By the power of social media, I met Mr. Stephen Black on twitter. He was telling me about his book and I expressed a very keen interest in it. And I never thought he'd send it to me, but he did!
I took my time reading it. I had time in-between matches before I need to start photographing again so I read scattered chapters. This book had one shot to captivate me before I decide I'd rather go back shooting.
It got me.
It is such a strange book. There are little limericks and jokes and receipes and conversations everywhere. It is a lively combination of the strangest anecdotes. My favourite has to be the starting line of,
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
I had so many other ill thoughts in my mind but it turned out otherwise so okay that's detrimental to my image but you get it! It was a little book of surprises at every page and a easy read for each new chapter.
From the man himself! :)
There was a chapter that had his thoughts, a worry that he has that I share:
"My breakfasts became less pleasant but in the bigger picture, the kueh auntie sellers are like canaries in coal mines. They disappear first, then the noddle sellers, then the roast pork people, then the fruit guy, then another kopitiam. Will breakfast choice in Tiong Bahru soon only be Starbucks, something European or a McBreakfast?"
And it amazes me that a man not of Singapore roots but with a Singapore heart, is rallying for more local flavour while the rest of us new generations are screaming "westernize us" and having waffles over porridge,
One of my favourite chapters.
I once attempted connected writings. Six different people in a butterfly effect unbeknownst to them. And one of them was a prostitute (I write weird stuff) so when I read this part, I immediately remembered my own writing. What a nice trigger.
The ending of this particular chapter completely went away from what I was expecting, another reasons why I say this book is a little bundle of odd surprises and quirks.
In time for the Christmas spirit!
The particular line my fat finger covered was a line very much similar to a quote that moved me greatly. My ridiculous memory is unable to bring it up but it went along the lines of this.
"There is a saying that every word ever spoken is out there in the Universe, waiting to be recalled", and I did not believe anyone else had the same perception as me till I read this. What a pleasant surprise.
From this book, I gleamed the most common conversations Singaporeans have (".. no money, no talk!") and the old yet new places of Tiong Bahru. It almost inspired me to write one for Choa Chu Kang. But we know Chua Chu Kang destroys hopes and dreams so hmmm that's a tough nut
I have a very favourite lyrics, and it goes:
"Please, don't be so amazing / Or I'll miss you too much."
This book have been insightful, funny, quirky, thoughtful, and in its entirety, the press-printed protest for why this amazing Tiong Bahru should never change too far beyond her roots, or we will truly miss it too much.
"i ate tiong bahru" by Stephen Black, now available at:
Local stores:
http://www.booksactually.com/flagship.html
Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Ate-Tiong-Bahru-Stephen-Black-ebook/dp/B00G9N9VCK
Thank you again for the lovely read :)
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