A little tired and still with a croaky throat. I don’t feel as sick as I did at the beginning of the week, though. I didn’t sleep so well as my hips were aching again. If it’s not my neck, then it’s my hips!
Maybe I’ve been lying down too much this week, though and need to get back to moving again.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Receiving some of the things I ordered online today. Cat food, granola and kratom.
The best thing about today was:
I was happy to find out today that Amy’s health check turned out well. I should get mine done, too; they have a special price deal until the end of the year.
Also for receiving an overseas vinyl order, plus possible distro to Germany and Japan. I need to get back into my room and packing stuff to ship.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
The plan was to go to Big C after running Amy around at the hospital so that I could get some more Duocets at the pharmacy there, but the doctor wasn’t due there for another three hours.
They told me that he’ll be there all day tomorrow, though, so at least I can pick them up then. I’m down to the last one.
Something I learned today?
Big C is stocking the yoghurt I like now, so if Makro runs out, I can try there too.
I took this picture because these seed pods are pretty unusual to me and stood out in the driveway.
A little bit better again, thankfully. I did sleep in this morning, though, which probably helped.
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
The lady at the post office who put up with my bullshit, asking her to give me prices on a package, with me taking bits out and then asking for a new price… and then asking for other available options and those prices. I wai’d her sincerely afterwards.
The best thing about today was:
Finding that someone had put up the latest Stewart Lee special on YouTube, and I watched it immediately as there’s a good chance it will soon get taken down again.
A little better again, though still not quite right. Big storms rolled through last night with window-rattling thunder that woke up from time to time. The rainwater in the garden now has nowhere to go as the ground is saturated.
I’m also a little anxious about how little money I have left already this month but I keep reminding myself that it is only a 30-day month, so it feels like I will get paid again sooner than some other months!
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
The new mala shop that opened at the end of our soi and we tried for lunch today.
At first, it tasted so-so, but it got better as the flavours began to soak into the food and settle on our palates.
My stomach is complaining a little bit now, though.
The best thing about today was:
Feeling motivated and feeling like I was getting things done. I’m almost caught up on checking out all the music I’ve downloaded this year. I cleared out some poems that I needed to read, wrote a couple myself, did some more grading, downloaded more comics and even managed to practice some guitar.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Despite feeling a bit better, my voice is really croaky and it feels like something is blocking the airways.
For the last few nights, I’ve been waking up, lying on my back and gasping for breath.
Something I learned today?
Well, things have blown up badly between one of Amy’s close friends and her husband and it’s all in process right now. Without going into detail, it raises uncomfortable questions that we might ask ourselves if we were in that situation.
So the best thing to do is not get into that situation. Simple.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I congratulated the students who performed their play today and came fourth.
I then commiserated with them as the Thai teachers berated them for not doing better.
A little better. I set my alarm for 7 and went about preparing like any other school day, taking my laptop to Utopia and sitting there reading and writing, then a little later, doing some grading.
I came back home around 11 am and didn’t end up doing much more.
After a bike ride with Amy in the late afternoon, I did put together half a lesson but I couldn’t motivate myself to get out to my room and play the guitar.
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 6
Today I’m grateful for:
Not running out of petrol on our bike ride this afternoon, as little Fino has been running on fumes for the last week or so.
I was also grateful to get paid, though I managed to spend almost half of it immediately, paying bills and ordering some needed items online.
The best thing about today was:
Starting to feel like I was getting a little of my writing inspiration back again.
Something I learned today?
Last night, Amy asked me if Hayden had called me and I said no and she reminded me that it was Father’s Day. In fact, he had tried to call through Facebook but I was logged in with my other account, so I didn’t know until I checked today and called him back.
He seemed a little down and told me that he and Vash had broken up. He did have some things coming up that he is looking forward to, though.
Slowly, slowly, Hayden, son.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I finished paying for the Minnesota Pocket Circuit CD to be produced today and hopefully it will be ready soon, and Team in Bangkok can start promoting his new band.
A little better after coffee but this morning I didn’t want to get up and covered my head with a pillow to block the light and noise from Cap scratching at the door to be fed. I was slow to get up and felt like a zombie trudging around the house.
My eyes still ache and there is a weird feeling at the bottom of my throat. Whenever I tilt my head back, I’m automatically forced to cough. I want to feel normal again!
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 6
Today I’m grateful for:
A little five-minute ride around the back of our house on the way back from coffee this morning.
Even though I know the roads well enough, they always look different each time I go there. Stuff grows so quickly and at the same time can be removed quickly too.
The best thing about today was:
A documentary about Rhodesia/Zimbabwe gave me some more information about the history there, after reading about it in the Decline and Fall of the British Empire.
The traveller who made the documentary also followed on into South Africa and it was interesting to note that it seemed to be safer in Zimbabwe, which I was a little surprised by.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I slept for three hours after lunch today. This was better than yesterday at least, when I slept for two hours before lunch.
Something I learned today?
Ipswich have their first point of the season after a one-all draw against Fulham yesterday.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
As I was riding around this morning, Amy called me to pick up some tomatoes. I was nowhere near the market by that time but I went back and spent ten baht!
I took this screenshot from a video sent to me on Friday morning, from three students who were off doing something and couldn’t come to class. All they said in the video was ‘We love you, teacher Shaun!’ Aww. This is Toey and Air.
Is this matrix worthwhile? I miss her, I miss her so Broken hearts will mend in time I know, I know, yes, I know
Inside broken poetry Made a home from a dead heart We are creatures made to love And duty-bound, play our part
She has gone and I’m still here The cosmic universe chose She’s shown me that I’m worth it Back to the matrix she goes
Inspired, borrowed and paraphrased into seven-syllable lines from the question and answer at The Red Hand Files #293
The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997 by Piers Brendon (reviewed at Goodreads.com)
I love the language used in this book though it did make it a little bit of a slog but, as an Englishman myself, this was a fascinating journey. Somehow, in my youth, I was aware of the way things were going in Britain and got myself out just before the end of this book, the handover of Hong Kong.
I was appalled at the lies and deceit of the Empire and thoroughly enjoyed following its decline. I also noted how the USA was (hypocritically) critical of Britain’s colonialism before they stepped into the breach after WW2. And it fills me with warmth to see the USA making the same mistakes since then, and being able to watch their own empire’s decline in real time.
Today I’m feeling:
Sleepy and lazy. Knowing that I have the next six days at home isn’t helping either!
I want to get myself motivated but my body is holding back my brain.
(Later) Well, I did a bit of reading and finally finished my book. Onto some sci-fi next for something a little different.
I was able to motivate myself to get out to my room where I did some blogging, writing, listening and guitar playing, which I was glad of but didn’t feel was particularly inspiring.
Sometimes you just have to go through the motions to work towards that habit.
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Amy’s friend Fon, who dropped off a couple of small fish for us yesterday and Amy cooked them up for lunch today.
The best thing about today was:
Eating! I had breakfast, lunch and dinner today, as I’m wondering if my lack of energy is down to not eating enough. I’ll see how I feel tomorrow.
I’m a couple of kilos up on last week, too, so I need to make sure that if I do get energised, that I work out of again.
Something I learned today?
Art was really excited to tell me this morning that Oasis will play some concerts again and that he would fly to Singapore to see them if he had to!
I took this picture because our visitor came for a chill on the grass this afternoon.
The dream is dead, since the sixties Turned to the seventies, nice and sleazy Endless wars processed the hippies and pixies Economic vandals left a peace uneasy
Was it in our name, the forever fight for peace? Did we ever question what’s going on here? The grabs for land then returned for lease The struggle for survival, a punishment severe
Can the decks be cleared with genocide? The algorithms are running the numbers There’s no longer a place to hide And we’re left holding only clunkers
Sign away our lives with disappearing ink Fingers crossed and handshakes informal Accustomed to shit we no longer smell the stink This is the new normal – abnormal
Uncertain yet. I slept for about ten hours and could’ve slept more, too. I’m still coughing but it doesn’t feel so much like there’s a hole in my chest.
I’m looking forward to the end of the day already.
(Later) I was a little ill-prepared for my first class, grade 11s doing presentations, as the lesson I had could be completed quickly.
As this class is fairly lazy, though they didn’t care and spent the rest of the time playing games or sleeping. I did go around engaging them in brief conversations, though.
The next class were grade 11 too and we did my Scams lesson and it went well and I was particularly happy with Sugus who seems to have been trying harder over the last few weeks. She has improved her English and I made sure to tell her and encourage her.
I dashed off for coffee and caught up with reading at lunchtime before heading back to help the students with the play, cancelling my afternoon grade 8 class.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Having the freedom to cancel a class and accept the invitation from the students to help them with their play.
I’m not sure what the teacher in charge really thought about it but she was only there briefly anyway.
The best thing about today was:
Watching my second grade 11 class set to the task that I set them for the final hour of the lesson. They all got to it quickly and would ask me for help and advice when they needed it.
I guess these kids have matured to the point where they just need pointing in the right direction now.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I ended up leaving school later than normal and sent a message to Amy that I’d be running late and she then reminded me that she was going out for dinner, so that I would have to find my own food.
This meant spending some of what little money I had left this month. What could I do? I have to eat!
Something I learned today?
The last day the students will come to school is the 27th of September. That’s just four more weeks! Time to wind down!
Whilst helping with the play, I discovered that my old student Achang potentially has OCD. There was a part in the play where he should grab another student’s arm but he was really reluctant to do it.
I thought that it was a cultural thing or just shyness but the other students told me that he will always go and wash his hands and that he has a problem.
He is also supposed to be acting like a smooth-talking player but is lacking confidence in being able to pull it off.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I spent an extra hour helping with the play and gave them as much as I could, considering that they have to perform it in the next few days.
They were all very appreciative at the end of the afternoon, though and that made me feel good.
I took this picture of Guitar, Lin and Poppy as they perform this cheerleader routine at the beginning of their play.
Average. My recent symptoms are sitting there in the background and now I’m just feeling tired. Phlegm seems to be coming off my chest a little easier now but my lack of energy is begging me to rest or sleep more.
(Evening) During the day I was doing ok but by my last class, I was completely spent and I was glad to get everyone out 30 minutes early.
I’m in bed at 7 pm and will read for a while but I’m not sure how long I will be able to keep my eyes open.
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 6
Today I’m grateful for:
(Being able to fall asleep before having time to write here!)
The best thing about today was:
Helping Jet and everyone else with their play this afternoon. It was really fun and the kids appreciated my directing them more than their Thai teacher.
I could see that they were frustrated because they knew there were parts in the play that didn’t make sense but they couldn’t say anything to the teacher about it.
I will try to help them a little more again tomorrow.
I took this picture yesterday because this is the first blue sky for a while, coinciding with our garden being freshly taken care of.
At first, a little better but after getting to school, I just want to sleep. Headache, cough, difficulty breathing, exhausted.
Next, to go and wait at the hospital.
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 6
Today I’m grateful for:
All the nurses who helped me at the hospital today so that despite having to sit around for a while it was easy to know where to go and what to do.
One nurse accidentally flashed her soft, smooth, tanned (securely bra-ed) breast as she leaned forward and her uniform gaped a little. I should have said something to her but opted to look away instead.
The best thing about today was:
Getting a fair bit of book reading in. I’m finally at the last chapter of The Decline of the British Empire, which I’ve been reading since January. I’m looking forward to getting back to some fiction.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Waiting at the hospital – number 260 in the queue. Thankfully, they were already at the 140 mark and were also randomly putting people through. The delay for me was more connected with waiting for a doctor who could speak English.
I spent my time catching up with Substack reads.
Something I learned today?
Having read a lot of SubStack stuff I should have learned something today…hmm… I saw some pretty horrendous pictures of Israeli crimes but sadly, that is nothing new these days.
I did see some information that Starbucks is losing lots of money due to people boycotting it because of its connections to Israel.
I took this picture because the little one is on a rope now and can’t get into our scrumptious grass anymore. Here they are with mum, next to the fence where the gardeners had dumped all the cuttings.
*Sometimes I feel like I’m living with a stranger I’m talking to myself The branches hang down to the stream A tilt to somewhere else That I don’t know
Words are gathered and turned to stone Scratch and blow to see old bones I don’t know why
We keep it tethered, our world unfeathered We’re out of step, so don’t forget To keep your ear to the ground
Returning home to meet the stranger She’s talking to herself From scratch, she bakes such lovely cakes But words are somewhere else That I don’t know
We tilt until the room is feathered Or blow until the stone is gathered I don’t know why
I can see her avalanches turn into sharpened branches To break her bones, so don’t forget To keep your head to the ground
*Lifted from Three’s Swann Street as are the rhymes and rhythms. Submitted to No Theme Thursday (the two pictures) and The Sunday Whirl Wordle #669. This poem partially reflects on the time with my second wife, Kyoko and how, eventually, our cultural backgrounds couldn’t be overcome.
Today I’m feeling:
Not quite right. Slept early again and woke up a little later, skipping exercise.
I want to go to the hospital to get checked out and contemplating whether to do it this afternoon or in the morning.
Health:
Physical: 5 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Being able to leave at lunchtime and come home for a nap and a restful evening.
I decided that I would go to the hospital tomorrow and take a day off but then Amy said I should use the health insurance coverage that I get through work, which means going to the hospital in the city. Then Jet messaged me for help with her accent for her play.
So I guess I’ll clock in in the morning and then see what they say at the hospital and decide then whether to go to school. I’d like to help Jet and I only have an afternoon class, so I could do it if I don’t feel too bad.
The best thing about today was:
Getting to my first class and finding that only half would be there as the others had to attend a meeting. It made for a much more intimate class with only twelve students and was very enjoyable.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
That half my class was missing today made me wonder how to proceed but I figured the best way was to teach the same lesson to the other half next week and let today’s students have free time, which they weren’t going to complain about.
As I was walking to my second class Iphone told me that their morning meeting was about events next week and that the school was closed! Huh!? Another student, Jee, confirmed it too.
When Kru Tang went by my class a little later, I asked her and she said that she had only just heard about it from another student as well!
I’m used to this by now. Anyway, Monday to Thursday, we are supposed to be teaching online but we all know that that isn’t going to happen!
1994ever 