A smart-mouthed bad crazy-drunk Forgotten night of manic adventure Black-eyed slurred self-pity Another slug of ‘no surrender’
The door opened by the bottle Ushers safety within its cage Discard the day of tired dreams Darkness enlightens the stage
The truest friend ever found Til the comfort became a curse A body weighted in dilemma On a mission to submerse
Down, down under the table Joined by the rats and the finks Afraid of love, the amber’s pull Further into the ether sinks
Another sniff to calm the edges Eyes hidden from the light Til Jesus was doing cartwheels Across the lawn one night…
Submitted to AllPoetry.com competition of Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlins quotes. Quote as prompt (and paraphrased):“Jesus was doing cartwheels across the lawn in the porch light.”
Pretty good despite a slightly disrupted sleep, which I’m thinking may be down to the two double-shot coffees I have on the weekends. I only have one on weekdays, so perhaps I need to switch back to the double-ris on weekends.
Apart from that, I’m still in a good mood and my classes have kept me busy and entertained all day.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Feeling energised and on top of things in my classes and doing all the things I needed during my 50-minute break.
The best thing about today was:
Feeling like an actual English teacher for a moment!
It’s weird to say but working more with some of the older students, who are more interested in actually learning and improving, has focused me a little more on teaching the language, more than just helping the students practice using language (by just reading and writing).
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I still have a problem with no classroom available to teach my afternoon grade 11s and today ended up in the canteen, which wasn’t exactly ideal but everyone got on with it as best they could and I wrapped up pretty quickly, giving the students work to send me before the weekend.
Something I learned today?
Ipswich won their first game of the season yesterday! Hooray! They beat Spurs away from home two-one. Amazing!
I took this picture because ‘our’ little cow was resting here in the morning when I was about to leave for work. Left us a lot of useful poop too.
A little brighter today and trying to fight laziness. Must push hard as I spend a lot of my free time lying down and reading. I love reading but need to move my body more. What to do?
(Later) I avoided the dreaded nap today by playing guitar badly for more than an hour in my room and messing around sorting files on my computer for music and comics. Both things get me so excited, along with reading books too.
And before I know it, it’s dark outside, early evening as the winter slowly creeps nearer, yet I feel full of energy.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
The lady who served me at Tanapiraya, who remained fairly calm as there were many customers at the time and then she had to figure out what the free items were that the store was giving away and deal with the technology of the till software, which wasn’t doing what she wanted.
The best thing about today was:
Playing guitar was enjoyable, though the cheap strings that I bought are making me appreciate the more expensive ones that I will buy again in the future. As I’m pretty much just bashing away, it doesn’t matter too much but even I can tell that it should sound better!
I also just finished writing a poem connected with Native American mythology and compassion. I really enjoyed composing it and testing my brain with ideas.
Something I learned today?
Psephology is the scientific study of elections. I learned this from a poem I read today! ‘Psephos’ means pebble in Greek and ‘psephomancy’ is divination by pebbles. Pebbles were used by ancient Greeks in voting.
I took this picture because I was surprised by his sudden appearance as I was working near the window this afternoon. He’s getting bigger. This evening he’s still around, having a little relax near our water tank where I gave him some chin-rubs and affection.
the priest cried prophecy I understood after I died
My first go at an erasure poem. Original text ‘The Other Language’ by Khalil Gibran. The picture is not as pretty as I would like but I do like the poem that came out of it.
Today I’m feeling:
Vague and blurred at the edges. My brain isn’t kicking into gear due to the hangover of the gummies from yesterday. I really don’t enjoy feeling like this, as I want a clear and motivated brain to inspire action within myself.
After an afternoon nap where I only managed many lucid dreams, I actually felt much better and ended up in my room playing guitar for an hour.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 6
Today I’m grateful for:
Mee dropping me to his house to wait as everyone else still wanted to chat more. It was 22 degrees and I was feeling cold
The best thing about today was:
A pleasant evening meal with Baew and Mee. Though I didn’t join their conversation much, I was just absorbing the nice atmosphere of the restaurant and enjoyed the fish with young mango salad. Until the air temperature got too cold anyway.
Art took this picture of me and Piti hanging out this morning.
To transcend the ordinary And master what it means To live – this spiritual journey Is it all that it seems?
Rising high above the mundane Seek a life-fulfilling To give – and not to have to explain A reason to be willing
Submitted to an AllPoetry contest about Jonathan Livingston Seagull – a book which I’m not familiar with (yet) and had to look up online.
Today I’m feeling:
Not too bad, though I struggled to wake up after a bit of a disrupted sleep just from my body being a little uncomfortable in whatever position I was lying.
At about 11.30 pm last night, I was just drifting off with some wild lucid dreams when a weird feeling came over me and I woke up to a slight shaking in the room and Amy gave a little yelp. A 4.2 earthquake centred somewhere in Myanmar coming to say hello. It was very strange as it disrupted that crucial time of approaching deeper sleep. I soon got back to it but, quite appropriately, I felt a little shaken.
School is a bit more subdued today, as there was a lot of rain last night that has dampened everyone’s enthusiasm for the Open House. But still the show must go on.
I enjoyed talking and playing with my students again but will probably slip off again at around midday.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Being able to come home before midday again. In many ways, and I think I’ve written this before, I don’t enjoy being at school if I’m not actually in the classroom with the students and knowing what I’m supposed to be doing.
The best thing about today was:
My interactions with students around the school again, especially with Nong Fah and Jet and their group of friends (which now often includes Anchan, too, I’m happy to say).
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I had a CBD gummy in the afternoon hoping it would inspire me to push through lethargy but ultimately my Friday feeling wouldn’t shake and I napped for an hour before heading to my room where I got fully involved in figuring out how to combine digital comics into single files to read (and subsequently didn’t spend much time playing guitar as was my original intention).
When I came back inside, I found Amy dancing away as she happily told me she had a THC gummy and was dancing as she was washing up. Suitably inspired, I had one too but it just made me lazy and led me to overthinking to the point of annoyance and we both ended up in bed by 9 pm, though I did manage to read some comics whilst struggling to remember what exactly was going on in them.
I didn’t end up doing any writing here or watching any videos that I thought I might enjoy and ultimately came to the conclusion that I don’t really enjoy the effects of THC these days. Perhaps this is connected with the dose and I can try less next time. Otherwise, I think it’s time to just switch to the more suitable effects of the CBD, which may be so subtle that it’s not even worth taking.
All these pacts we make A pinky shake decided Forever our love Sung to the mountains and skies Across the valleys beyond
Whispered words that shine Pledged to never breach or break Future in our hands Temptation will not lead us Not this time, never again
Obligations shared For us to build castle walls Our words are at stake We know it won’t be easy That’s when the tough get going
We brokered this deal To shape a nest of relief Sometimes days are dull For the warmth, we must maintain A flexible foundation
Let us bend in sync The winds of change will blow through We’ll not break this bond Pick you up when you stumble Fend off discontent and pain
All these pacts we make Pledge to never breach or break Our words are at stake For the warmth, we must maintain Fend off discontent and pain
A garland tanka shared with Tanka Tuesday using synonyms for promise and comfort
Today I’m feeling:
Tired. I slept well, but only from around 1.30 am until 6 am, as before that, I first woke to pee and then later again, the food for dinner decided it needed a quick exit and my guts were complaining for a while as I sat on the toilet, suddenly almost wide awake.
I skipped exercise but did some hanging and at school, there was a great atmosphere for the first day of the Open House. I talked with many students about what they wish to do in their futures.
I went to the cafe and cleared emails and did a bit of reading, but I was starting to fade, so I didn’t do any writing.
I left at lunchtime, grabbed another coffee and came home feeling flat but happy to be able to unwind.
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Rista and Praew escorting me (separately) around the Open House booths and bringing me good energy with their enthusiasm. Rista in particular wanted to show me the Sports Science Program that she will join next year and introduce me to her Kabaddi team and coach.
The best thing about today was:
The grade 9 students that I used to teach were all interested in telling me what programs or schools they wished to pursue next year. Or perhaps they were just happy not to be studying for these two days. Either way, it made me happy to see them all positive.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I was happy to drift for a catch-up nap this afternoon and the midday coffee brought some crazy dreams but I woke up kinda lethargic and unmotivated, which is one of the reasons I’m trying to avoid napping. I had hoped that, as I was home early, I would play some more guitar, but I just didn’t feel up for it in the end.
Something I learned today?
My first footballing hero, Trevor Whymark, passed away yesterday. I’m not sure why he became your hero but after watching an old game from 1976 where he scored four goals, I can imagine a nine-year-old me watching on in awe.
I took this picture because this is my old student Piano in her chef’s outfit. We’re always playful when we meet.
Tired on waking as I didn’t sleep well. Not sure why, just felt uncomfortable through the night. Still, I got through exercise and hanging and took the time to grab a coffee at Utopia, which has helped get my brain moving.
A random thought that I had last night:
Thai teachers are children pretending to be adults
Foreign teachers are adults pretending to be children.
(When I say ‘Thai teachers’ I am, of course, being facetious and tarring them all with the same brush but it is something I feel at certain times. And when I say ‘foreign teachers,’ I was just talking about myself!)
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Amy’s family for accepting me into their family and tonight to enjoy a meal together for Dad’s 73rd birthday.
The best thing about today was:
My one 50-minute class for the day, in which I got energetic, berating late students, pushing students to quickly get some notes down, practice the grammar point until I felt like they had got it, all the while having fun and keeping everyone on their toes.
Slow internet connection meant that we ran out of time to play a quiz, so I assigned them to do it later and sent them off to their next class. Fast and furious.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
For some reason, the method that we get paid has changed and now we have to fill out a form to get the remainder of our wages in cash! Dangerous!
Luckily, since I use my phone to pay for things 98% of the time, I usually end up forgetting that I have any cash at all.
I should go to the optometrist and give this cash over as a deposit for new glasses before anything untoward comes of it!
Something I learned today?
The movie “Gravity” was more expensive to produce than the entire Indian Mars mission. That is just stupid! I’m all for art and movies but imagine what we could be doing with that money instead. Knowing the USA, though, it would be killing more brown people.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
Drunk Amy stole my thunder at the restaurant as I was ready to give our waitress a tip at the end of the meal but Amy decided she wanted to tip her when she brought two more beers and to make it worse, she had no cash, so it was me who gave it to Amy to give to her! Oh well!
I was still going to tip the waitress with the money I had ready but she had disappeared when we were leaving.
Sarah took this picture when she grabbed my phone and caught this action shot of Baitoey as she was running around.
There were many that day Was it day? Is it night now? Here, it’s not possible to tell Time has lost all its meaning
We lined up waiting for the interview It has been a long wait But I will review all that came to pass It was obvious, even as I said it It took me a long time to figure it out The master told me that messages were sent But I had been slow to realise
Later, we all gathered round And I wasn’t the only one Most of us facing the review agreed That we all took too long to realise Then we returned to the silo Perhaps one day, we can try again
A time-disoriented play on a life’s review in The Matrix or Heaven.
Today I’m feeling:
Pretty good again, though sadly, I was a little achy again this morning. Never mind, I’m still feeling relaxed and positive. Only a couple of classes today, one tomorrow and then that’s the week done for teaching! What a crazy school!
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Kru David for inviting me to get involved in a little project idea he has to sell a maths board game. It could be a money maker but for me, I feel that I can’t invest my time in this, especially as it requires effort in marketing it, which I absolutely detest.
The best thing about today was:
Being able to get back to writing poetry with a 3-hour break between classes today and working hard on two pieces. It’s now, when I realise that a lot of my time and effort is going into that writing, as I’m not just churning out the ideas anymore but trying to improve my work.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
The sports boys in my grade 12 class were late to arrive this morning and what I was teaching was far above their capabilities, so I let them be, whilst trying to interact with them whenever I could.
I’m not going to be able to gift those boys with much knowledge beyond convincing them that they should at least give everything a shot.
Something I learned today?
Baby owls often sleep face down because their heads are too heavy.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I good humouredly let Earn know not to talk to me in a rude way, even if it was just for fun. We were both laughing about it, but she understood what I wanted to convey.
One of my students sent me this today, along with some funny, cheeky comments.
The swagger of the fisherman He’s dreaming big, nets full of fish An ocean filled with his thoughts Trawling towards his deepest wish
Eyes to the astronauts overhead What are they thinking as they fly? Break the big things down to the small Everyone, everywhere, just getting by
Inspired by a David Elikwu newsletter
Today I’m feeling:
Great. This is the first morning in a long, long time that I woke up without any aches! I have a little ache now after exercise but I am still quite amazed at feeling this good this morning.
(Later) The good feeling in my body persisted during the day, which made me pretty happy and motivated.
Health:
Physical: 8! Mental: 8
Today I’m grateful for:
Kru Lucky bringing back snacks from his trip to Japan during the holiday and sharing them with all the teachers. Which reminds me, they’re still in my bag waiting to be eaten.
The best thing about today was:
The general, lazy feeling around school for most students who are not participating in the sports events. It’s relaxing but a little too relaxed. I can’t get my students into the flow of the semester and to knuckle down.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I still don’t have a new schedule yet, so I’m still down for 7 hours today, though thankfully, our classes are reduced to 50 minutes for the rest of this month, making things a bit easier. It’s always a little jarring transitioning in and out of this change and today I struggled a bit, either with getting things done in time, or erring the other way and not doing enough in the time. Luckily, it’s easy enough to jump onto some quiz sites and do a quick quiz, though.
Anyway, this afternoon I was due for the final three hours to be in building 8 but when I got there, the room was padlocked and only two students had arrived. I got a message saying that the other students were in a meeting for sports day but no indication of how long that would last. A few more students rolled up while I was contemplating whether to find another classroom or not. Of course, the students begged me for free time and eventually I agreed but on the condition that I would set them work to complete before our next class.
I went back to the teachers’ room and figured out a couple of tasks for them to do and in the process ended up making a whole bunch of other lessons that can be done at any time.
I also cancelled the last one-hour class of the day with my grade 12 English students. I know that they will be happy enough with that and doubted that they would attend anyway.
Something I learned today?
Potatoes have more chromosomes than humans — 48 compared to our 46.
I took these pictures of Program hard at work in my class today. I sent them to Kru Karn, his homeroom teacher, and we both laughed later when we remembered how we were saying that he is a little better behaved this semester.
Not bad. I woke up at 6.30 and just decided to get up, although after feeding the cats etc did get back into bed to read for an hour, waiting for Utopia to open.
The weather is more reasonable in the mornings and I’m feeling fairly positive about life in general.
There were a couple of points during the day when I was feeling like I could be a bit off, but not actually off. Like it was a possibility. Thankfully, that didn’t eventuate.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
A lazy day of reading. I have to get out of the habit of thinking that I didn’t really do much during the day if I spent most of my time reading. Reading is still learning, particularly when reading David Foster Wallace talking about linguistics!
The best thing about today was:
My fingers working a little better on the guitar today compared with yesterday. I still suck badly, but don’t care.
Keeping my brain busy with difficult tasks makes me feel like I can live a bit longer.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I was starting to get sleepy in the afternoon and even went back to the bedroom but managed to suck myself into reading comics that encouraged me to keep reading, so that eventually I recovered my energy and went back to my room to practice guitar for a second time today.
Something I learned today?
Ipswich are now in the relegation zone and still without a win this season after another draw yesterday against Leicester. Life is tough in the Premier League.
I also discovered that the young MMA fighter Victoria Lee, who died last year, had, as I sadly guessed, committed suicide.
I saw an interview with her sister, Angela, who also confessed that she had attempted suicide when she was a similar age.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I brought in Amy’s clean sheets and made her bed for her, as I usually do.
I took this picture because these are our home grown bananas.
1994ever 