Hello Stranger

We haven't met and I don't even know you yet
But you flew butterflies trapped inside my stomach

Getting you out of my mind is a waste of time,
Cause you've found your way to the scene of the crime

No it's not sorrow, it's not pain
Not even an ache I couldn't take
It's an itch, because we're just strangers
Living in different dimensions

The Einstein Quiz

He said that 98% of the people in the world cannot solve the quiz. Are you among the other 2%? 

Because I am!

The Einstein Quiz: 

See if you are among the top 2% of people in the world. Albert Einstein created this quiz, stating that 98% of people in the world could not solve it. You will be presented with a list of facts, followed by a list of clues that will help you reach the objective at the end of this quiz.

FACTS:
1. There are 5 houses in 5 different colors
2. In each house lives a man with a different nationality.
3. These 5 owners drink a certain beverage, smoke a certain brand of cigar, and keep a certain pet.
4. No owners have the same pet, brand of cigar, or drink.

CLUES:
1. the Brit lives in a red house
2. the Swede keeps a dog
3. the Dane drinks tea
4. the green house is on the left of the white house.
5. the green house owner drinks coffee.
6. the person who smokes pall mall keeps birds.
7. the owner of the yellow house smokes dunhill.
8. the man living in the house right in the center drinks milk
9. the Norwegian lives in the first house.
10. the man who smokes blend lives next to the one who keeps cats
11. the man who keeps horses lives next to the man who smokes dunhill
12. the owner who smokes blue master drinks beer
13. the German smokes prince.
14. the Norwegian lives next to the blue house
15. the man who smokes blend has a neighbor who drinks water.

QUESTION: 

Who keeps the fish?

Leave an answer on the comment box, and I'll tell you if you're right or wrong :D

Bruce Lee Wisdom

I was going through old emails and found an e-mail back in 2006 from an old friend in junior-high school. He's basically a big Bruce Lee fan. The emails were only 5 years a go, yet I didn't remember how wise he was. Here I share one of the wisdom he found in his Bruce Lee book.

photo from here

If you think you are beaten, you are,

If you think you dare not, you don't.

If you like to win, but you think you can't,

It is almost certain you won't.  

If you think you'll lose, you're lost, 

For out in the world we find,

Success begins with a fellow's will.

It's all in the state of mind.  

If you think you are outclassed, you are,

You've got to think high to rise,

You've got to be sure of yourself before 

You can ever win a prize.  

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster man.

But soon or late the man who wins,

Is the man who thinks he can!

The man was cool right? He once again succeed to reassure me about "Everything is a state of mind". And the words above, I could not imagine anything written better and more honest than that. I once have taken myself for granted, and so by doing that I let others do the samething to me, but now I am standing up to myself. Woohoo!! Sunday spirit, I like it!

Things That Will Never Change

" You will always be that tomboy girl I knew. That view won't change. "

those words, are only eligible to be said by someone who know you that better, friends.

Musical Frisson

Went to a music festival which features Yellowcard, Panic! At The Disco, and Bad Religion. It was SUPERB. Even though I only hang around until half the show, I was pretty much satisfied with what I saw, hear, and especially, feel. I went with my brother. The first time we ever watch a concert together. Yay for us! And this time, watching our favorite band, Yellowcard!

Yellowcard played first, 7pm sharp. The venue was not yet packed at the moment so I could fit myself pretty much almost at the front-line, I was on the third or fourth row, I think. To see the band perform that close, it was over-whelming! The sound system was gigantic and should I say, superb, I practically wasn't able to talk to my brother.

Yellowcard played pretty much their hit singles, and what makes me happier, the setlist* includes my favorite songs. Yay for me! They play mostly songs from the last 4 albums. Ocean Avenue was my favorite. On their sort-of-break, Ryan was on his acoustic guitar, then he played empty apartment, alone, until Sean followed through with the violin near the end. His voice was perfect. I couldn't believe it myself. I have watched couple of their live performances, and Ryan's voice is much much much better when I see him live.

The band was over-all attractive and quite engaging. Ryan Key was smiling and rocking to the center stage along with Ryan Mendez or Sean Mackin. Ryan Mendez keeps it cool all the way. And Sean Mackin, he's just the goofy Sean making funny faces while singing back-up and encouraging people to sing along. Sean O'Donnel, oh there must be something with the name Sean. He's also very funny. When the audience asked for his guitar pick, he was trying to give body language "we're too far apart, the guitar pick cannot reached you (the audience)". But at the end, he went to the tongue of the stage, and throwing guitar picks. When he ran out of guitar pick, he was trying to throw his bass guitar, but he was like "just kidding" while making funny faces. Last but not least, I may not have his pictures because he's too far back (and I am too focused on Ryan Key), he's the most laid-back up-beat-tempo drummer. He played and up-beat song and he just look so calm. I wonder how.

Over all. Both were uh-ma-zing. The chance to watch them perform live and to watch it with my brother. I got to watch Panic! At The Disco for a couple songs before we decided to bail. I often hear people saying Panic is not really good at live shows, but I got to say, that performance was also awesome. Brendon Urie has such a charisma, which draws attention to him -beside his pretty boy face-.  And perhaps the charisma came out from instead of drinking water, he drank beer on stage. Save water, drink beer, huh Brendon?

Here I present you, some of my captures from my newly-bought-for-this-special-event-camera, Stinson (I named it after Barney Stinson, because I know it's gonna capture LEGENDARY moments). I added a little touch of Photoshop actions. If you see me and my brother face on the photoset, it was an expression of too much happiness. That's the best we can get our face into. Last but not least, I cannot wait until I get to see Yellowcard live again. Soon, I hope. Toodles!

 

-----

* Yellowcard Setlist, Big Wave Festival, Jakarta

1. For You and Your Denial
2. Way Away
3. Fighting
4. Rough Landing, Holly
5. With You Around
6. Light Up The Sky
7. Empty Apartment
8. Hang You Up
9. Lights and Sound
10. Only One
11. Believe
12. Ocean avenue

Don't Think Mini

A couple days ago, there's a trending topic on twitter called #aksirokmini translated mini-skirt-action. No, it's not an action to make people wear mini-skirts, it's actually a protest defending women rights since the rates of rape is increasing lately.

This one's a good article explaining the current situations. Read here. (It's in Indonesian, maybe you would like to use the google lame translator for a little help)

Just yesterday, I was told by a friend of mine, that this city is even not anymore safe.

There's a girl wanting to go to church, stopped a taxi on the side of the road. She told the driver the destination. Nothing suspicious. Until she accidentally dropped her phone and when she picked it up, she saw hands from under the seat. Apparently, another guy is hiding behind her seat. When she realized the hands, she asked the driver to stop the car. But then, the man behind said to the driver, "Never mind, this is a good girl, she's going to church. Just get her to the destination." 

Not freaky enough?

Another friend told me, that recently, a girl, who had just finished her undergraduate thesis trial, got raped inside a moving mini-bus known as angkot (it works like a bus -public transportation- serving a smaller area than a bus, this mini-buses usually fit up to 12 people). The "mode" was like this: a girl waiting for this mini-bus on the side of the street. The mini-bus usually has dark windows (from the window film) and already has a couple men inside of it. Those men and the driver are acquaintances. As soon as the girl boards the mini-bus, the door is shut and those men take turns raping the girl. What has she done wrong?

Well for me, how you dress yourself up defines who you are. As long as you're comfortable with what you wear, I am okay with it. The girl mentioned in the stories above may be dressing just right. She's going to church, I don't think she would wear mini-skirts. And the other girl, she had just had her thesis trial, I bet she also does not wearing mini-skirts. 

I must agree with the article I shared above, we're living in a more eastern culture, where even wearing bikinis still gets you stared at, even at the beach, let a lone wearing mini-skirts in public. So when you dress with "less is more" principle, well, you see, people has a mind of their own. It's best no to light fire. On the other hand, other people (perhaps in this case, mostly men) should also learn how to control their minds. If a lady dress too little, don't make it an excuse to look down at her or even do anything bad to her. In conclusion, the effort has to be done both ways.

To close this post, here's a picture I found here. I believe what the picture say is true. Think about it.

Last Saturday Night

Oh. This post should be posted a week a go. But there's no such thing as late for memories.

I had a blast with the boys even it may be a farewell for a friend. Gonna share happinessssssss and a little bit more.

The day started with picking up new shoes at my friend house. I bought the classic Vans shoes. In blue. Ah. Time to move on from Converse (I don't know how my Converse can be too small for my feet since your feet were not suppose to grow anymore on this age, correct?) After that went to the mall to grab lunch and transit before meeting with the boys later in the afternoon.

The day before I bought this magazine, Monocle. It was a thick magazine. It was Vogue for the brains. It covers A B C D E, from current affairs up to design. Nice reading with a cup of caramel macchiato. Not long after I sat at a coffee shop, turns out, Dacung is at the gym across the coffee shop. So then I joined him and his friend for their late lunch and then continue to Denis' house.

Good to be back to Denis' house. The base-camp for a couple years back in high-school. Where almost every saturday we spent hours on band rehearsal. Nice to fit into his big room, talking, lounging, ah always the good 'ol times. Wish it was full-team. Too bad Diko's working in another city.

Then it's time to pick a place for dinner. You know the long discussion without and end. But after I mention Cung Gi Wa, the known Korean Barbecue near by, we all (kind of) agree. We got a seat where we sat on the floor (you get what I mean). We had talks with Denis, he's the one leaving for San Francisco. He's a bit of uncertain about leaving. Lots on his mind apparently. We tried giving him funny pep talk and all. Well he got no way back. So a funny pep talk perhaps is a little of what he needs.

 Denis and Me. Cung Gi wa for dinner is never a wrong option. Photo: Dwi Suleiman

 Dacung and Andaru the man who kept moving I couldn't take a picture of him. Photo: Dwi Suleiman

After Cung Gi Wa, we moved to a coffee place down in Senopati area, Bakoel Coffee, meeting more friends. Because I had macchiato earlier, I opted for Hot Chocolate. Before the number of people get bigger, my curfew alarm is on. So after a few pictures after more friends had arrived, I went home. Giving Denis our picture as a reminder of us :) Thank God for instant camera. Hot chocolate was a bad choice for a sleepyhead like me driving alone at night. I yawned a lot. But safe ride home.

Denis had arrived at San Fransisco yesterday. Be good, God bless you my friend. Stay as long as you can. I am saving up money for SF.

For a little nostalgic moment. Here's the "transformation" of the band. From the beginning until now.

Allgemein. The Beginning. (2003) 

Allgemein. Re-born. Dwi a.k.a Dacung as new guitarist. (2005)

Allgemein. Still Together, with the forever fan: Diko's sister :).  (2011)

Allgemein. This photo is somehow heart-breaking. Minus Diko. 2011

---
PS: A little bit more happiness to share, next Tuesday is the BigWave concert featuring Yellowcard. AND GUESS WHAT. I win a chance to meet the band. You know. THE MEET AND GREET STUFFS. Don't need to flip out. BECAUSE I HAVE. :) Wish me luck and see you soon Mr. Key.

Insanity Above Imagination: Someone Must've

picture from here

it’s two a.m

and we’re strolling down the bridge

i can’t believe we’re doing this

didn’t we always bicker?

didn’t we always ignore?

why are now we holding hands?

someone must’ve flipped a coin

including our life 

making it upside down

it’s seven p.m

and i am waiting anxiously

i can’t believe we’re doing this

didn’t we always mess up?

didn’t we always parted directions?

why are now we on a same boat?

someone must’ve flipped a coin

including our life

making it upside down

it’s ten p.m

and i am on my bed smiling ear to ear

i can’t believe we’re doing this

someone must’ve flipped a coin

including our life

making it upside down

someone must’ve

-August 26th, 2011

I made this lyric, inspired by latest occurring in my life. A friend of mine, a good friend, is moving to U.S.A to continue his study. We seldom talk but we remain good friends. He's not much of a talker -so am I- so we're kind of socially awkward if there's only the two of us in a room. But thanks to a medium with a screen and a keyboard those awkwardness could go on a vacation, at least for a while. 

Prior to his departure, we had a small talk, about his leaving and "the new life" he's going to embrace, a talk I never thought we could've. So that inspires me to write this. But I add a twist of romantic spices for a little heart beat. The bridge on the first verse refers to the Golden Gate, San Francisco (the city where he's heading). I suppose the Golden Gate is not that friendly at two a.m, but hey, that's why "I can't believe we're doing this".

He has my blessings to live in a city I wanted to live in. Perhaps it could be an opened door for me someday to fit his place. *BIG GRIN*

----

Insanity Above Imagination is my music project along with two other good-friends. Click on the link above for other lyrics and stuffs we record :D

Noticed, Noted?

Have you ever been in this kind of situation:

Someone you thought was cool or someone you look up to or maybe just someone you know, mentions something that you both have in common with. Then all of a sudden your heart or perhaps your deepest soul was unconsciously waving at them, trying to get recognized, want to have conversation, want to share, and everything just seem to be pouring out of your brain. Have you ever?

Well I have. A Lot.

image via tumblr

And mostly, I can only wave inside my heart. My limbs are weak, my lips are sealed. Sometimes it's because I was just overhearing a conversation, or I just read something they shared on a media,  so I could not get involved in a conversation or even a discussion with that person. And sometimes when I even have the guts to start a conversation to discuss the certain matter, I just don't want to look like I am seeking for attention, when actually I am. HA.

When they say a dream you dream together is reality, how do you deal with things like this?

I am completely clueless. If it's a tweet or a tumblog, I could just retweet or reblog or "like" the statement, and perhaps the other person doesn't care -or do they? There's a saying, if you never ask then the answer is always no. But how to do it so that it doesn't seem like I am craving for any attention?

I need a 101 in social interaction here, anyone would share?

Changes

"It's so hard to believe how much can change in a year. This time last year, things were completely different. I was completely different." 

Writing

I once have this thought; about not to write anything bad that happens or anything that is burdening me so bad so that I won't have to read about it later. I have a quite span of long absent post on my private diary due to this. Yea, I went through a phase; an overwhelming phase. Unfortunately, during those times there are emails, text messages, and other things that doesn't appear as a diary but considered as one. I tried to tests myself around a month ago by reading those sent messages, and a ha! a burning feeling inside screaming and running through my nose and under my eyes. 

Not a good idea.

But then. I read a friend's blog. It's a she. It's not the kind of blog where you put your thoughts on recent headlines or anything, it's just ramblings, long and short, about life. She wrote a lot of things that burdened her, but she wrote it in a kind of way that it's a way of her to bring herself back on her feet, instead of drowning in things that burden her. 

Well, a good idea.

But I guess, I may need to take baby steps towards that so we'll see about that!

Adios Amigos!