Defenders of the world we make believe in – 5th February 2020

February 5, 2020May 9, 2024 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

This morning’s breakfast was interrupted by a special cat delivery of a small baby bird. Once extracted from her mouth the bird attempted to fly away but couldn’t get too far. Some missing feathers, some blood and maybe a broken wing. Better the delivery was already dead. Now we will guiltily try to nurse this baby back to health or comfort it to its demise.

When bleeding lizards and frogs are delivered we simply throw them back in the long grass. What makes us more sympathetic towards some animals over others? In the same way, meat eaters think it’s disgusting to eat cats and dogs. Why I can justify eating fish to myself?

On returning home in the afternoon, the baby bird had indeed demised. The killer (pictured above in gentler days) strutted around oblivious to Amy’s admonishments and sadness. It was dinner time. “Feed me!”

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to be able to see the sunrise over the hills. This morning I videoed it for a couple of minutes. It was beautiful.

To-do list

Always keep a look out for photo opportunities ½
Finish week 5 Coursera ½
Write new blog post ✅
Buy a small cutting knife somewhere
3 acts of kindness ½

After waking up feeling reasonably well, doing some squats and meditation, I enjoyed my breakfast and videoed the sunrise.

I felt a little dizzy but nothing too bad. I sat down at my desk at school and without even realising, sat reading, coughing and sneezing all the while. Kru Noon gave me some ginger and lemongrass tea and honey and lemon water for which I was grateful. However, my symptoms just got worse along with an annoying headache.

As I was at school already I decided to do my lessons and go to the doctor and get checked up at 2.30 pm. My first lesson deteriorated and I totally lost my temper with the class. It had the desired effect of shutting them up for a bit but I don’t think it served any of us very well.

I calmed down for the next two classes but couldn’t wait to leave. The doctor said it’s just a common cold and gave me some medicine but I decided not to go to school tomorrow as I have to be well to drive to Chiang Mai on Friday. So, all alarms off and time for a good sleep, hopefully.

I got some bits and pieces done today but just ended up watching a movie when I got home. It was Burden of Dreams. The story of the making of Fitzcarraldo. Both films are great and it’s amazing how the story of the movie is replicated in real life.

Tomorrow I won’t push myself too much.

*I had fun – 14th August 1998

August 14, 1998March 4, 2024 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Email with TLJ

S: talking to you last night. Let’s do it again.
Are you going home after uni or do you have time to meet – I can take you home or to Turramurra – whatever madame would like.
Hope you have a good day today and I look forward to seeing you soon baby, sweety, gorgeous etc

T: sorry babe, was going to go straight home after uni so i can get a lift to turra with my folks. i don’t know my uncle’s address or how to get there.
anyway, what time do the wreckers start? i don’t think i’ll be doing anything tonight, but if i am, i’ll call you.

S: Wreckers should be on at nine or thereabouts. There’s only two bands. I’ll go home first I think unless we get time to meet somewhere or anything. I’ll leave home about eight I guess. Got to bed after 2am this morning and I’m starting to get a little cranky! (So come cheer me up!) If you are in the city then definetely call – call anyway. If not I’ll probably go home at a reasonable time – I have to go the Doctors first thing and still have lots to do to tidy up the flat – it’s insane!!!
Catch me if you can sweetheart. Call before you go home if you go home OK!
PS Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?

The Week That Was – 27th March 1983

March 27, 1983February 20, 2023 ~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Record of the Week: Sex Gang Children – Song and Legend

27th March 1983
FEEL ILL

28th March 1983
AT SCHOOL – QUITE A GOOD DAY
FELT ILL LATER

29th March 1983
ILL AND AWAY

30th March 1983
ILL AND AWAY

31st March 1983
HOLIDAY
Went to doctor – usual
Contemplating getting Atari

20th Feb 2023 – My diary says it’s Maundy Thursday and I had no idea what that is. Then I see that this is something to do with Easter as the following day is Good Friday. Don’t recall ever having a holiday from anything on this day since.
‘Went to doctor – usual’ – what the hell does ‘usual’ mean? Maybe I was going there often and just being told I was ill. I knew that much already!
Part of the reason I was probably sick a lot was that since starting junior high school I never spent the money my mum gave me each day on lunch, instead saving it to buy records at the weekend, which I would then have to smuggle into home, often leaving them outside, hidden in bushes, until the coast was clear. I didn’t want to have to explain where the money came from to buy them. A few times mum would see my ever-expanding collection and ask where I got them all from to which I lied that I was just borrowing most of them from friends.

1st April 1983
DIDN’T DO MUCH
STILL NOT FEELING TOO GOOD

2nd April 1983
GOT THE ATARI
FUCKIN’ ACE

20th Feb 2023 – My handwriting was so bad that I started practising writing with capital letters all the time. Later, when I didn’t want mum to see what I was writing in my diary (not that I think she ever bothered to look) I would return to an illegible scrawl, which my poor eyes are going to have trouble deciphering.
Perhaps strangely, I don’t recall the Atari but have fond memories of other games systems and early computers. I do seem to recall the Atari being a big deal.
Rupert had one now that I think about it but the only game he had was Pong. This was amazing enough for us at the time. We couldn’t believe that we could play a game on our TV. We sat in his living room for ages playing but soon got distracted with things outdoors instead, and then later, distracted with alcohol. Games were expensive too, so if you bought one you’d want to make sure you really would enjoy it.
Hmm – so searching for a picture I think Rupert just had the Pong console and not the Atari that took cartridges (the 2600), which I think is what I had.