Tag: Taiwan

Difficult Dance – 8th December 2023

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

How to dodge all the cynics in the hall?
Hope has the knives out against the thinkers
Psyches ripped asunder of those held in thrall
Long gone, the days the tailors danced with tinkers

inspired and borrowed from this post at the Marginalian by Maria Popova

Today I’m feeling:

Physically good but took me a while to feel better after yesterday’s tantrum. Listening to my student’s reading helped though. I started smiling when they tried and tried until they got the words right. Getting some writing done during the long break between classes also helped as it focused my mind on other things.

Today I’m grateful for:

Receiving an order for the Jornada Del Muerto LP from someone in the UK. Now I have to get my act together to pack it to ship there!

The best thing about today was:

Walking around school after classes and hanging out with students watching or playing their sports. It was a good atmosphere that I was happy to stay around for rather than dashing home.

Something I learned today?

China has introduced measures that allow Taiwanese people better access and integration into Fujian as a countermeasure to the US-led independence movement. The US doesn’t give a shit about Taiwanese people.

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

Despite being difficult in my class and me deducting points for disrespect, it was Baibua’s birthday today and I gave her twenty baht for which she was very surprised and grateful.

I congratulated Nicha for getting up the courage to talk to the boy she liked though she was disappointed that he didn’t show any interest in her.

What is something I hope to understand better?

Myself (is my obtuse answer).

Right now, it is the Thai language. I feel my learning has stunted a little recently or at least slowed. I do notice increased recognition and being able to read two words of subtitles now rather than one. I guess I’m fine with it. My brain feels like it is at capacity most of the time. Squeezing new things in scares me that it is squeezing old things out.

And, having said that, there are a million things I might hope to understand better

I took this picture on the walk up to LiKhai the other day because this beast was blocking the way with its half smile.  Even if it was friendly I wasn’t keen to get near those horns or its back legs. We got by without incident thankfully.

Hands Cave – 16th May 2023

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Can you say hello for ten thousand years?
Can you see these words in twelve thousand and twenty-three?
What does it mean when the writing is on the wall?
Leaving one’s mark for the whole world to see
Were your dreams as big as mine today?
Staring at a sky only minutely adjusted
It’s a blink of an eye for those held on high
And in whose words were once trusted

Today I’m feeling:

A little dizzy and unsure which way things will go. So I’ll push myself in the direction of happiness as best I can.

Today I’m grateful for:

The two bloggers who click on the like button to almost every single thing I post. I’m reminded about this today as I had a quick look at their posts too and liked a few back.

The best thing about today was:

Getting home before midday after going to school, hanging around, having coffees and going grocery shopping. Taking advantage of this chill week before getting into the classroom.
Also seeing Mee, Yok and Petch at school again as they didn’t come yesterday. We were all happy to see each other again.

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

Nothing except minor inconveniences that were acceptable to my current state of mind.

Something I learned today?

I saw a nice story about Taiwanese and HKers travelling to a mainland Chinese city to celebrate a local south china festival of which I forget the details but the point is that despite all the supposed tensions between these places the average people in the street just want to get on with their lives.

I took this picture because I spied this visitor after coming home. I’m chasing other cats out from our place now as I don’t want them disturbing the harmony for our two boys.

One Way To Look At Three Cats – 15th February 2023

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 1 Comment

Among a single soft bed
Nothing stirs except
The slow rise and fall as the cats breathe

Their three minds
Like closed doors
To the bedroom containing three cats

Awake, stretch, turn and re-settle
These times of little drama

Two cats slumber together
As one
Three cats slumber together
As one

No favouritism at the sight
Each purrs with affection
Soft eyes stare at mine
Before closing again
To mouse dreams

inspired by the first five stanzas of Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird by Wallace Stevens

Today I’m feeling:

Reasonably happy and satisfied.

Today I’m grateful for:

A little breeze this evening that will hopefully blow away some of this smoky polluted air. The forecast is for many days of storms but with a 0% chance of rain! (As I finished writing this with Kim sitting on my lap there was a peal of thunder and the sound of rain on our roof! Hooray! Kim has gone back to sleep under the doona!)

The best thing about today was:

Relaxing a little with my grade 8 classes. I didn’t push them too much and allowed the class to end early knowing that I can test them on the work on Friday. My afternoon grade 7 class though was more taxing as they looked at me blankly when I asked them to find the verbs in some sentences, not knowing what a verb was until I gave them the Thai translation for the word ‘verb’!

This is another lesson for me to re-evaluate what and how I teach next year. I’m almost fully resigned now to let the students keep their phones, making each lesson very simple, with some element of artistic output so that the result can look good at least and then I will just grade the students on whether they do the work or not.

Having said that I hope that next year’s classes are of a similar level of comprehension at least. I feel like I’m at the point of just giving in to the easy way out. To make my life easier.

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

This is more a continuation of the above but many of my students today still lack a serious comprehension of (what I generally consider) simple tasks and instructions, or even just making connections throughout what we have already studied this semester. I’m feeling resigned.

But I did come home with the knowledge that I need to change my approach. If I have to make life easier for my students, I have to make it easier for myself too.

Something I learned today?

A recent poll found that 56% of Taiwanese people distrust the USA and worry that they could be in the middle of a potential war that they didn’t ask for.

What small task brings me satisfaction?

What is a small task? Exercise? Feeding the cats? Reading? Cutting nails?

Ok, I’m going to say vacuuming my floors and washing my sheets. I can go do a long time without doing either so I do feel satisfied with a clean floor and fresh-smelling sheets.

Aing took this picture last week because I was the only one of us brave/dumb enough to jump into the waterfall. I only just got this picture and was quite shocked at how big the waterfall is and how small I am in comparison.

Boyz and Girl – 8th July 2012

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Cat #: 096TZM

This four-piece shoegaze outfit quickly raced to the forefront of Taipei’s fast growing independent music scene – and for good reason. The completion of their warmly received eponymous freshman album has cemented their place in the hearts of an ever-growing fan base.

Though Shoegaze is hardly a new phenomenon, Boyz & Girl has found a contemporary home in the genre, due largely in part to their fresh sounds and mature songwriting. The raucous yet dreamy guitars of Jon, pieced masterfully with Sonoko’s artistic drumming and Guo Guo’s steady basslines, creates an impeccable balance with the juvenile youth and innocence discovered through BenBen’s vocals.

*Postcard from Taiwan – 23rd December 1998

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Email to TLJ:

Hey honey

Was overjoyed to get a postcard from you yesterday – I didn’t get home from babysitting til after midnight but read your card over and over. Man, I miss you. You know I had a dream last night and you’d come back from Taiwan and you know in your card you said you’d been thinking about me heaps well, in the dream you said you’d been thinking about me and you’d decided that we should see MORE of each other! I wonder if that will come true (or the exact opposite). I wonder about your comment on possible matches there too – is everyone playing matchmaker – well I hope you realise you have a great match all ready and he’s waiting right here for you. Anyway sounds like you’re having a real swell time and seeing lots of cool things – oh yeah you’ll have to show me the Taiwanese chicken dance. I decided I’ll go home after work and then into the city later so hopefully if you call at the right time I’ll be around. I’ll be in all day Christmas Day and I hope you call then cos that would be the greatest gift I could ask for. And your safe return into my waiting arms of course. God, I want to smell your hair and the sweet scent of your delicate skin. I love you baby. Love you like crazy. Dream about you nightly (and then I go to sleep….)
See you soon

*Dreams – 19th December 1998

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Email to TLJ:

Babe

Oh man – I wish you would call! I miss you badly sweety – and then I realise you’ve only been gone less than two weeks! I had a bad dream on Friday night. Me and your Dad were comparing the sizes of our bellies and both saying how we should get some exercise (this wasn’t the bad part of the dream by the way!). You’d also just come back from Taiwan and were happy to see me but then didn’t want to talk about anything and you half joking, half meant it when you told me to go away. So I went away…You didn’t come talk to me until later and then you were shitty with me for going before! Anyway, this all made me feel down when I woke up and I wanted to speak to you – make sure you’re all right and everything. I hope you’re still having fun there – sure wish I could get some contact with you though – if I had yr number I’d be calling.

The gigs on the weekend were pretty cool. Gerling were good and Not From There were good too – didn’t stay til the end of their set though – I’d had a few drinks (wasn’t driving) and needed to go home and sleep. I walked all the way from Annandale to Central – stopping off to pick up a veggie kebab on the way – which was the best food I’d ever eaten considering how hungry and tired I was. By this time I’d sobered up considerably too!

Next gig was Vicious Hairy Mary at the Globe – didn’t stay for VHM but saw Testicle Candy who were fuckin awesome. Oren and Robbie from Phlegm, Lucas and two Japanese dudes. They just made a racket then ran round the back out the side through the audience and round back on stage round and round – hitting things when they got back on stage! Lucas had had a major operation on his arm a couple of days before and was in a sling and cast! The audience was pretty nonplussed! Zenryoko Onanies were great! Funny, fun punk rock n roll. Absolutely Japanese. I met an old friend called Troy too and got his number which was cool.

Hayden had a fantastic weekend with lots of toys and lots of fun! He had a bit of a temperature on Sunday but we still had fun. I had him in no nappy most of the day trying to get him to go on the potty. He did some wee in there which was cool – but left a trail of sweetcorn poo up the hall! He was quite proud of that too! Well, no rest for the wicked – back to work….Come home safely my angel – I can’t wait to hold you again.
Your pal, your friend

Taiwannabewithyou – 15th December 1998

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Email to TLJ:

Babes

Well, today is the first day for a long time that I haven’t spoken to you – feels strange. the joy on your face on Wednesday is keeping me happy though. You know I love to do anything I can for you (enjoy it while it lasts!!!). Did you go back and see Varny in Hyde Park? I’m broke again – just enough $$ to get my next prescription luckily! And I’ve got plenty of food so that’s OK. Was thinking of going to the beach tonight as it is so hot at the moment – but I’m a bit tired – may go to the pool instead – have enough $$ for that.

This’ll be the first of many short emails – so expect a huge Inbox when you get back and a huge kiss too (and more!)

15th Sep 2024 – TLJ went off to Taiwan for a few weeks. Her family had roots back there though I’m not sure exactly what her purpose was for this visit as I don’t think that it was with her family.

Missing you like crazy sweety. Wish you were here. I’m off now to a Christmas dinner at Pier 4. What are you having for dinner tonight?
Ring me! Mail me! Email me!

15th Sep 2024 – Christmas dinner? I don’t recall if this was work, friends or family related now. And who was Varny and what were they doing in Hyde Park?

Sing-a-long – 9th November 1998

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Emails to TLJ:

“Take you riding in my car, car
Take you riding in my car, car
Take you riding in my car, car
I’ll take you riding in my car.

Horn it goes beep, beep,

etc etc!!!

Thanks for the biggest fun! Call me tonight Cambridge St Taxi’s 9xxx xxx5!
Love ya angel

8th Sep 2024 – I believe this is a reference to what one might call a driving lesson. In the dark suburban streets next to TLJ’s house, I would park around the corner, call her and tell her to sneak out. I was always so thrilled when she showed up and predictably couldn’t keep my hands off her (and she felt the same).

As we were in my little Hyundai there wasn’t much space but thankfully she was a small girl. We were sat in the driver’s seat, her on my lap facing forward, when I started the car and took off the handbrake. I told her to steer whilst I operated the pedals and we slowly buzzed around the crescent excited at the thrilling possibility of being caught in a compromising position.

Ni shi wo de pengyou.
Wo shi ne de pengyou.

Just practising. I’m bored bored bored. Oh, and tired. I’m looking after HJ on Saturday night so won’t be out with Craig (did I tell you about that – he invited me out for dinner and a gig at the Globe on Saturday night – will have to catch up with him some other time). I’m thinking of driving to Melbourne around Christmas time. Brad, the dude from Adelaide moves there next week and we agreed I should go down there sometime and Christmas would be the perfect time. I’d rather be in Taiwan though, with you, of course! Look forward to seeing you later babes.

*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