Tag: Foreign Policy
Can you name even one of the dead?
The Baddies – 9th December 2024
Are we the baddies? You’d better believe it
We’ve been found out even by our friends
They finally saw through the lies we told
As we manipulated them for our own ends
Are we the baddies? But we were told
The world only wants what we can give
And our freedom and democracy
Is what they all needed to live
Are we the baddies? Oh we surely are
Slowly our friends left our sinking ship
Despite a desperate clinging on to hope
We’ve slowly been losing our grip
Inspired by this Second Thought video
American Sentencing – 7th October 2024
Every accusation a confession;
peace through violent aggression
Manipulated media suppression,
leading to depression
Roll Another Number – 27th February 2024
Everyone is so cynical
Opinionated, clinical
Fallen from the pinnacle
And waiting to expire
We’re all gonna die, what’s the point?
Who cares who the kings may anoint?
Sing a song, smoke another joint
Around the old campfire
Written for Ovi’s Challenge – Negativity. Titled borrowed from Nuisance.
Today I’m feeling:
Better but still tired out. I took it easy with my first class but I was still exhausted by the end of it. No exercise this morning either so that is now five days without. I will try to do it tomorrow. I usually feel better in the evenings than in the mornings though. Let’s see.
Today I’m grateful for:
My former self of last week for planning ahead and quickly making up some cards for a quick vocabulary game with my grade 10s. I wasn’t sure exactly how I was going to incorporate it in the class but I figured out a way to make it fun and engaging for everyone.
The best thing about today was:
Gradually getting my mojo back during the day and being able to not push myself or the students too much to stress ourselves out.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
With half of my grade 7 classes missing this week I’ve had to adapt myself to just playing Kahoots about the topic that we were on and making it as fun as possible whilst not putting any pressure on about punctuality and paying complete attention.
Something I learned today?
I forced myself to listen through a podcast of a couple of North American China Hawks discussing what the best way forward was for the USA to deal with China.
It reminded me that at the highest levels of Western governments, people cling to their ideology without growth or learning. Some of the commentary had me contemplating just skipping it but I wanted to hear more opposition to the things I believe and to try to understand where some people are coming from.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
Anchan skipped my class today to prepare for a national (I think) competition for a speech in Thai. She sent me a message to say why she wasn’t there and I wished her the best.
She also reminded me it was her birthday today and so I bought some sweet snacks for her and her friends. They were so cheap that there were so many of them that when I got back to school and my next class, Nemo said that it was her birthday too and so I gave her one pack.
I later tracked Anchan down in another building and gave her the rest of the snacks. She laughed because there were so many but appreciated them too. Whilst I was there, many students wished her a happy birthday and I was surprised by all the people who knew her.
I can understand her popularity though. She is a smart kid who, in my own class, I have seen make friends with almost everyone, investing time in them (and calling out ones that treat others badly). I warned her once last year not to get dragged into the bad crowd and whether she heeded that or not, she worked out what was best and was still able to maintain friendships with them. I could sense what she was capable of and she has even surprised me with her skills. Except English!
I also offered to teach Baipad, along with Apple and Jan, during the holidays if they wished. I know that this will be a struggle to get them to commit to but also maybe get them to see that this is free education that they are being offered. It would also give me something else to do apart from playing XBOX for four weeks straight!
Who would I like to reconnect with?
In some ways, I’d like to reconnect with my school friends just to get memories and stories from them from when we were at school. It’s kind of interesting to discover what ever happened to everyone but at the same time, I don’t care that much either. That seems weird to write down but I’ve lived almost forty years without knowing what happened to everyone it just doesn’t seem that relevant.
I always want to connect with people in the DIY punk scene in South East Asia though and would love to find another kindred spirit in the same way that Kimi was. Parthiban in Singapore is the nearest I have but we’ve only been able to hang out one time previously.
I should also reconnect with folks in Australia, which I do do from time to time but I’m thinking I should chat with Swerve again as we spent a lot of time working on things in the late 00’s and had a lot of fun. There are also plenty of bands that I’ve worked with that I don’t have much contact with these days too. I should get back to that.
River Of Sorrow – 10th February 2024
When the bottle was empty of pills
There’s no time left to grow
Amongst so many ills
It’s the bitterest one to swallow
When the son takes the rope
Believing there’s no place to go
Those left now to cope
Traverse the river of sorrow
When attention wasn’t sought
And she suddenly became the show
Life is no longer a thought
Slipped into the undertow
So pass the many hours
That survivors will never know
And drift away the flowers
Along the river of sorrow
Today I’m feeling:
Fuzzy and weird. After a delicious afternoon nap yesterday I got into reading comics so much in the evening that I was up just past midnight. I shoved down some medicine in the hope of waking up flu-free and slept reasonably well until 11. I do feel better but fuzzy around the edges, eyes unable to focus 100%.
Today I’m grateful for:
Matt for buying me a drink and giving me half a pack of tramadol after running across to Central.
The best thing about today was:
Seeing live music in Chiang Rai. Punk, hardcore, metal! Who’d’ve thought?
Something I learned today?
A Wall Street Journal report says Iran is having trouble reining in “Iran-backed militias” and offers one reason why: The US killed the guy who was good at reining them in!
On Repeat – 14th November 2023
The breeze blows through the open door
-Outside whipping the trees
–A glass of cold water waits
—It is happiness pure and plain
—-Mr Piano Man plays a song for me
—-I’ve nowhere else to be
—Using words to explain
–That the world demonstrates
-It will do as it may please
The breeze blows through once more
1st Apr 2024 – Submitted to MVB-PROMPT
Today I’m feeling:
Dizzy. Not unhappy or down just bothered by feeling sick. I ended up coming home after my first class as I was getting dizzier. I sent some instructions to my other two classes to complete some work for me this afternoon. I wonder if they will do it!
Today I’m grateful for:
Medicine that is helping my body fight this flu. David was telling me he thought he was getting sick but didn’t take any medicine just using natural remedies instead. Which is fine but everything is chemicals and the virus is natural too.
The best thing about today was:
Starting to feel better by late afternoon, at least until I move too fast. Then I feel dizzy again. I ended up doing a lot of Thai study today, getting back into the ThaiPod101.com learning. I’m considering paying for it again and pushing myself.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
When I got home I got into bed and setup with my laptop. Cap was scratching at the door so I decided to let him in for a change. But within a second of jumping on my bed he started peeing and when I smacked him he jumped over to Amy’s and started peeing there. Motherfucker! I quickly grabbed up everything and shoved it into the washing machine. So much for getting some rest. I’m in the living room now and maybe I’ll nap a little.
Something I learned today?
According to newly declassified documents, in 1992 the US government laid out plans for Asia never to be allowed to be ruled over by an Asian country. It must always remain under US control.
When was the last time I cried?
A lot of tears were shed immediately after Kim’s passing and still now when I think of her my eyes get wet, even as I’m writing this.
When do I feel most calm?
When I’m alone.
Foreign Policy – 12th October 2023
When my boot is on your neck
I’ll offer you charity for your aid
Then once our positions are understood
Your debt to me needs to be repaid
I’m sympathetic to all your woes
But don’t finger-point at me
Even though it’s no longer a secret
About my foreign policy
The blame lies back with yourself
And your own quest to rule
The floods and famine of God’s will
And you’ve been played the fool
You are the pirates, as I steal
You are the dictator, as I dictate
Look around for your own slaves
And look to me to imitate
I rained down democratic bombs
Gave you the freedom you need
You’re exactly where you are wanted
Precisely as I agreed
Today I’m feeling:
(2 am) Despite a long day, I’m still awake. Have a headache and tense legs. I want to sleep. I know I’m tired. But my body just won’t let me.
I’ve watched a star travel from the middle of the window until the edge, over these last three hours.
(11 am) I woke up again around 7 am with the sun shining through the window and was wide awake again for another hour. I managed to get up despite not wanting to, as I want to get coffee!
Today I’m grateful for:
Being able to link my Aussie bank card to Apple Pay which makes it easy to pay for things here.
The best thing about today was:
The evening of jazz was nice and I enjoyed it.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
After looking forward to walking down King Street in Newtown I was disappointed in the shops that are there now and that despite it being late-night shopping, everywhere except for bars and restaurants were already closing before 6 pm. The city too seems a little over-gentrified with only a few old-school shops being able to hold on and it won’t be long for them either. This is not my city anymore.
Something I learned today?
Sydney is not what it used to be.
I got a message today that we go back to school on the 27th which gives me a couple of extra recovery days. However, for some reason they want us to work at the weekend too! I think for us we can probably just go and clock in though. I’m not sure what they expect us to be doing really.
What is one thing that I have always wanted to create?
Since enjoying music so much in my life I’ve also wanted to make it. Unfortunately, I have little talent or education and now I don’t make enough time to do it despite having the tools available. There’s still plenty of time left, right?
Take My Word – 20th September 2021
Do I have time to read every written word?
Don’t look at me as if it’s so absurd
Absorbed in stories that taught me much
Each one holding a teacher’s touch
The words to learn from times to burn
Find the right words for your concern
If it hits you hard then read it twice
Take my word, that’s my advice
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful that I can read books wherever I go. One for Utopia, one for school/House, one for evenings, one for bedtime.
Well, the weekend passed by quickly, with going to Amy’s aunties’ memorial on Friday and Saturday night and then her cremation on Sunday morning. I was happy to have a phone with me and felt less conscious of using it on these occasions, as I’ve gotten used to Thais doing it. Even one of the monks took a call whilst his leader was chanting.
At times when I looked up and around, I still could not feel what comforts these odd rituals provide. They seem a nonsense and can be adapted in any way anyone should please. If we got rid of all religions, would we just make new rituals to comfort ourselves? Perhaps not. It’s not so obvious in those who have no faith. They (we) accept the fact that we live and die and not much else.
Recently, I’ve been reading much about the USA’s foreign policy and interference in other countries, and it reinforces the fact for me that all of it is beyond meaningless. People left to themselves are generally ok and without any implanted biases, get on with everyone.
I’m thinking that China’s approach to world affairs is a more powerful way to share the world. From an outside perspective, it looks to me as if they are aware that helping people to help themselves benefits everyone in the long run. Trying to force your way of life on other people has continually shown in history to not be successful. Every country, group, philosophy, and government will have its share of bad apples, and the current media obsession with focusing on them forces a bias that is not conducive to love.
Religions have also failed at a mass level, of teaching to love everyone, even though it is a major tenet of them all.
Whilst these situations remain, frustrated people, like me, want to give up, see no hope. Even in our own happy lives. We can’t ignore the suffering of others. These people are humans, and we play this game of life together.
My Terrorist – 16th September 2021
You’re my terrorist, siding with our gods
Next week’s enemy, against all the odds
Difficult to believe, though it’s oft-repeated
Cheating the cheaters, so everyone is cheated
You’re my terrorist, you may do my bidding
About those rewards, I was only kidding
You die for nothing, just another’s lies
And in your defeat, I still claim the prize
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful for the coolness of winter days very slowly returning. Comfortable mornings of fog and misty mountains.
As I’m reading another article about stoicism, gratitude and amor fati, I can feel my brain changing. These words were revelatory for me when I first read them. Now they are comfortable reminders of my acceptance of the way the world is and the way I am. I often think about my mother and wish to hear her talk about things in our lives. I can’t do that except in my mind. That brings me some comfort still.
I miss Kimi even more, in some ways. My mother is/was always a part of my life. Kimi was a kindred spirit I found, like Jochen and Matt, Rich, Steve and Rob and others. Finding some special people in your life is a rewarding experience that provides hope and gratitude to my being.
Amy’s auntie passed away last night. Perhaps some people will feel the same way about her. I hope so.
Our plans (what little we have) will change this weekend but that is out of my control so I can accept it.
I will do what I can to continue living this blessed life in the best way possible. Now, it’s time for class. Let’s see if I can take this positivity and rub it off on some of my students.
1994ever 