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07/31/2007: "As One Flower Fades, Another Blossoms"
mood: Hopeful
So as another summer comes along with missed deadlines, IMBAS the organization is quiet, without a president, without an active, updated website, with a Lorekeeper's course in mothballs that no one gets to see because there is not a 501c to promote it...we read what people say they can't do, can't accomplish, don't have the money or support for and the mood gets dismal...that is until someone comes along and
shows what you can do when you put your mind to it.
My buddy Caemgen over in California has put together quite a Youtube presence. Taping dozens of Irish lessons and Irish history classes, one man has done more in a couple of months to advance Irish cultural issues than IMBAS has in years. Here is the link; check it out: http://www.youtube.com/user/caemgen51
"This channel is specifically for providing resources for learning the Irish language using ongoing videos shot in a classroom setting. A link is provided next to each video lesson in which the learner can access the accompanying lesson handout sheets and print them out at home. So for all intents and purposes it puts the learner inside the classroom with everyone else and they can follow along and learn quite effectively. Most of the classes so far have been "intermediate' with a few "beginner" classes as well. I will be adding more beginner classes soon and "advanced" classes as well. Also, I have filmed quite a few Irish history classes, thanks to Pat Flannery, who holds a talk on the first Monday of each month on a different topic of Irish history."
So as the flower that was once IMBAS fades, new flowers bloom, proving that you don't need cumbersome organizations to promote learning and training related to Celtic interests. All you need is a few dedicated people intent on making the difference. Perhaps one day, Alexei Kondratiev's lorekeeper course will see the light of on-line day. In the meantime, we are thankful to people like Caemgen who continue to make a difference now. Kudos to him!
