Red Dress – 22nd November 2023

The last time you looked at me
Your eyes were pleading
‘I don’t know what’s happening
And I don’t like it’
We waited for each other
But were never able to see again

Your world in a plastic bag
That will still end up in landfill
And survive for ten thousand years
The relentless tide offers little comfort
Except that it will be there tomorrow
But I’ll never wear this red dress again.


Today I’m feeling:

Pretty good but the headache from coughing is still annoying. I think it will hang around for a couple more weeks so it’s just a case of soldiering. People are sympathetic with each other at school though as everyone is coughing, sneezing or has lost their voice.

Today I’m grateful for:

Tim from Chocolat Frog for messaging me to introduce me to their new album which I had already downloaded anyway. Listening and enjoying it right now.

The best thing about today was:

Being pleased with the engagement with both my classes today. They were a pleasure and everyone did well. Maybe the little bit of support I gave yesterday helped. Let’s see if we can keep it up until the end of the week!

Something I learned today?

For some reason the app for ThaiPod101 doesn’t include the flashcards which is disappointing as I’ve found them a useful tool. With a bit of fiddling around though I discovered how to import them into Duo Cards so I’ll use that to reinforce what I learn during the TP101 lessons.

Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10

I offered a wish of better health to Kru Ren who has been struggling with some kind of flu for more than a month already and today complained of losing his sense of taste.

I congratulated the students who got into the programs they applied for and commiserated with those that didn’t.

I took this picture because this grass looked nice in the morning golden hour as I took Leo for his walk at around 8.15am. It’s cool now but not cold enough for a jacket for me. The kids at school are wrapped up already though and complain about how cold it is.

Concrete Action – 3rd January 2022

Save the world by standing still
Triple and double the power of will
Only the world will live forever
It’s only ourselves that we can kill

Inspired by Brian Dunning’s Skeptoid piece on the concrete industry’s 8.2% input of world carbon emissions.


If you dwell with a lame man, you will learn how to limp.

ancient proverb

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to have taken the time and made the effort to cut some of the grass today. The birds are here finding spiders and other insects to eat in amongst the cuttings.


Got up late, went off for coffee and a bike ride, which got me chilled inside. Even when I got back and sat in the sun, I still felt cold inside.

After a quick yummy lunch, I felt compelled to get the grass cutter and mowed away the long grass and now everywhere looks like a bad haircut. It’ll grow out soon!

Showered and now listening to one of the Pili Coit CDs I ordered recently. But I have a slight feeling of agitation – that old Sunday feeling coming back. Tomorrow – back to the familiarity if stress, the crazy kids, the cool ones, the lack of time (forcing me to fill the spaces appropriately). Keep my free time filled.

We got that attitude! – 12th April 2020

I am so happy and grateful for our beautiful long grass on our driveway. It’s very beautiful and makes me feel at home.

The life which we received was given to us not that we might just admire it, but that we should ever look for new truth hidden from us.

John Milton

To-do list

  • Record TCRAH ✅
  • Find other recordings on Soulseek ✅
  • Finish lesson plan ✅

I didn’t get to write last night as I was savouring watching The Night Of and wanted to finish it.

Anyway, over these two days, I did the 3 challenges and I’m slowly preparing myself for more. No real insights or deep thoughts – just soldiering on. I did do an entry for the Stoa Journal about what you would think if yesterday was the last day of your life – that was quite thought-provoking. I find doing the entries quite challenging and would to contemplate them more deeply. Maybe I will if I blog them sometime in the future.

I’m feeling like I’m more committed to completing the 1994ever writings and hoping to keep up with coinciding with the dates this year.

We got that attitude! – 3rd November 2019

Although I turned off my alarm this morning I managed to force myself out of bed and complete a task I’d set for myself – cutting the grass in our driveway. I’ve suffered all day with stinging blisters as a reminder!

I also managed to get a little reading in, a little light exercise, and write my first lessons for this new school – tomorrow I’ll be able to judge how successful they are and make adjustments.

I also managed to record half an episode of the Chiang Rai Alternative Hour – which I’m really enjoying making.

I’m pretty happy with the way the day has gone.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for my ability to handle and accept change.

23rd Mar 2021 – This is an important understanding in my life. Each time I go through a change I will grow. I realised this most obviously when moving from England to Australia in 1994. If I hadn’t made that change I wouldn’t have grown and be where I am now. Sometimes you are in control of changes and other times you are not – but growth will come either way. Some changes may feel like mistakes but eventually, you understand that they are not.