Grace before meals Shields

Getting the images of the dogs..Find the dogs

2009-12-03T03:56:00.000-08:00

Final blog… Myself and Emma have been looking at different sites to try and do a zoom effect! We aren’t really sure what to do for it because we have done so much already in “Gallery”. So while searching through Google. We found a few good pages and some ideas but none that we really liked or one that would work with our page. We saw a few images of black and white dogs and we were going to use them and come up with a game within it. For example if you look at the image below you can see the outline of the different types of dogs and so therefore we could use the image to ask the viewer what type of dog it is. They could zoom in on each image and decide what each is.

After a while we thought it wasn’t a very creative idea and we found an image on flicker that we both liked. It was hundreds of dogs but in a collage thing. It was really very cool and we wanted to incorporate the idea into our page. http://wearehugh.com/public/2007/03/dogs-of-flickr.jpg
We used Google once again to find images for our zoom effect. We just saved them to a file so we can move them to our page using Dreamweaver. The idea behind it is to put all the famous dogs in the world in it and some dogs that are not famous! It is a classic idea and it is quite interesting. I like the idea behind it and I like that nobody else, that I could find had the same idea!

Names, Images and Info on our website!

2009-12-02T04:02:00.000-08:00

This week we have been looking at names for our website. We think it would be appropriate to have something loving, that girls will look at. We would like the female market to look at our site because I don’t think men would be particularly interested in “famous dogs” and gallery of cute dogs. I’m not saying that they shouldn’t be…just that maybe it is not their thing!!

I also noticed that there is no other site called “Love Your Dog” and that would be a big advantage when people are searching for a site on loving their dog. It was a clever move to research and see this information before we came up with our website name. Should we incorporate the name in the home page, in a paragraph and in bold we will have SEO! Our page would appear number one on Google.

We have also started to get some of the information and text that we want to include in our webpage. Getting the information is fine as we can find it anywhere really but it is trying to put our own twist on our page. We have taken bits from a few different pages and picked out the best ones. We had a look at http://www.wikihow.com/Love-Your-Dog and http://www.loveyourdoggies.com/. I have to say I quite liked both of the pages and the layout that they had.

Emma got a lot of the images of different types of dogs and made a collection of them for our site. She basically just Googled images to get them. She is also using some images of her own dogs.

The section on prevention to cruelty to dogs on the page is proving quite difficult because we can only really find information on animals as a whole…we are going to try and go through many different sites and offer the best information on prevention of cruelty to dogs!

Dog Web Pages and Ideas That Could Be Used

2009-11-22T02:03:00.000-08:00

As myself and Emma are doing a dog themed web page we had a look at other web pages to see what kind of ideas they had in comparison to ours. We had the idea of having a Dalmatian background, bones for our links and a border running across the top of our page with a dog wagging his tail. Personally I thought that this was a very good idea and it was coming together quite nicely.

The information that was going to be shown on our page would be things that would interest people. We have information on how to look after your dog, famous dogs, a gallery of lovely dogs and prevention to cruelty of animals.

While we were looking at other similar sites I noticed that a lot of them had some of the same features as us…www.dogrescues.org had the same idea of having a border going across the top of the page and having a dog at the side. The dog did not have a wagging tail. I didn’t particularly like this site because there was so much in it. I felt that it was too much to look at and I think while we are making our site we should take that into consideration. I feel that less is more! What I did like about this site was the dog training tips. It is clear although it is at the bottom and I think it should be at the top.

I had a look at http://www.bluecross.ie/, I really liked the paws at the side of the page. I would like to maybe incorporate the paws idea into our site. We had an idea of putting paws in put it didn’t look too good. This idea of having the paw and then the text beside it is a good idea!

SEO...Could it be any more boring???

2008-12-03T08:54:00.001-08:00

Search Engine Optimisation...............in my head and many others,"Search Engine what now?"

I thought being on googles first page just happened and either you were lucky or you weren't.But as it turns out there is a reason that you are placed where you are...SEO!

Honestly though I still do not a have a clue what SEO is really about but what I gathered(and lets face it;its my blog and what I say goes!)from Cooneys class is that google have this system that reads whats on your web page.So basically what you have to do is ensure that you have your key word in the title bar,title of text,in the text and once in bold.Googles system then finds this key word and when somebody types in your key word HEYPRESTO...you are number one on google!Complicated I say.Can I not just hire somebody to do it for me?Please!

So I'm begging and pleading that somebody will please help me with my utter confusement!!

My 19th Birthday Antics...Get Up Them Stairs

2008-12-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

Well as we all know I LOVE birthdays!I think they are the best thing since.....sliced bread I suppose!I celebrated my 19th Birthday on the 30th November.I went boogying in Voodoo on Saturday.Oh the banter!I had such a nights craic....trying to keep my marreid sister contained and married!Oh yes!The dirty stop out is all I will say!

From dancing to the beats of a button accordian and yes you heard me right;the button accordian to the beats in club voodoo!Have a look and see!

A News Release

2008-12-03T02:26:00.000-08:00

News Release

For Immediate Release

Shields PR
Hill Top Road
Dublin 4
Tel:00353749153276
Emial:grace@shieldspr

3 December 2008

TOP IRISH DJ RAY DARTLY LAUNCHES POSITIVE AGE WEEK

Age Action Ireland launched their new initiative Positive Age Week yesterday(2.12.2008) in the Merrion Hotel.DJ Ray Dartlyattended the launch to raise awareness about the negative perceptions of ageing.

The aim of the week are to transform the attitude of people and growing older.The charity is also looking to gain some funds.The week will run from Monday8th-Sunday15th December 2008.

Ireland's national independent organisation Age Action are trying to encourage people to host parties that celebrate the elderly.The parties can range from small gatherings to street parties.

Lorraine Dorgan,deputy chief executive of Age Action Ireland commented:"We need to celebrate the fact that we are living longer;that aging is not a burden but an opportunity.I would like to encourage as many people around the country to take part."

If you would like to register as a fundraiser for Positive Age Week you can contact Lorraine Dorgen on 0123456789 or visit www.ageaction.ie

Contact:Grace Shields

Tel:00353749153276

Email:grace@shieldspr

###

Virtual Communities..A hinderance or Godsend?

2008-12-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

With the times of virtual communities we could just say to people,"Ah could you not just read about my day on my blog??"
With the annual increase of 20-30% more people going onto the internet,the rise of virtual communities came with it.People love to go into sites where they can complain and talk about the things that they like and dislike.
I recently logged into a virtual community.It was the Starbucks gossip one.I had never been so intriged in all my life!It was actually interesting what some people had to say.They were giving tips on making different coffee and some ways to include it in cooking receipes....I'm telling you it was intersting!Although you had the same type of people complainging that it is rip of coffee and that it wasn't even that nice.
Blogging is great fun really....you get to have a moan and a rant about whatever you want...Thats why virtual communities are great!!!

Lets Talk About Sex.....Baby!

2008-11-29T01:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2008.The downturn in the irish economy but the era of developing technology and the bustling sex industry.
So if technology is progressing and the sex industry is closly following then what could the personality of today create?Well its creation came many years ago but it has evolved.What is it?...The Sex Industry Online."OH YES...GET UP THEM STAIRS".
What is it about adult sites?Why are they so illicit?Why do young women and in some cases young men exploit their bodies for some money?So many questions but so few answers.
It is all too easy for anybody to log onto adult sites.Any young girl could type in www.girls.com and expect barbies,pink fluffy toys and girls things...well I suppose in a sence you do get plastic women,toys of many a range and plenty of girl things!!But how can we stop young children from being a victim of such sites?Has anybody any answers.In my own opinion I think that the youth of today is growing up far to fast and they need to slow down with the learning process of sex.
Also does anybody else find it quite disturbing that people are obsessed with watching "porn" on the internet?I've heard stories were people sit for hours watching it.Strange to me.

Weather conversation

2008-11-16T05:19:00.000-08:00

Weather is the post topical subject in conversation in Ireland! That is a fact! Is it because we like to make some sort of communication with a stranger or because we were all born meteorologists??

The weather is strange in Ireland. Never rains more than a few days in a row and never shines the sun more than a few days(In the year I think is what he meant). Well so an American said to me! I just thought "Listen son spend more than a week in the summer and that will put your theory right out the fuinneog(window!)"
So as I look out the window to a nice, mild, winters afternoon I wonder how long before somebody will say something aboout the weather......I'm thinking seconds!

Golfing Union of Ireland Handicapping System

2008-11-14T02:16:00.000-08:00

Everybody has there own unique handicap in golf. Well not exactly unique when you see the amount of bandits out there- Playing in competitions just to get their point ones back so they can build their handicap to win the big club prizes such as the Christmas Hamper, Mr. Captains Day or Mr. Presidents Day.

But I only thought I had the whole scandal that was going on the golfing world!!

As everybody knows, or at least they should know if they apply for a handicap, is that you can only have one!! One club- one handicap! But not for one man! No, no!!

He was a playing member of Ballybofey&Stranorlar Golf Club more commonly know as B&S. He had his handicap from B&S for years. Last year our wonderful man with obvious brains to burn became a member of Portsalon Golf Club. He applied for a handicap in Portsalon. Unknown to handicap committee in Portsalon about his original handicap in B&S.....he got one in Portsalon!!! That is like the biggest no of all nos!!! A few months later he is confused that he isn't been cut for breaking the C.S.S(Standard Scratch of the course on the day of the competition). So after a brief meeting he produces the two G.U.I cards.....one for Portsalon and one for B&S. When I purposed the question of why he had two cards...he said he had one for playing in competitions in Portsalon and one card for playing competitions in B&S. Oh and it gets better! He then just chooses one of either cards to play in any open competitions around the country!!! And he did not understand how serious this was!

His handicap could be suspended and he could be excommunicated from both clubs for a few months! I think the worst part of this is that he is a single figure handicapper! He should have known!

HERE HAVE A LOOK AT THE 6TH HOLE IN PORTSALON

Cinema Annoyance

2008-11-10T05:05:00.000-08:00

Why is it when you go to see a film there is always somebody making a racket?? Whether it be talking, using mobile phones, making noises with sweet wrappers or commenting on everything that is going on; there is always someone.

Take for example last night I went to the cinema to watch the new gruesome Saw V sequel. Usually I would be the first to say “NO WAY”, to a horror film, especially when I was only with friends and had no man, or daddy, to hang onto!! However on this occasion I decided to go with the guys and have the banter at the horror film.

It was of to a bad start from the beginning. The popcorn was’t nice and instead of Coca Cola there was only Pepsi!! Honestly, that’s neither here nor there because of the events that were to follow!

As we entered the screen there were only a few others already in, so instantaneously we thought “At least there won’t be many people making noises when somebody has to cut off their arm or something in the film!!” Could I have been so wrong? Apparently not!

As the film began so to did the sweet wrappers. I felt like saying”Seriously??? Seriously?? Look, if you would just open the bag a bit more your fat, pudgy hands would fit in and you would be creating less noise!” An educated guess would tell them to open the bag a bit more.

Generosity: Why then do people insist on offering sweets, popcorn and a drink to the people beside them? Surely, if they wanted something to eat/ drink they would have bought it before they came in to the screen. And after somebody says no…..can you not just leave it at that? Why do you insist on asking at least three or four times more? It’s unknown to me! Unknown!

And then there are the talkers. There are too many categories to categorise them all but you know them all and you may even be one of them!

You have the ones that never follow what is going on and are always asking the ones beside them "What happened?" "Who?" "Whos he now?"

You have the ones who think they know it all "Aw I bet it was your one that killed him" "Aw look hes going to pop out here and kill her" "Aw I bet.."

Then you have the ones who think you aren't watching the show "Oh my God!! Did you see that? Did ya? Did ya?".........No, I paid €8.50 to look at the ground son.....

And then you have the ones from last nights show.."Here I bought some new handcream. Try a bit, it's lovely. It even smells nice". Oh please!

Why can't everybody just sit down and relax? Go to a show that you can keep up with. If that means High School Mucsical then so be it!

Turn off your mobile phones and stop texting. The lights and noises are distracting.

Housing for students

2008-11-06T01:23:00.000-08:00

I and a fellow college friend went on a mission to get a new house in Dundalk yesterday (7.11.08). It seemed like an easy task at first. I mean how hard could it be?? Turns out pretty hard.....

As we drove around Dundalk in all it's glory, we saw many signs that had "TO LET" posted outside these wonderful apartments. It was like looking at a scene from a film with the beautiful design of the buildings. Sarah and I could almost taste the interior.....

We went in search of the estate agents and with just the right amount of luck we found it! Our hearts were racing as we entered the office with the leather bound chairs, oak tables covered in laptops, papers and coffee mugs. There was only one woman in the office at the very back. She wore half moon glasses and had red dyed hair! It felt like a sugar rush. She was a helpful char actor right up to the point were she realised that we were students....

What?? Is this not discrimination?? Can people not be liable to be sued for such antics of refusing students accommodation? I find this ridiculous! The sugar rush just turned to blood boiling. All those magnificent properties she had just mentioned were just going to be a faint memory to us now.....just because we are students. The estate agent said she could get us a viewing for one particular property, but will it be of any good? I doubt it!

As we roamed around the area of Dundalk we entered and exited many of the estate agents DUFFY, JPG, GUNNE...but it was the same story everywhere..."You are students?? Ooohhhh.....No we have nothing!"

Bad tenants are giving good lodgers a bad name and it is not fair that we are deprived of a good venue of accommodation just because of the labels students have got. I can understand where they are coming from but a simple, short interview would be an idea before people make their own presumptions!

I am fuming about the whole situation and the problem should be addressed immediately as I will be taking action if I am discriminated as a student!! I am a well- mannered tenant who believes cleanliness should be of the highest standard! So estate agents and landlords watch out because Grace Shields is on a mission!

Events during the Mid-Term

2008-10-24T02:30:00.000-07:00

As I have a whole week of potential studying time.....I have decided to just have a week of fun for my week off.

I will take the first weekend nice and easy and make a few bucks to fund the rest of the week. I work down at the P.G.C aka (Portsalon Golf Club). I do the odd bit of work down there if I'm not on Bebo or catching up with my friends on the phone! No, I take my job very seriously and I have little time for personal banter. I'll go to mass on Saturday night too! The good Catholic lady that I am!

So roll on Sunday for "Super Sundays" at the Voodoo Club in Letterkenny! Could you beat a good night in Letterkenny on a Sunday? I doubt it! All the Sunday footballers' out celebrating or comiserating. Milford for the Brian Mc Cormick Cup 2009! (While they are on a roll like!) I'll probably head out with a few of the usual crowd. Devlin, Connolly, Mc Gettigan, Callaghan...etc.

Monday will consist of not doing an overally big bit! Just laze around the house, play with the dog, catch up with the friends, go visit relations, see Mhia.

I haven't really decided on what I will be doing for the remainder of the week but I have made plans to hit The Manderian Palace in Derry for a nice chinese, shopping in Derry, the rugby ball (to make James jealous!), Milan on Wednesday night, and not the city, the nite club in Letterkenny, The Pulse on Thursday(hey student nights have to be done somewhere if I'm not in Dundalk!). The rest will be a spur of the moment thing. If you have expectations then they can fail you!

Stopping in Random Places and Todays Events!

2008-10-23T07:25:00.000-07:00

Why do people insist on stopping in packed hallways and on the stairs during it's busiest period? People are trying to get to their destination on time and yet you have people who continue to carry on conversations in doorways, staircases and hallways!! Where is the logic? Please do have all your conversations, by all means but just not in my path. Thank you very much!

And that test in Online PR!! Do you want to know how that went? Not bad! The java script was a bit of a diaster but the rest was doable! Everything I had studied and practiced came up and I am proud that I completed it well!

Laura wants to go for a few drinks but the funds are low and the folks are not willing to fund a bit of well deserved binge drinking!! What is the story?? I know there is a recession going on and banks are suffering around the world but I'm a girl in need and Laura is a girl in need of a drinking partner!

Driving home for Thursday!

2008-10-16T01:49:00.000-07:00

As all classes are suspended tomorrow I am going home today! Sarah is taking us to Monaghan! We have to endure her road rage for another day! Super! However I think she is a great driver and we appreciate that she takes us to our destination every week!! Laura and I really love her for it! We even got to meet her "Markie".

Karen passed her driving test yesterday. We all knew she could do it because she is head strong, ambitious and she would have assaulted the tester had she not passed. True story! We were going to get her a celebratery cake but we forgot so, sorry Karen?

Andy made his blog today. It is a really good name for a blog it is "Andys Thoughts".

Gearoid was disappointed that he did not meet my cousin yesterday. He thinks she is smoking.

I must remember to send my URL to Colin Cooney.

Long weekend at home Oct9th-12th!

2008-10-13T03:33:00.000-07:00

I had a lovely weekend. It was full of many antics. We went to the Pulse on Thursday, Voodoo on Friday and Saturday. Donnas birthday Part1, Part2 and Part3.

I looked after my niece, Mhia, on Friday. She is getting so big and bright. It's a shame that I can't take her to Dundalk with me.

I met up with my cousin Sonia early on Saturday morning. She taught Gearoid in Navan....a small world, huh?? She thinks he is a lovely boy and he was a good student. However she said that he talked a lot. Would anybody agree??

I went golfing on Saturday afternnon to the driving range. It was brutal bad! I almost killed my cousin when I shanked the ball and it hit the wooden box.

I love this PR course. It wasn't what I expected at all and I think that is why I like it so much. I think my new friends are swell!!