Money and Sex - When has it ever been any different?

I've almost been in the States for a week now, first at an old friend's place in LA and the last few days in Vegas.  It is at first a bit unsettling how quiet it can get here, and going from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in a major metropolitan city to the slow pace of daily life in town-ish places can be a shock to the system.

I no longer feel the same about the place I grew up.  It would take a big effort for me to readjust to the life here.  I remembered how bored I grew a few years into my career and needed stimulation and surprises in life.  I want to see what I can do in this world.  Perhaps it's an ingrown sense of ambition fueled by an immigrant family, or perhaps it is that wild adventurous side of me that grew unchecked over the years, I thirst for life, improvement, change.  I need security and it is something that I always felt a bit lacking.  

My friend advised me to talk less about money and about my relationship status.  Yet that is what matters in our lives isn't it.  Now that I live in Hong Kong, those things matter so much more.  Quoting from the business book I'm reading right now "The Last Tycoons: The secret history of Lazard Freres," "It is about money and sex, when has it ever been any different?"  I think I can explain much of how the world works by it.  I can turn a blind eye to it, but it is all around us.  I do however, need to practice putting forward a diplomatic and civil face, one that pleases mildly and not offend others.

I bought tickets to David Copperfield tonight and invited my dad.  I thought the show was enjoyable but not as much as Cris Angel, another magician that I saw here when I visited a year and half ago.  He's a good looking guy though, but probably at 56, outstretched his career a bit too much.  He is not as engaging and energetic as Cris Angel, and probably just free-riding on his former glory of an established name.  My dad commented so and said he earns so much more than the guys he employs to run his stage and that there is a time to make one's money and fame...  True indeed.  

I thought about my coworker a lot - a futile effort indeed.  I get mad and sad at the same time thinking how rudely he acts sometimes and how he'd be soon united with his wife.  It's Valentine's day coming up.  My Chicago ex is going skiing with the new flight attendant woman who's his neighbor.  Proximity trumps all else I guess.  I will be alone.  Good thing is I will be flying on Valentine's day.  A day spent with all strangers over the Pacific Ocean on Valentine's day seems swell enough.