by Trailerman Sam
If there’s one not-so-awesome habit that I have, it would be “reading while eating or eating while reading”.
All this started when I was still in my teens during the early 1970s. As children, we had the privilege of being able to enjoy the family’s reading staple — The Straits Times (later New Straits Times). If my memory serves me well, this broadsheet newspaper of 22 × 27.5 inches then was priced at about or less than 50 sen.
How big was that 50 sen in those days? If I could use the popular Penang-speak for “thrifty” Penangites, the correct phrase would be “as big as a bullock cart’s wheel”. That 50 sen could satisfy you with a big bowl of curry mee with all the extra toppings or garnishings.
I even enjoyed reading just the labels of soy sauce bottles as I walloped big plates of fried noodles from my regular Indian-Muslim restaurant during the 1980s. At times when it was a takeaway for nasi kandar, I would remind the one packing the food to wrap it up with only used English language newpapers.
There was nothing like the feeling of enjoying every grain of rice as I read each printed word in the newspapers even though the information was already a week old or more.
The 1990s were much better with my steady monthly income. Which meant that each time I saw a good book or magazine, I’d lay my hands on it by all means! I also didn’t have any second thoughts about subscribing to certain magazines like the Reader’s Digest, which unfortunately folded in April this year after publishing for 86 years!
That iconic monthly certainly taught me a lot, including expanding my vocabulary, with its informative and inspiring stories. At one time, its global reach was 40 million people in more than 70 countries via 49 editions in 21 languages, and even in Braille, making it the largest paid-circulation magazine in the world then. The first issue was printed in 1922 and I’m proud to say I have a replica of it!
In the late 60s and 70s, I was hooked on to Fanfare and Galaxie, two interesting teen-based entertainment magazines, which also had a page where we can make new friends by writing letters to them. We used to call these friends – pen pals, I wonder if the present online digital-weaned Gen Y or Z know what are pen pals!
I also liked the Agony Aunt column in Galaxie where I learnt the use of the term in 1974 for a person who’d evaluate the problems from people struggling with their emotions or lives writing in to seek advice. Stuff like “A is good-looking but arrogant while B is not handsome but kind, who should I choose?” Or “My parents don’t allow me to go out with friends or watch television, they expect me to study all the time, I feel like committing suicide!”
Sadly, Fanfare and Galaxie are no longer in print as many print publications had been adversely affected by changes in trends and tastes with the advent of onlne media.
I’m still hanging on to my 40 pocket-sized books on World War II stories and anecdotes published from 1960 to 1985 in the Combat Picture Library series. Sadly, some of these interesting books were borrowed but strangely never came back like the proverbial boomerang!
Another of my prized possessions is my collection of Lat comics in book form. If any Malaysian lover of local comics and caricatures hasn’t heard of Lat, then that person is indeed “a frog under a coconut shell”!
To me, Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid or more popularly known as Lat, is a renowned Malaysian cartoonist, social commentator and cultural icon. His works have been published in many newspapers, magazines, graphic novels and anything Malaysian from postage stamps to buses. His comics can even make the most dour person grin from ear to ear.
I value Lat’s collection as precious as how Gollum in the Lord of the Rings would value that precious ring. As promised, one of my nieces would inherit my whole collection when I do kick the bucket one fine day in the distant future.
Of late, I’ve decided to resume my good old habit of reading. The latest is a book about Manicasothy Saravanamuttu or just Sara, an accomplished journalist who had a lot to do with the once legendary Penang newspaper, The Straits Echo.
I am halfway through it but every chapter opens the door for me to have a unique glimpse of the people and events associated with the formation and development of our lovely country, Malaysia, and of course, Penang!
Sam Trailerman, who writes from Lunas in Kedah, can be contacted at tapessam@gmail.com
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