Live from Suntec it's the IMF/WB show

Involvement in the project supporting IMF/WB conference has been tiring with average 15-hour days since last Saturday. Can't say it hasn't been fun, though it's been hard too. Several changes occurred as I shifted from planning mode to implementation. My default phone mode have switched from silent mode (meetings) to pocket mode (quick answer). I have taken to walking around with my charger on me all the time, stopping and plugging it when I stopped for a talk. I have developed the ability to answer calls within one ring, and to hold an incoming call long enough just for me to finish the current call and switch over before the second caller hangs up. I have had people suggesting surgical procedures to attach the handphone to my right ear. I prefer duct tape. I have foot ache every day now from too much walking and standing as I go around from place to place depending on where we have problem. My shoes are not meant for inspections, apparently. And the various Osim massage chairs provided for the delegates in the conference area offered not much relief for the feet, just the back and shoulder. I mean, I don't think they offer much relief since I obviously didn't try them since I am not a delegate, ahem. It's interesting to see a massive operation involved in hosting this from inside the operations command centre, where various incidents of all kind are reported. I won't say more on what incidents come up more so as not to implicate any parties, but it's quite fun when often it's not you who is the problem :-) The conference has not started proper yet (which is to the detriment of Suntec shopping mall, who has had local populace blocked out but potential tourists not coming in yet) but already so many incidents filter in; I worry for the moment it hits the peak. Security has been very tight. My team has had to scramble a lot of last minute security clearance of goods delivery to comply to the police's rules. It didn't help that the police seem to not have a firm procedure since it has changed a couple of time. Must have been an attempt to confuse possible terrorists ;-) In fact I am proud to announce that the police really thought I have the making of a terrorist and deem me a threat to stop at the check point. The x-ray scan revealed I had 2 sharp objects in my pouch, which they took away while I was stopped. Watch out Mr Wolfowitz, I'm gonna needle you to death with my two dental hooks! I guess I'm the only one with braces to clean in the entire conference. Things should get busier tomorrow, with some Civil Society Organizations activities seemingly starting. Already some people were trying to copy CSO materials in the copy centre that I am putting in place. The problem is, the facility is strictly for certain groups of people only, and CSO is not part of them. We have been warned based on past conference that CSO reps may try to request, cajole, intimidate, or straight out lie their way to get help to produce documents (including "borrowing" access pass of other accredited persons to get service), so this will be interesting to see, whether they will be as creative this time round. And if the room I saw marked as CSO room is really the one designated for them to protest at, I'm quite sure they need not worry about clashes with riot police. There will hardly be enough space to put in police once the CSOs are in the place ;-) And it just amuses me to a signage "THE DEMONSTRATION SITE IS CLOSED (the site is open from 9am to 6pm)". I guess I'm not very experienced with organised demonstration, but I'm not used to the concept of the demo site being closeable, and with a stated operating hour. Oh well, I guess I must try to hang around there between 9am to 6pm more often to learn more on how to run a demonstration site ;-)