International Pillow Fight Day

My dearest fellow people that live in the Netherlands, with this I would like share that we are going to an international pillow fight day at 4th of April 2009 5PM in Dam Square, Amsterdam! So please drop by, bring your own fluffy pillow, and have fun! For more info check the facebook page or the website :-)On the side note, if you live in New York and unemployed, then you might be interested with Olympics for the unemployed. Rea more about this interesting event by clicking this.

The democratisation of theatre

I just found out a wonderful initiative from the Royal National Theatre. Starting this summer, the RNT will film their performance live and in high definition (starting with Phèdre), then broadcast it via satellite to some 50 venues across the UK—for a potential audience of up to 10,000 in a single evening—along with 100 more in the US, Canada and Europe. This promises more opportunities for people who are interested to go to theatre but unable to afford it. Apart from the performance itself, remote audiences will be able to watch backstage footage and interviews with artists. In the UK, RNT will be partnering with the Picturehouse chain and a range of independent cinemas and arts centres and ticket prices will varied accordingly.

Distinctive events

Let see, what the world has been about while I was tolling away in the office...

First is the inauguration of Mr. Barack Hussein Obama, probably one of the candidate with the most technology savvy, human engaging campaign I have seen so far. The message of HOPE and CHANGE came across clearly and the grass root movement was just admirable. This poor guy comes to the office in one of the worst situation ever, counting in bad international reputation, wars, questionable human right practice, and a globally crippling financial crisis. While he managed to fight for his crackberry, everyone is holding their breaths waiting for Obama to perform his magic. I say just wait and see. If this guy really can speak slang Jakarta, then he can't be that bad ;-)

Second would be how the super human, 8 Olympic medals winner, Michael Phelps got caught in bad publicity due to a photo of him bonging to la-la land, was published. Suspended for 3 months and lost deal with Kellogs, he is in the publicity ugly side. I gave out a relief sigh. Finally he is acting like a 23 years old dude that he is and it also explains his inhuman calories intake everyday. Hey this guy struggled and practiced everyday to get where he is. Cut him some slack yeah? He isn't harming anyone.

Third, remember the opening position advertised as one of the best job in the world ever? You know, a job where you can spend your day lounging about in a sandy beach and blog about it? Part of the Australia tourism campaign, the news of this job has been popularly circulating around the WWW community. Obviously this will attract some eccentric crowd to apply for it. Anyway, I have to applause this prankster that edited bits of Bin Laden's video and turned it into a video application! Enjoy!

2007 & 2008

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas 2007 and a Happy New Year 2008! (better late than never right *wink*)

Diary of 20/10/07

I got my turban! I am so happy today that I managed to snatch 2 adorable shawls after prowling through the Jordan Market in Amsterdam along with the 'blink and you miss it' turban in H&M, acknowledgement to Modjo who happened upon it and pointed it to me. Grrr I hate living in smaller city with lesser access and options. The turban will get along exquisitely with the rest of my wardrobe to warm my cold cold ears (Yes, I am still moaning about missing the entire summer!). Now, I am still looking for the grey H&M poncho and H&M blue English boy school blazer, anyone who can help me? I haven't seen any of them in the Holland's branches.

It was also a 'blind shopping date' with the girls from FD Forum (Lorelai, Gretha, and Stephanie) who hail from Arnhem. It is a small world baby! Nice meeting you all :-) and we should do it again next time. My limbs are killing me! Too much walking however I truly enjoyed the atmosphere and the the weather was fine, a bit cold, but fine nevertheless. My heartfelt sympathy to England's rugby fans (yes, you too Prince W and Prince H), at least unlike the football team, England rugby managed to exceed everyone's expectation. I can imagine Da Fonz rolling his eyes when he heard my amateur assessment *grin* so I will end it here. It has been a long and busy day for me.

PS: Modjo, duh bagi-bagi yah klo gw ketinggalan majalahnya :-D

An end of a series

After a few weeks of abandonment I finally decided to write my opinion about the much anticipated book of the year: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow. The media campaign was so strong that perhaps the only way to escape Potter mania is by burying yourself in the middle of Baghdad (and that is not 100% full-proofs). I was not particularly excited or curious about result of the final battle between You-Know-Who and the boy who lives. It was the sense of nostalgia that prompted me to finish the series. Harry Potter was one the first English book that piqued my interests to learn English. I am one of the generations that grew up following Harry Potter’s adventures. Rowling has done a good work of making us feel emotionally related to Harry and his friends (I can’t say much about her writing skills although she is definitely a better writer then me). In the end after years of waiting and guessing, I closed the book, finishing it in 8 hours of marathon reading (watery eyes, stiff neck, and all) to conclude that yes, he is growing up like every other average children, leaving the simple world to the disillusionment that everything is not what is seen. No spoiler here people. Enjoy the book. PS: Sincere thank you to Da Fonz for his understanding when I completely ignored him to finish my reading. And for his persuasions so I didn’t throw a tantrum when I didn’t receive my book delivery in time.

Wimar's Discussion 11-06-07

Attended Wimar’s discussion on the future of Indonesian’s new generation in Diemen InHolland, the Netherlands. I came there not expecting much, apart from curiosity and that it was organized by a friend of mine, but I was blown away. As characterized by Indonesian’s habit, the event was late for an hour, but it was intentionally done by the committee in the invitation since they are expecting the audience to be late. We even have a term on this habit, budaya ngaret, a.k.a. rubber culture referring to the custom of stretching the time and hour, hence the rubber. It is expected for people to be half an hour to 2 hours late depending on which part of region you came from, so if you have any social engagement with Indonesians, please be aware. I personally dislike this very tendency, but as he, Mr. Wimar Witoelar, said that it can’t be helped for each individual to have their own quirk, habit, hope, ego, and ambition.

Back to the event, the star himself came from Groningen, quite a long train ride, and he looked haggard. No wonder there with his tight schedule and health condition, I heard that he was not in a good shape these days. If any of you wonder who this guy is, then you can check his perspektif website. In short, he is a famous political-social columnist who has his own communication company and telly show, in addition to being the public spokesman of President Gus Dur (then the 4^th president of Indonesia). He is also a professor of journalism in Australia, pretty illustrious I must say so I was unsure that he will be inclined to be patronising, as most people in his position tend to be. But in the one hour that we had, he was really down to earth, filled with humour, and bursting with energy. He is also very wide-minded, a liberal in a true sense, a champion of pluralism. This trait is rarely found among the people that I had the opportunity to talk to. During the discussion, I thought, “At last! Here he is, a man that is worth his salt! Finally someone with influence but still has the propensity to lower himself and listen to the voice of the younger generation instead of dismissing us as silly idealist.”

We were discussing that what should we, the students that study abroad, do after we graduate from our institution, should we return back to Indonesia or it is our prerogative that we stay overseas. It is a much questioned situation, many accusing those that refuse to return as a non-patriotic coward, but as human with selfish tendency, if we have the opportunity, why should we choose the lesser option (here as in working in Indonesia, with all of its problems of low wages, high corruption, etc.). He answers that such patriotism concept is the idea of the old regime, what we should think is what we can do for our future in Indonesia and in a way makes it a better place too. There is no point of living in Indonesia if all that you do is destroying it or simply fretting around. It is also your personal decision whether you want to return or not, don’t put your personal problem in the whole context of the nation. It is one big nation with 250 million people and its beauty as well as trouble. You don’t have to force somebody to follow your ideal, if you want to stay; please do so, if you want to return, do so too. Everyone has their right to make the decision and we can also contribute to the country by working abroad. Well said! He is putting all my swirling thoughts in a context. I can’t feature all of the discussion in the blog, but if you are intrigued please check in his website here.

Discussion with Wimar Witoelar

Have been helping Lasoed preparing the event, nothing big really but seemed to be interesting. So people, if you are curious, please come and join the discussion.