You
How I love you.
Though I’ve never seen you,
Might never meet, speak to you.
You could have lived some thousand years before
Or may be you’re a woman of the far future
But you spoke to me.
June 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Choir Conductor's Thought on Kyrie Eleison
The Choir Conductor’s Thought On Kyrie Eleison
It means: Lord Have Mercy On Us.
As I’m growing older my former thoughts, believes (credos) are gradually changing. I don’t, can’t believe in such a pitiless, cruel, wrathful God that would take vengeance on his creatures and punish them in hell. I don’t think he ever should take compassion on us as I firmly believe, am convinced, He has created us perfectly, superbly, instead of being weak and to be pitied.
Many Kyrie Eleison choral music will always sound beautiful whatever the thoughts, sung with other words, lyrics or without words.
It’s a shame that some one should pity me which makes me feel weak, helpless, bad, wretched.
Though knowing that music I most love is for my sake first, then share it with my members, then offer it to the congregation then dedicate it to Him last, He would laugh and say “you scoundrel”, yet, God wouldn’t be offended or punish me.
June 2009
It means: Lord Have Mercy On Us.
As I’m growing older my former thoughts, believes (credos) are gradually changing. I don’t, can’t believe in such a pitiless, cruel, wrathful God that would take vengeance on his creatures and punish them in hell. I don’t think he ever should take compassion on us as I firmly believe, am convinced, He has created us perfectly, superbly, instead of being weak and to be pitied.
Many Kyrie Eleison choral music will always sound beautiful whatever the thoughts, sung with other words, lyrics or without words.
It’s a shame that some one should pity me which makes me feel weak, helpless, bad, wretched.
Though knowing that music I most love is for my sake first, then share it with my members, then offer it to the congregation then dedicate it to Him last, He would laugh and say “you scoundrel”, yet, God wouldn’t be offended or punish me.
June 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Opa Johan And A Waterfowl
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. Tenth 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
“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. Tenth 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
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Man Is More Than Is His IQ
Man Is More Than Is His IQ
Working, exercising, it’s learning, it’s no curse, no torture, instead it’s a blessing. Brains exercised become sharp, the voice beautiful, the eye, a better eyesight (Dr. W. H. Bates), the body, vigorous and healthy. While human made things wear out by frequent use, the Creator’s created things become even better.
Stop working, exercising, your physical, mental condition deteriorates. The brain becomes decrepit, the body sick, weak, your legs would suffer atrophy.
When I was about 50, my physical condition was so poor. Running 800 meters was like running the marathon. I wanted to be able to run 2,4 km within 12 minutes, needed for a healthy condition according to Dr. K. H. Cooper which at that time seemed impossible.
Don’t think you ever could do it without exercising, though you’re just 20 years old. Now, on my 60th year my dream came true a long time before and I’m even running the real marathon as far as 42,195 km which I never believed I could accomplish it.
I got no asthma attack, headaches, diabetes, I got a good appetite, without tonics, luxurious food. I sleep without sleeping pills, wear no shirt, only shorts the whole day, I didn’t catch a cold.
Being fit, healthy turns each day into a fine weathered day, each meal delicious, my work light and living a delight.
On holidays my running exercise becomes a far, adventurous, enchanting trip into the country. Following paths, walking on rice field dykes, climb a hill, limestone rock, seeing rambutan, blimbing, jamboe, sawo, … so rich hanging on the trees, have a rest, enjoy my picnic on the bank of a creek, a river, a lake, …
Or wash, wet, refresh my hands, my face with dew while thirst was turning water into a divine drink. Besides, unexpectedly I won a money prize in the Proklamathon (45 km) race of my age group.
And as Adam I wandered in the Garden of Eden that’s just “around the corner” without having to travel to the end of the world. It’s only a pity that it’s slowly becoming extinct invaded by cities, asphalt and pollution.
A deaf, mute man could be trained till he can make a speech. The charming jamu vendor could be trained and become an actress. Though your walking or running is now of a snail’s pace, in five years you could cover Bogor – Jakarta some 60 km.
You’re never too old to improve yourself. Be prepared of falling and ready to get on your feet again. You’re far better than what you thought before.
“Man is more than is his IQ. What do you think?” So said Opa Johan to me.
Working, exercising, it’s learning, it’s no curse, no torture, instead it’s a blessing. Brains exercised become sharp, the voice beautiful, the eye, a better eyesight (Dr. W. H. Bates), the body, vigorous and healthy. While human made things wear out by frequent use, the Creator’s created things become even better.
Stop working, exercising, your physical, mental condition deteriorates. The brain becomes decrepit, the body sick, weak, your legs would suffer atrophy.
When I was about 50, my physical condition was so poor. Running 800 meters was like running the marathon. I wanted to be able to run 2,4 km within 12 minutes, needed for a healthy condition according to Dr. K. H. Cooper which at that time seemed impossible.
Don’t think you ever could do it without exercising, though you’re just 20 years old. Now, on my 60th year my dream came true a long time before and I’m even running the real marathon as far as 42,195 km which I never believed I could accomplish it.
I got no asthma attack, headaches, diabetes, I got a good appetite, without tonics, luxurious food. I sleep without sleeping pills, wear no shirt, only shorts the whole day, I didn’t catch a cold.
Being fit, healthy turns each day into a fine weathered day, each meal delicious, my work light and living a delight.
On holidays my running exercise becomes a far, adventurous, enchanting trip into the country. Following paths, walking on rice field dykes, climb a hill, limestone rock, seeing rambutan, blimbing, jamboe, sawo, … so rich hanging on the trees, have a rest, enjoy my picnic on the bank of a creek, a river, a lake, …
Or wash, wet, refresh my hands, my face with dew while thirst was turning water into a divine drink. Besides, unexpectedly I won a money prize in the Proklamathon (45 km) race of my age group.
And as Adam I wandered in the Garden of Eden that’s just “around the corner” without having to travel to the end of the world. It’s only a pity that it’s slowly becoming extinct invaded by cities, asphalt and pollution.
A deaf, mute man could be trained till he can make a speech. The charming jamu vendor could be trained and become an actress. Though your walking or running is now of a snail’s pace, in five years you could cover Bogor – Jakarta some 60 km.
You’re never too old to improve yourself. Be prepared of falling and ready to get on your feet again. You’re far better than what you thought before.
“Man is more than is his IQ. What do you think?” So said Opa Johan to me.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Cow's Milk Is For Her Baby Cow
The Cow’s Milk Is For Her Baby Cow
“There is a man again, accused for sexual misbehavior, written with a giant headline in a foremost news paper. Sure, there is no woman, could ever violate, rape a man,” said opa Johan to his wife, “Why did he/she say, write, blame it’s a man, a male, instead of a scoundrel? Who is the person who is so prejudiced towards men and exposed all his sins towards the fair sex?”
“So must I bear unwillingly, involuntarily the atrocities committed by those scoundrels. I am ashamed being a man towards you and all women. If the goodness, generosity of a man is praised am I proud without having done anything good or being generous. What do you think if some one says, ‘there again a woman, a wife is caught in infidelity’? How would you feel as a wife?”
“But this is what I really meant to tell you. There’s a very large writing on a billboard in front of the Department Of Health, you know?
(translated from the Indonesian)
The cow’s milk is for her baby cow.
The mother’s milk is for her baby.
It’s as though saying: Too bad, how cruel, a baby drinking a cow’s milk intended for her baby cow, instead of drinking her own mother’s milk. And I think of myself, how impudent, I myself, a man, every morning drink cow’s coffee-milk. And I thought, picture a father cow, drinking a baby's mother milk.
Every time since reading that billboard, when I drink my coffee-milk I’m feeling bad as I think of the baby cow. Every time I eat rice, meat, fruits, gratefully, I remember, honor the grain, the lamb, the chicken, fruit tree, but I intentionally forget the little fool who is preparing a dish for me. Ha, ha, ha.”
So opa Johan teased his wife as he pinched her nose.
August 2000
“There is a man again, accused for sexual misbehavior, written with a giant headline in a foremost news paper. Sure, there is no woman, could ever violate, rape a man,” said opa Johan to his wife, “Why did he/she say, write, blame it’s a man, a male, instead of a scoundrel? Who is the person who is so prejudiced towards men and exposed all his sins towards the fair sex?”
“So must I bear unwillingly, involuntarily the atrocities committed by those scoundrels. I am ashamed being a man towards you and all women. If the goodness, generosity of a man is praised am I proud without having done anything good or being generous. What do you think if some one says, ‘there again a woman, a wife is caught in infidelity’? How would you feel as a wife?”
“But this is what I really meant to tell you. There’s a very large writing on a billboard in front of the Department Of Health, you know?
(translated from the Indonesian)
The cow’s milk is for her baby cow.
The mother’s milk is for her baby.
It’s as though saying: Too bad, how cruel, a baby drinking a cow’s milk intended for her baby cow, instead of drinking her own mother’s milk. And I think of myself, how impudent, I myself, a man, every morning drink cow’s coffee-milk. And I thought, picture a father cow, drinking a baby's mother milk.
Every time since reading that billboard, when I drink my coffee-milk I’m feeling bad as I think of the baby cow. Every time I eat rice, meat, fruits, gratefully, I remember, honor the grain, the lamb, the chicken, fruit tree, but I intentionally forget the little fool who is preparing a dish for me. Ha, ha, ha.”
So opa Johan teased his wife as he pinched her nose.
August 2000
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Want People To Like You?
Want People To Like You?
Talk about your failures.
Talk about your successes?
People would hate you.
May 2009
Talk about your failures.
Talk about your successes?
People would hate you.
May 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
What Is Philosophy?
What Is Philosophy?
“To me, philosophy are things, thoughts that make me wiser.” So said Pak Arif.
May 2009
“To me, philosophy are things, thoughts that make me wiser.” So said Pak Arif.
May 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)