Sunday, February 5, 2017

Shades of Pink

Salt Lake City 4 February

The colour pink figured in my day.

I was woken in the wee hours by my very pink, sore, swollen, itchy and weepy eyes. Thankfully my fellow Ambassador Jennie had given me, at dinner last night, some ampoules of soothing liquid that helped relieve the symptoms.

Pink eyes - not a good look

After a few hours I woke again to find my eyes even more pink so I hotfooted it round to the local drugstore where the friendly pharmacist said I needed something more than soothing drops or gel as my eyes looked infected (I had been blaming the dry atmosphere on Qantas). She referred me to Lenscrafters where the receptionist (who loved y Aussie accent and had an Australian Grandfather) squeezed me in to see the eye doctor, Dr Micah, who gave my eyes a thorough examination and confirmed that I had a mild infection. Back to the pharmacy I went where I invested $US97 on a tiny bottle of eye drops. As I had intended visiting the Family History Library my laptop joined me on this journey where I clocked up my 6000 steps well before lunchtime.

The Creek at City Creek Mall
 I took a few pics of the beautiful City Creek Mall as I wandered back and forth but I ditched the idea of the library visit because my eyes just weren't up to looking at screens and fine print. The temperature reached a balmy 54 F in Salt Lake City and I had worn my warmest coat so I returned to the hotel, dispensed with the Arctic gear and laptop and went for lunch at Johnny Rockets (passing through Macys on the way).



My Genimates from Grand Rapids, Roger and Lisa, had asked me if I felt like going for a spin to DearMYRTLE's place to drop off a parcel so, as I wasn't fit for research, I went along for the ride. Pat (aka DearMYRTLE)  and Gordon were very welcoming and we settled in for a chat with them and their houseguest, Martha of Maia's Books.

When Pat invited us to join them for dinner we accepted. We ordered in from a local restaurant (I had ribs) and had a wonderful evening catching up and discussing various issues in genealogy.

Pat kindly issued us with our Rootstech blogger beads and a DearMYRTLE ribbon, in a more attractive shade of pink than the one I started the day with.


Tell me - How would you choose?

The Salt Palace Convention Center
A few days ago I went through the Conference Schedule on the Rootstech app and selected the sessions I would attend. That was then, this is now.

Downloading and skim reading the papers for the sessions that appealed to me has helped me to focus on my priorities and select sessions that will give me the best value. I have discovered that my priorities are DNA, Ireland and the UK and Technology with a bit of entertainment thrown in.

So what criteria did I use to select the sessions?
  • I don't attend talks I have heard before (there are a few). 
  • I favour speakers who present new material.
  • I won't attend talks I may hear in Australia (wish I knew what was on the Congress program).
  • I am dismissing talks that are US centric because I only have few ancestral connections to the US.
  • I am avoiding talks by vendors that appear to be infomercials. I can get that info in the Expo Hall.
  • I won't attend beginner technology sessions.
  • I am attending sessions by a couple of engaging speakers like Josh Taylor and Judy G Russell  for their educational and entertainment value. Ron Tanner is also good for a laugh and learn session.
  • I am attending one session because I am starstruck. Can't wait to see the Scott Brothers.
  • If it's about DNA I'll be there.
  • I discounted sessions where the presenter hadn't submitted a paper. 
  • I'm taking on recommendations from fellow attendees in previous years so I'll be listening to Bruce Durie.
  • I'm avoiding speakers I consider pompous or boring.
  • I may attend sessions to support genimates who are presenting.
  • Unfortunately I have to miss a couple of good sessions due to Ambassador duties.
I am not setting my schedule in stone. I will use feedback on presenter quality from fellow attendees to amend my selections. I will also have some fallback choices made so that if I can't get into a popular session I will be able to quickly move to another.

Tell me - How would you choose?



My Rootstech Tech

Saturday 5 February, Salt Lake City.

I am in awe of Louis Kessler who described in his My Rootstech Tech post the technology he is bringing to Rootstech.

As one who could never be accused of travelling light I have brought a swag of essential (!) technology to Rootstech. I am congratulating myself that I left my big camera and my tablet at home.

I need a space where I can concentrate away from the hustle and bustle of the media hub at the conference which I will be sharing with around 80 Ambassadors (it's going to be a tight squeeze). Luckily my hotel is just a zebra crossing away from the conference venue so I will be able to escape to my Rootstech. Office.

I've unpacked my tech (and some paper, pencils and pens) and am set up for a busy week. I wouldn't mind taking the comfy chair home with me but my bag isn't that BIG.

The Rootstech Geneadesk


Saturday, February 4, 2017

GAGs - GeniAus Gems - 4 February 2017

I had every intention of collating this post in the Qantas Club while waiting to take off for Salt Lake City and Rootstech yesterday but the free internet was abysmally slow so I gave up.

Here I am sitting at the desk in my hotel room where I have been awake since 2:30 am after having a really early night. I'll probably get into the timezone just prior to leaving for home.


My selections this week are all Australian - there was a flood of good blog posts in my RSS feeds which made choosing which to share a challenge. Happy Reading.

1. Happy Birthday Jennifer, I'm pleased you posted this.
https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2017/01/31/today-is-my-birthday/


2. Shelley writes of Tasmanian Farewells
https://shelleysfamilyhistoriesandmysteries.wordpress.com/2017/01/31/tasmania-to-the-transvaal/

3. A tale of two fishes.
https://pastlinks.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-tale-of-two-fishes.html

4. Treasured pages from Lynne's family bible.
https://lynnesheritage.wordpress.com/2017/01/21/craigs-and-sanders/

5. DNA knocks down a wall for Jenny.
https://jenealogyscrapbook.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/minor-detail-big-results/

6. I'm sure my Irish Orphan ancestor behaved.
http://headlinesofold.blogspot.com/2017/01/trove-tuesday-jan-24-2017-not-all-sugar.html

7. A comprheensive list from Pauleen.
https://cassmob.wordpress.com/2017/02/01/ready-for-rootstech/

8. A chubby classmate.
http://cicadasbeesandbargepoles.com/sitting-next-door-to-alice/

9. Anne's detailed DNA story has helped with my understanding. http://ayfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2017/02/dna-analysis-taking-tree-back-two.html

10. Darryl discovers some family traits.
https://bradyfamilytree.org/genealogy/wp/?p=2931

11. I can't resist a library mystery and Alex's s is a good one.
http://familytreefrog.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-body-okay-ancestor-in-library.html

12. Jo Ann reminds us of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
http://ofmyfleshandblood.blogspot.com/2017/01/international-holocaust-remembrance-day.html







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