Tag: sore neck

Circle Story – 14th April 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

A silent sigh
as the last page turns
So many questions remain
The story continues evolving
Searching to explain

A sharp intake
of breath and
The tale keeps on spinning
On the shoulders of giants
Children’s awe-struck grinning

A soft fall
to the climax of the day
Eyes scan for a new dream
A sequel to the joy
That this day has been

Inspired by this post at htysdaily.com which was inspired by the same prompt that I used here. Also shared to NaPoMo.

Today I’m feeling:

Upbeat, positive and happy but a little tired (I think from blurred vision – or is my blurred vision from being tired?)

Today I’m grateful for:

The local weed shop being open today, splashing water on anyone passing by.

We now have two weed shops in the village!

The best thing about today was:

Dad’s larb pla for lunch, still hot from the pan and creating a perfect sweat for this heat.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I was actually looking forward to going to SanKong for an hour or so, knowing it would be a joyous occasion, everyone having fun in a communal free-for-all.

After lunch, I went and sat in the aircon as Amy, family and friends were making desserts.  She said it would take a couple of hours and that was perfect.  Once they’re done we can drive to SanKong, I can hang out for a bit before going home, leaving Amy to keep drinking with her friends.

I soon dozed off and not woken up again until 4.30 pm, a couple of hours later than expected.  Amy was already into her wine and understood when I said I’d just go home directly as it was late afternoon now.

Something I learned today?

Yesterday there was a knife attack in Bondi Junction Westfield and five people were killed.  It’s an odd feeling for something like this to happen in a place that I’m familiar with.

I took this picture because I was actually expecting to have a bunch of photos from Sankong’s Songkran celebration today but I didn’t make it and I have a sore neck.

Just A Boy – 13th January 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 1 Comment

She said we can forgive him
Because he is just a boy
As she picked up the bottles
Now empty of their joy

Without a thought or care
For the wider world around
When he needs to be somewhere
He’s nowhere to be found

Anyway, cleaning is for girls
A boy can’t do it well
It’s a privilege to clean the piss
Off the floor where it fell

Dressed in the body of a man
The brain never adapted
The childish mind, a selfish mind
Remains forever distracted

Will he ever become a man?
A real man of her dreams
She’s always doing the best she can
But never enough it seems

So, she sighs, this is her lot
To be a mother of a peer
When she weighs up what’s she got
Just what is she doing here?

Today I’m feeling:

Super tired even after an almost ten-hour sleep. I felt tired around 10 pm last night but was excited to read comics and eventually went to sleep sometime after 11. On waking I still felt dizzy and had a stiff sore neck, both of which are persisting even now as I wait for my first coffee.

Today I’m grateful for:

The kale that Amy has been growing and she threw a handful of it into my lunch of fried rice today.

The best thing about today was:

Reading Roald Dahl’s Boy about his childhood whilst in bed this afternoon and then having a crazy nap.  Woke up feeling tired for the second time today so have done next to nothing.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

Doing next to nothing felt out of my control as I lacked motivation and energy. Handled by….doing nothing!

Something I learned today?

I found out that there is a Das Damen reissue of their first record that comes with a bunch of extra tracks.  I will try to find that for sure.  I think I heard that they may be making new music too.  Could be interesting.

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

Noey was back from her holiday and in catching up she talked about going to Australia and I told her she could talk to Amy for help with going there.

I took this picture because Creme brought these two two-day-old kittens to school as the mother had rejected them. Unfortunately, neither of them made it through the week.

The Alien – 19th November 2023

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Came along in a shiny craft
Took one look and loudly laughed
Said ‘These things are sadly daft!’

Abilities deeply bereft
Nothing even worthy of theft
Closed the hatch and quickly left

Left no trace of any sort
Radioed home and did report
The value of this place is naught

Today I’m feeling:

A little worse again as all the phlegm gathered in my chest has decided it wished to evacuate, during the night. In an effort to stop constantly coughing, I shoved an extra pillow under my head and tried to raise my top end up so that the green slime stayed down in my chest until the morning. This tactic only had minimal effect though and it seems I have a constant supply of rising mucus now as I sit coughing into my coffee.

Today I’m grateful for:

Bruno’s high-pressure hose again, as I got back after coffee and with a burst of energy cleaned up the paths and area outside the kitchen and they are now gleaming white. They should stay like that for a year or so.

The best thing about today was:

The mango sticky-rice flavoured ice cream that didn’t really taste like mango sticky-rice but was delicious in its own way. 

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

When using the high-pressure hose at the back door I knew the muddy water was going to spray under the door and into the kitchen a little (because nothing fits properly in Thailand!) and sure enough, it did.

After I finished Amy asked me why I didn’t close the door when I was hosing. I did!

I was hoping she would clean up but she asked me to and in the end, it was pretty quick and easy. No big deal.

Something I learned today?

I watched an interesting video of an American guy who was in Laos and trying to visit the casino area in the Golden Triangle. Casinos are already sketchy places in my eyes and I was totally put off them after visiting Macau.

This guy found a few sketchy things too but where there’s money, there are workers (willing or not) and as this area of the world is so poor people are easily lured there.

Commenters were worried about his safety and it made me consider some of the sketchy situations I found myself in some places before too. I think I just figure most people have good intentions and those that don’t don’t generally fuck with you if you don’t fuck with them.

What are three words to describe how I feel right now?

Satisfied, content and (is there a single word that describes a sore neck?)

I took this picture because I dropped off some lanterns at Daytripper and the reflections on the waterlogged paddy fields were enticing. I enjoyed a nice early afternoon coffee there too.

My Wife’s Performance Review – 18th November 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Yesterday I reviewed the dog
Today I review my wife
I feel her performance
Doesn’t meet the standard for my life

She’s got some goals to reach
And I will keep on poking
Look out, here she comes
No honey, I’m joking! I’m joking!

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for the adjustable bracket I bought for my iPad so that I can read laying down flat and looking straight up. I hope this helps a little with my sore neck.

Well, turned up today to find only 4 students come to my first class and none to my second! I guess I would’ve done the same after getting a vaccine and being told you may get sick afterwards. I would definitely be sick!

But, I haven’t let the kids off – I sent them the work I had planned. I expect the good ones to do it. It will help them with their work for next week.

It means I have another full day mooching around so at the moment I’m in 22 Grams as I had to come and collect Amy’s vaccine passport. I will apply for one too next week, now that I know where to go and what to do.

Hayden called me yesterday and seemed pretty upbeat. He’s getting involved in some disability care training, which could be really good for him. Doing good things for other people will definitely improve your own self-worth and esteem.

Amy’s student, Nong Na, will come on Saturday and I will teach/talk with her for half an hour or so. I’ve been thinking about what to do and as I’m writing this, the idea has come forth for her to interview me. Sometimes the act of writing provides the inspiration.

I’m waiting for Central to open in 15 minutes (11 am) to go and double-check the price of the MacBook Air. I’d like to buy it before Amy goes away. My laptop is starting to get very slow and finicky, especially the trackpad. As I mentioned before – it still works though. 12 years use for a laptop is pretty good going!

I already prepared all of next week’s work for classes yesterday, so I can start on 2/9’s future classes with the subjects they’ve chosen. I could probably finish that all this afternoon and, who knows, maybe even tomorrow, students will still be ‘sick’. Then next week I can just sit in cafes and read, write, caffeinate.

Here I am again in another job where there’s hardly any work to do. I’ll motivate myself to improve the quality of my work. Put effort into the common good.

(Later) I made a good decision to go and get a massage. I feel great! Now, I’m back at House for afternoon coffee and I’ll go back to school around 3 pm, as I did yesterday, and eat lunch!

Check and Balance – 21st August 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 2 Comments

We found the gold, inspired by dreams
Furious labour generated the means
No stone unturned, nothing it seems
– Left resting on laurels waiting

On the other side of the rainbow where
Further riches found to those who dare
Turn off your taps from which to share
– Numbers ever bigger accumulating

Now standing alone on an empty shore
The sun is setting, there’s nothing more
Was it all worth the fighting for?
– To watch accounts ever-inflating

For all your atoms the gods reclaim
There’s no longer a use for your name
The prince and the pauper – all the same
– The imbalance of our own creating

Some inspiring lines from ‘Abe – Wrong for all the Right Reasons’ by Glenn Dakin
13th Mar 2024 – Submitted to Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Chemistry

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for the crispy peanut brittle I bought yesterday and ate today. It reminded me of my mum who used to love getting it when her teeth were still good. I hope my teeth can hang in there!

After wearing a neck support, which has been helping, I woke up today worse than ever. Actually, I woke up fine, but then twisted wrong and now struggle to look to the left. But in good news, my lower back is feeling a bit better now.

Yesterday was an odd one as we ran around with my visa application. I had to cancel one of my classes cos I was still stuck at Immigration, and then I discovered that my 90-day check-in wasn’t renewed with my latest visa, which I had assumed it would be, so I got fined for not doing it in time. That pissed me off so I cancelled my other class for the day and came home and happily dozed while listening to music instead. It was sweet bliss!

*Thanks – 9th September 1998

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Email to TLJ

Thanks for calling last night. I’m sorry I was real tired. I didn’t feel at all good. I went to bed at 11 and didn’t even read a comic before going to sleep. I just got home, whacked some stuff in the oven, ate, watched TV for ten minutes and went to bed. My neck is still really sore causing me grief in my eyes. My right leg hurts too. Weird. Thinking about you all the time. love you muchly. Speak to you when you can.

*Damn you! – 8th September 1998

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Email with TLJ

S: It’s 8.28 and I’m thinking about you sweety. I been thinking about you all night and all morning. Hope you got to uni OK and that you can concentrate today. Did I mention the pills. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten anyway.
Call me when you can. I would dearly like to see you later even if only to drop you home. Let me know what you think.
Your best friend

T: well i took the pills and feel pretty awful now. I’m getting worried cause i seem to be having bad luck lately.

T: ok, so i’m supposed to be in D D/b right now, but i’m not – so????? if I had got to uni at 2 instead of 3 (because someone refused to drop me) then i might have considered it. anyway i got there and looked at the back row it was so funny. marty was sitting reading the uni newspaper, joe was asleep with his head against the wall, and jeff was asleep and sprawled over his desk – all three sitting there together. marty said the harbour cruise was the best fun. couldn’t find sue di or tu at the lecture, they had all just left.
sandie’s keen on her friend’s friend – tell you about it later.
bored….
catch ya babe

S: Sorry you are in such a bad mood but it really is NOT MY FAULT!!!
Why’d you get there so late? And I didn’t refuse to take you – you pleaded with me not to bother……

S: Thanks for calling last night. I’m sorry I was real tired. I didn’t feel at all good. I went to bed at 11 and didn’t even read a comic before going to sleep. I just got home whacked some stuff in the oven, ate, watched TV for ten minutes and went to bed. My neck is still really sore causing me grief in my eyes. My right leg hurts too. Weird. Thinking about you all the time. love you muchly. Speak to you when you can.

*This next morning – 10th July 1998

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Email with TLJ

T: honey, i hope you’re feeling better than you were this morning – hope your neck is feeling better, and if not, i’ll rub it for you. don’t be falling asleep in meetings and at your desk now – cause that would be rude and inconsiderate, and just plain lazy!!!!!!! sql is really hard to learn and revise, so i thought i’d take a break and email you. but this connection is very slow and i’ve already been disconnected once. so i’d better say goodbye before i get kicked off again.
love you heaps sweety. take care my english boy, love tlj

S: A little better this morning thanks. I forced myself to fall asleep on my side (but woke up on my front). Finally went to bed about 12.45. Will stay awake a long time tonight with you if you make it over – I hope so. Come rub me and my poor sore neck. Hope sql goes well today and you get everything finished the way you want to. Thanks for the mail, mail me again and tell me you love me ssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Take care my aussie oriental dream

T: yo, ‘sup? i’m using sandie’s laptop to dial in to uni and it’s working much better.

S: One day I’ll fix yr computer – or maybe Sandie doesn’t think I’m smart enough (or sexy enough – or rich enough – or English enough)

T: anyway mutha, hope the day finds you well.

S: Not bad at all my dear considering the lack of sleep

T: got bored of accounting – so went to check email. mummy’s going through this big clean up phase which is always inevitable after we’ve had something in the house fixed up. on the 4th july, josh has planned some big walk around manly (must be to the spit bridge methinks). also that day of the big end of exam party that ren told us all about.

S: Wish I could go with ya – would like to catch up with yr friends like Ren and Tom – I’m sure some of the others are cool too – is Laura going – when do I get to meet her – then she’d really have something to bitch about

T: so i’ll have to choose between the two. also mum says i can go on this cultural exchange thing to taiwan at the end of the year just before i start industrial training. i’m not sure, but may go if deb goes (she’s this old skool frien’ o mine). i don’t think sue or di or tu would be that interested.

S: You kow I’d miss you badly but what an opportunity – get going baby but bring yr booty back to me – maybe you can put me on to di and sue while yr away!

T: it’s like an asian thing – so i’m sure you’d like to go and meet all those sexy asian chicks,

S: Oh god yes – I’m creaming myself just thinking about it

T: but you’ll look out of place and i’m sure they’re only there to meet yello boys.

S: I can be yellow too (try hard Chinese too!)

T: cause you english boys just don’t cut it yo, and there’s no way you play ball or know enough about r&b to be a cool asian.

S: Yeah well fuck R&B. Asians are just in it for the hipness – they really wanna just go and pick rice and live in mud huts – not really interested in Tamagotchi and CK are they? All a big pose. Are you gonna fight me now??

T: oh yeah, and they always look 15 years younger than they really are,

S: Does that mean yr only 4?

T: and i don’t think yo r 15 fuck this shit don’t work ?no more. lost half my mesage mutha, get back to you later mutha fuckea man fuck – where’d all my writing shit go?

S: Well, such a pleasant way to end an email – thank you darling I’m sure your shit has gone down the toilet. Good luck with yr exams and HAVE A GREAT DAY. Call me maaan. Let me know how you went. I love you boogaloo