Tag: Wasting Time

Difficult Days – 31st August 2023

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Give me a bad day
To show you who I am
Disturb my applecart
And mess with my plan

Look at you, all smiles
The sun, it always shines
The measure of the man
Is found in difficult times

An easy day for me
Fills me with compassion
For those facing struggle
And life comes down a-crashing

So give me a bad day
I’m gonna turn it around
Enduring all the pain
With this attitude I’ve found

Today I’m feeling:

Good for pushing through exercise this morning setting me up for my long day ahead. I’m starting to run out of time each day doing all the things I want to do and I think something is going to have to go and that will be TV and YouTube videos. I’m already cutting down just because of lack of time. Focus on the things I really prefer and enjoy to be doing. Stop wasting time.

Today I’m grateful for:

The language learning app Drops which I use to study Thai but which I have also asked a couple of my poorer students, Namsai and Nomsen, to use to study English and they checked it out this afternoon and seemed find it a little more compelling than Duolingo. I will introduce more of my classes to Drops instead and in the future. I think it is a slightly better learning tool despite not offering any opportunities to speak.

The best thing about today was:

Kinda improvising a lesson with one of my classes today and having it go really well. 

The original lesson I had planned wasn’t going to be long enough so I picked up a worksheet about ordinal numbers (they always struggle when asked what the date is) that could fill up the time. I started with it as I was expecting it to only take a few minutes. 

As they were getting themselves used to ordinal numbers I figured a best way to remember them was by doing birthdays so I went around the class asking everyone and writing them on the board. I noticed some smart students grabbing pictures so they could remember their classmate’s birthdays.

Once we had all the birthdays I got everyone and asked them to form a line from the first birthday of the year to the last and then spent 10 minutes sorting themselves out and finally I took a photo of them all.

By now time was too short to finish my planned lesson too. So I got them all to write the list of names in the order that had just just stood. This took them a good thirty minutes and I could see everyone puzzling out which name came next until finally they were done. To end, a long Kahoot to reinforce their learning. Everyone was happy and maybe they even learned something.

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

I decided I needed to catch up a handful of students in one class and the best way to do was to clear out the rest of the students so these ones could concentrate better. 

The class went well with the nine students, without all the usual distractions. They were initially a little miffed at their classmates going off for free time but soon understood the faster they got to it the sooner they’d be able to leave. 

With some slow careful explanations, I could see some twinkling of understanding in most of them. They finished with 30 minutes spare and off they went and off I went to House for extra coffee. 

Whilst I was there I got a message from our department head asking why my students were in the library at the time I was supposed to be teaching them. I got a little annoyed at this at first but I knew that it needed an explanation so I replied doing so. I didn’t get any reply.

Something I learned today?

Scientists have synthesised sugar out of carbon dioxide. Neat!

I took this picture because I wanted a record of the kids doing today’s lesson and lining up in birthday order. There are a few hilarious kids in this class and I hope this picture will be a useful reminder.

Sold To The Highest Buddha – 26th June 2023

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

There’s money to be made
If you repack old Deepak
A rewrite of insight
A new cover displayed 
Brand is a brand
A mix of old tricks
A bird in the bush
Worth two in the hand
And so we gots
All the words of Watts
That always made great sense
A new guru on Hulu
Selling a finger of ginger
For the most ridiculous expense
This week’s wisdom to counter fail
Stacks up as unread mail
But Sadhguru has no care
His followers split 
And now do sit
In their very own golden chair

Today I’m feeling:

Full up after eating two baked potatoes and a whole tub of ice cream. I slept well and got up and got going. My finger still hurts a lot but I’m trying to ignore it and just continue as normal. 

Today I’m grateful for:

My umbrella that was next to useless in trying to keep me cool standing out in the middle of the football field. At least it kept the sun off my skin somewhat. Now I’m sitting in the shade but my shirt is soaked through with sweat already. Welcome to scout week.

The best thing about today was:

Feeling pretty laid back and enjoying my more recently found ability to go with the flow in situations such as today. David was railing against it just like I used to and I had to remind him to relax. He said he needs to know what’s going on and needs to structure. I told him that this is not the place for that.

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

This morning I spent two hours hanging around at school just to hold my arms out for five seconds to line up the primary students. I was improperly trained for about twenty seconds in how to hold my arms out. I did a great job!
I forced myself to enjoy this colossal waste of time even knowing that I will have to do something similar for the next two days too,

Something I learned today?

I’ve been quite impressed with Yuval Noah Hariri’s book Sapiens so I went looking for videos of his and was quite shocked to find that supposed Christians resort to calling him the anti-Christ! His offence (in the video I saw) was just saying that AI has the ability to start its own religion and to write its own Bible. What seems like a straightforward suggestion to me seemed to trigger many dogmatic non-thinkers, those tied up in the narrative that there can only be one god and that he is mostly white and lives in America. I’m projecting a little with that last sentence but it smacks of ignorance that falls into a particular stereotype that appeals to me.

What are the most important relationships in my life?

Number one is my relationship with myself. If I keep that running smoothly all other relationships will take care of themselves.

I took this picture because sometimes I just find Tangmo outside the door patiently waiting for attention. I’m trying to give him less often but he keeps coming back until I shut the gate.

Run For Your Life – 21st May 2023

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Every second that passes is paid for with your life
Even the smallest moments await your attention
You’re not getting back the time you waste each day
Are you living for the photo or living with intention?

Today I’m feeling:

A bit more awake and inspired. Amy’s parents were here when I got back from coffee and I could feel the influence of them just being here had on me. It’s a good stress to have to interact with people otherwise I would keep losing that capability. I have to force myself out and confront my considered deficiencies. I am totally happy by myself but also mustn’t completely cut myself off from the world. This is one thing that makes the stress of being around Amy and her giving me tasks, as I mentioned yesterday, appreciate her even if they are things is rather do in my own time. I understand myself and I think Amy understands me too.

Today I’m grateful for:

The apps I mentioned yesterday, reminding me to practice more Thai. I’ve set myself a target to learn the months and hopefully impress Amy ( I know it won’t but it’s something to aim for anyway). The Duo Cards app is pretty good for this task.

The best thing about today was:

Watching the Swans game on the big tv whilst ironing. It looked like we were going to lose against North Melbourne who are one of the worst teams in the competition. It was only an interchange infringement in the last 30 seconds that helped us win by getting a free kick and kicking a goal. A win’s a win but that was a shit showing. Admittedly we are without about six of our top players due to injury. We won’t be playing finals this year.

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

I was due to have the back door fixed this morning after coming back from coffee but then Amy sent a message saying her dad was coming back to do it properly this time. I told her there was no need as I could do it but she insisted which frustrated me a little. I want to feel a little bit useful at least! Eventually, I resigned myself to letting it go and he did come and do a good job which also reminded me of myself as I considered why he didn’t do it properly in the first place and save himself time. But that is something I have done many times and have mostly learned to not make this mistake, depending on the task. As with everything any criticism projected outward should be considered through an inward filter first. We are very capable of highlighting the faults of others before highlighting our own.

Something I learned today?

I’ve been binge-watching the Bad Friends podcast and today I dug a little into Bobby Lee’s break-up with his long-time girlfriend. It is both fascinating gossip and celebrity promotion. They are all narcissistic to some degree (we all are really) and what I found interesting is how people comment on the videos as if they know exactly what is happening in these people’s lives. I sympathise with Bobby Lee somewhat as I think we share some personality traits.
Thinking about that more I guess we sympathise with the similar traits we see in others and maybe I excuse or ignore those that we don’t like.

What am I thankful for today?

I’m thankful that Amy’s dad came back to fix the door and her mum did some morning watering. I’m thankful to Noey for doing her best at making me coffee and saying she would buy some milk to practice more, adding ‘just for you’ which made me feel good whether it’s true or not. I’m actually wondering if she might be a good choice for a cat sitter for us. I’ll find out more.

Anchan took this picture on Friday because she was taking a video in the auditorium where all the English Program students were gathered. I asked her if she had a picture of me and Ren together and she sent me the video that I took this capture from. He’s a character for sure and I want to find out more about him.

Don’t Let Go – 1st May 2023

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

We don’t want to let go of our dreams
Those were the best days we ever had
But nothing is quite what it seems
Until we compare the good with the bad

What we need is a switching of scenes
And a reminder of what it’s like to feel sad
Remember that feeling from our teens
When our impulses forever drove us mad?

4th Apr 2024 – Submitted to FOWC with Fandango

Today I’m feeling:

A bit tired from late sleep last night and trying to get up early though I kind of failed with that. I got some shopping in this morning that was a bit of a struggle to push myself to do. Getting home at lunchtime meant the day felt like it has gone quickly but I got various bits and pieces done and so don’t feel like I’ve wasted time.

Today I’m grateful for:

Finding the small packets of pickled chilli and chilli in fish sauce that most restaurants have, whilst at Makro. They are bulk buys and I don’t need them often but they were only 30 baht for each pack of 100. And they won’t go off either.

The best thing about today was:

Having both Cap and Tig wanting to be around with me in the living room. It’s unusual for Tigger but I think he really enjoys the attention I’ve been giving him with brushing him a lot.

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

Whilst I was out shopping I thought I might as well go to the bank to get a new bank book but if forgotten that today is another holiday so they were closed. I didn’t get upset despite it being time wasted. Just one of those things.

Something I learned today?

I finally found a solution for my iCloud problem I mentioned the other day. Unfortunately, it was a workaround rather than a fix and the workaround caused me a bunch of extra setting up of other things. At the end of the day though I’m glad I got it working because it was an annoying bug that didn’t make sense and was confusing me a lot!

What do I want to focus on this month?

This month I need to focus back on the classroom. Staying calm under pressure and being the best teacher I can be for my students. It’s been a long and difficult break for me and it takes me a while to get back up to speed. I need to remember the mistakes I made last year and be smart enough to know how to avoid them. Slow and steady. Remind myself that there is no rush.


I took this picture because Tigger hid his face in shame after I discovered he’d peed on the folding mattress again! Fucking fuck! He keeps coming for a complete body brush though and his coat feels fantastic.

Get Hit – 11th April 2023

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

On a journey through time, we get hit
In the end, we all get what we deserve
Not the answers we wanted to hear
Cling steady to the shore, hold your nerve
The messages are all around us
Knocking at the doors in the night
One view in the mirror, full of fear
The other, a grimace of delight
The game plays a man in a collar
Against the promise of avoiding the pit
In the end, we all get what we deserve
On a journey through time, we get hit

Today I’m feeling:

Calm and a little deflated. I don’t think I got to sleep until past 3 am so it was difficult to get up this morning. My whole cycle is shifting but I’d prefer to be getting up early and sleeping earlier.

Today I’m grateful for:

There being 19 more days of holiday. I hope I can get myself back together in this time. I’m vaguely optimistic about the forthcoming semester.

The best thing about today was:

It took me a long time to get to sleep in the early hours this morning but I did enjoy the transition period from lucid dreaming into deep sleep.

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

I don’t have much to contribute today. I’m not so enthusiastic about anything. Nothing bad or out of control has happened. It’s a little boring. I feel like I’m just wasting time at the moment which isn’t really a good state of mind to be in. 

Something I learned today?

There’s a punk rock museum in Las Vegas. I’m conflicted about it. It’s fascinating and grossly commercial. It has a typical North American promotion that feels greasy.


I took this picture because this is the fishing lake opposite Lake Hill Resort that has changed so much since I got here. This picture is from last week. Still no new pictures as it’s difficult whilst there is so much smoke in the air and everything is so dry and grey/yellow. Everything and everyone is waiting for rain.

Picture Perfect – 9th December 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

On the brightest sunshine day
An egg was cracked on her stomach
Sparks shot off the white
As the yolk glistened in the light
A photograph was taken
To recall this perfect sight

Inspired by Mona Arshi

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for the tests of when things go wrong or not as you plan. Living in Thailand has taught me even more about patience and acceptance.

I’ve had a bunch of ideas float in and out and away this morning. I powered through my abs workout knowing that tomorrow is a rest day. I feel good and warmer this morning, despite the cool air.

Yesterday I drove over to Matt’s but couldn’t muster him whilst at the gate despite calling on Messenger and ringing the two bells. Later, he told me I could honk the horn but it’s so peaceful out in the countryside that it feels offensive to my ears to do such a thing. He also gave me his phone number – something so unusual these days that I wondered why! The only person I ever call on a normal phone is Amy.

Telling this story to Fui this morning, we both confirmed that we could remember phone numbers from our childhood still. 001144202881404! Crazy.

I didn’t hang around at Matt’s cos I had to do some printing at school but when I got back, the printer didn’t work and I couldn’t figure out why. It was only later that I realised that the power was off in the whole area! First rule of tech support! Got power?

I went home soon after cos I couldn’t heat up my lunch in the microwave.

After looking at these off white lined pages, my eyes struggle to readjust to the computer screen. I should take a break. Stretch. Go for a walk. Will I? Maybe not.

I have a couple more hours to plough through my backlog of reading. So many things interest and inspire me these days. There are so many fascinating stories.

I was struck by this Seneca quote today, “No person hands out their money to passersby, but to how many do each of us hand out our lives!? We’re tight-fisted with property and money, yet think too little of wasting time, the one thing about which we should all be the toughest misers.” I think this thinking could be a little why I don’t have or need many friends.

Of course, I still waste some of my time, or reconsider my definition. Everyone will have a different definition but no one, me included, should criticise another for what they may consider a waste of time. Disagree, for sure, but follow your way, not that of others.

Poems on this day – 18th June 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Hangover

I wonder where
I left my underwear
My socks are wet
Why? I forget
Ugh! Back to sleep
Drifting deep
Think more later
Drink more later
Go back under
Where’s my wonder?

Wasting Time

When someone wants to waste your time
Be ready and bring something else to mind
There’s plenty of things to do and find
Wasting time – it’s yours to lose
There’s so many things you can use
It’s always there for you to choose

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful that I woke up this morning, early in the morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. I was thinking too much and I hope I got it all done so that I don’t keep thinking too much during the day.