18th Oct 2009 (Sunday), 1345 hrs - Old Lady & Toad

Walking from Ghim Moh hawker centre to block 18, I heard an old lady saying 'hello'.

Turning to my right, I realised she was not calling out to me. She was bent low to pavement and talking to a toad. Late 60s perhaps with a shopping trolley in one hand. She seemed to be trying to chase the toad off the pavement, onto the grass nearby. The toad hopped along, kind of obliging grudgingly. When the old lady looked up, we exchanged knowing smiles.

Few princesses would kiss a toad in real life.

As I carried on, I spotted a cat chilling out closeby, watching the pair, but seemingly without any interest as it was yawning.

9th Oct 09 (Fri), 2032 hrs: Lone Figure on Telok Ayer Park bench

The park was not well lit. And as I strode along the main pathway, something caught the corner of my eye (always happens that way, eh?)

A man was sitting on a park bench on my far left. The lampost to the right of the bench barely illuminated him. But I could make out he was in a white long short sleeve shirt and long pants. Office attire, maybe. But could not make out his age as light was lacking. His posture was very upright, back unnaturally straight. Like he waiting for someone. During the 3 seconds or so that I observed him discreetly while contuining to walk on, he remained absolutely motionless.

10 minutes later (having finished my read), I walked back along the same pathway from the opposite direction. My word, he was still there. Still in his neat clothes and sitting quietly and unobtrusively. Like how a good boy should be seen and not heard.

Disconcerting, yet comforting that there are others out there like us.

14th Sep 09 (Mon), 0831hrs - Lady in white reading Fortune magazine

She boarded somewhere before or after bus 147 passed Commonwealth MRT station.
Came up to the upper deck she did.


I was seated 3 rows behind the stairs to the right, window seat.


She selected the row directly in front, aisle seat.
As she sat, she placed her bag on the window seat, turning ever so slightly so she caught me through the corner of her eye.
As I looked up, she returned her gaze to the magazine in her hand.
Fortune - cover page featured 'Blackberry' vs 'Apple'.
She wore a white top with short translucent sleeves and hair tied into a short ponytail.


Not sure where she got off, wasn't paying attention.
Watched (without emotion) as she descended the stairs.
She didn't back turn back. 


We're not in a Sandra Bullock movie obviously.

4th Sep 09 (Fri), 2120 hrs: Solitary beer-sipping uncle

It was balmy, perhaps it rained in the afternoon. I was distracted in the afternoon, so can't remember if it did (rain, I mean).


I walked past by Ghim Moh hawker centre to my right.
He was sitting at a table. Should be in his late 40s or early 50s. Standard uncle attire of seasoned stripped polo T and faded black slacks. A lonely bottle of Tiger stood half-empty, the ice-bucket and mug his (her?) companions; (should be "his" cause Tiger, unless Tigress).


Alone, so no reason to guzzle or talk loudly or joke. Just sipping and staring ahead. Didn't look angry or sad. Maybe lonely, cause Friday night. Family? Hard to say. He wasn't curious and didn't check out passers-by. 


Hope it's a one-off. Every week like this can be real downer for a life.