LifeMinder

manbike @ark Jkt

manbike @ark Jkt, originally uploaded by A_ndre mobile's pics.

This really sparked my teenage zealousness.. of fantasy, speed, heroism, muscle, streamline, comics, transporter.. A good "break" after and in-between of monotonous tedious colorless office affairs :p

De ja vu ... in the dusk

~ * * * ~

I was driving on one afternoon last week. As I ascended a flyover going to the west, sun light struck and follow me me as if the sun was rising.

I drove slowly as the lanes was quite. Enjoying the beautiful rays. The sun was really like it was rising.

On top of the bridge the road is flat. I saw lots of banners and billboards used by the political parties. You can see at the picture, a big billboard used temporarily by Partai Golkar. As seen, maybe the wording is "memberi bukti, bukan janji" -I forgot what exactly written- which means nothing to me anyway.

I smiled realizing that the "sunrise" mood was over when my car descended the bridge, tried to get rid of those "meaningless" slogan.

Maybe it works for others:)

So I backed to reality, the dusk was falling.

~ * * * ~

a girl on the road

I see a child from a distance. Girl.  She's not far physically from my daughter. Maybe older.  Five years old or something

It was cloudy afternoon, the road was quite busy, as usual if you go to Bandung on weekend. If you go straight after the intersection -to the west, you enter toll gate to Jakarta. If you go left, you will go to the Airport. I  waited to turn right -to the north, where my house is located  around 15 minutes drive thru uphill roads.

I remembered when I was 12 years old, I drove a Fiat on this road for the first time.  My father had found me riding a motorbike so he got his driver tutoring me hoping I could forget motorbikes. It was exciting -even though it was not stopping me riding bikes, cousins' or teacher's. This road was not completed yet at that time. Another end of this road heading the city center was still under construction, so it was  a perfect track for a first timer. Several years ago they built a fly over to connect end of this road which is in a west part of the city crossing the Cikapundung river to the city center and all the way to the east.  Seems that the fly over relieves much of traffic congestion, even though it sowed many critics  from urban planners and environmental activists when the plan was announced. I remembered it also stopped for some years due to financial difficulties. I was also sorry my grandmother's house underneath was one to be banished.

The queue started to move approaching the intersection before it stopped again. The red lights only allow less than a minute for cars going right. I was pulling the hand brake when I saw a child. A girl. She's not far physically from my daughter, Danika. Maybe older. Five years old or something. As  most cities in Indonesia, it is very usual you find beggars from old-middle-young men and women, teenagers, to babies carried (rented) by "the mother".

I sighed.

I often wave behind the windshield, an unfriendly gesture for them. Few years back, UNESCO distributed leaflets, asking people to not entertain beggar for their own good.  Many abandoned babies and children, -some were kidnapped- were sold, abused, humiliated, tortured by such organized street mobs. I always wonder where the hell is government attention on this.

I was expecting her to come closer. I wondered how much time she spend on the roads everyday? how did she eat and sleep? How a five year old kid could really survive?  I took a deep breath knowing surely that she would never survive.  Most abandoned kids like her are prone to sexual crimes, many of them are also drugs addict with sexual diseases, and some were death by illegal abortion. I think I was kind of maniac  (looking at a showcase of poverty and social illness) by expecting her to come closer. But she came to a standstill.

She stared to the north. Maybe she looked at some people or cars or advertisement billboards or maybe mountains. I could not guess what was in her mind. I realized that she probably had different cognition with us. She might not see a nice car as our kids' whom wish their father could bring them out with such nice cars -as in 'uneducated' TV commercial. She might simply think if those car could give her more coins today. Or maybe she had thinking of step into the roaring car. Suicide. She probably were waiting for somebody from a car giving her clothing or doll. Or she was just hungry?

The traffic light was going red to traffic from the north. It woke her from her dream as she down barefooted to the hot asphalt knocking car doors for coins, I assumed. I did not remember whether she got coins from cars in front of me. I saw her approaching me as I grabbed two one-thousand-rupiahs left in the coin box. I sometimes feel sorry for not having breads ready to share with them as two thousand rupiahs would only add up her boss' satisfaction a bit. But absolutely not hers.

I lowered my window, called her, she took it and that was it. No thanks no smile no blinking eyes. No nothing. 

And I was so embarrassed hoping for such idiocy.

I stared to the rear view, saw her stopped from one car next to the others. She did not mind. No passion. And no option. Since she dead already. Did we have option?

The thinking swept straight away by horn blown by unmannerly drivers, the green light blinked.



"a girl on the road" in youtube

 





 

Gallery of savagery, Lapindo

A friend of mine shared some nice, satirical yet ironic composition pics in weblog Galeri Kebiadaban Lapindo. Recent posting is a love letter to Adinda Bakrie.

Sympathy to Lapindo victims.

(Dont worry..) Crisis ends 2010

I always have a high skepticism to Indonesian businessman's wishes. Some -if not most of them- were quite satisfied with less-justified assumptions supplied by their managers working under their guidance, some were hesitate to use statistics and to hear facts that against their plan, some were blindly believe in their past experience forgot that world has changed, some were too soft to get rid of flaw judgments and using those to please business partners or banks (whom also like to be fooled as well:) and they together composing a nice wishful thinking scenario.

Men conversation

 

It monotone wordings simply reflects an uncomplicated thoughtful man.. Yet his narrative nailed me down this evening.

PT. Kereta Api corrupt security officers

Corrupt security officer, originally uploaded by A_ndre mobile's pics.

I was about to picked up my wife at Gambir train station at 4.30 am last Thursday. Entering the concourse, I tried to find concourse ticket booth (tiket peron). Gate security told me that the booth open at 7am and asked for IDR 1,500 (15 cents) for allowing me to go upstairs. No ticket whatsoever.. just keep whispering asking for the 15 cents. I called my wife tell her that I prefer waiting downstairs instead of bribing or arguing with those pathetic officers and ask her to get a helper to carry luggage.

Killing vehicle(s)

Should be tempered, shouldn't it?, originally uploaded by A_ndre mobile's pics.

Who can guarantee that only (broken) rear windos that is not tempered? I imagine hundreds of tiny bare flying knives sweep the cabin in one fatal accident... How many buses? how many lives?

No new toll road please...

empty lane vs traffic, originally uploaded by A_ndre mobile's pics.

The city administration of Jakarta is planning to build six inner city toll roads which will cost more than IDR 40 trillion. Jakarta now is one of the highest motorcycle ownership about 339 units/1000 people. Cars is about 180 cars/1000 people, in contrast with one of the most advance city in Asia, Shanghai's 50.

Undisturbed meat seller strike

Food hawkers @Priya school, originally uploaded by A_ndre mobile's pics.

After the soybean.. now turn to meat to get kicked.. The price was IDR 45.000/kg (USD 5/kg) before end up with IDR 52.000/kg (USD 5.7/kg) in only few days. The Jakarta Post reported that the price surge brought hundreds of meat sellers from Greater Jakarta to protest at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, demanding the government stabilize rising price. 

(nokia) remote shutter

I'm planning for holiday so I started to unpack my video and camera gear last week.. I found a note labeled ..to buy remote shutter and back up battery pack.

I spent  more than $1200 for  400D SLR and 17-40 f/4 L Series lens last year but too hesitate to buy remote shutter cost only $17. I think I would curse myself if I dont have it handy when freezing panoramic scenes.. but I guess I wont... I will check this at weekend :)

Link

Food (in)security

It should be an enjoyable morning with a healthy breakfast, low GI muesli, blendered LSA beans and soybean milk. But to my surprise.. no soybean. The milk seller apparently wasn't show up for several days.. At the dinner, everyone's favorites, tempe, was out too.  The fermented soybean cake had been missing in the nearby wet market for several days. In East Java, police arrested group of people that were accumulating a large amount of soybean in their warehouse.

Last week, soybean price was increase up to IDR 8500/kg from IDR 5000/kg or 70% increase. Cooking oil's raise from IDR 8500/kg to IDR 11000/kg at local wet market. In Sulawesi, local bean rose from IDR 2000/kg to IDR 7000/kg Some seller claimed that their sales was down to 30%. Former President Megawati who is running for the 2009 election wasn't forget to blow up 'tempe' issue during her informal campaign last week.

Bhutto

The world ended the 2007 with probably one of the most tragic politic assassination within the past decade. Benazir Bhutto was assassinated after she had finished her campaign in Rawalpindi. Everybody turns to her political opponent and parties that was responsible for the death of her father.

Long before she started her campaign, Benazir Bhutto had found herself being threaten by the government.  She had sent an email to Mark Siegel, US advisor and friend, as reported by CNN, stating that if she is assassinated, the government is the one whom dance behind the scene. As she cited Mr Musharraf denial of her request for additional security measures after the trial of suicide bombing in October. She knew.. there was a risk, deadly risk. Maybe the risk is 20% if she's quite optimist or maybe 50:50 or in other words, she knew her life is no different with coins thrown in a roulette wheel. 

BLACK CAT

Alley cat, originally uploaded by A_ndre mobile's pics.

Is a black cat at the doorstep means something to you.. I was about to kick her out.. but then realize the lights striking the wall thru windows were perfect and having her lying at the open door was a bit strange yet creating a tension... since she wasn't  supposed to be there.

Worst ingredients ever.. if you really aware of what you eat

Do you know what is the trans fat is? Calorie counter site says that it is the absolute worst ingredient your food could possibly contain.

Human isn't designed to eat food that we mostly eat now.. Human on the other hand is designed to adapt and evolving until certain extent, but this doesn't means that human digesting system could easily adapt to a large amount of such aliens. Humans best food is a raw fresh food.. steam ones and probably portion of sauteed meals. Now if we eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, and minimize meat, frying foods etc.. we called it detox -once in a month and so on...when this should be part of every day's life.

Flying ..

Take off cancelled.. plane was brought back to terminal to get fixed.. after 1 hour delay. I didnt really mind with the delay.. I always prepare myself for such suck regularity :) but sent back to terminal was not a joke. This is the second time.. Several years back I had experienced  worse one.. plane sent back to terminal after tried to accelerate on the runway for several seconds..  hmm only God knows...
Well.. I am flying now... if you read this post means I safely landed :) ... I always like flying.. even back to several years ago when I tired with airports, taxis, the lounge due to too much flying..  I still love it.
Announcement was just made.. we will land soonest.. hence, recent interruption reminds me to rethink and enjoy flying..  hope can home safely and no worry about change of tomorrow's plan and missed something... :)

Experience marketing

 It was rainy late afternoon last week when I stepped in to my fave coffee shop. Actually I have never been there, but I am quite familiar with the some other store with same brand which are really nice. I spent hours at previous visit at the other store uploading bunch of holiday pics utilizing free broadband. I planned to get connected again to continue upload the remaining pics. So I approached  the counter, which was not pretty big, a bit depressed by a narrow shophouse structure.

Extreme quietness

Escape from malls, shopping center, junk foods sometimes is quite difficult. You simply hard to find the quiet place. There are many tourist interest places, great beaches, festive resorts and mountain, historic spots, but relaxing and quiet spot with great landscape seldom to be found. It's a plus if you like photography.

This is the favorite place when I need an extreme quiet environment.. 1 hour drive from our house in Bandung to Pangheotan village. Its only 1-2 km from the famous Peak dining resort. I went there with small honda citicar, but SUV is recommended since the road is a not quite good. Occasionally some official charges as cheap as Rp 500.-/person is applied. But like yesterday, nobody in the ticket booth..

Its such a luxury.. to escape the city.. to have such quiet place not far from house or town. It so relaxing...

------

Glenda Fulton Davis writes a nice poem .. a quiet place.. read here

DOING LESS

Two weeks ago I erased 'my document' folder from my laptop by accident, when I was upgrading it. This is absolutely a disaster ...- its on the top list of my worst case scenario....  especially for power user like me that put almost everything in that electronic box. This was extremely hard to accept and annoy me much. I have some back up, dated 3 months before.. I rarely doing back up since replacing my old powerbook with Macbook thinking that hard disk failure at this moment is almost impossible.. so again this is my fault to not follow the basic in information management: to back up (wondering how many percent of computer personal user regularly do back up weekly or monthly).

PILKADA MAHAL… INVESTASI YANG HARUS DIKEMBALIKAN PADA WARGA KOTA

Seperti diberitakan Kompas, 7 Agustus 2007 bahwa Pilkada DKI sangat mahal. Sumbangan untuk kedua calon mencapai lebih dari 92 milyar. Ini belum termasuk biaya-biaya siluman yang mungkin saja beredar entah hari-hari belakangan ini atau masa datang saat gubernur terpilih menjalani masa jabatannya.
Mudah-mudahan penulis salah, tapi melihat isi kampanye, track record kedua kandidat dan sistem yang ada sekarang ini, maka kesimpulan sementara adalah cukup sulit bagi gubernur baru untuk memperbaiki Jakarta secara signifikan. Tidak bisa dipungkiri bahwa saat ini diperlukan sosok yang jenius dalam tata kelola pemerintahan, ekonomi, sosial dan budaya, skill kepemimpinan yang tinggi, keberpihakan yang nyata dan proporsional pada seluruh lapisan masyarakat, serta memiliki otoritas yang cukup kuat (untuk tidak mudah berkompromi tapi dapat  bekerja sama) di lingkungan politik daerah maupun nasional. Selain timing dan kesempatan yang tepat dalam membuat perubahan. Bayangkan jika kepala daerah disibukan dengan bencana misalnya, maka akan sulit untuk merealisasikan program-program perbaikan daerah.

Technorati Tags: politics, urban

Ketika lahan mulai tandus..

I read very interesting article in Kompas yesterday.. highlighting agriculture problems in Indonesia. Why we no longer self contained in basic commodities in this case is rice. Since 1984, we no longer able to fulfill demand for that basic commodity. 'Green revolution" .. one century ago was being said as survivor for most Asian countries including Indonesia. "Green revolution" was supported by three key factors i.e.: improved varieties, irrigation, and fertilizer.

Kembali ke Lap....top...

"Apa itu lap...top...?"

"Tukul adalah ikon dari ketertindasan. Ia adalah antagonis dari berbagai bentuk kekuasaan yang serba elite dan glamor yang menghidupi televisi. Inilah dunia wong ndeso. Inilah ikon rakyat jelata yang rela dimaki bersama dan boleh mengolok-olok dengan kata-kata kasar." Tulis Garin Nugroho di Harian Kompas beberapa minggu lalu.

Back to basic

I changed back to Palm OS.. was lucky to get "journalist' price for new Treo 680. I surrender my Nokia E61 for Palm's simplicity and its robustness.. compare to E61 this one has no wifi and 3G or pushmail... I was wondering if I made the right decision when I opened the box.

The more time I spend with Treo, the more I enjoy it. I missed the  technology so-called 3G, but I was surprised found that Palm browser blazer is sometimes faster than E61 browser with the 3G channels. I try several times and end up with similar result. So not bad.. I might not get streaming TV or video call, but I have no interest on that.. at least in these days, when 3G is still premature and costly. So Im quite happy with the browser. Others like chatting, email, has no problem at all. Gmail is faster downloaded in Palm.. Again .. maybe it is coincidence but at least I have no complain with that.

Beyond the tops

I see two outstanding people are craving their career further.. not only career.. but athlete's achievement ever.. Federer and Woods. Some people or most people start claiming them as the best of the best ever..

It is very interesting for me to see what makes them so powerful...

It pumps my energy this morning..

Post using E61

Hi.. This morning I felt quite refresh... Even its Friday.. Maybe off one day to work on other project also some of my personals was refreshing... Especially if we bored with all the routines..

Testing BlogJet

I have installed an interesting application - BlogJet. It's a cool Windows client for my blog tool (as well as for other tools). Get your copy here: http://blogjet.com

"Computers are incredibly fast, accurate and stupid; humans are incredibly slow, inaccurate and brilliant; together they are powerful beyond imagination." -- Albert Einstein

World Cup -- Ones' utopia...

Here we go... like it or not... World Cup is kicking off. Some friends were quite irritated and become cynical with all the hysteria.. while other are busy make a bet. TV is a hot selling item, DVD-R start to sell, people get mad seeing their staff often late comes to work.. but World cup is keep kicking off at every match every night.

No pain no gain... talent... discipline... strategy... can't be easily bought by money and power.

A new comer Japan, amongst the five big nation in capitalization, was beaten by Australia. US even hardly to shoot to the Czech's goal last night. World cup for mediocre countries seems not mirroring a real world where they always being beaten. Participating to the final round.. means winning the world... to become something...become a member of socialite countries and individuals. It's a dream.. to pass the groups, quarter final, to become top scorer, to be the best players, to win the golden trophy... with all the honour, pride, and money that will comes out.... The Cup is somewhat irreplaceable...

Watching the match, we saw Adidas, Toshiba, Master Card, Phillips, Fuji Film at the sideboards and it was great excitement until my son started to ask why no Indonesian names at those sideboards... I strived to structure my mental... I wish I could be one of them …whom can keep strieving with hope and dream.... like those countries that proudly kick and goal the cup... try to think something... try to explain...

but I am afraid I've nothing to think of... and nothing to explain....

since we have done nothing... almost...

but later I thank to my son... to kick my consciousness out of my rational and head size brain... don't think... everyone start with the dream of all the craziest that can be happened... dream and just go with that.. play it.... with All that money can't buy.... pain, talent, discipline, strategy.... play Play PLAY…. goal BY GOAL…

--- Playing..this remembered me to one classic by Huizinga, Homo Ludens ---

Same birthday share the same character?

Your Birthdate: January 18

You are a cohesive force - able to bring many people together for a common cause. You tend to excel in work situations, but you also facilitate a lot of social gatherings too. Beyond being a good leader, you are good at inspiring others. You also keep your powerful emotions in check - you know when to emote and when to repress. Your strength: Emotional maturity beyond your years Your weakness: Wearing yourself down with too many responsibilities Your power color: Crimson red Your power symbol: Snowflake Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Not bad isn't it... ? I wonder how the writer differentiate 365 characters ...... but seeing many things like this, seems that nothing can inspire me, except satisfying one's eagerness of himself IF they agree with all that written. How about you?

go public

After trying with some posts, I expose the log to the nets.....

Tentang negara : haruskan menjadi bangsa setan-setan?

Krisis yang tak kunjung selesai membuat saya kembali lagi berpikir tentang eksistensi suatu 'negara', tentu konteksnya Indonesia. Sementara negara-negara lain sudah lari, Indonesia masih belajar berjalan. Kalau dipikir-pikir secara sederhana dan cepat, apa yang membentuk suatu 'negara' ? Satu, geografis tentu; dua, sumber daya manusia; tiga, sistem filosofi negara; dan empat, sistem pemerintahan.

Geografis bukanlah determinan utama. Sejarah menunjukkan bahwa keunggulan atau kemajuan suatu bangsa bukan ditentukan oleh besar atau kecil, ada sumberdaya alam atau tidak. Sumberdaya manusia, saya kira Indonesia tidak ketinggalan secara individu. Tapi secara kolektif atau sistem pemberdayaan kolektif mungkin benar. Sistem filosofi negara, Pancasila... Saya kira Soekarno tidak membuat kesalahan dengan hal tersebut. Yang terakhir, sistem pemerintahan... -ini yang dengan mudah terlihat-  sering menjadi kambing hitam. Saya, semua orang, termasuk SBY-JK, tentu berandai-andai untuk mempunyai solusi. Saya yakin tidak ada rumusan solusi yang ces pleng... sampai batas-batas tertentu dapat dipastikan bahwa aksi lebih berarti dibanding rumusan -praksis. Berantas korupsi, tetapkan deregulasi, ciptakan budaya politik yang sehat, dan sebagainya. Pasti ada perubahan jika dilakukan konsisten (ini yang sulit) dan didukung oleh mayoritas rakyat/partai/golongan, dsb... dan memang inilah yang tersulit. Orang Indonesia terbiasa untuk individual, tidak melihat kepentingan yang lebih luas... Apakah "ikatan"nya sehingga orang-orang Indonesia dapat bersatu padu? karena kita melihat terlalu banyak kepentingan individu, golongan. Baik itu atas nama ketenaran, kekayaan pribadi, partai bahkan agama.

Artikel kompas Sabtu 1 Oktober memberikan perspektif yang kontekstual dengan memberikan label ekstrim sebagai model dari sistem filosofi dan pemerintahan suatu negara, yaitu setan-setan egoistis yang rasional dalam "Bangsa-bangsa Setan" dan Universalitas Lunak. Immanuel Kant berjudul Zum Ewigen Frieden atau Menuju Perdamaian Abadi, menunjukan kelemahan manusia untuk menjamin kelangsungan bernegara jika negara men-sahkan atau melandaskan sistem kenegaraannya berdasarkan kekuatan kelompok yang berbasiskan kebenaran absolut agama, moralitas atau kultur!

Mayoritas akan menekan minoritas atas nama kebenaran tersebut, dan pluralisme akan terberangus habis oleh doktrin puritan. Konflik akan selalu terjadi antara mereka, dan kehidupanpun makin menurun atau terombang ambing turun naik. Sebaliknya setan-setan kantian (demikian disebutkan oleh DR F Budi Hardiman, si penulis -entah apa disebutkan juga demikian di literatur tersebut), lebih dapat mengatur kehidupan bersosial dan bernegaranya karena mereka saling menjaga privasi pribadinya.

Buat Kant, setan-setan akan lebih pragmatis dibanding manusia yang religius karena setan pragmatis akan lebih mudah bersepakat dibanding manusia religius yang senang memaksakan kehendaknya dan terus bertengkar demi 'absolutisme' yang dianutnya.. Kontradiktif memang.... setan-setan lebih suka bersepakat, manusia lebih suka bertengkar. Membuat rukun setan melalui suatu sistem hukum dan administrasi adalah lebih masuk akal dibanding mengatur manusia-manusia religius bermoral......Buat setan kantian, moral dan politik bukan masalah karena mereka tidak bermoral... buat mereka politik adalah untuk mencapai mekanisme alam atau dalam istilah ekonomi "mekanisme pasar" sementara buat manusia antara moral dan politik sangat masalah. Politik untuk moral atau kebalikannya, itulah yang menyingkirkan rasionalitas.

Dan masih banyak hal menarik untuk menjadi "wacana" perbincangan tentang suatu "negara". Penulis di Kompas diakhir tulisannya menambahkan suatu "kondisi" untuk terciptanya "ruang" bagi moralitas dan religiositas tapi tidak saya lanjutkan disini. Tapi kembali kekonteks pembicaraan Indonesia, apakah Indonesia telah terjebak dalam kontradiksi kelompok-kelompok manusia religius? Kalau demikian adanya, praksis tak akan banyak berbicara..... Kita enggan menjadi setan (menjadi lebih pragmatis rasional), lebih memilih menjadi manusia adiluhung dengan moralitas tinggi....... (?) Oh.... Kant pasti sudah gila..........

Terror....

Indonesia again… hit by bomb terror. More than 20 killed and hundreds injured in attacked in Bali island. Just a day before, the Government announced raised of gasoline price up to 100%. In just few days, we were shocked by those bad news.

There always a bad guy in this world (If we accept of polarity of nice and bad guy – which again the truth relatively driven by media, internet, popular lifestyle, etc). Domination by group of nations, some western countries - or in more appropriate words, western culture & economy -, nonetheless has been creating underground forces which in many ways try to express their reverse existence. What woke us up was that the 'clash' was just exactly happen in here… not in western sphere of the earth. Except we have nice places for those westerners…. and BANG…… just like that.

I am now sitting few kilometers away from the explosion site, I am sitting in a very nice place… but still horror is tremendously hit my mood. It is really not about the technical description, number of victims and how destructive of B-O-M-B, but moreover the underlaying environment that trigger up such kind of actions… There must be lot of frustation… distrust… hatred… anger…. and stupidity in the inner circle of the group…

But now I am sit in nice gazebo with cool breeze facing paddy field…. Those contradiction is just annoying. Sometimes it seems everything change to black and white images….  I am still enjoying my potato gratin… with latte, I am sure I still have good sight, with colors around… but psychologicaly …. sometimes I feel the color around me was pulled to both ends of black and white.

Cooled by afternoon breeze... I relief… this gonna be over for me and most of us … world will forget it. People are too busy to remember all those things… as long one not get hurt directly… Like now most people in Indonesia are struggling with their everyday life, for them, the real terror is there… how to survive, how to pay rocketing transportation cost, how to get the kids go to school, pay their insurance etc, etc.

I am finish eating when I try to stop to think those crazy things…. I am happy with the good food, cozy atmosphere…. some thoughts … and you feel enough for today. Tomorrow has its own story….

Suddenly.. I feel like home…

Prepare yourself

Monday this week, one  Boeing 737-200 plunged into a suburb of Medan, one of the biggest city in Indonesia, seconds after taking off from the city's airport. 103 people on board died and 47 people on the ground also perished.  My colleagues who suppose to travel by plane the next day were chilling.... Everybody questioning the safety standard of airlines.

It is no secret that we all doubt to the maintenance discipline of airlines in Indonesia.. but what can we do. Stop flying??  I like flying. And with cheap fare campaigned by the bare bone airlines like Air Asia, etc. the competition is almost impossible -they said- for a carrier to do "proper" operation.

Just after the crash, I recall four or five planes this week were forced to land down or return back to the terminal or had emergency landing due to "navigation or engine problem".... HEY such incidents were very rare before... but now... Maybe they were "more aware" of such problem (not just forget it and keep flying) than before or was there a huge "katrina" kind of electromagnetic storm pass through Indonesia this week?  .. God knows ..

With all the price wars among the airlines... and rising of cost of fuel... I bet that every operator are tempted (and did) to manipulate the standard.

The price war make not only market was confuse, but also airline operators. There must be a separation on service as the target market, but now is mixed up. Those whom not prepared and experience for operating low cost airlines will try to adapt and interpret and innovate (it is dangerous isn't it?) to catch up the more established competitors. As every business in the world, Shifting to low cost based operation would involve different business model, different management approach, and different operational management. If they fail to acknowledge and to provide proper framework and resources, then the business will fail... and worst for this industry.. safety, human life, are being sacrificed.

I still love flying... so far and I am sure...., I never experience engine or navigation or whatever trouble with those low fare airlines so far - I am not a frequent flyer, Less than 100 hours flight a year, but I experience twice with our proud flagship airlines... Well.. God knows.

So I tell myself... prepare yourself... not for the crash ... but for continuing effort to make our life better -- it is gonna be a long long way for us.... Must admit that Indonesia is in bad shape... lot of homework....  but this could happen anywhere... My deepest sympathy to Katrina victims,  but at least as long as I could log.. I still have time. God bless us

Get organized

Busy day... and productive. That's good and I have time to get organized myself. Get rid of paper clutter, unorganized meeting, etc. I found that two tools I used are quite useful : Franklin Covey's Plan Plus to keep your focus to your important roles/tasks and David Allen's Getting Things Done - for me works like a machine filtering my inbox. Those are cool...

Day 1

Hi.. this is my first log. Thanks for stopping by.
I will use English and Bahasa Indonesia interchangeably ... most will describe my personal life, interest, my works, and .. anything. Comments are welcome.