The Normal Life
Manners. There can never be too much of it. My companion for the night, was a breath of fresh air, compared to my usual escort. I guess I have surfeited on silence and surliness and strangeness for a bit too long. I used to think that was novel and was attracted to it. But today, I welcome and embrace normalcy, and being integrated into what is considered mainstream for a change.
And so, hopping into his car, we headed first to his favourite Katong laksa stall in where else, Katong, to have a bite, before moving to Esplanade.
In a way, I was relieved that it was someone else who went with me to watch Sleeping Beauty On Ice. Because Boss was seated beside me and showed interest in my companion ie asking what he's doing, which university did he graduate from etc. And my companion held himself rather well, I'm pleased to say.
Sleeping Beauty was enjoyable, especially with an amicable and appreciative companion to pass inane comments about the show. The skaters were really good. If anything, the narrator should be shot and replaced. I can't make out what he's saying half the time. Kept swallowing his words.
My companion was gallant enough to indulge my childish desire of touching the ice rink. So, on the pretext of finding what we have forgotten to take away when the show ended, we sneak back. I touched the rink and fled. Heh.
Following that, Companion suggested going to the rooftop. He asked if I've ever been there and appeared really surprised that I had. C'mon, I reminded, I'm in Singapore, you know. I haven't been so away, so it's really no big deal that I've come here before. Well apparently, he has never, and only read of it in the papers lately. So up we go, up, up and away.
(I remember us going to the Esplanade together for the first time, even before it was officially opened. We attended a *test* concert together and a lot of ministers were there too. Months later, I remember he taking me to the library where we sat in what he deemed as the best seats to breath in the night scenery. It was very near Christmas 2002 (or was it 2003) and demarcates the beginning of malfunctionality, more and less. We sat in absolute silence thereafter. Words were always useless and redundant and failing, even with my love for and absolute reliance on them whenever returned to the subject of He. And of course, we appeared on the rooftop together one day. He was no longer the first to bring me there, even though he had that very intent so long back.)
Then it's off to seek the Botero treasures around the Esplanade! Too bad the museum's closed, so. Too bad we couldn't see the actual colours of the sculptures. Must return in broad daylight to check them out. Between molesting sculptures and looking at signs, we were being goggled at by a rickshaw rider blasting really nice music at a metre's length away, possibly less. It was tempting a thought to be all touristy but when we finally figure out the interest was mutual on the passengers' side, we had walked too far and lost all sight of the rider. Oh well. There must be a stain somewhere in the picture perfect.
I like my companion, who's beamingly smiley and very nicely dimpled and intellectual and likes to exchange views on issues. (Honestly, I find his dimples fascinating.) I need more new friends like that. I like my old friends, but sometimes, it's hanging out with new people that you get back zest and inspiration, and feel good, due to the unexpectedly (maybe not so unexpected in this case) interesting results ensuing from the interaction.
Topics covered: how to address a waiter/waitress, service in Singapore, casino, politics, rallies, languages, logic, of scholars and being misunderstood ones, really wanting to do what we did not have a degree in, national service, SDU, museums and zoos etc.
A relatively new companion, whom you have yet to master his/her responses, is hence, always exciting and unpredictable. Every view is fresh; every word is captivating.
Because I'm leading a normal life now, my companion sent me home.
Please wish Normalcy for me. I'm tired of being special and too special.
那是個寧靜的夏天 你來到寧夏的那一天