tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263922262024-03-14T18:41:57.326+09:00Finely Tuned In BabylonA CATCH-ALL BLOG EXPERIMENTGrimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880661460772940646noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-47928121074087897722023-02-06T07:56:00.000+09:002023-02-10T08:24:21.849+09:00Hope is more than tobacco<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: yellow; text-align: center;">Hope is more than tobacco</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV3_lNXGoM-KCN_F6gj_lS2XWel1cl4G7dh2Z_4cJJ9sF4DCxSI6RwgMgjKXTOFgfPrOnEIFAZMQ7eUyUNOKjMrvTHmTtQ6zpiR0RfU3qisewKD9bKIYDVcxuzVdQIRmUA2QzkOKl1PQZ07tlN8kSlNHKzWNA4hrjW2LbQpyY_iZN2ww6-Q/s319/Hope_cigarette_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="314" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV3_lNXGoM-KCN_F6gj_lS2XWel1cl4G7dh2Z_4cJJ9sF4DCxSI6RwgMgjKXTOFgfPrOnEIFAZMQ7eUyUNOKjMrvTHmTtQ6zpiR0RfU3qisewKD9bKIYDVcxuzVdQIRmUA2QzkOKl1PQZ07tlN8kSlNHKzWNA4hrjW2LbQpyY_iZN2ww6-Q/w143-h145/Hope_cigarette_02.JPG" width="143" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I’ve got a woman </b></div></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">And <i>they</i> fulfilled
my dreams<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Gave me love and
trouble<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">In equal means<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p>* </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hope rises
wherever I go<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">in this capital
place,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">It's not just the tobacco<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">It’s their never ending face<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>*</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Soft white pompoms
dangle</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>round their business suit
neck</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Notetaking &
munching<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">turning me into a </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">train
wreck<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>*</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Su served my
order, oblivious</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">to changes on the
menu<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">“C setto unavailable” says another</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">And neither am I</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">*<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Unavailable for Pompom </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Unavailable for Su <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">For </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">I've got a woman and </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">in equal means:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">*</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>They gave me love and
trouble</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>and fulfilled my
dreams</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">I’ve got a woman who I love</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">* </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Grimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880661460772940646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-76060267418373598502023-02-05T11:11:00.016+09:002023-02-10T08:32:09.973+09:00Irish landlord<p style="text-align: center;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBeDWbjOyeEv49LdsAj0TeLppI6-oJ2SVgoz8Qoj-cxOBj43X3Pr4xB6BK6LqguXvkI-voZLB59RN5OVMN9rHDWntq0RxnFwIgbRziq_VwH9x7SS1vHGAAzAglhXMHG_Z0iouKK1pp-Ad8Uvb5CVe9bwfszpIrSYKyWxMQQRVkV0osSY14g/s711/Irish_landlord_begging_for_rent.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="711" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBeDWbjOyeEv49LdsAj0TeLppI6-oJ2SVgoz8Qoj-cxOBj43X3Pr4xB6BK6LqguXvkI-voZLB59RN5OVMN9rHDWntq0RxnFwIgbRziq_VwH9x7SS1vHGAAzAglhXMHG_Z0iouKK1pp-Ad8Uvb5CVe9bwfszpIrSYKyWxMQQRVkV0osSY14g/w218-h196/Irish_landlord_begging_for_rent.jpg" width="218" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Since we handed over the keys to an Irish landlord</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">the mood has been lightened;</p><p style="text-align: center;">Kennedy changed the gears,</p><p style="text-align: center;">introduced Dublin-made-parts</p><p style="text-align: center;">And all parts tightened.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">All seemed right with our earnest Irish landlord</p><p style="text-align: center;">But suddenly the screws were loose</p><p style="text-align: center;">and Sean made the House rough</p><p style="text-align: center;">Old Marquis wouldn't recognise the place</p><p style="text-align: center;">if he watches from his distant caboose</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Looking upwards thanks to our trusty landlord</p><p style="text-align: center;">The league's too small for our Dublin Framework</p><p style="text-align: center;">Duffy and Erhahon primed and ready</p><p style="text-align: center;">& the bank will soon look palatial:</p><p style="text-align: center;">*</p><p style="text-align: center;">This Anglo-Irish agreement will surely work</p><div style="text-align: center;">*</div><p></p>Grimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880661460772940646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-31630637435324212512023-02-04T11:03:00.003+09:002023-02-04T11:51:58.824+09:00Pixie Perfect<div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Pixie Perfect</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qL54XMRgrnMXmAbZhKchWi63ByuOk1VbYcggULmm29GapD8zy3EVKjTLttzeejlYIuTsIiQc3BCB1bLC0wHZ1PYeQj7EvfxFW6lcvIEWj_6Hjli0Myg5uJZ6F4JnxWgJ3BLXLtI6ZdovF5pyXBc1XBptSu36-WhEpY_V01agrNZaqT_AXQ/s208/Picture1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="208" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qL54XMRgrnMXmAbZhKchWi63ByuOk1VbYcggULmm29GapD8zy3EVKjTLttzeejlYIuTsIiQc3BCB1bLC0wHZ1PYeQj7EvfxFW6lcvIEWj_6Hjli0Myg5uJZ6F4JnxWgJ3BLXLtI6ZdovF5pyXBc1XBptSu36-WhEpY_V01agrNZaqT_AXQ/s1600/Picture1.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Izumi saved my day</div><div style="text-align: center;">which started at a canter in <i>10</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Coffees in and doubt soon outed</div><div style="text-align: center;">Q codes offering a fine fine brew</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I sailed swift though Babylon</div><div style="text-align: center;">lacking aim or purpose strong</div><div style="text-align: center;">Needing a place to dock</div><div style="text-align: center;">sing song rock </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(drown the ever-present tick tock)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Izumi was there waiting</div><div style="text-align: center;">Neither to rock nor to mock</div><div style="text-align: center;">But to regale True Tales</div><div style="text-align: center;">of popular cats with similar sounds:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lawrence and Rollins</div><div style="text-align: center;">Collins and Frame</div><div style="text-align: center;">Keiji Haino </div><div style="text-align: center;">Unspeakable winos</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Her pastels painted a popular pitch</div><div style="text-align: center;">Much to my taste and for which?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mizutani? Nakatani? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I tell you Sunny:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Izumi </div><div style="text-align: center;">You saved my day</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Grimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880661460772940646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-20373716792307308402023-02-03T17:09:00.005+09:002023-02-03T17:45:29.367+09:00Banking Berk<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Banking Berk</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vvy68x_xhZaukXQQTNOE4VrGxgq5Krc7eIFEcYa1rlHxVXzXAISxVu-EEQ5bX8SBIg23KI4xm1r_dJQc7Xoszgp6O_s2bcbxoD_htT2E6PNVxPuOCZ1US0Ml4F1jvMHPASNyRkNCy6gHDoCLrtBt9p29LTSz0SU9qZVnX-JisevfsZjxCg/s600/forget.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vvy68x_xhZaukXQQTNOE4VrGxgq5Krc7eIFEcYa1rlHxVXzXAISxVu-EEQ5bX8SBIg23KI4xm1r_dJQc7Xoszgp6O_s2bcbxoD_htT2E6PNVxPuOCZ1US0Ml4F1jvMHPASNyRkNCy6gHDoCLrtBt9p29LTSz0SU9qZVnX-JisevfsZjxCg/w257-h171/forget.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Banking Work</p><p style="text-align: center;">Sue me Tomi and screw me Tomoko</p><p style="text-align: center;">Stew of Kiki and nails of Galileo</p><p style="text-align: center;">The shame was intense</p><p style="text-align: center;">The shame did humiliate</p><p style="text-align: center;">Taking us over.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Shame as I forgot sets of numbers </p><p style="text-align: center;">Passwords escaping recall</p><p style="text-align: center;">Ansho bangos that I used daily</p><p style="text-align: center;">in multiple types of shopping mall</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">But I forgot </p><p style="text-align: center;">And clouds appeared in my eyes</p><p style="text-align: center;">"He might as well be in a cot</p><p style="text-align: center;">A mother coddling him in her thighs."</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is indeed what you have got</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The finale of thousands of choices made (not)</p><p style="text-align: center;">that unless you fix will make you fade</p><p style="text-align: center;">And make the lack of banking work</p><p style="text-align: center;">turn you into a </p><p style="text-align: center;">24-carat berk.</p>Grimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880661460772940646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-61813204266446575172023-02-02T08:30:00.009+09:002023-02-02T09:02:37.178+09:00Unaffordable justice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqmzmTN4ZEoq7f_B7Ca0JJSIwTXaPwBC1PHnJ1MeWo6RRRa0RERUo7qd9POpczcsZ3xXjHACQUm0dioN_t-2AFJx-AbG4BIDyfNJjX3-lRHKwccrMGiDdAm5m6hDbDmgGFAH217OWKJURmCU6RSQG-Xk0tImLeMKJph1KMck95sZaC8knvw/s2880/KIMG1675.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="1620" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqmzmTN4ZEoq7f_B7Ca0JJSIwTXaPwBC1PHnJ1MeWo6RRRa0RERUo7qd9POpczcsZ3xXjHACQUm0dioN_t-2AFJx-AbG4BIDyfNJjX3-lRHKwccrMGiDdAm5m6hDbDmgGFAH217OWKJURmCU6RSQG-Xk0tImLeMKJph1KMck95sZaC8knvw/w180-h222/KIMG1675.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The quest for cosmic justice?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Broken.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A GRE General Test book?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bespoken</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(but not for me)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Past dreams gone off to Book Off ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for free</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No credits nor payment requested</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Utopian</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(only way I can be)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No property: I can't go home </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">unless I become an Ibis Hotel Man;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No security: warmth withheld </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In hands pulled towards me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Am I so wrong to worry about </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Security in Old Age</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">when the agency in my hands </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">is crumbling?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Was I so wrong </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to choose to be landlocked </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in love's eternal trap?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I shall not shake;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For love's untidy evidence </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">walks towards me </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Requiring more cash!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's the Way of the World</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Payment to The System</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No, there ain't no </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cosmic Justice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> my friend</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not in this life, anyway,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The blessings I've had though!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who cares if I </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">give much away</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for free?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***</div>Grimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880661460772940646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-15207666658398333492023-02-01T10:19:00.012+09:002023-02-02T08:56:41.987+09:00Banks of Light<div style="text-align: center;">BANKS OF LIGHT</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08SmytA2bBIaWdcUnyOAL9pbnme-o1fs10zgdTKb9rCYtSHcXcS-R1e9jCiTeC5yHb3ieTOW8g9UOo1Zq5pgavXD37o6os_Zw5IylRmE7mfjWljpfHIv8L11F6QA0BiNujSVYxu8uEu2f5DmRW9c1IctRIYb_pMq_LYEShWupfYBkn_kFdQ/s202/EdieS2010223.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08SmytA2bBIaWdcUnyOAL9pbnme-o1fs10zgdTKb9rCYtSHcXcS-R1e9jCiTeC5yHb3ieTOW8g9UOo1Zq5pgavXD37o6os_Zw5IylRmE7mfjWljpfHIv8L11F6QA0BiNujSVYxu8uEu2f5DmRW9c1IctRIYb_pMq_LYEShWupfYBkn_kFdQ/s320/EdieS2010223.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">A TIME OF ABRAHAM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lucy's eyes glistened on the bank</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">as we walked to the nettled library</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>***</div><div><br /></div><div>So we went off together...</div><div><br /></div><div>***</div></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A TIME OF CHRIST</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kate's glittering jewels far outranked</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the joy of viewing Match of the Day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A TIME OF MO KUN</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hiro's hips sank him in a pleasure cell</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">where joy is standardised and free</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A TIME OF LUCIFER</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rika's moves promised unfettered, well ...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the value of which I Wouldn't See</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I went off her...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mo slaughted Lucifer, </div><div style="text-align: center;">powered by the energies </div><div style="text-align: center;">of Abraham and Christ</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
Grimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880661460772940646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-82300653135862713002023-01-31T14:39:00.006+09:002023-01-31T15:14:39.393+09:00Putsch back<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Peaceful handover</b> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/183583-050-B79EFF03/World-Data-Locator-Map-Argentina.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="800" height="144" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/183583-050-B79EFF03/World-Data-Locator-Map-Argentina.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">A Gentleman Dude did take over</p><p style="text-align: center;">the reins of an International Body;</p><p style="text-align: center;">Renowned for work done, the dude</p><p style="text-align: center;">brought Middle Eastern delight in Year 1,</p><p style="text-align: center;"> South American success in Year 2;</p><p style="text-align: center;">Staging an audacious</p><p style="text-align: center;">Quadruple</p><p style="text-align: center;">coup</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Putsch on</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WjMGTQvXL._SX260_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="260" height="189" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WjMGTQvXL._SX260_.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Then one fine Spring day in Year 3</p><p style="text-align: center;">he awoke to find slimy tentacles </p><p style="text-align: center;">Sucking at his legs & neck</p><p style="text-align: center;">Beer-swigging octopi manifesting themselves</p><p style="text-align: center;">as COVID ravaged sense & sanity. </p><p style="text-align: center;">And a HQ grounded our Caracan plan.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Fatal? Well</p><p style="text-align: center;">a memorial was held ...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Putsch it away</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2021/05/18/20210518p2a00m0na001000p/9.jpg?1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="201" src="https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2021/05/18/20210518p2a00m0na001000p/9.jpg?1" width="357" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Octopi bites around his jugular; grenade wound to his groin</p><p style="text-align: center;">he enlisted a 60-Man-team in Year 4</p><p style="text-align: center;">to work in DCR and Madder Gascar</p><p style="text-align: center;">But ruptions appeared fast in new bodies</p><p style="text-align: center;">In deserts come desertion; duplicities; </p><p style="text-align: center;">Explosions: 30 Men returned; 30-Man still MIA</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">(HQ act to paper-push between themselves)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">"Hey guys: for now </p><p style="text-align: center;">it seems that </p><p style="text-align: center;">The <b>putsch </b>is<b> </b><b>off</b>..."</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">But human nature and agendas</p><p style="text-align: center;">being </p><p style="text-align: center;">what they are </p><p style="text-align: center;">...</p>Grimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880661460772940646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-67003342692403821412023-01-30T09:54:00.016+09:002023-02-01T10:53:30.449+09:00Inner Greta?<p style="text-align: center;"> <u><b><span style="font-size: medium;">My Inner Gaza</span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDNb12WB1odT1bUxdH6R8DTkaSCgJlcDo6D5iXqB89pfCPvtHnSGfVQsoursbkq32KltNT3LNgyOtRF90Rha-g6YsKdz5IM51iRdDBtTh45p6RkDGsK96DtgRrNdM0mmJCC_EWOMgTiskeUQ6fdSug8LKJC5VRI9VTk-BgSP60qSNdatllg/s1390/overcome-anger-28582749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="1300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDNb12WB1odT1bUxdH6R8DTkaSCgJlcDo6D5iXqB89pfCPvtHnSGfVQsoursbkq32KltNT3LNgyOtRF90Rha-g6YsKdz5IM51iRdDBtTh45p6RkDGsK96DtgRrNdM0mmJCC_EWOMgTiskeUQ6fdSug8LKJC5VRI9VTk-BgSP60qSNdatllg/w187-h200/overcome-anger-28582749.jpg" width="187" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Commuting from Yamamba-land</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">to Joyoda</span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><b style="font-size: large;">this morning</b><span style="font-size: large;">,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I couldn't hep but wonder </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">if today would be <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">a day of</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">my inner Greta </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">or of </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">my inner Gaza</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I certainly felt something had been stolen</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">as I left the house</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and saw the car engine </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">warming up</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ready to take my son </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and his mates </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to Keio</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> (not to shop, but) </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to study</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Economical </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(not environmental) </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Matters</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">So today my Inner Gaza emerged </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And soon after I was </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Queue-Jumped<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By one canny crone <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">as I left Babylon;</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then I was Shove-Pushed</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By a feisty fox</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> alighting the Joyoda</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Impatient and craven</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both carried <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Brand-Name-Bags. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> If today </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">my Inner Greta </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">had been on show,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I would have just </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">taken it as a sign </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">of bad manners </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And preserved my Energy</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But she was asleep </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> and They Deserved a Response</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So my Inner Gaza </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Awakened<br /></span></p>Grimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880661460772940646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-81088057781509496462023-01-29T13:55:00.043+09:002023-01-30T00:40:58.969+09:00Receipts <p style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Use those paper receipts while you can</u></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-szp7nIcXXHxHfad9Xr-ww4vWyNaSdhrOqERTU6Qm-X3TNKfDnDt4AcLmckhfVk4v4-svFHogT6XPcHYyh0FSnKrN5pBGqx1SD6LEXyDzUAce4o08G7n9Mz5cXTDIzC-bor-yYr4zAjQ7TmOcqL9HSBfGK065O7IaaOVxlTBBgDPv_IbbA/s3697/KIMG1656.JPG" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3697" data-original-width="1357" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-szp7nIcXXHxHfad9Xr-ww4vWyNaSdhrOqERTU6Qm-X3TNKfDnDt4AcLmckhfVk4v4-svFHogT6XPcHYyh0FSnKrN5pBGqx1SD6LEXyDzUAce4o08G7n9Mz5cXTDIzC-bor-yYr4zAjQ7TmOcqL9HSBfGK065O7IaaOVxlTBBgDPv_IbbA/w265-h200/KIMG1656.JPG" width="265" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Use those paper receipts while you can</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Because soon you'll be hankering after them;</p><p style="text-align: center;">Remnants of a Shopping Culture </p><p style="text-align: center;">that you will soon</p><p style="text-align: center;">Romanticise</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Use them to make lists, to scribble drawings,</p><p style="text-align: center;">to do Anything</p><p style="text-align: center;">Other than ignoring them; </p><p style="text-align: center;">And throwing them in the bin.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Ideal Objects to kickstart your own </p><p style="text-align: center;">Inner Greta </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">No! Not your inner grotto.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Don't let cynicism despoil you</p><p style="text-align: center;">And blind you to realities being spoiled right now</p><p style="text-align: center;">No! Those paper receipts are </p><p style="text-align: center;">A Way In to Create </p><p style="text-align: center;">A New You </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">So</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Use those paper receipts </b><b>while you can</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRyqlYyTMv-BJF5kT8tNTK0bBDjK_IZglqoUygGw-vylL1sG2Z3n-Lnj2ryX2Nosez8go8EvQL7EQ8Io3wrGw3yG7d1rR1eO8uqY7QosuLd1gwCavnc0l51emj76i1KAPJ2qzIeLizA7QiRFhcAT2r0IrswtfKYN7uLFBEf8tFcZhIgdOsQ/s3697/KIMG1656.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3697" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRyqlYyTMv-BJF5kT8tNTK0bBDjK_IZglqoUygGw-vylL1sG2Z3n-Lnj2ryX2Nosez8go8EvQL7EQ8Io3wrGw3yG7d1rR1eO8uqY7QosuLd1gwCavnc0l51emj76i1KAPJ2qzIeLizA7QiRFhcAT2r0IrswtfKYN7uLFBEf8tFcZhIgdOsQ/s320/KIMG1656.JPG" width="117" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p>Grimohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880661460772940646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-64114450742311639732008-11-08T20:01:00.121+09:002023-01-31T15:06:43.199+09:00@515 (2008)<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJ4KvPkV42jJJzbI0yyI_J2bgMzsXpxYZVwW1o637xtbQC-ood_MYLVFUOYKWDpUx9G_JjZqOOBoLDeVF3BFqM8c6dDoSIrthcim0fVMm3Do0vcfO1b5mmHlhd__llIkEoIWr/s1600-h/081103_1551~01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266240836315742274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJ4KvPkV42jJJzbI0yyI_J2bgMzsXpxYZVwW1o637xtbQC-ood_MYLVFUOYKWDpUx9G_JjZqOOBoLDeVF3BFqM8c6dDoSIrthcim0fVMm3Do0vcfO1b5mmHlhd__llIkEoIWr/w240-h400/081103_1551~01.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 120px;" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He wakes me without fail at 515</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">for football practice </div><div style="text-align: center;">with the boys of FC Sixth: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> the sports club-come-</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">sarker</i><span style="text-align: left;"> team </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Waking me </span><span style="text-align: left;">to practice </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">feints and scissors;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Waking me </span><span style="text-align: left;">to practice </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">volleys and sprints. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Shaking me </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Jumping on my back at 530, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Eyes fixed and following the hands on a </span><span style="text-align: left;">clock</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">("It's too early. </span><span style="text-align: left;">We should fall back to sleep.")</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">But to us</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">this unearthly time h</span><span style="text-align: left;">olds more importance </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">than 40 extra winks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">It gives us power to </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">cope with the </span><span style="text-align: left;">Rest of the Day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">with all His </span><span style="text-align: left;">Idiocy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">and Her Incomprehensibility</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">They surround o</span><span style="text-align: left;">ur worlds</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Right now though he </span><span style="text-align: left;">shouts to me in excitement</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">And my body can no longer resist</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Getting to the park</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We move like sharks; we move like leopards</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We move like vermin </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">as we </span><span style="text-align: left;">make the </span><span style="text-align: left;">inevitable dash </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">for the 711 ‘rice ball’</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">And the quick cycle dash </span><span style="text-align: left;">to </span><span style="text-align: left;">Toyama Park</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Where he </span><span style="text-align: left;">will strive for the next level, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Where he will surpass my fading s</span><span style="text-align: left;">occer skills </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> Association football </span><span style="text-align: left;">grabbed his imagination </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">and </span><span style="text-align: left;">he won’t be satisfied </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">until he can do </span><span style="text-align: left;">more ‘kick-ups’ </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">until he can do harder </span><span style="text-align: left;">‘rocket shots’ </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">than me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">It’s all good fun</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">But compared with mine childhood, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">council-housed with </span><span style="text-align: left;">front-and-back g</span><span style="text-align: left;">ardens; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">1-parent waiting at home: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">it’s tough </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I won't lie.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Its tough</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">But s</span><span style="text-align: left;">till </span><span style="text-align: left;">I wouldn’t change</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Him</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Or </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">Her </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">for the world. </span><i style="text-align: left;"> </i></div>Danny Tagaloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15899578338574197919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-15771710921943918952006-11-21T18:10:00.004+09:002023-01-29T20:14:40.993+09:00Uncanny Parallels<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/5794/3221/1600/157137/pa%20and%20evan.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/5794/3221/200/757100/pa%20and%20evan.jpg" style="cursor: hand; 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First written on 21 November 2006. 21 16.</div>
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<i></i><br /></div>
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<i>(Above: father and sons crushed fingers. Mine (crushed today); his (crushed yesterday).)</i></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Two uncanny coincidences occurred in the past two days.</u></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">It began when I crushed my sons middle and ring finger inside a closing door. I wanted to surprise him, and when he entered the house I hid in the bathroom. I awaited my chance. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hearing him walk towards the room, I roughly slammed the door. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately he had three fingers on or near one of the hinges. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He screamed the house down. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Ice and water stemmed the screams but the pain continued. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The pain remains.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The cause of the disaster met a parallel fate this afternoon.</b></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Rushing to cross a road with the lights on red, I tripped over and fell. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Luckily, an oncoming bus just missed missed me, but as I avoided it </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I crushed the self-same fingers between my knee and the tarmac. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My fingers were the filling; they were crushed without mercy: the self-same fingers on the self-same hand that my son had crushed the night before. Yesterday my son; today, me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It pained to write on the chalkboard at work. Right now, it pains to type. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I should rest, but its best to get this down before the thoughts disappear.</div></div><div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">You may question the worth of this coincidence. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">At least, the accident made my son laugh. He now understands <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude">schadenfreude</a>, too. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But was it more significant than that? </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Was it a form of cosmic justice? A little warning from the Power That Be. </div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">If it was the Cosmic Joker then you made me laugh (and cry). </div><div style="text-align: center;">I heed your call.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The strangeness continued. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">The second uncanny parallel came through the title of a text used in class: Richard Takes A Risk </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was about "Rick" taking a risk. He asked his boss for a raise but he didn't get it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wasn't asking for a raise, but I did riskily cross a road to save time. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And I risked my sons fingers in pursuit of laughter. I failed; </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I crushed his and my own fingers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No proof of anything supernatural or karmic, of course. Enough to raise the eyebrows of family and students though.....</div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude"></a></div></div>Danny Tagaloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15899578338574197919noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-1151779612093490942006-07-01T03:37:00.006+09:002023-02-10T08:41:54.563+09:00It's not all doom and gloom<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3579/2762/1600/ollyu.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3579/2762/320/ollyu.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><div>Lampard couldn't perform as he did for CFC, and Rooney was unfairly sent off. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are several reasons why England failed to beat Portugal and the two foremost ones are bad luck and poor refereeing. There's no point in blaming the 10 men who kept Portugal at bay for over 90 minutes. </div><div><br /></div><div>If anyone is to blame, then it is the Svengali setup. Those days will soon pass. So, let's look to the future. There will be no Beckham or Neville in South Africa. Let's look at Walcott et al, and the many youngsters who will come through in the next few years. The European Championship is coming up in 2 years too. Perhaps that could be Beckham and Owen's glorious swan song. </div><div><br /></div><div>We should have the same defense; we need a few reliable strikers. </div><div><br /></div><div>The pic is of Olly Chenh - who will be ready to represent England in about 2022: a potential superstar in the making!</div>Danny Tagaloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15899578338574197919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-55544190224621386552006-06-30T17:49:00.193+09:002023-01-31T18:32:07.847+09:00When Japan produced the strangest discordance<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2c/Les_Rallizes_D%C3%A9nud%C3%A9s_-_1974.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="379" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2c/Les_Rallizes_D%C3%A9nud%C3%A9s_-_1974.jpg"/></a></div>
Such a superficially happy place Japan seems today. No anger is displayed outwardly; and I feel little is felt inwardly. This can't be true. Dormant volcanoes bide their time after seeming inactive for centuries. The aftermath of rapid economic growth and the appearance of meat-munching middle-class offspring, whose height towers over westerners brought up on junk food, signal there has been a big change. Why wouldnt they be satisfied? Smiles are everywhere, which is good, what what?<br>
<br>
It's a long time since there were riots in Tokyo and Kyoto, and according to a colleague I spoke to last week this was mainly in protest of the Vietnam war. A generation tired of kowtowing to a foreign master exploded - for a short while. That foreign master has taken over the culture, though not the language. English is held at arms length and a Japaanising of English took place.<br>
<br>
Around the time of the above riots, the bass player from Les Rallizes Denudes is said to have taken part in the hijacking of a plane bound for Pyongyang. The singer was asked to participate - such was the groups connections to radical groups formed whilst at university - in terrorism. But who knows the truth? I suspect much is mythmaking. I don't even believe the story that they handed out
political texts to junior high school students for their concerts. How could such a group be invited to play to JHS students? If ir happened, what a treat for the creative!<br>
<br>
There is no sign of radicalism with today's students. Campuses without beer, few after-hours meetings, or even radio stations. No lingering on campuses either. Get them bussed out quick sharpish. Back in the 1970s, singer Takashi Mizutani suggested rebel culture existed. He wasnt merely aping Lou Reed and psychedelia as I first thought. His group veered into drone rock with texts tinged with subversiveness, which is hard to imagine coming from this current crop of eager-to-please conformists.
Maybe I'm not looking in the rite places?<br>
<br>
But yes, their music from this period was great. Les Rallizes Denudes, combo who had political links with a whole host of groups antagonistic to the state, and who functioned sporadically between 1967 and 1982. Julian Cope has just put a stream to a newish collection on his website, and, in a week when many are talking about the Jesus and Mary Chain revival, it's good to hear some music which covers the pure path they once trod.
Perhaps the Chain knew of Rallizes as a definite link is there. <br>
<br>
The savage guitar in the tracks mid-way through Fightless Bird tramples over the likes of Sonic Youth and the Chain, succeeding without question with Flames of Ice. Listening to (what I think is) Enter The Mirror/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Smokin</span>' Cigarette Blues/Flames of Ice is taking me back to the first time I heard certain groups that made inroads into taste buds. The only downer is that some tracks have been mastered from recordings of recordings released in small quantities or via bootlegged from their infrequent concerts.<br>
<br>
Flames of Ice: what a fantastic track!<br>
<br>
<a href="https://youtu.be/mYR0jjS7pSo?t=2360"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe class="BLOG_video_class" allowfullscreen="" youtube-src-id="mYR0jjS7pSo" width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mYR0jjS7pSo"></iframe></div></a> <br>
<br>
They didn't enter the business for money. No need for accountants. Deeply sinister with their repetitive simplistic bass riffs that splinter behind disconcertingly glassy lead guitars. I really didn't think such intense music could be created here - how wrong I was. The possibility of making such music will be drummed out of them through the schooling of most. Or maybe new foods have moulded their minds to be placid and content. Anyway,though I'm not going to rush out and buy all Rallizes' work, if only as it's too darn expensive, at least I'm aware of their splendid works, which take me back to the first rush from bands I've shared much of my life with. It's a relief (to me) that Japan didn't always have Stipey Smiley Happy People. <br>
<br>Danny Tagaloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15899578338574197919noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-1151070873581612922006-06-23T12:14:00.001+09:002023-02-07T12:16:03.038+09:00A RAVE participant ties the knot<div style="text-align: left;">A few words from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sharms</span> partner in <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15955191@N00/">Grime: </a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> "I've had the pleasure of knowing Mark since we both were selected to
train at <a href="http://www.impsight.co.uk/">Lincoln City <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FC'S</span> </a>. School of Excellence" in what must have been 1984 or 85? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Twenty years ago! And how we both have changed in those twenty years!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> I'm living in Tokyo now, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sharm's</span> carved a fantastic life in London. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He attended my wedding a few years ago, and unfortunately I am unable to attend his. But I can't let the occasion go without a few words.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...
I have much to thank Mark for, as our friendship has taken in some key life events for the both of us. I was lucky enough to work with him when his radio career began at university and drank in the same bars in Lincoln. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In all this, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sharm's</span> kindness and friendship has continually shone. And in many ways I would not be in the situation of living well in Tokyo without his influence. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Rewind 20 years and I was quite a scared, confused lad from Lincoln's finest council estate: St Giles. My peers were lived in Swift's gardens but the fierce bees that dwelled in many barn's there made it a rough place to reside.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But <span style="text-align: left;">friendship came with 1</span><span style="text-align: left;">2 year old Mark - he of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" style="text-align: left;">Westgate</span><span style="text-align: left;"> school, and through </span><span style="text-align: left;">him I created </span><span style="text-align: left;">, friendships with the likes of </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" style="text-align: left;">Huw</span><span style="text-align: left;">, Mont and </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" style="text-align: left;">Vaso. </span><span style="text-align: left;">I was able to make friendships outside of the St Giles.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">But the </span><span style="text-align: left;">catalyst was the manager of Lincoln City Under 13's: Ian "Willie" Wilson. He regularly picked us up for matches in his black Mini Metro. I became good friends with Mark as a result of this. We soon began to play football together at the field at the back of his mothers
house.
It was quite a culture shock for me, visiting mates on Lee Road. Mark and his mother (unlike other mothers) </span><span style="text-align: left;">dismissed any snobbery - and it was always there - t</span><span style="text-align: left;">owards my being a lad from a poor council estate made me most welcome.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I can confidently say that this was directly related to me passing my A'
levels and getting to university, and for that I cannot thank Mark enough. Seriously. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> Fast forward to 1995 and there was the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" style="text-align: left;">Sharm</span><span style="text-align: left;"> and Grime radio show at Hull University- something that allowed </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" style="text-align: left;">Sharm</span><span style="text-align: left;"> the chance to develop the talent he showed when recording the show for University Radio Hull. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" style="text-align: left;">Sharm</span><span style="text-align: left;"> introduced items that fitted with the laddish times: "Who Deserves A Good Kicking" as well as naturally taking a responsible managerial role for the program. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Without his professionalism, we wouldn't have become (as far as I know) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">the only programme who had the studio stormed with enthused fans, delighted with our mix of Meat Beat Manifesto, Iggy Pop, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the
Maiden. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> Looking back, it comes as no surprise that he has made such a success of his career so far. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">And here's to many more awards and success to both he and Melissa.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> Speaking of Melissa - that's one thing that's surprised me - how can a man who existed on cereal without milk and an aversion to all things green and healthy have pulled such a beauty! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Sorry Mark, but I couldn't see that one coming. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">But please eat your greens to stay healthy for the
lass! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> I can't let this brief speech go without mention of his goal against St </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" style="text-align: left;">Helens</span><span style="text-align: left;"> in 1987. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Playing for Lincoln City boys, </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" style="text-align: left;">Sharm</span><span style="text-align: left;"> had carved a reputation as being a predator within the penalty box, and scored quite a few timely goals. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">But ( and I wish someone had recorded this) nobody
could believe the goal he scored that day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">With a Chris </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" style="text-align: left;">Waddlesque</span><span style="text-align: left;"> dribbling technique he decided to take on the whole St. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" style="text-align: left;">Helens</span><span style="text-align: left;"> team.
Twice.
It could even have been thrice. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">What is certain is that it was the best individual goal I've ever seen. Think of the classic </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" style="text-align: left;">Maradona</span><span style="text-align: left;"> goal against England in 1990, and imagine </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" style="text-align: left;">Sharm</span><span style="text-align: left;"> gliding past not four defenders, but an entire team. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> Time stopped still as </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" style="text-align: left;">Sharm</span><span style="text-align: left;"> twisted and turned around players seemingly without concern for the goal he should have been aiming for. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">But he reached there, after covering almost every blade of grass in the St </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" style="text-align: left;">Helens</span><span style="text-align: left;"> half, and scored a
momentous goal. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> It's a shame he didn't do that more often, but possibly Mark's footballing fate was the reverse of Samson's fate. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" style="text-align: left;">Sharm</span><span style="text-align: left;"> should never have grown that Richard </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" style="text-align: left;">Reidesque</span><span style="text-align: left;"> mullet in the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" style="text-align: left;">Caysus</span><span style="text-align: left;"> Calling days. Growing the hair zapped his footballing power. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Yet perhaps football's
loss was the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" style="text-align: left;">BBC's</span><span style="text-align: left;"> gain. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> As you know, it's impossible for us to attend, but we wish you and Melissa the best on this splendid day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> Cheers!</span></div>Danny Tagaloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15899578338574197919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-1149997190569493162006-06-11T17:27:00.000+09:002023-02-03T17:28:59.148+09:00England did the job (2006)<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3579/2762/1600/_41749726_injury_getty416.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="153" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3579/2762/400/_41749726_injury_getty416.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify;" width="212" /></a><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The World Cup began two days ago after an opening ceremony that this disliker of all things pomp and glitter-like could actually tolerate. Seeing World Cup winners from the not too far and distant past participating in the parade made it earthy and less showbiz-like. English champions of 1966. Your presence knocked any showbiz glitz into touch. But better was Traditional German Dancing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Germany began well, even without the maestro Ballack unlike the Poles, who were shocked by the Ecuadorians. Not entirely unexpected because Ecuador defeated Brazil a few years back. And they possess the imagination and verve seemingly found with ease in South American teams.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">England? Despite hyperbole in the English press about England's chances of winning the trophy, I was uneasy before seeing them play Paraguay. Paraguay had taken the scalp of Argentina in the qualifying round. But Beckham et al actually won, though the performance seemed sluggish and uninspired. Owen went off injured, and Crouch was repeatedly (and unfairly) penalised by the Mexican referee. Supposedly John Motson attacked this ref, but I'm unsure, listeniong to Japanese commentary as I did. They, too, appeared to sympathise with Crouch. And we won. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Winning the first match is, of course, the main priority. Sweden drew against Trinidadians, so we merely need to overcome Yorke, Shaka Hislop and all to go through to the next round - where we will probably face Germany. Let us hope that Wayne Rooney recovery is as reported. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even a half-fit Wayne would strengthen the side. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before closing, I must add that I can't help but feel sympathy for the Paraguayans. Their keeper, Getty, played admirably. His injury, after conceding an own goal, made England's victory less than convincing. The game was a gift. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">World Cup began two days ago after an opening ceremony that this disliker of all things pomp and glitter-like could actually tolerate. Seeing World Cup winners from the not too far and distant past, participating in the parade, made it earthy and less showbiz-like. English champions of 1966. Your presence knocked any showbiz glitz into touch. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But better was Traditional German Dancing. Their began well, even without the maestro, Ballack, unlike the Poles, who were hocked by the Ecuadorians. Not entirely unexpected as Ecuador defeated Brazil a few years back. And Ecuador possessed the imagination and verve seemingly found with ease in South America.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And what about England? Despite hyperbole in the English press about England's chances of winning the trophy, I was uneasy before seeing them play Paraguay. Paraguay had taken the scalp of Argentina in the qualifying round. But Beckham et al actually won, though the performance seemed sluggish and uninspired. Owen went off injured, and Crouch was repeatedly (and unfairly) penalised by the Mexican referee. Supposedly John Motson attacked this ref, but I'm unsure, listening to Japanese commentary as I did. They too appeared to sympathise with Crouch.
And we won. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Winning the first match is, of course, the main priority. Sweden drew against Trinidadians, so we merely need to overcome Yorke, Shaka Hislop and all to go through to the next round - where we will probably face Germany. Let us hope that Wayne Rooney recovery is as reported. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even a half-fit Wayne would strengthen the side. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before closing, I must add that I can't help but feel sympathy for the Paraguayans. Their keeper, Getty, played admirably. His injury, after conceding an own goal, made England's victory less than convincing. The game was gifted to us. </div><div>. </div></div></div>Danny Tagaloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15899578338574197919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-1149998979410391822006-06-11T11:39:00.000+09:002023-02-04T11:39:30.298+09:00Of Chavs and English men 11 06 2006<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3579/2762/1600/dcp_0534.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3579/2762/400/dcp_0534.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>
<a href="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/darkpowers/chav.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/darkpowers/chav.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div><div>In the mid-90s Mark E. Smith said of the English football team: "Lions led by donkeys." A decade on, it would have been better to say: "Rich chavs led by a literate foreigner." </div><div><br /></div><div>Will donkeys return when McClaren takes over (it should have been O'Neill in my book)? Steve may disagree, but one suspects that McClaren has one foot in the chav camp. He will be leading the rich chavs now. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>But what is a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=chav">CHAV</a>? Why are they associated with the English team? </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Having come from a chavvish culture and owning Burberry spectacles, I am in a position to comment. In my youth, I lived with the equivalent of chavs on a council estate in the UK. Though shedding visual traces of its influence, the Chavs remain my brethren.</div><div><br /></div><div>Laughingly, and more than a little mockingly, an acquaintance of Portuguese descent, over a pint of Guinness, called me a late blooming DHL the other night. Hilarious. DHL being from the same social group</div><div><br /></div><div>Chavs. My cousins. Watching football, in the heat of an England match, I metamorphose into one. Were it not for the presence of my angel, I may have reverted - and worn a baseball cap at a ridiculous angle, and spent cash on tasteless fake designer clothes. </div><div><br /></div><div>You never leave the tribe. You always question the notion of fair play. You were brought up in a thieving culture. Patience has never been a virtue there. But from afar, supporting England made me realize - the nonsense of St George flag waving nonsense - the idiocy of chav talk in the pubs</div><div><br /></div><div>The Paraguayan fans seemed far more approachable. More fun-loving. More loveable. Can I say this and be allowed back? Will I be hurled off to Traitors Gate, executed n a St. George's flag? Me, who chose to move out. Me, who chose a dusky wife and dropped his chav past.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still, come Thursday, I'll be chavving it up in spirit in front of the telly. </div><div><br /></div><div> For 90 minutes, that's all.</div></div></div>Danny Tagaloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15899578338574197919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-1146658049764222152006-06-10T17:42:00.001+09:002023-01-31T17:45:52.881+09:00Super-early obsessions (2006)<a href="http://www.timem.com/starwebs/sarahdouglas/gallery/pics/douglas70.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.timem.com/starwebs/sarahdouglas/gallery/pics/douglas70.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a>
<p>One of the better things about the aging process and the decision to have a child is the opportunity to review movies from one's youth. 30 somethings, who have made the choice, can re-discover a whole host of films for the benefit of their offspring. </p><p>And after going to Shinjuku's Disk Union, with an eye on finding copies of Bagpuss, I ended up purchasing a Superman box. Attractively priced and worth it for the 1st and 2nd movies alone, it's been two decades since I saw them. Still, it appeared odd to discover how little detail I remembered of them.</p><p>The scenes which I did remember were etched deep into my memory. They included Superman flying to Lois Lane's balcony, where a stunned Lois is taken aback by his gesture; and the fight scene in the hamburger bar where Clark Kent attains revenge upon the piece of 'garbage' who had beaten him up after just shedding his super powers in return for the love of the woman of his choice.</p><p>However, for me, the acting by British-born American-based actress Sarah Douglas (pictured left) stood out back then and continues to do so now. She played the icy cold villain Ursa, who established a distinct impression upon my infant self. Sarah Douglas was compelling and attracted and scared me in equal measure. </p><p>I link her performance to a later, pre-teen, Siouxsie Sioux obsession. Both women share a similar poise in front of the screen, and both forego any overt showing of emotion. </p><p>I tried to put a clip of Siouxsie miming the Banshees's early 1980s 'Spellbound' on German TV below, but it seems that Blogger will not allow me to do so. Anyway, it is linked <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGBgTh1oqBA">here</a> and though it's hardly their best performance, it's worth viewing for Siouxsie in her Goth leather get-up look.</p>Danny Tagaloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15899578338574197919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26392226.post-1145364688671282892006-04-30T17:33:00.001+09:002023-01-31T17:34:52.434+09:00A beginning (2006)<a href="http://static.flickr.com/1/128733570_dcdf1e5091.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://static.flickr.com/1/128733570_dcdf1e5091.jpg?v=0" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a>
Well, I have been rushed off my feet this past couple of weeks, and it is no wonder - the beginning of university and college classes are always hectic - particularly for English teachers. <div><br /></div><div>The level and motivation of students vary every year and sometimes it is difficult to find a happy medium.
Tomorrow will be class two of my Media English course. This year we are using a variety of media in order to stimulate a more active interest in the making of and the brains behind the media. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last week was a conversation based lesson where students had to use newspapers and answer "What, Where, How..." questions. They also thought about whether they were media slaves or media literate, though I imagine most are already media literate.</div><div>Japanese students are usually so, and we are lucky to have the opportunity to instruct them. </div><div><br /></div><div> OK, that's enough from me. If you are in my class, then please drop me a line. I'd be happy to receive messages, though I hope trolls keep away. In the blogosphere, there are many evils lurking. Yet the advantages of publishing material in a foreign language on the web far outweigh the disadvantages.</div><div><br /></div><div>The picture above is of my son trying to kiss a Cambodian girl who was playing in the Play Room at a park in Takadanobabylon.
That's all yer news for tonight!
Marking to do...it's too late!!! Aaargh!</div>Danny Tagaloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15899578338574197919noreply@blogger.com0