Pretty good, though my sleep was disturbed by the noise of heavy rain all through the night. By the time of my alarm going off, the rain had me deciding not to go to school in case what happened on Tuesday happened again.
Our soi is still looking passable but there doesn’t seem to be any break in the rain. Even the mountains aren’t visible.
By about 9 am, the rain had gone and looking at the weather app, it seemed like it wasn’t going to get any worse, so I decided to head into school and I made sure folks knew that I was around, then went and sat in Le Paradis, where I did some reading and writing but no school-related work!
I would’ve done it if I had stayed longer but by lunch time, it didn’t seem to matter if I stayed around or not, so I headed back home again.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
The cookies at Le Paradis. They are the only snack or cake there that tastes good and they go well with the bad-tasting, cheap coffee. Balance.
I had two awesome coffees at Utopia again early this morning anyway, so all was good.
The best thing about today was:
Listening to my new ‘Classic’ playlist that I set up on my old iMac in my room, which I now leave playing all the time, so that when I turn on the stereo, it’s as if I’m listening to the radio.
Something I learned today?
As we were quietly sitting in our living room this afternoon, the village PA echoed announcements across the rice fields that said that if we presented photographic evidence, we could get some money from the government to cover any costs from the flooding.
The roof in Kim’s old room was been water damaged and also out in the driveway next to the road, there is a big, dangerous pot hole that we should get filled too.
Maybe worth our time and get a little bit of cash to cover fixing those things.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I got two free bottles of water when I filled up the car with petrol this morning and when I got to school, I gave them to my two favourite school gardeners.
I messaged a few students (Freya, Paen, Funfai) to see how they were doing. Also Porpieng and Baitong, whom I wished well in their exams that they are doing this week.
Anxious, tired and sleepy. Yesterday’s events were on my mind as I was sleeping, though I didn’t dream of floods or water, but just the underlying anxiety woke me up a few times.
Thankfully, it didn’t rain much overnight and there are only intermittent storms this morning.
Our school told students not to come to school but teachers are still supposed to go! I told them that I’m still dealing with the situation at home and been sitting in Utopia doing this new report that the school wants.
It’s pretty straightforward once it’s been done once, which took a little effort. It is just another piece of paper that won’t get read, though.
My throat is sore, possibly from being wet and riding the bike around yesterday but could also be from falling into the ditch yesterday – who knows what the hell might have been in that water!
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Getting up at the normal workday time but not going to work. I’m exhausted in that kind of good way that all my energy has been spent. The day has felt long and thankfully peaceful.
The best thing about today was:
The memory of that first sip of coffee at Utopia. Sublime! Will I remember it in a few days time? Will I even remember it after tomorrow’s first sip?
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Our old wooden door that Amy had turned into a table for some plants in the garden finally succumbed to the elements and collapsed into pieces.
I should have spent some time cleaning it up but forgot about it in my lethargy. If Amy doesn’t do it before, I will clean it up at the weekend.
Something I learned today?
I came across a video that recommended taking Pygeum for enlarged prostate problems and I was able to quickly order some on Lazada.
I also learned that the local government and the local electricity suppliers have agreed to cancel last month’s bills due to the flood situation.
I took this picture because Piti was owning the counter this morning.
Now settled in for the greatest joyful genocide Where evil is no longer ashamed to hide Death and mutilation a spectacle cheered No prayers answered or conscience cleared
A playground of rubble where the children lay slain Brothers mop up the body parts that remain Rag-dolled and ruined by murderous intent Fires fanned by despair of the innocent
A holy hand grenade signed and sent with a laugh Floating ashes never find peace on this path This fertile ground may never satisfy the beast Once the Great Satan has been unleashed
Today I’m feeling:
Good again. Exercised and awake. The rain is back, making things a bit dark and plenty of students didn’t bother coming to school today for whatever reasons.
I cancelled my first class to allow them to finish off other work that needed completing but will still take my grade 8s this morning, carrying on a little of what we did yesterday. Not too much stress.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Chinese-made goods. I ordered a new cheap laptop bag on Temu last month and whilst it’s not as good as the one I had before, today I was very grateful to find out that it has an extra quality I wasn’t aware of. (see below)
The best thing about today was:
…well this was not the best but was the most defining moment of the day.
As I was sitting at 22 Grams this morning Amy messaged me that it was raining hard at home and a little later it was raining hard in the city too.
I didn’t think too much about it but noticed that the roads were starting to flood around the school as I went to my class, the rain fairly relentless.
After about 40 minutes I got more photos from Amy of the rain and then a message saying I THINK I NEED YOU AT HOME.
Soon after she called and was sounding hysterical as she told me that our road was flooding. I decided to leave and got back as quickly as I could which wasnt easy as the roads were inundated with water all along the way.
As I got on the highway near home, traffic was stopped and it took me a while to get through to the road that goes around the back of our house but the rice fields were already overflowing and making the road almost invisible. I decided to risk and drive through but once at the back of our house the corner was completely flooded to the bridge and impossible to get through.
I went back the way I came and back onto the highway but there was no way to get down our soi as I saw people walking up to their knees in water.
I got past the traffic lights and into Kotchapol and drove up to a dorm a little bit higher and parked the car there, walking back down to the main road where there was nothing for it except to wade through the water, through the traffic, down our soi and eventually home. It took a while as the water was moving rapidly in the opposite direction and I could feel my hip muscles tested and twinging.
Our house was fine but the rice fields were full already and the rain was still coming. Amy had moved things from the kitchen and I started moving things off the floor in my man cave. After about an hour the power went out.
I lay down for a while and the rain had thankfully stopped. I was enjoying eating but couldn’t sleep and when Amy suggested we go and check our car maybe move it, I thought it best to go before it got dark.
We hopped on the bike but got stuck in the soi before we got to the main road. I pushed the bike through until I could get it out of the water and we discussed what to do next.
I got the bike going again but it was struggling and I told Amy to go back home. I wanted to get to the car and bring my laptop home.
I made it to Baipad’s house where the bike stopped again and it took me a little while to get it going again. Eventually I made it through to the car and got my laptop and set off but I didn’t want to go back the way I came figuring that there must be an easier way back.
As I approached the hill, water from the main drainage ditch was flooding the road and a rescue truck was there in the middle of it. I decided to go for it and a guy waved me by but as I went past, unable to see anything of what I was riding on, I plunged down off the edge and into deeper water and I was suddenly up to my neck in it.
A few rescue guys came over and as my feet were on some firm ground I quickly hoisted my laptop bag up and into their arms and said I’m ok, get the bike up!
They pulled the bike back up and then me. I got set, asked for my laptop bag and pushed the bike through to the other side, much to the bemusement is gawking uni kids.
I waited a while and got the bike started again and set off looking for another way back and after a couple of flooded dead ends took the university road and made it straight back home without getting stuck again.
After getting out of my second set of soaked clothes I opened up my laptop bag and was amazed to find that it seems to be mostly waterproof and my laptop was still buzzing away when I opened it up to check. My phone all good too!
We got electricity back at 8.15 pm. Woohoo!
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
There’s some messages coming from the school about filling out a monthly report of all our classes and what we do in our free time.
I’m choosing to ignore it at this point but not sure how long that may be able to continue.
Something I learned today?
I learned that little Fino is a champion!
I took this picture because the water was creeping up all around. Auntie next door didn’t seem too phased by it all but she also lived here when it used to flood every year, well before we arrived.
Living in a flat world Able to see from here to there To smell, touch and taste Ride on clouds to share
Deconstructed culture The world still goes around Instant communication A lightning strike profound
Automatic information The hive mind buzzes Armchair philosophers Full of fight and fusses
Inspired by a Philosophy Now article about the Crisis of Culture and the thought that the internet has created a flat world
Today I’m feeling:
Pretty good again, waking up a little before my alarm and energised enough to exercise and do some dead hangs.
Very relaxed at school as many teachers are not teaching and many students are just catching up on work that they were too lazy to do during the semester. I happily let my grade 12 students do that whilst dropping by to David’s class and helping with my old grade 9 students, whom I still enjoy talking with (especially since no longer teaching them!).
Helping them in class was a bit of a reminder of how poor their English skills are. I really hope most of them don’t go into the English Program next year!
It also inspired me to do the same little piece of work to my grade 8s and see if they were any better and in general, I would say that about half of them were!
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Couple Cups coffee for keeping me going this morning and also having a good seat and table for me to read and write at for an hour or so.
The best thing about today was:
As ever at this time of year, the relaxed atmosphere of the students (and teachers) and the general good feeling around school, in much contrast to last week.
This morning, Rista wanted to tell me all about her boyfriend and Pleng was shyly hiding her haircut, which she has cut into a boyish style but I think looks really nice. Rista tried to drag me off to her class by escorting me arm in arm but I ducked away for coffee first.
In my last class, Nomsen gave me a playful hug and said that I was the best teacher (possibly because I ran out of time to ask her any of the questions that other students had to answer!).
Ozone and Ploy played and joked with me as they waited for their class and I threatened to pick them up and throw them over the edge of the building. They also told me that they wished that I was still teaching them.
I encouraged Mee, Gam, Pat and Palmy with their speaking and they all did better than they expected and I guided Nam to find the correct answers in a test that they were doing.
As usual, I played with Apple and Baipad in the morning, trying to steal their phones off them and so it went around for most of the day.
Something I learned today?
We had a visitor whilst we were out and Amy found him when she got back from the city.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I’ve done this a couple of times recently. There is a mangy-looking dog that often sits at the traffic lights on the bypass and if the light is red and he’s around, I’ll throw him a dog snack that I usually keep in the car for Tokyo.
I took this picture because this is how I found the ‘bad girls’ in the middle of their class today. Some of my favourite students to play with, but happy not to be their teacher anymore!
Pretty good again with a little clarity. I think that is coming from the skipping of Tramadol but the other effect of that is feeling less inspired and ponderous.
So after cleaning the entertainment area and stretching out my back this morning, I took one and will see how I feel later today.
This morning feels like a winter morning with nice, clean and clear cool air and it reminds me to look forward to this time of year and think about doing some bike rides again, which I haven’t been on since last winter.
I’m surprised my body isn’t more stiff this morning, as I spent about 17 hours in bed yesterday, either sleeping or reading. I read a great Paul Jenkins story called Revelations and, despite being tired, read the whole six issues. A great Vatican murder conspiracy with awesome artwork.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Chatting with Matt a little yesterday about maybe jamming some music together soon. To be honest, I’m a little scared as I really am hopeless at playing guitar and haven’t been excited enough to practice much recently.
I do also recognise, though, that doing something creative would give me more reason to practice and improve myself. I’m talking myself into doing it.
The best thing about today was:
Organising more things on my computer, in my room and on my blog. My old MacBook has finally given up, so I’m trying to get my music altogether on my old iMac, which is still going pretty well these days.
I was glad to spend a fair few hours in there today instead of succumbing to any afternoon snoozing.
Jet took this picture because she was messing around with my phone. One of my favourite students, Fah, and that’s Anchan working in the background.
In the game, I’m in the zone Flowing beyond all your shouting Laser-focused on the ball alone Oblivious to all your doubting
There’s nothing that you contribute Because you have nothing to lose Distraction is your foremost attribute I’m strong enough to ignore the boos
You don’t have skin in the game So you have nothing I want to hear Everything said is always the same My silence sends my message clear
Inspired by a David Elikwu thought that applies to those friends who always think that they know best.
Today I’m feeling:
Quite well rested though my body is still sore from exercise. I only did seven minutes for two mornings and my body is really feeling it. This is a message to get back to a routine and rebuild some strength. Now that I’m almost out of this weird illness, I’m feeling positive about it.
I’m also a little tense this morning as I wait for the AFL grand final to start! Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if Sydney wins or loses but I do enjoy supporting my team and being part of this little tribal dance.
One thing I love about AFL is that, despite the rivalries and shit-talk, there is no real aggression between supporters. Once the game is done, it’s done.
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Takky for keeping Amy occupied for the afternoon and evening. They are screaming, singing, dancing and singing in the living room whilst I try to concentrate on reading!
The best thing about today was:
Lots of comic book reading. Shadowman, 2000AD, Judge Dredd Megazine, Justice League Dark and especially enjoyable was Ekho, a fabulous European fantasy adventure.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Well, it appears that Sydney, once again, forgot to turn up to play the last game of the year and it was all over by half time, after which I soon tuned out, went to bed and fell into an afternoon nap whilst reading comics.
Another season over. It was a good one in general.
Something I learned today?
Finally, the cheap London Town shaving cream is available online again so despite having already bought other expensive options to try, I ordered a couple of cans to keep for the future. I hate shaving. So boring!
Baitoey took this picture a couple of days ago because… I don’t know why but I go with the flow.
Quite good after falling dead asleep again last night before 10.30. I woke up sometime earlier this morning, though with Fleetwood Mac stuck in my head for some reason. It could be worse, I guess.
Did a little exercise again, noticing that the little that I did yesterday already had me aching in the legs. It will be good to get back to that good ache, though.
By the afternoon, I could barely walk up stairs! I had run out of energy and motivation and left my last class mostly to their own devices, which they were happy enough with too.
I stopped taking any Tramadol a couple of weeks ago, not for any particular reason, I just figured I’d have kratom and give the T’s a miss and see how I felt and as I didn’t have any withdrawal dizziness as I usually experience (I guess I did still have dizziness though it seemed different somehow) I just ended up not taking it.
That could be part of the reason that I’m not quite so focused in my thoughts and a little more scattered than usual. It could also be part of the low energy and motivation situation, too.
Anyway, as I’m feeling reasonably mentally stable, I’ll keep going for a while longer and see if things balance out.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
The sudden message to go and sign our financial documents means that we should get paid early next week. I’ve just about managed to make it through this month without having to ask for credit. This is the first time since November last year, after messing up my visa and having to pay a bunch of extra fees to fix it again.
The best thing about today was:
Getting some presentation lessons prepared during my first class, who were busy catching up with work for other classes (or sleeping) and I wasn’t particularly interested in teaching either.
The lessons are not especially exciting but they give the students more information to improve what they will present next semester. I plan for them to present often, so I don’t really have anything more to offer to teach them. Just get them practising.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
As I technically had classes for most of the day, I figured that I would spend a bit of time at the school when I had a chance but when I went there at around 11.30, they told me that they had no milk for my coffee!
Well, decision made – back to 22 Grams. I can’t make it my regular spot as it’s a little too far from school and I am really missing House. I hope Gui gets it together to clean up and open again for next semester!
Something I learned today?
Yesterday, when I was talking with Noah and Poppy, Stang also came up to listen in and he asked me if any of the teachers were my friends.
Er…yes, I said…though thinking to myself, well, not really. I mean, I’m fine with everyone but I wouldn’t call any of the teachers my friends.
Stang then asked why I don’t hang out with the teachers and as I was thinking about it, he added, ‘you like kids?’ to which the girls were shocked and laughed too.
I was thinking how to answer them and agreed that I actually prefer hanging out with the students because, for me, we are on the same level. I told them that I didn’t like the Thai style of the teacher being above and the student below and that they must defer all the time. They agreed and hate it too. They know it’s not right.
Also, as an aside to this, I know Stang had an ulterior motive in asking about this, as he pushes the boundaries to see how close he can get to me physically. I’ve felt this since I first met him in grade 7, and he is obviously trying to figure himself out and how to approach boys that he likes.
I’m happy that he feels comfortable trying that with me and it hasn’t gone too far. I’m not sure how he fits in with his classmates. He’s openly expressed his homosexuality but never heard any of his classmates discuss it in particular. He is a big kid too; not fat but tall and chunky.
As ever, it is fascinating to watch all these kids grow and mature.
In his class in the afternoon, I happened to wander in and Namkhing was sitting in a corner and I was struck by how suddenly her face had changed to be that of a young woman, whereas only seemingly last week she still looked like a cherubic schoolgirl.
Amy (on the left) took this picture because we were all waiting around to go into classrooms and she stole my camera from my pocket and started snapping away. Amy, me, Chompoo, Stang.
The Bomb-happy boys enjoy Another day of telling me who to hate A dollar for each member of the population To turn them against their state
Every accusation a clear admission Of practices tested, tried and true Never let the facts stand in the way If you understand what’s good for you
The collapse is soon arriving As it has been for decades already A stopped clock is right twice a day So let’s keep the message steady
Achievements must be suppressed With the suffix ‘but at what cost?’ Assistance labelled as a debt-trap Is just an advantage that was lost
When a people claim they are happy It must said that they have no choice But if one chooses not to listen What purpose is your own voice?
As red lines keep being crossed And its no longer seen just as a game The pretense must be maintained So that it’s understood who to blame
So the plan is to keep those people poor A useless tactic, pitiful and sad And to push them towards a war To remind you all that China is bad
A 1.6 billion US dollar budget for anti-China propaganda – is that a dollar for every Chinese person? The Western world seems to be the most propagandised people on Earth. Don’t believe anything you read. Believe what you have seen – and then only trust half of that too. China is not the enemy. 4th Dec 2024 – Shared with Ragtag Daily Prompt – collapse
Today I’m feeling:
Well slept this morning as I got a good, solid eight-hour sleep in which I hardly moved throughout the night. I don’t know why I was so energy-deprived yesterday.
I had set my alarm a little earlier to do a little exercise this morning, which I duly did, without pushing myself too hard. I have put on a couple of kilos since getting sick and skipping exercise for the past couple of months. On the upside of that, my shoulders have stopped aching, though. Still looking for balance.
(Later) I’m feeling a bit weird again. A little dizzy and unsteady, as if I’m really hungry. I snacked on some cookies and another coffee, noticing that my hand was trembling a little bit. I seem to be going through all the feelings from good to bad in just a single day!
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Nong Praew, who told me again that she will move schools after this semester finishes next week.
As part of our class today, I got the kids to do a gratitude exercise. I called up a few students to ask them to tell me something that they are grateful for today.
It was interesting to watch them thinking of answers and that they could probably answer in Thai easily enough but I pushed each of them to try their best.
Praew can’t express herself much at all in English, though, so I let her use her phone to translate and she wrote me a nice message thanking me for loving her and taking care of her in class when she struggled so much.
I wished her the best of luck in her new school and hope that she can overcome her difficulties.
The best thing about today was:
Chatting with Poppy and Noah about all sorts of things, getting a little deeper than usual. I think that they appreciated the help that I gave them with their play earlier this semester.
It has been nice to watch them (and the others in their class) mature over the past three years.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I just discovered by chance this morning that we are supposed to be teaching our classes as normal again. I guess I missed a message somewhere.
However, it is only for the juniors, whom I teach in the afternoons. So I have to wait around all day just for them.
Never mind, though, the semester will be over at the end of next week.
(Later) As it turned out, even my seniors wanted me to come to class, so I dashed back to see them but when I got there, they weren’t interested in study (and I wasn’t motivated to teach anything either).
I sat with them for a while before going off around school to chat with whoever I came across.
Pretty good on waking again and all was good at school until I was just about to head off in search of coffee. A huge downpour soon flooded all the paths and the roads, already chockers with cars dropping off kids.
The rain didn’t stop for a good 40 minutes or so and I wondered whether to just head to 22 Grams or bother looking for another cafe.
I opted to keep looking and thankfully, at Couple Cups (recommended by Art at Utopia) there was a parking spot right outside. Even so, I got saturated just getting to the front door!
I’ve been here for almost 4 hours, mostly reading and my eyes are getting blurry and dusty. I’m not feeling too bad, though.
Off home to pick up Tigger and take him to the vet for his follow-up check from last week, He seems all well and good now.
I talked to the kids in my one class that I have this afternoon and they said that they would prefer not to have any work set! Uh-huh!?
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 6
Today I’m grateful for:
My first interactions on Instagram after putting up some poetry there, even though I’m sure that they are just promotional accounts looking for business.
I was also grateful to get an unexpected refund from Shopee for some trousers I had paid for and forgotten all about. I ordered a shirt and some multivitamins and still had a little left to spare.
I’m feeling a little more secure financially this month so that when Amy just came and showed me a picture of two ginger kittens, I immediately said yes, let’s get them!
The best thing about today was:
Doing something different for food today. Even though it wasn’t wow, it was nice to have a change of routine.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I’m running out of energy again after getting home at lunchtime and coming back to the city with Tigger. I feel like I need to eat.
Amy suggested dropping Tigger off at home and going off for pizza as soon as we can. Sounds like a plan.
(Later) We did that and I ate a lot! When we got back home, I closed my eyes whilst listening to videos of talk about the grand final this weekend.
But no rest as we were soon off to visit Khaotang to help her with her school assignment.
Whilst we were there, though, a Grab rider got knocked off his motorcycle by a truck that sped off and the guy didn’t look in good shape.
I stayed inside, trying to concentrate and told KT that she shouldn’t go to look either.
By the time all the ambulances and other vehicles had cleaned up, I’d finished putting together the text for her to read and understand.
She has some problem with this Thai teacher because he gave her grade 1 when their foreign English teacher gave her grade 4. My guess is that her English is actually better than the Thai teacher’s!
Something I learned today?
Chiang Mai is starting to flood now! Nong May has just arrived and Amy’s old flatmate will be coming next month and we were planning to go and meet everyone.
Well slept and pretty good on waking. Not quite enough to get up a little earlier and do some exercise but at least I’m feeling better.
I got to school and because it has been raining, the kids aren’t out doing any more cleaning just yet. Much of the mud is clear now anyway.
We got advised to just send work in LINE to our classes, which essentially means that I could go back home but I’m at 22 Grams for now. I’ve set the kids some work to send me and so I’m back to catching up on reading and writing some more.
(Later) I got a little screen blind sitting, looking at my laptop all morning, so I headed home and did a little shopping.
When I got home, though, I couldn’t resist a little snooze after reading a little of David Foster Wallace’s Consider the Lobster. There was a big dark rain keeping things cool and I managed to snooze with just the window open.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Receiving an email from Jake back in Australia, replying to an order he placed with me back in April!
He seems to be doing ok though, still dealing with some anxiety issues with certain people. I told him I still have my ups and downs, too.
The best thing about today was:
Discovering that we would have classes (of a sort) today, though we could just ‘phone them in’, allowing me to sit in the cafe and do my stuff.
It wasn’t as uplifting as yesterday and I think, as I’m caught up on a fair bit of reading and writing, I should switch to doing some more lesson planning for next semester.
I miss the chairs and tables at House that I have grown accustomed to, though. I’m not so comfortable at 22 Grams. I should also check out a different space or two tomorrow. Want to get that flow back again.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Out of the blue, KhaoTang called up Amy about having trouble with some class work at her school.
She was typically over the top, saying that she’s gonna die and it took a while for Amy to calm her down. KT has some kind of disorder from being smart and overweight and getting bullied when she was younger.
It was odd though, as we haven’t really talked with her often since early 2022 when Amy went off to Australia and we stepped back a bit from her and her mum as they brought too much drama to our quiet lives.
Amy got a little wound up by this latest drama but decided to help, which also involved me having to help.
It’s actually a typical Thai teacher situation that has created the problem for KhaoTang and once we got more information from her, we could understand more about how to help.
We asked her to redo her work again, now that she clearly understood the requirement and will check in on it tomorrow.
We like to help students and already have a kind of relationship with KT but she still exhibits a great lack of social skills that I’m pretty sure come from her upbringing (I don’t want to blame her mum completely).
It’s not uncommon here in Thailand either, as I have come across similar situations at my school too.
Something I learned today?
I read a lot, the info went into the brain and there it seems to be stuck. I guess there was nothing of particular significance today but hopefully that nugget of wisdom rattling around will find good use at some point.
I took this picture because this little cutie was chilling on top of a car outside 22 Grams.
1994ever 