Mentoring @ CoderDojo

My name is Barry (or Baz to most people) and i’m a 25 year old Computer Systems graduate. I’ve been mentoring at the Limerick Dojo since I attended DojoCon last October.

I made my first webpage in 2001, it was a simple webpage with just a few html tags and probably said something like “Hello World” or “This is my first webpage” but I was excited as I rushed from notepad to Internet Explorer to click refresh and watch my webpage come to life. To me it was the coolest thing in the world. Here was something that I had created myself and I could put it on the internet! This was the start of my voyage into the world of coding. I had days when I was excited when my code compiled and days when I was pulling my hair out over a misplaced semi-colon.

Unfortunately I was never the most academically minded person and I did struggle through University. By the time I finally finished my degree in April 2012; my love of technology had waned. I wasn’t sure what I was doing anymore and had no enthusiasm to code.

But then in September of that year, I got talking to a 14 year old kid that I knew and (knowing I was a Computer guy) he started asking me questions about code.. He told me was part of something called CoderDojo and that every Saturday morning, he and some other teenagers were working on a C++ text based adventure game project called Zork (the bane of most UL Computer Students’ life in second year). I was intrigued. Like most mentors, I wished this had been around when I was a kid.

So I did a bit of searching online and found out there was a conference on in LIT. So I went along to find out more about CoderDojo and by the end of the day I volunteered to mentor. So next Saturday off I went to CoderDojo and was immediately tossed in with the “Advanced” group helping with C++. After a few minutes of observing and answering questions, I noticed one of the boys in the corner of the room throw his hands up in the air shouting “I did it, I did it”. And then I remembered why I started coding, the joy of realizing that I made the computer do that, the trill of watching your code compile and even the agony of the misplaced semi-colon.

Each week, I can’t wait for Saturday to come around again. Every week I love watching the kids overcoming their bugs and glitches and challenging themselves to improve their projects (be it a scratch game, a website or C++ application). And as the kids develop, so was I. I started going over my notes from college to keep up with the kids but soon I noticed I was learning for me. I was inspired by the kids to code again. I started making website and apps again. I started doing the CodeAcademy courses, watching the New Boston videos. I started reading techblogs again and going to community events. I’m now working as web developer and loving it.

Being a CoderDojo mentor has had such a positive effect on my life. If you have any time at all, I’d strongly recommend you get involved.

Barry Gets Fit - week 3

I know it a cliche if you told me back in December that during January i'd be going running three times in one week, i'd have laughed  But today i'm after going for run number three and I feel fantastic! On Wednesday I started the Couch to 5k running plan, a 9 week programme that uses "interval running" (a mix of walking and running) to turn you from coach potato to running 5km.

During week one, you have to do 30 minute three sessions (with a rest day in between). Starting off with a brisk 5 minute walk you then alternate between 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of running followed by a 5 minute warm down walk. I won't lie- it's not easy especially the first few runs but as you push on your body eases into it and by number number 7 you're flying. When you finally finish the 8 and final run, you get a great feeling of accomplishment.

To help me, I'm using the NHS Choices c25k podcasts in which a chirpy English woman named Laura tells you when to walk and run and occasionally says "well done you're doing great" along with some music with the right bpm for walking and running. There are plenty of podcasts available so look around and find the one that suits you.

Wednesday's running took place along the canal bank by UL. Friday morning saw me visit the equally impressive Phoenix Park in Dublin. On Sunday I was running through hail, rain AND shine, along Limerick's North Circular Road. Next week i'm on to Week 2 of the C25k and starting the first week of the NHS "Strength & Flex" plan, a five week exercise programme that fits perfectly into the rest days of the c25k.

So three weeks into my fitness attempt and despite making I'm feeling fantastic. I can't get over the amazing physical and mental benefits in such a short time. When I started this three weeks ago, I'd didn't think beyond improving my fitness and being able to hike again but the benefits have far surpassed that goal and improved several other areas of my life. Earlier in the week I decided that a definite end goal would be beneficial - more on that one to come.

Thanks to everyone who's supported me so far. I couldn't have done it without ye. I'll leave ye with this:

Barry Gets Fit - Week 2

Another week done and dusted. I wrote last week about how I didn't think I'd get much walking done this week due to my wisdom teeth. The surgury didn't happen due to a family bereavement  Despite the craziness of the week I managed to get out walking on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Due to the miserable weather, my pace slowed down to 10mins/km on Monday and Wednesday but by Friday I was back on 9 mins. Didn't make it to the climbing wall this week and it'll probably be two weeks before i make it there again unfortunately.

On Saturday morning I was off out on the hills of Tipperary to climb Keeper Hill with my Scouts. Great day out. Not only did I do the hike with no bother, I managed to help a young scout who was struggling to make up the mountain with I was really happy with. And when I got home, I still had enough energy to hit the town for a night out

Two weeks into my fitness attempt and i'm feeling great. I'm sleeping better, I have more energy and confidence and I'm able to enjoy a night out again with feeling wrecked after one pint. This coming week the bike comes out and i'm started the Couch to 5k plan. I've also signed up for the Castleconnel 10k walk next month. Onward and upward.

Barry Gets Fit 2013

I've never really been on for new year's resolutions. Usually because I know I can't be bothered keeping them. But 2013 is different - it has to be.

My fitness has always been a funny thing. I've never been the most athletically fit, running was never my thing. I like to walk and to hike, its one of the few physical activities I was good at. But during 2012 I became a couch potato and my fitness hit an all time low. I had no energy and (for the first time ever) I started to put on weight. Not only was I unfit but it was starting to feel the mental effects as well.  I could blame a lot of external factors such as the stress of college or job hunting but I won't. I'll admit I dropped the ball big time.

I spent new years at the incredibly amazing Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland. Being out in the Alpine fresh air, trying out all kinds of new activities with some amazing new friends, I regained my lust for life. I spent new years night sleeping in an igloo and that night I decided that in 2013, something needed to be done. To quote one of my favorite films "Get busy living or get busy dying".

So I can home with a new sense of direction in life. I was going to get fit, fitter than ever before. My fitness wasn't going to be a barrier in my life anymore. So the day after I got back (Saturday 5th Jan) I downloaded the RunKeeper app for my phone and I started walking again. RunKeeper was great in that it kept telling me how far I had walked and my pace. After two days I had settled back to an average pace of 10mins/km which i decided was a steady pace to keep for the week. If i could maintain that pace for the week i'd be happy.

One week later, I've walked ever day (with the exception of Friday), I've gone for a walk. Some days this has only been a quick 30 mins but other days I've gone for over an hour. By Thursday I had reached a surprising average pace of 9 mins/km which I was very impressed with. This morning I had a nice change of scenery by going for my walk along Galway bay at 8am.

On Thursday I spent two hours at the Nevsail Indoor Climbing wall doing a beginners lesson and from here on in, I'm going to try make this a weekly activity. Thanks to Dave for his help so far.

Next week will be a challenge as I'm going to be mostly bedridden from dental surgury on Monday so hopefully I won't loose the momentum. On Saturday i'll be going hiking up keeper hill with my scout troop. Going to try get out on the hills once a week where possible.

In the next few weeks I'm going to added cycling to the mix and I'm even contemplating giving a "Couch to 5k" running plan a go (this is going to be the hardest part I think). From February I'm even going to look at my diet to see what changes can be made (although this might give my poor mother a heart attack)

I;m going to try keep a weekly record of my progress here as well as updates on facebook and twitter (hastag: #BarryGetsFit) to help keep things on track. Let's see how this works out

Photo of the week

Been a while since i've had a photo of the week but i saw this while walking home last night. It's a pair of crocs (am i spelling that right) neatly place against a wall on Denmark Street in Limerick. I mean loosing a single croc is one thing but loosing two is bad. It also raises other questions

• Did this person walk home barefoot? 
• Did they realize they were now "Croc-Less"? 
• If they did this intentionally, what sudden catastrophy cause this person to discard their footwear on the street?
• Did they place them neatly by the wall themselves or did some concerned passerby do this?

I know i'm definitely over thinking this but it was one of those nights

Red Bull Bedroom Jam Final - Whelans

I wrote this review about 2 weeks ago for a Hotpress competition, seeing as i didn't win i'll put it up here. Photos will be uploaded tonight -B

After months of online voting, regional heats and festivals, three bands remained. Whelan’s was packed for this invite only gig to see which band would claim the prize of a week long recording session in Amsterdam.

Unfortunately I arrived just in time to see Walking on Cars’ final song but the Dingle based rockers really seemed to have the crowd going

Next up were Waterford outfit In The Willows who had a sleepy, low key sound that didn’t really get the audience going until the final song.

Completing the trinity, rocker band Icon on Fire couldn’t have been more different. Half of Westmeath seemed to have pilled into the iconic music venue to hear these guys blast out the tunes, including original songs and a few more well know hits.  

As the judges made their decision, the crowd was entertained by the sounds of Ham Sandwich, an indie band that just oozes with energy proving once again that they are the next big thing on the Irish music scene.

Finally, the judges announced their choice – Walking on Cars. The crowd urrupted as the winners took to the stage once more. Overall a good night’s entertainment thanks to four great bands

a friend in every EU country

I recently hit the milestone of having a friend in all 32 counties so my next target is a friend in every eu country

Completed (i've picked one friend so sorry if its not you)

Austria - Martin

Belgium - Shona

Bulgaria - Nikki

Czech Republic - Miko

Denmark -Andres

Estonia - Kristjan

Finland - Ilona

France - Igor

Germany - Jens

Italy - Luca

Latvia - Iggy
Luxembourg - Amandine
Netherlands - Maureen

Poland - Jacob

Portugal - Juoa
Romania - Andrei

Spain - Pablo

Sweden - Caroline 

United Kingdom - Sam

Not Completed 

Cyprus -

Greece

Hungary

Lithuania

Malta

Slovakia -

Slovenia -

So it turns out i'm further ahead than I thought I was

Update 29/7/12 - managed to knock the Czech Republic and Portugal off the list

Update 20/1/13 - managed to knock Luxemborg off the list