A little dizzy but happy. After difficulty getting to sleep I enjoyed a deep long rest but the morning light woke me up way before my alarm.
I checked the map and it was going to be a hassle to get into the city to the bookshop so I showered and got going.
Despite needing 4 different trains it didn’t take as long as I was expecting and I’m enjoying my first coffee of the day now.
Today I’m grateful for:
Arwith coming to meet me at the bookshop this morning. I bought books for myself and he for his kids.
We grabbed some great vegetarian lunch at MQuarter but the malls were a bit too upmarket for us to buy gifts.
After that I caught a train to Mo Chit and now braving the bus to the airport. It’s airconned though so not so bad.
The best thing about today was:
Finding some good books at Dasa. More to add to the pile.
Something I learned today?
As with yesterday I learned more about getting around Bangkok. I feel like I used to feel while visiting London, nice to visit but not to live.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I found a small present for Amy at the airport.
It’s actually hard to find things for her as she can just buy whatever she wants (within reason of course) but this time I thought that I should at least bring something back so I found a nice pandan snack at the airport.
I also found a gratitude word search book that I will give to Baipad but first I want to see if there is anything inside that I can use for my grade 8 classes too.
Did you do something difficult or challenging today?
Getting around in Bangkok transit was a bit of a challenge and annoyed me at first but as trains were fairly regular and I considered the cost, it started to feel more comfortable.
I took this picture to remember us old uncles meeting again in Bangkok.
Like Jack, I ran quickly from my dreams Eager to discover what it all means In the moment, exploring the themes Is anything at all what it seems? – Put it down on paper – To review this endless caper
I found a box and put time inside
Was it living or was it writing? It’s only myself that I’m fighting A jazz dance in the underlighting Each pair of eyes met, newly smitten Fresh fruit waiting to be bitten Another story begging to be written – Late nights spent on the town – Running home to get it down
I found a box and put time inside
And when I meet my future me I’ll open the box to look and see Words pressed, sentimental free Whether tragedy or victory – Presented here from me to you – A diary of everything I do
I found a box and put time inside
Submitted to No Theme Thursday and dVerse Meeting The Bar (bop poem) Inspired by the movie The Subterreans, based on the Jack Kerouac novel of the same name, where one of Jack’s girlfriends criticises him for always running off to go and write about the events of the night whilst he could have stayed and enjoyed more adventures. For some reason, this interaction always stuck with me. Either way, WordPress provides a box of time for our future selves.
Today I’m feeling:
Anxious this morning. I woke up well before my alarm thinking about going to Bangkok and preparing for school next week.
Starting to relax a bit as I wait for the plane as I leave control to others for an hour or so until landing again.
Today I’m grateful for:
The crazy mixed-up rail options in Bangkok for helping learn more about getting around and gauging travel times. It’s also helped me achieve 10,000 steps easily.
The best thing about today was:
Meeting old friends and new ones at the show tonight. First Nampan and Pam from SpeechOdd.
Then Team, who is a young uni student that contacted me last week trying to make connections to put together a screamo band. Later, another young guy called Poom bought some screamo from me so I introduced them to each other.
Of course, I met Arwith and his bandmates in Piri Ries.
I met Sano-san from Low Fat again and exchanged CDs.
I briefly talked with Fern who is the owner of the venue.
Nampan introduced me to the High Voltage folks.
I also met one of the guys from ADxHD (Korea) who also plays in Struggle Session (China).
Another guy came up to me and asked if I was Shaun and if I remembered him? It was Sasha from Russia! I met him about nine years ago in Kuala Lumpur when we were both staying with Kimi!
It is a little sad to think how small our world is because it feels like there are so few of us interested in this music. But it is amazing to bump into random connections anywhere in the world.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Just my sweat. Thankfully I bought an extra pair of clothes as I was expecting this.
Something I learned today?
Coming from Don Muang, don’t get off the train at Chatuchak for Chatuchak market! Even the nearest station at Bang Sue is a fair walk.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I left some stock free of charge at Heaven and Hell. Poowanat gifted me a CD in return.
I sold some merch at a discounted price at the show and also gifted the venue the Trumans Water and Flesh Narc CDs.
I took this picture because I finally got to see SpeechOdd play.
Quiet and confused but more settled throughout the day.
Today I’m grateful for:
The end of the holidays!
As often happens I end up deleting lots of things that keep me updated with news from around the world. This time I’ve deleted a lot of subscriptions to reports from the USA or geopolitics that generally involves the USA. It’s sad and frustrating to watch the wild thrashes of a beast in its death throes so I’m putting out of my sight.
The best thing about today was:
I went out to get some sodas and dropped in to see if Baipad was back home now, which she was and I chatted with her for a few minutes.
She seemed ok and was glad to be back from her Grandmum’s though as soon as she was back her cat knocked her phone to the floor and broke it!
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Yesterday’s roller coaster of emotions ended on a sour note, as even though Amy had eventually been happy and grateful and affectionate towards me I couldn’t shake the rest of the bad feelings out and when, as she often does, she drunkenly came to me for sex I calmly said that I wasn’t interested tonight and was annoyed at the fact this only usually happens when she is drunk. When I’m rebutted in my approaches at other times I will laugh it off and wait for another day.
To be approached when drunk feels insulting to me. I know I shouldn’t feel like this but it had been a long day for me and I was nowhere near in a loving mood.
And Amy took great umbrage at this and stormed off slamming doors and going to the other bedroom. I left it for a while and came and asked her back into our bedroom and cuddled her til we both slept.
Although there were no hostilities this morning Amy didn’t want to communicate and so I was as pleasant as I could be and left her to it. We continued the day quietly without talking further about what happened in particular. I feel OK but could also feel better.
Something I learned today?
Sydney Swans are top of the table in the AFL after beating GWS and Geelong losing to Melbourne. It’s a bit of a surprise, to be honest. The media rarely focus much on the Swans as they have just been a consistent team without flash or bravado and they (the media) focuses on the Melbourne teams for gossip and rivalry.
And Ipswich Town have won their last game of the season to make it back into the Premier League next year. Wow!
And then double wow, stumbling across a video podcast of interviews with Ipswich legends from my youth. I watched one episode today with George Burley. Amazing.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
Great, after accidentally enjoying an extra hour of sleep. Exercise felt a little easier and I’m even doing a little Thai writing practice in-between sets. A three-coffee Utopia morning sets me up for the rest of the day.
Today I’m grateful for:
The two fish that fed us, the fishermen that caught them, the chefs that prepared them and Nut for collecting them. Thank you fish, I know I am a hypocrite to take your lives for mine.
The best thing about today was:
Sudden inspiration whilst reading other poetry and prompts that ended up with me writing more words that I’m proud of.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I had to wait a long time this afternoon as Amy was enjoying drinking with Nut and I was not having a good time at all despite the good food.
The atmosphere was off as Nut and Bruno bickered with each other, sometimes seeming nasty to me and infecting Amy to take some shots at me too.
I was happy to leave her there and pick her up later but she wanted me to wait.
Finally, she felt sick and wanted to leave though she has a second wind now and screaming loudly singing along to her favourite songs and dancing in the living room, whilst I’ve come to the bedroom to write this.
She also just came and gave me a hug and thanked me for being a good husband (perhaps for putting up with her drunken mood swings or letting her get on with being Amy).
Something I learned today?
Despite Monday the 6th being a national holiday we are meant to be at school. This prompted me to send messages to Kru Tang and Kru Mai that I would be on leave that day and also on the 20th.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
Amy was in a bad mood because we had forgotten to bring the beer to take to Nut and Bruno’s for lunch. As I wasn’t drinking I didn’t think anything about the bag sitting on the dining room table as I went out to open the gate to prepare to leave.
When Amy realised later that we didn’t have the bag with us she blamed me for forgetting it or at least for not thinking to help her with it.
Honestly, it wasn’t even that big of a deal to me as we stopped at a shop and bought more beer but Amy couldn’t let it go and her car door slamming carried over to me and I took on her bad mood.
Did you do something difficult or challenging today?
This afternoon was a challenge, not just because of what was happening but also how I was thinking about it. I wondered if we are still compatible, still love each other or want to be together? What would happen if we decided not to stay together any longer.
I recognise, now that it is later, that these are just the negative thought patterns that I can easily conjure but are not clear reality. Thoughts that float on down the river.
Thailand to the left, Laos to the right. Mae Khong.
Tired after all the running around yesterday. Woke up to mountain-less white skies as the smoke descends.
Today I’m grateful for:
Amy’s student turning up for her online class today at 1 pm forcing me out into my room where I played guitar for the first time this week. It’s been so hot that I just haven’t bothered going out there even though the air con cools things down fairly quickly.
I caught up on a few other things while I was out there too, so it’s been a reasonably productive day.
The best thing about today was:
Writing an excellent poem for the first contest that I ever chose to enter on the AllPoetry site only to find that in between the time that I started writing and finishing half an hour later, the contest had closed! I laughed at my bad luck but smiled at the quality of my work.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
(See above)
Something I learned today?
An undercover reporter has an alleged CIA agent admitting that they withheld information from President Trump that China shared all its data about the Covid outbreak in Wuhan. So whilst Trump was busy blaming China for withholding that info it was, in fact, his own government.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I do this every day at Utopia or House, and sometimes at other cafes and restaurants, but I always take back my finished cups to the counter to save the staff a few seconds having to clean up after me.
Who do I want to spend more time with this month?
This one is easy.
My students! I miss them a lot, their energy, excitement, drama, learning gives me inspiration.
I took this picture because these two little flowers had suddenly appeared on our cactus. They had closed up again by evening time.
Fast approaches the fire Flourish on the ferns Unholy smokes Tinder lit touchpaper Quickly burns Quietly chokes
The growing distant haze Across mountain tops In the line of fire Cross valley hops Night skies ablaze Ash rain falls Consumed, stops New ferns grown again
An early start today as we go through the 100-day ritual for Grandmum at the temple. Amy’s mum is stressed and stressing everyone else with preparations.
I can ignore the words as I don’t understand them, though I can pick up the feeling from Amy’s facial expressions. She is trying to cope with humour though I think that she will be happy when the day is over.
Today I’m grateful for:
The family-connected monk who took care of all the rituals that needed to be done for the events today. I only knew that we were going to Chiang Saen to put Grandmum’s bones into the MaeKhong but I didn’t know that he was also part of it, and so I was a little surprised to see him getting out of a car there. It did, however, put me at some ease for some reason.
The best thing about today was:
Whilst watering and looking around the garden I found a little black and white cat curled up in our garage. He was chatty and friendly though we’d never met before.
He looked in reasonable health and I picked him up and put him on the wall and he went off somewhere after that. Hopefully he is not in need of a home.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
At the temple everything was out of my control so as usual I just went with the flow. That’s the best way to handle it.
Something I learned today?
Whilst in the boat on the river we could see lots of things going on on the Laos side and where some of the river bed was exposed some shade was set up and kids were playing and swimming to cool down.
The boat driver told us that the shade was actually set up because they were excavating more as they had recently found 200 Buddha statues there.
I was a little sceptical as all we could see was folks enjoying the water whilst a hidden humongous PA was pumping out Songkran-style Luk Krung that was clearly heard and enjoyed on the Thai side of the river too.
Also, today is the end of the fire ban. We’re now expecting the air quality to get even worse and there’s no sign of rain yet.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I drove Amy and myself to the temple and let myself be bossed around as usual, though things were so typically unorganised that if I sat still for long enough then whatever I had been asked to do had been forgotten or someone else had already done it.
I then drove the family to Chiang Saen and helped a little with taking photos and stopping aunties from tumbling on the uneven steps down to the boat.
Did you do something difficult or challenging today?
Being outside was a challenge today as it was over 40 degrees in the sun and there were occasions when it wasn’t possible to stay in the shade, though thankfully not for long.
The whole day was a bit of challenge but as I mentioned, going with the flow was the best option to getting through it.
I took this picture because this was the final farewell for Grandmum, into the Mae Khong.
Pretty good again. Got up and exercised and am now out for coffee.
A couple of days ago when I was moving the tree I got bitten by an ant on the inside of my little finger and now it is distractingly itchy. Because of the location it’s not easy to get a nice satisfying scratch on it and it’s super annoying.
Today I’m grateful for:
Art lending me a backpack that I can use on Sunday to go to Bangkok. I also found out that Monday is a national holiday so I don’t have to worry about not being back in time to start work!
Also, a sneaky little doze whilst listening to video discussions on YouTube whilst Amy did the watering and washed the car!
The best thing about today was:
Watching more of Three Body. I’m loving the slow pace of it. It seems each April holiday is marked by watching some TV series or other whilst avoiding the heat. A couple of years back it was Narcos.
I think last year though I ended up playing Xbox more than watching TV and I actually had planned to do that this year but in the end just didn’t bother.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I was on a roll and in the zone whilst sipping coffee this morning, first reading, then inspired, then writing. But I started to feel a little dizzy and knew I needed to come home and eat. Otherwise, I would have loved to have stayed longer and written more.
Tomorrow I won’t have so much free time as we will be running around most of the day doing things for Grandmum’s 100-day ritual.
Something I learned today?
Israel’s prime minister Netanyahu is likely to have an arrest warrant for war crimes issued by the International Criminal Court. Whilst it is likely just a symbolic gesture and he would unlikely ever be arrested at least it shows the world stands against him.
Russian president Putin also has an arrest warrant issued by the ICC but that was instigated by USA propaganda and that is all falling apart.
The world is starting to rise against the genocide perpetuated by Israel on the Palestinians and supported by the USA war machine.
Also, last night I watched a video from Thai Talk with Paddy and he was presenting 12 things that he didn’t like about Thailand. Whilst many other farangs agreed with some or all of his points there were others that I couldn’t believe just how self-righteous they were.
I don’t understand how you can say someone’s opinion is wrong. You don’t have to agree but you must be smart enough to at least counter their opinion. These days people don’t bother to do that just believing that they are right.
I don’t know why this particular video and comments stood out to me, maybe it’s been accumulating for a while. I will cut out this view of negativity as much as I can because it is just a waste of time and energy.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
Noey and Natalie were in Utopia whilst I was there this morning and they were preparing for a presentation. I wished them luck.
Did you do something difficult or challenging today?
I did as much of the exercises as I could this morning though I am weak in certain (most) areas. 3 sets of 60 lunges had to be cut down to 3 sets of 40 and 3 by one minute of static Superman I just held for as long as I could. But I didn’t skip or give up.
I took this picture because I’m hoping this tree can survive the move from pot to ground.
Pretty good so far. Setting my alarm for 15 minutes earlier each morning in preparation for my return to work next week. I have a slight twinge in my left lower back from too much sitting around for the last couple of days and probably aggravated by the tree moving yesterday. I got back to exercising today too.
Today I’m grateful for:
Our pumpkin! The pumpkin that both Amy and I took care of to try and get it to a size and maturity that was edible, ended up in our spaghetti dish for lunch and it was great. Well done everyone!
The best thing about today was:
Cleaning out my inbox. It accumulates quickly and I don’t get a chance to follow up everything as I would like. I will need to get on top of this when I start working again next week. Get my priorities sorted again.
I’ve already started clearing out my YouTube Watch Later list by either watching in full or watching a little and deciding it’s not that important.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I decided to sort out a hotel room for myself for this coming Sunday in Bangkok. Nampan sent me a link to one near the venue and through Google Maps it linked to an Agoda booking where it said the cost was just 419 baht. Nice. It also said that if I downloaded the Agoda app I would get a 10% discount, so I did.
However, once downloading and going through the same process the total became something like 600 baht! So I went back to the original Agoda page and went to the checkout and the actual total was about 550 baht in the end!
Well, it’s still cheap enough. Never trust the price of anything you see online. Everything is a subtle scam.
Something I learned today?
When I got home from Utopia at around lunchtime (I was there so long cleaning out my inbox) I was happy to find that Amy had ironed all my shirts! I gave her a big kiss but it was already too hot to hug for long.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
Baipad messaged me after a few days of quiet and she mentioned that she was expecting a delivery to her house in the next couple of days but is still stuck out at her grandma’s.
I suggested that she contact a neighbour or her friend Butter to pay and collect it if and when they call, or failing that she could call me and I could sort it out for her.
I’m starting to see that she has not been raised, or pursued herself, with a mind to think about how to get things done. Perhaps she’s spoiled a bit and I think the issue between her and her mum is that her mum doesn’t see any maturity in Baipad’s behaviour and actions at home, so she continues to treat her as a child that needs taking care of.
I suggested that she show her mum who she is and what she wants in her life and her mum might start treating her differently.
It reminded me of the time I asked Hayden who he was and how much he struggled with that question. Many of us do.
Did you do something difficult or challenging today?
A couple of days ago I watched a video about a tongue exercise and I’ve been trying to do it once or twice a day. It’s simply rubbing your tongue between your teeth and lips/cheek in a circular motion, first one way and then the other, 25 times.
It sounds easy, and it’s not really difficult but I soon started to notice how useless my muscles involved in this exercise are, particularly my neck.
I will keep practising and hope that it helps a little with my neck problems.
I took this picture because Tigger was chilling on the terrace in the late afternoon, perhaps waiting for a storm that never came.
Tired and a little dizzy. For some reason last night, I couldn’t get to sleep until about 5 am, not just usual tossing and turning but first with a headache and then a feeling of being wide awake. It was annoying and my thoughts were generally dull and nostalgic. I’m totally out of whack today but forced myself up at 9 though skipped exercise.
Today I’m grateful for:
Having a month off work and not having to spend much money on petrol meant that I had enough money left to be able to buy more cat food today.
The best thing about today was:
Getting into the garden at 6 pm and replanting the little tree that was in a pot but whose roots meant that it kept getting blown over. I don’t know if it will make it where I’ve planted it but at least it standing upright again.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Definitely my sleep. It’s pretty unusual for me to not be able to fall asleep easily these days and I also need to get back into my working-week sleep pattern again soon.
Something I learned today?
It’s near the end of the League Championship football season and Ipswich are in third place with two games to play. Leicester are in first place, also with two games left and Leeds are second with only one game to play.
Any of these three could finish first but I just want Ipswich to get promoted to the Premier League. I doubt that they will fair well there but if they can hang around for a few years that would be good.
I’m still surprised that Bournemouth is in the EPL and Southampton in the Championship.
Did you do something difficult or challenging today?
Not napping in the afternoon was a bit of a challenge but I managed it and fingers crossed I can sleep ok tonight. As the day has gone on I have felt an improvement in my mood which is a good sign.
Little Art took this picture of Piti, which I’m spoiling.
A bit weird after forcing myself out of bed at 8 am. I kinda expected to get things done today but after coffee I ended up vegging on the sofa and wrote off the day.
I think I felt like I had achieved my aim for the day by getting up that I didn’t bother with anything else.
Today I’m grateful for:
Amy coming up with the idea to go for a bike ride at around 5 pm. It was good to get up and out.
The best thing about today was:
That bike ride was good but probably the best thing was tucking into coconut ice cream a couple of times.
Something I learned today?
In one day US cops arrested more protesters (protesting their country’s involvement in the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza) than China has in a year or even longer. And that is with China having at least 500 protests around the country every day. Different ways of dealing with things….
Did you do something difficult or challenging today?
Getting up early was a little challenging considering my holiday-mode but I gotta start preparing myself for getting up at 6 am again. Not much else has been difficult today hence no entries for good/bad deeds or things out of control.
I took this picture as we said goodbye to the sun until tomorrow.
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