plus mailing lis in 8 smaller ones and see what happens. At times I wonder how can it become so hard to use such a simple technology like e-mail. Well I better get going. I’ll update this post later this evening.

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The start of my blog…

Posted by Matt on Mar 1, 2009 in Milestones

dsc_0600I started the day like every day I had my breakfast and ready to go for a days work my dad,my friend,his dad and I started to build a tree house in a forest it is coming along well for one day. I think it will take at least two or three weeks before it’s finished. Then we will build a look out for it so we will have a big tree house. I’m very excited because it is the first time I am building a tree house so this is a new thing for me.

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