Welcome to redQueen

Two years and two months

Is this post just to prove someone wrong, maybe. Is this post long overdue, yes.

I stopped blogging over two years ago and for a long time had no inclination to come back and write anything at all. But suddenly in the past few weeks I have had a few thoughts that I have wanted to share and realised this space was still here, still waiting…still empty.

Do I promise to blog more often? No. I am not very good at committing things to paper/web page and when I do I usually give it too much thought, so the essence of what I was trying to say is lost. So I have decided to try not to do this. From now on I will post here whatever it is that interests me at the time and see where it goes. That could mean most posts will be about my pets but that is what the internet is for, right?

A year in Mongolia

My brother has always been one of those people who actually goes out and does what many others (including myself) just talk about.

Luke has been involved in the area of social development for some years now and has incorporated his IT background into this field that has allowed him to undertake unique opportunities working with communities to enhance their economic, social and political futures.

Luke left for Mongolia in April to work on the Mongolian Development Gateway. He will be away for a year - the longest he has worked on a international development project.

Luke definitely has all the interest in humanitarian issues while I concern myself with all other animals. I am extremely proud of his achievement in getting this job as I was with his work in Costa Rica and Yuendumu. He takes the Web to places that others only speak of and allows other communities to integrate it into their lives as they see fit.

To find out more about what he is doing check out his blog - his posts are much more interesting than mine!

Fits and starts?

I have no excuses for the level of inactivity on my blog of late.

Yeah sure I have been working hard but I know you all do. So why? Why have I been so quiet? I like to think of my blog as an evolving creature that has long periods of virtual standstill, ‘punctuated’ by episodes of very fast development.

This will probably never change and while it will seem like I have given up on this blog thing, suddenly, out of nowhere, a flurry of posts will arrive.

That is my theory anyway - or maybe it is just an observation…

Webstock presentation

Last year when Russ and I were both working at the Museum we discussed ways we could redevelop the current Museum site from a users perspective. This discussion soon extended into how to incorporate new technologies and methodologies into any large site in an attempt to provide users with more control and an improved experience.

Russ recently presented some of these ideas at Webstock in New Zealand. His presentation was called “Let go and allow users to control their own experience”. Fortunately for those who could not make it we get to see and hear Russ, plus have his slides.

Check it out along with all the other fantastic talks presented at Webstock this year.

Red on Red

The past few months have been pretty hectic because I have left the Museum and started working at Red Square - a web development company in Sydney.

I have been there now for two weeks and I am really enjoying working with the team.

I promise this is not an obsession with the colour red…

Meeting Mountain Lions

I really wanted to see some animals while I was in the US and Mountain Lions were near the top of the list.

Unfortunately, I didn’t see one but thanks to a Yosemite National Park Guide I know exactly what to do for next time:

What should you do if you meet a Mountain Lion?

  • Don’t run. Stay calm.
  • Hold your ground or back away slowly.
  • Do all you can to appear larger: grab a stick, raise your arms, open your jacket and spread it above your head.
  • Wave your arms, shout and throw objects. The goal is to convince the lion that you are not prey and may be dangerous yourself.
  • If attacked, fight back!!

I think the main message is, if you meet a Mountain Lion don’t be a pussy!