Cliche is as cliche does

Today was one of those days when alot of things become clear. Not necessarily because they were not viewed through clear vision, but more so the fact that the cliche "You never see what is in front of you" really is cliche. So when cliche becomes cliche, you have to write. So that one day, more fools can understand that they are not alone.

I'm leaving for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this evening. That's about 400 km away, for the SEAsian Geopolitically challenged. Kind of an R&R. Meeting a friend there, my namesake. I did a search for all "Dahlia"s on Friendster and there were 13. I contacted those in the same age range and region and made friends. I plan to visit all of them soon. Eliminate them all, since there can be only one.

Since i was leaving today, i took time off from work (T day). I couldnt sleep beyond the usual 0630 so i was already up and about check my internet mail, watching morning shows and DVDs that my dad had bought over the past month or so. Simplest pleasures in life; Reading the papers in the morning bed before anyone else does, sleeping after breakfast.. and McDonald's breakfast.

They have 24hr McDonald's delivery service. So i decided to order in. Problem is: What is their damn phone number? Which ties in with the notion that you never know what is in front of you till you need it. They had been advertising like crazy, on the TV, in the newspapers, radio jingles.. etc.. and i couldn't remember the number. It was easy enough getting it though, i just did it "Who wants to be a millionaire" style, i called a friend.

6777-3-777.

Remember it well. I fear one day i might forget and then i would have to ask you.

I watched a DVD over breakfast, i love vegetating over TV and eating while doing so, it's very indulgent. It was the latest Bill Murray show, "Broken FLowers".. a "follow up" type thingy from his "Lost in Translation".. it's the kind of movies that "hangs". There is no conclusion, and you think of a possible ending. In it, he receives a letter from a woman he used to have relations with 20 years ago saying that he has a son and that son is looking for him. Only problem is, she did not tell him who she was. So Bill Murray's neighbour made him embark on a solo road trip to track the women he slept with 20 years ago and find out who the woman is.

There is something especially poignant in the movie. It is when they meet again after 20 years. People you have loved once. It's that quiet connection when you meet again and lock eyes. Each side will be replaying their version of what happened. And you wonder if one side is as good as the other, and if not,how come. Do we selectively remember certain things? I believe so. Because people and their emotions and their reactions are so complex, you are almost never as lucky/unlucky to be experiencing the same emotions as the other person is at that moment of time in that situation. If you do, then that is rare, conditions of luck aside, but it is still a moment to be treasured.

There was this scene which i enjoyed. Bill Murray's character met up with an old flame, a realtor and they were having tea. Just tea, no cordial conversation. She lived in a neat and well made-up house and wore a sharp white shirt with khakis and a string of pearls. Bill Murray was sizing her up over the many silences that punctuated the scene when he finally said:

BM: Nice pearls. (woman touches the necklace around her neck self-consciously.) Did i give them to you?
Woman: No.
BM: (Shrugs) Well.. i should have.

I loved that scene. It's so telling, no?