I would have to object to Amy Winehouse's 'Love is a Losing Game'.

Firstly, I feel that love is not a game. Love shouldn't be a game. If love is not a game, then no-one wins or loses in it. I am aware I come very close to being cliched and idealistic. But fret not, lofty ideas and romanticism isn't my style. To most, love is a game because of the mind boggling aspect of whether to move forward, step back or just halt your steps. To guys, it most probably IS a game. Well, courtship DOES provide all the elements that constitutes a game, adrenaline rush, oozy high, deep depression, acute pain and definitely a sense of acheivement/victory/loss in the end. Because the game of love/courtship has become so elaborate through time, true love and courtship purely for the sake of love doesn't seem to exist anymore.

I look around me everywhere and can't help but think to myself. how many people are actually together because of love and not other discreet motives. People all around are getting themselves attached, or have broken up. How many of you are attached because you love/like/fancy your respective partners? How many people actually break up because of this simple reason : I don't love you anymore. I might be able to count with just my fingers and toes.

The reasons for being attached becomes more varied and fanciful (even more fanciful than love in itself i must say.) as we travel through time. Hooking up used to be for the purpose of procreating. That was right at the beginning of time when polygamus was openly practiced. love was probably too far away from everyone's thoughts at that time. It was a simple reason, however much you scoff at it. It makes sense even. because civilisation at that point in time needed many children to replace the dying or dead ones, given that mortality rate was so high. Fast forward to the present. I can scribble a whole list of reasons why people are getting themselves attached or hooking up with various partners. The list is exhaustive, even. But you can be sure that 'love' would be last on the list. (IF there is one.)

That said, point is, people are getting attached for all the wrong reasons. or rather, for reasons other than the simple reason: 'love'. The process seems to have reversed. Instead of getting to know a person and harbouring feelings through time, the process is fast forwarded with the aid of--- Gasp! not divine help. But by either of the party playing---Gasp! again! target shooting!!! No wonder Amy Winehouse sang Love is a losing game. What is the natural process of loving a person through time becomes unnatural, fake and uncommon at present. We say 'Iloveyou' so easily, dropping them everywhere, anywhere and most of the time, not even meaning it. When we take time to get to know a person, people automatically think you're a slow coach. knowing another's character becomes something you do only after getting together. Well, I would like to think its a continuous process. On the flip side, I'm also not saying that two people should be together only if they are truely in love. That is idealistic. What I'm driving at is that, our intentions of being together with a partner should only be pure. It should not be a practice for target shooting, nor should it be a cure for loneliness. Even if the initial phase does not constitute love, seeing as how love is a very strong word if you put it in the correct context, then the motives in being in a relationship should be to develop 'like/fancy/obssession', to feelings of 'love.' Of course not all relationships will work out in the end. There would always be a test drive period before both parties reach another stage in their relationship. But I think the focus should always be to develop love. not to 'test market' first.(quoted from min)

He has taught me so much more than I would ever learn in any of my past relationships. No matter how deeply hurt and depressed I feel, I can only whine about it, smile and laugh along with everyone else, mock Grace, hate Grace, hate him. At night, my memories turn time back. I discover more truths, uncover more lies, but strangely, feel no piercing agony, or unbearable pain. I only feel disappointed at my utter naiviette and distaste at the ugliness I displayed. No more target shooting for me. No more games. I'm too tired. To say that 'I'll never fall in love again' is a little too harsh. and it'll most probably be untrue anyway. I can only wish to horne my skills in being guarded and never to say these sacred words (iloveyou) to anyone again. I've given too many away. I need to store some for the special someone. (if there even will be.)