Two vivid animal dreams over the past few nights. In one, I was to ride around a meadow on a horse, but get back inside before the wolf attacked. The horse’s back was very vivid indeed. On one circuit as I was at the far end of the meadow I looked up to see a […]
Sigh
In a fit of generosity I unblocked everyone I had previously blocked on Facebook. Some for nearly a decade. What a mistake.
Giving in
A quiet Sunday. Went for dim sum to a new place. It had trolleys, but was otherwise not very good. I managed a good bit of writing last night after thinking I would not get any done at all. Heard from someone who has decided not to engage in confrontation with a long-term nemesis, and […]
Hanging garden
Visited what might be the most beautiful commercial space in KL, the interior of the Botak bar on Petaling Street. It’s upstairs from Choca Foodstore, a longstanding favourite, and was spectacularly done up in the shabby shophouse style that Malaysia does so well, with tropical greenery falling over the bar. The drinks were nice but […]
Primordial gadgetry
My uncle Gadget arrived late last night or rather early this morning as he stopped at the airport for a leisurely coffee and a cigarette. He is here for two days en route to Australia and leaves tomorrow night. Uncle Gadget is the man who gave me my first computer when I was eight years […]
Spooked
There was a strange sense of unrightness around KL today, or maybe I was just spooked. There are often addicts sprawled on the pavements in our part of town, and I had my bag snatched very dramatically in my first week in the city which ended with a trip to the emergency as my head […]
Incense
After two cups of morning tea, twice my usual allocation, we went down to Petaling Street where, rumour had it, Ali Muthu & Ahok was one of the rare restaurants open on Chinese New Year. It was open and was packed, but we found a table for nasi lemak. Merchant’s Lane next door appeared to […]
In the general labour ward
Here I am in Fatima Memorial, the general labour ward. The Maulvi’s wife has had a miserable time of it as apparently she gets debilitating nausea whenever she is pregnant and, despite my uncharitable words, she is very distressed about her condition. The last baby was born in the medical centre in their village in […]
Back to the hospital
Seemingly I can’t have a trip to Lahore without a spot of caregiving. The Maulvi Sahib is a longstanding employee in the home – he worked for my mother’s business, loved her like a son, and stayed on after she died. He eventually brought his wife and burgeoning family to Lahore, where he cares for […]
Heroes die
Asma Jehangir has died. She was hated and despised and dismissed by many, she was called foul names, she was obnoxious and unpleasant, and she was one of the greatest children this sorry country has produced. It’s hard to articulate the despair her death brings.