Sunday 23rd September, 2012       1630

Yesterday was the autumnal equinox so from now on this year it will only get colder and as I have said before, I am really not looking forward to winters any more. Mind you, summer this year wasn’t that hot, I think it only went over forty once so hopefully that augurs a mild winter along the lines of last year.

I read on a teacher chat site a thread entitled “exit strategy in case of war”. Unbelievable, and naturally started by American teachers. Some seem to be getting edgy about the latest spat with Japan and think it will erupt. Of course, America will be unable to resist butting in on the Japanese side so yes, IF it were to happen then Yanks would be as welcome here as a fart in a bathysphere. Kevin and I are of the opinion that it could only be beneficial because we could then concentrate on teaching the Chinese English instead of American.

I spent about three hours along with Kevin and Olivier on the foreign language lovers association recruitment stand, which was made more bearable by the provision of alcoholic cans. Kevin gets given coffee but they know better where I am concerned. I am still tired all the time so a weekend away from all forms of teaching has been welcome and indeed I only went (just) off campus yesterday to give the dogs a run. When I did I was approached by someone who said he managed a new bar above the new restaurants and said he would be honoured were I to pay a visit. I will because bars are almost non-existent here, I only know of three and have only been to one, normally I have to go to a restaurant and tell them I only want to drink.

At lunchtime today I went to town to shop for western Wednesday. This time I am doing chilli con carne and garlic bread for six. The good thing is, Olivier and Kevin will both bring wine so there should be ample, and Olivier has threatened to bring some camembert. I may have to produce some port! Anyway, I had lunch, shopped and headed back. Not far from the school there is “my” shortcut - the one where I saw the black snake recently. It was whilst trying to turn left onto the track that my blogs and my life could have easily - were it the case I didn’t check my mirrors - have ended.

I was aware of a car approaching from behind and some way back from that there was a panel van. After letting the car overtake I indicated left and adopted a central position in the road. I was indicating. I looked in my mirror and observed the van had not reduced speed in the slightest and was now in fact on the wrong side of the road. He had no intention of letting me turn. As he sped past a foot away I bellowed expletives and wished to God I had a Ferrari to go after him. I was absolutely and completely incensed and all I wanted to do was rip off his limbs one at a time.

What I did though, was take a mental note of his number (helpfully painted in large letters on the rear doors) and took the track, hoping he was going to campus. At the end of the track I spotted him going up the main road towards the west gate and prayed he would turn in. He did. Because of the speed humps I caught up with him near the shops but he was going to the student cafeteria. He spotted me in his side mirror and I could tell he was thinking “what the hell?” so I pointed at him in said mirror and shouted “Yes, you!” By the cafeteria he stopped and unfortunately for him the society recruitment stalls were still plying their trade and there were many students about. I think they were highly entertained by the abuse I heaped on this chap who never understood a word I said but can’t have failed to grasp I wanted to kill him, especially when I mimicked my hands around his throat. In fact he shit himself at that and tried to drive off, but stalled the engine. I laughed, shook my head in disgust and rode off leaving astounded students wondering what it was all about. Had I dismounted there was a real danger I would have dragged him from his cab and earned myself a deportation order. But I felt a lot better for it!  

2215

Thankfully Kevin just brought Robin home and saved me a trip downstairs to try and get her in. I need a decent sleep, not least because Linda invited me to dinner tomorrow night - she of the AK47 speech delivery - although last time it was me and her plus two of her friends and she footed the bill. Decency dictates that despite her being the inviter I really should pay, especially as it would appear it will be just the two of us. She wants to go for a hotpot at the commercial centre and I am now torn asunder. A huge part of me wants to do that and afterwards go to this bar Joanna is working at every bloody night to check it out because I worry about her but the rest of me says take Linda for a prawn hotpot. Maybe we can check out the bar later, I will see what she says. It took me ages to get through to her that we wouldn’t be taking the 29 bus because it is impossibly crowded now and I will take the bike with her as pillion. It will be better for her anyway because I can take her to her home downtown afterwards. We shall see what happens tomorrow, but for now, it won’t be long before I am in the land of nod.