Tag: reading

No hammer from the judge – 10th December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do? What questions do you ask?

The last time I felt overwhelmed was at CRPAO. My mind could only concentrate on the injustices I felt at the way I was treated. Obviously, the questions I asked myself were not productive.

The first question I need to ask is ‘is this situation in or out of my control?’ If the situation is not in my control then all I can control is my response. This is a difficult skill that I am currently trying to cultivate. It is easy to think about but difficult to execute.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for another school holiday today. Yesterday was tough and left me in a negative state of mind and this morning I woke up not feeling well. It’s a blessing to be able to spend another day just sitting and reading!

Some people seem to be just small hard peas – 1st December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

What books have influenced your life?

The first books I remember reading were the Thomas Covenant Chronicles. Big thick fantasy books. For some reason, they resonated more with me than my attempts at the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings.

Later On The Road and Kerouac’s short Alone on a Mountaintop inspired a wonder of wander for me so it was not a difficult decision to make to move to Australia.

Right now I’m reading Anna Karenina whilst learning as much as I can about stoicism. I think the recommendation (to read AK) must have come from Daily Stoic as there is so much stoicism within the writing. This is the first book I’ve really looked at Cliff Notes for too.

He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.

Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to be excited for this coming week at school. I really enjoy teaching with the kids and they give me good energy.

Weight: 81.6kg
Resting heart rate: 50

Ask him no questions he’ll tell you no lies – 22nd January 2018

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Working Monday mornings only come around about once a month and they suck as much for me as for everyone else.  Day shifts are relatively boring, or I should say, even more boring than night shifts.  This whole job is an exercise in dealing with boredom.  I joke about having finished reading the internet.

Talking about reading I’m about to finish the 3rd book this week about bikers.  This one, ‘Outlaws’, is about the history of the clubs in the UK and constantly reminds me of my one time run in with a Hell’s Angel (which, on further thought, reminds of another run in).

Fatty, his girlfriend Sally, and I were on the 2-hour drive home from London after a gig and stopped at the service station to fill up on some food.  It was probably around 1am and the place was empty.  The food in bain-marie looked unappetising but we needed something to fill our empty bellies.  We filled our plates and sat down, having the choice of the whole room to sit in.  As we nearly finished a biker came in, got some food and chose to sit down next to us.  Of course, we immediately became nervous and finished up as quickly as we could.  The biker looked straight at Sally and said ‘do you want to fuck?’

Thankfully she was too stunned to say anything, which was unusual for her.  I could see her mouthing off and getting us all punched down.  We picked up our things and left swiftly.  I think I heard the biker say ‘guess that’s a no then?’ as we got through the door.  Thankfully he was alone.

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And the other story that came to mind was in a pub one early evening Fatty and I were standing next to a pillar, happily drinking away.  We stuck our drinks on the shelf around the pillar in between gulps and continued chatting, putting the world to rights as per usual early 20-year-olds shooting the breeze.  I turned to pick up my beer, almost full, and it was gone.  I looked around the pillar and three Hell’s Angels were talking to each other, paying no attention to this little runt who’d just lost his drink.

I tapped one of them on the back and as he turned I smashed him in the face and stomped on his stomach.  As the other two pulled out their pistols I karate chopped one and high kicked the other and then……oh wait.  That’s not what happened.  We went somewhere else to get a drink instead.

Hopefully, the next book I read is a little less hateful.

*Where are you? – 25th December 1998

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Email to TLJ:

Why you sign your card from Txxxxx instead of TLJ? Are you getting serious with me? Anyway went home early yesterday cos I was dog tired – fell asleep til six-cooked, ate etc, decided not to go to Sponge House – was too tired – watched some TV, waited for you to call (you didn’t by the way!), went to bed about 12 but couldn’t sleep – read some comics til 2, fell asleep about 3 – so I’m real tired again today! Thinking about you lots sweety – I really wish I could speak to you. I want to know what fun you’re having – I want to know everything about you. My desire for you does not lessen with time away from you – it only grows. I really REALLY hope it is the same for you. I hope you remember who I am when you get back – or even now. By that I mean I hope you remember all about us. OK babes – I’m a bit down cos I’m on my lonesome this Christmas – it seems strange that you’re not here and that when you get back I will be back to normal work routine and everything – I feel like we have missed some opportunities to have fun over the holidays – I mean have fun together of course. I have some ideas for one day on a weekend after you get back. Love ya honey

*Money – 11th September 1998

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Email to TLJ:

Had a fairly relaxing and inexpensive lunchtime. I walked to the library and read some more of my book. Found a couple of others there that look interesting when I finish reading everything else. I wish there was a comic book library. Spent 1 dollar on two onion bhajis. Got an apple and a banana for the rest of my lunch. Can’t wait to get out of here. My neck is killing me!
Hope yr day is going good. Think positive baby

*Where you be? – 12th June 1998

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Email to TLJ

S: TLJ
I offer you my unending affection and undying love – so where you be? Why you no call? Why you no mail?
I be missing you muchly. I want to talk to you (always). Can you visit tonight? Tomorrow night, sat morn, mon pm?
How are your new sunnies?
Come wash my dishes again so I can pull yr pants down.
Thank you for your cleaning last night – I had a great time in your company. Let’s read a play.
Shaun

T: don’t you read email. i just sent you two (make that three).
tlj

S: As the Del-Emmas say – ‘Yeah-yeah’!

Reading Festival – 28th August 1994

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

8th January 2024 – Rich, I remember, was talking up Archers of Loaf but I didn’t know who they were at the time. He was also into Scrawl so he was already in the tent hanging out in the afternoon. I dug The Jesus Lizard on the main stage and correctly guessed that it would be less than a minute before David Yow had jumped into the audience where he may have remained for the whole set. Did I stay for Helmet? I should have. Watching bands on the main stage of a festival wasn’t fun for me anymore though. I was already preferring the more intimate surroundings of small/no stages in unusual places.

I didn’t bother with Rollins Band in the evening and enjoyed a final day of being with friends again.

Reading Festival – 26th August 1994

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

8th January 2024 – I don’t think I made it to the main stage on this day though probably glimpsed it in passing. I do wish I’d been into Cypress Hill back then though as that would have been great fun. I do remember seeing Sebadoh though and Lou getting emotional and cranky, smashing his guitar. Courtney Love was looking on from the side and I think comforted him and I thought to myself, ‘Fucking hell, please stay away from Lou!’

What I mainly remember from this event was sleeping in the Mini van, with my legs sticking out the open doors as it was so small. I think I had stuffed a mattress in there. I also brought an extra car battery which I hooked up to the car stereo and extended the speakers onto the car roof so that everyone could enjoy Die Kreuzen at full blast whilst I drunkenly gyrated on the bonnet.

After the musical acts finished at the festival and people returned to their tents I blasted Church of the SubGenius tapes for the benefit of those passing by tripping out of their minds. This felt a little like my last hooray, hanging out and drinking and dancing with the Southampton crew.