one of them days...

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

Not sure which one is today. Nothing exciting to consider it as good, nothing so bad where there's special experience. But sure is a s-l-o-w day. Slow day is good, a break after non-stop hectic days trying to beat time doing multiple tasks, racing with busy bodies.

Relieved, BOSS is off for a week. No, don't say I'm living an easy life when he's gone. No sireee!! Actually on some areas are much tough as I must report stuff and he's on sorta 'adventurous' tour de Java where one essential subject needs to be decided daily is where to sleep. At the end of the day he'll call or text me and report where he landed and ask me to reserve a room. Pretty exciting. Thanks to the internet I could quickly find a relatively good hotel in Pacitan (btw this regency is quite advance, having its own website), for instance.

Actually everybody's relieved, annoying tho to have people ask me everytime 'when the Boss is coming back?' They're just so glad to have him off their back once a while. Working here, it seems somebody has to twist another's arms to get a job done.

It's only 4 but I've no intention to work anymore. My head is gorged, my nose is stuffed, my throat is killing me! Time to get some release from this week old flu (not avian, mind you!).

So I guess a burnt-out day is essential too? Hhmm...

Alrighty, am off to see a doc and get ready for the weekend!

the wand

Security checkpoints are not complete without today's invaluable hand-held metal detectors. From the "often imitated, but never duplicated" SuperScanner to our 360° detection SuperWand and compact THD, Garrett hand-held metal detectors offer an effective and affordable means for locating potentially harmful metallic weapons.

Original purpose: detecting (precious) metal materials to help meet increased security levels and prevent theft

Standard use: extend it through the body surface, just off 10 cm from the body. It’ll toot on the predictable places: necklace, bracelet, zipper, bra zip/wire.

Corruptive (read: harassing) use:
- misuse it as smacking tool
- waving at people showing off power
- run it through the body surface as close as touching the garment, extra playing the wand above private places with a mesum (read: horny) look.

notsomagicalwand

snotty MCP in Ubud

Scene: second story of a small café in the cozy Ubud area. An older bule (mid 50s I guess) sitting on a big sofa sipped his coffee-latte and folded Sunday edition of Jakarta Post he just finished reading. Then he called one of the waitress, Ketut, do you know where Bogor is?

Uhmm.. Bogor is in Java.
Yes, do you know how long to go there?
Uhhm.. I think…
What? You don’t know where Bogor is? Did you learn geography at school?
(silent, looked at her firend asking for help)

Ahh, here’s Made, she should know where Bogor is. Made, do you know where Bogor is?
Bogor is in west Java, right?
Yes, do you know how long it does take to Bogor from Jakarta?
Uhmm.. it’s the same to go to Puncak, it’s like in Ubud, not so hot
See, (looking at Ketut) she knows where Bogor is. You need to go back to school and learn geography. Pause. 1 2 3. I’m really sorry Ketut, I think I’ve embarrassed you.

If he were to ask us-kismyas-guys..
Hey, do you know where Bogor is?
Yeah.
How long does it take to Bogor?
Around 3 days.
From Jakarta?
Uh-huh, you can go pass Bandung, or Jambi, Samarinda, or Surabaya. So many ways. You can take boat, car, train, airplane, anything.
(amazed)

Tempting to mess with a MCP bule’s head when his question isn’t real question, but attempt to challenge the intelligent.

visit from 1 desperate housewife

Deviray came to Bali!

She and the whole gank spent 3 nights here. Mixed of family business and vacation. She should write about it (don’t waste the topic of the wonderful time spent with me!!)

All these time she’s so desperate in coming to Bali, to shop, relax and visit tempat-tempat cinta (luuuuve places), desperate in getting away from work and daily routine and other desperation I don't think is ethical to write in here hehee.... It finally happened. My personal opinion, it should’ve been longer, gal!! At least a week! Perhaps next time? Especially we didn’t get the chance to chomp on bigul (babi guling – balinese pork grill. sluuurpp).

They were great. Healthy family, adorable son (a bit jutex though *grin*), so many to be grateful for. ;)

Blessings!

9949

El Prez is still bz with his 9949 hotline service. After the anti-drugs propaganda, there are at least 2 polls go around cell phones.

One is for anti-abortion regulation. Before launching new regulation on abortion there’s an invitation to public asking their opinion on pro-life or pro-choice. Comment and votes should be sent to 9499. I’m not sure if this issue is valid for our society. Are we really ready for such law? I thought the society’s moral background is strong enough and no need for such law (yet). Or am I being naïve?

Yes, I’ve heard stories of young women out of foolishness chose school/career/other selfish reasons to a child they bear in their wombs within or without wedlock. Somebody (parents) should straighten out their twisted minds. If they can’t be responsible for the consequences, DON’T do it. Guess free is the hip lifestyle. I’ve witnessed a lot in Jakarta, no less in Bali. Even too close, the couple living next door admitted freely (proudly?) that they’re not married. None of my business, of course, but …

Ok, in order not to go too far with my neighbor’s life, on to the next SMS issue. A poll for re-evaluating a regulation that was launched in 1969. Joint decree of Minister of Religious Affairs and Minister of Home Affairs regarding religious affairs, in this case worship building (read: church). I’ve never heard of ransacking of the Hindu and Buddha temples, I’ve heard mosque(s) destroyed in Maluku, but churches top the list. Hundreds of them (if not thousands) were destroyed and/closed down over the past years.

Sometimes laws are designed for good purpose, but sometimes it’s based on fear, either visible fear or non-visible fear. One downside of this particular law is a group of people (majority) who is against one religion can act upon this law (ie. taking laws in their own hands) and later on they would say, “Well, what we do is based on this law!” Forget about fairness! But, if we can look further, are we ready to see what consequences might appear if the law’s finally cancelled? Are we ready to witness buildings dedicated to peculiar new age religion in our neighborhood and expect the unexpected to happen? Hey, rumor has it that there’s already satanic sect in Manado, God knows what other cults already flourished in our spiritual country?

Back to SMS, I wonder (again) how effective this is. I wonder if somebody's making profit out of it (definitely the cellular provider). For the decree it said El Prez needs 3 million SMS votes from Sept 7-17. From what I know he’s off to US until 19, so who’s counting? Can the result be 100% valid? I haven’t seen any result on the abortion law (or have I missed the news?), will keep an ear on the decree too.

all's well; ends well

Am back in bali. All in one piece and painless (thank God!). The only downside would be delayed flight (what's nu?!). i bet you've experienced having the anxiety that something’s bad going to happen and all you could do is just wait until to hit you. Miraculously I say, it didn’t happen.

Car was also there, parked just the way I left it. Paid 60g rups for 3 nite ‘lodging’ (details for future reference below). Some non-working issues await (death of a colleague’s spouse, a gal friend’s break up) and of course my boss will be thrilled to see me back. Or not.

The rest? Home free :)


New Progressive Parking Fees at Bali's Airport

Effective September 1, 2005, The Longer You Park the More You Pay at Bali's Airport.

(9/5/2005) Perum Angkasa Pura I (PAP-1) - the company which manages Bali's airport, has introduced a progressive parking fee structure effective from September 1, 2005. The higher parking costs will, however, only be felt by people who leave their vehicles for more than one hour parked inside the terminal area.

New Fees at a Glance
• The first one hour of parking at the airport remains at the old tariff of Rp. 500 for motorcycles, Rp. 2,000 for cars, and Rp, 4,000 for trucks and busses.
• For Periods exceeding one hour but less than five hours, the rate doubles to become Rp. 1,000 for motorcycles, Rp. 4,000 for cars, and Rp. 8,000 for trucks and busses.
• For those parking for more than five hours but less than 12 hours the rate becomes Rp. 3,000 for motorcycles, Rp. 10,000 for cars, and Rp. 15,000 for trucks and busses.
• Those leaving their cars for more than 12 hours at the airport will pay Rp. 5,000 for motorcycles, Rp. 20,000 for cars, and Rp. 30,000 for trucks and busses.
• State-owned vehicles are allowed to park without charge at the airport but must purchase a vehicle sticker costing Rp. 25,000 that remains valid for one year.
• Airport workers and those making frequent trips to the airport can purchase subscription parking rates for Rp. 25,000 a month or Rp. 250,000 a year for motorcycles; Rp. 50,000 a month or Rp, 500,000 a year for cars; Rp. 100,000 a month or Rp. 1,000,000 a year for trucks and busses.

* The Rupiah conversion rate as of September 1, 2005, stood at approximately Rp. 10,500 to US$1.00.

ear-ritating

Quiet morning. Nobody's up at this wee hour to read my mindless drivel entry.. not that anyone ever read it.

Understandable if people sleep in on weekends. It’s my normal Bali wake up hour (eventhough I went to bed late last night), besides I’m home and wish to do as much things as possible to be with them, absorb all homey feelings.

Last day, don’t feel all excited flying back, but duty calls. Another big reason is doctor’s order. On my homeward flight my left hear stung again. And it hurt like hell!! Already noticed there was a problem when I went to Lovina last week, where we reached Bedugul (a village up in the mountain) it buzzed. I was geared up with magic pill called Sudafed, which I always take an hour prior to flying. But this time it didn’t work, it failed me. Actually I didn’t tune in with my physical condition where I actually had some flu. Sigh.

When it first happened the ear cleared up the next morning, this time it’s still not cleared after three days!! Went to ENT yesterday and my regular doctor told me not to fly, at least for 4 days. Drat!! Wish I could tell that to my boss. Not that he would give the slightest sympathy, but at least he should be aware of my ear defect.

Not giving up yet, look up for more info about it and find a rather modest ENT website explaining my problem in a simple non-medic jargons. “Your middle ear is a sealed chamber containing tiny bones that transmit sounds to the nerves in your inner ear. When the pressure outside your body changes (like when you drive up a high mountain, or like when the cabin pressure in an airplane changes), a valve in your Eustachian tubes opens, and the pressure is equalized. Many people recommend swallowing or blowing while holding your nose to clear your ears if you have trouble. That's because your sinuses are connected to your Eustachian tube. When your sinuses are blocked, or irritated, your Eustachian tubes can become blocked as well. This is why sinus medication can help you clear your ears. I promise this is true; it is not that I don't know my nose from my ear! Antihistamines (Chlophenarimine, Entex, Seldane) will help, and you should take these with you if you have to fly with a cold or allergies.”

Yeah, blowing helped a bit, for about 5 mins, then my ear is blocked again. It’s more serious than blocked, according to Doc there’s an infection or inflammation of sort. Well, think I’ll fly, hopefully God will help. To do on Monday: see an ENT to check it up.

g l 00 m y

things are just gloomy the past several days
some (not so good) stuff happened to you and you feel down
you know you can't make people accountable for your gloominess
so you just sit there, stare blankly hoping as time goes it'll go away
but then the people around you look gloom
more bad things happen, some are caused by bad decisions
long face, showing no emotion and just avoiding each other's eyes
gloominess is contagious!
doesn't feel like living in bali, gloomville more like it
while lots of people are heading this way for the long weekend
party party beach party wild
i'm dashing out
certainly need to be out
not in a running away sense
maybe i am running away?
even to be able to run away added a flash of gloom
but i'll be gone..
soon!
high hopes
no more gloom, if not some hints left
how to turn gloom to enthusiasm?
is there a push button in our head to change the mood in a split second?
let me know..