Back To The World – 18th January 2025

January 18, 2025August 28, 2026 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

In the autumnal airs, crinkled brown
A leaf falling is looking for a place to live
That big old house where we melted cheese
Time told us not to get old, to forgive

Pushing and pulling at different doors
What did the squirrels squeak watching in?
At 4am a split second of thought
Was a sadness that solved everything

2025-01-18

Today I’m feeling:

Better rested, though my sleep app tells me I still didn’t make it to 8 hours of actual sleep. My shoulder is still waking me up at times during the night and I’d like to get a massage this weekend if possible. The trouble is finding a decent massage shop.

Riding back from coffee, I felt quite inspired and energetic, thinking perhaps to go with Amy for a little bike ride or to the sourdough shop in the city and perhaps finding a massage shop.

Amy was still in her pyjamas, though and didn’t seem particularly thrilled to go out today as we will go into the city tomorrow afternoon for pizza. So I decided on some reading and video watching until lunchtime.

Amy made a killer potato bake with carrots covered in cheese and as I started eating, a wave of tiredness overcame me. I managed to let lunch digest for a while before heading to bed for some comic reading and an afternoon nap, which I fell into deeply and felt quite refreshed on waking up again, so I headed out to my room to play guitar.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 8

Today I’m grateful for:

Seeing a hoopoe in the garden this morning. I only know its name because I had to look it up. I’ve never seen a bird like it here before.

The best thing about today was:

Nothing in particular. It’s been a good, relaxing day all round. No highs, no lows. I’m glad to have a day off from exercise, to help my shoulder recover and also because my legs were feeling it after yesterday too.

Something I learned today?

The looming ban on TikTok in the USA has seen USAsians flocking to a Chinese app called RedNote and it has opened many eyes to the reality of China. It’s the exact opposite of what the ban intended.

I took this picture because Piti was chilling this morning.

Simples – 16th January 2025

January 16, 2025August 28, 2026 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 6 Comments

Along the path, a muddy slip
Into the mediocre field
Or to sit under a tree for a bit
Until the bloodied knuckle healed

A bite of the hanging fruits
A nap before pulling on
The still-muddied boots
And trek where travellers belong

Looking for the complicated
Blinded all to common sense
The simple to be contemplated
To ensure the least expense

Inspired by this email from The Stoa Letter
Shared with Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – simplicity

Today I’m feeling:

Great except for my shoulder being more sore after doing some arm exercises yesterday. Today is Teachers’ Day and this year we have a day off, thankfully. No need to attend any kind of ceremony. So, I slept in for a little while before heading out for coffee and getting the car washed (finally) at the gas station.

For lunch, Amy prepared us a delicious mala hot pot, which we ate for more than an hour whilst watching food videos of Chengdu and Osaka.

I can feel some reading and an afternoon nap coming on!

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 8

Today I’m grateful for:

The car cleaning guy at the gas station who explained that they didn’t start work until 9am and I told him that’s fine and that I’ll come for coffee and come back at ten anyway.

When I got back, the car looked great again, inside and out. All for 100 baht.

The best thing about today was:

Probably that afternoon nap, to be honest. I remember nothing; I woke up without any lethargy and went out to my room to play guitar.

Something I learned today?

I was cleaning Tigger’s head this evening; I checked the lump on the back of his neck. He’s had it for a few years now but it never seemed to bother him.

Today I noticed that it looked a lot different to before and when looking closer, I saw that whatever it is inside was coming out when squeezed. And the whole thing just came out, just like that. Seemed to be a buildup of skin oils and maybe ingrowing hair.

It’s weird to stroke him now with the big lump not being there.

Ascension – 15th January 2025

January 15, 2025August 28, 2026 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 6 Comments

  Dreams fuelled the fire
    Sacrifices made to inspire
       Hard work satisfies desire
        A ladder to heaven
          Ascending to the stars
            Dreams fuelled the fire
          No stone remains unturned
        Sacrifices made to inspire
      A lesson always learned
    Hard work satisfies desire
  Reward is duly earned

Shared with dVerse’s Quadrille challenge – lift

Today I’m feeling:

My new Sleep app alarm didn’t work as expected this morning, so I woke up a few minutes later with my normal alarm and ran behind schedule a little but I forced myself to exercise and I’m glad that I did. I always feel much better after exercise and have to remember that as encouragement.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

The two packs of rice crackers that I bought on Monday and ran out of time to eat and were still in my bag today, just when I needed to snack to keep me going.

The best thing about today was:

Doing some one-on-two interviews with my grade 12s really tested them and quite a few students surprised me with their abilities and with their ideas. It was really nice to experience.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

Kru Tongjai seemed to be in a bad mood today and was annoyed that I was using the small teachers’ room to interview students and encourage them to speak in a safe, quiet environment. She told me that I shouldn’t be there and that I should figure out somewhere else to do it.

Champ had already said that it was ok for me to use the room and later said that he thought it was great that I was doing what I was doing to help the students.

Just another day of confusing messages from the staff around me. Never mind.

I seem to end many of these entries with ‘never mind’. Perhaps that’s good.

Something I learned today?

Teacher David is thinking that it is time to move on for him soon. He’s paranoid that he’s being watched closely by other teachers. I don’t see it myself but he has made me more wary of what might be going on.

Another picture after Sarah stole my phone again. Her and KT.

A Hold On Power – 14th January 2025

January 14, 2025August 28, 2026 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

The bow is taut, passion tight
Get a shot off! Get a shot off!
Where will the passion land?
A strategic misdirection

Waiting for sweet release
All possibilities in existence
A strategic misdirection
The essence of a passion tight

Before the shot goes off
A strategic misdirection
Watch your head! Mind your head!
Anticipated release

A strategic misdirection
Whilst the bow is taut
Get a shot off! Watch it fire!
Ready your art for war

Spun out from this quote “When the bow is taut it hasn’t been shot yet but the power is there and you can shoot the bow in many different directions, that is the essence of strategy.” which I probably read at The Stoa newsletter.

Today I’m feeling:

Apart from my voice and a little bit of a sore throat, I feel pretty good. Also, knowing that I only have one class in the morning and then I can finish and come back for my physio appointment at the hospital.

The first class was easy and fun and I sent the same work to my second class to submit, as I won’t be there for them.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 8

Today I’m grateful for:

The physio that I saw at the hospital. She was very nice and helpful, English was good and best of all, she convinced me that buying a fancy ergonomic pillow was a waste of money.

Sadly, the treatment they gave me wasn’t particularly special and I could probably do the same at home with a wheat bag. I felt that it was comparatively expensive but will give it one more try at the end of the month.

The best thing about today was:

Being able to leave school by 10.30, enjoy a relaxing coffee whilst reading and writing, pick up some yoghurt on the way, mosey on up to the hospital, then back home into bed for an afternoon comic reading session followed by thirty minutes of eyes closed calm before getting up and out to play guitar.

A nice chill day all round.

World Wonderful – 13th January 2025

January 13, 2025August 28, 2026 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Like a skimming stone searching for the shore
Scared of immersion, drowning in life’s maw
Turn and face it, walk towards this escape
Where magic is revealed ready to take shape

Attention paid to break the challenge’s grip
Unveils the awe-inspiring depth of this trip
Suffering settles deeper in a comfy bed
Yet rising shapes the world wonderful instead

Based on a quote by psychiatrist and author, Anna Lembke, on facing life’s challenges head-on.

Today I’m feeling:

Cold but not too bad otherwise. Today seems to be the coldest morning of the winter and from here it looks like it’s just going to get warmer.

I woke up with my new alarm from the sleep app, though I should say Tigger heard it first from the other room and it was him that woke me up!

Despite my phlegm-filled throat, I did some exercise, though my energy is still a little depleted or perhaps I couldn’t get enough oxygen into my lungs. I persevered though and just hope that I don’t fall off due to exhaustion but can just sleep well again tonight.

By the end of my first class, my voice was disappearing again and so in my second class I told the kids that I couldn’t speak and then pretended to cheer. They were pretty good, considering.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

Nong Gam and her friend Cha Cha. I don’t teach either of them – Gam is a friend of my old student Noey, but they appeared as I was about to leave and so I chatted with them for a while. As they speak very little English, I found myself talking to them in Thai as much as I could.

I’m not sure why they suddenly appeared or if they were on their way somewhere else but I was glad to be able to practice some Thai with them anyway.

The best thing about today was:

My voice (kinda) making it through the six hours of classes today and still having enough energy to play some guitar.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I didn’t get a chance to stop to read or write today, as all the TLC teachers had to attend a meeting to cosy up with the director and take photos as if we are one big happy family. Never mind.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

AngPao had a picture on Instagram that showed that she had been cutting her arm. I asked her about it this morning and she told me that she has depression. She was a little shocked when I told her ‘me too’. I told her that she can talk to me anytime she wants.

My grade 11 student Chompoo was in a bad mood today and when I talked with her quietly later she told me that something had happened that made her feel sad. I showed her that I understood and sent her a message in the evening to see if she was ok.

Miyor was sick after my class and looked very sad for herself when I passed her by at the end of the day. I gave her a hug and hoped she would get well soon.

Sarah took this picture because she stole my phone again! Not bad for an old bastard.

The Fool You Find – 12th January 2025

January 12, 2025August 28, 2026 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 5 Comments

It’s Not You

With the brightest smiles
and feined sincerity
that serves you so well
As the bee flits
from candied purple
to butterfly blue
You’re on your way
keeping all that honey
as stored ammunition

It’s Me

The facade crumbled
the honey on my lips
enlightened by my taste
Poison to my senses
the comfort of your nest
no longer warms
I’m on my way
I’ll make space
for the next fool you find

Shared with dVerse – MTB: New and Old in a Palinode and walking away from a friendship.

Today I’m feeling:

Ok again. My throat seems a little clearer but I’m still croaky. Otherwise, I slept well, though only 7 hours.

It’s a cold, sunny Sunday and I will pick up Amy and Baew and we’ll go to In Am’s Kitchen for brunch.

It doesn’t look that special but getting into some sourdough after not having had it for a long while was great. There is a new bread shop that opened in the city too but sadly it was closed today.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

Baew and Mee for bringing Amy home this evening, as she decided to stay on and continue drinking and eating today!

Every day is a holiday for my little Amy!

The best thing about today was:

Listening to lots of music, though only brief listens to new bands that I wanted to check out. One day I have to stop this endless search for new music – there is so much good music being made. I need to enjoy what I already have! Same goes for comics too (and books!)

I’m also halfway through finishing the Barber Dead interview for Suspect Device and enjoyed listening to their EP again. Already good to begin with; it has really got its hooks into me.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I haven’t been motivated to play guitar for a few days now and it is mostly due to the time factor, as I enjoy other things instead.

Something I learned today?

Don’t buy coffee at In Am’s kitchen. Whilst the food was great and reasonably priced, I’m fussy when it comes to coffee.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

I’ve been chatting with Baipad through TikTok where we seem to be sending each other videos of cute animals. I feel a little as if she is my part-time daughter.

I took this picture because mother and daughter have been reunited and both keep getting off their ties and coming to chill in our garden again.

No Thunder – 11th January 2025

January 11, 2025August 28, 2026 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 6 Comments

There’s bad blood under the skin
A sickly patient wearing thin
Invisible infection, a misdirection
A poorly boy since conception

A head full of holes slowly leaking
Sanity fails whenever speaking
There’s no thunder while going under
A broken mind rent asunder

So many opinions without conclusion
Perfect health is just an illusion
Nowhere to hide from the end of the ride
Living is a glacial suicide

Written whilst sitting at the hospital for 5 hours waiting for a doctor whom I saw for less than 2 minutes

Charlie Zero The Poet Music picks & Reviews #5 and my quick thoughts:

Magdalena Bay – liked this and was surprised to see that they are playing in Australia. They seem to be popular and I’ve never heard of them (which I guess isn’t unusual these days!). The thing that puts me off their music though is that it’s just too damn nice!

Irreversible Entanglements – Again nice agit-jazz but too far into the jazz for my tastes.

Prurient – I understand the appeal. Not for me.

Omar Souleyman – I seem to be behind on his releases and this is another enjoyable album. I was disappointed when I saw him live though, it didn’t quite translate in the venue where I saw him which was part of an arts festival. Needed more sand!

Avalanche Kaito – Recommended by you before and I enjoyed the discovery.

Today I’m feeling:

Hmm…kinda ok. I feel like there are energy reserves in my body somewhere but my foggy brain can’t quite access them yet.

I’m reading a few bits of poetry and searching my resources for inspiration to write my own words but it’s not quite working.

I was coughing a fair bit through the night and last night I used a sleep tracker app to see what information it can provide.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 8

Today I’m grateful for:

Amy making a big dish of pasta for me at lunchtime and putting it in the oven. Then I dropped her at Baew’s and when I got back, the ding of the oven timer went off just as I stepped inside the house.

It was delicious and fed me in the evening, and tomorrow too!

The best thing about today was:

Reading again. And writing another decent poem that I think came out well.

I took this picture because Amy is at Baew’s tonight, Cap has stolen my spot and so me and Tig are squeezed in where Amy normally sits.

Duality – 10th January 2025

January 10, 2025July 24, 2026 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 11 Comments

The dawn fog settles
Honour-bound, two figures stand
Their fates soon revealed
Both fell in thunderous fire
Bittersweet, the lady faints

A tanka for Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Bittersweet

Today I’m feeling:

Ok but I can’t talk properly. I feel like I have a mild cold but not that bad really. A little fuzzy in the head.

I got up at around 7 am and sent messages to school and work to my students to do in my absence. I went back to bed at around 8 and ended up with some nice, extra enjoyable sleep.

I got up for lunch, took some medicine and now out for my first and only coffee for the day. I may sleep more yet!

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

More medicine from the local pharmacy and when I arrived there, the pharmacist was petting a street seller’s really cute dog, so of course I had to spend a minute petting too.

The best thing about today was:

Reading, lots of reading!

Something I learned today?

I hit up Kru John about the possible change of director at school but all he knew was that it’s the sub-director who will change.

Garbage In – 9th January 2025

January 9, 2025July 24, 2026 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 6 Comments

You are your own curator
What does your archive say?
Your most valued selections
Will predict the game you play

May I copy to my scroll
That to which you adhere?
My library is starting bare
And I need a new idea

Cross-reference the index
Let’s build up our research
Combine all our best thoughts
And share for all to search

You are your own curator
Garbage in makes garbage out
Information overload
Fills everything with doubt

Inspired by a David Elikwu newsletter
18th Apr 2025 – Shared with Poets and Storytellers United – this poem is tangentially connected with the theme of ‘youth has no age’.

Today I’m feeling:

Good except my croaky sore throat. My body feels great otherwise after playing volleyball yesterday. I skipped exercise this morning, though.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 8

Today I’m grateful for:

The lady selling candy outside school. She has some weird and unusual candy selections and I can throw a few down for a little sugar bump at the end of the day before driving home.

The best thing about today was:

Talking with Poppy as she wants to apply to go to Japan with the school and she was very excited about it. She told me that she wants to talk with me every day to improve her English to prepare for the interview.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

Today we were asked to attend a meeting at 4 pm and then five minutes before it started, we were told that it might last for two hours!

Thankfully, it was less than an hour, no idea what any of it was about but I spent the whole time studying Thai, so at least it wasn’t wasted.

Also, by the end of the day, I had almost lost my voice, so I decided that it is probably best not to go to school tomorrow but to go back to see the ENT specialist in the city again.

Something I learned today?

Some students were telling me that they were worried about the school because we will get a new director soon. First I’ve heard about it!

2025-01-18

It’s Not YouWith the brightest smiles and feined sincerity that serves you so wellAs the bee flits from candied purple to butterfly blueYou’re on your way keeping all that honey as stored ammunition

It’s MeThe facade crumbled the honey on my lips enlightened by my tastePoison to my senses the comfort of your nest no longer warmsI’m on my way I’ll make space for the next fool you find

The dawn fog settlesHonour-bound, two figures standTheir fates soon revealedBoth fell in thunderous fireBittersweet, the lady faints

It’s Not You

With the brightest smiles
and feined sincerity
that serves you so well
As the bee flits
from candied purple
to butterfly blue
You’re on your way
keeping all that honey
as stored ammunition

It’s Me

The facade crumbled
the honey on my lips
enlightened by my taste
Poison to my senses
the comfort of your nest
no longer warms
I’m on my way
I’ll make space
for the next fool you find

The dawn fog settles
Honour-bound, two figures stand
Their fates soon revealed
Both fell in thunderous fire
Bittersweet, the lady faints