As anyone who watched Yes, Minister in the late 70’s and early 80’s, Britain should never have joined the EU. The political, psychological and cultural landscape of England is simply not consciously capable of such an endeavour. Rather than being joined in harmony with its closest neighbours, England has actually gone to the extreme positionContinue reading “Thoughts on Brexit”
Stepping Forward
He is crying again, tears falling.Sobs burble up from humanityReflecting the steps forward. Stress drives people to suicide,To murder, to grow.Reflecting the steps forward. Kindness comes unexpected,The only door opens.Reflecting the steps forward. Death our constant companion,Life our only mode:Reflecting our steps forward. The horror of morality falls away:How can he be nice to himself?ReflectingContinue reading “Stepping Forward”
Saturn Transit Mid-Heaven
What could possibly be more excruciating than a Saturn Transit? Well, maybe Pluto, but that’s another story. Wherever Saturn transits, that is the area of our lives requiring realistic and practical solutions. Concomitant with reality are limitations: life is an exercise in limitations, and Saturn represents that which forces us to choose between what weContinue reading “Saturn Transit Mid-Heaven”
Principles
Filled with objects from around the world, the oft extended cottage bursts at the seams with a lifetime of keepsakes and furniture of all descriptions. The eclectic paintings of disparate themes are all accentuated by the rainbow of vibrant hues on the walls. Myriad mats and carpets, a kaleidoscope on the floors. At first glance,Continue reading “Principles”
What is the New Order…?
We Belong
Sunday Update 7
‘Twas a deepening twilightDescending upon the sea,Obscuring the clouds,Fear striking deep inside. ‘Harken unto me!’Now three-quarters gone‘Cast forth true Light I shall!Sol irrevocably exits Her righteous throne. Upon my decksFootsteps coalesce,Drawn to the dignified callOf the grizzled hierophant. ‘Nay a-folly shall befall the Pure!’Hands up-raised and face up-turned‘Tarry not! Obeisance!’Followers converge at her feet. MyContinue reading “Sunday Update 7”
Don’t Paint Cows with Zebra Stripes
Translating in real time is a skill that many would love to have, yet most of my clients tend to approach this in the worst possible way. The people I’ve met who are capable of translating with ease use vastly different approaches. I shall try to differentiate them here. The basic method I employ withContinue reading “Don’t Paint Cows with Zebra Stripes”
Intention and Result
Skills Development What is ‘skills development’? For language learning, the opposite of ‘skills’ is ‘knowledge’: what we know about the language is balanced by what we can do with that language. While most of the language learning experiences people have in Japan focus mostly on knowledge acquisition, accompanied by some speaking practice, the ultimate objectiveContinue reading “Intention and Result”
Sunday Update 6
‘Twas a shrill cry,Far above the main sail,That turned all eyes skyward:An eclipse! The three suspects,The milling passengers And the crew alike,All instantly tense. The gull which called the alertFaltered mid-flightAnd sank down with the breeze,Silently to the icy waters. Only the rigging continued its rhythmic rapAccompanied by creaking deck.The sun began her first sliver ofContinue reading “Sunday Update 6”
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