michael lambe

Walking by 哲学の道 (The Path of Philiosophy) yesterday, the cherry blossom was falling like a snow-storm, and not a real snow-storm mind you, but how you’d imagine being inside one of those glass paperweights after it’s been given a good shake would be like. I was mesmerised. Beautiful and at the same time heart-wrenching because every one of those petals is waving goodbye… Meanwhile back at Chez Lambe,I’m finally getting down to my “big japanese poetry project” and I’ve had a very productive couple of days, reading and translating. Productive for me that is, but I’ll have to pick up the pace over the coming weeks and months if I really want to get anywhere with it. In theory, the more I do the easier it will get but I’ll keep you posted on that. I’m guessing I’ll be ready to start the new poetry site by mid-summer. Maybe. Perhaps…

As I reported previously, Malcolm Phelps set up a website for ex staff and teachers of the recently deceased Lado International College. I joined it through a feeling of solidarity and am now getting more emails daily than I’ve ever had in my life. What gets me is that sinking the company through a mixture of deceit and mismanagement and robbing people of seven weeks pay not being enough, they (head-office management)are still shafting good people now by not getting them the documentation they need to get on with their life. Until people get this documentation they can’t claim benefits or even get a new job. Some people have other work to fall back on, and others will get by somehow, but those with families are pretty stressed right now. I guess there’s a lesson in there somewhere. Always have a back-up plan maybe. Or, don’t have children. Or maybe it’s time for that global socialist revolution. Whatever, my prayers go out to my ex-companeros.

Here’s a couple of articles that amused me lately. Here’s one from County Durham that I shouldn’t find amusing, but being evil, I do: The Dangers of MySpace

And here’s one about some pioneering technology in my hometown of Middlesbrough, that’s being used (well I never!) to tackle crime: NEW SHOUTY CCTV!

If you click on the video links you can hear some lovely north-eastern accents too.

I’m off out to The Gael tonight for Guinness, Irish music and a possible encounter with DESTINY.

And in that spirit here’s some traditional Irish music from The Pogues (and - ahem - Joe Strummer):