when i wished i had a cam with me

#1
on a cab and this burly indian man on an old bicycle rides by my window. he was carrying a couple of empty delivery baskets on the back, and random things were haphazardly tossed into the front basket. it was scorching hot and he looked very serious, or maybe he was squinting. he was sitting up straight and holding the handlebar with his right hand while his left held the sweetest umbrella ever - black-based dotted with small daisies.

#2
cat in deep slumber on the badminton court in the park between the shophouses flanking keong saik and bukit pasoh. it was lying so still we had to take a second look. a security guard nearby saw us looking and cheerfully told us that the cat is very lazy and we can go very near and it wouldn't wake up. so the two of us walked over and loomed over the cat, peering down at it. usually even the most unafraid cat will still flicker its lids lazily to check out why you're standing so near it. but this one didn't open its eyes and didn't bother to move. you could its tummy rise up and down steadily and deeply. it was sleeping so soundly i couldn't help but laugh.

#3
bunch of women standing outside a shophouse unit. from far, they looked like they were either hostesses or having a bridal party, because their dresses all looked like rented bridesmaid gowns. we went past and the double doors were flung open as the girls ushered some male customers in with their flirtatious voices and laughter. you know how when you watch movies about old shanghai, one cinematographic trick they love to use is to fling open the doors to a grand party to admit both the protagonist and the audience into it? in that moment before the doors are shut you hear seductive laughter and music and you get a glimpse of another world? yeah, it felt a little like that, like there was a time warp and you'd expect to see coiffed women with scarlet lips taking deep draws on cigarettes in their slender holders and they'd turn to look at you with their hooded gazes before the doors slam on you. the reality in 2008 is of course garish makeup, rebonded hair and sequinned virginal dresses.

but of course, i would never have dared take a picture of the last even if i did have a cam.