Trash Cans. Pots. Pans.

I caught Stomp ‘live’ at Meiqi Majestic Theatre, Shanghai, on Saturday evening.

I was so looking forward to watch this group of percussionists does their stint ‘live’. Many years ago, they went to Singapore to perform but I missed them, because I was a poor student then.

7.45pm. Lights in the hall dimmed, then finally went out. Action began on stage.

They made percussion music with all kinds of things that we use in our daily lives. Big items like brooms, pots, pans, washbasins, etc to small items like matchstick boxes, cigarette lighters, and even groceries plastic bags!

Before I watched it, I thought that this was going to be purely percussion music, meaning there is only rhythm, no melody. However, it turned out to be melodious as well. Using different water levels in the washbasins, the guys made some real hot music out of it!

Symphonic to the ears. Reverberant in the heart.

1.5 hours of performance. Sadly, I could not bring myself to say that it was ‘1.5 hours of excellent performance.”

The solo items were a little boring as quite a number of the rhythms are repetitive. Musicians used mainly the small ‘instruments’ for these items. They did a nice clean job, but too bad it lacked the oomph!. I think mainly because there was no bass, no melody, and the rhythms were getting repetitive.

The group items were more a lot more entertaining and impressive. The vibrations resonated all the way from the stage to my heart. They were loud. But to me this is what percussion music should be. Special mention of one stint where two players were suspended in mid-air and they were hitting an array of pots and pans, plastic and metal, big and small, making incredible exotic music. Wohoa!

The musicians were very fun loving too. Every now and then, they would involve the audience in doing synchronous clapping. We amused ourselves when we made a mess of it. Ha!

On the whole, Stomp did not blow me off my feet. But for RMB 200.00, it was good entertainment for a boring Sat evening.

A bad train commuting experience

I lost my cool in front of a group of about 20 over Shanghainese this morning.

It's a usual Monday morning and I commute to work as usual via the metro.

At the second stop, the train stalled. Announcement was broadcasted over the PA system that the train has some fault and will be delayed. The irritating thing was the announcer spoke at such lightning speed that I could barely make out what she said. She certainly sounded like she has iterated this announcement umpteen times.

Anyhow, the train was stalled for 10 minutes before it took off again. It got me worried. I'd imagined the subsequent stations were all packed with anxious and eager Shanghainese who were dying to hop onto the train.

True to what I expected, when the train called into the next station… Fhwarm! (I made up this word myself cos I can't find a better verb to describe the action/sound.) People swarmed into the cabin. Within seconds (!!), the entire cabin was packed. Sardine packed! I was right opposite the entrance of the cabin. I have little space, but at least was safe and protected from the overwhelming action of elbowing and pushing in front of me. At least for the time being.

I still have about 4 stops to go (btw, my destination stop is the interchange stop, which is also the busiest one). More and more people got on the train. The sardine-packed situation continued and worsened as the train moved along.

I can hardly breathe. My back was sticking against the cold surface of the door. I smelled bad odors. It's summer in Shanghai now but I believe some people still think that they don’t need to shower. I just hope that these people don't touch me.

Finally, the train called at my destination stop. I braced myself for the struggle impending. It was definitely going to be a feat to get past the crowd in front of me and out of the cabin. More challengingly, I have to battle against the passengers waiting at the platform, impatient to throw themselves into the cabin.

Door opened. Move! I told myself. And move fast.

Too slow. The people outside swarmed in as soon as the door opened. I mustered all the strength I have in my body and feet to wrestle my way out.

I was overcame by the strength of the masses. They were way too strong. I was shoved back into the cabin, like I did not matter.

I shouted at the top of my voice for people swarming in to get out first so that alighting passengers could get down. They didn't care. They didn't give my yells a damn. I was very sure I spoke Mandarin. A language which they comprehend, I'm sure.

Beep! Beep! The door was closing but I was still stucked in the cabin. I was two steps from the door already but I couldn't move an inch. Not a chance. I couldn't get out.

I was fuming mad. First time in my life I spouted vulgarities (that F*** word of course) so publicly. But I am not apologetic.

However, those who were guilty did not seem to care. Either that, or they did not understand the significance of that word. Well, I thought this F*** word is pretty universal.
The train moved on. This guy standing next to me was making noises. He was grumpy about the situation. F*** him as well! He was one of those who swarmed into the cabin. And he was standing WAY too close to me. To be precise, his body was sticking to mine. And HE WAS STICKY! I tried to make sure that his hands were not anywhere on my body that they weren't supposed to be. But hell like I can prevent it or something!

So I got transported to the next stop, which I finally managed to get off. After much struggle too of course.

When I stepped on the platform, the usual announcment sounded over the PA system. Translated: Please let passengers alight first before boarding. Commute in an orderly manner. Let's work together to create a civilised commuting environment!

Ha! Ha! What an irony! What a joke! Nobody gave a damn it. As the announcement went on, I saw people swarming into the cabin, elbowing and pushing one another. For once, I feel that my fellow countrymates are not that bad after all. Apathetic they may be, but at least they are civilised public transport commuters.

Anyhow, I wanted to get on the train opposite the platform back to my destination station. Dream on! The train was equally packed. I had no wish to suffer the same ordeal twice in a morning so I made up my mind to walk to my office building. It's going to be about a 3km walk.

At other times, this will come as an enjoyable event simply because I like to walk, in the right apparels, right situation, and with the right company. This time, however, I was fresh from morning shower and was sporting work apparels, and more significantly, a pair of 3-inch high heels. Certainly not condusive for an activity like walking. And the weather did not make things easier. Hot! Hot! Hot!

After 15 minutes into it, I was sweating and I could feel blisters forming on my feet. Ouch. But I believe these beat being elbowed and pushed around by the uncivilized and inconsiderate train commuters of Shanghai Tang.

Another 15 minutes before I finally reached my office. Cool air blew into my face and sweaty skin as I stepped into Raffles City. Phew!

3 cheers to the inventor of air-con!

3 jeers to the train commuters of Shanghai! Shame on all of you.

Love Love Love

I find it harder and harder to write these days.

No inspiration to write. No events to write about.

I was reading through my friend's blog and she wrote something about love.

Love should be inspirational. Love should be eventful. And so I came to the conclusion that I have neither inspiration nor events to write about because I'm lacking love.

Or is that really so?

Frankly, I have plenty of love showered on me everyday. From friends. From family. They love me so much but then why do I still feel so empty?

Chatted into the wee hours with a close friend who is in Shanghai to visit. I bared my heart to her that I still miss the man who has said that he doesn't love me. Why can't I let go, she asked?

Hell, if I know why, I'd have done so long ago.

It's probably a very Aries thing, I reckoned. Stubborn.

Is there a more beautiful word for it? Stubborn sounds negative.