Wednesday 6 May 2020

End of the Road...Driving A Cab.

Pencil Portraits of my Childhood Friends.

I don’t know if anyone still reads this blog…and I’m sure some people are peeved off as I have been silence for almost one year without explanation whatsoever.

Some might guess that I had kicked the bucket or had dementia, Covid 19 or whatever.

I understand that it’s a reasonable assumptions as I’m in my twilight years at 73 and life, as you know, is unpredictable.

But, thanks God, I’m still kicking and much alive, spared from tragic misfortune.

I guess while I’m here, I give a brief update of myself.

If you’re here reading this, you’re aware I don’t really write this blog anymore.

There are a lot of reasons.

The main reasons why I’ve been hesitant to post here lately is because I’m getting lazier as I get older and is planning to retire from all stressful work and activities as much as possible.

I certainly don’t want to disappoint anybody, especially my followers but I’ve to say frankly, if blogging paid my bills, I’ll probably do a lot more.

You may say I’m selfish but as you know, I live in the most expensive place in the world….Singapore.

Writing this blog has indeed given me much satisfaction but the truth is, for the past one year, the money I got from past traffic accident claims, CPF Life payments, allowances from my filial children and supplementary income from infrequent cab driving, are what’s helping me to get by.

Sadly, my health, specifically my eyesight is declining rapidly.

Last year, I had two near fatal traffic accidents.

In the first accident, a fully loaded trailer crushed into the rear of my taxi and sent my taxi crushing at the gentry’s barrier of an industrial car park.

Fortunately, I was belted and did not suffer any serious injuries except a hairline fracture at my elbow and knee.

The offending driver explained that his trailer had faulty brakes.

In the second incident in mid-2019, I almost killed a young student at a zebra crossing.

My right eye did not catch him crossing the zebra crossing and he avoided my cab by a mere inch as I cruised past him.

Had he walked a step more, I would have knocked him down with unimaginable injuries or death.

From this near fatal incident mainly because of my defective eyesight, I knew I had to stop driving but I need a supplementary income in expensive Singapore.

So, I drove sporadically for only one to two days a week till December 2019.

Then COVID 19 arrived in January 2020.

Thereafter, I stopped driving completely and planned to return my normal and taxi vocational license at the end of this year.

I'm now in semi-retirement.

I kept myself occupied with cooking, drawing, tending to my corridor garden and sleeping longer than necessary.

Maybe I’ll start a home based business like selling home cooked food or pencil portrait drawing to earn a small income. God Willing..

I would truly appreciate any suggestion.

Thank you.

My Corridor Garden in a HDB Apartment.


18 comments:

Overcome Life said...

Hi, I am glad you are back to write again. Sorry to hear about your eye sight problem and the bad things happened due to it. At least you are in good health and maintaining positive thoughts. Although blogging does not pay the bill, it has been your passion to write and share your story. I enjoy read it you know. And there is nothing bad about retirement. It is time for you to rest after working for so many years in life I guess. Just spend money at necessary items, you will be fine to get by. At the same time, monitor your food intake, have exercise every day, and make health as priority in your life, both body and mind, plus keep up your positivity in life. I am sure you will be fine. So don't worry and be happy!!! :)

Diary of a Singaorean Cabby said...

Hi, Pretty Girl,
It's always nice to hear good things and advice from well meaning people. The one thing that struck me was your advice to monitor my food intake. I'm slightly over weight at about 80kgs and is pre-diabetic. Since the start of COVID 19 one month ago, I take a light breakfast of loti prata with home cooked dahl curry with lots of vegetables, NO LUNCH and mid-load dinner. Total calories a day..1500 cal. I hope this would help me to reduce my weight. Mulling to start slow walking daily. Thanks again for keeping in touch with me. Have a good day. Pretty girl.

Radeon Tan said...

hello, i am glad you are fine and still writing

Diary of a Singaorean Cabby said...

Thank you, Radeon Tan for your kind comment. good night!

Gary Tay said...

Thanks for ur posts all these years. i have been reading ur blog for the past 7 years and found it to be widely entertaining. Do enjoy ur retirement.

Diary of a Singaorean Cabby said...

Thank you, Gary Tay,

I'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed my various post in the last 7 years and thank you also for your well wishes. Take care. God Bless You. Cheers!!

apel said...

still enjoy your writing uncle, even im not live in Singapore.
Glad to know you still there and healthy.

Diary of a Singaorean Cabby said...

Hi, apel.

Thanks for your nice comments.

As I'm now confined to staying at home most of the time due to the current pandemic, I've lots of time to spare. Therefore, to keep my boredom at bay, I would probably write a bit more on recollection and reminiscence of some past taxi adventures and anecdotes. Till then, God Bless Your family and You.

apel said...

cannot wait :) God Bless You and your family also uncle.
Stay safe and healthy.

William said...

Hi Brother, I file your blog under my favourites. Occasionally I will check to see if you have any updates cos I have been reading your blog for many years and love your stories, although I have never commented, just a silent reader enjoying your musings. I am just 10 years your junior, continue to take good care of your health and enjoy every day of your life.

Lau Hero said...

At your age, it's sad that you still need to continue driving a taxi. Please stop. Life is still beautiful without driving a taxi. Do something more to fulfill your soul. Take care and all the very best

Diary of a Singaorean Cabby said...

Hi, William,

I've a taxi buddy of the same name and age. But he's Chinese Ed.& don't read my blog like you.
Thanks for faithfully following my blog all these years and glad to hear you enjoy my musing. Hope to keep this blog till my last breath. Take Care. Bye.

Diary of a Singaorean Cabby said...

Hi, Lau Hero,
I was taken aback by your remark that you're sad that at my age I still NEED to drive a cab. Well, actually I don't need to drive anymore and I can get by financially albeit frugally with my CPF Live & children's allowance. You might wish to know that retirement is no fun when you're bored with hardly anything interesting to do daily. I think it's better to keep oneself occupied like driving than staring at four walls. You'll experience it when you time arrives. Anyway, thank you for your comment. You take care too!. Bye

Lau Hero said...

Thank you for your reply. I'm 10 years behind you. My point is there's other more meaningful activities we can do besides driving a taxi to kill "time". My plan is to give up driving a taxi in 3 years time. Like you, life is more than just driving a taxi to kill time. Retirement is more about paying forward, it's about social contribution. Count our blessings. Good luck and all the best in your future endeavours.

WTK said...

Hi,

Writing posts in the blog is also good way for a meaningful life. You can share your life experience as well as interact with others. I believe that you will have a lot of readers longing for your interesting posts.

WTK

PLT said...

Thank u writing your blogs !
I must admit I am not frequent visitor to your blog, I had read your blog before. Since Govt. grant anticipation of foreign investors such as Uber or Grabs into Sg Taxi affecting revenue stream of full time vocational drivers, in your blog reflected familiar traces my uncle resentment and complaints. His taxis career ended earlier December 2019 heard it was already 3rd vehicle accompany him thru this time, after used it for sending my parents and me home. My uncle and me are eye floaters carriers and somehow affecting his taxi driving, although still manageable but dangerous on the road.

I envied my friends migrated to USA San Francisco, Australia Melbourne etc. I knew another uncle American SPR living in Sg. Travels back to USA especially now after Covid-19. Do u agreed that no matter where or country migrated will face same problems with govt issue? An Old lady favour line...

Anonymous said...

Hi, so happy to see you write again as I love to read your blog. Glad that you have stop driving taxi, cos it’s getting harder everyday. With the dwindling demand and overcrowding roads, sometimes I think how long can I continue also. Anyway stay healthy and be happy with what you do. Cheers!

Diary of a Singaorean Cabby said...

Hi, Anon,
First of all, wishing you a belated Marry X'mas and Happy New Year 2021. Glad 2020 is coming to an end soon. It's been a horrible year in every aspect for most of us, especially taxi drivers. Anyway, I hardly drive and survived by spending frugally. Life has to go on no matter what difficulties we have, right?. So, with this in mind, I wish you and all my followers all the best in the years ahead and God Bless You All! Cheers!!