In a society that was no community and devalued the person

"Well, for instance, what it means to be a man. In a city. In a century. In transition. In a mass. Transformed by science. Under organised power. Subject to tremendous controls. In a condition caused by mechanisation. After the late failure of radical hopes. In a society that was no community and devalued the person. Owing to the multiplied power of numbers which made the self negligible. Which spent military billions against foreign enemies but would not pay for order at home. Which permitted savagery and barbarism in its own great cities. At the same time, the pressure of human millions who have discovered what concerted efforts and thoughts can do. As megatons of water shape organisms on the ocean floor. As tides polish stones. As winds hollow cliffs ... "

From Saul Bellow's Herzog.

I quoted this on Margo Kingston's Web Diary.

Im becoming increasingly bored of the work I'm doing. My trainer says don't do anything drastic. Take incremental steps & make changes that way.

I am to passive, waiting for something to happen and thinking to much without the courage to act.

Saul Bellow RIP & Neptunes for Dim Sum & Memoris of Ostrich Feathers

Saul Bellow has died. He is being described as: Melancholic, a Jewish, immigrant, intellectual idealist. The Twain of the 20th century.

I love the stories in 'Him With His Foot in His Mouth'. I can see that book in the bookshelf at Middle Cove.

For lunch today, Dim Sum at Neptune's.

Neptune's would be interesting to write about:

Like a large school gym turned into a huge Chinese restaurant, about 50 years old. A large stage, red curtains, gold braid, , long ago one of Singapore's few, risque, bawdy, fleshpots, the copacabana of Singapore. Chinese girls in stringed sequins, feather boas and ostrich feathers. Dance floor parquetry.

Now around the outside of the dance floor, faded blue carpet, dragons carved into wooden chairs & table legs.

Dim Sum trolleys. Steam rising. Bamboo, soy sauce, lazy susan. fried yam. Hairy balls like hamsters babys deep fried.
Waitresses hump backed & pushing their trollyes along. Wheels creaky.

It's raining in Singers

It's raining in Singers.

I am looking for signs of life. Thats why I bought them.

I bought 6 orchids over the weekend. My colleagues at my place of employment scoff and suggest they will attract mosquitos.

I am about to go to Spinelli's to buy a double skinny large mocha.

I am thinking about the slug that slithers out of Nakato's mouth in Kafka on the Shore. I am thinking that's inside me.

I am thinking that I am being hypnotised by TV, ads & the crap of everyday life.

Sunday

Listening to Sarah Vaughn.

Reading Ian McEwan Saturday.

About to go to Brunch at Au Jardin in the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Taking the Rolleiflex.