Leisurely Reading

What Is That Kind Of Paradise?

2012-02-20T16:31:00.000-08:00

What Is ThatKind Of Paradise?

There’s noplant, no tree whatever that’s not wonderful. Each branch, any leaf, anyflower, any fruit of it, is wonderful, even though without its leaves as a treein winter. There is no dog, no cat, no bird not wonderful, not lovable, nofish, no creature, no man, no woman,... And I thought of Whitney Houston whowon so many Grammy Awards, are they less wonderful?

I see, hear,feel them all around me.

And I thoughtof those that have their eyes, ears, their senses, heart shut. They would neverfind, enter paradise. What’s that kind of paradise?

And I thoughtof the teachings that the way to heavenis along a difficult, dangerous, narrow, steep path while the road to hell isalong an easy, pleasurable highway.

And of thosethat lead an ascetic life.

And of Nirwanaof Budha of non-attachments as to be freed from suffering, while I, on thecontrary am willing, readily to endure it, rather than kill my fondest, dearestattachments, affections to a woman, a dog, a tree, a lake, the woods, thecountry, ... and cry, weep, suffer forthe loss of them.

February 2012

Who Is Your "Schoner Stern"?

2012-02-18T20:09:00.000-08:00

Who Is Your Schoner Stern?

Imagine theChoir Conductor having his choir of old-agers still singing such songs as Mein Schoner Stern, The Man I love, SomedayMy Prince Will Come, ... which they enjoy as though they were teen-agers andsing it even in a church service. He said these songs are Solomon’s Songs ofthis age.

No composercomposes the Song Of Solomon, whichare love songs, into music, no pastor dared to preach it.

“I now can sing Mein Schoner Stern by heart” said Opa Johan’s wife happily.

“Who is your Schoner Stern?” Opa Johan whispered.Then he offered her his cheeks to be kissed.

“You’re reallya scoundrel” she said “indignently”.

So when youwant to know what Schoner Stern meansyou can find the English version in You Tube and hear the beautiful music of R.Schumann.

February 2012

Something Special In Adelaide I Remember

2012-02-16T16:26:00.000-08:00

SomethingSpecial In Adelaide I Remember

I wrote mythoughts in a small pocket note book at that time. I thought, instead of aletter I would send a good friend a package, while on the inside of its wrapping paper I wouldwrite my thoughts randomly as decoration and ornaments as a child’s writing anddrawing in its drawing book. Besides, thoughts always remain the same, writtenon wrapping paper or in a book It wouldbe wonderful whenever he would notice it which would make him more eager toread and see them.

Later have Ithem written on open places at the back, borders, edges of my concert’sprogram. That was my way of sharing my thoughts then.

When I oncevisited Adelaide many years ago, I was surprised when after travelling in acity’s bus I noticed wonderful thoughts on the back of the ticket. I wasgrateful for the ride, but this was an invaluable gift. Thank you.

February 2012

Were I As Rich As A Rockefeller

2012-02-14T16:11:00.000-08:00

Were I AsRich As A Rockefeller

Exasperated,as I couldn’t publish my writings in a magazine, news paper. That was just somefifty years ago. I was then day-dreaning to hang my writings anonymously on gasballoons and have them flowing, flying in the wind for someone to find and readthem.

But to daythere’s no need to publish them that way. I have pulished my writings,pictures, recordings through my blogs, Picasa Web albums and You Tube, whichare far, far better, visited by readers, viewers in so many countries in theworld. I don’t care to publish them in a magazine, newspaper, book now.

But thethought dawned on me were I as rich as a Rockefeller, to hang on my balloonsten-dollar notes and cheques of thousand dollars instead and fly them all over the country.

Shoot them!What fun. Ha.ha.

February 2012

"Little Fool"

2012-02-12T16:57:00.001-08:00

“LittleFool”

Opa Johannever “honey”-ed nor “darling”-ed his wife. It’s so commonplace, sentimental,he said. Instead, he cuddled, fondled his wife with “little fool” which soundsso endearing, so close, so delicately teasing, as sweet as a stolen kiss.

February 2012

Dew Drops

2012-02-10T20:02:00.000-08:00

Dew drops

The dew dropswere so captivating as thousands of diamonds, of thousands fascinating tinysuns, glittering, shining on small grass patches in the sunlight along a quiet,wide, open, sandy pathway and a rivulet with fish in so clear water, so nearbeside. That was when I travelled on my bike in Kapuk about 60 years ago.

How fresh, howclean as I washed my hands, cooled, wetted my face with dew after running inthe country and delightedly stepped bare foot on it. I remember Chinesefamilies in former times gathered dew from fragrant flowers and treated thiswater for their special scented tea.

How I wish Icould capture them, so you could see it live in You Tube. But to day you almostdon’t see dew anymore in Jakarta, yet am I still happy as I succeeded tocapture, though only a few dew drops, not so dazzling in the shade.

February 2012

Dew Drops

Are You Alone?

2012-02-09T00:28:00.000-08:00

Are YouAlone?

“I met a womanat the Saguling Dam you know” said Opa Johan to his wife. “She asked me:

‘Are you arunner?’ seeing me, a scarecrow wearing my sport’s outfit.

‘Sure, I am,but I never did run this far.’ I said.

‘Are youalone?’ She was surprised, she thought Iwas single, driving a car that far. That’s the greatest honor when a womanrespects, regards you as a man, even though you’re an old scarecrow, you know.A sport’s outfit makes one, me look younger. If you’d come in a Mercy with a nurse, she would pity, scorn you as a wealthy, feeble, decrepit old man in richattire. That’s the worst thing for a man when a woman regards him as not a man, but as a piece of wood, empty air. Ha. Ha.

‘No, there’s someone with me.’ I said.

That’s thenice thing. She didn’t know who it was.She might think that I’m still able to drive a car and take you with me but itwas our son, not you, little fool.

“Aren’t youproud of your husband? So now, kiss me, I deserve it.”

February 2012

Just As A Little Candle

2012-02-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

Just As A Little Candle

“I saw a mother fashionably dressed went out of her house, a mansion with two little children stepping into the Mercedes. I imagined her husband who was driving the car, to be a very wealthy man that he could win her, the children perhaps, were taught in an international school. That certainly was his pride, his success. I picture myself a cold welcome awaiting me if I ever visited her in shorts on a bike, ha, ha. Then another man and another woman some thirty years ago came to my mind.” Opa Johan said to his wife.

“I went in. It was dark in the little room and sat before a desk before the man who was in charge to provide for my new identity card and I filled in our family data as we moved in to another house. He doesn’t seem to be very healthy.”

“After having finished my papers I turned home and was struck as his wife entered, a beautiful angel with a lovely voice. As a little candle her appearance suddenly lit up the room, the life of this man. How happy, how rich he must be with such a good angel beside him as he could never afford to ‘buy’ himself such a lovely creature and provide a mansion for her.”

“How loving she must be to love that man despite such poor living conditions. Which man would you choose?” he whispered.

There was a silence.

“Me! Dear little fool.” So said Opa Johan.

October 2008

February 2012

God Repay You

2012-02-05T16:45:00.000-08:00

God RepayYou

“Our son sendsa huge sum of money as our birthday present,” said his wife, “what should Isay?

“God repayyou. Ha. Ha. Ha.” So said Opa Johan.

February 2012

An Indonesian Fairy Tale

2012-02-01T18:24:00.000-08:00

An Indonesian Fairy Tale

Many princes, so handsome, were showing their incredible achievements, feats, university degrees, PhD’s, riches. They were competing for her hand. No, she wasn’t dazzled, awed, though one would offer her his kingdom, she didn’t care. That was not “him”. She wouldn’t marry a fortune, a great name. Someone said: “She’s a fool to reject, refuse such profitable offers which could support herself for life.”

When she once visited a village – but this could only happen in a fairy tale in Indonesia, in my imagination, in my mind – did she meet a young man who was herding his buffaloes. He was strong, so simple, so frank, so natural, so unsophisticated, so open, so unaffected, as though she saw Adam before her, who was without education, wealth, clothes, instead of a herdsman.

Except himself, he had no chance, nothing to offer, to show off to ever convince this fairy before him of his worth and he never thought of ever trying to charm, enchant her. And I pictured him when he just came out of the river sitting on his buffalo, without a shirt, un-combed hair, barefoot yet even asked whether he might kiss her. There was no prince ever dared to ask it.

She later returned and said: “will you marry me?” Dazzled, stunned, when undreamed of, un-hoped for, he was granted, offered a heavenly bride.

He took her home to his cottage, celebrated the wedding with a meal just of lalap, ikan asin, pepes oncom, (that is uncooked vegetables, dried salted fish, red roasted pie of fermented soy bean) eating together on a banana leaf with their fingers, sitting on a mat and drinking water out of a kendi (earthen water vessel) as there were no chairs, no table, plates, cups, forks and spoons. Cozy, warm they nestled in each others arms on the wooden, worn out bale-bale (bedstead). This was heaven. She was content helping him in the vegetable garden, bathing in the kali (river) or pancuran (water from a spring flowing through a water pipe) or from a well and he taught her how to do it.

“There is no electricity, no TV, telephone, no car, no newspaper, no ... She has to live in want. That’s hell.” So the people exclaimed. “Sure” she thought, “but with him near me, hell doesn’t terrify, scare me.”

And I imagined her waking up with the warble of the birds, cock crow, She saw the dew on the grass and stepped on it, enjoyed the rustle, the coolness of the wind, saw, heard the gurgling, splashing of flowing clear mountain water in winding ditches, brooklets, watched the glorious sun, the moon rise, the golden sun set, she saw the fireflies in the evening, …and her husband coming home. This was paradise. She, a City’s daughter had become a child of Nature.

She never vowed to be faithful before God, she never regretted, sorrowed her choice, though she knew she should work hard, that one day he would grow old. She was so happy just to be Eve, a lovely woman who had Adam in the “guise” of a herdsman as her dear husband for as long as life. But this is as I picture it in my mind.

December 2009

Comment

“Such A LoveHappens Only In A Fairy Tale” so they say.

That is tocomfort themselves after years of disappointed married life with so petty,almost no love. Ha, ha. They haven’t got a love, large enough that suchhappiness could still befall them.

I believe I couldlove almost any woman at long last and almost any woman at long last could loveme. Now don’t you be jealous dear little fool.

That’s whatOpa Johan told his wife.

February 2012

A Way To Heaven

2012-01-31T16:22:00.000-08:00

A Way To Heaven

A Paradise isanywhere, whatever your eyes, your ears, your mouth, your nose, touch, yourmind, your heart enjoy. That’s easy enough.

When you’relost in the woods at night and there’s no hope, you suddenly see a faint lightfar away that’s heaven, though it might be an old shed.

So when you very eagerly want to go to heavenyou on purpose get yourself lost in the woods at night or you eagerly want tobe left alone in an ocean, then and only when the most unbelievable thing –to besaved - does happen, there and that’s heaven. It’s that easy.

February 2012

Wonderful, Unforgetable Women

2012-01-29T16:19:00.000-08:00

Wonderful,Unforgetable Women

I never sawthe real Monalisa painting of da Vinci, except in reproductions.

I remember thewonderful, unforgetable women in “TheLittle Mermaid” pictured by Andersen and “Anna Karenina” pictured byTolstoy and Porgy’s Bess, staged inthe opera of Gershwin.

Are thesewomen which were not painted with paint but pictured with words, with beautifulsounds and enacted, less beautiful, less wonderful because anyone could easilybuy, or read them in a book, or see and hear it on DVD/You Tube or watch itlive in the concert hall, rather than be awed, scared, seeing the priceless original Monalisa in theLouvre Museum so far away?

January 2012

Volley Ball Coach: IVBF Lacking Courage, Imagination

2012-01-27T02:27:00.000-08:00

Volley BallCoach: IVBF Lacking Courage, Imagination

Till today, morethan half a century, Volley ball is almost played the same, dominated by supertall world players. The authorities of the IVBF lack courage, imagination.

My Volley Ballmembers then played with variable teams of 2, 3, 4, players, we made the netheight variable, reasonable according to players height, age. We made the 3 Mfront region as “out”, the spike be launched from behind the 3 M line. Weplayed with a “two touch” play, we created an overhead smash for our relativelyshort players from a distance. We allow the weaker team a “gain” of certainpoints as compensation or have a women club team play against non-club boys,... We just regulated the difficulty factors. Those possibilities are what the IVBF should consider so that playingVolley Ball would be fair, reasonable, sensible and exciting in the future.

Suppose chessbe played with a different start position, then no one could take recourse tosuch a stupid thing as learning the best opening moves by heart.

January 2012

Paradise All Along The Way To The Saguling Dam

2012-01-23T18:57:00.000-08:00

Saguling Dam

Paradise AllAlong The Way To The Saguling Dam

A Paradise isnot only in Alaska or on the Alps in Switzerland.

It’s all alongthe way to the Saguling dam.

See the manyviews below far away from high above, feel the cool wind, eating your picnicjust of Tahu Sumedang (fried soybean cake), see the branches beautifully,gently waving, see the outlines of trees against the sky far away, themountains, the hills in front of you, beautiful “islands” on a “sea” of paddyfields, ... as you drive or walk or sitor eat.

Besides, finda Paradise just around the corner as you drink your warm coffee milk, hear thebird’s twitter, see the dew on the grass, hear a child’s laughter, ...

So Pak Arifassured his son as they drove together to the Saguling dam.

January 2012

The Author

2012-01-19T16:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome!

My Home And Me

This, right now, right here is my home and me. Just takes a minute to be there. Wherever you are, even at the end of the world, whenever you want to, dinnertime, even bedtime. You can come in your daily wear, barefooted, or on slippers. You don’t need to travel by plane, train, or take a car. Just ring my doorbell http://www.leisurelyreading.blogspot.com/ and there I am and so do I look like.

Leave any time you like and in a minute you’ll be back home.

Chew GH

My Photo?

Why? Do you want to see my photo? Do you want to see a scarecrow?

The Scarecrow

Self Portrait

And I were jealous,

And I feared,

And I desired the forbidden apple

And I fell

And hurt myself.

Kin to those who’re so human,

To all creatures, all life.

I am Nature’s Child.

My Cricket's Song

Warble as a nightingale I can’t

Though you would teach me

Not chirp as a cricket I can’t

Though you would unteach me.

My Brainchildren

Blessed with a loving mother’s kiss, they enter into the world.

It Was Just An Alms

2012-01-18T17:27:00.001-08:00

It Was JustAn Alms

Poorlyclothed, a man was drawing a full, veryheavy garbage cart slowly, straining, with all his efforts as a lean horse. Imade up my mind and returned and gave him a ten thousand rupiah note - that’sjust about one dollar - to buy himself perhaps something to eat. He smiled. Butas I was home again. I regretted. was ashamed of myself that I just gave him analms. Perhaps it were far better that I kept up my thump as my respect in honorto him which is certainly worth far more. He will have his selfrespect and wontfeel him self so poor, so low as a beggar.

January 2012

Why I Don't Leave My Purse Carelessly

2012-01-16T16:23:00.000-08:00

Why I Don’tLeave My Purse Carelessly

Why I don’tleave my purse, watch, ... carelessly on the table just anyone could take it,that is meant to avoid me thinking badly of others, as not to harbor, have any suspicionof others. If it’s lost, my own negligence is to blame. Not so much as to thinkwell of myself by preventing other people to fall into temptation or try otherpeople’s integrity.

January 2012

Content, Happy, Grateful As It Is

2012-01-13T16:22:00.000-08:00

Content,Happy, Grateful As It Is

Born, there’sno choice whatever between “be born” or “not be born”.

Yet everyliving thing is happy, content, grateful as it is, is fated. Ask your dog, abird, a fish, a butterfly, an orchid ifit ever wants to change itself with you were it possible. Every human being,creature, plant thinks, feels of its race as the very best, moreover you arethe best as you are, or would you change yourself with someone else?

So said PakArif.

January 2011

A Dear Friend

2012-01-11T16:42:00.000-08:00

A Dear Friend

No need to talk to.
No need to be witty, interesting, smart, delighting, or entertain him.
I can think my thoughts openly.
For hours, days, years he isn’t bored with me.
He gladly, readily goes with me wherever I go, in rain or shine.
He is delighted with my coming home, without asking distrustful questions.
He is my dog.

Suppose, when I on purpose leave him alone somewhere with the wish that he goes astray, yet will he return happy and gladly, joyfully meet me without hard feelings.

When my acquaintances, my friends, my children and even my wife have left me, my dog will be the last creature to leave me and only then, whenever he has the heart to do so.

Only in the eyes of my dog, am I forever rich, young and good. Where I am, there’s his home.

How I wish Eve could be so dear.

1977

January 2012

Piggy and me

What's So Wonderful

2012-01-10T19:04:00.000-08:00

What’s SoWonderful

How wonderfulto see “beauty” of Anika Alonzo in Wordpress.com blog and what’s so wonderfulis that what is really wonderful always will remain wonderful even though whenpeople say it’s awful and for sale.

January 2011

Nothing To Be Proud Of

2012-01-08T16:24:00.000-08:00

Nothing ToBe Proud Of

Nothing to beproud of, there’s no joy, shooting (with a camera) a bird in a cage, to fish inyour aquarium.

January 2011

"I'm Your's" A Lover Says

2012-01-06T16:26:00.000-08:00

“I’m Your’s”A Lover Says

“I’m your’s” alover says, not “You’re mine.”

January 2011

So Discreet Our Indonesian People

2012-01-05T20:48:00.000-08:00

So Discreet Our Indonesian People

As far as Iknow of, no real Indonesian would ever say “I love you”. It sounds sounashamed, so rude as though one’s lovethat’s so subtly shown, expressed, - kiss, fondle with the eyes, with words, ...is not enough but has to be declared openly, to be convincing, believed. We’reso discreet and never really kiss each other than when in private, no one couldsee, disturb us.

In public women now kiss each other when meeting or leaving each otherbut that’s not a kiss. It’s cold devoid of love.

In former times they greet with reaching both hands, the “salam”,

to each other.

To kiss, embrace our child, baby, our mother, our father, our dog

warmly, lovingly, that’s a real kiss.

A woman kissing a woman is nothing at all. There’s no man would ever

kiss a man unless he is not a man.

January 2011

Don't You Ever Become A Decrepit Old Woman Before Twenty

2012-01-04T02:21:00.000-08:00

Don’t YouEver Become A Decrepit Old Woman Before Twenty

“Sure, fromthe outside may I look like an old man, a scarecrow but from the inside am I ayoung man and am still growing younger. Don’t you ever become a decrepit oldwoman before twenty. Ha, Ha.”

That’s whatOpa Johan said to his 17 year grand daughter while he is almost 82 years.

January 2011

What's So Praiseworthy Of Our Indonesian People

2012-01-01T18:38:00.000-08:00

What’s SoPraiseworthy Of Our Indonesian People

Once a motherwith her baby, boldly, recklessly climbs up into an overcrowded train while shestood about a meter below the entrance as that was her last chance, the last“boat”, train, to save her to return back home.

“Look thetrain is empty”, says a passenger gladly, happily pointing to the people stillstanding, walking in the train whilethere’s no empty seat anymore. When he sadly, mournfully says “the train isovercrowded” that means he and his wife have to climb up to the train’s roof.While a wealthy woman comments “It’s nice to live in Pondok Indah suburbsbut I can’t stand the many traffic jamson the road to my office in central Jakarta and the train is always overcrowdedwith filthy people and dirty.

Imagine ourpeople travelling in overcrowded trainsfor almost two hours when there’s no toilet.

January 2012

Something Special In Bogor Botanical Gardens

2011-12-29T16:35:00.000-08:00

SomethingSpecial In Bogor Botanical Gardens

BogorBotanical Gardens is a paradise, too many to mention all the beautiful sights,wonders. I especially capture, mention one, an unnoticed beautiful thing thereis: i.e. Decent visitors that don’tleave their spoils, dirts behind as inMonas Park.

Monas Park isa garbage park after every holiday.

December 2011

Does It Prove?

2011-12-27T17:07:00.000-08:00

Does ItProve?

Does it provethat when someone gets half a million viewers visiting his blog, his videos inYou Tube in a month and I, me but 20 viewers that his is worth 25 thousendtimes more than mine? So I comfortmyself.

December 2011

Could You Ever Choose Your Parents?

2011-12-26T02:22:00.000-08:00

Could You Ever ChooseYour Parents?

“Oh, my God, why am I not goodlooking, a poor, slow learner, suffer asthma, diabetes, cancer, ... I neverasked to be born. Why be born if you should inherit the poor, undesirablequalities of your parents?” So said athouhtful young girl.

Pak Arif: “Then blame yourparents. Forbid them to marry, or forbid them to have children.”

Young girl: “What ifhandsome men marry beautiful women, the smart, with the smart, the healthy withthe healthy, their children would be beautiful, clever, healthy, ... Or have anIndonesian marry one of the West or marry a Chinese, ... Children of mixedparents are very goodlooking and they are often chosen as a model in a magazineor to play in a cinetron.”

Pak Arif: “Yet someday inthe future, people would be able to give birth to children with good qualities byregulating the DNA before birth so they don’t suffer from undesirable inheriteddeceases, illnesses. They also would be able to determine the sex.”

“Would you prefer to be bornaccording to your parent’s discretion or according to your own choice, wishes?Except you ever could choose your parents. What if your parents are cats? Youwilling-, unwillingly must be born a cat. Ha, ha.” So si Upikinterupted.

Pak Arif: “But at least, Ibelieve, Man is created that magnificent that he still could manage, be able toimprove himself to become - more or less - to what he wants, desires. A blindman can learn, practise himself till he can “see” by means of his touch, andhearing.”

December 2011

On The Green House Effect

2011-12-19T17:31:00.000-08:00

On The GreenHouse Effect

Our worldpopulation of today is about 7 billion. I insist, it has become a serious harm,threat for all that’s living in the world.

Lower the population for instance to 3 billionthrough birth control and the green house effect will certainly drop. Allcreatures of the earth would rejoice too. It’s just common sense, and simple asthat.

Why fuss, talk, have conferences, seminars, rules, theKyoto Protocol, ... of lowering green house effect almost without any effect,while the world population still increases. That’s what is scaring me.

Could youforward this to one of the world leaders who are so concerned with thethreatening green house effect?

December 2011

On URL Or Blog Address

2011-12-15T16:33:00.000-08:00

On URL OrBlog Address

Knowingsomeone’s URL or blog address is the same as though having it as our’s. Well, Idon’t need to become a follower or subscriber of someone’s blog or blog in YouTube if I know or someone told me his/her URL. I can visit it any time asthough visiting my own blog. Except, I’m too lazy to visit them. Ha, ha.

Besides with Google it is sufficient just to know the blog's or the author's name.

December 2011

Charming "Antholes"

2011-12-09T16:30:00.001-08:00

Charming“Ant Holes”

I never caredto write in Picasa and You Tube where my Pictures and Videos were located as Ithink Indonesia to be so small, almost unnoticed in the world. Moreover, the placeswhich I visited during my wandering, running, biking travels into the countryand took the pictures, were just “antholes”. No one would, could see them. Why weary my readers of my blog, viewersof my pictures, videos with their names?

But since I triedif Picasa’s “Photo Location” could ever find the places where the pictures werelocated, I never thought, dreamed of, it could be found, be seen, I wasperplexed, dumbfounded that it could.

I very repentthe loss of my world Bos Atlas before, now not anymore. This is even farbetter. When you switch from “Map” to “Satellite” and zoom in, all my “antholes” are there, even smaller ones and other places in their neighborhood Ihaven’t visited yet.

From now onwill I gladly write them in my blog, in Picasa and You Tube. It’s fascinatingto see the places almost live in the Google map.

I can pridemyself in having visited running, or on my bike and all along the way thosecharming, captivating sceneries, even though they were mere “ant holes”, nofamous sceneries in foreign countries. I hope one day to visit “Ujung Kulon” onfoot or on my bike.

Fishponds In Paradise, Bojong Gede

December 2011

On The Nobel Prize

2011-12-06T00:53:00.001-08:00

On The NobelPrize

Wat a joy,delight to have your fancy, fantasy roaming so daringly even to the utmostimpossible, unbelievable imaginations.

A very longtime ago have I a cherished thought, that I always would remain the same, notbecome greater, nor smaller were people to praise or blame me, or awarded ornot awarded me the Nobel Prize.

And I thoughtof all the trouble, agony, the wars of going to Oslo or Stockholm were Igranted the Nobel Prize which does not make me a bit greater. A dog would nevercare for the Nobel Prize but I’m a man who does not want it – why flattermyself? - what if he is “forced” to. Could I have the courage to say no, to warwhen people, VIP’s, even the presidenturge me to go, decline the most prestigious offer and disappoint the NobelPrize comittee?

I’m sograteful, so lucky, that such a fate would, could never, ever befall me as Inever aimed and never would be able to succeed. I’m happy without any grantedprize whatever.

Then, how happy am I when unexpectedly to receivea reader’s letter, who thanked me warmly for my published writing. It doesn’tmatter if I have no success in earning a lot of money, or never getting a Prizefor Literature, but have success in a reader’s heart. That would make me feel likereceiving a heavenly boon, gift. This is what I wrote in my Foreword, publishedin the bahasa Indonesia, 1996.

December 2011

Wonderful, Unbelievable

2011-12-04T16:24:00.001-08:00

Wonderful,Unbelievable

Imagine howwonderful, unbelievable our Indonesian people travel in overcrowded trains formore than an hour when there’s no toilet.

December 2011

If It's God's Will

2011-12-02T16:47:00.001-08:00

If It’sGod’s Will

When I askedthe Psychologist if I could be cured, recover from my heavy stress he said,“Sure, if it’s God’s will.”

If he justsimply said, “Sure, according to human and medical knowledge” I would be happy butif it depends on God’s will, am I still distressed, downhearted.

So, when wealways have to depend on God’s will – I’ll return to Indonesia next year if Godso wills it, I’ll celebrate my 80th birthday if God so wills it - it’s the same as having nothing to dependupon.

December 2011

Warning

2011-11-30T16:11:00.001-08:00

Warning

It takescourage to open a blog if you can’t pride yourself on any extraordinaryachievement, you have nothing to offer, nothing special, exceptional, nevervisited any country abroad, never won any award of national, not to mention ofinternational niveau, you’re not a writer but if you think that I am, then I’vebecome so. I warn you, if you insist to reading this blog, go ahead. Don’t youever be sorry or be disappointed.

As the cricketsings:

Warble as anightingale I can’t

Though youwould teach me.

Not chirp as acricket I can’t

Though youwould unteach me.

so am I proudand happy with my blog, or my cricket’s song. Well, I believe one day peopleeven will love a real cricket’s song and a frogs’ concert.

December 2011

The Volley Ball Coach On The Classification According To Height

2011-11-25T17:00:00.001-08:00

The VolleyBall Coach On The Classification According To Height

We even havean Olympic Games for invalids for they certainly have no access to the OlympicGames.

We even have awheel chair tennis for invalids for they certainly have no access to playing tennis.

We even havesitting volley-ball for invalids for they certainly have no access to playingvolley ball.

We even have... That’s humane.

Invalids onlyamount to a small percentage as compared to those that are not invalid.

But the worldpopulation with normal height which amount almost to a hundred percent have noaccess to world volley ball, basket ball as they are relatively very, tooshort, while world volley ball, basket ball are dominated by players whoare so extremely, very tall of over 190cm which consist of not even one percent of the world population.

Therefore,classification to player’s height is a necessity in Volley ball* and basketballas is the classification according to weight in boxing, weight lifting,... to be fair and humane.

*SeeClassified Volley Ball 1, 2, 3

November 2011

Reminiscences Of A Marathoner

2011-11-22T20:20:00.001-08:00

Reminiscences Of A Marathoner

Well, imagine the agonies of an aging, graying man to be able to run 42.195 meters; of waking when still heavy with sleep, of sore feet, blistered toes, bruised toenails, of parching thirst, in the blazing sun, to build up the physical condition required.

Making the hellish journey as pleasant as possible, he starts as early as four o’clock on Sunday mornings, arriving at six at the outskirts of Jakarta when Nature awakes, he travels through paths, byways, into a Paradise of the countryside, of villages, woodland, fields, … What’s wandering through a park or traveling comfortably in a car?

Where no city’s bustle will annoy his ears, then he, a city-man becomes a Child of Nature, stops or walks slowly to enjoy the song of cicadas, the sounds of flowing, falling water, the rustling trees, the shade and cool breeze, delighting, inspiring man again and again.

Where he chanced to watch two squirrels chasing about in trees. Did you ever chance to see a squirrel in Jakarta nowadays? What’s seeing a squirrel in a cage or preserved in a zoological palace of science?

When such delightful scenery as a lake, a river, a brook or even a creek invites him to take a dip after running and sweating in the sun.

When no ads and billboards will catch his eye but a swimming mother duck with lovely ducklings, or washing; bathing nymphs and beauties; while thirst is turning water into nectar and wine.

Then, very tired after traveling, to return, all the way back home, when busses offer him a heavenly ride just for Rp. 200.- while other heavenly pleasures awaits him; of drinking juice or just cool water out of the kendi (earthen drinking vessel), of taking off his shoes and feel the delightful sensations of walking barefooted on the cool floor, of the freest, deepest breathing, youthful vigor and keen appetite, then close the day with a blissful sleep to crown that day’s feast.

And they descend on you in a natural way like a heavenly blessing, or a subtle heavenly reward.

Those who have never suffered writhing with rheumatism, toothache, stomachache, gasping for breath by an attack of asthma, keep waking an eternity by insomnia, don’t realize the heavenly treasures of good health.

A feeling of gratitude comes with the conviction that even an aging man without any talent for sport as he is, can still make it. Which is so encouraging when he feels himself to be too small and of no significance before, ever to perform this highly improbable feat: to run the marathon and it has brought him greater self confidence as well as improved the quality of his life through better health.

Anyone (heaven is impartial) can have a share in these blessings just by exercising their body they like.

The Indonesia Times,

August 6, 1988 Revealing the Heavenly Treasures Behind The Marathon

November 2011

Who Is That Lovely Girl?

2011-11-16T19:59:00.001-08:00

Who Is ThatLovely Girl?

Who is thatlovely girl in the photo, follower of one of my blogs? I can’t do otherwisethan ask for her hand as I’m still a young scarecrow in disguise, but really aprince of just over 81 years, conveyed with a cartload of flowers and athousand kisses.

Don’t you everbe sorry if you refuse, reject, decline my offer.

So now kissme. You owe me a kiss.

November 2011

The Mighty Ruler

2011-11-16T01:53:00.001-08:00

The Mighty Ruler

And there’s the mightyruler but as only small bacteria attack him or a stroke or …, he becomes sosick, so weak, so small, so helpless, turns a bit wiser and was cured from hisdelusion.

June 2009

November 2011

On Lying

2011-11-10T16:14:00.001-08:00

On Lying

I don’t likelying, not so much as though I’m a good, honest man, but I hate to waste mytime to invent a lie, so tediously,carefully, convincingly fabricated and on top of it, always be on the alert of mywords, behavior to be in accordance with the lie. Better be silent or not liethough people might hate you.

November 2011

We Always Have Time

2011-11-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

We AlwaysHave Time

For those,whom we love, for whatever we like, desire, we always have time, find time, alot of time, even when we have no time, we take the time which is meant forother purposes.

A lover would,could even postpone, neglect, forget his duty, cancel appointments, forgo hisniceties, just to meet his girlfriend. When there’s a soccer world championshipbroadcasted live even after midnight a soccer fan would abandon his sleep.

“I’m busy”,“I’ve no time”, I’m sorry” is an euphemism of saying, “go to hell with it.”

November 2011

Genuine Or Fake?

2011-11-05T01:35:00.000-07:00

Genuine Or Fake?

Works of art remain the same;
People’s valuation fall and rise.

A painting of Monet was sold forU.S.$ 1.400.000, TV reported. If - for the sake of preserving its message -, oneshould own, see the genuine painting, or watch, hear a live performance in atheatre or concert hall, to be able to enjoy art, then, shouldn’t we also haveto read the genuine hand- or type-written script of an author to enjoy a novel?We even read translations with hardly any suspicions.

I’d just be as happy and gratefulwith copies or call them fakes. To have a nice printed copy of a painting on acalendar, an opera on a disc or video, the cheapest edition of a translatednovel, a good imitation of beautiful antique ceramics, the Venus of Milo inminiature, … I can still hear Mozart on a tape recorder or performed throughartists other than Mozart himself as well.

Fakes are nothing but kinds ofreplicas, such as copies, editions, imitations, translations, transpositions,recordings. Why not produce replicas of the works of art in a way peoplepublish books or issue records? Then art will come down within the purse of allfor anyone to enjoy and be familiar rather than be a scare. So one can affordto have his own private gallery of art without having to spend a fortune to buyor see the genuine works abroad.

It doesn’t belittle Tolstoy orhis novel if one can have a translated version for just 50 U.S. cents, nor doesit make Monet or his painting a bit greater, because people honored him withsuch a huge sum for a piece of his works.

The difference between thegenuine and a fake will become less. Some day we won’t be able to distinguishbetween them anymore. Such as a book, which is as genuine as its originalscript except for misprints, or as music transposed into another key.

Aren’t so called fakes art too?And they help us to overcome the barriers of time, of place, of language andour limited means.

The Jakarta Post,October 4, 1986

That was justsome twenty five years ago. But today Idon’t care to have my own art gallery of copies or so called fakes, not genuineworks of art anymore. My ‘Windows Live Photo Gallery’ in my computer is now notmy photo gallery but my pictures-, videos- studio for working to make themready for You Tube.

And but a yearago I so eagerly wanted to print me my blogbook, yet today I don’t want itanymore, even were it offered me for free as I think that I can make me an e-blogbooknow. I was so worried then when my writings, most favorite, valuable bookswould be lost, but to day I don’t mind it as I think that all the works of artcan and will be preserved, saved in You Tube, in the internet.

November 2011

Watch For A Chance To Capture The Bird

2011-11-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

Watch For AChance To Capture The Bird

And there’sthat little bird, so frustrating, furiously flying against the windowpane of aparked car in the garden, again and again. Is she attacking her opponentmirrored on it? It would make a nice, unusual video of the bird. But I couldn’tcapture her with my camera as when I go outside from my room she fliesaway.

Certainly,there’re no two happenings, occurences would, could ever be exactly the same.This chance might be for ever lost. ButI just am lucky as the little bird came again the next day. From behind theglass window-pane now I aimed – she is so very small - zoomed in and recorded.A bit blurred, but never mind.

And here sheis, sure not a dazzling colored proud peacock. I couldn’t get a sharp, clear picture of her with my digital pocket camera,yet am I so happy as she’s alive in You Tube now and for ever.

November 2011

The Swallows

2011-10-30T19:11:00.000-07:00

The Swallows

I aimed at theflying swallows but to my distress I couldn’t almost see anything of themexcept my face mirrored, hindering me on the screen of my digital pocketcamera. I aimed at the sky at random, zoomed in, zoomed out again and I feltwretched. I opened it in my computer. The swallows that I captured were flyingso fast and there were a lot of blank spots without a swallow.

But as I founda very short beautiful recording of the birds, I thought I could still make mea nice video for You Tube. I slowed down its speed, lengthened by doubling therecording and I saw a beautiful view of flying swallows through a frame, morefascinating than seeing them actually live, flying in the open air. Besides,I’ll make me some beautiful snapshots out of it for my ‘chewspictures’ blog.And as it’sthat good, I owe this to the very smart digital pocket camera and Windows LiveMovie Maker.

October 2011

What Is A Weed?

2011-10-29T00:30:00.000-07:00

What Is AWeed?

A weed is a plant that is not wanted, not plantedundesired and grows anywhere. They’re cleared out, eradicated, though they might grow into abeautiful flower plant, a fern, a chevelure, a lotus, an orchid, ... or a tree,a waringin, a beautiful forest, ...

A weed treated, cared for, looked after, loved ...stop being a weed and become as honorable, beautiful, lovable as our plants, trees in our garden, flower pot,vase are. All our plants once started as a weed.

There’s no weed whatever that’s not wonderful,extraordinary. If we see and judge that’s just an ordinary weed, our inner eyesfail to see its beauty.

Here she is after more than 20 years

October 2011

Faster Uploading To You Tube

2011-10-25T01:27:00.000-07:00

FasterUploading To You Tube

It takes mesometimes 10 to 12 hours to upload my videos to You Tube, Can you imagine mydistress when after every 15 minutes you have to wake up the computer from its“sleep” (monitor turns black). You must be on the watch, you can’t go out, youcan’t go to sleep. When you forget this, the upload might fail, be cancelledand oh, how miserable(!) you should start anew after waiting so long. I’vesearch after faster methods in uploading to You Tube in Google, but no way.

And I thoughtit would be OK when the computer could be set, so, that the computer would not“sleep”. I asked my very smart computer service officer how I could settlethis.

He said openthe “control panel”, click on “Power Options” choose the setting “Never” sothat the computer “never sleeps”. Then turn off your monitor lest it would beburned.

So now Isucceed. I’don’t care whether the computer can’t upload fast to You Tubeanymore. It doesn’t matter when it would take a very long time. I can turn onthe monitor again and handle my computer activities as though I’m not uploadingto You Tube. I even have still access to internet and can have my sleep and thevideo uploaded when I wake up besides. Ha, ha.

October 2011

Kiss Of Gratitude

2011-10-21T01:51:00.000-07:00

Kiss OfGratitude

This dying oldman couldn’t speak, he had no voice, no words. With difficulty, a lot ofeffort, he raised himself and kissed her. He was so grateful, she even wasn’t hiswife. He was so happy and had prayed, thanked God for sending her to himbefore. “You change mylife” he said to her.
He had invitedher to share his lodging about a year ago. He was so old. They did not sleeptogether.

On his sickbedhe cried, he, who was so tall and strongbefore, as though a little child seeking comfort with its mother. He felt somiserable, helpless – he had cancer - and even wasn’t ashamed of her who was sosmall, so feeble. “I need you” he said to her, “nothing else” as she, a youngwoman of the East, wetting his dried lips, silently, lovingly nursed him, anold, sick man of the West, perhaps even more than a married wife would do forher husband.

”She’s mywife”, he said, testified in the hospital to his friends.

Yet when hedied, she was relieved, felt so happy that he was freed of his anxiety,torture, cancer, death agony, more than her sadness of missing him.

Are those thataren’t married less happy than those who are?

October 2011

This Lovely Weed

2011-10-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

This LovelyWeed

How she, thislovely weed, rejoices as she grew from the dark undergrowth and saw the sun.

October 2011

This Lovely Weed

This Lovely weed (her neighbor)

The Baby Waringin

2011-10-18T04:02:00.000-07:00

The BabyWaringin

And there’s noearth, soil to live on. How did she get her weight out of nothing but dust, airand almost no water, growing, standing, fastening herself in a corner of a wall?

October 2011

Wrong Again!

2011-10-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

WrongAgain!

Little girl was drawing with crayon. Wrong, shewiped with adarker color. Wrong again, another color on it, wrong again. In her anger sheswept through her painting with black. Failed, she thought, but it was displayed on the wall in the class room as good, valuable byher drawing teacher.

1969

October 2011

He Was A Prince, A Very Woman Lover, Lady Killer

2011-10-09T03:49:00.000-07:00

He Was APrince, A Very Woman Lover, Lady Killer

“And I thoughtof Bill Clinton, Khadafy, Sadam Husein.But best in my eyes, opinion is our late president Soekarno.” So said Opa Johanto me. “He was so manly, stately, brave,handsome, a prince, a very woman lover, lady killer. We, Indonesians may beranking far below of other nations indevelopment, yet are cultered, civilized, humane. We don’t reproach, blame,impeach him for having so many wifes legallly or perhaps secretly. King Salomohad more than a hundred wifes, but I picture him a bit feminin.

“I don’t thinkSoekarno would very regret his down fall as when he reflected on his happy lifebefore with the many beautiful women he had had, conquered.”

October 2011

I Thought I Was That Good

2011-10-05T17:37:00.000-07:00

I Thought IWas That Good

“I thought Iwas that good” said Opa Johan to Pak Arif.

“But as I nowthink, what is there that does me credit? It started not according to my willbut only afterwards it became my will because I accidentally encountered and soliked it.

“How can Iwant something that I do not know? What is beautyif I never knew it before? By chance I met a beauty and so knew and lovedher. If I love music I also by chance heard beautiful music, otherwise I wouldnot like and study music. If not by chance I knew the computer, I certainlynever would learn to use the computer. When I wanted to study at the UniversityI didn’d know about the many studies it provided before.

“I neverthought, wanted to write, shoot foto’s, make recordings before, but as I accidentally knew and later knew howexciting, engaging it was, did I wantit, learn it. When someday I am well versed in it that does not do me credit but owe it to the occasion to beaquainted with.

“When I’m 81now, without needing glasses and still be able to cycle some 50 Km, that wasbecause by chance I read W. Bates how toread better without glasses and read Cooper on staying healthy with aerobics.

“I’m lucky tobe still alive going through thedangerous times of riot and revolution, from running into accidents, ...

“Formerlysomeone said that life starts at 40, then someone today asserts, i. e. comfortshimself, that life starts at 80 as hecelebrates his 80th year. Opa Johan whispered, I’m bragging now, I’m so sorryif one starts really living in old age, I started living even when I was not five. Ha.Ha.

“Sure, you arevery extraordinary, not by mere chance, or being lucky, as fundamentally,basically, each man and woman is very extraordinary created said Pak Arif. AskPak Chew about it.”

October 2011

I Don't Repent My Wrong I Did On Purpose

2011-10-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

I Don’tRepent My Wrong I Did On Purpose

“You pay me Rp8.000.-. This is Rp. 7.000,-“ said the woman of the foodstall as she handed me mypicnic.

“Sorry. It’smy fault but doesn’t matter.” I laughed,it’s so cheap and don’t repent my wrong I did on purpose.

October 2011

You Blockhead

2011-10-01T01:35:00.000-07:00

YouBlockhead

Little girl said affectionately to her fatherwho prepared her milk: “the milk isn’t sweet enough, you blockheeead” stressingon the word blockhead. How wonderful it was. It was much warmer than hear hersay “dear father”. There was no one whoever had the courage to say so to him.

1969

October 2011

Y o u

2011-09-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

You

How I love you.

Though I’ve never seen you,

Might never meet, speak to you.

You could have lived some thousand yearsbefore

Or may be you’re a woman of the far future

But I have heardyou somewhere, through a telephone, a song, a thought ...

June 2009

September 2011

Dry, Save On Land

2011-09-22T03:24:00.000-07:00

Dry, Save OnLand

I don.tbelieve that the examinators, jury we soregard in awe, judging a candidate for a Phd. are really very knowing, the onlyknowers. To question topics, the best youknow of, the best you are trained in, your expertise, that’s not a fair battle.Suppose, instead, they were examined, even on the same subject as there aremany aspects, sides to it. Would they stand the test, ordeal?

“What if theywere picked up to prove that they’re smarter than a fifth grader in the TV-show‘Not smarter than a fifth grader’? Certainly, they’re the best, save, dry onthe ‘land’, since no one asks themquestions, no one judging them, not as those ‘sailing’ facing the storms. And Iremember a professor who is famed, praised, renowned as the ‘Killer’. Sure, ifhe lectures the same subject for years then what is there to be proud of? Ha, ha.” So was si Upik’s remark.

“Withinternet, anyone can have free access to knowledge” comments Pak Arif.

September 2011

Fascinating Movie Making

2011-09-19T00:25:00.000-07:00

FascinatingMovie Making

I am so happyas I now succeed to preserve, save, rescue my old audio CD’s without shooting,re-editing them again and upload them to You Tube. Otherwise I would lose themforever.

I have to overcomea lot of difficulties, tedious work which I willingly, patiently would do, suchas knowing how to copy the CD to the computer, then one by one so tediouslywrite the titles, otherwise you have no way which music you want to upload.Then pick up (browse) a suitable picture for the “Windows Live Movie Maker” toedit, then “add music”, that is tricking the Movie Maker into editing my audio CD - while it is refusing to edit myDVD and VCD - and search for the title of music you want to upload.

That’s easyenough, but now you must see to it that picture playing time, match musicplaying time.

But you canalso take a video instead of a picture and so make a more fascinating video,with music and bird’s sounds for instance.

There’s a lot of fascinating movie making in store for me. This is anearly version which I managed to turn out.

September 2011

Musing On Fire

2011-09-15T04:18:00.000-07:00

Musing OnFire

How peaceful,warm is a small fire in a candle, an oil-lamp, fire-side, camp-fire but fearfulas a house on fire, in an eruption of a volcano.

The firstthing I remember when there’s fire, is to rescue my dogs, save my writings, books,recordings, lest they would be lost forever as they are my treasures, then my papers and my money.

But to dayhave I stored my thoughts, pictures, videos in my blogs, and You Tube. My moneyis in a bank.They are save there, I’m not worried when there’s a fire or lost.

Sure, somepeople write a book, write in a respected, scientific journal, magazine topreserve their writings but mine in my blogs and You Tube are certainly not less honorable.

September 2011

The Humane Director

2011-09-13T02:52:00.000-07:00

The HumaneDirector

He so cares, isso considerate, worried, anxious, about the wellbeing, soul of his laborers.

“Don’t givethem a big pay, let them work over-time. So they have to work very hard. Thatwould make very descent husbands as they have no time, so don’t go astray, ruintheir lives, waste, spoil the money on women, gambling and drinking.” so heargued.

He also askedthe factory doctor to give a lecture to his laborers on healthy and very cheapdiet in order to stay healthy, as his workers often have to visit the doctor.

The doctorscornfully said, “give them milk, meat, fruits, ... to stay healthy.“

“Higher pay.No over-time.” But this he didn’t say.

September 2011

An Exceptional Woman

2011-09-11T04:48:00.000-07:00

An Exceptional Woman

Though she has but about a half of a body, she wasn’t awkward among thepeople. She could drive a car and perform the daily activities only with herhands. She has her husband and a child. That was what I saw on TV.

Ipictured her husband to be very special as he could still love her, a woman whohas but the upper part of a body, perhaps from the hips, buttocks upward. Itwould be different if she were a miss world. Then men would run after her.

Thiswoman certainly must be very beautiful in another way as just with such a poorphysical condition she still could be loved by a man. And I remembered thestory of Beauty who loved the Beast.

Only a woman who almost has no hope to giving birth of her own childknows the immense joy, happiness when she really succeeded to give birth to anormal healthy baby. I believe that despiteall this, she’s not any the less happy than any normal man or woman. Shecertainly could write, sing, play the piano, paint, swim, … if she wanted to.

Someonesaid: “Just of a loss of our teeth, hair, one would be worried, feelingawkward. Walking a little distance, in the sun, in the rain one would complain.Imagine, try it. She walks on her hands, not in a wheel chair.”

Despite her handicap, her extraordinaryaccomplishments limited in a smaller world - as I muse and think of HelenKeller -, certainly must be as amazing as those that were praised for passingsumma cum laude on their PhD degree, or winning Pulitzer, Nobel prizes, having their books filmed, translated in many foreign languages, orchampioning mountain climbing, surfing, parachuting, visiting the seven wonders of the world, ...

December12, 2004

September 2011

The Choir Conductor Unwilling To Step Down

2011-09-07T06:55:00.000-07:00

The ChoirConductor Unwilling To Step Down

I love mychoir. I have cared, “watered” them till they grow beautifully today after some12 years by now. I would never willingly leave my choir to the care of another conductor,even though he might be better than I am. The choir would languish and die.Except if he/she could love this choir of uneducated, untalented old agers ofover 70, nearing 80 years, more than I do. Yet, I don’t believe there is anyone who ever would.

Is it wrong ifI am so unwilling to step down? Could a loving mother ever leave the care ofher children to another woman, even were she poor?

September 2011

Dogs Only, Love, Respect The Old Man

2011-09-04T03:51:00.000-07:00

Dogs Only,Love, Respect The Old Man

I rememberhim, the old man. When he was a little child, he was so small, weak and behindthe others. But today, am I surprised.He still is healthy in old age. How he managed to do so I don’t know. He is sohappy, cheerfully talking to some dogs on the road-side. People regard him lessthan human, an inferieur being. No one respects, loves him, - I don’t think hehas a wife - but these dogs do. They are his friends, his neighbors.

On Sunday’s,he is waiting to get a tip, an extra earning for looking after the cars - notmany cars – that were parked during church service. There are not many peoplewho have a car in the congregation.

September 2011

A Flower

2011-08-30T03:19:00.000-07:00

A Flower

There were beautiful yellow flowers on a vegetable field. But a more beautiful flower was on the bank of a lake, washing, with her little child.

1970

August 2011

What Were It Your President?

2011-08-26T22:02:00.000-07:00

What, Were It Your President?

“Have you heard it?” said opa Johan to his wife. “It is said that our president Yudhoyono is forced to step down according to the will of the people, perhaps the people who hate, do not like him. But he wouldn’t. The NATO forces aided the opposing rioters, forces, by invading Indonesia and bomb the president’s residence in Cikeas. The United Nations and many countries urged him to leave Indonesia. Except China, Venezuela don’t consent to foreign intervention. It is reported that foreign forces secretly join them to fight our ABRI to force our president to surrender as Sadam Husein.”

Wow! Angered, indignent, our people who love and are loyal to our president consider this as a tremendous outrage, humiliation and are courageously fighting back though in an unequal battle.”

“So now that’s what I imagined of Khadafy and Lybia, were he President Yudhoyono of Indonesia or president of India or the Philippines, or ... What, if we would be forced to accept a puppet president. That’s more than a free, sane man could stand, bear. What do you think, say?”

What were it your president?

August 2011

A Victim Of His Own Creation

2011-08-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

A Victim Of His Own Creation

We certainly would rejoice having created new, better varieties of grain, coconut, chicken, cow, fish, … if indeed of better quality. Scientist are experimenting with genes and what not. But without wise, prudent consideration, they might become a nightmare instead of a blessing.

Have you ever heard about the hybrid “man-animal”? That is a descendant of crossing man and animal. What if one day man would really succeed to create this, as is a Spinks that has the body of an animal and a head of a man or vice versa. Or succeeded to create a deadly virus as AIDS and the virus escaped of an accident in the laboratory, or create nuclear, chemical, bacterial weapons?

I remember an old charming story, I don’t know who the wise author was.

There were three sons who intend to dedicate their knowledge for their country. The first was Iptek, the second Biotek and the third was Moyung. He was a nonentity, he can’t pride himself on scientific merits, as his other brothers, except his common sense.

The oldest proved his ability by constructing the scattered bones of a lion. The second added meat, skin, claws, teeth to the carcass.

“Now, watch” he said, “I’ll bring him to life”.

But Moyung was terrified. “ Don’t” he cried. “He would prey on us”.

“Well, Moyung really is a fool, ha, ha. There never was a scientific proof that lions are endangering man.” said their brothers.

“Wait” Moyung quickly climbed a tree.

The two brothers were proud of their lion. But as soon as the animal came to life, it pounced upon them.

Yet the modern version said: “The author erred, or fooled. Don’t worry, Iptek, Mr. Technology and Biotek, Mr. Biotechnology were save and praised, honored as the Saviors, Messiah of mankind and the world. It was Moyung who always used his common sense, climbed the tree became a prey of the lion. If you don’t believe, just reread the chapter on lion’s behavior for the secondary school.” And many people trust, believe this.

The Jakarta Post November 10, 1992, Media Indonesia, December 6, 1992

August 2011

The Courage To Be Yourself

2011-08-22T22:39:00.001-07:00

The Courage To Be Yourself

If in a society all are smoking, drinking beer and there’s one man that doesn’t smoke, drink beer, that man is brave. If all are not smoking, not drinking beer and there’s one man who does, he also is brave. To have the courage to be yourself, to be different. That’s what Pak Arif told me.

August 2011

I Need You

2011-08-20T21:45:00.000-07:00

I Need You

“I don’t need ice cream. I need you.” So said an old, near dying man to a young woman with ice cream who had taken care of him.

Living in a rented apartment before, he offered her to stay with him. “Welcome home.” He wrote on the table with a flower in a vase when she came in. “This is your home,” the very old man said. His friends who visited him in the hospital, asked him who she was. He said “she is my wife” though they were never married.

That must be the highest honor, the greatest reward for a woman when a man could speak something like that. I imagine him, needing her love as the sun, even more than heaven.

August 2011

Most Precious Gift To Each Other

2011-08-18T18:01:00.000-07:00

Most Precious Gift To Each Other

Being married is nothing at all. Being unmarried is just as OK. But when you one day become husband and wife, - not so much because you’re legally married or married before God in the church -, just imagine when your husband kissed you before you go to sleep and waked you up with a kiss in the morning and you too in turn, till old age. That would be the most precious gift for life, unless you stop loving each other.

Pigeons celebrate their wedding every day till old age.

So was Opa Johan’s e mail to his granddaughter.

August 2011

ABRI, The People's Guardian

2011-08-18T03:50:00.000-07:00

ABRI, The People’s Guardian

“Wow, the ABRI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) were so patient, didn’t become angry, emotional, kept silent, like stones when they were scolded, derided, laughed at, pointed with a finger to their very nose, pushed back, thrown with stones by demonstrators, rioters. I would ’burst’ in their place. Who could endure it? They’re human beings, not robots. Instead they were regarded in the wrong, as inhumane, when they were taking measures to restore law and order.” So someone comments when he saw this on TV recently.

We were panic stricken, we feared for our safety, our dogs, May 14, as we saw the smoke rising in the neighborhood and imagined the mob, rioters coming closer. Moreover those who helplessly saw, experienced the plunder, the fire, the outrage, affront. The presence of ABRI security forces was a relief, a blessing.

And I remembered the joy, happiness, pride of the people when the ABRI forces triumphed and succeeded to rescue the hostages in Irian Jaya.

But for the military who sacrificed their lives – “heroes” said si Upik – doing their duty to protect, safeguard, rescue the people, there was almost nothing in the papers, on TV. No silence observed, no poetry reading, no flag half pole hoisted in their honor, they’re not missed, not mourned by the public.

For these heroes and the victims who were robbed, raped, killed without any fault, who were likely to be forgotten, unnoticed, my flag waves half pole.

Suara Karya, June 19, 1998

August 2011

A Marriage, Just A Beginning

2011-08-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

A Marriage, Just A Beginning

And I mused and imagined the most beautiful women which I could choose, perhaps if I were good-looking as an Apollo or Solomon who had more than a hundred beautiful wives. But what does it mean to him if some day he’s old, sick, not rich, not a king any more, they gladly would leave him.

I certainly would be very happy if there were just one woman who picked me up, chose me above other clever, handsome men and still loves me despite my ungainly appearance. And I remember Benji the dirty, stinking little sick puppy who was left alone on a garbage heap that was taken in and so loved.

I could love almost any woman. Could you forbid me not to love so many delightful music of Bach, Mozart, Handel, Debussy, forbid me not to like eating prawn, crab, fish, barbeque, sayur asam, pete, pecel, mango, durian, … or forbid me to like orchids, roses, even weeds as well? Which should I choose? Which is the number one? All are number one. There’s no second.

To be lucky to fall in the arms of a woman and be permitted to kiss her or being kissed.

I did not know that a marriage is just the beginning of a new, still, richer, adventurous life before. What’s a happy, safe marriage without quarrels, disputes, jealousy, “infidelity”, hard times, daily chores… the storms of life, when the marriage boat almost capsized, as what I encounter I never knew, imagined before. Lovers dream of marriage as a haven, a stupid, dull heaven on earth. Ignorant of married life brings disappointment, disillusion,

Yet those unmarried certainly are not less lucky, less happy than those that are. Why? Sure, you, anyone always could be a couple, man and woman as Nature’s Children, male and female, without oaths, papers and wedding ceremonies. I did not tell my wife though. She would say I’m a scoundrel. Ha, ha, ha. So said opa Johan.

January 2009

August 2011

Man's Most Favorite Choice, Liking, Preference

2011-08-11T03:47:00.000-07:00

Man’s Most Favorite Choice, Liking, Preference

“Banana?”

“No.”

“Durian?”

“No, but cigarettes. Cigarettes is man’s most favorite choice according to an ad Pria Punya Selera that was anywhere on billboards.”

Though nice, warm, exclusive they say, but to me as a man, it’s even more nice, more warm, more exclusive, inspiring to be with Eve, rather than with a cigarette. A man is never so manly if he is not guarding, watching over, with a woman, not with smoking a cigarette or being a heavy drinker of beer, strong drinks, dressed in an expensive, luxurious coat or sitting in a Mercy.

There’s no greater humiliation for a man except he is not being treated as a man by a woman, since it’s woman only who could lift, raise a man into a real man, not a cigarette, nothing else.

How lucky a man when he falls into her arms, or to win the first prize in life’s lottery, to be permitted to kiss her. What’s the warmth of a cigarette or just sipping strong coffee as they say. And a man will choose woman, endure hell, instead of becoming a president.

Man’s most favorite choice, preference, liking? Surely Woman, Eve, la Femme.

From Bisnis Indonesia, April 12, 1991

August 2011

Privacy

2011-08-07T17:37:00.000-07:00

Privacy

How fine to sit leisurely in the dark, the shade, behind the bushes free from intruders, guests, ...

August 2011

Opa Johan's Picnic

2011-08-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

Opa Johan’s Picnic

Sitting beneath the bamboo trees am I having my picnic: warm rice, an egg, sayur (cooked vegetables in light coconut milk), a spoon, coffee-milk, water and my drinking glass for my breakfast, with a peaceful view of the Kemuning lake, relaxed, grander than a king, being watched, served, sitting rigidly, dining at his dining table, but suffering, imprisoned in a brilliant dining hall. Ha, ha.

That’s what he told his wife.

August 2011

Opa Johan And An Old Man Vendor

2011-08-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

Opa Johan And An Old Man Vendor

There was an old man, weak, trembling, limping – it were better if he were sitting in a wheelchair – you know, carrying a small tray with “merchandize” to earn his living. He was at the railway-station in Bojong Gede on a high, narrow platform with a lot of people waiting for the train. How brave he is.

But it did not come to my mind at that time to buy me some tissues and hand him a banknote of Rp. 100.000.- That’s just about, or only some ten dollars. He then will look up very bewildered, confused, upset, disappointed as he surely never would have money enough to give me the change. I feign blaming him. But then I tell him to keep the change. He would be surprised, elated as I really want to give him the money whithout his knowing, without having him lose his honor, selfrespect by humbling himself to begging or receiving an alms.

I would have my camera ready and shoot him. Ha. Ha.

That was in my mind. Alas am I almost always late for a decision. Now am I prepared for another time. Am I not a smart, good husband? So, now kiss me, be prepared, I might also fool you some day, Opa Johan said to his wife.

August 2011

May I Make A Bid?

2011-07-31T18:21:00.000-07:00

May I Make A Bid?

“ You charged for my – regular - picnic Rp.5.000.-. May I make a bid?”

“Sure” The woman said.

“What about Rp. 7.000.-?”

She was silent, then smiled and said: “Go ahead”. It was so cheap and we were both happy.

But this time I give her Rp. 10.000.-. “Keep the change”.

See her in You Tube: chewginhoa, My Picnic At Kemuning Lake 1

Jyly 2011

Opa Johan And A Waterfowl

2011-07-29T22:19:00.000-07:00

Opa Johan And A Waterfowl

“Guess, what something special have I bought on my trip to Cipondoh lake.” So said opa Johan to his wife.

“Iced, pressed sugar cane juice.”

“Wrong! That’s not very special.”

“Is it food, a drink?”

“No, I bought a captured waterfowl from a fisherman. I saw it fluttering, hanging on a long pole trying to free itself. I asked him what he would do with such a very small bird.”

“He said ‘Cook and eat it.’ Remember he is a poor villager.

“And I thought of the captured turtle a week before. I’m always slow to decide, it came upon me when I had left the fisherman and was far away when the thought turns up to buy it and set it free in the lake. So this time I know what to do and bought the bird. He offered it for Rp.10.000.-, not one dollar yet. I didn’t haggle much about the price, for her life is for her even more worth than the whole world.

“I got the bird, but it wasn’t yet free. First the “chains” on the pole must be broken and he tried to break it with his cigarette fire, then again the “chains” fastening its legs. And he was so rough as he held the little creature on its legs upside down. He wondered how I ever would take it with me on my bike back home without a cage. When I examined the bird more carefully, I saw that its beak was also in a delicate “chain”. “She would peck you. But it’s easy to remove it.” He ascertained.

“So I went away. I tried to unfasten the plastic thread from its beak, it was so strong I couldn’t break or remove it. What if I free it now, it would certainly starve, so I quickly ran back and the man luckily was still there. It wasn’t easy for him either. He handled in a very indifferent way,- he could injure the bird by forcefully breaking the thin string on its beak – yet he managed to do so.

“I sought an open area with low grass where I would free and see the occasion. It did not fly away but immediately ran so fast that within a second it was hidden in the bushes.

“Certainly am I very happy and a lucky man to ever see and have the bird in my hands. Perhaps that’s a waterfowl that is able to walk on floating water plants. Tenths of years I’ve not seen it. What a loss if it would become extinct. It’s a pity that I didn’t ask for its name.

“What is so incredible is that during a heavy drought I once walked in the lake that was as dry as a barren plain, there couldn’t be any fish survive, but now after more than ten years I saw these fishermen with a lot of huge fish, not common to me, captured with their long nets. How could these fish come to be there? But I didn’t rescue them and they were still alive, though.

“And so I celebrated the occasion with drinking iced cincau (jelly cake of cincau leaves) on the road back home some thirty km, a heavenly drink of just Rp.1.000.-, imagine, not yet one dollar cent.

“Aren’t you proud of your fine husband? I deserve a kiss.”

June 2009

July 2011

When I Am Lost

2011-07-27T04:02:00.000-07:00

When I Am Lost

When I am confused, lost following the so many guide-lines, rules to be able to have my old videos back to live in the internet, I at least can take recourse to shooting my old videos again with my digital pocket camera and re-edit them. That’s the worst thing that can happen. So I comfort myself.

July 2011

Watching Through A Frame, An Opening

2011-07-24T03:51:00.000-07:00

Watching Through A Frame, An Opening

Watching through a frame, an opening: of a window, a door, a key-hole, a gate, the foliage, a water-way framed by branches of trees, in a mirror, in a painting, ... is often more fascinating, intriguing than seeing it wide-screened. It is so matter of fact.

July 2011

Piggy's Ugly Eyes

2011-07-21T20:51:00.001-07:00

Piggy’s Ugly Eyes

When I am sitting on my low stool, she wriggles under my knees, kicks and bites me in play, or then, she patiently keeps me company with my hands on her head, shoulder or back. When I come near her, she rolls over on her back and looks up at me to be fondled. I look a long time and watch her ugly eyes. Yes, I never thought, they were the most beautiful eyes, so truly, lovingly looking at me.

July 2011

Vegetables Treated As Flowers Would Be As Beautiful As Flowers

2011-07-17T19:21:00.000-07:00

Vegetables Treated As Flowers Would Be As Beautiful As Flowers

See lettuce, so fresh and beautiful in a cup with water, as though in a vase, adorning a room, a dining table.

I insist, celery, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, asparagus, ... all vegetables, when still fresh, or on the farm, if honorably treated as flowers to be as beautiful as flowers are.

The sun flower, the rose, the lotus, ... every flower when tied up in a bunch, kept on top of each other, maltreated like vegetables would just look as plain vegetables.

July 2011

The Choir Conductor's Musing On His Future Concerts

2011-07-14T03:06:00.000-07:00

The Choir Conductor’s Musing On His Future Concerts

At that time the Skype can broadcast my concert live to people that have their skype connected to mine. A small concert in the church, cozy and relaxed with a very small audience will do.

So am I freed of all the trouble, worries of a big concert, a large audience, a lot of money and work that goes with it, of inviting, printing invitations and having someone to distribute them, of the MC, of receiving guests, the sound-system, ...

I just give my friends – though some may be abroad - a notice by e mail.They then needn’t to trouble themselves about all the worries of coming, of time, of transport, of traffic jams, of what to wear, dress, shoes, ... They could still enjoy it at home, see or not see it, they don’t have to apologize, then will I save my concert inYou Tube for me and anyone to see or hear it.

Great!

July 2011

DVD/VCD Can Still Be Edited

2011-07-10T17:31:00.000-07:00

DVD/VCD Can Still Be Edited

I was told that DVD/VCD can’t be edited anymore and sure, Windows Live Movie Maker wont do it. But with Google’s search I got “Easy MPEG Lite” that’s able to edit my old Videos without having to shoot, record my old videos again and so bring them back to life in You Tube.

July 2011

Candid Pictures

2011-07-08T02:24:00.001-07:00

Candid Pictures

Shooting pictures of toddlers, all kinds of creatures are genuine, candid. Pictures of grown-ups, boys and girls are affected, “nampang” said my wife that is showing off, stupid, except you could steal and shoot a picture of them. It’s nothing, easy, to shoot them. Shooting candid pictures is something.

One day will I shoot a picture of my friends. I will say “arrange yourself to be ready.” Then without their knowing this, will I start recording. “Say cheese” to produce your smile and now be ready, one ... two ... three!” while their not knowing this I stop recording. Ha, ha. Shoot when they’re not ready. So would I get a candid picture, video of them.

July 2011

Each One Most Wonderful In Its Own Way

2011-07-06T01:59:00.001-07:00

Each One Most Wonderful In Its Own Way

How wonderful to see the plants as I am sitting in my roof-garden. To see their outlines towards the sky. And they’re so unique. No two of the same plant are exactly alike, no two flowers, no two leaves, stems, fruits of one plant are exactly the same and each is most beautiful in its own way.

And I thought of the trees, the ferns, grass, moss, water-plants, ... I could picture, fill a library to show their wonders and beauty, not as dreary as depicted in books of science but as pictured by artists.

And I thought of my dogs, dogs? No dog is less lovable, of animals, of birds, insects, fishes, and not to forget, of Man, each one most wonderful in its own way.

July 2011

Lovely Sights

2011-07-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

Lovely Sights

Every time, early in the morning I watched, heard her, house-maid of our neighbor, no, not house-maid, but a girl still in her plain, light night-dress with a red dainty ribbon in her hair, as she swept with a broom the street in front of our gate from fallen leaves of our neighbor’s house.

To see Piggy happily wagging her bushy tail, her ears flatly backwards, slowly coming to me, welcome me or lying on her back to have me cuddle her.

July 2011

A Thought On Internet

2011-07-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

A Thought On Internet

The distance, difference between intelligent – stupid, far – near, rich – poor, high – low, ... becomes smaller, makes human race equal. Internet is a free toll-road without obstacles, barriers.

July 2011

Musing On Having My Old Recordings In You Tube

2011-07-01T02:55:00.000-07:00

Musing On Having My Old Recordings In You Tube

Sure, I could visit my past today just by visiting a lonely village on my way from Rumpin to Gobang in the Bogor region.

Sure we could write about the past, paint the past. But I can’t hear my choir singing before, except on my VCD, DVD, CD or on tape.

With my simple digital camera will I now record my old video, audio recordings, re-edit them and so broadcast it in You Tube to have them “live forever”. It is not a privilage, monopoly of broadcasting stations anymore, though having the best equipment. Everyone can do the same, contribute to something new, to revive the past and that’s even more.

What happy circumstances as I think that You Tube can save and bring many things back to life for anyone to see and hear.

July 2011

A Brother Settling Matters

2011-06-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

A Brother Settling Matters

“What’s that dripping from above, is it raining?” thought the boy and looked up and saw his younger brother in the tree. He climbed up the tree and without a word gave him a jitak (a knock on the head) and climbed down. His younger brother smiled shyly, kept his laughter as he just peed, up in the tree. “There’s no boy ever wanted to pee in a toilet” he thought.

1966

June 2011

Musing Over The "Shoe-flower"

2011-06-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

Musing Over The “Shoe-flower”

What is a flower, the “shoe-flower” (kembang Sepatu) without branches, leafs as I picked, plucked it with my camera? In a bunch they would look like plain vegetables.

What is a fish in an aquarium without waterplants, sand, a house without trees, plants, flowers, birds, the sky without the sun, the moon, the stars, the sailing clouds?

Were there no men, beauty, charm, warmth of women would be in vain, were there no life, this beautiful earth would be in vain. No one, man, creatures, animals, fishes, plants, ... to enjoy and be happy to live on it.

June 2011

Blurred, But Dream-like

2011-06-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

Blurred, But Dream-like

I’m lucky to capture this bird far away by “zooming in” yet the result was blurred. Unfortunately “Windows Life Movie Maker” can’t play it. It was too short. I didn’t succeed to turn out a sharp real photo. Though, I can still manage to make me this picture, blurred, but dream-like.

June 2011

What A Joy Is Recording, Movie Making, Broadcast In You Tube

2011-06-21T03:50:00.000-07:00

What A Joy Is Recording, Movie Making, Broadcast In You Tube

Poor recording - as you can’t command for the right moments, circumstances, sceneries -, not having a very special good camera, doesn’t prevent me to turn out relatively good videos with the excellent editing tools of Windows Life Movie Maker and when I succeed to create a video I can always make me pictures, besides.

I would record a sunset for about five minutes through an opening in the foliage of a tree, then increase the speed many times and I’ll could see the sunset slowly setting, changing color. Or the moon from underneath a tree and see the beautiful silhouette of the leafage waving.

A bird’s very short twitter while aiming at a beautiful scenery could be repeated many times, a very short dragon’s fly very fast flight, could be slowed down then I could reproduce it many times.

Record an excited ant, a spider weaving its net, climbing up and down its thread or have its thread flowing, waving in the air to fasten somewhere. Record a guppy fish and see its colors but not in an aquarium and a lot more.

What a joy is recording, movie making and broadcast yourself in You Tube even whenever you would fail!

June 2011

Musing Over A Bowl Of Sekoteng

2011-06-16T23:03:00.000-07:00

Musing Over A Bowl Of Sekoteng

He is perhaps one of the last wandering ‘sekoteng’ (gingerly drink) vendor with his wheel-cart, an oil lamp, sounding “ting-ting” along the road. In former times, villagers, common folk, enjoy a night, leisurely sitting together, squatting, sitting on a bench, on the side walk, near a village market, or alun-alun (plain), ... drinking warm ‘sekoteng’, while someone is playing the ‘kecapi’ (Indonesian zither) in the still, cool night, the moon rising, a starry sky, fire-flies, with soft, peaceful ‘pelita’ light (oil-lamp), ... There were no glaring city lights, no roaring cars and motor-cycles, no hard-rock music ... The people sometimes give him some cents.

Just within a short life time of 60, 70, 80, ... years, so much, a lot has changed and many things, plants, insects, birds, animals, delicious folk cookies, drinks, ices, ... are gone, lost, I see no more ...

The “kue putu” (rice cake) vendor with its whistle in the night, the kue rangi, folk niceties, cakes, ...

Dragon-flies, damselflies visited, birds nest in our garden, there was dew on the grass. You could hear the gecko: “tekeh-tekeh, ...”

There were frogs’ concert after rain, a ‘gabus’ mother fish with almost a thousand babies of her brood, the ‘betok’, rice, paddy fields with a lot of fish ...

There were little snails like sailing boats or skiing on leaves and stalks, many kind of beetles in the Bogor Botanical Gardens ...

The eagle, herons sailing, circling in the sky, hooting owl, the ‘musang’, fireflies, ...

The sky in Jakarta was so clear the stars were visible.

What a loss, they almost are no more. And I’m not a scientist. It has become a fairy tale.

One day you could only see them in pictures, in a zoological-, botanical-museum. If fortunate, you could see them still “live” in You Tube or a video. See You Tube: Sound, Oil-lamp Of The Wandering Sekoteng Vendor – chewginhoa.

June 2011

The Wind

2011-06-13T21:52:00.000-07:00

The Wind

I wanted to capture the wind by recording the ripples on the lake by “zooming in”, I just captured faintly the ripples but surprisingly, the camera captured a lovely flower. That’s what I learned, my reward for poor shooting.

So now can I capture the wind also by recording waving trees, waving lovely flowers, sailing clouds, ...

I could sit for hours with my thoughts, enjoy watching in the shade, in a breeze, these flowers waving. See You Tube: The Wind – chewginhoa.

June 2011

Piggy Always The Same

2011-06-12T05:01:00.001-07:00

Piggy Always The Same

Piggy sat and looked happily at me. Her eyes were a bit deformed. She didn’t know this and so, wasn’t ashamed of her ugly appearance as a little child who isn’t ashamed without clothes.

They do not know about what is beautiful and ugly, good and evil, decent and indecent. They don’t care whatever people think of them. That’s it: They “do not know”, they’re unconscious of it. They’re happy, feeling not ashamed, awkward. That’s heaven.

On the contrary, when we grow up, we “do know” and that makes us unhappy. When we fail, are not good looking, poor, without higher education, ... being conscious of it, we would become ashamed, unhappy.

If one is successful, rich, intelligent, beautiful, being conscious of it, one is inclined to be arrogant, cold, haughty. But happiness is a different thing.

Yet to me, I wouldn’t ever exchange Piggy with the most beautiful, smartest, faithful dog ever. A child grows up and isn’t “blo-on” – can be fooled with eyes open - anymore but Piggy will always be the same, “blo-on”, delightful, sweet and always love me.

June 2011

The Civilized Hunter

2011-06-09T17:16:00.000-07:00

The Civilized Hunter

I thought it was forbidden to shoot all kinds of birds in Indonesia.

Yet hunters, don’t you be downhearted. Armed with a superbe gun, you could shoot not only birds, but also monkeys, deer, boars, the rhinoceros, elephants, lions, sure, also animals, birds, species that are protected, dogs, cats, butterflies, spiders, orchids, the lotos and even ... take aim and shoot a lovely maiden without punishment.

Then cook and serve it as a nice dish in a newspaper, magazine or TV. You even get a honorarium without ever harming, torturing, killing the victim.

That was a long time ago, but today I can even capture them “live forever” as you could see them in You Tube: “Chew’s Videos”.

June 2011

God's Reward

2011-06-08T03:40:00.000-07:00

God’s Reward

You can’t buy a beautiful voice” said the Choir Conductor. “except by exercizing regularly. When one day you succeed to develop a beautiful voice, you’ll be so happy, so grateful, no birthday present, even of a new car, a mansion or got a PhD ever, could outdo.That’s God’s reward.”

And I thought of good health, profound knowledge, art (Divine whisperings), ... They are God’s rewards, - more valuable than worldly riches - for exerting one’s efforts.

Sure I can buy me a camera, a computer, learn to open a blog, upload to You Tube, - they’re like a fine dinner-set -, which makes me certainly very happy but never so happy and grateful as when I now succeed to open my new kiosk: “Chew’s Videos”. What’s a fine dinner-set without dishes. Mine are the dishes, delicacies, my videos, my writings, my thoughts - God’s Reward – those are my treasures I never could buy, on it.

June 2011

How I Recorded A Cock's Crow

2011-06-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

How I Recorded A Cock’s Crow

How should I record a cock’s crow as I just saw a cock in a cage? When start recording, when you don’t know when he will crow? So I recorded something else. Luckily I saw and recorded swimming ducks, while waiting for the cock to crow and I succeeded to record some of his crowings, but pity, as I stopped recording he crowd again. I got the ducks by “zooming in” that is to make them larger but blur while the lake Kemuning unfortunately wasn’t captured. Thanks to the superbe ability of the digital mini camera, the ducks were kept on the light-side.

I can’t picture a crow, but if you want to hear it and see the ducks swimming turn to You Tube: “Cocks Crowing, Ducks Swimming”

June 2011

A Thought On Paradise

2011-06-04T03:34:00.001-07:00

A Thought On Paradise

I was practicing an oriental health exercise by walking barefooted on “planted” stones in Monas Park. As I lay down on the stones on my back to have my back also “massaged” on the stones, I got a new, wonderful view of the trees with their branches, leaves as something of a beautiful silhouette painting, embroidery against the clear sky. I never observed in that way before and I thought that it would be wonderful to have my bed in the garden and view the trees, the stars, the moon and clouds. As I turned and lay down on my side, I saw the people exercising, walking without feet as though gliding on air. How wonderful. Viewing the world in this way, in a lying down position was new to me.

Viewing from above on a plane I saw the clouds beneath me as wonderful giant icebergs or an enchanted city or country as in the tales of Thousand And One Night.

I saw, felt the beauty of spring when the Mahogany artistically was sprouting new leaves, as delicate as a Chinese painting of plum blossoms in winter, yet without being in Europe in spring. And I thought of flower arranging. But this was by Nature’s hand. I remember the exquisite beauty of the blimbing with hundreds of red tiny flowers perching on her stem and branches. And a branch with blossoms of the Lamtoro tree, so fine, so “fragile” with hovering little bees on its woolen-like small round flowers was as seeing a paradise in the air. Not to say of seeing a paradise in a flowering coconut tree from close by, or a paradise in the showers of blossoms of the King-palm tree or the showers of red-, white-, black-colored berries of the Buni tree.

And just before my feet there was a paradise in the water, formed by a rivulet. Wide, clear and very shallow, so that each grain of sand could be seen, little water palms here and there and the grass half under water and a bit fresh green of algae and an only little fish, the Kepala Timah, Cupang, Beunteur, and there was a blue damselfly perching still on a grass leaf rising from the water or hovering still in the air. And the water further flowing imperceptible, silently, endlessly into a streamlet again to new paradises. How live that water was as compared to water from our taps, fountains or swimming pools.

Then, I saw another paradise in the distance. How green the paddy as a giant carpet, the tall trees surrounding it. How fine to walk, how cool is Nature’s park. And I thought of Adam and Eve wandering beneath the trees, enjoying the streamlets, the fruits, hearing the same birds, feeling the same cool air, wind, seeing the same sun, stars, moon, clouds as happy, delighted, enraptured as I am now.

I’m so grateful as I could see, find a paradise just before my eyes, my feet without searching for a Paradise to the end of the world. I could find a paradise anywhere.

July 18, 2008

June 2011

What I Learned From My Mini Digital Camera

2011-06-02T22:53:00.000-07:00

What I Learned From My Mini Digital Camera

I can’t command noisy people in the Bogor Botanical Gardens to hold their tongues, motor vehicles stop running when cicadas are singing, can you? But I insist that the human species can also sing very beautifully. However I have no way of capturing sounds in picture.

Chasing after a seabird in flight I got no bird, blank, but captured this picture. Ha. Ha.

Pantai Indah Kapuk

June 2011

The Choir Conductor's Written Address

2011-05-31T03:16:00.000-07:00

The Choir Conductor’s Written Address

Is it possible that we (his choir of old age members) are not great (hebat), very great?

Is it possible that all of you are not great, very great?

Is it possible that His creation is not great, very great?

If The Creator of all these creations were not super-super great?

To you who are aged, you certainly could improve yourself and even may surpass us.

To you who are young, don’t take us as example but perform your concert as twice as great as is ours now.

That was his written address in the Bahasa to the audience in a church in Jakarta.

Sure, I think, but most of us don’t believe or don’t know, how splendid, magnificent we are equipped, of what we can achieve which is almost unbelievable. That’s why we often don’t attain, reach what we’re capable of. And I remember Opa Johan who still was able to bicycle some 50 Km in old age.

July 2008

May 2011