They say that being a writer is easy. I guess, “they”, whoever they are; are right. I propose that writing becomes a sport. Who knows, we, those who actually (“actually” is an interesting word) write; may want to campaign for it to be added to the next Olympics chapter. I look back at the recently just concluded Paris Olympics. I believe that breakdance “athlete” (you know who I’m talking about); copied some moves that I think are originally mine – that dive to the floor with the safest ever, fall – epic. So, writing the next sport for the Olympics. That sets another problem. Do we call ourselves as writers, athletes or athlete-writers? Let me know. Now the chant starts, “Writing as an Olympics sport! Writing as an Olympics sport!”
Coming back to “being a writer is easy”. The “they (Who are the “they”? Your guess is as good as mine). If whatever they say bears fruit, then, you will see them come out from the joints of woodwork, closets and other dark enclaves. However, if they are wrong, “they” will remain faceless and nameless. “They” probably think we writers use A.I. or Artificial Intelligence (the current buzz phrase or word) to help us with our work. Well, I can’t speak for other writers or comment about their work to know for certain if they guna (Bahasa Malaysia word for “use”) A.I. in what they do. I don’t.
As it is, our (including mine) intelligence (real intelligence) is usually in question, what more artificial. Haha. I won’t delve too deep into it for now.
It was one of those days where I needed a change of scenery. So, I hopped into my car and drove to Good Ground Bakery (G.G.B.) in SS17/1, Subang Jaya (1). Reached there within 10 minutes.
I was greeted warmly by their “hospitality team”, Monique and Joanne. Good Ground’s owner, Sarah; was right in the back amongst her ovenly things, coming up with more delicious pastries, I can imagine.
I managed to get the corner table, right by the entrance, with umbrellas to keep me company. Just right – I could get some writing done, by typing or tapping on the keyboard of my computer and Samsung Fold; not physically writing with pen on paper, or quill on scroll. 😉
It was a hot day today, as it has been like most days over the last few months. So, I asked Joanne, G.G. B.’s super wonderful barista, for one of her famous Calamansi Cooler drinks, a refreshing cold drink that certainly quenches one’s thirst. I also ordered G.G.B’s famously (when I say “famous” here, I mean no exaggeration) delicious cranberry scones. I asked for a side order of strawberry jam and butter, though it was totally unnecessary; as the scones tasted awesome on their own.
The change of scenery did help. I could get more work done. I had some new ideas to toy around with, which I noted down on my ideaSketchpad 💡for future essays, too.
The cranberry scone was as usual, superb; right down to the last crumb. It has a generous amount of cranberries in each scone. Thought I ordered a side dish of strawberry jam and butter to go with the scone, the scone on its own, is wonderful. You guys have to try it for yourselves. I added strawberry jam, and butter to some of the bites of the scone I had to add variation to what was already a perfect scone.
The atmosphere was nice. I had my Bose QuietComfort II Buds on, listening to music from Eric Clapton, Deep Purple, Elton John, Meghan Trainor and Bruce Springsteen to name a few. Great pastry and beverage. Acer Flip, Samsung Fold (both with Stylus pens. Plural of stylus is stylii? Just about right.
Worked at a comfortable pace, which was faster than normal (I think). Ideas for new topics kept flowing in. Just have to piece a storyboard together and see where we go from there. I took several breaks to savour the pastry, enjoy the surrounding and the enjoyable mood that it offered. I think the “right mood” is offered to us on tap, we just have to get into the groove of things.
While it is true that the pastry or / and beverage here and the scenes may seem the same or standard, I look at them differently. Each moment as we get older, we are different. So, we experience things differently. In order to do this, we have to empty our experiences of the past and start with a clean slate. It is quite interesting as we go through each new moment without pre-fixed expectations, but with hope of experiencing each new moment as a new experience.
Before I knew it, it was time to go, to head on to the next event on my agenda. I use Calengoo, which is an Android Calendar / Tasks app on both my smartphones. I have been using this app extensively for over 5 years. I think it is one of the most comprehensive and complete Calendar / Tasks apps there is available; without it being overly complicated where you spend a huge amount of time trying to figure out the bells and whistles of other apps. Try out Calengoo. Maybe, I should write about Calengoo. Should I?
NOTES:
1. Subang Jaya is a bustling city in the central state of Peninsula Malaysia, Malaysia. It is an amazing place to come for food as one is spoilt for choice. Subang Jaya is self contained with schools, universities, hospitals, places of worship, entertainment, the list goes on.