michael lambe's scrapbook

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):

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I used to work with these guys…

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By the way I just had the most fantastic day of my LIFE. But I’ll have to tell you about it later. Because now I’m weary. And I need rest. Happy Easter and all that.

Malcolm Phelps has set up a group site for ex-Lado teachers and staff here: LADOTEACHERSANDSTAFF

Here is the final episode of Whale Love Wagon; quite a nice one today.

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Talking with Tony Dani on Messenger yesterday I heard the sad news that Lado International College of Japan is no more. Apparently people turned up for work and the place was closed. The creditors have moved in and (hearsay has it) the company president has done a runner (allegedly). People aren’t sure if they will get their final salary or not but it doesn’t look good. It’s a great shame because a lot of people had been there for years and some of them have families. It’s also a shame because (although we all complained while we were there) Lado was actually a very good school. They had good materials, a good teacher-training method, they generally hired sound people and the school had a good and friendly atmosphere going on. They made their teachers happy with a decent wage, reasonable schedules etc… The theory was this would be reflected in the working performance. And it worked. Happy teachers made happy students. However, Lado was a small school focussed on quality and inevitably it has been crushed by faceless corporate giants like Nova. I worked there for almost 4 years myself and have many happy memories of the place and am still in touch with the various friends I made there.

Imagine! No more Lado Christmas party! No more Lado teacher’s band! Daniel Moran will have to get a proper job! It is truly the end of an era.

All things must pass. (sigh)

Here’s another spooky thing. Every place I have ever worked at ceases to exist some time after I leave. Until now, Lado was the happy exception to the rule. Kyoto Berlitz… beware.

So I got married at the weekend and this is my new wife:

I’M JUST KIDDIN’!

Mario and Shiori (finally) got married and don’t they make a super photogenic couple?
Me and my hairless friend.
Some archaic western ritual:

Feed:
A bunch of people getting snap-happy:
The true professional: Mr. David Kleyn with his hawk-like eye.
Midori caught the bouquet.
And was abashed.

A lovely day for everyone there I think.
Thanks to Paul Sparks for putting me up over the weekend and introducing me to the delights of “Deuce Bigelow 2″ and also to Dan Warriner for taking me to a bar full of transvestites.