In less than 2 weeks, tennis’ big guns – men and women- will take center stage in France. Did I tell you I was supposed to be in the French capital this very month, watching this very tournament when it begins? Yeah, I was supposed to BUT…so many things : money, first and foremost. When I started looking into the ticket prices, it was disgustingly expensive. Disgusting! I have to pay the same amount for a quarter-final in Australia for a ground pass in RG? What’s up with that??? Unbelievable.

So like I said money for one thing. Then it’s timing. Hubby’s office is undergoing major renovation and because of the business expansion, they are ursurping their neighbour’s land. He has to look into all aspects of the building plans, renovation works and generally in charge of the move. ANd they have to do it by this month. He’s been given 10 days! Iron-Man meh? Apparently so.

Oh…I was supposed to talk about ROme aren’t I? At least the courts at Rome looks more like clay. hhahah…Personally, I don’t like the blue clay. Honestly, it sucks. But those who embraced it (and wore blue), won it. So much for a sucky surface. Still…a blue clay court will take an enormous amount of getting-used to. I mean, inspite of new players, younger players, inspite of a whole new generation of tennis prodigies, tradition still plays a very important part in the sport. Look at the likes of Nole and Rafa – they clearly wasnt all too pleased about the surface change. And they are the new breed of tennis players out there, dominating the sport while doing it. It tells you something doesn’t it? That you cannot change history, you cannot change traditions and more importantly, you cannot change what the majority want. It’s like an unspoken rule.

I just hope the change or color comes in only at the Master’s tournament and not the grand slams. I mean, I hate to see Wimbledon changing grass to, say, a blue carpet. Just doesn’t make any sense and it that happens, I think Federer will certainly not be too pleased about it. He will make whoever is responsible for the asinine move PAY!! I am sure of it. Do not underestimate the GOAT. Never ever rule the GOAT out under any circumstances. You will be sorry you ever did…**break into evil laughter**

In the meantime, lets sit back. Enjoy the dirt. A little slow, I get that but hey, it’s dirt. Can’t expect much. All you can do to truly enjoy the slug-fest is if you imagine them playing naked with sweat dripping down their backs. Ohhh…I am so moving away from my MAC and back to the telly now. Ta!

After being laid back for the past 6 years or so, I have been contemplating on going back to the workforce. Why? Oh, the reasons are many and varied : escalating costs of living, kids’ education, need for more self indulgent activities and so on and so forth…like I said – plenty!

If I do go back NOW, it will be 2 years ahead of my targeted ‘back to work’ date/time. If I go back NOW, the kids are still young. If I go back NOW, a lot less freedom. We met hubby’s old friend and his family last night at the theatre. The whole family (their 7 year old boy and 2 year old daughther). Although, the movie was not exactly age-appropriate for the girl but then, for good measure, I kept my mouth shut. Anyway, so we met them, the wife has just gotten off work and off they went to spend some quality family time.

You know, I was thinking, if I work now, I will not get to spend much time at home and life will not be as laid back as what I am enjoying right now. The kids are not rushed. Not that they take their own sweet time, just that life is not one activity after another and we don’t always have to rush. I don’t really want my life to be a constant rush after another. No time to really take in all that we are doing, just getting through one after another. I’d much rather have quality than quantity. Having lots doesn’t mean squat if you don’t even know or realise what just happened.

Besides, going back to work means having to look for jobs. Unless you are the privilege few (which in this case, wont be me), I will have to go through interviews, sending out resumes, waiting in line, prospective employers doing pre employment background checks, going for medical check-ups, dealing with first-day jitters, establishing rapports with fellow workmates, standing out without offending anyone, learning your new boss, getting around, getting into the A-list…you know, the list goes on and on and on…

Going back to work, whether you’re starting at the top or bottom, is always the same. People are often threatened and not accepting of new faces. It’s like a threat to their already comfortable bubble. People generally don’t deal well with new ones. Of course, you can try and may appear to succeed but their acceptance of you may be masked with underlying reasons. It’s a common phenomenon everywhere. Not everyone gets the like button at first. It just takes a while to earn the trust.

So you see…having to go through the motions, sacrificing the family and perhaps even for pittance, I always wonder if it is all worth it. No amount is too small of course. Every cent counts.

It’s been a constant struggle for me with regards to this. I am convinced that it will continue to be a struggle for a long time to come. Guess that’s what life is all about, ain’t it? Not a bed of roses.

We have this nifty gadget at home called the Apple TV. Hubby got in when he went on a business trip to Switzerland early this year.

What is it? Well, according to the ever reliable wikipedia, an Apple TV is a digital media receiver. Basically, it’s a home entertainment device that connects to your home network for you to receive digital media files from a personal computer (or other networked media server and play them back on a home theatre system or TV.

In order words, it allows you to watch internet porn directly on your TV without your computer. Told you it’s a nifty gadget.

With this Apple TV, I have been watching a lot of movies on Youtube, catch up on my series without having to wait for the tv channel to air and play cartoons for the girls. Isn’t that fun? The best part is, you just watch whatever you want on tv. WHatever you can download from Youtube, you can watch it. You can even look at your Flickr cos the device supports it. But, so far, I’ve only used it for Youtube and it’s been great. There – a nifty device. All we need now is a nice huge tv monitor and it’s monitor mount .

As we continue on with the clay season this year, we’re treated to some changes. Something the top players have been moaning about.  The people at Madrid thought it’d be funny and dyed the clay from red (organg-ey) to blue, mimicking the blue hard courts of Australia. Shocking!!

Personally, I have no problems with it. Obviously! – since I don’t even play the game. The only people not too fond of it are the players. Fed didn’t make a sound. He usually doesn’t. These things aren’t important to him as a win at RG is so, he’s not too bothered. The likes of Djoker and Rafa were livid. They complained, slammed, did everything in their power to condemn the organisers for their lack of colour sense.

I have had a look at it. I can’t say I am extremely fond of the blue coloured clay court but I am not too bothered by it either. It just feels like they are playing on a hardcourt. It seems to function like one too looking how tough the surface is. It probably suits Fed, I don’t know. It’s either enjoying this week’s tennis or reading about neff. I’ll take the former.

Isn’t that time just came and went – yet again?! Feels super fast. Wonder what all the fuss is about and somehow, it is coming at lightening speed. So what we need to do is do everything we can to make the rest of the year exciting and fun. Such as : taking bungee lessons and music lessons. Getting an Antares might just do the trick. Doesn’t seem right but when you think about it – it really does.