You gotta be on it to be in it You gotta lose sometimes to win it To be on it – at the top of your game Winging it is just not the same
As long as I’m alive, I will continue to try to understand more because the work of the heart is never done.
Muhammad Ali
Today I’m grateful for: The perfect temperature. I haven’t had aircon on all day and spent some time outside in the hammock before the rain came then doing some pot plant reorganising. The best thing about today was: A general sense of calm and enjoying the slow speed of the day. I lazed and I also got things done. Everything was important and everything could have waited. Time slowed down.
I took this picture because it stood out to me as a simple and meaningful piece of art. I found it on Facebook and don’t know who the artist is.
It’s said one reaps what they sow And you’ve been poisoned by the fruit Of the promised land you know As the soil has infected the root You wrestled for control by force Claimed that you’d known best The proof is in the pudding of course Feeding a state of unrest The future is not written in stone But mistakes must be owned and reversed Otherwise, you’ll end up alone And seen as forever being cursed
Even if you think you are stuck between two impossible choices, there’s always a third way. You just have to look for it.
Marcus Sedgwick
Today I’m grateful for: Being able to come home early and enjoy my time here. The best thing about today was: Spending two hours playing guitar. It was fun.
I took this picture because I was enjoying reading time in the hammock this morning when I was supposed to have been at school.
Stay with me, but only come when I call Knowing you’re there is enough consolation My pain is mine, not to share at all I work things out in my own isolation A quiet word whispered at the right time I’ll ask for your help when required When I’m alone all the time is mine I’ll call when I feel uninspired
No matter how isolated you are and how lonely you feel, if you do your work truly and conscientiously, unknown friends will come and seek you.
C.G. Jung, Letters Vol II
Today I’m grateful for: The salad man being at the market today as I really wanted to eat salad! The best thing about today was: Getting absorbed into reading more of Gormenghast. I couldn’t stop.
I took this picture because just a couple of minutes before this the sun was shining and I’d not long gotten home from a quick bike ride to get food. The wind had blown open the screen doors and blown rain in and even the garage floor had gotten wet. With a flash of lightning close by that zapped me whilst I played guitar and a second later, a huge peal of thunder and the wind was gone and the rain soon after.
Today I’m grateful for: The chef in the kitchen in the shop next door to Utopia, who remembered that I wanted food without meat and made delicious fried rice with chilli that had me sweating so hard I needed a shower when I got home. The best thing about today was: Having fun with all the kids who were cooking as part of their scout week. They were very playful and happy.
I took this picture because this unfinished building always fascinates me. I guess it was going to be a hotel. It is located next to the river and is an easy drive into town. I fanaticise about turning it into a punk house for world travellers and having shows there.
Good fortune can be a great deceiver Life’s lottery may bring returns of gold But the devil is in the details Of the glittering lives being sold Ants will gather at the honey pot Desperate hands grabbing for a share Fighting for a way to get out Before realising it’s all still there
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
George Bernard Shaw
Today I’m grateful for: My little motorbike surviving the stupid journies I take it on. I rewarded it with a quick shower and wipe down ready to go again another time. Maybe I’ll wait until it’s a little drier though. The best thing about today was: Realising that I needed to get outside and see the sun, breath the air and dive deep into the jungle. My mood had totally altered by the time I returned home scratched up, aching muscles and covered in mud.
I took this picture because it will remind me of my bike ride today that got me out of my funk. I love the angles and depths though my phone can’t capture the magnificence as the human eye. I particularly like the clouds in just half the sky here.
I’m grateful you’ve been spared In some way that was my doing If you’d have stayed here You’d soon discover troubles brewing
Wisdom came to me far too late I know it was wrong to make you suffer There’s no way to go back now I am one and you are another
I’ll watch you from a distance Happy you are happy and content I’ll hang on to the memories Of the happy times we spent
All I’m saying is that the difference between humans and animals is that animals would never allow the dumbest of the herd to lead them.
The Far Side
Today I’m grateful for: Being able to leave school early and have an afternoon snooze after treating myself to some lunch. The best thing about today was: The bearable temperature, thankfully lowered after a heavy rain whilst I was drinking my morning coffee at House.
I took this picture because I found these mangy pups hanging out on the street corner this morning. They were friendly enough though.
Sometimes bad weather seems better Maybe you’ve got no coin in the game A baby born without hope to survive Maybe rooting for us just the same Take a shot at the moving target And it becomes the best you’ve ever done Everyone has forgotten your name But to us, you’re the one that won
Run in the opposite direction of any expert or guru proclaiming to possess a secret formula for success of power.
Robert Greene, the Daily Laws
Today I’m grateful for: A weekend of being able to watch the AFL. Four amazing first-round finals. All of them were fantastic thrilling games and they reminded me of weekends of drinking and hangovers in Australia. Winters of football and summers of cricket. The best thing about today was: A big drink of cold water at about 8pm. Today has not been very eventful but that water sure made an impression. No doubt I will be reminded of it at about 3am too!
I took this picture because it represents hope and growth. Many of our pumpkin flowers don’t turn to fruit or fall off quickly before having chance to take. I don’t know how far this one will go but it’s looking good right now.
We’re acting our age, growing up Got our emotions under control The highs and lows have come and gone And we’re finally feeling whole We’re no longer chasing rainbows We know what’s at their end The pot of gold is here and now With a lifetime left to spend
Beware of those who seek constant crowds; they are nothing alone.
Charles Bukowski
Today I’m grateful for: Amy’s parents for delivering me food and fruit this morning. I was sleeping and I found it with surprise at our door. The best thing about today was: Watching Sydney play a fantastic game of football that was tense and exciting.
I took this picture because it caught my eye though I didn’t look closely at it. Looking at it now I guess it’s a painting based on the position of stars. I’m not even sure where I took this or if it’s a screenshot.
My body’s at war with my brain One or the other is broken again My aching joints keep me awake I wonder how much more I can take As I sink into deeper depression My muscles dissolve in regression Ever-declining circles of pain My body’s at war with my brain
You’ve got to hand it to capitalism, convincing everyone that ‘freedom’ meant obeying your boss or starving was a pretty incredible achievement.
Existential Comics
Today I’m grateful for: The gardeners for coming and taking care of things whilst I was at work. It’s nice to come home and everything looking respectable. They even collected all the passion fruit up from the ground for me. The best thing about today was: Talking with my students – as is often the case. Each time I communicate with them I hope it improves their confidence even just a little. As more students talk to me, others find the courage too.
As my mind opened so did the world in front of me Even as a child I sensed things were not as should be So it is now I look up to the biggest sky I ever saw Where love and cooperation must trump violence and war
“the biggest sky I ever saw” is taken from a Robert Plant interview used in the Led Zeppelin biography by Mick Wall, hence the title.
The brain and the tongue are so far apart.
Prunesquallor from Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake
Today I’m grateful for: Champ asking me if I’d like to teach in the new building where the rooms will have aircon! That could be nice. I’m sure there will be teething troubles in there and maybe Champ has some other motive for me being there but all the same, it is nice to be thought of. The best thing about today was: Momo coming and telling me that she wished I was still teaching her. When I asked why she said that my classes were more fun. I think she and Porpieng feel that they are not being challenged enough now. I felt good to hear her say this, making me remember the impact, no matter how small, I’m having on her life.
I took this picture because the clouds rolling up the mountain like this really caught my attention. I was struggling to find anything to take a picture of on this walk as the sky was still quite dull and grey but then seeing the sun hitting the mountaintops and this cloud really stuck out. I stood and savoured it even if only for a second or two.
1994ever 