Me, Tech and Renee

I had a day this week when no one texted me. Even after I sent out some SMSes, there was no reply. Ok, so maybe people aren’t glued to their phones that much.

That night, I was on the phone with my gal and somehow, I wondered out loud about not receiving a reply from someone. And I think I said something like, “Strange, I didn’t get any messages today.” Even after I said that, I still didn’t think there was anything amiss. Then she said, “Why don’t you try switching off your phone, then on it again?”

Hm. So I did. Once it was switched back on, a steady stream of 16 messages flowed right through. And it was just soooo ridiculous thinking about it since I didn’t assume anything was technically malfunctioning.

Yea, I know it’s the long-standing feud between tech and me again but this made me realise three things.

1. Technology is fallible. No one should depend entirely on it, especially for communications.
2. We can live without technology. I survived. To add to that, I even managed to meet with Qiyou for lunch even though I received his message only at night. Miraculously, the failure of SMS didn’t stop that lunch from happening. Life goes on.
3. My gal is there for a reason. Just like my coffee ribs encounter, she points out salient things which I am completely oblivious to, even though they are staring right back at me. In the words of Rosy after I told her about this incident, “You can’t live without Renee.” Of course Chiang had to substantiate that with how she plans my holidays.

I’m quite sure I didn’t need the SMS failure to know all the above :)

Nostalgiaed new beginnings

Yesterday was a good day. Besides having to face the usual annoyants in office :)

But yes, it was almost like a day of good beginnings blessed with a tinge of nostalgia, which I’m a huge sucker for.

It started with the night before. I met Eleanor again after maybe five months! We’ve had such a long history that it almost feels wrong not to meet up earlier. I’m happy for her. It sure looks like things are going great for her. Well at least she made a wise decision about her job. :)

Then yesterday, I met Hen Tan for lunch. Our history dates back to when we were 10. I don’t think the A380 flies faster than time. Ha ok corny. Seems like things are picking up for him. I’m definitely impressed by his choice. Values over money, over superficiality, over norms. He’s good person la. Pity we grew apart, but I’m still thankful that we’re still meeting up from time to time…

Then I got a new start. I’m gonna teach at Monster Under The Bed. Thanks Gab! Hopefully, this will be one of my baby steps towards owning a children’s creative education centre in the future. More about it after I start :)

Remembering you

Been more than a month since I wrote about Kinabalu.

Tonight we went to Dreamer's Cafe aka Ai Qin Hai. Well, we enjoyed Acid Bar a couple of weeks back and thought maybe going for something chinese would be a nice change. So yes, Dreamer's Cafe is your non-alcohol waterhole with unplugged singers who take dedications.

I thought it would be a soothing, relaxy Friday hangout. It was, don't get me wrong. But the moment the pair, especially the guy started singing (we arrived just at the start of the second set), I was reminded of Ishi. Not that I didn't expect that coming but I didn't think it would still hit that strongly.

I think it was the second song. He did David Tao's Beach. I nearly walked out to get some air. It was all too familiar. Uncomfortably familiar.

I thought about Ishi. How he admired David Tao, how he would sing his songs, how he would strum the guitar, how he would like an audience to appreciate his voice, how he was trying to make it big.

Two months later and it would be a year. I wonder how you're doing, Ishi Lau Gek How...

I didn't walk out to get fresh air. I tried distracting myself by sipping my drink and snacking on the chips. Maybe it's just the overall effect of chinese ballads. They make you feel. More. Doesn't help that it was an unplugged set.

I still miss you dude. We still do. Rosy mentioned that she'll probably cut a online tribute for you during the next Superband period. I think that takes a lot.

Hope you're doing well...