Among my favorite web sites are those authored by pioneers who try nothing less than to change the world.  Typically, they focus on a subject that requires attention and set out to correct it through good examples, public awareness, shrewd analysis, and clear writing.  I think we could all learn from these examples.

This is True is written by Randy Cassingham, a syndicated newspaper columnist and book author.  Randy has also recently been invited to make a regular appearance on a radio talk show.  His site and book, The True Stella Awards, tackles the thorny issue of tort reform by highlighting abuse of the court system and weighing its real cost.  As Randy explains, no one cure is going to fix the problem, but the first step is to acknowledge and understand that there is a problem.

http://www.thisistrue.com/

Right to Create describes itself as “dedicated to exposing the abuses of patent and copyright systems.” The site includes examples of patent abuse, essays on changes needs to the current system, and links to simliarly-minded organizations.  Author, Jackson Lenford, makes a strong argument that patent abuse stifles development, creativity, and sometimes even free speech.

http://righttocreate.blogspot.com/

Everything is looking greener in New England with the coming of spring.  The trees are beginning to bud, shrubs are taking shape, and grass has finally risen above the brown turf of winter.  I found a passage in Roughing It where Mark Twain echoes my sentiments for the change of seasons:

“Change is the handmaiden Nature requires to do her miracles with. The land that has four well-defined seasons cannot lack beauty, or pall with monotony. Each season brings a world of enjoyment and interest in the watching of its unfolding, its gradual, harmonious development, its culminating graces - and just as one begins to tire of it, it passes away and radical change comes, with new witcheries and new glories in its train. And I think that to one in sympathy with nature each season, in its turn, seems the loveliest.”

After spending several days in Dublin, we decided to see some of the countryside ourselves and inquired in the office the best way to get to Glendaloch, home to the oldest monastery in Ireland.  We had heard about it from two other backpackers we had met back at the train depot and they had described the scenery as lush and beautiful.  Since we didn’t have any other destination in mind, it seemed as good a place as any.  The office administrator began giving us directions by highway when I interrupted and explained that we were on foot.  To which he replied, “Oh. Well there’s a bus coming to take a tour there.  It’ll be here in about 45 minutes.” Ellen and I laughed at the coincidence, quickly packed our things, checked out, and waited for the bus in the parking lot.  Not only was the timing perfect, but who should be driving the bus but the very same man who had pitched us the UCD and driven us there in the first place.

The ride out to Glendaloch was beautiful and the surrounding area as green as could be imagined.  After our arrival, but before we headed out for adventure, we told the driver we’d be staying in Glendaloch a while and wouldn’t be heading back to the UCD.  We asked if he had any recommendations on where to stay.  He said he’d make a couple phone calls and we should check back with him.  Remarkably, he also only charged us half price for the tour, which was already inexpensive, because he gave us a one-way discount.  Later, we met up with him during his midmorning cup of tea.  He had contacted a friend who ran a nearby bed-and-breakfast and gave us directions to it.  We thanked him heartily and headed out to our new accommodations.

We stayed a couple days in Glendaloch before deciding to head back to Dublin and then on to the rest of our trip.  In this regard, our good luck continued.  I had decided to stay in the room and catch up on some lost sleep while Ellen went out to a local pub to get something to eat.  She found a delicious meatloaf dinner and made the company of a nice English couple who were also enjoying a visit in the countryside.  The three spent a lively night at the pub as I slept the hours away.

In the morning, Ellen told me about the pub and the couple she had met.  She also said that they would be driving back to Dublin and would drive us if we wanted to head back with them.  Of course we did, but Ellen had kind of left matters up in the air and wasn’t sure if the offer still stood.  We decided to pack up our things and head out to test the waters.  It was a gloomy, rainy day, so we opened our umbrellas and took a stroll past the couple’s bed-and-breakfast.  We didn’t have to linger in the street a moment when the door flew open and a loud, high pitched voice let out, “Ellen!” The couple had remembered their offer and we were able to take them up on it.  They drove us all the way back to Dublin.

Once there, we were in agreement that we wanted to next head to The Netherlands, but weren’t sure the best way to go.  Ellen wanted to save a little money and return by ferry and train, but I was loathe to repeat the trip so soon after our uncomfortable journey over.  I finally reasoned that it was at least worth investigating and added that we should check the American Express office which I could see from our present position.

We inquired within, the cost of airfare from Dublin to Amsterdam.  It was as Ellen had expected: an expensive proposition.  We were about to give up and repeat the trip on the ferry when I asked if it would be the same cost if we were routed through London, thinking that a major hub may give us some additional options.  A few key presses later, and we had our answer.  It was not only significantly cheaper, but actually comparable to the cost of the ferry and train ride after which we would still need to pay airfare out of London.  We booked the trip immediately, hailed a taxi, and left Dublin within hours, a little wiser.

We stayed about another week in mainland Europe and had a fantastic time.  As we neared the end of our vacation, we realized that the money we had saved thus far afforded us the ability to stay in favorable hotels and use comfortable modes of transportation.  However, although certainly pleasant, the second half of our trip can’t quite compare to the first half.  It’s a wonderful thing to think that we had faced uncertainty and doubt, and came through it all unscathed and with some great memories.  It’s also wonderful to think of all the people who helped make that happen; people who didn’t know us or have any expectation of seeing us again, yet were kind and generous all the same.  It is these people that I remember most from our adventure in Europe.

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Bible; Hebrews 13:2