Friday, May 18, 2007

The Other Woman

I was surfing the net and found a blog (I don't have the link because while reading the blog, my IE froze and I had to restart and thus I lost the link). It's from a woman (let's call her A) writing a letter to a Mrs Y. A letter she can't send because she see no points in sending it. The impression I got from A's blog is that her husband and this Mrs Y used to be good friend. They had a reunion recently and A's husband was calling Mrs Y everyday catching up on old times. Somehow Mrs Y went a step further by asking A's husband if he has any love for her. And thus prompting A's husband to look for feeling that wasn't there in the first place.

A's husband admitted to A that he has special feeling for Mrs Y. But he is not sure what that feeling is. He thinks it's sibling's love, it's old friend's love. Definately not lover kind of love.

A is going through lots of pain. I did catch a screen because I really feel her pain.


This is a prayer she wrote after she wrote the letter.

Why does woman do this to other woman?
Why aren't woman content with what they have?
If you are married, why can't you stay faithful to your spouse and stay away from other's spouse?

It's bad enough that some man abuse their wife.
It's bad enough that some woman are bullied by their mother-in-law, sister-in-law.
It's bad enough that some woman are controlled by their children.
Why does woman still do this to other woman?

After reading her blog, I feel that she is trying to save herself. Her blog is an outlet for her to express herself, to keep her sanity.

After reading her blog, I feel that morality of people is no longer what it used to be. Commmitment to each other really means nothing. Faithfullness is just what that piece of paper is worth. Seriously nothing to some people. It's really sad. And to do this on the pretence of friend is even worse.

Really sad. However, A seems to be very strong. She kept communication between herself and her husband open. She insisted on talking it out with her husband and after a few weeks of talking, the husband apologized to her and promised to stay away from Mrs Y. They are both healing and repairing their love. But the process is still very painful for A and that's why she felt she needs to write that letter, even though she can't send it because she doesn't want any contact with Mrs Y.

I really hope Mrs Y will get to experience what A has experienced. A taste of her own medicine.

Monday, May 14, 2007

F1 comes to Singapore

F1 comes to Singapore

By Wilfred Yeo - May 12, 2007
The Straits Times

Formula One's worst-kept secret is out: Singapore will host a leg of the Grand Prix circuit next year, with a race to be held in September or early October. Significantly, the race could well be a first in the 60-year history of F1: It will likely be held at night.

The Singapore Grand Prix will also be one of only three street races on the calendar for next year.

Scarlet Ferraris, sleek silver McLarens and brilliant yellow Renaults will power around a 5.2km street circuit around the Marina Bay area, whizzing by local landmarks such as the Esplanade and City Hall at speeds close to 300kmh.

...


Asiaone conducted an online-poll to check how much one is willing to fork out to pay for a F1-ticket.

This is the poll result:


55% said they are only willing to pay up to $50.
36% said they are willing to pay $100-$500.

Hmm.... I can't say it surprises me. Knowing the climate here, you really can't expected Singaporeans to pay top dollars for races like this. Now, if it's free, that's a totally different story.

But I can see a lot of corporate sponsorship. So the companies will be buying these tickets to give out to their partners and clients which happens in most countries anyway. The companies here are rich. So that should help with ticket sales. Singapore won't lose too much face for unsold tickets.

Personally, I am glad that F1 is coming because my family is a great fan of F1. However, we will not be going to see this race live. Reason is simple. Just 1 very simple reason. THE HEAT!!! Even if it's a night race, it's still way too hot. And with the crowd, the heat can be a killer. We prefer to watch the race in the comfort of our home. With our 40" LCD TV, a good sound system, air-con and snacks. The cheering for Ferrari and Kimi Rakkinonen every race, between myself and my 7 year old is enough to create an atmosphere for an enjoyable family gathering. LOL.

However, we will be going there to buy the souvenirs.

Knowing Singapore's style, security will be exaggerated. You can't do this, you can't do that. You can't have this, you can't bring that. Sorry, I don't care for things like that. If there are too much restriction, I will just stay at home. I can enjoy it on cable without the hassle.

Another things that keep me thinking is this.

From The New Paper:
Minister of State for Trade and Industry SIswaran, revealed that the annual cost of staging a Formula One race here could run up to $150 million.

Singapore Tourism Board will fund 60 per cent of that, amounting to $90m, with Mr Ong footing the rest.

Revenue will come from tourism receipts, estimated at $100m, and a special Formula One cess on hotel room revenues that is expected to bring in $15m to $20m.

This expected revenue would total $120m.

A quick calculation revealed a shortfall of about $30m.


Why would anyone wants to invest into something that's plain clear that you will be losing $30 million? Because of his personal passion for the sport?

It's also mentioned in the same article that:
That means Formula One could potentially mark the transition of Singapore from boring to exciting overnight.

Hmm... for that 2 weeks period, it's vibrant. What about the rest of the year?

Okay, okay, you can say the opening of the Casino will change that. Soon Singapore is going to be vibrant and exciting and ...

But seriously, can F1 sustain the short attention span of Singaporeans? How long can it interest Singaporeans? Look at all the previous projects which died an untimly death. Tang Dynasty? Haw Paw Villa - though it's still around, but does anyone goes there anymore? All I know of that place is ghostly stories now. Remember all those attraction in Sentosa? I can only see the beach as the reason why Singaporean visit Sentosa.

I may be too negative here. Too pragmatic. But I seriously wonder how long can F1 last in Singapore. Can it attract Singaporean to pay more than $100 to watch the race live. I may be wrong.

Update: May 15, 2007

This article was found at AsiaOne.com
It nevertheless is a coup that the people can be glad about. Singaporeans are supportive of well-defined efforts to make the city a more spontaneous, less formulaic place. This newspaper backed the effort from the start as few sports events have such cachet and also bring downstream benefits. But there are bound to be questions raised by some people uncomfortable about excessive use of taxpayers' funds in supporting what essentially is a private business venture headed by hotelier Ong Beng Seng. The Government's undertaking to meet 60 per cent of staging costs - about $90 million of the estimated hosting bill of $150 million - can be justified only as tourism promotion. It is big bucks but cities everywhere are spending as much, and more, to get a bigger slice of the travel market. But the segment of the public that doubts the wisdom of the move needs reassuring that businessmen are not getting a ride in reducing risk. Which investors would risk millions on a losing proposition? Little is known of the financing details, owing to confidentiality clauses. But the Government should disclose as fully as it can the financial arrangements as the F1 contract is to run for five years.


Guess we will never know the answer.
The Part of You That No One Sees

You are lively, dramatic, and flamboyant.
You have an outrageous personality...
And you secretly resent anyone who makes you tone it down.

Underneath it all, you are driven by your need for attention and acceptance.
You need to feel special at all times.
You are secretly jealous and occasionally insecure.