Tag: cooperation

Raising The Water – 6th November 2022

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Burned fresh paths into a new century
Got fat on food and dollar bills
Growth was built upon an enemy
And so those enemies sought new skills
And as stagnation sets the tone
Cooperation re-emerged as the norm
Gathered together they progressed alone
Leaving behind those with poor form

One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.

various attributions

Today I’m feeling:
Satisfied and quiet.
Today I’m grateful for:
Discovering a cool new band called Ad Interim as they approached me about putting out some vinyl. It rocks pretty good and I’m keen but unsure how to make it work.
The best thing about today was:
Speaking briefly with Ckin in KL as she is sending me up some of my old stock that Kimi had there. Coincidentally I had heard the Malaysian accent already that morning as two teachers (I guess) were in Utopia. I was hoping to get to KL later this month for Parthiban’s show and to catch up with him and Ckin but I don’t have enough free time.
Daily thought
Do you believe in a higher power? I think the answer is no. I do understand the concept though as it helps people let go of certain bad habits and behaviours. The fact that I am not in control of everything is fine for me. I don’t need to assign that task to a higher power.
If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?
In Thailand, it would be the removal of the lese-majeste law. It is a law that is too easily abused by powerful people. It serves no real purpose except to frighten and scare people. It seems like a backwards way of going about making people support their country.

I took this picture because our cats are hiding themselves away from all the fireworks and explosions for Loy Kratong. It’s unusual to see Kim and Cap in solidarity.

Planting Seeds – 1st September 2022

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

As my mind opened so did the world in front of me
Even as a child I sensed things were not as should be
So it is now I look up to the biggest sky I ever saw
Where love and cooperation must trump violence and war

“the biggest sky I ever saw” is taken from a Robert Plant interview used in the Led Zeppelin biography by Mick Wall, hence the title.

The brain and the tongue are so far apart.

Prunesquallor from Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake

Today I’m grateful for:
Champ asking me if I’d like to teach in the new building where the rooms will have aircon! That could be nice. I’m sure there will be teething troubles in there and maybe Champ has some other motive for me being there but all the same, it is nice to be thought of.
The best thing about today was:
Momo coming and telling me that she wished I was still teaching her. When I asked why she said that my classes were more fun. I think she and Porpieng feel that they are not being challenged enough now. I felt good to hear her say this, making me remember the impact, no matter how small, I’m having on her life.

I took this picture because the clouds rolling up the mountain like this really caught my attention. I was struggling to find anything to take a picture of on this walk as the sky was still quite dull and grey but then seeing the sun hitting the mountaintops and this cloud really stuck out. I stood and savoured it even if only for a second or two.

Ants As One – 26th August 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

“There’s food in the distance, sir”
“Send some troops surveying
Send up the pheromone signal
Our army is obeying”

Through hell and high water
The march has begun
Survival of the greatest
An army that acts as one

Carrying the corpses
Of competing insect species
Food for the family nest
Of cockroaches and leeches

“Let’s move the camp inside
The rain is about to come”
No problem for the army
Of ants that act as one

The human sprays noxious
Chemicals to kill our eggs
“Gather together everyone
And bite him on the legs

Together we can take him down
That nasty human scum
We just got to stick together
Our army of ants as one”

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for my back roller/stretcher that helps me loosen up after a day of laying down or sitting at a desk.

Here we are at the end of this book. About 18 months. A lot has happened in that time, for sure. Looking back to a year ago though, even though much has happened, not so much has changed. People are still protesting the government and monarchy and are still hopeful for change.

The last few months have felt a little downward in trajectory in general but perhaps that is a result of me reading more news about Thailand and also US-China relations. It seems like everyone feels in a similar way – blow everyone else off the face of the earth so I can enjoy the world to myself.

In other ways I am generally feeling positive though, heartened by the fact of still having many options available for mine and Amy’s future. The population will be pacified once it can travel again, ourselves included.