on repeat

Gigi – 11 Januari

January 11, we met and our love began
My instincts told me that you’re mine

Happiness always surrounds us
For all the years we’ve been through
Now I declare that you’re my spirit

I am your guardian
I am your shelter
I am your companion in every step you take

I’ve hurt your heart once
You’ve forgotten your promise too
But it’s all merely because we’re just human

I am your guardian
I am your shelter
I am your companion in every step you take

You brought me into your life
You showered me with your love
Your smiles and your sorrows are what my life’s all about
You touch my heart tenderly with a million colors

(MV with english subtitles @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3giXva1SaXA)
(Bahasa Indonesia Lyrics @ http://www.lyrics007.com/Gigi%20Lyrics/11%20Januari%20Lyrics.html)

daughtry caused a traffic jam

Chris Daughty and gang were here at Traffic Jam Street Party at Armenian street and thanks to Jaron, I got yet another opportunity to soak in the awesome atmosphere with Reina and Matthew – for the second time!

But we were so close to the stage that we almost went deaf thanks to the deafening speakers which were as tall as us that sent shockwaves across the entire city hall area. Nevertheless, Daughtry put up a stunning performance which made every minute of standing there worthwhile catching them in live action!

I must admit I’m no hardcore music fan but the two times they were here, I saw them. Maybe I’ll turn into a full-fledged Daughtry fan, man!

on repeat

When I first heard this song back when I was 15, I didnt’ think much into it. But as I listen to this track again today 7 years on, I’d say it is an accidental discovery of timeless beauty in its lyrics.

On repeat: Joey Mcintyre – Stay The Same

Don’t you ever wish
You were someone else
You were meant to be
The way you are exactly

Don’t you ever say
You don’t like the way you are
When you learn to love yourself
You’re better off by far

And I hope you’ll always
stay the same
‘Cause there’s nothing ’bout
you I would change

I think that you could be
Whatever you wanted to be
If you could realize
All the dreams you have inside

Don’t be afraid
If you’ve got something to say
Just open up your heart
And let it show you the way

Believe in yourself
Reach down inside
The love you found
will set you free

Believe in yourself
You will come alive
Have faith in what you do
You’ll make it through

while we are whining about 6% inflation…

In one part of the world, there’s a country that’s facing something called hyperinflation.

And guess what? Its annual inflation rate ( as of June 2008 ) is a whooping

9 030 000%

With the central bank launching their newest $100 billion note, analysts say the Zimbabwean dollar is going to continue weakening.

A shopper displays a $500 million Zimbabwean bank note.- CNN

“The Zimbabwean dollar was this week trading at US$1 = ZW$17 billion on the parallel market. On electronic transfers the rate was as high as US$1 = ZW$45 billion depending on volumes. Analysts said the Zimbabwean dollar is going to continue weakening.” (Sidenote: US$1 = SG$1.35)

“A teacher who is paid $66 billion a month can only afford to buy two (freaking) litres of cooking oil and a bar of soap.”

“The average worker in Zimbabwe gets about $25 billion a month. Most workers have however resorted to joining the informal sector to keep up with the cost of living.”

(Source: Zimbabwe Independent – http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/jun27c_2008.html#Z16)

In this world when everyone’s grappling with rising food and oil prices, our fingers cannot help but point to our governments for their seemingly lack of ability to combat the problem. But in hindsight, countries like these which, perhaps, have their printing paper more worthy than their currency itself, facing even more severe issues, shouldn’t we just take a small step back, and be a little thankful for what we have?

hi stranger

Ever since you went out of my list, the option of having you back was null. My deepest thoughts would probably never transpire in this lifetime. But the truth is, I faithfully harbour that tiny little speck of hope that we’ll bump into one another some day.

“

May 2007 they first spoke. She was foreign on his contact list. He didn’t take close scrutiny at her address, but to anyone else he’d do as well, he clicked on her nick and said “hi, stranger.”

She insisted that it was him who added her into his list. He was obstinate, and rebutted that she was first. Those were their first days of friendship.

Almost everyday, he clicked on her. It was like bee to honey, and he never relented in trying to make her special. But she never initiated chats. Why? Because it was just not her. He teased her for being stuck-up. She gave in for a while, just for that little while.

Months passed. They shared, they talked, they thought. Rollercoasters of emotions they rode through. Videos and songs they exchanged, enough to set up a torrent network. The pluses and minuses they saw in one other. He wanted nobody to steal time away from him.

They spoke about trust, taking each of the two sides – 100% lies, or 100% the truth. “You see, there’s no point in telling the truth because we probably wouldn’t find out anyway.” “Well, yet there’s no point in telling lies because we probably, too, won’t know at all isn’t it?” On that very day, they assured each other that they exchanges were genuine.

He asked her out for the first time. She had cold feet. He thought he could understand why. The second time she said no, she spun tales about how she behaves and whipped up stories about her warped personality. He didn’t buy them. She were probably trying not to make him feel bad. “Come on,” he said. “We’ve already known each other for…like how long.”

101 times later, she was already so embarassed to reject yet again. He didn’t think he’d stop trying, hoping you’ll give in if he persevered, showing his sincerity. But she didn’t think much into it. “Leave everything to fate,” was her reply.

All guys are the same, she said. They all go out looking for fun and one-night-stands. Superficial creatures, she felt. Desperado – the word she didn’t use. It’s just yet another phase of life. Not all guys are like that, he retorted. Yeah, was her reply. Yeah, that was the only reply.

He didn’t know if this qualified as love. But in this unrealistic setting when everything was just so surreal that he couldn’t anticipate, with the next move on the chessboard that’ll be one that would probably bring another twist to the story with an entirely dissimilar resolution, it came as a sudden realisation that everything should jolly well be restricted to the fantasy world where mickey mouse and chug chug Thomas reign.

Maybe they wouldn’t have chemistry if they meet up. Maybe her image of the perfect gentleman would come smashing down from ten thousand feet high if their eyes locked. Maybe that was why she didn’t want to meet. Ya, leave it to fate, she said. Fine, one in a million chance, he said.

One click of the mouse he took her off his list. The harsh realities of the world she’d face. He tried, he felt, he thought. Down in memory lane she went. One less friend in his life he didn’t care.

“

Actually he still does.

freeze frame

- Fallen Angels, Wong Kar Wai

There had been too many regrets these past 2 years.

But the one thing I’ve never regretted, was attending WKWSCI FOC 2008.

Nuff said.
Rock on, people.

Angels and Demons

I don’t know whether anything like that is being said in the Bible but anyhow, Dan Brown just blows me away.

–

Chartrand took a deep breath. “I don’t understand this omnipotent-benevolent thing.”

The camerlengo smiled. “You’ve been reading Scripture.”

“I try.”

“You are confused because the Bible described God as an omnipotent and benevolent deity.”

“Exactly.”

“Omnipotent-benevolent simply means that God is all-powerful and well-meaning.”

“I understand the concept. It’s just…there seems to be a contradiction.”

“Yes. The contradiction is pain. Man’s starvation, war, sickness…”

” Exactly!” Chartrand knew the camerlengo would understand. “Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possibly be both all-powerful and well-meaning. If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldn’t He?”

The camerlengo frowned. “Would He?”

Chartrand felt uneasy. Had he overstepped his bounds? Was this one of those religious questions you just didn’t ask? “Well…if God loves us, and He can protect us, He would have to. It seems that He is either omnipotent and uncaring, or benevolent and powerless to help.”

“Do you have children, Lieutenant?”

Chartrand flushes. “No, signore.”

“Imagine you had an eight-year-old son…would you love him?”

“Of course.”

“Would you do everything in your power to prevent pain in his life?”

“Of course.”

“Would you let him skateboard?”

Chartrand did a double take. The camerlengo always seemed oddly “in touch” for a clergyman. “Year, I guess,” Chartrand said. “Sure, I’d let him skateboard, but I’d tell him to be careful.”

“So as this child’s father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?”

“I wouldn’t run behind him and mollycoddle him if that’s what you mean.”

“But what if he fell and skinned his knee?”

“He would learn to be more careful.”

The camerlengo smiled. “So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child’s pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?”

“Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It’s how we learn.”

The camerlengo nodded. “Exactly.”

- Dan Brown, Angels and Demons (P361-362)

When Bill Gates’ gonna retire

This person, who has been the CEO since year 2000, will be taking over Microsoft , leaving Gates as the adviser and chairman. Steve Ballmer became a billionaire in U.S. dollars based on stock options received as an employee of a corporation in which he was neither a founder nor a relative of a founder.

And this is how he started one of his presentations.

Overheard:
A: “when u are paid that kind of salary, fees, bonus and staff benefits.. u will do this sort of thing.”
B: “Sure or not? But our Ministers also paid that of money what? I don’t see that in them.”
C: “we gonna see a messysoft.”

on repeat

On repeat: Bon Jovi – I’ll Be There For You

I guess this time you’re really leaving
I heard your suitcase say goodbye
Well as my broken heart lies bleeding
You say true love, it’s suicide

You say you’ve cried a thousand rivers
And now you’re swimming for the shore
You left me drowning in my tears
And you won’t save me anymore

I pray to God you’ll give me one more chance, girl

I’ll be there for you
These five words I swear to you
When you breathe I want to be the air for you
I’ll be there for you
I’d live and I’d die for you
Steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can’t say what a love can do
I’ll be there for you

I know you know we’re had some good times
Now they have their own hiding place
I can’t promise you tomorrow
But I can’t buy back yesterday

And baby you know my hands are dirty
But I wanted to be your valentine
I’ll be the water when you get thirsty, baby
When you get drunk, I’ll be the wine

And I wasn’t there when you were happy
I wasn’t there when you were down
I didn’t mean to miss your birthday, baby
I wish I’d seen you blow those candles out