The Volley Ball Coach Thoughts On Coaching

The Volley Ball Coach Thoughts On Coaching

Some coaches were proud that they were certified coaches. They would start with showing pictures from a book, how to position, keep, move the hands, pass the ball, move side ways or forward, backward, how to warm up, how to jump, spike, blog, serve, about the size of the court, the net height, in and out, how to count and before you ever touched the ball it was time to leave and you still don’t know how to play, pass the ball. You almost don’t remember anything and you’re inclined to hate playing volley ball.

He is so clever that what is so simple seem so difficult and he smiles, is proud if you do it wrongly and don’t understand him.

I remember one of my volley ball players, when ordered to assist me in exercizing, I took the worst  beginner. Only he – he is uncertified though - could do it very well. He took a ball, exercized, played with her or him with the ball without much ado so encouragingly that it was so exciting, so easy that they loved it. He would smile and say “sure, you can”.

A good coach, guide, teacher, professor takes you straight to the point not via many byways to show off. It seems so simple, so easy what is so difficult.

May 2011

The Subtle Thief

The Subtle Thief

Fences, walls, barriers, guards, safes, bank accounts, credit cards, wouldn’t protect you. Caught, he wouldn’t be sued before the court though he has stolen the richest thing that is even more than all the world’s riches. 

Something like this is depicted on a billboard in Jakarta with the words “not just any man” who succeeded to steal, her heart, an angel in a barren desert, so it seems to say.

Her eyes are lovelier, brighter than the most precious stones.

Her whisper divine music.

When she comes I forget all

And I don’t care,

Whether tomorrow is Doomsday.

So he sings.

May 2011

Recipe For Staying Young

Recipe For Staying Young

There was an ink spot on a blank letter paper. Si Upik turned and turned the paper and contemplated, then , drawing lines and colored around the ink spot. The result was a nice letter paper which she send on her friend’s birthday.

“So, don’t be distressed, stressed, lament, loose your common sense when you encounter an “ink spot”. Just be a bit creative, patient and calm. When you’re  getting wet by rain, or fall in to a stream, why not have your shower in the rain or swim in the stream?

Like nasi menjadi bubur, rice becoming porridge, well, make a delicious chicken porridge out of it,  as to stay young.! Ha, ha ha.”. I remember her recipe for me.

Berita Buana, September 9, 1996

May 2011

The Choir Conductor's Question

The Choir Conductor’s Question

Whose is the choir DIASEBAD (DIatas SEtengah aBAD or over half a centuries old)? It’s ours, yours and mine. You, we have worked very hard for it. We have build it together. Not the church, nor the elders and neither the deacons. They have contributed nothing to our existence except the opportunity to exercise and sing in the church. We decide what we would offer. We take no orders.

May 2011

I Drank Water From My Lover's Mouth

I Drank Water From My Lover’s Mouth

“Lovers on TV kiss such stupid, long kisses. I drank my water out of my lover’s mouth. Ha. Ha. “ So told Opa Johan me.

May 2011

The Choir Conductor's Thoughts

The Choir Conductor’s Thoughts

Oh, what a lot, what a riches, I, we’ve gained! At least a better, stronger voice.

I’ve not just enjoyed music by hearing it perfect on CD or live in a concert hall, but performed it myself together with my choir and but an electronic organ, not an orchestra, yet enjoyed it even more though imperfect. Analyzing the musical score revealing the harmony, its beauty and enjoy it.

As when I  think of us who are now about 60 – 80 years of age, starting to exercise and sing eight years  before with almost no formal musical education and singing lessons.

Just think of such beautiful songs of “God So Loved The World” of Stainer, “The Divine Redeemer” of Gounod, or “Wie Der Hirsch Schreit Nach Frischem Wasser” of Mendelsohn.  We even took the courage to sing though but some numbers of  the “St. John’s Passion” of Bach, “Die Jahreszeiten” of Haydn. “Die Zauberflote” of Mozart. It took us months to master just one of it but we willingly, patiently exercised which gave us hours of joy, excitement and happiness.  How we loved the songs,  as I remember some 150 pieces, each one beautiful, unforgettable. How I, we, even enjoyed the charming “50 Lecons De Chant” of Concone. Am I ever so grateful to the composers. So he said to me.

Remember, this is Indonesian English. 

May 2011

Terry Schiavo

Terri Schiavo

Unyielding, her life was so invaluable, Terri Schiavo was kept alive for fifteen years while she had but little/no chance to live. In the Iraq war, not only one, but hundreds, thousands of healthy, happy people, very eager to live, were killed, maimed or wounded on purpose as though worthless among the warring, quarreling  nations.

April 2005

May 2011