Visit Indonesia 2008: Blessing in Disgrace?

It was meant to promote Indonesia as a major destination in South East Asia. It was meant to boost the feebly dropping number of visitors to Indonesia and keep up the amazing race with tourism giants like Thailand (14 million visitors) or “Truly Asia” (18 millions). It was supposed to show Indonesia and not just Bali, to the center stage. Then, something happened to the $96,000 campaign.

A fatal grammatical error in the slogan (someone apparently forgot to put a definite article or possessive pronoun) which has appeared in billboards, government website and even plastered boldly on Garuda’s aircraft.. The firm agreed to change it at no extra cost (duh!). Someone would get a good hard spank and perhaps, fired.

Nevertheless, I find it a little bit odd. Is it perhaps part of the campaign strategy? I seriously doubt there are no person in the government or the design firm who didn’t realize the serious mistake. Maybe an Englishman is at the moment browsing internet and laughing (“Look at this poor country, darling. Blimey! Such a bloody mistake. Hey, we’ve never been to Indonesia, aren’t we?).

But then again, perhaps $96,000 should firstly be use to pay for the whole member of Tourism Board, a proper English lesson.

Below is the correct silent re-launch of Visit Indonesia 2008 logo.

Mazel Tov!

More about → Visit Indonesia 2008: Blessing in Disgrace?

The Departed

It seems 2007 took the best (and worst) kind of people from us. There were Anita Roddick, Ingmar Bergman, Luciano Pavarotti, Sidney Sheldon together with those from different field and axis, Bo Yibo (the ex-Chinese Communist Party leader), Khun Sa ( The ex- King of Golden Triangle), Kurt Waldheim (ex-UN Secretary-General allegedly involved in war crimes) and many others.

Just when I think there should be enough death already, a Benazir Bhutto was murdered. Shocking but yet not unexpected. Just when there is a fair good chance of democratic wind for Pakistan, a massacre before election happened. Oh, the sadness, anxiety, trial and tribulation of 2007! Enough to make a human-being cower and curl below his bed. But not this sapimalas. I’ll be looking for 2008 as a year where I should decide a lot of things. I just hope it is going to be the right one.

More about → The Departed

Little Baby No More

I wonder of a mother who give birth
to a baby that could never be hers.
Still she raised the little soul,
years after terrifying years.
Until the baby no more.
And placed by a person,
flawed and angry.
Lack of love.
he said.
she said.

More about → Little Baby No More

Tropical Italian Santa and Distorted Jingle Bells

After the annual Christmas nausea, massive food and wine hang-over also last minute snapy shopping, I finally find the time to sit down and type. I hardly remember what kind of Christmas I’ve had before millenium except for the presents (I even need to double-check on my diary even for the last six!). Doll house when I was six. A plastic oven with velcro-ed carrot when I was eight. A complete edition of Japanese manga I adore when I was twelve. The present stopped when I entered the world of puberty. How dissapointing! I still love beautifully wrapped gifts which led my falling to the trap of my ungrateful brother last year. He beautifully wrapped an instant noodle (“Hey, you told me you like beautifully wrapped things!”). Sigh.

Things doesn’t get better. My parents give up choosing me gift around my teenage drama queen era (“But this cardigan looks old! And I don’t like this shade of pink!Yuck!) and continue giving me shopping voucher or “mentah”(means “raw” in English, but also could be use to tell someone “just give me the cash and I’ll buy whatever I like”).

The older I become, the less I enjoy Christmas. I feel it was greedily corrupted by consumerism. All the ho-ho-ho by fake Santa Claus with Chinese eyes, paid to have his picture taken by parents of innocent little screaming angels. Season Sale. And no beautifully wrapped presents below the tree. Sniff.

As long as I remember I’ve never had a romantic Christmas ala Hollywood. No brother of amnesia fiance who fall in love with me. No brilliantly located mistletoe. No fireplace with crackling wood and huge real life tree. For us, who lived in tropical world with no chance whatsoever of getting a White Christmas, the closest thing we get to the idea of romantic Christmas is to celebrate it with a bunch of family, preferably in decorated restaurant or party with a Michael Bolton Christmas record playing in the background.

Which we precisely did. This year, all four of us, went to Italian restaurant in Sanur area. Massimo was the name, obviously named after the owner. The guest was oddly mixed, what , with screaming kids and honeymoon-ed couple. There was a huge Christmas tree, decorated with green and red ribbons. The white columns covered in similar splash of Christmas spirit. Still, it doesn’t feel like Christmas.

So I gave up. Christmas, these days, just like Valentine’s Day. Overrated season, piously arranged by big companies and advertising industry. After my third glass of red wine and a fettuccine with lamb in pesto sauce, suddenly a distorted keyboard playing ‘Jingle Bells’ break my lamentation. Great. And suddenly to make it even worse, a falsetto female singing “jingle all the way, oh what fun….” Right.

Between my steak and the sixth glass of wine, I started to get used to it. Suddenly, a HOHOHO. A slim Santa Claus entered the room and the kids squealing in delight. What a joy to be young. He did his round, let adoring parents took his picture with the kids on his lap and giving, what else! Beautifully wrrapped presents! My heart starting to thud. I’ve been good this year. Graduated from uni. Made my parents happy.

When he reached our table, he gave away two parcels of biscuits and a beautifully wrapped present for me! I couldn’t help but grinning broadly and asked for having my picture taken with Santa (yes and I just graduated from uni. Like you could resist!). And suddenly I realized that Mr. Santa is Massimo himself! An original tropical Italian Santa. How surreal. Dali’s painting couldn’t be more surreal then that.

I went home, opened my “beautifully wrapped in red paper present” and found a wooden Wright’s airplane. Perhaps it’s a sign that next year, next Christmas, I would be celebrating some place else. Some place other than my 22 years of Christmas in Bali. Anyplace snowy.

It’s not a romantic Christmas but it is Christmas. Even with Italian Santa Claus, distorted jingles and humid tropical weather. Hohoho.

More about → Tropical Italian Santa and Distorted Jingle Bells

Oscar Peterson (1925-2007)

“Some people try to get very philosophical and cerebral about what they’re trying to say with jazz. You don’t need any prologues, you just play. If you have anything to say of any worth then people will listen to you”, said The Maharajah of keyboard, Oscar Peterson. Jazz Universe lost another maestro when Oscar Peterson passed away on Sunday, December 23. God Bless His Soul. Links about his death and works can be find here.

More about → Oscar Peterson (1925-2007)

Royal Amusement

Who was the culprit? Few possible explanation of what makes Prince Harry laughed so hard:

1. King Philip has a gastronomic problem which caused him to be, uhm, gassy?

2. A private joke about "The Queen" which made Her Majesty as soured as plum and so prevented Her Majesty to stretch the smiling muscle.

More about → Royal Amusement

For M.

I am a mere mortal.
A mere big mouthed stupid mortal.
Once, I was trusted a secret and I, off-mindedly, leak it to the third party. My fault.
Only then the third party made a half-fictive blog out of it
and the one who gave me that secret, then, read the blog.
Chaos.
Chaos in life, in soul, in heart.
For I was cursed by guilt,
by fear,
of losing the best friend I ever had.
Of things that would possibly be
unsolved and damaged beyond repair
Rememberance of things past
and flying words
galloping
wild
which I yearn to diminished
into the frail air
of my humility.

More about → For M.

The Merit of Indonesian Police Officer

Recently, I received an e-mail from a friend with fast cable access. He told me about this interesting video from YouTube. I certainly feel very ashamed. Not of my country or of those fat bastards but damn, why I didn’t think of that?!

The video is about two Canadian guys in Bali. They rode a rented motorcycle (one of the most convenient ride and most targeted by police, especially if the riders has blonde hair and pasty skin which screams ‘easy prey’ ). Suddenly, a police officer (nicknamed ‘Pak De’ by the youth) stopped them and asked for their driving license. Similar to millions other Indonesian who also had received this treatment, he gave them option. They can pay their fine in the court or here, for mere 50,000 rupiahs (around five bucks in local currency). They decided to take the easy way and pay, with a bonus of warm Indonesian-corrupted-police smirk.

I’ve been driving on and off for the past four years. I received my first ticket when I was seventeen. Since then and especially when I was in Jakarta, me and my friends had paid myriad faceless fat bastard. It seems that next to being a tourist, being a woman also screams ‘fine me’. A friend of mine even so good at it (read: being caught for ambiguous reason) that when a police officer stopped her car, she calmly take 50,000 rupiahs and shove it to the fat bastard’s hand and leave.

It is not something to be proud of since it also encourage more bribery and corruption in this already corrupt country but coming to the court also proved to be trivial as well as expensive. In the end, those YouTube police officer was arrested and well, perhaps that is the way to claim justice. In fact, that is the only way given that anyone can buy justice. For everything wrong in this country, the only institution capable of suing the wrong-doers is press (my father’s favorite threat for insurance or other evils, in fact, is “I’ll bring this to the paper” for which usually followed by, “Oh, no sir. Please!”). And YouTube, of course.

More about → The Merit of Indonesian Police Officer

It Must Be Hard Being An American...

I feel sorry for the people of United States of America. No, I'm not talking about obesity or Bush. It must be quite an embarrassment to admit you are an American nowdays, especially if you are here in Bali and attending the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is perhaps slightly better to admit that you are an Iranian or even Iraqi. At least you are not a citizen of the culprit nation who sabotaging the world from the fast way out of this already-here-and-kicking-global warming. For full report click here.

I know Americans (excluding those named Bushes) have their heart in the right place and yet the representative they chose (twice!) is the biggest mistake ever made for America and for the world. It is quite strange for me, a person watching from outside, of how when Clinton was caught doing (or someone did something to him) improper conduct with his intern, he was impeached. Mean while, there is his reigning successor who decided to thwart a dictator, stubbornly let his soldiers butchered for unclear reason and reject an agreement to save earth from further destruction (which is inflicted largely by the very country he reigned) and the people did nothing?! No impeachment whatsoever. Why? Anyone care to explain this to me?

Anyway after taking a deep breath, I decided that it is not really Uncle Sam who speak in the conference but its evil counterpart. The good one gave a sharp speech full of emotion on how his country “…the United States is principally responsible for obstructing progress here in Bali”. It will be a totally different history if he is the President now. But then perhaps he wouldn’t win the Nobel and becoming The Green Hero. To think that a wrong decision made in States could affect the world, each people in United States must be very careful in the coming election. Whoever will be the next President of United States of America will have the future of not just America, but this world, upon his (or her) hand.

It won’t be the unessential problems of what skin color or who was supported by Oprah anymore. It means a lot to this earth and another nations. America’s choice would influence everyone living in this planet. So, it is true afterall. All those movies where American astronauts (like Ben Affleck and Bruce Willis) were sent to save the earth from armageddon or a Legend to find the cure to human mutation. In the end, it comes to citizens of United States to do the right thing for earth and all the inhabitants, threaten not by alien or virus, but by mankind. God Bless America!

Postcript: USA finally agree to join the consensus of Bali Roadmap after a heavy pressures from the rest of delegates and the sob of Yvo de Boer, the executive secretary of UNFCCC. A baby step toward what everyone hope as a better living earth.

More about → It Must Be Hard Being An American...

Farewell Mas Basuki Wes Ewes Ewes...

Indonesia mourn the loss of one of the funniest guy on TV, Basuki. His thick Javanese accent and naturally funny face shall be miss, together with the days where the whole family could watch a TV together after dinner, laughing the vernacular honest TV show about Betawi family in the midst of modernity . It was The Brady Bunch era of Indonesia’s TV history.

Mas Basuki was a part of my early childhood memory. How I enjoyed watching “Si Doel” back then. A quick dinner and all six of us (included the house maid and dogs) hurriedly positioned ourselves in front of the TV, just in time for the opening song (“Anakkkkk Betawaiiiii….ketinggalan zamannnnn”). It always cracks us up when Mas Karyo (Basuki in a role of struggling Javanese door-to-door salesman who rent a room in Betawi family’s compound and have a on-off relationship with the landlord’s daughter) has a verbal fight over a fence with Mandra (the thick Betawi accented uncle of Doel who works as blue oplet driver). His mimic, body language and honest words gets through us everytime. I really want a re-run of that show, definitely the best long-running series Indonesia ever had or ever will have.

Terima kasih banyak Mas Basuki. Wes ewes ewes…you’ll be missed!

More about → Farewell Mas Basuki Wes Ewes Ewes...

Jiffest 2007 & The Movies Within

I know I’ve been complaining continuously about Jakarta. I (and its millions of inhabitatans) keep on ranting of bus-corrupting government, daily traffic (more of this rage in previous blog), endless development of new megamall and apartement, U.S.A and U.K franchise attack with its end-of-the-year-sale, surging flood which recently cut the airport route in addition to tons of other problems happening in this all-in capital of Indonesia.

But like another big cities, living in Jakarta also comes with privileges. If you happen to have an abundance of rupiah, that is. The grandiose malls easily beat Singapore or Malaysia (ehem). You can buy everything from the highest or the cheapest price possible in Jakarta (try shopping in Plaza Indonesia and Mangga Dua then you’ll see what I mean). That new It-Bag from Chloe. Check. The new fake Louis Vuitton bag. Check. Anything. It is a heaven for all kind of shopper. I haven’ t mention the food, have I? It is worth its own blog. Any kind of food in Indonesia and the world are there in Jakarta. That is why I keep coming back and more people still coming, despite the risk and demanding life. Jakarta can tease and kiss, but it also can kick and kill you. It’s a femme fatale every guy want to make love and conquer.

One thing I surely enjoy about Jakarta is the festival. There are Java Jazz Festival, JakJazz Festival, the new Screamfest, Jakarta Biennale, Art Summit and finally, Jiffest. Jiffest stands for Jakarta International Film Festival and like last year, this time is a lot of fun.

Between taking care of my recovering Aunt and finishing uni’s administration, I managed to slip in 5 amazing movies. I won’t write the review here since I believe I’m not a good reviewer and there are people out there who are paid to do just that. But in case you are wondering, below are those 5 movies with my comment and rating.

*Across the Universe

Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, Joe Anderson, Dana Fuchs, Martin Luther McCoy and dazzling cameo appearances
Rating: I am in love!

This is made for all Beatles fans out there. From the first scene where a solitary dreamer sings “Girl”, I knew I was in for a treat. I keep smiling and sometimes weeping right from the start. The setting is 1960’s with the hippies flower power and Vietnam War. At first we were introduced to few major character. There is Jude (you know from which song), a hopeful Liverpool lad who want to travel to find his Dad. There is Lucy, a WASP high school beauty who lost her beau to Vietnam War. Then there is Max, a Priceton rebel-without-a-cause whom later with Jude, ran away to New York City.

There they met a lot of interesting characters from the hot singer, Sadie to Dr. Flower Power (Bono in thick moustache and groovy attire! I came close to ask my friend to slap me hard). All of the characters are singing with their voices, worthy of starry credits. The juxtaposition of images, objects and details goes wonderfully with the songs which beautifully arranged and performed.Perfect. I was practically singing when Max sings “Hey Jude” for Jude. I fell in love with this one, if it is possible to fell in love with a movie and can’t help but tell the world about it. Click here for the full qualified review.

*4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days
Starring: Annamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov
Rating: I’m sure won’t watch this again but WOW!
I’ve heard about this abortion movie from a friend who told me it was winning awards in every festival. So I watched it for a gripping 113 minutes. What strikes me as peculiar is how the scenes were taken. Odd angle, still scenes with minimal dialogue and voices. One can’t help but be absorbed into the life of Otilia and Gabita because it feels so real. Raw real. Otilia is helping her friend Gabita to get an abortion which was illegal in Romania back then. They rented a hotel room and hire a Dr. Bebe to get rid of the unwanted fetus. Even though its Gabita who will abort her baby and therefore in the pitiable position, all I feel for her character is rage. Rage for her weakness, her foolishness, which allows Dr. Bebe to gain benefit of their situation. It’s Otilia who must execute the dirty works.

This movie will definitely shocks you in the middle and in the end, where it was ended abruptly without a clear conclusion. My friend found the ending very annoying. But the way I see it, it’s the director’s way to let audience decide what should happen to the characters. Nevertheless, I left the theater feeling heavy. This is sure not an easy movie to digest.

*2 Days in Paris
Starring: Julie Delphy, Adam Goldberg
Rating: My hands were busy writing down the witty dialogues
After Romanian abortion movie, I was comforted to find that 2 Days in Paris coming next. Wrong. It is an easy movie but it still keep your brain buzzing. The story essentially about an American-French couple, Jack and Marion. From their blitzing frenzy trip in Venice to go back to New York, they decided to spend 2 days in Paris as a stop over. Jack is a paranoid interior designer whose allergic to all kind of things (from terrorism to leaking pipe) while Marion is a neurotic photographer whose a natural born flirt. I forgot my popcorn when I watched the scene where Jack mislead a bunch of his Da-Vinci-Code-cracker-Bush-voter countrymen and when he admitted it to Marion, she only compliment and kiss him. Big Haha #1.

From that scene, Jack and Marion ‘s story just getting funnier. Her obnoxious French speaking parents add to the joyful characters. Her papa, quizzed Jack over a rabbit stew of French writers (Big Haha #2) while her drama queen mama compliment his ‘nice willy’ when “accidentally” see Jack’s nude picture with baloon (Big Haha #3). Meet the Parents, indeed. For the next 2 days, Jack would witness Marion getting flirty and flirtied by her ex-es. France and America in comic collision and witty dialogues. I feel like re-watching “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset” for the hundredth times. Bravo, Madame Delphy!

*The Fall
Starring: Lee Pace, Cantica Untaru
Rating: Keep ‘wow-ing’ me until the end
The story is about Roy Walker, a stuntman who had an accident and have to stay in hospital. There she met a little girl, Alexandria, whom he lured by stories so she would steal morphines for him. The amazing thing about this movie is where it was shot or to be exact, in how many places it was shot (26!). The scenes sweep audiences from Fiji to Italy, showed Swirling Dance in Turkey to Kecak Dance in Bali. It took my breath away. Every mouths in that theater were gaping in wonder. For the full listing of where they shot the movie, click here. Alexandria, naturally performed by Cantica Untaru, stole the movie and my heart away with her smile and act. Hell, what act? She doesn’t act. Dakota, be warn.

*Vitus
Starring: Bruno Ganz, Theo Gheorghiu, Julika Jenkins
Rating: Inspiring me to get a piano lesson. Again.
The story is about Vitus, a genius little boy and his family. There is his inventor papa, obsessed loving mama and witty eccentric grossvater. It shows Vitus pyschological development from a little boy to a rebellious teenager who fell in love with seven years older ex-Vitus babysitter. He is witty and delivers cheeky remarks such as asking his teacher “if a teacher is smarter than the student, then why James Watt’s teacher didn’t invent the machine?” .Later when circumstances makes him fed up being genius, he was forced him to do a drastic measure like flew down from his balcony and ended up being average kid with IQ 120. After being a moustached evil dictator, Bruno Ganz delivers another superb performance in Vitus’s airplane-simulation-addicted grossvater who teach him to find his own way in life and who he wants to become. I really enjoyed this one. Perfect with pop corn and Diet Coke.

So, ladies and gentlemen, that’s a wrapped version of my Jiffest 2007. Now I am back in Bali, still dreaming of those movies and mourning each passing day of the sad cinematic tragedy shown in local theaters. Perhaps I should invent Bali’s own Jiffest? Like perhaps Biffest? Hmm…

I miss Jakarta. Now.

More about → Jiffest 2007 & The Movies Within