Tedious Random Thoughts
Stranded train: The train I took this morning got stranded in Kuang. We were trapped in the claustrophobic train for more than ½ hour but amazingly I am oblivious to the long wait, thanks to a very good book I was reading. We later had to wait at Kuang station, and it was already 20 minutes until my working hour will begin when the train finally arrived. I arrived late at the office today, although not fashionably.
A weird old man: No matter what time I arrive at my destination station, there will be an old man with white beard and long pony tailed hair sitting serenely with his checkered bag, on the exact same bench. Every day. He always seems to be thinking, and not waiting for the train. The thing is, he could easily pass as a Kung Fu master with his calm look and beard and ponytail. Teehee. Itu aje.
Why train? : A lot of people will go weird out when I told them I commute to work by train. Maybe because I used to drive back in my university years (cheh macam lama sangat je dah), which means that I have access to my parents’ cars. Why? Train is more relaxing. I need not worry about the traffic. I can sleep/read/termenung in the train. And money wise, it is much much wiser. However, there are undoubtedly the ‘why not (s)’: Train could get stranded (sure cars could too, but we would have control on the situation). Train could not be on schedule, and nothing there is we can do to amend it. Train could be crammed with smelly, inconsiderate people. And train could hurt your small feet with cracked heels if you are standing and wearing heeled shoes.
A good book: I am currently reading The Time Traveler’s Wife (by Audrey Niffeneger) and I am so loving it. Refreshingly romantic. Bizarre. But romantic. It is reviving what a good book can do. Time flies. The world fades.
Why pay more? : And proudly I must announce that I got my copy of the abovementioned internationally acclaimed novel for only RM 12. The retail price is RM 45.90 and I got it for only RM 12. How cool is that? And if you are concern, my copy is in a very very satisfying condition. I’d love to tell you where I got it tapi kalau ramai orang tau, nanti habis buku2 best kat situ. Haha. I believe anyone could guess anyway. Ask me, if you must.
Chivalry and Kindness: In the crammed train today (in which I was standing patiently), I saw one man stood up from his seat for an older woman. A younger man, seeing that, suddenly seemed uncomfortable in his seat, but remain seated anyway. Another man vacated his seat for a pregnant lady. A half-blind man (I know because I was memasang telinga) helped his blind friend to get a better place to stand. A girl chose not to sit after standing for a long time to give the vacant seat to a blind man.
Of being grateful: This conversation I overheard between three blind men is a reminder for me to always be grateful:
Blind man 1: Aku kalau naik time sesak macam ni, selalu masuk je, jalan je terus sampai aku jumpa tiang.
Blind man 2: Kalau tak jumpa tiang?
Blind man 1: Sampai terlanggar orang lah baru stop. Kau kenal A & B kan? Hari tu A jalan dengan B, A relax je jalan tetibe B hilang. B sangkut terlanggar lori. Rupenye diorg masuk bawah lori, tapi A pendek so die lepas, tapi B tersangkut.
Blind man 2: Tongkat die takde ke?
Blind man 1: Ada. Tapi mana boleh rasa lori tu.
Blind man 3: Ak aah. Tu lah, macam kalau ada apa-apa halangan paras muka. Tongkat tu raba-raba kat bawah. Mana nak perasan. Tau-tau jatuh je.
Hence: Aren’t we grateful that we have no need for tongkat? Aren’t we grateful for our precious eyesight? Aren’t we grateful for simply being able?
