Daily Lessons from Life 14 February 2013 - Olympian Oscar Pistorius arrested after girlfriend shot dead

Today is the so-called Valentine Day. A very successful commercialization of the touchy feelly subject. The BEST news today for Mr Ng Boon Gay's wife is that Mr Ng has been declared NOT GUILTY for the infamous 'sex-for-contract' case by the presiding Judge. A lot of reflection to be done by both sides of the case for sure. Is this the end? Maybe if the AGC decides NOT to appeal OR Mr Ng decides NOT to sue CPIB and AGC for 'public humiliation and causing stress to self and faithful spouse'.

"Olympian Oscar Pistorius arrested after girlfriend shot dead - Reuters Feb 14, 2013

JOHANNESBURG - South African Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius, commonly known as the "Blade Runner", was arrested on Thursday after his girlfriend was shot dead at his home in Pretoria, police and domestic media said.

"We found a 9 millimetre pistol at the scene. A 26-year-old man was taken into custody," police spokewoman Katlego Mogale told Reuters. She declined to give any further details.

Johannesburg's Talk Radio 702 said Pistorius was understood to have shot his girlfriend in the head and arm, although the circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear. He may have mistaken her for a burglar, the radio report said.

Reeva Steenkamp was reported to have been dating Pistorius for a year. In the social pages of last weekend's Sunday Independent, she described Pistorius as having "impeccable"taste.

"His gifts are always thoughtful," she was quoted as saying.

South Africa has some of the world's highest rates of violent crime and some home-owners carry weapons to defend themselves against intruders.

Pistorius' mobile phone went straight to voicemail on Thursday. There was also no response from his agent."

You COULD NOT have filed a more contrasting story on Valentine Day from the one I mentioned above about Mr Gay's acquittal.

Lessons for me are:

1. fate has many twisted tales. Some very brutal and very very cruel. Like in this case if he indeed mistaken her for a burglar and shot and killed her!;

2. many reasons could have contributed to this 'shoot on sight' mentality as 'South Africa has the highest rates of violent crime and some home-owners carry weapons to defend themselves against intruders' as reported. What is the right things to do? No gun or to allow gun? It matters not in this case IF he killed her by mistake;

3. Valentine Day is just another day really. For many with the money and the time and space to 'celebrate' this very commercialized day, good for them. The shop owners and the gift makers would be very happy and smiling all the way to the banks. Otherwise, on this 'special day', just stay home with your loved ones and truly share the time together. Or to have an experience like one radio caller I heard this morning: 'My wife and I have to share a table with 2 other couples whom I have never met in a posh restaurant of a 5-star hotel on Valentine Day'! :-)

Happy Valentine to Mr and Mrs Ng.

Distraught Valentine to the 'Blade Runner'?