Singapore - Formula 1

It's All About the $
Like most sporting events these days, but even more so, F1 is a giant advertising and branding event.  Singapore only began hosting it in 2008 but it's quickly become the crown jewel of the circuit, F1's only night race.  It seemed like the entire global jet set was in town for the weekend - I waited longer at immigration and customs than I ever have.  Nobody actually watches the race, which is quite boring.  They're too busy drinking, chasing model-babes and eating the free food paid for by the sponsors.  I was more than happy to take a free ticket from Jean's friend Tracy, whose Dad is the chairman of the race. 

Heidelberg - Dropping In For a Few Days

It Wasn't My Idea, Subtle Pressure Was Applied
Just a few days prior to my scheduled flight to Singapore I got a call from my Belgian boss who pretended to forget I was leaving.  Though I'd just reminded him the day before he played his game said it was a political problem for me not to go to Germany for a useless meeting with various useless people.  So, three hrs later I stepped off a French bullet train in Heidelberg.

Paris - Gotta Love Politics

Once Lawyers Get Involved, Nobody Wins...
We're smart - we dedided to sue SAP even before the first office rolled out.  As you can imagine, when you sue your software vendor, things get kinda ugly.  All manner of silly things happen, like for instance the day before I was scheduled to go to Singapore the SAPpies make a big deal about my not attending some dumb meeting in Germany next week.  So, off I go to Germany next week!  I'm taking it in stride.  Today, rather than stroll through the Singapore humidity, I took a hike to the highest point in Paris, Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart.)  The view is one of a kind.  If you zoom in, you'll see the multi-colored Pompidou Center, which is close to my apartment.

Working - Home and Office

A Multi-Country Compare and Contrast
This is a shot of the home office in the Singapore rental.  If you can't tell, we've concocted a desk out of a mahjong table.  It's bright and sunny, next to the open windows.  I work French hours, which means I sit there from 2pm to around midnight or 1am Singapore time, depending on the day.  I try to take a break at dinner that lines up with the French lunch hr.  It has its advantages, nobody asking you questions, annoying you.  On the down side, it can get a bit lonely.  I may spend some time in Jean's office downtown just to be around some people, we'll see.

Singapore - Night Lights

Artsy Stuff in the Night Heat
You can tell they're trying to promote the arts here in Singapore.  I'd seen something like this in NY a few years back - lighting designers showing their stuff.  What's a lighting designer?  I'm not sure.  In this particular event, downtown near the art museum, the focus was on using light to give motion to things, such as this building.