“Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” – Andre Gide
Paraphrased from a David Elikwu newsletter
Inspired by a snippet about passion from David Elikwu after reading an analysis of The Red Wheelbarrow, hence the form used here.
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’.
Inspired by a newsletter from Daivd Elikwu about the dangers of role models and my own experience I am currently revisiting from 2020 with my then role model, George.
Today I’m feeling:
Positive and happy, though a little tired.
Health:
Physical: 7
Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Hangie successfully getting Amy home at 2.30 am this morning after a night out in the city.
The best thing about today was:
I got out to my room to play guitar at three different times today and I can see a little improvement. I also fiddled a little with Ableton, trying and failing to get it to do what I wanted. Need to find some tutorials.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
As I’m helping Baipad save up some money to go for a health check, I wanted her to come with me to the hospital to get the information on exactly what she needs, and at the same time, the information I need, as I want to do the same thing too.
This afternoon, I dropped by and though she was reluctant to come because she hates interaction with strangers, I convinced her after she asked if Namhom could come too.
We went around the back way to avoid the highway and they both seemed fairly chirpy.
When we got there, I asked Baipad to ask the security guard for information, but unfortunately, he told us that they are only open Monday to Friday (which surprised me a little).
Oh well, never mind. When we got back, I asked Baipad to find the information online and she duly did.
Even though this was just a little thing today, it is the kind of thing that will boost her confidence in the future.
We were both happy to discover that the price is not as high as we were expecting.
Something I learned today?
I started reading Persepolis this morning and immediately wanted to learn more about the history of Iran.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I rescued Piti when he dashed out of Utopua this morning.
Inspired and paraphrased by David Elikwu ‘All In Your Head’
Today I’m feeling:
Good but a little blurry, probably from the gummy yesterday. I still feel like there is a lot that I want to do today but after yesterday, I know that there won’t be enough time!
I couldn’t believe it, that not long (seemingly) after writing the above, it was already 2pm! I feel like I got some things done today, even though it was probably less than yesterday.
Health:
Physical: 7
Mental: 8
Today I’m grateful for:
My student Namyen showing me how to make a quick video using CapCut. It was pretty simple in the end, though I think I need to figure out a way to make them generate a bit faster.
It’s fun, but I don’t want to spend too much time on it.
The best thing about today was:
Reading. Comics and books. 2000AD Judge Dredd, Lucifer, Platinum Grit, Totally Wired Post-punk interviews, Up Simba (David Foster Wallace).
Something I learned today?
I learned how to edit my own silly videos to post on Instagram.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I swept the entertainment area.
I took Amy and me to the 7-11 as she wanted something there and I used the opportunity for her to buy me an ice cream!
Inspired and paraphrased from a David Elikwu newsletter and shared with dVerse Quadrille #212 – what
Today I’m feeling:
Great with an underlying tiredness that isn’t really bothering me.
I got up and got going, enjoyed a couple of simple classes where I had time to interact a bit more with some of the poorer students.
Got home by 2 pm and straight into my room sorting more comic files and a bash around on guitar. With practising a little bit more this week, I can feel some improvement. The only downside is that with the dead hangs that I’ve been doing, my fingers aren’t quite moving so freely. Hopefully they will as they get used to be used.
Health:
Physical: 7
Mental: 8
Today I’m grateful for:
Kru Mai helping me by switching one of my Friday classes to Wednesday so that I have more to do on Wednesday and fewer hours to teach on Friday.
The best thing about today was:
No one thing in particular. It was a good day all round. I have a suspicion that I will be very tired and catching up on rest on Saturday, though.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Nothing stands out here today. Everything went well enough.
Something I learned today?
In my classes, I notice subtle changes in relationships and today I talked with Wipping in the morning, who is fed up with some of the nonsense that goes on with her friend group. She separated herself a little to concentrate on studying, and I talked with her a little about how she is probably a bit more mature than her friends, but that they will catch up one day and she should hang in there.
Later, Miyor arrived with a different friend group than usual and she told me later that she and Khaofang had a falling out over nothing much. Those two are always clashing over something, though and I wonder if things will be back to normal again next week.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I messaged Kru Jern about our student Nomsen, as she always complains about a headache and wanting to sleep. She also has lots of sores on her arms and she says it is because she is itchy.
I asked Kru Jern to check in with her because whatever issues Nomsen is having, it is affecting her ability to concentrate in class. She’s a good kid and I like her and want to give her all the opportunities that I can whilst she is my student.
Inspired by a David Elikwu newsletter
Today I’m feeling:
Great. This is the first morning in a long, long time that I woke up without any aches! I have a little ache now after exercise but I am still quite amazed at feeling this good this morning.
(Later) The good feeling in my body persisted during the day, which made me pretty happy and motivated.
Health:
Physical: 8!
Mental: 8
Today I’m grateful for:
Kru Lucky bringing back snacks from his trip to Japan during the holiday and sharing them with all the teachers. Which reminds me, they’re still in my bag waiting to be eaten.
The best thing about today was:
The general, lazy feeling around school for most students who are not participating in the sports events. It’s relaxing but a little too relaxed. I can’t get my students into the flow of the semester and to knuckle down.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I still don’t have a new schedule yet, so I’m still down for 7 hours today, though thankfully, our classes are reduced to 50 minutes for the rest of this month, making things a bit easier. It’s always a little jarring transitioning in and out of this change and today I struggled a bit, either with getting things done in time, or erring the other way and not doing enough in the time. Luckily, it’s easy enough to jump onto some quiz sites and do a quick quiz, though.
Anyway, this afternoon I was due for the final three hours to be in building 8 but when I got there, the room was padlocked and only two students had arrived. I got a message saying that the other students were in a meeting for sports day but no indication of how long that would last. A few more students rolled up while I was contemplating whether to find another classroom or not. Of course, the students begged me for free time and eventually I agreed but on the condition that I would set them work to complete before our next class.
I went back to the teachers’ room and figured out a couple of tasks for them to do and in the process ended up making a whole bunch of other lessons that can be done at any time.
I also cancelled the last one-hour class of the day with my grade 12 English students. I know that they will be happy enough with that and doubted that they would attend anyway.
Something I learned today?
Potatoes have more chromosomes than humans — 48 compared to our 46.
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!
Submitted to WDYS # 244 and inspired by a recent David Elikwu newsletter
Today I’m feeling:
A bit groggy, perhaps sick, in pain! I didn’t sleep well because of the pain in my hip and I’m limping around a bit today. It’s a bit of a drain on my thoughts.
I’m also on the edge again with a sore throat. Lots of Covid and dengue fever around at the moment.
It’s cool again with some rain but the grey skies are feeling uninspiring. I’m motivated to sleep more.
Today I’m grateful for:
The young chemist who spoke good English helped me get some tiger balm patches to help my aching hip.
The best thing about today was:
22 Grams coffee for the morning. Gui closed House today to go to Bangkok, so 22 Grams is my next choice. It would be my first choice if it was nearer school and cheaper.
In the end, I didn’t stay too long as I came to the hospital to drop mum and pick up Amy, who hadn’t slept much as dad didn’t get into his operation until 11pm and out again at 4am.
I came home and struggled around with my painful hip, which seems to be agitated by sitting down.
Something I learned today?
It’s Spain’s birthday today and he told me that he is now 15 years old, which means that he is a year older than everyone else in his class. I guess that he was held back a year at some point because of whatever his minor social disability is.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
At around 5 pm I was getting hungry and Amy had mentioned the uni having a market on Fridays now.
I dropped by to Baipad’s to see if she would practice riding up there and though she complained, I convinced her to do it. She lets her lack of confidence stop her from doing things to improve herself.
Her sister jumped on the back too and we slowly made our way to the uni but there was no market sadly, so we headed back and then Baipad wanted to show me where Fahmai lived and we went there too but he wasn’t home.
At the end of the day, I think that Baipad gained a little more confidence in herself at least hopefully understanding that repeatedly doing something will improve her skills.
Submitted to Wordle 660 and inspired by a David Elikwu newsletter
Submitted to Friday Writings #135: Less is More at Poets and Storytellers United
Today I’m feeling:
A little tired and gloomy, due to the weather and grey skies. Everything is fine, it just looks a little off. I have heavy eyes, perhaps from staying up too late last night.
Today I’m grateful for:
My umbrella, or more specifically for thinking of taking my umbrella with me from the car before my second class. It pissed down about twenty seconds later.
The best thing about today was:
Writing what felt like a pretty good poem in between my two classes today. I struggled for any inspiration earlier in the morning.
Something I learned today?
Julian Assange is finally free.
A lot of the grade 8 girls got a cervical cancer vaccine today and I only found out when I saw Palm crying and when I grabbed her shoulders to comfort her she started crying more!
Review your acts, Good and bad.
This evening I messaged Palm to see if her arm is ok now.
Armed with my umbrella I offered to share it with Ploy and Kaem as they were stuck in the canteen until I came along. We all still got pretty wet though!
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