G o ! 8 l o 9

Little pictures I want to remember Spring 2008

2008-10-11T14:26:00.012+10:30

Adelaide back alley on my way to the barber 2 days ago

Ied Prayers @ Al-Khalil mosque

The long drive to Crystal Brook

It was hailing @ edward st the day elia went rural

Ramadhan! had an unhealthy dose of INTERNET (Indomie Telor Kornet) for iftar.

we visited the Adeaide Zoo just before Ramadhan

A special B'day present in August.

It was the end of winter 2008

Tagged: 6 random things about ridwan

2008-07-30T11:14:00.008+09:30

Peace be upon you brothers and sisters,

I was tagged by wife's blog to write about 6 random things about me. Sheesh woman, now i have to update my blog! I'm not sure if its 6 random FACTS or is it just simply 6 random things. But the point is random, and Random Arifin Hasibuan is my name.

Random #1:

I was a member of the Disney's Mousekeeters along with Britney, Justin, and Christina. But I didn't get to be famous.

Ok seriously now, meet MOMO:

Our new (old) For Laser Ghia 1986. How we bought MOMO on 22/7/08 in chronological order:
morning: Saw Car Ad on the tradingpost, called owner, set up appointment
Afternoon: Completed download for Avatar: The last Airbender Finale, Book 3 Episode 20&21
around 3pm: Watched Episode 20 with partner-in-crime
3.30pm: Took bus to Glenelg enroute to car owner's place, had Hot Chocolate while waiting for the next Bus
5.00pm: Bought Car, Drove home
5.30pm: Watched Episode 21

So we bought MOMO in between the 2 episodes of Avatar. Hence the name. If you haven't already watched Avatar, then shame on you. Avatar is basically an Asian Captain Planet.

Random #2:

Lets talk about food. I am a sucker for comfort food. And my idea of comfort food is easy, off-the-shelves supermarket/Asian grocery food. Here they are:
1. Tong Tji Jasmine Green Tea.

There are two types that I like, the stronger Yellow boxed one, which smells heavenly and would bring out its fullest potential if you drink it HOT from a clay cup/pot. The other one is a more gentle Green coloured sachets in a transparent box, which is just soothing and is the one that I have on daily basis.

Trivia: Tong Tji, Teh Botol, Teh 2 Tang all of these Indonesian tea legends came from one place called Tegal, where the people speak the most melodic and beautiful Javanese language, somewhat akin to the French of all the Javanese language. (Inside Joke) Hence the name Te-gal, (Teh - Gal, as in Teh - Girl, hehe Maksaaa!!!)

2. Nutella..ella..ellaa..ellaa
I have anything with Nutella. I usually have Nutella with More Nutella

3. Indomie

Trivia: Makers of Indomie = makers of Supermie = owned by Sudono Salim = Soeharto's best-pal we all love to hate. Indomie is the biggest ramen-type noodle expoter in the VORLD! You can even get it in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Qatar. I am not suprised if in some parts of the world Indomie is more famous than Indonesia.

4. Kinder Bueno.
From the creator of Nutella and Ferro Roche. Seriously whoever you are, sir/ma'am, you deserve a Nobel Prize.

5. Milk Coffee Biscuit dipped in a Warm Milk Coffee.
Especially the Marie Biscuit Brand. Heaven.

So, that is why ladies and gents, Ridwan will never get fat, because I usually spoil my appetite by having these things right before my meals.

Random #3:
Websites I check everyday: My wife's Blog (I check her blog to show that as a husband, I do care about what is going on in her life. Sometimes we even talk! ^^), Cuteoverload.com (Real Men loves cuddly baby animals as a counter balance to their rough, manly..uh..psyche..thing..)

Random #4:

My favorite song of all time is about a Peeping Tom. I didn't know that of course. I thought it was just another love song. I heard it when i was 15 or 16. And was just amazed by the lyrics and music. It's as close as to a perfect song, musically and lyrically to me. Here's clue:

"Sweet like candy to my soul
Sweet you rock and sweet you roll,
Lost for you, I'm so lost for you,
In a boy's dream.."

Ok, I don't advocate Peeping Tom, no not at all, you gotta know who sings it, and you gotta find a video online where he performs Live, he's just naughty in an endearing way.

Random #5:
I never comb/gel do anything to my hair. If anything, i just push it down, or else I would look like I just had an electric shock. Not that anyone cares.

Random #6:
I have people telling me I look a lot like the former French National Soccer team player Patrick Vieira. Apparently he's very good. I took it as a compliment, until I actually saw his photo. The moral of the story: Don't get too excited, people say you LOOK like him, NOT you PLAY soccer like him.

Thats 6.
Thats it for today
Signing out,

Ridwan.

About patience, anger, shirk, and Doraemon

2008-07-16T21:53:00.013+09:30

Assalamualaikum,

A warning: this is gonna be one of those boring soul-searching post that would make people go "what?-but-who-cares?". Sometimes, I think i have the symptoms of being too much of an idealist. Especially when dealing with people. Would it still be called "naive" when you are knowingly and willingly think that others will always be "nice" to you, or do you call it "stupidity"?. Would it diminish the value if you expect your kindness to be reciprocated all the time, or would it be just a false pretense for the sake of wanting a convenient relationship?.

In short, in my mind:please be kind, because it's NICE.

I can't stand rudeness. Worse. My first reaction to rudeness was usually apathy. And then avoidance because I don't like confrontations. Yes, timid as a mouse, is Ridwan. Seriously, I can't remember the last time i lost my patience to anyone. I've never been in a real fight, as in fist-fight. And the Tyler Durden in me asks: "How much do you know about yourself if you're never been in a fight?". And then the Tyler Durden in me suddenly changes into Nobita from the Japanese Doraemon series, complete with the translated-to-Indonesian soundtrack "aku ingin begini.. aku ingin begitu.. ". Sorry, I digress.

Yah, the fact that I've never in a situation where i lose my patience deeply worries me. It worries me because that makes me wonder how i would handle it. I'm talking more about Anger. I have felt extreme sadness before and i thought i handle it alright. But extreme anger is new. I know that Anger can be righteous, but how and when do you express righteous anger? Do you confront your emotions or is it better to look for an escape?

Maybe that is why sometimes people look for somewhere to vent. I had a thought once that I could actually run a business of renting out pitch-black-sound-proofed rooms where people could just be there for a half an hour or so and scream their lungs out. It will be padded with cushions as to minimize accidents. I'd put a punching bag in there as well for an extra fee. It's just an idea, but i think it could actually kick off.

For me, on a personal level emotions needs confronting. But what if it involves other people? is it better to confront them or to keep it inside yourself? The fact is, you can't live this life without ruffling a feather or two, and it's impossible to make everyone like you.

So, my friends what is the key a successful social relationship?

- A happy upbringing.

Because tyrants and dictators were spoilt brats, or abused as a child.

I'm sorry, what was i talking about again? My thoughts are all over the place. ahh.. Nobita pops up in my head again. " la la la .. aku sayang sekali.. dora .eee mooon"

PS: Muslims, be aware: Doraemon has a subtle "Shirk" message -"Semua-semua-se-mu-a dapat di kabulkan.. dapat di kabulkan dengan KAN-TONG A-JA-IB!!!" - Yup.. you've been warned! you gotta burn those comics now.

listen here

My mind is currently very incoherent, need sleep.

Wassalam.

Sore - Etalase , this one is for the boys

2008-07-15T16:37:00.008+09:30

This is a song called "Etalase" by "sore". Sore as in "petang" ok? I love the song and The video especially - I swear i kept seeing Sidqi, Ari, Ocen, Edo, Pandu, Aca, and the other yimsa boys instead of the band personnel. :).

This one's for the old days... *God, i feel old*

I miss u guys.

Lyrics - as i hear it..

Sore - Etalase (Album:Centralissimo)

Semua kisah yang pernah lalu dihidupmu
Semua cinta yang pernah engkau rasakan
dalam kisahmu pahit dan manismu lalui

Semua teman yang engkau sayang dan tinggalkan
Sengaja atau tidak, dirimu pernah lalui
cerita yang haru, yang semua alami

dan kita
coba kenangi semua
walaupun t'lah tiada
bagai etalase jendela

Kau pernah kenal seorang yang sangat kau sayang
Kau pernah kenal seorang yang sangat kau benci
terasa perih hingga otakmu, meledak!

Semua sahabat yang pernah menghangatkan hidup
satu persatu menghilang seiring waktu
yang makin lama kian menua

tapi kita
coba kenangi semua
walaupun t'lah tiada
bagai etalase jendela

Wanita itu kadang-kadang

2008-07-02T11:22:00.004+09:30

Ridwan - Wanita itu kadang-kadang.....mp3 - Ridwan

Title: Wanita itu kadang-kadang...
Vocal/Music: Your's truly..

Kadang-kadang
Kau buatku bagai seorang raja
Kadang-kadang
bertekuk lutut di depanmu

Kadang-kadang
membelai batinku selembut sutra
Kadang-kadang
menghujam menusuk hatiku

Sungguhku tak mengerti oh wanita
buatku tak berdaya

Kadang-kadang
tertawa tersenyum bersama mentari
Tiba-tiba
badaipun datang menghampiri

Kadang-kadang
menari indah di depan mataku
Kadang-kadang
siap menerkam di b'lakangku

Kau tak 'kan pernah salah
ku 'kan selalu kalah
Sungguhku tak mengerti oh
wanita

Ku damba kasih sayangmu, wanita.
Dalamnya hatimu sedalam samudra.

lalu kau tersenyum
walaupun kau marah
lalu kau menangis
bila kau bahagia
oh apa maumu?

Sungguhku tak percaya
Engkau dijajah pria
Tak mungkin hidup tanpamu
wanita..
Tak ingin hidup tanpamu
wanita..

***************************************

For you women out there, hehe .. Actually gw nulis ini karena abis di marahin nyokap n kakak2 (karena jarang nelpon Indo) :P
Sidqi, if you're reading this, I'm thinking of making a "video clip" of this song consist of photographs of women. Not the degrading type , duh.. i mean women of all kinds,.. mothers, grandmothers, women when angry, sad, happy, fat, thin, short, tall, different races, could be pictures of our friends, then then then .. we put it up on youtube. How's that Sid? you have good pics rite? and ask Eja and ur deviant art friends.

anyway, yet another of my random blog posts.. i update this blog 6-7 times a year maybe, but its still alive, in a constant coma, but still living.

Signing out, take care

Wassalam.

Bintang - Lagu baru

2008-03-06T18:48:00.007+10:30

Assalamualaikum

Bintang
(Completed 6/3/08
@ 6 Ethel St. Forrestville SA.
w/ help from Yandra, the roomate)

Jemariku,
Menggapai seuntai kenanganmu
yang masih tergenggam
di renungku
Di mana kau berada?

Jemariku,
menyentuh sebelai wajahmu
Terukir di hati
selamanya

Kau tak mungkin sirna

**
Dan kini
kau pergi, terbang tinggi
tinggalkanku seorang
semoga engkau menjadi bintang
yang terang sinarnya
menerangi langit-langit mimpiku
kau akan jadi
bintang terindah

Di wajahmu
terlukis sebekas kenanganmu
yang masih tersimpan
dalam benakku

Ku relakan tanpamu

Dilangkahku
terlintas sejejak jalanmu
kau selalu hadir
di bayangku

Kau tak mungkin sirna

Back to **

*************************
The song is about saying goodbye to someone you really care about.

There's an old couple that sits on the park bench. I see them almost everyday chatting or just enjoying each other's company. And one afternoon, I realised that the old woman was missing and the old man was sitting by himself. He looked older, more fragile. He just sits there in silence. I never see the old woman again.

Ok, I made that up. There was no old couple sitting on the park bench. Sorry. But this song is about them and that's the truth.

Adelaide sights #2

2008-03-02T20:51:00.004+10:30

The Adelaide mosque was built in 1888, and is the oldest mosque in Australia. Its original four minarets were added in 1903. Muslims from as far away as Broken Hill and Kalgoorlie gathered at least once a year at the Adelaide mosque, usually for the Fast of Ramadan. In 1890 it was reported that 80 Afghans were present to observe this important festival. (Adelaide observer, 2 August 1890, p. 29)

The Long Weekend

2008-02-27T18:00:00.034+10:30

Assalamualaikum,

Alhamdulillah, I had a blast this weekend. As a result, I am now physically tired but mentally rejuvenated. Played Basketball on Saturday with housemates Yandra & Mas Fatah immediately after sleep and lunch. Which was not a good idea, my fried rice nearly came back out. Followed by the weekly Halaqah @ Mas Ihsan's place and then straight to work. The Halaqah group, which there are now 3 of them, have regular sport activities, usually soccer. And it was on the following Sunday morning. I thought i drop by after work and say hi to them. But the temptation was so much, I ended up playing the full match.

I thought i could easily beat these group of "old men". I was sadly mistaken and my team was trashed 7-5. I was still on my work clothes, playing bare-footed. Which was again, not a good idea. Had a good sleep after that and then work. I had my day off on Monday and Tuesday. So, I went to Melbourne!!!

Of course I don't normally just travel interstate on my day off just like that. Wika got accepted at Deakin University and thus was moving to Melbourne. And he asked me to accompany him for the long drive-All expenses covered, plus a plane ticket back to Adelaide on Wednesday morning. That surely got me convinced. So, after a long sporty weekend, and a whole night at work without any sleep, we traveled to Melbourne. Wika got all nostalgic about leaving Adelaide and wanted to have a final bite of K-Noodle's Hainan Chicken Rice for lunch before we go.

The car we got was a new Hyundai Elantra which license plate says "69 ED" which made us look twice. It was comfortable enough. The trip wasn't bad since we got this random CD collection from God-knows-who that Wika found in his room. Maybe he just didn't want to admit it was his. It has everything from Aaron Carter to some random 80's hip hop. And we talked the whole way and arrived at 12.30 am at Acha's place, which is Wika's new place. Edo was there and he adn Acha were as helpful as ever with the unloading.

Spent the night at Edo's place and met up with Henry the next morning. Henry!!! A friend from Adelaide who left a month earlier for a shot in the big city working for a major Insurance company. He was looking healthy but very lonely *hehe*. I was still tired and sleepy but Ari had to challenge me for a game of Basketball. Which was always our thing. A game of basketball wasn't just a game for us. It's partly what Melbourne is all about for us. So i took up the challenge. I knew i was taxing my body but it was fun.

Lunch with Sidqi @ Nelayan was the next stop, and then Coburg, I bought some english Islamic Books at IBC to bring home to Indonesia and found this interesting book about Saad bin Abi Waqash, who brought Islam all the way to China just 31 years after the founding of Islam. There's a whole chapter about The Hui people and Islamic Kung-Fu and an iteresting theory that 6 of the 9 "saints" or "Wali Songo" or the early propagators of Islam In Java, Indonesia were actually Chinese. Met up with Henry again @ QV where he had a chat. He unashamedly borrowed a lighter from the same lady who was sitting nearby TWICE. The same lady also lent her lighter earlier to another man. She must've felt really frustrated to be the only one in QV with a lighter.

Went back to Ari/Edo's place after that where eventually so many people gathered, YIMSA was int he midst of preparing the Autumn Gathering/Pesantren so Aca was interviewing some of the old YISMA folks for a promotional video. And i was there so i was also interviewed. Arif,Edo,Ari,Wika,Annie, Indri,Pandu,Duddy,Melita, Diki, Didi, Lukman,Sidqi,Rannie, and 2 mbak2 whom i forgot their names (Ampun!!) were there. Arif was the first one to come, and he was my oldest friend there its hard to believe. He was my classmate in Indonesia. Now a design engineer! Who would've thought that more than 10 years later, we would all be in Melbourne having Pizza and talking about the Australian phenomenon of "whinging" in the workplace. Rannie is due in four weeks, and it's gonna be a girl.

It was a good night with friends. Or i should say family. We are Older now- working, getting married, expecting a child, talking about mortgages, interest rates and long-term deposits. At this stage, I think we all share the same disbilief that we are actually THIS old now. At least that's what i feel. I feel like I've never truly "matured" and responsibility is still not my forte. "Success" is a word that's continually there hanging in the air. It could seem so near and within reach but also beyond my grasp. I can't help but compare notes with those that i grow up with, those who I go to school with. About how far we have gone in our lives and if we have truly become the person we aspire to be when we were young. "Success" is elusive and vague. But we all strive for it.

Before we left Adelaide, Wika and I prayed at Adelaide Mosque, the oldest mosque in Australia, built by the Afghan cameliers. There, we met a successful person. He was about to go off to work and bade us goodbye.

There, we met a successful person.

If it's for them, its worth it

2008-02-21T17:59:00.010+10:30

Assalamualaikum

Got these pics e-mailed today from dad. I almost teared when i saw them. I realised that the very few photos of them are more than 10 years old. It's been so long since I last saw my parents. They look so old now. I don't get to spend much time with them these few years. I'm 26 now. I left home when I was 15. One of life's great lesson is when you do something, no matter how small or big, they are. If it's for the sake of your parents. Not only it's always worth it. It's a reward on it's own.

Because they do everything for you.

I hope I have been a good son. I hope I make them proud.

Adelaide sights #1

2008-02-20T10:28:00.006+10:30

Assalamualaikum.

You know you're in Chinatown when you see signs like these

@Central Market carpark.

Ebony, my Les Paul

2008-02-19T15:55:00.017+10:30

Assalamualaikum

The dilemma is whether i should sell this baby. My first ever electric guitar. It's not really a Gibson, but a Les Paul still. I 'm not good enough to know the specifics when choosing a guitar. I just play them. And even as a guitar player, I don't ask for much. The Epiphone Les Paul first caught my eye simply because if her looks. Ebony, ivory, and old school. With looks like that, she' s gotta sound nice. My other option was this really mean Ibanez. She was also covered in black and definitely looking for a kill. With sharp notes that cuts like razor. The Ibanez was screaming for attention the moment i touched her. She was definitely bold, loud, and modern. If I was still in high school, i definitely pick her.

But the Les Paul was quiet. For an electric she sounded almost acoustic. When plugged, she has a husky sound, not sharp but crystal clear. The neck is slightly wider, the strings less stiff, bending them is effortless. The Ibanez might be more sophisticated but this one has character. The former was built for power and speed, and it seems to me the latter was made to touch and caress. She's not perfect but that is why I like her.

I must admit I haven't been spending much time with her. I'm not even that good to do her any justice. So, should i sell her?

Btw, this brother got soul.!

Keziah Jones is a fact!

Breaking News:
Today, 19th February 2008, Fidel Castro resigns.Thank you so much for the sending us your doctors, Fidel!

Dapur umum

2008-02-09T16:07:00.005+10:30

Assalamualaikum,

I promised myself that i would blog more and post photos now that i have a good camera/phone. The weekend is here! And I'm not working! and the weather was really good today. Just look at the sunny Adelaide. I think Adelaide is generally more picturesque than Melbourne. Its Surrounded by hills and the sea. And here is just s view of where I happen to park my car. See... it's a beautiful day. All wish is for Supergirl to be here with me.

Actually i had Friday off as well, but the thing about working at night, your following day passes by so quickly while you are resting/recuperating. And I totally wasted Friday. But I'm not gonna whinge about it. The thing about finding your dream job is first, you have to dream about it.

That's my problem. I cant seem to picture what my dream job is like. I've always like many things and wanted to do everything. I'm not materialistic, not career-minded, I have ambition, and that is to live a full life and die happy :) While money is in the equation, its just the means to and end. Not the end.

Well, while I am stuck here dreaming about a dream job, I do have a dream. But in those dreams i was helping people. In those dreams I was opening a "dapur umum" or public kitchen where poor people and street kids can eat. A public kitchen not just for the poor but for everyone. My wish is for a place where the rich and the poor (even in my dreams, i am aware of Indonesia's struggling middle-class, you are either rich or poor) can eat together on the same table as equals. I believe that there is just something sacred about sharing food with others. I would love to have uni students to be the volunteers, especially those who are from well-to-do families, (or even celebrities). Because when you are a student, you are still brave, optimistic, and untainted by the rigors of working for money. In addition, you are educated. However, Indonesia's education needs to change from teaching the students to memorize and follow instructions to teaching the students to solve problems and think for themselves. And even in our own history it's clear that these are the most important generation. When students and the youth rise, kings and governments falls.

Back to the topic, when food is no longer a problem, then you wont have to beg for food, or steal for food, or sell your body for food, and all the other excuses. If you have food, then from then on, you have a solid ground to plan your feet on, and strive for a better future. You won't be working for food anymore. You will be working for your future, for you, because now there is a better reason to work, and to work hard. And the reason is because now you will have hope. And that no matter how hard you try, or how unfair life is, you will always have a place to sit down and share a meal with others. No doubt there will be those who are lazy and selfish. And for that, a measure of power and authority is needed. For discipline is needed to close our ranks and line up our shaf. I am unsure of my own leadership qualities but i know from my own experience that leaders exist. And they lead through example. And when a leader is found, the others would follow. So when the problem is the people then the solution is a leader.

On the walls there will be Job ads, or ads about training courses, and a prayer time table. Adjacent to the kitchen would be an outdoor school both for kids and adults. Who wishes to learn how to read, count, or play the guitar. A free clinic at the back would be nice. A pro-bono legal advocate would be a bonus. But the main focus is still the kitchen.

And the prayer calls from the nearby mosque started, then the kitchen would close momentarily close so that everyone would have to pray together. And then they will have to wash themselves and keep their body clean.

Idealistically, the whole compound would be run from donations but in my dream, it was independent. It would run from contributions from a group of successful like-minded people who donate to charity NOT because they want to feel good about themselves.

how's that for a dream?

@ Sidqi's Nokia Showroom House

2008-01-23T08:06:00.002+10:30

Assalamualaikum

Last nite's menu: Pizza, Strawberry cheesecake, sticky date pudding, Rani's Tiramisu. J.Tsonga -the French Muhammad Ali look-alike, pranced and danced his way around beating M.Youzhny on TV. Sid's got a nice IKEA house. Enough space for Ari to roll around on the floor if there's a fire. Cuz According to Ari, that's what you gotta do when there's a fire.

This morning: woke up with Edo's face next to minee. That was freaky. Thought i share the magnetic notice board on Ari's fridge:

Some of the things written on it:

- Ridwan & elia was here 10/04/07
- "SRW 924" (someone's car plate) " Saya Rindu Wanita" <-- (Edo, my guess)
- Duddy was here, Duddy handsome haha
- Handsome itu relatif, Jelek itu mutlak
- Acha, Love you.

Gonna walk around Melbourne again today :)

Wassalam.

Back in Melbourne!

2008-01-22T19:11:00.002+10:30

Assalamualaikum,

I have 4 days-off in a row, which is quite rare. So on Monday morning i decided that I will go to Melbourne. Booked a bus ticket online after work, did some laundry (ran out of underwear), slept for a little bit, and on Monday nite, I Fireflew to Melbourne The bus ride was quite comfotable but I didn't sleep. I finished reading "The Kite Runner" during the ride. Arrived @Souther Cross Station (I still call it Spencer St. Station), at 7am. Went straight to Ari's. A sleepyhead Edo greeted me at the door. Ari woke up soon enough, and we had breakfast and talked about Australian Open.

I know it's Ari's place, but it almost feels like going home. God knows how many times i stayed there since Year 11. Edo's an Assistant Researcher now btw, and there are tons of books on Marriage on his desk. Slept for a bit and surprised Sidqi at Nelayan. Hope to visit his new house later tonight. Pap-Sqi, is what they are calling the father-to-be nowadays. I was craving for Indonesian food but after eating the Rendang for a bit, i realized that i didn't really like Nelayan food that much in the first place.

Melbourne felt so comfortable, I felt like I never was in Adelaide, and that I never actually left. But maybe because I am just happy to be around friends.

Wassalam.

Kevin 007

2007-11-27T07:52:00.000+10:30

Assalamualaikum,

I just gotta blog about this historical moment in Australian politics. As an outsider living in Australia since 2000, my view of Australian politics is gradually shifting from amusement, genuine disinterest, moderately concern, and now... hopeful. The shift, I suppose is due to my ever slow realization that the election results are actually affecting my well-being here. Especially since I've started working.

Now, to start at the very beginning. Having lived in Indonesia under a dictator for the first 15 years of my life, then in a single party-police state that is run like a business empire that is Singapore for 3 years, Australia is probably my first ever real-life experience being in a democratic country. Although mind you, I think after the downfall of Soeharto, I think Indonesia is genuinely democratic, it's just that I spent most of my adult life away from home to be able to write anything substantial about Indonesia's political state.

I suffered 7 out of John Howard's 12 years long rule. With it 2 federal elections. Honestly, my first impression of the election campaigns was amusement. The smear campaigns on TV and the papers. The anti-Muslim fear campaigns, from the children overboard affair up to the recent ALP fictitious pamphlets. It's just plain ridiculous. It worked for the last 2 elections, and I was naturally worried that it would work again this time. But it didn't, so I have faith that Australians aren't as paranoid as Americans.

When the fictitious anti-Muslim pamphlets came out, I was more scared of a Muslim backlash than anything. Because that is just a predictable Muslim reaction isn't it? I am glad that the media attention is more to the ALP than the Muslim community, who are obviously the victims here. No one seems to care about the Muslims during all this ALP pamphlet debacle. And for once, I am glad. Imagine if the Muslims were angered and started demonstrations against the ALP. I'm sure the votes will swing to their favor. Which lead me to believe maybe, the ALP was hoping for a Muslim backlash. Because how could a party who stayed in power for so long, mis-spelled "Allahu akbar" as "ALA AKBAR". I think given more time, it could. If this was done a month leading to election instead of a few days before, there is more chance for it to simmer and the public will start arguing about it. John Howard can deny or condemn all he wants but subtle-ly show where ALP stands in the whole war in terror business. They are simply playing the "fear" card.

The ALP TV ads especially were very over dramatized. Dirt were thrown everywhere; "Kevin Rudd used to visit strippers", "Gillard's conman ex-boyfriend". I sometimes wondered I was in truth living in South Carolina or South Australia . But nothing beats South Carolina of course. Tax-cuts, and rebates, and Billions of dollars of promises, they are literally trying to buy votes. Leading to the election, John Howard was like a magician with so many cards up his sleeve: Climate change, David Hicks and The Aboriginal welfare issue, to name a few. An issue is only important enough when it's election issue. I know Labor also played the game, but to me, ALP was worse.

All in all, both major parties rely on two things: 1. That the voters were easy to fool 2. That the voters were easy to scare.

Or there's the 3rd, which i think is ultimately the deciding factor: Interest Rates. In the end, people care more about their mortgages than the climate change, asylum seekers, the drought, or even terrorism, depending on how the government plays it.

At least the election here is very peaceful. And that is why despite all this, I still think Australia is better off than most democratic developing nations.

Should a community of people who fundamentally only care about their own demographic or their own financial security be allowed to decide for the whole nation. Yes, I guess that is democracy. If that is how the people is, then that is what they will get. Right or wrong can be voted for. Truth is relative. Or rather it's not Democracy but Media-cracy, since who ever controls the media wins.

Now about Kevin. Kevin speaks mandarin. Really well.

That speaks volumes of where Australis is leading to. I am very excited. He says he's gonna say SORRY to the aborigines, he says he's gonna follow the Kyoto agreement, he says he's gonna bring the troops home from Iraq, And he's gonna scrap work choices. Which means I may get a pay rise soon. : ) I hope, for the sake of a better Australia, not just for Australians, but for the world, he keeps his word.

Wassalam

When life is not according to plan..... Improvise

2007-11-22T06:12:00.000+10:30

Assalamualaikum.

Predictably, my blog postings are as random and unpredictable as my life. Let's see, in June I was musing about my new bicycle that i bought so that I can save money for the transport to work. Guess what? Last month, I sold the bike. Guess what? 2 months ago I bought a car. Guess what? I bought the car because my new job is at wee hours where there are no buses in operation (which is of course, what you have to live with if you're living in Adelaide, I finish work at 7am when the 1st bus is at 8.) And if you asked me 2 months ago, i would never thought my hospitality career would progress from being a casual housekeeper, then, a Guest Service Porter, and then, a full-time Night Auditor, in less than a year's time.

Alhamdulillah, that's all i can say. He plans, I can only try my best.

A night auditor, is potentially a step away from a management position. Yes, it's a graveyard shift, that most sane people would rather give a miss, but it's a crucial step for any hospitality worker who wishes to be a manager one day. I was never that person though, I didn't even plan to be in the hospitality industry.

When i first got to Adelaide in August 2006 all i wanted was an income, because i literally brought nothing but clothes and books from Melbourne. A week later, thanks to my ex-employers reference (Rydges Hotel, Melbourne, where i used to work part-time as a student) I straight away got a housekeeping job at Rydges Adelaide. Which pretty much covers rent and food, and my flat was close enough for me to walk to work. After a month, due to the casual nature of the work, my pay fluctuates with the hotel occupancy, so i needed extra cash, I applied for a job and worked at the nearest Hungry Jack's outlet to my house. But after 2 months I found the job not to my liking, though it provided me with a secure, safe, income. I just got sick of flipping burgers, really.

So life goes on, I asked for more hours at the hotel, they offered me a full-time portering Job instead. Alhamdulillah. Being a porter allows me to work with ALL the hotel departments, from the maintenance, laundry, functions, front office, and sometimes the Bar and Restaurant. Its like Hospitality Education 101 for me. I made friends. Really good people who are kind enough to answer my stupid questions and allow me to learn in my own pace. The pay wasn't much, I earned more when i was working 2 jobs, as a housekeeper and @ HJ. But I gained so much valuable experience that is priceless. I learnt so much because i never say no to any task given to me. And i always try to help others, because i know how it feels like to be helped. I learnt so much because I was honest, showing them my true self, my requirement for my daily prayers. Although I am constantly in a dilemma since sometimes, when there is literally no one else around in the restaurant, I have to serve guests alcohol. This happens very rarely, about once a week. But i had no choice, there was no one else present. And It is part of my job that i agreed upon when signing the contract. They were for non-muslims anyway. Until now, I'm still not sure if I've committed a sin, I get different answers when i ask those who i deem more knowledgeable in Islam. But throughout my time there, although everyone was so nice and friendly to me, and everything else was great, I was constantly restless about being around so much Alcohol. Whether i like it or not now i have quite a comprehensive knowledge about wine and spirits. I pray only for one thing, so that Allah will give me a job that will make me closer to Him.

So on one Wednesday night in August, i saw an Ad for a Night Auditor at Chifley hotel, thinking that with the front office experience that i got working as a porter, i might get a chance and i thought my diploma in Engineering might count for something at least. A few minutes after clicking the "Send" button on my email, i got a call from the manager, who asked if I could come for an interview the next day. On Thursday morning I came for the interview, and a few hours later received another call and was informed that I got the job and would start training on Friday itself. So it all happened really quickly.

I was surprised to be called for an interview let alone to be offered the position. Maybe because i had a good reference. The night before the interview, i was chatting with Mi Hae, the Night Auditor from my (ex) Hotel. I told her about the interview and I was basically trying to find out what is it actually Night Auditing from her. Well, Night Auditing is basically balancing the hotel's daily financial income and expenses. It involves basic accounting processes, some accounts receivables and Bank reconciliation. We make sure that each and every cent is accountable, and fix errors as much as we could. In some hotels, Night Auditors are also night managers, because we are responsible for the running of the hotel, including supervising other staff during the night. In short, it involves a lot of numbers and responsibility.

Anyway, Mi Hae is originally from Korea and I always made it a point to stay back and chat with her before i finish my night shifts. She was an Engineer back in Korea, and we had many good conversation while I was there. Little did I know, she called up Chifley's Night Auditor that very night and told him about me. And word gets around to the manager. And she must've said good things about me since I got the job straight away.

(I still owe Mi Hae a present. Dammit.. I kept forgetting.)

So folks, good reference is important.

So I've been a Night Auditor for 2 months. While it was hard at first, I'm beginning to get used to it now. It's an office job, I get to wear a tie and sit behind a desk. And I always appreciate the simple things in life. Like wearing a tie.

And it's alcohol free.

I hope this job will open the doors for other jobs for me. My wish is to work in the Engineering field still. I'm still looking and sending what's probably my 12101299th job application. But Allah already wrote for me what i will get, so i will not fuss about not getting it. But my deepest wish is to study again.

3 years ago I had to quit Uni cause i couldn't afford it. And i had such a great time studying at Uni. I miss it so much. Maybe one day, Insha Allah.

Wassalam.

Saman Dance Lyrics

2007-06-08T23:55:00.000+09:30

Assalamualaikum guys..

For those who follow the path of the dance of a thousand hands :) This is what i would call the Al-Azhar/ Al-Izhar Jakarta version. Brought down from generations of Al-Azhar(Pusat/Kemang/etc)/ Al-Izhar students in Jakarta. I am an alumni of Al-Azhar I (Pusat) and the school's Saman instructor is Ka' Said. My source of information is Fajar from Tari Saman Club Singapore. It is exactly the same as the ones that our friends/instructors (Pipit, Dimas, and Mia) from Al-Azhar is using.

As i browse through Youtube for hundreds of different saman dances. There's Saman in Peru, Argentina (i think 80% of the dancers are Argentinian), France, and Japan (There are so many Japan dancers on YouTube). And new ones kpet popping out on YouTube, i wonder when the Saman Melbourne will put up any of our old videos? I donI found that most of the lyrics and movements are the same or similar. With some combining some moves from Liqo Pulo or Rateb Maseukat dance, two dances similar to Saman. Here's the Adelaide Saman group doing Liqo Pulo.

It's amazing, I feel like we are all variants of the same Kung-Fu school or something.

Or maybe it's jut me.

This is the MAIN part of Saman. I ecxluded the opening (Lahotujan) until i found a reliable source of lyrics. It's kind of hard since it's not in Indonesian, it's not even common Acehnese, its in the Acehnese dialect of Gayo.

Assalamualaikum, kame ucapkan, para undangan, yang katreteka, karena
salam, Nabi kunsunan, jarota mumat, tanda mulia
Mulia waroh, ranung konengan, mulia rakan, lame suara, karena salam, Nabi
kunsunan, jarota mumat, tanda mulia

Hai Jala, tu mile la mile,
Jala tu la jala, tu milelamilehey jala tun
Lamburat, menari leum ateuh,
Ronggunong lahombak, cabong bungo lum ane ane lengkuak

Kutiding Lahang Dingham,
kutiding lahang dingham, la hembot, bot la tiding, la hembot, bot la tiding
Hayna pute pute, hayna pute pute, la pute, si bungong pute la pute, si bungong pute,
Haylen laba binte, haylen laba binte la binte ke ayo mate la binte, ke ayo mate

Mile, Mile Layha, Aiwa laha e hala
Hai mile, mile lahe, Aiwa laha o hele
Mengetam tage, kutu kutu keje, mangen kebahlen, jarum kuase
Mengingat kelam, berkaing kaing, kute lagi musim, jarum kuase
Hai mile mile halaha, walaha e hala,
Mile mile halahe, walahe o hele
Tapula pula bumbang, magadon gadong adang,
haylen laba binte, ke ayo ayo mate
Ala mileala aha,walaha e hala
Ala mile ala ahe, walahe o hele

Hayla Hotsa,
ila lahumbakmeu, ahlun kapaydi, etre lama bure, bure hay bacute
Salah lahmun konsa, lahlun salahmu, lahpen awaydi, gatra lam perahu
Layar labu kau, sabang kapatang, tiang kamengku, alahal manyone,
Hose ladingone, saying wahai e, cut bangke mayang mayang sendang hayla hotsa

Can anyone out there who speaks Gayo translate for me the meaning?

However, most of us are NOT the real deal. Nothing beats the real deal of course. This looks like a very old version, i have a feeling it's done in the 70s (Hence the Afro hair). Click here for authentic Saman Gayo.

Rid-cycle

2007-06-05T21:30:00.000+09:30

Assalamualaikum boys and girls

I'm hereby announcing one of my latest acquisitions, or i rather much use the word "investment", in order to justify my spending in the past 6 weeks. '

about 6 weeks ago, i bought a bike @ Cash Converters. 2nd Hand.

It's a green, Mongoose DH 1.5
Justification: Since i'm now working full-time at the hotel, i would need transport. An adult bus ticket would cost $6/day (although in reality i use supergirl's student concession card to buy half-price). The hotel is about 7 stops away from home. Yes, i could walk to work. But walking back after a long day at the hotel would be tiring. And when i do nite shifts, i finish at 11pm. Walking home would be safe enough i suppose, Adelaide is much safer than melbourne. However, i lived in Singapore, where the crime rate is only slightly higher than Antartica. So, thanks to Singapore, i will never feel safe again.

Why not buy a car? Adelaide is so small, everything is 20 minutes away by car. I've been wanting to. But i want a good car. Prefferebly from the late 90s model at least. So i think i'll wait till next year 'till i can afford one. Anyway, there's lots of buses where i live, so at the moment, there is no need for a car. Especially when petrol is close to $1.50/litre and especially, when you have friends with cars.

I chose this one because it was the best looking one for under $100. My consideration in choosing i must admit was very women-like since i was actually thinking if the bike was clean and would look good in the living room. Yes, it's sitting nicely in the living room now (since the landlord does not allow bikes in the corridor).

The bike's in good condition save a for a single spoke on the rear-wheel that was out.

I've been using it to go to work everyday, unless the wheater is really bad or when I'm buying 10kg sack of rice from the Asian market. It takes 30 minutes of walking briskly to the hotel, with this baby its 10 minutes. And it took me 20 minutes to ride to the City's Rundle Mall. And i admit that i ride slow even when i'm fast, judging from the number of cyclists that passes me by when i'm cycling. I'm not the very least intimidated by middle aged men in tights with $5000 bikes. But why do i always have to be the one watching their behinds as they ride past? On the other hand, occasional helm-less hippies on old bicycles and with a milk crate or a basket tied to the back seat is a welcome sight. They ride slower than me.

I love cycling in Adelaide. I feel like the size of the city is just perfect for it and the city is relatively flat. But i dont think you will ever catch me in a tight-fitting cycling suit ever. I have dangerous curves. It would be too much of a distraction. And now i could pretend to care for the environment and bitch about motorists. While the fact is, i just couldn't afford getting a car.

Does anyone know where i can get those "One less car in the streets!" stickers?

Verdict: Price: $90 (bike) + $15 (lights) + $25(new helmet) = Good buy

About strip clubs and muslim soccer teams

2007-05-13T21:13:00.000+09:30

Assalamualaikum,

I've already posted about a number of things, but none about my life in general. So, here's some for my future reference. When I'm an old man, sitting on a rocking chair by the fireplace, (change rocking chair and warm fireplace to cool shady bench in a personal tropical orchard if I'm in Indonesia) surrounded by my wide-eyed grandchildren, this is what i will tell them about my life on the eve of 2007 Eurovision contest: "... Cucu-cucuku.. (my grandchildren....)

I was 24 years old, still working at the hotel. I did not really get to be an engineer yet. :P Although things had taken a turn for the better now that I got a 'real' job. I was in training for the Guest Service Agent (GSA) position, if you don't know what that means, the more unglamorous word for that is "Portering". But Portering meant more than just carrying luggage in my hotel. Yes, i do carry luggages to people's room. Yes, i do show them around the suites, and that would involve a lot of winking and nudging, if you know that i mean. I guess, you're too young..

Well, anyway, the best thing about this job is that, in reality, i get to run the hotel. From making reservations, setting up conferences and hosting VIPs. For someone who has no background in Hospitality, this job offer is extremely rare. I have been really lucky. Alhamdulillah. Yesterday, we were hosting the Iranian national soccer team And a few months ago, it was the Saudi Arabian national under-21 Team. A lot of soccer teams stay at my hotel.

"Oh no, another muslim team is coming" ...

I overheard one of my colleagues say. No, she has no problems with muslims, she is actually a really kind and generous housekeeper. You see, when the Saudi team came, they made a lot of mess. Much more mess than an average guest would make. The rooms were so dirty, so much that, the General Manager, that is the highest position in the hotel, had to help the houskeepers clean the rooms himself. They also made a lot of complaints and were rude to the reception people. Because all of them wanted special service and they wanted it there and then. It was just not possible, and cucu-cucuku, when you grow up, i want you to be thoughtful to others and treat everyone with kindness.

Some people, including muslims, may think that they are more rightous and better than others. This is Arrogance, and this is one of the deseases of the heart. Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, is the birthplace of our prophet, pbuh. And the Ka'bah is in Mecca, and there is where we bow our heads in prayers, five times a day. And Saudi Arabia is a very strict "Islamic" country where religious police would catch and punish offenders for not behaving Islamically. They do not hesitate to use force, even against women. Sometimes i wonder, in that condition, would one behave Islamically simply they are good muslims who loves Allah or would one behave Islamically because they fear the religious police. When you behave Islamically because you fear some one else other than Allah it is called hypocrisy. It is a difficult word, indeed. Just remember "Hippo-Crispy" :P. Hypocrisy is another desease of the heart that we must avoid. The difference between a hippo-crisp and a sincere person, is that the hippo would show his true self when no one is watching. A good muslim will always be good because he or she knows Allah is always watching.

There's irony in the name "religious" police anyway. Haha, I am not sure if you are old enough to understand irony.

There are so many good things about Saudi Arabia, like the famous Madina University where some of the best Islamic Scholars of Islam in this era is produced. I once, and still do in my deepest of hearts, wish that i could study in Madina University.

But sometimes, the world is not interested in the good things and only the news about the religious police comes out. My point is, it is only natural for non-muslims to identify muslims with these Saudi Arabian soccer team. So in their ignorance, you should forgive them for putting you and other good muslims under the same group.

Cucu-cucuku, when a group of young men stay in a hotel, more often than not, they will ask about strip clubs. I know i should not be telling you about strip clubs, your grandmother will have my skin for this, but this is important for you. Strip clubs is where unhappy men go to see women who would pretend to like them and entertain them so that the men can feel good about themselves. The men do not care about the women and thinks that women are below them and they can do whatever they want. Islam taught us to respect women and treat them with kindness so that is why we are not allowed to go to strip clubs.

We are also not allowed to drink stuff that can make you drunk. Because drunk people could not think well, and would do stupid things. A good man can be a horrible man when they are drunk. They could even hurt others, even their loved ones. They would regret their actions afterwards and they say that their drunk, so they were not themselves. So, basically, there's no one there to blame. Except Alcohol.

You don't know what is Alcohol? of course you don't.. let's jus pretend Alcohol is a guy named. AL. When you drink , AL appears. AL is a liar. He makes ugly things look pretty. As humans, we love pretty things. But not everything is this world is pretty. God created it that way so that we can appreciate all the pretty things. If everything is pretty, after a while, you will get tired and never be happy about the pretty things, because they are not special anymore. AL knows this but since he is a liar, he will only tell you lies. When you're drunk. AL whispers to your ears and makes you forget who you are, and since AL is such a nice guy, you belived him.

That is why we are not allowed to get drunk. Because we want to see the world in all its honesty. So that we can see the true meaning of happiness.

Why do i talk about Strip Clubs and Drinking? Now that you know why we have to avoid them, you know why they are unIslamic. Sadly, the Saudi soccer team drink, visit strip clubs, and even brought some of their girlfriends to their rooms. Hotel staff are usually a bunch of friendly people who do not judge others. They are trained that way. But since the soccer team are rude and caused them so much problems, they began to think that all muslims behave like that. Like i said, they were ignorant. So I hope you'll understand why they think that way.

The Iranian team were friendly to the staff and even bought us Bacclava. Everyone appreciates kindness and will treat you with kindness in return. I made sure i greeted them with "Assalamualaikum" the moment they get off the bus. There were "Waalaikum Salam" replies all around. The other staff asked to be taught the Salaam and started to greet them with "Assalamualaikum" And there were smiles all around and the Iranians instantly became comfortable in the hotel. They brought their own cook to make sure the food is Halal.

However, even when they could not speak english very well, it was clear enough for us, one of the first things they asked when they arrived is about the Strip Clubs :P

Cucu-cucuku.. remember not to judge others , because we had never recieved a visit from the Indonesian Soccer team just yet ;)

Wassalam.

Tentang Keadilan

2007-05-09T22:53:00.000+09:30

Cerita pendek ini adalah kutipan dari buku "Kubah" karangan Ahmad Tohari. Terbitan Pustaka Jaya, 1980 (Bagian Kelima, Halaman 84). Sedikit informasi mengenai Ahmad Tohari bisa di dapat di sini.

Sekedar cerita sepele, untuk selingan. Suta dan Naya sedang beristirahat di pematang sawah sesudah mereka penat mencangkul. Mereka masing-masing memiliki uang limar rupiah. Suta mengusulkan agas uang milik mereka di gabungkan untuk membeli sebatang rokok. Naya pergi ke warung yang terdekat, dan pulang kembali dengan sebatang rokok di tangannya. Baik Suta maupun Naya tidak menduga mereka akan terlibat pembicaraan yang seru tentang bagaimana mereka dapat menikmati rokok yang hanya sebatang itu secara adil, sebenar-benarnya adil. Pertama-tama mereka berdebat tentang siapa yang berhak mengisap rokok itu lebih dulu. Naya bersikeras dialah yang pantas menikmati rokok itu lebih dahulu karena dia yang pergi membelinya. Aasan Naya dibantah oleh Suta.

"Tidak bisa. Aku yang mempunyai ide untuk membelik rokok itu. Untung kalau aku menganggap nilai ide yang kukeluarkan setara dengan tenagamu untuk membeli rokok ini."

"Kalau begitu." usul Naya, "siapa yang mengisap lebih dahulu dapat kita tentukan dengan undian. Kemudian kita merokok silih berganti, dengan menghitung dengan jumalah isapan kita."

"Kau ini bagaimana? Badanmu lebih besar dari badanku. Jelasnya, rongga mulut dan paru-paru kita tidak sama. Bagaimana cara kita menakar isi isapan kita? Lebih baik kita potong saja rokok itu menjadi dua."

"Kau tidak lebih pintar dari aku. Kau tahu caranya menentukan titik yang tepat untuk memotong rokok itu? Ingat, rokok itu kecil pada ujung yang satu dan besar pada ujung lainnya."

"Nah, sekarang kita harus membuka kertas yang menggulung rokok sialan itu. Tembakaunya kita uraikan, lalu kita bagi dua."

"Lalu kita percuma membeli rokok, karena kita tak punya kertas sigaret untuk menggulungnya kembali. Lagipula tak ada timbangan yangakan menjamin bagian-bagian kita sama berat. Usulku yang terkahir ialah mengembalikan rokok ini ke warung. Uang lima rupiah itu akan kembali kepadakita masing-masing. Beres."

"Ya, aku setuju. Siapa yang akan kembali ke warung?"

"Ya Tuhan, kau ini bagaimana," seru Naya."Tentu saja kaulah orangnya. Pelajaran yang baru kuterima darimu adalah menghargai ide-ide. Aku yang mempunyai ide mengembalikan rokok ini, jadi kau yang harus membayarnya dengan jalan mengeluarkan tenaga untuk berjalan ke warung."

Dahi Suta berkerut-kerur ketika ia berjalan ke warung. Ada suara terdengar dalam hatinya sendiri. Suara itu menertawakannya. Suta ragu-ragu dan berhenti. Tiba-tiba ia berbalik. Dijumpainya Naya masih duduk di pematang. Cepat Suta mengeluarkan rokok itu, lalu diselipkannya di antara kedua bibir Naya. Sebuah geretan dinyalakan.

"Isaplah," kata Suta. "Aku belakangan, sesudah kau ikhlas menyerahkan sisanya kepadaku. Atau kau boleh mengisapnya sampai habis bila kau berani mengkhianati hati nuranimu sendiri. Percayalah, aku akan bersikap ikhlas."

Sambil berjalan di atas pematang, Naya menikmati rasa tembakau yang sudah lama di rindukannya. Tetapi setelah beberapa kali isapan ia sadar; sungguh tidak bijaksana menikmati rokok itu terlalu lama sementara Suta yang berjalan di belakangnya sama-sama haus tembakau.

"Nah, tiba giliranmu sekarang. Seharusnya kau lebih pantas menghabiskan rokok itu seorang diri. Saya tahu kau pecandu tembakau. Dengan demikian aku akan membuat hatimu senang, dan itu suatu kebaikan."

Suta menerima rokok yang masih panjang itu. Mereka berjalan pulang. Di dalam hati keduanya sepakat: tak mungkin menjabarkan arti kata adil biar sekecil apa pun, kecuali dengan hikmah.

Disko IRISA

2007-05-08T22:45:00.000+09:30

Alhamdulillah , DisKo Perdana IRISA lancar.

Rentak Nusantari

2007-05-07T23:59:00.000+09:30

Assalamaualikum wr wb

The Boxing Day Tsunami in Aceh was where it all begins. There was a sense of deep loss but also unity among Indonesians abroad. I was in Melbourne. There was a non-stop week-long donation drive. Where volunteers stand for hours long in the sun, until the dusk came holding donation cans. I was still amazed to think that we managed to collect up to AU$70,000 in less than 10 days. Alhamdulillah. Melbournians are generous and kind. As a show of our appreciaiton, a group of Indonesian students decided to learn the Acehense Saman Dance. And perform it in the heart of Melbourne, on the busy Rundle Mall.

We had only a week to train. And we exhaust ourselves, performing up to 8 times a day. But we were happy. That we can do something, even if its just a dance to help our brothers and sisters in Aceh.

What we did not realise was, after that Saman pretty much became a part of our lives. We bacame passionate about it, and we became a family. We realised that we are truly a rag-tag bunch of people from different walks of lives. Some were professionals, some were still in high school. Some were born in Indonesia, some spent almost their entire lives in Australia.

Then the invitations to perform came. We performed in local festivals, in schools, we appeared on TV, and in International festivals alongside the world's best performers. We have truly been blessed. And after all these years, we have regenerated. Some of us have gone back to Indonesia, some of us got married, and have started our careers but the spirit of Aceh lives on.

Eventhough none of us were from Aceh. Eventhough we've never even been there. It has been an honour and a previlege.

Rentak Nusantari, I'm putting you on my CV under "Great Achievements"

Hungry Jack's Stories

2007-05-07T23:07:00.000+09:30

Assalamualaikum

Teringat pada suatu hari, sewaktu saya masih kerja di Hungry Jack's (It's Burger King for the rest of the world. why? long story. Seperti biasa breakfast shift adalah shift yang paling santai, karena emang orang Aussie bangunnya siang. Jadi sampai jam 11, HJ sepi. Hanya ada dua orang Indo yang kerja di situ. Tidak seperti kolega-kolega kami yang rata-rata masih belum pecah suaranya, kami berdua sudah lanjut usia, sudah lulus, tapi masih mencari-cari pekerjaan tetap. Untunglah ada HJ.

Seperti biasanya, saya ngobrol-ngobrol di dapur dengan Henry (Nama depan aja yg bule, nama belakangnya Jowo) rekan sebangsa dan setanah air saya yang rela mati demi Pancasila.

"Wan, ntar buat Indonesian Day lo bantu-bantu Jadi panitia ya?"
"Indonesian Gay? Apaan tuh?"

Sebetulnya emang saya yang budeg, cuma, berhubung kami emang lagi bosen..

"................Indonesian Gay, Lo nggak tau..? gw kan member komunitas homo indonesia di sini"
"Oooh .. emang boleh? lo kan orang Islam Hen, Homo kan haram.. kayak makan babi"
"Justru itu, waktu itu gw makan di HJ dan gw gak tau kalo yang namanya Saussage patty itu disini ternyata daging Babi. Jadi gw gak sengaja kemakan"
"Jadi Berhubung lo udah makan makanan haram, jadi lo terusin aja?"
"Iya, tanggung kan? babi udah kemakan, sekalian aja gw jadi homo"
"..oooh... jadi gitu ceritanya..."

Biarin ngobrol nggak nyambung, yang penting menarik.

Btw, bagi mereka yang polos dan tidak berdosa. Henry cuma bercanda. Just in case.

Wassalam

Dari Mata

2007-05-07T22:47:00.001+09:30

Dari Mata

Dari Matamu (2X)
Kujadi tahu rahasia hatimu
Maafkan aku (2X)
bukan maksudku terpikat oleh matamu

'pabila
ada sedikit ruang di hati untukku
berikan padaku

(*)
Permaisuriku
kuingin menyapa
tapi lidahku kelu tak seperti biasa
Permaisuriku
kuingin memuji
Sayangku bukan seorang Pujangga
(yang menawan)

Ku jatuh hati padamu
pasti terjerat hatiku
Tak dapat menahan
Asmara yang menggebu

'pabila
muingkin bagiku untuk lebih mengenalmu
datanglah padaku
(*)

Although i must admit i do have some hopes 'making it' as a songwriter. I would've never guessed that any of my songs would actually be played on MTV. Well, Alhamdulillah this one made it. This is Brunei Idol Winner. Zul F's version of "Dari Mata"

I hope to produce and release all of my other songs later in life and to get good, talented artists to sing for me. Because i think my voice just doesn't do them justice :P. Working with Faviq was the best thing in my songwriting life, but sadly, we had to part ways. I hope there will be another chance to work toghether again in the future :) .. Well, no matter what happens, I'll keep on writing songs till I die. Because these are the soundtrack of my life.

Jablai

2007-05-07T22:41:00.000+09:30

Assalamualaikum

Begini nih, rasanya kelamaan di luar negeri. Kalo ada istilah baru pasti telat nyampenya. Dan pas udah nyampe ternyata di Indo udah basi. Sementara di Jakarta orang udah ngomong "Cape' deh.." atau "yuuuuuk...." saya masih tersesat di era 80an dengan "eh brur, nanti jadi JJS sama Do'i....?"

Sebenarnya kata "Jablai" udah merajalela sejak tahun lalu. Saya sendiri sudah cukup fasih menggunakannya kira-kira akhir tahun kemarin. Tapi baru kali ini saya sempat mem-blog-kannya. Maklmum, hobi saya gonta-ganti blog. Tercatat sudah 3 blog yang terbengkalai, blogspot-friendster-wordpress-dan sekarang kembali ke blogspot. Blogspot ini adalah blog yang ke-4. Tapi memang seorang muslim lelaki di izinkan (oleh saya) mempunyai sampai empat blog pada saat bersamaan.

Kok jadi ngelantur, padahal tadi kan ngomongin "Jablai"

Pertama kalo saya dengar "Jablai", saya langsung tahu bahwa ini pasti singkatan. Karena orang Indo emang gemar menyingkat-nyingkat. "Mustang" (Baca:mas-teng) misalnya, adalah singkatan dari "MAS ganTENG". Tebakan pertama saya adalah Jablai: panJAng BelaLAI. Karena Gajah punya belalai yang panjang. Jadi seorang pria Jablai mempunyai belalai yang panjang (Jangan Parno). Ini merupakan sebuah anomali, karena manusia tidak mungkin mempunyai belalai. Tapi persepsi saya seorang pria (yang Rano Parno) akan tersenyum bangga apabila di katakan mempunyai belalai panjang.

Beberapa saat setelah saya keluar dari pengasingan dan mulai bergaul kembali dengan masyarakat luas. Berdasarkan masukan dari teman-teman gaul saya, Jablai= JArang diBeLai. yang kondang lantaran lagunya Titi Kamal di film "Mendadak Dangdut" yang liriknya sebagai berikut:

neng ikut abang dangdutan yukss…
najis lu…

waktu tamasya ke binaria
pulang pulang ku berbadan dua
meski tanpa restu orang tua sayang
aku rela abang bawa pulang

ngga kerasa uda setahun
si abang mulai berlagak pikun
uda ngga pernah pulang ke rumah sayang
kepincut janda di pulo gebang

lay…. lay….
lay…. lay….
lay…. lay….
panggil aku si jablay
abang jarang pulang aku jarang di belai

anak kita sekarang uda besar
mulai bingung bapaknya nyasar
kenapa bapak ngga pulang-pulang emak
kata tetangge emangnya enak

Liriknya dalem,menstimulasi intelektualitas..dan pokoknya menstimulasi....titik. Film "Mendadak dangdut" karena sangat mendadak, jadi saya kelewatan tidak menontonnya. Sampai sekarang belom nonton. Jadi lagu ini tentang nasib seorang wanita yang Jablai. Istri/suami yang Jablai adalah sesuatu yang mengasihankan.

Apakah saya Jablai? Ngapain saya bilang-bilang. Tapi yang jelas saya cenderung untuk mengambil inisiatif untuk membelai sebelum di belai. Seperti cerpelai ... (lho kok??)

Saya sempat berpikir kalo Jablai juga bisa di artikan "Jangan di Belai" karena memang banyak mas-mas-tukang-ojek-genit-yang-kumisan di dunia ini yang seharusnya jangan pernah sampai di belai. Mengapa saya meng-stereotype-kan tukang-tukan ojek yang tidak berdosa seperti diatas. Saya tidak tahu. Saya tidak tahu akan banyak hal. Seperti mengapa Dede Yusuf selalu mengingatkan saya kepada David Hasselhoff, dan sebaliknya.

Lalu Mengenai belai-membelai saya punya beberapa teori tentang bermacam-macam belaian atau tipe-tipe orang yang membelai.

Belaian kesatria dari jepang: Belaian tempur
Penguasa Mongol yang cinta seafood: Kubilai Khan (Baca: Ku-belai-ikan)
Lelaki inggris yang suka di sayang-sayang : Tony Belai
Wanita inggris yang suka di sayang-sayang terus meninggal gara-gara paparazzi: Lady Belai
Belaian yang menyeramkan: Belai Witch Project
Belaian yang bisa ngirim orang ke ruang angkasa: *sing* Belai me to the mooon..
Lelaki yang terlalu suka membelai wanita sampai kelewatan: Lelaki hidung belai
Belaian yang mengalir sampai jauh: Belaian Solo
*buka buku PSPB* Sekumpulan tentara cinta tanah air yang di latih Jepang sebelum Indonesia merdeka : P.E.T.A (Pembelai Tanah Air)

Salah belaian:
Cewe' : "Mas.. kalo mas meragukan cintaku, Belah lah dadaku ini..."
Cowo': " ok.. sip..sip.."
***PLAKKKKK ****
Cewe':" Saya bilang "belah!!!" monyet..!"

Mungkin masih banyak lagi belaian-belaian yang masih belum ditemukan.

(Inset: Foto Rano Karno yang nggak ada hubungannya dengan tulisan ini)

Segitu aja dulu uraian tentang fenomena Jablai dari saya.

Blai-blai

Wassalam

Reality Shows (Part 5)

2007-05-07T20:20:00.000+09:30

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Aku merasa cukup terhibur dengan tontonanku kali ini. Walaupun aku merasa sedikit bersalah karena kejadian nyata yang terjadi di depan mataku tidak seharusnya menjadi sekedar bahan hiburan seorang pemuda yang kurang kerjaan sepertiku. Mataku kembali keluyuran mencari mangsa untuk menjadi bahan tontonanku selanjutnya. Tiba-tiba mataku bertemu sepasang mata yang seperti sedang mengawasiku. Mataku terpaku.

Ia duduk di atas salah satu bangku-bangku taman yang menghiasi halaman State Library, kira-kira 4 meter di sebelah kananku. Sudah berapa lama dia duduk memperhatikanku? Perempuan itu menutup kotak makan siangnya dan memasukannya ke dalam tas. Mulutnya masih menguyah kecil-kecil. Ia lalu berdiri dan memukul-mukul bagian depan roknya, sisa-sisa rotipun bertaburan dan sekumpulan burung dara yang sedang berpatroli mencari sisa-sisa makananpun mulai berdatangan. Ia kembali menatapku sambil berjalan santai ke arahku.
Matanya cokelat seperti mataku, namun lebih terang tetapi teduh. Baru aku sadari, kalau mata cokelat itu juga indah. Entah mengapa, semakin dekat sepasang mata itu berjalan, semakin galau hatiku dibuatnya. Aku merasa seperti tertangkap basah, seolah-olah ia mengetahui rahasia-rahasia kecilku, segala kisah-kisah hidup orang lain yang aku buat-buat seenaknya. Mata itu terasa semakin menusuk dan aku tidak tahan lagi menatapnya lama-lama. Untuk pertama kalinya, aku kalah adu mata.

Ketika ia berdiri tepat di depanku, aku menoleh ke atas, ke arah wajahnya yang lonjong. Kulitnya putih bersih, dagunya lancip, hidungnyanya mungil dan mancung. Jelas dirinya adalah seorang blasteran Bule-Asia. Ia tersenyum kepadaku dan senyuman itu menular. Aku jadi senyum-senyum malu juga seperti pengantin baru. Ingin rasanya aku mereka-reka nama perempuan ini, latar belakangnya, sifat-sifatnya, dan isi hatinya. Namun mataku malu menatap lama-lama, hatiku bingung, otakku kosong karena tidak mendapat input yang berguna dari kedua partnernya. Hanya suara detak jantungku yang meliputi keenam inderaku.

‘Y-yes? Can I Help you?’..
‘That’s a weird combination, Sushi with Capuccino’.
(diam) .
(aku tertawa gugup).

Lalu karena bingung mau berbuat apa, aku pura-pura minum dari gelas kopiku yang sudah kosong dengan suara Srrruput srrrput yang meyakinkan.

Perempuan itu lalu duduk di atas rumput di sampingku. Matanya kini tertuju ke arah pemandangan hiruk-pikuk kota Melbourne di hadapan kami. Lalu ia menunjuk ke arah seorang kakek-kakek yang baru saja keluar dari stasiun kereta bawah tanah. Ia lalu berhenti dan berdiri di depan kios koran di ujung jalan. Kakek itu mengeluarkan sebuah Klarinet dari tas besarnya. Lalu ia mulai bermain. Musik yang dimainkannya sejenis Jazz tahun 40an. Musik seperti itu di hari yang cerah seperti ini membuat kota Melbourne hidup seperti sebuah festival yang meriah.

‘His name is Cliff…’
‘….erm...do you know him..?’
‘No. But i'd name him Cliff anyway…..’

Untuk beberapa saat aku bingung dengan jawabannya. Lalu akupun tersenyum mengerti. Kutatap lagi matanya yang indah itu, kali ini dengan penuh percaya diri.

‘Yeah .. you are right. He is Cliff.. ‘

Sepertinya, acara kesukaanku kini menjadi lebih menarik. Lagipula, nonton bareng memang lebih seru ketimbang nonton sendiri.

************* TamaT ************

Reality Shows (Part 4)

2007-05-07T20:19:00.000+09:30

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Melissa merasa semakin risih dengan gelandangan yang baru saja tiba di dekatnya. Padahal ia sedang asyik-asyiknya bermimpi membayangkan dirinya menimang-nimang bayi lucu hasil perkawinannya dengan lelaki tampan yang sedang duduk di sebelahnya. Melissa bahkan berani bersumpah kalau tadi lelaki tersebut melirik dan tersenyum kearahnya. Hatinya berhenti berdegup sejenak, Oh tidak! Aku naksir lagi. Padahal baru kemarin aku naksir tutorku yang baru di Uni. Namun menurut Melissa tidak mungkin lelaki cool seperti itu tertarik dengan kutu buku yang gendut sepertinya. Jadi tidak ada salahnya jika ia membiarkan dirinya terlelap sejenak di dalam mimpi indah yang tidak mungkin menjadi kenyataan. Namun gelandangan tersebut merusak segalanya. Kini Melissa hanya ingin cepat-cepat pergi dari tempat itu. Jauh dari tatapan mata gelandangan itu yang menelanjanginya. Padahal Melissa hanya ingin duduk berdua dengan Nicholas—

—Yang merasa kasihan dengan gelandangan yang baru saja menghampirinya. Mungkin jika suatu saat Nicholas berhenti berusaha dan menyerah menggapai cita-citanya ia akan menjadi seperti gelandangan tersebut. Ia merasa kesal melihat cara lelaki angkuh ber-PDA yang tadi menyenggol kakinya memperlakukan gelandangan itu. Menurutnya, gelandangan dan lelaki businessman itu sama-sama butuh pertolongan. Seandainya mereka berdua sedang mengidap penyakit, maka si gelandangan akan menderita penyakit ‘kelas bawah’ seperti cacingan atau muntaber, sementara si businessman, penyakit-penyakit ‘elit’ seperti Stroke atau kanker otak. Intinya, mereka berdua sedang sakit. Si gelandangan harus di imunisasi secara teratur dan si businessman harus dioperasi. Menurutnya, penyakit yang lebih susah di obati adalah penyakit Greg—

—Yang sudah lupa mengenai si gelandangan. Tapi Greg memang tidak terlalu sensitif dengan orang-orang di sekelilingnya. Kecuali kalau ia sedang menghadiri pesta makan malam yang dihadiri orang-orang penting sepertinya. Otaknya sedang sibuk menganalisa naik-turunnya harga saham yang beritanya baru saja masuk ke telepon genggam PDAnya. Ia hanya ingin cepat-cepat pulang dan mandi. Ia selalu merasa sedikit kotor setelah duduk di kendaraan umum, apalagi ia telah berdiri cukup lama di dekat Mick—

—Yang kini mencoba mencari perhatian Melissa dengan rayuan-rayuan nakal. Melihat Melissa yang seperti Greg, tidak memperdulikannya dan bersikap seolah-olah seperti Mick itu objek transparan. Mick menjadi kesal, dan rayuan-rayuannya pun menjadi lebih kasar dan kata-katanya semakin kotor. Melissa bergeser menjauh dan Mick menggunakan kesempatan itu untuk duduk di tempat yang sekarang kosong diantara Nicholas dan Melissa. Nicholas merasa sedikit was-was melihat tingkah Mick. Tiba-tiba Mick menaruh telapak tangannya di atas sebelah paha Melissa. Melissa berteriak, Nicholas berdiri menahan tangan Mick, sementara Greg pura-pura lugu dan semakin menjauh seperti ingin berlari, menyambut dan memeluk cium tram yang sedang mendekat.

Lalu pandanganku tertutup tulisan: “Melbournians.. Get Lost!!!”, sebuah poster iklan yang mempromosikan turisme di Queensland terpampang di sisi tram yang baru tiba. Gambar hamparan hutan dan pantai-pantai indah Queensland menghiasi poster itu. Maksud tulisan iseng di iklan tersebut tentunya adalah agar para Melbournians tertarik untuk berkunjung dan ‘tersesat’ di dalam keindahan alam Queensland.

Setelah tram tersebut lewat, Melissa dan Greg sudah tidak ada lagi. Yang tinggal hanya Nicholas dan Mick yang berteriak, “Get the f**k away from me!” sambil menarik tangannya dari genggaman Nicholas. Mick lalu berjalan sambil menggerutu menuju stasiun bawah tanah Melbourne Central tanpa lagi menoleh ke arah Nicholas. Peristiwa ini cukup menarik perhatian beberapa pejalan kaki yang berhenti sejenak untuk mencari-cari tahu apa yang terjadi. Namun beberapa menit kemudian, situasi perhentian tram itu kembali normal, seolah-olah babak seru yang baru saja lepas tidak pernah terjadi. Tidak lama kemudian Nicholas pun beranjak pergi ke arah Elizabeth Street dan hilang ditelan kerumunan para pejalan kaki.

********************

Reality Shows (Part 3)

2007-05-07T20:16:00.000+09:30

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Pria “sibuk” itu kuberi nama Greg (35 tahun).

Greg adalah realisasi dari impian-impian dan ambisi kita semua sewaktu kita berumur pertengahan duapuluhan, kecuali mungkin orang-orang tertentu seperti Nicholas. Greg adalah kita, ketika kita mulai mampu mencari uang sendiri dan tidak terlalu membutuhkan lagi tunjangan dari orang tua. Ketika kita mulai berpikir bahwa uang akan memudahkan segala urusan dan karena uang itu hasil keringat kita sendiri, orang tua kita tidak bisa lagi mengatur hidup kita. Dengan uang, semua keinginan dan cita-cita kita dapat dipenuhi. Perbedaan antara Greg dan kita semua adalah Greg mempunyai ambisi yang sepuluh kali lipat lebih besar. Greg juga seorang terpelajar yang ber IQ di atas rata-rata. Bila ditanya, Greg akan cukup bijak untuk mengakui kalau uang itu bukan segala-galanya dan sifat materialistik itu tidak berkeprimanusiaan. Jika dibayar, Greg mampu menulis artikel 5000 kata bertajuk Filosofi Tentang Etika dan Moral Manusia yang Adil dan Beradab di Zaman Moderen Ini. Demi publisitas, Greg juga rela menyumbangkan ribuan dolar hartanya ke panti-panti asuhan dan organisasi kemanusiaan. Ia tidak merasa bahwa dirinya itu materialisik atau bahkan hipokrit karena Greg merasa tidak pernah salah. Ia malah merasa dirinya, sebagai bagian dari kalangan elit terpelajar telah dibebani Tuhan dengan tanggung jawab moral yang besar untuk senantiasa menilai orang lain, mencari-cari kesalahan dan mendidik masyarakat supaya lebih beradab di matanya.

Intermezzo: Bukannya aku, sebagai penulis skrip dan produser acara ini ingin menjelek-jelekan Greg atau orang-orang yang berpenampilan seperti Greg. Ini semua demi menambah kesan dramatis bagi penonton. Setiap cerita pasti ada tokoh jahatnya. Misalkan ternyata Greg itu adalah seorang dermawan kaya yang rajin ke mesjid mungkin pemirsa akan cepat bosan dan tidak begitu tertarik lagi dengan kisahnya.

Ciri-ciri fisik dan penampilan Greg sangat rapih dan teratur. Sepatu kulitnya yang mengkilap bersih dan garis-garis setrikaan celananya yang sempurna menunjukkan bahwa ia adalah seorang perfeksionis, yang tentunya juga pandai menyetrika. Dari dandananya aku malah sedikit tegoda untuk memanggilnya “Metroseksual”. Namun kurasa Greg mempunyai sisi kejantanan yang agresif, terlihat dari caranya berdiri tegap dan auranya yang walaupun kurang berwibawa, memancarkan kekuasaan yang angkuh. Kepalanya yang berkilau dicukur habis demi menyembunyikan rambutnya yang memang sudah menipis dan beruban. Di telinganya tergantung aksesoris telefon genggam Hands-free yang dibiarkannya tergantung walaupun jelas sedang tidak ada telefon yang masuk. Lebih baik berjaga-jaga, siapa tahu John Howard mau telefon. Greg tidak biasa naik kendaraan umum. Ia terpaksa naik tram karena parkir-parkir di daerah kota selalu penuh dan ia harus rela memarkirkan mobilnya sedikit jauh di dekat Melbourne University. Ia berdiri di ujung terotoar seolah-olah perebutan posisi terdepan untuk naik ke atas tram adalah sebuah cabang Olimpiade. Dan Greg ingin selalu jadi nomor satu. Menurutnya posisi kedua adalah sama seperti pecundang nomor satu. Greg amat benci pecundang-pecundang. Terutama sampah-sampah masyarakat seperti para pengangguran yang hanya hidup dari tunjangan pemerintah dan juga kaum pengungsi dari negara-negara barbar yang lari ke Australia. Filisofinya adalah bahwa setiap orang yang bernasib buruk adalah akibat perbuatannya sendiri.

‘How ya goin’ mate!, can you spare me $2….?’

Seorang lelaki kurus berpakaian lusuh datang menghampiri Greg. Sebenarnya sebelum melihatnya Greg sudah terlebih dahulu mencium hawanya yang kurang sedap. Wajah lelaki berambut pirang gondrong mullet yang berantakan itu sangat mirip dengan wajah Kurt Cobain.
Pada mulanya nama-nama tipikal Bloke-next-noor berakhiran “-o” seperti: John-o, Steve-o, atau Dave-o mencuat dikepalaku.

Namun pada akhirnya aku memutuskan untuk menamainya Mick (35 tahun).

Mick adalah epitomi dari segala sesuatu yang di benci Greg. Dengan lirikan jijik Greg memilih untuk tidak menghiraukannya dan mengambil 2 langkah ke samping untuk menjauh dan lalu berdiri membelakanginya. Mick memelototi punggung Greg yang lebih memilih untuk menatap layar PDA nya daripada memandang wajah selebritis rocknya.

‘F***ing Yuppie bastards..!’

Mick mengumpat cukup kuat bagi Greg untuk mendengarnya kalau saja Greg sedang tidak pura-pura jadi tuli. Mick berdiam diri sejenak menatap Greg sambil membayangkan kepuasan batin yang akan dapatkannya apabila dia dapat menghajar kepala botak Greg berkali-kali dengan sebuah tongkat Cricket. Namun Mick sedang tidak ingin mencari masalah. Ia lalu berjalan menghampiri pria berambut cokelat yang sedang duduk di bangku jalan yang kemudian memberinya $2.

Mick menghadiahkan lelaki itu sebuah senyuman dari mulutnya yang dihiasi gigi-gigi berantakan yang kuning-kuning. Mick kemudian melirik ke arah gadis manis yang duduk di dekatnya. Gadis itu langsung kelihatan takut dengan Mick. Mick tersenyum nakal sambil memperhatikannya dari ujung rambut sampai ke ujung kaki sambil menghayati detail-detail bentuk liuk-liuk tubuhnya. Sebenarnya Mick tidak terlalu suka orang Asia, namun wanita Asia yang cantik seperti Melissa adalah sebuah pengecualian. Ia selalu geram dengan para imigran, imigran dari Asia secara khususnya, karena mereka terlalu rela berkerja siang dan malam dengan gaji minimum. Mick sekarang sedang menganggur. Dia pernah bekerja menjadi buruh kasar di sebuah perusahaan konstruksi. Namun ia dipecat karena selalu datang terlambat dan terlalu sering izin ‘sakit’. Walaupun hampir tidak ada imigran Asia yang menjadi buruh konstruksi, Mick tetap menyalahkan mereka. Sebenarnya, Mick membutuhkan domba hitam —berhubung kambing di sini cukup langka, istilah “kambing hitam” saya sesuaikan dengan keadaan— sebagai objek pelampiasan rasa ketidak-puasannya. Hal-hal yang disukainya adalah Bir, footy, majalah porno dan mengeluh tentang pemerintah. Padahal Mick dahulu hampir tidak pernah mengeluh. Mick aslinya adalah seorang yang periang dan disukai teman-temannya.
Mengikut trend perceraian yang marak di Australia, kedua orang tua Mick bercerai ketika ia remaja. Ia merasa orang tuanya tidak terlalu memperdulikannya dan lebih memilih untuk meluangkan waktunya bersama teman-temannya merokok marijuana atau berpetualang menyusuri pub-pub di City. Masa-masa sekolah adalah masa terindah baginya. Namun segala sesuatunya berangsur memburuk setelah masa-masa keemasan itu. Sementara Mick masih tertinggal dan hidup di masa lalu. Ia tidak tahu bagaimana caranya untuk berpikir tentang hari esok. Ia bahkan tidak tahu apa yang akan diperbuatnya lima menit dari sekarang. Tidak pernah ada orang yang perduli dengannya dan akhirnya teman-temannya meninggalkannya satu persatu. Teman-temannya hanya menganggapnya sebagai beban materi. Hanya sudut-sudut kota dan gang-gang Melbourne-lah yang setia mendampinginya. Mick adalah Melbourne ketika malam tiba. Ketika semua orang tidur terlelap dan seluruh perhatian dan kasih sayang kota ini adalah miliknya seorang.

Reality Shows (Part 2)

2007-05-07T20:05:00.000+09:30

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Friday, 08/07/2005, 13:00- 14:00pm. Drama – “Bizzare love-hate rectangle“ (M), adult themes, coarse language. Starring : Melissa, Nicholas, Greg, and Mick.

Mungkin memang dasar naluri priaku, mataku langsung terjerat ke arah seorang gadis manis keturunan Cina yang sedang menunggu tram di depan Melbourne Central Station. Sejak kecil aku memang suka yang manis-manis. Dari jauh ia terlihat serba merah jambu. Jaket panjangnya berwarna merah jambu. Begitu juga dalaman dan syal yang di lilitkan di lehernya. Udara autumn yang dingin membuat pipinya yang agak tembam me-merah. Sebuah novel tipis terkepit di antara lengan dan sisi tubuhnya dan di pundaknya tergantung tas kain hitam yang bertuliskan “BORDERS Bookshop”. Seorang kutu buku sepertiku!

Si pipi merah kuberi nama Melissa (20 tahun).

Melissa adalah sebuah contoh produk keluarga yang penyayang dan protektif. Ayahnya, seorang pekerja keras dan Ibunya, seorang ibu rumah tangga yang pandai memasak. Melissa gemar mencubiti pipi adiknya yang paling kecil yang sangat lengket dengannya. Ia sendiri adalah seorang yang sedikit kekanak-kanakan dan manja namun posisinya sebagai anak tertua telah membangkitkan naluri keibuan yang membuatnya lebih dewasa. Sifatnya yang bersahabat membuatnya disukai banyak orang. Namun Melissa belum pernah punya pacar karena di dalam bidang yang satu ini ia adalah seorang “pemula-yang-pemalu”. Ia pernah beratus-ratus kali naksir, bahkan seminggu bisa tiga kali, namun belum pernah sampai jatuh cinta. Melissa bertekad untuk hanya memacari calon suaminya. Untuk sementara ini, buku-buku dan film-film romantis bernuansa Eropa dengan sedikit bumbu eksotis Timur-Tengah dan Afrika menjadi pelarian asmaranya. Melissa dijamin 100% pasti menangis setiap kali menonton The English Patient, walaupun itu untuk ke empat kalinya. Melissa menyukai parfum dan bau-bau yang wangi. Dandanannya minimalis dan ramah lingkungan. Tubuhnya yang sedikit gempal menunjukkan bahwa Melissa terkadang, atau sering, memanjakan dirinya dengan Es Krim, Cheese Cake, dan Cokelat. Entah itu sebagai pelarian sewaktu stress atau sebagai hadiah untuk dirinya sendiri setelah bekerja keras menghadapi ujian. Bagi Melissa, seorang pria idaman harus mempunyai rambut yang sedikit acak-acakan seperti baru bangun tidur, lengkap dengan kumis dan janggut-kambing tipis yang baru tumbuh. Melissa menundukkan wajahnya yang terlihat menjadi semakin merah karena pada saat itu, seorang pria dengan ciri-ciri yang sama sedang berjalan menuju bangku tempatnya duduk menunggu tram.

Bule berpostur tinggi ramping dengan tatapan mata yang menyala-nyala itu kuberi nama Nicholas (27 tahun).

Dengan ayunan langkah kaki yang malas dan raut muka bosan Nicholas berjalan menuju bangku terdekat. Sambil menghela nafas panjang ia duduk di samping seorang gadis berjaket merah jambu. Nicholas adalah seorang pemimpi. Namun, ia adalah seorang pemimpi yang pro-aktif. Ia bertekad untuk dengan segala cara membuat mimpi-mimpinya menjadi kenyataan. Tekadnya yang bulat dan cara berpikirnya yang singular membuatnya tidak terlalu memperhatikan penampilan dan kesehatannya. Terkadang ia merokok dan minum tetapi tidak pernah berlebihan. Banyak orang mengiranya pendiam dan tertutup. Padahal sebaliknya, ia sangat terbuka dan jujur dengan orang-orang yang dipercayainya. Namun sayangnya, tidak banyak orang yang dipercayainya. Nicholas selalu memilih jalan hidup yang penuh dengan tantangan. Ia bermaksud untuk berkelana menjelajah dunia sendiri. Ketika aku mengamati profil Nicholas aku jadi teringat dengan figur pemimpin revolusi Kuba, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guavara yang di masa mudanya berpetualang menelusuri Amerika Selatan diatas sepeda motornya. Menurutku Nicholas adalah seorang petualang yang terlalu lama tinggal di kota sehingga dirinya merasa jemu dengan rutinitas kehidupan kota besar yang kaku. Aku merasakan sedikit aura dingin yang protektif menyelubungi Nicholas. Kedua bibirnya tipis mengatup rapat, nyala matanya terlalu menusuk, dan kedua lengannya disilangkan di atas dadanya seperti sebuah perisai pelindung. Matanya menerawang lurus kedepan. Nicholas baru saja disakiti. Mungkin oleh seorang wanita? Nampaknya Nicholas adalah tipe orang yang tidak mudah untuk jatuh cinta. Tapi apabila dia jatuh, maka mungkin dia akan lebih dari sekedar jatuh, dia akan terjembab, terperosok, tenggelam, dan pokoknya kepeleset, kecebur dan kelelep ke dalam lautan asmara. Dan apabila dia patah hati, maka Nicholas akan menjadi mati rasa untuk waktu yang cukup lama.

Berbicara tentang wanita, hidung Nicholas mencium bau wangi. Bukan wangi parfum tante-tante yang mahal namun lebih kepada harum sabun-sabun alami produk Body Shop. Nicholas melirik ke arah gadis Jepang —Nicholas, seperti halnya mayoritas orang Australia, tidak bisa membedakan ciri-ciri fisik orang Asia secara umum— di sebelahnya. Ia tersenyum sendiri melihat pipi gadis itu yang merah. Gadis itu mengingatkan Nicholas kepada adik perempuannya yang sudah lama tak ia kunjungi. Dari hatinya mengalir luapan kasih sayang ke arah gadis manis yang tidak dikenalnya itu. Seolah-olah gadis Asia yang manis itu adalah adik kecilnya yang ia rindukan. Nicholas pindah dari rumah orang tuanya dan hidup sendiri sejak umur 18 tahun. Orang tuanya menginginkannya untuk meneruskan pendidikannya ke universitas. Namun Nicholas merasa tidak cocok dengan lingkungan akademik yang menurutnya penuh dengan birokrasi dan politik. Nicholas benci semua politisi dan segala sesuatu yang berbau politik. Aura dingin yang tidak bersahabat kembali menyelimuti wajahnya ketika seorang pria berdasi dan berjas hitam yang berjalan di dekatnya sedikit menyenggol kakinya yang terselonjor. Lelaki necis itu sedang sibuk mengutak-atik telefon genggam model PDA keluaran terbaru di tangannya sehingga ia tidak memperhatikan tatapan menusuk yang dilayangkan Nicholas ke arahnya.

Book Review: "Para Priyayi" by Umar Kayam

2007-05-07T10:10:00.000+09:30

Assalamualaikum wr wb

Akhirnya selesai juga baca Para Priyayi. Sebenarnya sudah dari dulu saya cari-cari buku ini. Ternyata di Adelaide City Library ada. Memang library sini emang handal.

Sebenarnya saya udah jatuh cinta dengan tulisannya Umar Kayam
Sejak baca "Mangan ora mangan ngumpul". Tulisan Umar Kayyam itu sungguh "Jawa". Sesungguhnya saya banyak belajar tentang filosofi Jawa dari Para Priyayi. Gaya berceritanya pun sangat Jawa. Maksud saya, ringan, diplomatis, sopan, berkesan basa-basi, tapi barmakna sangat dalam. Dengan lihai dan tak terasa Umar Kayam menyeret pembacanya membahas masalah-masalah serius. Dari maslah "class" di dalam masyarakat sampai ke masalah politik ideologi. Dan yang paling sya sukai dari novel ini adalah novel ini mencakup tiga generasi di masa transisi Indonesia, dari zaman Belanda, Jepang, kemerdekaan, Gestapu, sampai akhir 60han. Zaman-zaman yang penuh gejolak, dan sangat berbeda satu dengan yang lainnya.

Secara ringkas, novel ini bercerita tentang keluarga petani Soedarsono, di zaman Belanda yang ingin anaknya menjadi seorang priyayi. Menariknya, di zaman transisi ini terjadi perembukan antara tradisi kesultanan Jawa kuno dan pengaruh pendidikan Barat yang di bawa Belanda. Sehingga terciptanya kaum elit baru yang belum pernah ada sebelumnya di Jawa. Para priyayi baru ini adalah para guru, dokter, dan pegawai-pegawai kesultanan/keresidenan/gupermen.

Lalu di mualailah perjalanan Soedarsono membangun keluarga Priyayi. Di mulai dari menjadi guru bantu di sebuah sekolah desa dan sedikit demi sedikit belajar birokrasi kaum priyayi Jawa. Sampai akhirnya berhasil membangun seabuah dinasti keluarga Priyayi tulen, dengan anak-cucu yang sukses, kaya dan terpelajar. Namun apakah arti "Priyayi" sebenarnya? Dapatkah keluarga petani ini mencapai cita-citanya menjadi Priyayi? Buku ini banyak mengambil pelajaran mengenai sikap "priyayi" yang ideal melalui kisah-kisah pewayangan. Seorang priyayi itu seharusnya bersikap Kstaria, patuh dan setia kepada raja, tidak sombong, dst, dst, sering di angkat dari kisah-kisah pewayangan. Kisah-kisah yang juga tercermin di dalam masalah-masalah keluarga besar Soedarsono

Dari sana saya dapat melihat betapa besarnya pengaruh adat di dalam masyarakat Jawa. Adat yang memang sarat akan filosofi dan ideologi. Sebuah tradisi yang terakumulasi selama ribuan tahun dan disampaikan dengan indah melalui sastra, bahasa, musik, wayang, ketoprak ketoprak. Bahkan juga bagaimana alat-alat seni ini juga pada saat yang bersamaan dapat menjadi alat-alat politk.

Novel ini juga menceritakan tentang struktur keluarga di dalam tradisi Jawa. Dimana keluarga yang paling sukses juga bertanggung jawab menjadi soko guru, panutan yang juga harus mengurusi anak-anak kakak/adik/sepupunya yang kurang mampu.

Sebagai seorang muslim, saya dapat melihat pengaruh Hindu dan ilmu-ilmu Kebatinan yang kuat di dalam masyarakat Islam Jawa. Di keluarga Soedarsono sendiri terjadi pergelutan menarik antara Islam, tradisi kebatinan, pengaruh Barat, ideologi Komunis, dan ideologi Pancasila.

Pergelutan berbagai nilai ini sampai terjadi sampai sekarang, dan menjadi ciri khas komunitas Islam di Indonesia. Karena sesungguhnya Indonesia sangat kaya dengan berbagai macam adat dan sangat secara historis, reseptif dalam menerima pengaruh luar. Sehingga munkgin, dibanding negara-negara mayoritas Islam lainnya, Indonesia adalah negara "Islam" yang paling fleksibel dan terbuka untuk berbagai ide. Sesuatu yang positif? atau negatif?

Kembali ke Para Priyayi, ternyata, anak-anak Soedarsono, yang dibesarkan dengan cara priyayi yang benar-benar priyayi, tidak seperti ayahnya yang anak seorang buruh tani, diliputi berbagai masalah. Dengan gaya hidup mapan, yang tidak lagi se-sederhana hidup keluarga petani kini mereka dihadapi masalah-masalah "kelas atas" dan seringkali para priyayi ini bersikap tidak priyayi.

Yang menjadi penyelamat keluarga Sostrodarsono ini akhirnya adalah Lantip, anak haram dari keponakan Sostrodarsono dengan seorang penjual tempe yang diambil dan di besarakan keluarga Soedarsono. Lantip yang pada mulanya tidak di akui sebagai bagian dari keluarga, namun tetap bersifat rendah hati, tulus, dan setia. Lantip dengan ketulusannya menyelesaikan berbagai masalah yang ada di dalam keluarga.

Pada akhirnya, apakah mereka berhasil mencapai posisi Priyayi yang sebenarnya? Atau mungkin Lantiplah satu-satunya yang benar-benar menjadi seorang "Priyayi" yang sebenarnya?.

"Kalau menurut kamu, apa arti kata priyayi itu, Tip?"
"Sesungguhnya saya tidak pernah tahu, Pakde. Kata itu tidak terlalu penting bagi saya."

Sebuah maha karya Umar Kayam yang terbaik. Sayang sekali, beliau sudah tiada. Novel berjudul Jalan Menikung: Priyayi 2 adalah kelanjutan dari novel ini (belum baca).

Novel setebal 308 halaman ini diterbitkan oleh Graffiti dan ditulis saat beliau berada di Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut dan dibiayai secara patungan oleh Ford Foundation dan Henry Luce Foundation.

Umar Kayam memperoleh gelar doktor dari Cornell University, Ithaca, pada 1965. Dilahirkan di Ngawi, Jawa Timur, pada 30 April 1932, pernah menjadi Guru Besar pada Fakultas Sastra Universitas Gadjah Mada, selain menjadi anggota Akademi Jakarta dan Akademi Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia. Beberapa di antara karya tulisnya yang lain, Seribu Kunang-kunang di Manhattan (kumpulan cerpen, 1972), Sri Sumarah dan Bawuk (dua novelet, 1975), dan Mangan Ora Mangan Kumpul (kumpulan kolom, 1990).

Spiderman 3

2007-05-04T12:25:00.000+09:30

Was cheesy, with a story line and script of a sunday morning cartoon.

and then, there's the uneccessary footage of spidey passing a huge American flag in the background. That's all i remember about the movie. Honestly, everyting else was blur after that.

A good observation, is that Spidey would'nt have survived Adelaide because other than Adelaide's pathetic excuse of a 'skycraper' called the Santos building. Other than some small buldings Adelaide is rather flat. Then Spidey wold have to swing 'round and 'round the same Santos building all the time. or he could walk. or take the bus like the rest of us. But where would he keep his bus ticket ? he couldn't carry a wallet in that suit. Even Peter Parker must show his concession card if he wants a half-price ticket. Peter Parker Pick a Pack of Pickled ~~Pecker~~ Pepper

but the IRISA n PPIA SA (man.. al these acronyms) people were just great! There must be 25-30 of us. And at 12.30am in the morning, the only option is the 24 hours Vili's halal Pie !! Good food!

Reality Shows (Part 1)

2007-05-02T18:33:00.000+09:30

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Reality Shows
Selesai revisi: 29/08/2005

Diambil dari:
Kumpulan Cerpen
"Satu Pertanyaan dari Selatan"

Bentang, 2006

Hobiku nonton wayang orang.

Hidup ini adalah sebuah reality show dan aku adalah penonton setianya. Lalu akupun tertawa, marah, menangis, dan mengkiritik bak seorang TV analyst pro bono. Ironisnya, terkadang aku lupa kalau sebenarnya yang sedang kutertawai, kumarahi, dan kutangisi itu adalah diriku sendiri yang juga bagian dari show tersebut, Latar belakangku sebagai seorang perantau dari tanah Jawa di Negeri Wombat ini —kata “Negeri Kangguru” sudah terlalu pasaran. Wombat lebih bundar dan lucu, apalagi kalau pakai baju tentara, biar jadi “Combat-Wombat”— menawarkan sebuah perspektif yang menarik. Karena sebenarnya orang Jawa itu bukanlah orang Sumatra dan tidak biasa merantau jauh dari keluarga dan comfort zone-nya. Aku telah terbiasa menjadi bagian suku mayoritas yang dimanjakan pehatian dan kekuasaan. Sekarang aku jadi minoritas yang tidak bisa banyak bicara. Hal ini lantas membuatku menjadi seorang yang pendiam. Padahal dirumah aku dikenal suka nyerocos. Namun, tidak mengapa, kisahku kali ini tidak begitu penting. Aku sendiri tidak terlalu tertarik dengannya. Di sini aku lebih suka menonton kisah-kisah orang di sekelilingku.

Mungkin karena Melbourne adalah sebuah kota yang sangat hidup dan berwarna-warni.

Aku sendiri tumbuh di sebuah kota kecil di Jawa Tengah dimana ‘penampakan’ seorang turis Bule berkulit pucat dan bermata biru adalah sebuah peristiwa besar yang banyak mengundang perhatian masyarakat. Jadi bisa dibayangkan betapa udiknya aku ini ketika pertama kali menapakkan kakiku di Melbourne. Sekarang aku dikelilingi mahluk-mahluk aneh yang belum pernah kutemui sebelumnya. Ada orang-orang Afrika berkulit gelap dan tinggi besar dengan gaya berjalan a-la Hip Hop yang banting kiri - banting kanan, ada Bule-bule ‘si muka-pucat’ berambut merah, cokelat, atau pirang dengan kulit yang merah terbakar di musim panas; dan banyak juga orang-orang serumpun Asia sepertiku yang serupa tapi tak sama.

Kini sudah lima tahun aku menumpang di Melboure. Kota ini telah menjadi rumah keduaku. Sudut-sudut kota, taman-taman, kafe-kafe, dan gedung-gedung berarsitektur tua kini menyapaku dengan G’day mate! yang hangat. Aku juga sudah lebih mengenal spesies-spesies habitat Melbourne dan pandai mengkategorikan mereka dengan menggunakan istilah-istilah seperti “Blokes”, “Sheilas”, “Hobos”, “Wogs”, “Yuppies”, dan “Hippies”. Dan sampai sekarang aku masih terpesona memeperhatikan beraneka ragam warna-warna mata manusia; biru, hijau, atau cokelat-keemasan. Sedangkan orang Indonesia cuma punya mata cokelat standar yang membosankan ataupun mungkin ada sedikit variasi keputih-putihan karena katarak.
Banyak teman-temanku disini yang merasa sungkan bertatap mata denganku karena kebiasaanku yang selalu menatap mata mereka dalam-dalam. Banyak yang langsung memalingkan dan menyembunyikan matanya seoalah-olah yang kulihat adalah sebuah aurat yang terlarang. Sayang sekali, padahal aku hanya ingin memperhatikan keindahan warna-warna mata mereka, bukan maksudku untuk mengintip rahasia hati mereka. Menurutku, hati dan otakku sangat sensitif dengan mataku. Ketiga organ tubuhku tersebut seperti tiga sahabat karib yang tidak pernah berhenti berinteraksi. Sementara mulutku seperti seorang anti-sosial yang terkucilkan.

Objek tontonan yang paling gemar dinikmati mataku, dianalisa otakku, dan dihayati hatiku adalah manusia. Aku suka memperhatikan detail-detail terkecil seperti lembaran kertas toilet yang tersangkut di sepatu om-om yang baru keluar dari Club-X, gelandangan peminta-minta bersepatu mahal, atau mata binal para lelaki di dalam mobil ketika melihat seorang wanita cantik sedang menyeberang jalan. Lalu, diam-diam kuberikan mereka nama-nama dan karakter. Dan kubuat sendiri kisah-kisah hidup mereka. Terciptalah sebuah hobi baru: menonton “wayang” orang.

Melbourne, bagiku menyimpan segudang karakter-karakter dengan kisah-kisah yang menarik. Misalnya, kisah si penjual buah yang ramah dan murah senyum namun berperawakan preman di Collins Street, kisah pak tua supir tram no. 16 yang suka bercanda —“Welcome to Melbourne’s most entertaining tram and next is my favourite stop: Bourke Street…” —, kisah si peniup saxophone misterius yang hanya keluar waktu tengah malam di jembatan Southbank, kisah si pengusaha muda berkemeja Armani yang baru keluar dari restoran Thai yang mahal di China Town, cerita si gelandangan mabuk yang wajahnya mirip Kurt Cobain —atau memang Kurt Cobain yang memang mirip gelandangan?— yang membuntutinya, kisah para kaum imigran ,kisah para kaum asli Aborigine yang malang ,kisah para perantau dan pelajar-pelajar asing yang jomblo dan sedang kesepian sepertiku. Kisah-kisah Melbournians.

Seperti biasanya kucari tempat duduk yang enak untuk menonton. Tempat duduk langgananku adalah bangku-bangku Bourke Street Mall atau di atas rumput yang empuk di depan State Library. Menurut perkiraan cuaca, Melbourne hari ini cerah. Hari yang indah untuk berjemur di depan State Library. Kupersiapkan Cappucino di gelas styrofoam dengan tutup plastik yang bermoncong. Baru di Melbroune aku belajar minum kopi Espresso dan dengan bangga sekarang aku sudah bisa membedakan antara Café Latte dan Cappucino, dan juga Flat White yang ternyata hanyalah nama beken untuk kopi-susu biasa. Aku tidak terlalu rewel dengan jenis kopi namun aku cukup anti dengan kopi Starbucks, karena Starbucks ada dimana-mana, seperti petikan lagu pop Kylie Minogue “…I can’t get, you outta my head..” yang sering terganjal di kepalaku dan tidak bisa kulupakan sepanjang hari. Kupersiapkan juga beberapa potong Sushi Cooked Tuna dan Calfornia Roll. “Kopi-Sushi” memang merupakan sebuah kombinasi minuman Itali dan makanan Jepang yang “kreatif” yang kurasa sangat mencerminkan situasiku: orang Asia yang sedang beradaptasi —atau malah gagal beradaptasi— dengan lingkungan dan budaya Barat.

Lalu acara pun di mulai.

Damai Bersamamu

2007-05-01T21:37:00.001+09:30

Damai Bersamamu

Vocals: Faviq
Capo on #2
Chords: Asus4 Dsus4 F#m Bm7 Dmaj7 A

Mentari pagi
indah hari ini

saat kau duduk di sampingku
dan aku larut dalam senyum manismu

rumput menari
ditiup hembus angin

dan belum pernah kurasakan
keteduhan hati seperti ini

Reff:
Bersamamu...
ku menuju
taman rahasia
yang tercipta untuk kita berdua

oh kasihku...
kau untukku
nikmati mimpi
yang kini t'lah, jadi kenyataan

Jangan sampai berlalu saja
indah hari ini

saat ku dengar senandungmu
dan aku hanyut dalam buai lagumu

hitam rambutmu
dibelai lembut angin
tak akan pernah terbayangkan
keindahan rasa seperti ini

Jangan sampai berlalu saja
indah hari ini
saat kau duduk di sampingku
dan aku larut dalam senyum manismu

This is to me, the most important and meaningful song that i've ever wrote