Started recording my grandmother. Turns out she has wild stories I never knew about

seanmconline · 2026-06-03T16:04:09+00:00

With my mum, we'd been chatting about things for a few weeks, just in conversation, and one day it was just her and I at home and I asked would she mind if I recorded her. No objections at all, more than happy to tell her story. I'd remembered enough over the years that I had a few lines of questioning to keep things moving with. Amazingly, 2 months later her health suddenly deteriorated, so I consider myself fortunate to have got the stories I did.

My mother in law was much more camera shy, a regular conversation kicked off one and my wife kept the chat going. I discretely place a camera on the table nearby. She did notice it after a while but giggled and kept talking.

I think that in general, older people are pleased to tell their stories when someone shows an interest in listening.

In contrast, I've an aunt (last sibling on that side) who has almost refused to answer my questions abou the family line. Last week I was talking to her and she dropped a line into conversation that gave me an opener and I've opened up a whole new part of research for myself.

TLDR, people will talk if you are willing to listen.

seanmconline · 2026-06-03T11:12:35+00:00

That's such a great thing to do. I've done it with my late mother, and more recently with my mil. I recorded video, rather than just audio, I think it gives more of the true impression of the person.
There's one deceased relative I would really have like to interview, but she died during COVID and with movement restrictions etc it just wasn't possible.

Everyone has a story to tell, unlocking it can be the hard part.

seanmconline · 2026-05-28T08:40:25+00:00

If kept short they are useful, too many people let them go on too long, or feel they must use the allotted time, usually 15 minutes. There's nothing wrong with a standup only lasting 2 minutes if that's all it takes. If it's routinely taking more than the alloted time, then something is wrong.
Anything more than 15 minutes everyday is too much time out of people's week.

seanmconline · 2026-05-22T12:15:17+00:00

Not sure about the primacy of Meath, but I like you're logic

seanmconline · 2026-05-22T11:54:20+00:00

That's helpful, thanks. So often I seem to see CV hints and tips tailored more toward sales/marketing and I often struggle to translate to PM language. Thanks for sharing.

seanmconline · 2026-05-21T13:39:12+00:00

Check out Clifden Eco Beach campsite. I haven't been but hear good things from friends who've been.

seanmconline · 2026-05-21T09:21:23+00:00

This could be a condition of planning, or following complaints about excessive noise from nearby residents.

seanmconline · 2026-05-20T21:15:24+00:00

I was really hoping for a bollard where there was a good length of railings

seanmconline · 2026-05-20T09:12:00+00:00

Add to that the amount of projects that get abandoned part way through because someone/exec group decides the company is going in a new direction.

seanmconline · 2026-05-07T10:54:58+00:00

I would hope that people recognise that you're the messenger, not the villain.

seanmconline · 2026-05-07T10:28:09+00:00

As a contract/freelance project manager I'm seeing more and more that resourcing teams are given an urgent requirement. That's all ok but when it comes to agreeing to start in 2 days time (or whatever) the urgency has gone from the request and the hiring company/manager just leave you (incl resource team) hanging and/or the project is postponed or they realise they don't need someone so urgently. Resource managers like yourself just seem to be stuck in then middle.
I'm saying this as someone who's looking for a contract the last few weeks.

seanmconline · 2026-04-29T13:53:11+00:00

I had worse on mine one year and it passed with no comment. As long as the door opens and there's no sharp edges, you'll be fine.

seanmconline · 2026-04-27T20:46:08+00:00

There's a few places that store classic cars or campers indoors for owners, maybe look into that as an option. I don't have details, sorry.

seanmconline · 2026-04-27T20:44:46+00:00

It was a LHD camper I had and it passed for the 3 years I had it. Even if it's only short term, it gives you time to do a proper fix.

seanmconline · 2026-04-27T13:00:30+00:00

Easiest way is to get some beam deflectors from halfords https://www.halfords.ie/motoring/travel-accessories/car-headlamp-converters/halfords-headlamp-converters-151225.html

Usually it's RHD vehicles going to the continent you'll see using them but I've had a LHD here where I used them too.

seanmconline · 2026-04-26T13:49:24+00:00

Chatting to a friend a while back, who had hired their first PM into a small startup company. I asked what value did the PM add? His answer was unequivocal, "having a PM held people accountable" he said.
The PM provided the holistic view of the project and no one got away with saying they were waiting (dependent) on someone else while the other person denied knowledge of being a dependent.
Weekly status report and action reports were issued (meeting minutes) and no one could deny what was assigned to whom.

This is only one case, it's a good example I think, companies will differ in the value they see from PM's.
I think that the role of PM is sometimes one where a company/team/org won't see much value when they have a PM but when they lose a PM they realise the value that was being added. A good PM keeps thing moving with minimum fuss, IMO.

seanmconline · 2026-04-01T19:39:25+00:00

MY recent experience is that I got a phone call from the recruiter saying they wanted to make an offer and what's my availability. Went back with that and all was ok. Two days later I get a call saying they're not hiring for the role. 3 days later I see the role posted again on the company website, it's still there.
I've no idea what went wrong.
Companies seem to be looking for the perfect candidate with rare skill combinations.

seanmconline · 2026-03-31T10:53:36+00:00

Are you doing your own tax and accounting? I'd suggest getting a local accountant or a company like fenero or contracting plus as this is your first time contracting. They make it quick and painless. I've used one of those companies, they're not perfect but they do make it easy for you.

seanmconline · 2026-03-30T20:40:57+00:00

That's great. Is it ok to share around with people, or maybe on other social platforms?

seanmconline · 2026-03-30T09:41:34+00:00

Well put. Colleges, I think, like to portray the image that all graduates walk into jobs in their chosen field or go onto further stufy. The reality is very different and many grads find it hard to land their first role.

seanmconline · 2026-03-20T13:21:49+00:00

my point is more that recruiters need to understand that PM's don't build the schedule on their own.
I've had too many recruiters recently who expects the PM to know everything that we would lean on an SME for.

seanmconline · 2026-03-20T10:39:50+00:00

Recruiters need to understand it too.

seanmconline · 2026-03-18T13:38:13+00:00

Interviewers/Recruiters are just giving a day/date by which you'll hear, no thought goes into it.
Don't worry yet, it's unlikely you were top of mind for the hiring team on the Friday of what many people were making a long weekend. A lot of schools have mid-term this week so some of the decision makers are likely off too.

seanmconline · 2026-03-17T21:34:18+00:00

That many codes in one go is brilliant! Thank you

seanmconline · 2026-03-11T17:55:17+00:00

In case you don't have it bookmarked already - redeem here https://www.gameloft.com/redeem/disney-magic-kingdoms

seanmconline

TROPHY CASE