Two Issues..

A 4 set win for Rog and he's through to the 2nd week of the Championships. Things are not shaping as nicely as expected, but then again, a smooth sailing passage is not the best preparation. Some sort of struggle would be good for him, especially the mental aspect of his game. 2 double faults in a game to hand the break to the opponent is a real gift, which I hope would not be repeated in the next few rounds.

2 issues which I had been discussing with my friends over the past few weeks have sprouted over the newspapers yesterday and today. The first was regarding matchmaking agencies. Having graduated from NUS, I would automatically become a member of SDU, which stands for Social Development Union, or rather, Singles Desperate Union. A close friend of mine who had graduated last year is vehemently against joining their activities. I was even admonished by her to speak softer in this rather quiet eating place when I mentioned the 3 dreaded alphabets. In her perception, and probably the vast majority, people who take part in the activities organized by SDU are average or even ugly looking, uncool, nerdy, desperate, unwanted and socially inept. If not, why would they need to seek help in finding a life partner?

In a way to counter this, many hip and trendy matchmaking agencies have sprung out. For an annual fee one forks out, one gets a certain number of dates a year. Members are mostly young professionals ranging from lawyers, doctors and bankers. So does it mean to say you pay for what you get? If I'm not wrong, membership for SDU is free for the 1st year only. Subsequently you have to pay some amount, which I suspect will still be less than matchmaking agencies like Lunch Actually and Two To Tango. "You pay peanuts, you get monkeys" and "she3 me4 qian3, she3 me4 huo4"". I wonder if these 2 sayings really apply to matchmaking agencies as well. But fairly speaking, at least SDU has been making efforts to revamp its image. Activities such as karaoke, mahjong and even tennis sessions are included now. Sounds pretty enticing to me.

The 2nd issue is that of guys holding their gfs'/wife's handbag. I'm totally aghast by that. In fact, I find it an amusing sight. It just shows that the guy has no backbone. It doesn't matter if the handbag is flowery, pinkish or whatever pattern. How heavy can a handbag be? Please girls, don't act like a damn spoilt brat. Holding a hundred grams of weight for a few hours is not such a demanding chore. And guys, you holding your beloved's bag is not a sign of your gentlemanly and caring behaviour. It just shows what a weakling and hen-pecked person you are. There are many other ways to display your love for your beloved. Being caring would be letting your partner rest when he/she is sick and not demanding that the poor sick fellow goes window-shopping/dining out everyday with you. Being loving would be not making unreasonable demands and not being bossy. Being considerate and attentive would mean not letting your poor partner hold on to the phone while you start gossiping on the other line or watch tv for more than 5 minutes. It's the little things like these that really matter. Holding a ladies bag is just a showy way of portraying being caring.