Tag: Tigger

The Play – 19th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Of course, I am the hero
This is my poem after all!
Well-intentioned and rational
Justice must be my call

So you must be the villain
A poet must have a foe!
Conjuring a dastardly plan
Laughing maniacally so

We take action as we believe
Ignorant of a better way
Both deceived by our duty
In this game of life we play

Today I’m feeling:

Good again. I’m enjoying the feeling of being revitalised from my morning exercise. I woke up with a start this morning, though, which was good in that I wasn’t waking before my alarm like earlier this week.

For some reason, I was dreaming about opening a (?) for my student, Fah, and I also had an impression that I had been dreaming about an old workmate, Steve. I’m not sure why they were roaming around in my subconscious.

My first class was fun and straightforward but the two-hour break following it has made me tired and uninspired. I will teach the same lesson again soon to another class of the same grade but I’m doubting it will go as well. I may be doubting myself here rather than the students.

(After) Although the second class was a little more difficult to deal with, everyone at least submitted something to me, whilst some of my first class just left because they couldn’t answer the questions and weren’t interested in asking me for help.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

My student, Spain, who filled me in on some classroom gossip from his perspective. He’s a year older than everyone else as he has some kind of quirky autism which held him back a year and whilst he struggles to interact in a ‘normal’ manner, he’s fairly bright and knowledgeable and today I discovered that he is particularly observant.

He told me how he sees everything that is going on, who is with who, when they come and go, lots and lots of details. It was interesting to talk with him but also tiring as I struggled to hear him through his face mask and the sudden twists and turns he makes in conversation.

The best thing about today was:

Buying a punnet of strawberries at the walking street and scoffing them all with coconut ice cream, yoghurt and mini-Toblerones in a big bowl. So much for all that exercise and trying to lose weight!

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

I was not inspired to write after a provocative (to me) comment was posted on my poem, Christmas In Gaza, that I read this morning.

I’ve left the comment there without response but it essentially boils down to divisions through religion – ie, my god is better than yours. There’s no reasoning with this, so I’ll not engage.

Internally, though, the rage of hypocrisy burns so brightly. I need to let it go. It’s not my business what others choose to believe.

A few minutes after writing this, I started thinking about how things in general these days are about winning and losing and while some folks lose online arguments, others are losing their lives and the winners are rewriting their histories in some form or another. This triggered off a flow of words and I managed to get the bad feeling out.

Something I learned today?

Hong Kong is the only city in the world that uses seawater to flush its toilets.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

This morning, I encouraged Baipad to finish off a drawing she had started and when I messaged her this evening, asking her what the best thing about her day, it was that she had finished it.

Amy sent me this lovely picture of Tigger today.

One Of The Gang – 16th November 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 2 Comments

Showed my buds, I’m one of them
When they watched me stick it in
I bring freedom with a gun
And I’m responsible for no one

We three, prod and poking
Watching the sunset paradise
Sipping dry martinis of tears
Laughing at a 12-year-old’s fears

We three, the seventy per cent
Paid us for our duty
A dividing line, a locked gate
Allows us to rob and rape

Watch again as I stick it in
We’re bonding over this flesh
This little girl, powerless in pain
Coerced to let the gang remain

After reading about the 1995 gang rape of a 12-year-old girl by three US soldiers in Okinawa.

Today I’m feeling:

Pretty good again, though my body is aching from all the work I’ve been putting it through.

I tried to sleep longer but my brain was already awake, so I got up and set Amy’s sheets to wash while I came out for coffee.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

The sweet Chinese milk drink that was at the Mala hotpot shop where we had lunch today. It’s delicious, but sadly, it must be full of sugar. It’s one of the best solutions for a chilli-burnt palate.

The best thing about today was:

Nothing in particular stands out today – it’s been a great day all round with me doing all the usual things I like as well as a bit of running around with Amy, who kindly paid for our spicy lunch and a strawberry and cream croissant for dessert.

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

In a turn of events, a couple of my students are hassling me to check their homework! It’s usually me hassling them to submit it!

Something I learned today?

I’ve been practising one song in particular in Yousician for perhaps a year already and it has been a slog. I made a bit of progress about 8 weeks ago and it is only now that I can feel a little more progress again.

I learned lots of semi-forgettable information today but this achievement stood out a little for me whilst I was playing guitar. I was quite pleased with myself.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

Some of my grade 9 students have interviews today for their programs next year, so I sent them some good luck messages.

Amy took this picture because Tigger was enjoying some daytime grass rolling before the stress of the nighttime festivities this weekend.
Fatman report

Build Your Brain – 14th November 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 12 Comments

Million dollar questions
Blind spots abound
Magical machine limitations
Mapping mountains found

Collect complementary artefacts
Elevate our understanding
Synaptic message transference
Magic made mind-expanding

Engaged spatial reasoning
Exempt obedient demands
Onwards and upwards
Internal freedom commands

Everything ever got
Meant diddly squat

…say what!?…

Inspired and paraphrased from a David Elikwu newsletter and shared with dVerse Quadrille #212 – what

Today I’m feeling:

Great with an underlying tiredness that isn’t really bothering me.

I got up and got going, enjoyed a couple of simple classes where I had time to interact a bit more with some of the poorer students.

Got home by 2 pm and straight into my room sorting more comic files and a bash around on guitar. With practising a little bit more this week, I can feel some improvement. The only downside is that with the dead hangs that I’ve been doing, my fingers aren’t quite moving so freely. Hopefully they will as they get used to be used.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 8

Today I’m grateful for:

Kru Mai helping me by switching one of my Friday classes to Wednesday so that I have more to do on Wednesday and fewer hours to teach on Friday.

The best thing about today was:

No one thing in particular. It was a good day all round. I have a suspicion that I will be very tired and catching up on rest on Saturday, though.

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

Nothing stands out here today. Everything went well enough.

Something I learned today?

In my classes, I notice subtle changes in relationships and today I talked with Wipping in the morning, who is fed up with some of the nonsense that goes on with her friend group. She separated herself a little to concentrate on studying, and I talked with her a little about how she is probably a bit more mature than her friends, but that they will catch up one day and she should hang in there.

Later, Miyor arrived with a different friend group than usual and she told me later that she and Khaofang had a falling out over nothing much. Those two are always clashing over something, though and I wonder if things will be back to normal again next week.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

I messaged Kru Jern about our student Nomsen, as she always complains about a headache and wanting to sleep. She also has lots of sores on her arms and she says it is because she is itchy.

I asked Kru Jern to check in with her because whatever issues Nomsen is having, it is affecting her ability to concentrate in class. She’s a good kid and I like her and want to give her all the opportunities that I can whilst she is my student.

I took this picture because when I got home, Tigger was here chattering away. I’m not sure what he was talking about. There was nothing obvious outside the window.

Side Of History – 23rd August 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Standing amongst the uncertain
As history falls around my inventions
Reverberating into the ground
A violent collision of good intentions

The aches and joys of this moment
Fall down, messy and infallible
No clear line may be drawn
History is an idea rendered irrational

Submitted to Weekend Writing Prompt #377 – Reverberate and inspired (and paraphrased) by the Red Hand Files #296

Today I’m feeling:

A little bit of everything. I could not force myself up with my alarm this morning. I felt a dark ache around my nose, like having a cold but with no other symptoms. Maybe it’s just a covid hangover. I’m still coughing up mucus from my chest but it’s not clearing at all.

I slept for an extra 30 minutes before getting up and slowly started to wind up for the day. And once I was going, I was fine. 

My first two classes with grade 11s were both easy and enjoyable. A quick dash out for another coffee and back for cat-herding my grade 8s, who still managed to make me laugh.

Health:

Physical: 6
Mental: 8

Today I’m grateful for:

Yoghurt being in stock at Makro and when I arrived there, I was directed to a parking space that was undercover from the rain. Perfect.

The best thing about today was:

…there’s not one thing that stands out in particular. My time at school was very enjoyable all around.

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

 Amy told me that it had been raining at home all day and it came to school in the afternoon with torrential downpours. 

When I got home, Amy wanted to go down to the bridge at the end of our Soi where she could see people gathering. It was already flooding on the other side of the bridge and runoff water spilt into the rice field. If the rice field fills, then our houses are next.

It’s stopped raining here but still falling up in the mountains and all that water will be heading down here at some point.

Amy is panicking a little as she sees pictures and stories online of animals and pets being drowned in floods in various parts of the country. I’m not too worried just yet.

Something I learned today?

As Nomsen was lying on the floor to do her work, she accidentally showed off a tattoo across her chest. I asked her about it, and she said that she has six tattoos already! She’s only 13 years old. 

She’s not the best student, but she doesn’t seem to be a stereotypically ‘bad’ girl either.

I told her that in Western countries, you must be 18 to get a tattoo (not that that stops everyone, of course).

Review your acts, Good and bad.

At the halfway point of the year, and halfway point of the three years of junior high for my grade 8s, I’m starting to see who will soon give up and not be able to go further. 

Somehow, these kids are the most fun to interact with and I will still try to keep pushing them, even just to try and fail but never give up.

I took this picture because it is unusual for Tigger to lie down here and he quickly made himself comfortable.

Each Dawn – 21st July 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 17 Comments

I commiserate the death of me
Of everything I used to be
Soon, a forgotten memory
– Considered on occasion

The me that was, been and gone
Wisdom found me with its song
I sought new homes where I belong
– I wish I’d gotten here sooner

So it is with passing friends
In happiness that one pretends
Marching towards our personal ends
– Flowers wilt without water

Reading my own obituary
Wisdom provided sanctuary
This time too, temporary
– Each morning, new life forming

Submitted to Ovi Poetry Challenge 57 – Wisdom and What’s Going On – Elegy
23rd Oct 2024 – Shared with Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – pretend

Today I’m feeling:

Tired and sleepy. I must’ve been woken by the gardeners this morning, though I didn’t even realise until I heard shouts of ‘nong Am’ and ‘loong’ outside whilst I was taking a shower. Coffee got me going a bit and I managed to avoid watching TV until lunchtime.

Around that time, though, Baipad messaged saying that her cat had turned up after 4 days and didn’t look good and asked if I would take her to the vet. I had to choose whether to help her or not, knowing that I would have to pay, as her mum refuses to take their pets to the vet (I’m assuming it’s a financial decision on her part).  And I’m really short of money right now too. 

I cracked when she wrote that ‘otherwise I’ll just have to let her go’.  Her cat, Snow, was unable to move and felt very cold. She really looked like she might go at any minute. Baipad was predictably in tears. Anyway, the kids got in the car and we drove down to the vet near the hospital.

They said that she had feline distemper and only a 10% chance. We talked about options, and they said they wanted to put her on saline and give her some medicine and to stay there for a few hours. I agreed and told Baipad that they could figure out what to do after that. I dropped them home after paying a 500 baht deposit and told her to call me to take them back later.

Around 4pm, she messaged me again and said that her mum would go pick up the cat and a little later said that she was home again and was improving with a 50-60% chance of making it.

I was happy to hear that but also found out that her mum had to pay another 800 baht. I told Baipad that she should start thinking of things that she can do to pay her mum back.

Today I’m grateful for:

The vet nearby being open today. As it is a special holiday this weekend, I wasn’t sure that it would be.

The best thing about today was:

I played guitar for a couple of hours and got in touch with Max and Dave about them possibly sending over some tenzenmen stock for distro over there. Hopefully, that will help get some stuff out of my room.

We also had a long, big rain which flooded our lawn for the first time this year. 

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

Due to my lack of money I’m not able to pay the gardener and had to ask Amy to transfer me the money to do it. I’ll have to pay her back next month.

Something I learned today?

I learned about the colonial city of Aden in Yemen and a little about the retreat of the British Empire from there. I’d not heard of it before but searching online it looks like a very interesting place.

I took this picture because Tigger was very much enjoying rolling in his cardboard tray whilst the rain poured outside.

Endless Teapot – 24th April 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

The bright lights of obscurity
Are following me around
But I’m the one doing it
You’re nowhere to be found

The purpose or the point
Discovered in the doing
And when one thing is done
There’s always more brewing

Submitted to NaPoMo

Today I’m feeling:

Lazy to get up but I’m enjoying the ache in my body from exercise. I’m already reminiscing about the lost time of this holiday despite actually being more productive than last year. I’ve got into the groove of taking it easy and am now feeling anxious about getting busy again in the next couple of weeks. Though I know well that I can deal with it easily enough.

Today I’m grateful for:

A brief small storm at around 7pm that whilst not hanging around for long meant a drop in temperature that even allowed us to turn the aircon off for a while!

The best thing about today was:

Tigger coming for cuddles about 7 or 8 times.  He’s getting more affectionate with his age.

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

I didn’t get a chance to read more of my book today as I ended up busy with other things.  I did get some comic reading in and a chapter from another book that I delve into every now and then.

Something I learned today?

A US senator was complaining that a bag of steel brackets needed for weaponry was costing 90,000 dollars.  A Chinese seller responded offering to sell the same thing for 8 dollars!  And the reality is that US Defence spending from Chinese sources has quadrupled over the last few years.  So the US military is becoming dependent on parts for war with China that are….made in China!

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

I sent Anchan a little more money so that she can get back to Chiang Rai as she is stuck in a village outside Chiang Mai at the moment.

I helped Amy moving around some furniture on the terrace as she wanted to change it up.  It looks good and change is good.

Did you do something difficult or challenging today?

Despite the last two days of not enjoying playing guitar I picked it up again for about 20 minutes and was a little happier with my ability.

What are my thoughts on growing older?

In the last couple of years, I’ve enjoyed the wisdom that age has brought me but recently, with the feeling of time disappearing too quickly, I’m pining for the days of boredom I used to endure as a teenager.

Too much knowledge is a dangerous thing? I know it’s just the way of looking at it. Perhaps I am bored now but don’t really know it?

It can’t be helped to wonder about being able to live your life over again but now I have to take a positive attitude with me with what remains.

I took this picture yesterday and along with other garden pictures sent them to Sharon and Rob.

Kintsugi – 12th April 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 23 Comments

Her perfect features cracked
At time’s many trials
Cool, calm and collected
Thoughts camouflaged with smiles

Bluffing her admirers
A morning mirror does not lie
Putting on a face
Of a beauty, none could deny

Refreshed and worthwhile
No longer a broken cup
She strode into the day
Happily made up

Shared to NaPoMo
25th Jun 2025 – shared with dVerse Poetics: Building from the Broken

Today I’m feeling:

It’s still early but I think I feel a little more motivated than yesterday.  I’m lesson planning already and that’s going well, so it’s a good start.  

I think I need to be busy, doing stuff, to keep myself occupied.  If I get lazy and don’t move my brain and body I start to atrophy.

Today I’m grateful for:

The poetry folks who post prompts and ideas that inspire me to write.  I don’t know how many other people might think that I write quite well but I write for myself and when I look back at things that I’ve written I often feel proud and impressed.

I started a free poetry course at one site and struggled with the first assignment which was to write about yourself.  It should be easy, most of my poetry is about myself but when asked specifically to do it, where do you start?

Oddly enough, I ended up writing a poem today that was written for four different prompts but ended up being about myself almost directly and I will use it as a part of what I submit.

The best thing about today was:

Getting enough lesson plans done to feel comfortable that I know what I’m doing.  I can see the way forward to having enough done for the semester and working out what is needed for the rest of the year too.

Let’s hope that the students reach my expectations of what I have planned for them; otherwise I will have to do some quick revisions.

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

I’ve been happy to get a lot done today but have also felt a little annoyed at times, though not acted on, just in my head, by little things.  It was when I was watching TV, though, that I really noticed bad tinnitus in my left ear and it’s still bothering me now.

I’m not sure exactly what has brought this on.  I did play guitar for about 20 minutes but it wasn’t at a volume as excessive as I sometimes play.  Usually, the ear ringing comes and goes but it seems to be hanging around today.

Something I learned today?

Utopia will only open in the morning this weekend as they will all go and celebrate Songkran in the city in the afternoons.

A couple of days ago, I learned that Nick at Daytripper will leave for Australia, where he’s hoping to work as a barista in Sydney.  With him going, Art decided to close the shop completely as he is too busy to keep it going.

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

As I mentioned above I did get internally annoyed many times today.  However, biting my teeth through all that I did everything that Amy asked of me, particularly when she ran in from the garden with her skin boiling up in an allergic reaction to something.  I got her ice, rubbed on lotions and creams, and did this and that.  

She’s disappointed that she is allergic to something (probably the hairy worms), as when the temperature is good, she enjoys pottering about out there.

I took this picture because Fat Tig was taking a break, as was I.

Scientists Baffled – 11th April 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 1 Comment

A girl with x-ray vision
A complex cityscape sketcher
A guy who doesn’t feel the cold
A contortionist rubber-boy stretcher

Everything can be explained
But that will never get clicks
Scientists baffled is the headline
From the bag of dirty media tricks

Inspired by yet another justified Brian Dunning rant at Skeptoid
17th May 2024 – Shared with Word of the Day Challenge – Headline

Today I’m feeling:

A bit agitated, deflated and flat today.  Also, despite a drop in temperature (though not very significant) my body feels hotter than usual.

I got an hour or so of planning done this morning and perhaps having to do all this preparation is playing on my mind a little too.

I should also mention that last week I started taking a couple of multivitamins, a couple of resveratol and a couple of creatine supplements.

I am still cynical about their effectiveness in general but consider that I may be lacking certain things in my diet as I have been eating less for the last year or two.

So I’m not sure if it is because of the supplements or because it’s holiday time but I do feel like I have more energy and also feel less sleepy and tired.  I guess I’ll find out more about their effectiveness when I get back into the swing of school again.

Today I’m grateful for:

The odd job man, recommended by Amy’s friend Hangie, who was as good as his word and came on time, replaced our roof tile (though not sure how securely!) and propped up our fence (which is definitely a temporary thing) at the corner of the garden.  He only wanted 100 baht too.  We gave him 200.

The best thing about today was:

Nothing in particular.  My mood and energy picked up a little by the evening but not to the point of any real inspiration.

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

My mood was weird and unexplainable today.  It wasn’t anything out of control just a general lack.  Handled by soldiering on through the day.

Something I learned today?

My old student Kamboom will be in M4 (grade 10) next year (already!).  She got top grades last year – she’s a good student, for sure.  She wants to learn Japanese now.

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

A lot of nice chats with a few of my grade 7 students just to check in to see how they are doing.

Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.

Besides our love for each other, which goes beyond our minor niggles with having lived together for 15 years or more, the first thing to mention is the love we have for our cats.

As we commemorate little Kim’s passing one year ago this week, we stress and worry about old man Cappuccino.

All our cats have gone through phases of being healthy and happy with periods of sick and sorry.  Tigger seems to be in his healthy phase at the moment and has no complications from having HIV.  We know when he doesn’t feel well because he usually never refuses food, fat furry fuck that he is!

For some reason, he has started talking more and become more affectionate recently.  Maybe he knows that something is up with Cap and is trying to tell us?

Another thing that we have in common is our understanding of fidelity.

We both know that if we stray then that is the end of ‘us’.  That suits us both.

I personally don’t believe in fidelity for everyone, or perhaps even at all.  It doesn’t seem quite natural.  It is a construct of our society. But it is something that I believe in doing for myself because I grew up in this society.

The third thing that we have in common is our way of thinking.  I guess this follows on from the more specific issue of fidelity.

In our relationship, we are completely understanding of each other’s interests and passions and happily let each other indulge in them alone.  Where many couples insist on being together all the time, we have never subscribed to putting each other through the tortures of enduring things like my music or her love of dancing to English 90s pop!

Since I’ve stopped drinking so much this has made it a little difficult for us to go together for a night out though I do submit from time to time.

I took this picture because I’m hoping that some of these mangoes get to their full potential this year.  The whole tree is sprouting like never before. But a couple already got blown off by the storms over the last couple of nights.

Family And Friends – 17th March 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

You may choose your friends
Come and go as depends
One starts, another ends
– Everything you could wish for

Family is a tricky game
Bonded purely by a name
Changing yet always the same
– So frustrating to deal with

Sometimes they comfort bring
Without saying anything
Soothing any dreadful sting
– Family and friends

Submitted to Ovi Poetry Challenge at RonovanWrites

Today I’m feeling:

Pretty flat and tired. Less dizzy than yesterday and my brain seems to be functioning reasonably well but I’m lacking energy and motivation.

Today I’m grateful for:

Two awesome coffees this morning where Nick was manning Utopia in Art and Noey’s absence.

The best thing about today was:

Watching the Swans beat Collingwood at the MCG (played on Friday) cheered me up, followed by watching the highlights of Ipswich beating Sheffield Wednesday 6-0.

As I was watching the AFL and thinking about how long I have followed certain sports teams and seeing how young they are, I was reminded of the time when I was the same age as the players and thinking I could’ve done that and that is 35 years ago now. Players have come and gone but the team maintains. How long will sports last into the future?

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

I’m not feeling particularly hungry today so I only ate some snacks but did finish off the chocolate almonds.

Something I learned today?

In the UK, the Tories have let slip their true intentions for Gaza: they want Israel’s genocide to continue for as long as possible and they are worried about peace because the genocide is hurting Labour in the polls.

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

I did so little today and of no real consequence but I did accidentally trap Tigger’s tail in the door and he was understandably upset. I hope he’s ok. I saw him outside later but wasn’t able to check.

With Art and Word – 6th March 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 2 Comments

With revolutionary thinking
We will knock down the wall
Of the Kool-Aid drinking
Prisoners in it’s thrall

Rise up from your slumber
Take up your arms
You are many in number
Hearing the alarms

Battle with art and word
Against the unfairness absurd

Submitted to dVerse – Slumber
7th May 2024 – Submitted to FOWC with Fandango

Today I’m feeling:

Pretty positive though my shoulder is giving me some gip.  Something isn’t right in there and I can’t stretch or roll it out.  I’ve done very little arm exercising for the last couple of months and may just try and push through the pain to get back to it.

Today I’m grateful for:

Amy and everything she does to make our house a home. I don’t want to take her for granted.

The best thing about today was:

My grade 10s not turning up for class allowing me time to organise another classes’ worksheets, staple them together and gift them back to the students. I felt good doing that, even if they just throw their work away. At least I made the effort to present their work back to them at the end of the semester.

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

I lost my cool with Amy when she got overexuberant whilst drunk. She was in a good mood and playful but I was tired and eating and when I didn’t know what she was doing as she tried to put her fingers in my mouth I pushed her arm away. Unfortunately that then set her off and blew up into a fight. Now we are both in a bad mood.

I will try to make her feel better but also just feel like going to bed and sleeping already. I don’t have much patience for drunken antics these days, I’m old and tired when it comes to that. It doesn’t fill me with excitement anymore.

Something I learned today?

2024 marks a special year for cicadas in the USA. It is the first time since 1803 that two specific broods of cicadas (one that emerges every 13 years, and one that emerges every 17) should be emerging together. This co-emergence won’t happen again for another 221 years.

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

My vile deed was pushing Amy’s arm away and initiating a tiff. I should have been (even) more patient or be more assertive in a different manner.

I bought some cream chup-a-chups to give to my grade 9 students for their graduation ceremony tomorrow.

I took this picture because I got home to melting cats (again!)