Still looking for a four-leaf clover

I found a four-leaf clover once and I read somewhere the odds stand at 10,000/1. The funniest thing, at the time, I wasn't even looking for one.  It was the summer of 1997. I had just qualified as a leader for outdoor activities and I had helped create a non-profit dedicated to provide more access  for young people to such activities. It was our first weekend away in an idyllic location and we were taking a  break from teaching orientation techniques to the group.

I remember laying on the grass, face down, trying to cool down in a hot summer's day while we listened to all kind of silly jokes from our CEO, a showman and a great entertainer at all times. 'Not a care in the world' is how one could best describe the general mood of that assembly.
Then, out of the blue, our CEO claimed he would give 5,000 pesetas (around $37 today but not too bad a sum back then) to whoever found a four-leaf clover.

I didn't have to move, not even an inch: from my face down position I could clearly see the most perfect four-leaf clover, standing less that a foot away from the tip of my nose. I told so to my sister, who was sitting next to me but she would not believe me so I stretched my arm and grabbed it. I stood up and moved slowly towards our CEO, asking him to repeat what he had just said. He was more than happy to. He even said it louder, this time. I simply smiled and produced my treasure. He went pale. Pleople cheered.

He never gave me any money, of course, but... who needs 5,000 pts when you own a four-leaf clover??!!

That same day, on our way back to the hostel, the whole group walking in front of me went over, stepped onto and totally missed a 5,000 pts note on the path leading to our accomodation quarters. In total disbelief, I picked it up and, as no one ever claimed it, I got to keep.

For nearly two years I kept the clover in my wallet. Showed it to people upon request and I, jokingly, made it responsible for whatever bit of good luck that came my way. Then, one day in early spring as I searched for a book in the library at Bath College, my wallet was taken from the front pocket of my backpack.

There was next to nothing in there: twenty-three pence, if memory serves, was all the cash. No bank cards. Not even any ID papers, that could have proven difficult to replace abroad, inside. Just twenty-three pence, the keys to my house and a four-leaf clover I would never get to see again.

It had been payday at work: $238 (a week's wages) had been sitting in a white envelope next to the wallet in the pocket of my backpack. They were still there when I returned to find my wallet gone.Still, I was distraught by the loss of my lucky charm.

My boss in Bath, when I was about to leave for Ireland, had a silver pendant specially made for me in the shape of a four-leaf clover because the jewellers in town didn't have any pendants with that design.I choose to believe he never used that design again and that my pendant is, therefore, unique. I still wear it most days and, certainly, whenever I feel a bit superstitious 

Today, as I walked along the Canal on my way home, I realized I continue to search for that elusive 1/10,000 real four-leaf clover (mine was a 'trifolium repens', it seems). I walk staring at the grass. I even slow down at times to take a closer look. I have been doing it ever since mine was stolen but I never really wondered why I keep doing it. Not until now. I don't think I have an answer, either. 

I mentioned Superstition before when I don't consider myself a superstitious person, yet I search for a green talisman in a sea of clovers. Would my luck change if I found a second one? I don't think so. Should a self-confessed atheist have any hope for a bit of magic in her life? Probably not but I suspect I will continue searching for a four-leaf clover till the day I die.

The Dublin Writers Festival 2010

If you know me already, chances are we met after I volunteered at some event you are connected to somehow. That is pretty much what I do these days (tomorrow marking 15 months of unemployment) and, I'm happy to report, the experience is always unique and very rewarding. I could not recommend it enough.

The latest in my agenda was the Dublin Writers Festival that took place last week.

The best thing about being on Twitter is how people can echo your cry for help in real time so, if you have any last minute hiccups, it is very possible that someone out there can solve your problem straight away.

The Festival counts on a base of volunteers, mainly the same people every year but, sometimes, prior engagements lead to vacancies and opportunities for newcomers. And that is how I got involved with this Festival: @darraghdoyle tweeted the need for volunteers and I jumped right in.
The program was packed with writers, poets and singer-songwriters and I got to work four out of the six days it lasted (although you cannot really call it work since it is more like a treat... you get to meet wonderful people and have lots of fun along the way)
The highlights for me: meeting Ian McEwan and Steward Brand... and attending Neil Hannon's (*sigh)  intimate interview with John Kelly (...and we got the coolest t-shirt!!! ;))
Definitely, signing up for next year... if they'll have me!!

''This Time's A Charm''

How does a grown-up man afraid of needles become a four times (five times now, actually) cancer survivor? Well, Donald Wilhelm's book, 'This Time's A Charm', answers that and many other questions which may arise as one gets to know about his extraordinary battle against Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
After a 'persitant sinus infection' misdiagnosis becomes the grim reality of Cancer, Wilhelm applies his professional mental skills to set up the strategy that put him in charge of his own treatment key issues, the quest for the right oncologist being the first step. Armed with all the information available and tons of 'attitude', he navigates through recurrences and 'intermissions' for five years, learning but also teaching others along the way.
Physically, we witness a young body going through unbearable pain and suffering, yet resilient. Mentally and emotionally, there is lot of growing up happening within those pages and the newly acquired wisdom is selflessly  shared with the rest of us.
A compelling read, Donald's book is full of honesty, humor, useful information for the 'newbies' (both survivors and co-survivors) and, above all, bucketloads of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) to face the challenges all cancer survivors and their loved ones encounter after diagnosis.

You can buy the book at Amazon

http://www.thistimesacharm.com/

Watch here an interview where Don talks about his book.(Added 10th Sep)