Publicity, thy name is my woe

Have been planning an event for this coming November, and am right now, panicking that may not be enough people to attend it. I have a pretty great list of speakers lined up and all are rather prolific in their circles but the price tag is rather hefty although nothing close to what the schools and other event companies are charging. They go by thousands, mine is a mere $280 and people are complaining of it being expensive.

Given the recent financial crisis and impending economic forecasts of doom, everyone's tightening their belts and companies are cutting training budgets so this is a really bad time for us to do this event. Am praying so hard that things will turn out all right and that we will have at least 200 pax. I think that should be sufficient to cover the costs.

With all the worry about insurance giant AIG being rescued by the Feds, I surrendered 2 policies (am so fuming mad at AIA now, irrationally or otherwise) yesterday during lunch hour and in the process, lost close to $6,000 OF.MY.HARDEARNED.MONEY. If I can react this way to losing $6k, I can't imagine how it must be for the countless of others who lost their homes, life savings and probably jobs soon. With the cost of food rising, natural disasters and all, think the only ones who will be making money during this period are doctors and funeral homes. Sounds dire? But it makes sense. Can you imagine how many people had heart attacks and a rise in blood pressure on Black Monday? And after the Senate refused to pass the bailout plan initially? I've been reading the papers that more and more suicides are happening because of the loss of jobs, mortgages, retirement funds, etc. It's beyond bleak.

And has it trickled down to our tiny island? I think so. People aren't spending, companies are cutting budgets and those employed by financial institutions and banks are pretty much in a limbo state of uncertainty. Asia had our 1997 crisis and weathered through it and so will the US. What goes down must eventually come up. In other less despairing news, "In a speech yesterday in Milwaukee, President Bush vowed to do whatever it takes to keep the economy strong. In fact he said that if he needs to, he will take vacation for another three months." —Jay Leno (courtesy of www.politicalhumor.about.com)

I think I pay more attention to American, Malaysian, Indonesian or even Thai politics than my own Singaporean politics. They're just more interesting and the things that come out of Sarah Palin's mouth sometimes just leaves me flabbergasted that the McCain would pick such an uncouth person as the vice presidential running mate. And that grating accent... oh mah gawd. Although I don't think Obama is that wonderful, he is preferable to another George "Dubya" Bush. He's just more sincere.

I have no idea why am I talking about my event, insurance policies and how it led to American politicians but I think I should stop now before I head to the topic of werewolves. Which is rather interesting actually, given the book am reading. But will stop myself now.