Oldboy

I never thought I'd be where I am today.

Nope, this isn't the opening line of some sort of autobiography titled Ranaditya Alief: The boy who endured the hardships of his youth, and against all odds became a national icon. Moreover, the term 'hardships of his youth' becomes over-the-top politically incorrect when applied to my wonder years. Bloody hell, the closest thing I've ever experienced to the expected famine that comes with poverty is Ramadhan!

Anyway, what I meant by not having the slightest idea on where I would be right now refers no less and no more to where I am now academically, and how I envisioned it back before I regularly wore shorts to campus. During those me minus 8 kilogram days, I had a mental picture of myself in full graduation attire at the end of my 7th semester, and my name as a cummlaude graduate on the big screen in Balairung.

Simply put, flash-forward June 2011, I'm a veteran.

I didn't submit my thesis in time to graduate at the end of my senior year, and thus, my undergrad days will outlive the normal student lifespan of eight semesters. To be blunt, my dear mom -who happens to work where I study- chose to comment on this added longevity by stating, "those who do not finish in time diminish the accreditation points of this campus". Bummer.

No need to scathe, fellow veterans. What my old lady said was just a failed attempt to fire me up; she doesn't regard it inferiorly, and for all I know, she ended up with my dad, who took eight years to don his toga, long even for 80s standards.

But for a period of time, I myself did.

It wasn't a taboo, but if I had to fill in a form about all of the undesirable things in university life that could possibly happen, I'd definitely pencil graduating late somewhere in the middle of the paper.

Yet funny enough, here I am now, facing a late graduation in the eye, while peering occasionally at my classmates, all of them saying "It's a wrap!" to sunny Depok. The melodrama inside of me points out my delayed graduation date as a form of karma for all of my snobbery in the past. I'd like to think that it was true, because these kinds of quirks are both funny and charming in a way.

However, I can only point to myself for not getting the job done. I am guilty of slacking and more criminally, dwelling, especially when faced with questions I can't answer, and dots I can't connect. Some people say I'm too ambitious, but that kind of irritates me, because I have the least intention of crafting any kind of magnum opus. I just want it to make sense.

Sadly for me, it hasn't. Although in all fairness, I admit that my attitude could benefit from a change, namely in dealing with all of the stumbling blocks.

Excuses aside, the weird thing these days is that I don't consider graduating late as an inferiority anymore. For all I know, this might be another rational justification of mine, just to deal with the fact that I am graduating late. Or perhaps, the blow has merely been taken out by the optimism that I'll get my thesis finished in the end, I'll get my fair share of job offers, and I'll do well with one or two business ventures (pretty amped about it right now). Either way, I do hope that all of this doesn't bog me down, although premature indications suggest otherwise.

So with all that, I guess I'm a veteran, albeit a happy one who doesn't want to stay one for too long.

Well, God bless me. And my 'hardships'.

Late Night Karaoke Song 008: Luv (Sic.) Part 2

by Nujabes (feat Shing02)

Once again, now where do I start, dear love
Dumb struck with the pure luck to find you here
Every morn' I awake from a cavernous night,
Sometimes still pondering the previous plight,
Seems life done changed long time no speak,
Nowadays I often forget the day of the week
Taking it by stride if you know what I mean,
No harm done, no offense taken by me
So let's rap, we'll catch up to par, what's the haps?
Perhaps we're even closer now after all things considered on this side of the planet,
Couldn't pick a better time even if we planned it!
To come clean and candid if I have to
Oh what I wouldn't trade for your laughter
Sweet and sour spice in my poetry pot melting,
Even better than the real thing!
It's like the God in me saw the Devil in you
I wanted to break myself in the worst way when I met you
Who would have thought, conversate by the river, celebrate birth,
Sit and delivered the lines that would prove to be the seeds of trust
Unsigned, yeah but destined to grow with sunshine
Self-assigned task piled on the desk of good works,
Knowing hardship appreciate the best of both worlds!


C'est la vie, as they say L.O.V.E evidently, see every song has a sequel
Never same, everything but the name, all fresh just like back then, how we do everyday
C'est la vie, as they say L.O.V.E eloquently, see dream has a part two
Never same, you got to keep it tight, all fresh just like back then, now hear me out...


Once together, now where do we go, dear divine
I pray that you keep watching over us,
From the heavens where light is the nucleus
To this space filled with darkness and negative matter
Anti-gravity pull is what I would rather feel when I leave this shell eventually
Ties to the mother earth ground me mentally,
Real vibes will keep me alive spiritually
Imagination brings bliss at no cost, when I blink blink I receive at no loss
Victory comes in small packages like a leaf of an olive tree brought back by a dove
From above, then I'm gonna rhyme love,
Well you saw that one coming ever since the beginning of the end
Well anyways, I am not a perfect being, yes I am a man full of sin
It's like the Devil in me saw the God in you,
You epitomize the etymology of enthusiasm!
Look it, up there lies the clouds that form the rain
That came from the ocean that flowed from the river
I'm a believer, firm with the first words, lyrical transceiver of our ancient roots
(Science + Arts) * Faith / # of our Ethnic Race!
Let me mention what I've been thinking
How to save the children, when the ship is sinking
So I'm singing, no lip syncing to slogans,
Political hooligans with tanks, missiles and guns!
Everything is relative when it's all in the family of man,
Understand the time has finally come to realize the great power of 1,
All formulas equalize under the Sun, Amen!


The rhymes will heal 'cause I believe in music,
In times of need I won't be leaving you sick
The beat plus the melody's the recipe,
Your vibe surely brings out the best in me!
The rhymes will heal 'cause I believe in music,
In times of need I won't be leaving you sick
The beat plus the melody's the recipe,
All good souls lost may they rest in peace!
(repeat)
Hiphop worldwide we got to live in peace, like that!

R: A combination of random myspace-ing and random youtube-ing brought me to this plethora of Japanese Hip-Hop, I suppose, in which DJ's utilizing some of the most feel good samples I've ever heard reign supreme. Thus, the likes of DJ Okawari, Uyama Hiroto, and of course, the late Nujabes (Jun Seba), have been playing in my ears every night for the past few weeks (accompanied by Seinen manga, of course!)

Luv (Sic.) Part 2 is my favorite in a trio of Luv (Sic.) songs (all of 'em are heaven to my ears) from Nujabes. Shing02's intonation is far from flawless, but the song is angelic due to it's beat. It just has this airy quality to it (sorry, I'm not a music-man), I think, that makes it all the more soothing than it all ready is.

In short: the perfect tune for a galau night.

Well, it still feels good in any kind of night :)

-R

Potato Couch

I'm not an intern undergoing internship.
I'm an internet-addict undergoing internetship.

Life is good. So good, I've chosen to post this on my blog instead of on twitter.

-R

Benchwarmer

Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary

(John Keating, Dead Poets Society)

The above line is one quote I find myself, not thinking of perhaps, but rather, vouching for, whenever I go to bed at night during the holidays.

Tommorrow will be another day, a new day.

The sun will shine, clouds will make way, for it will definitely be my day.

A day to set things right, to turn on the green light, to make things happen, to take things by the scruff of the neck.

Giddy-giddy, Ole! Let's go people, time to roll!

Alas, by the time the 10 AM, or 11 AM, or -nah, 12 would be obvious- 3 PM o'clock pokes my insipid eyes the following day, all foolish notions are quickly vanquished. Here we go again. Twitter-set. Facebook-set. Formspring-sometimes set. Youtube-set. Pamper me, fellas.

Most times it's peeking and poking. A lot of times it's a case lalalalala... tube karaoke.

But sometimes, I go around and around and around and I find something worthy of my going around (aside from softcore porn).

That something for me today is the works of Japanese film director, Kosai Sekine.

I was originally googling for ad agencies, as I am currently possibly in need of an internship experience. By unorthodoxically stating 'possibly', I'm saying here that I'm still perplexed and not sure on if I really want such an endeavour or not, and on the reasons for both sides of the issue. Call it a long holiday pre-senior year undergrad complex.

"BUT THAT IS ANOTHER STORY"

(Epilogue text, Conan The Barbarian and Conan The Destroyer)

Anyway, from google I went to tube, a spin-off from the original pursuit. Now, was the time to see some cool ads, I thought (and tell about them to the world to make myself seem like a bloody eccentric, eclectic, hip, cool, quasi-aksara, know-it-all dudey-dude).

Keyword: Saatchi & Saatchi. Not that I want to end up there, but I've heard of the London-based multinational agency as one of the best in business of nabbing awards, and thus, I expected to have my need for some "oohs and aahs" fulfilled. Turns out they had this channel for this cool event at Cannes International Advertising Festival, dubbed the New Director's Showcase (NDS). On it (or is it, in it?) were these really cool shorts from young, up and coming directors from around the world. Needless to say, although they weren't exactly, ads, they were totally cool, and made me go ooh and aah.

One of the up and coming directors was the above mentioned Japanese director. I heart his following work for Adidas.

Original, insightful, and kind of funny. The grin I had from watching it drove me to browse the related video's sections and on and on, to indulge my curiosity further on. And boy I saw some cool stuff.

And lastly, my favorite, the award-winning short, Right Place

I really like how his works connect with the human, especially in Right Place with the OCD theme. The technicalities and the art, are top notch, and as commented by Richard Grey, Creative Director Global Culture S&S Worldwide on Break-Up Service,

"Excellent storytelling. Great editing -not a frame wasted. Love the casting too."

That comment kind of sums up all of my newfound admiration towards Master Sekine, I guess.

And, my something for today. Gosh, how can I someday be at least involved in stuff like those, I have no idea.

One thing's for sure, though. Carpe diem, needs to happen first. Although, for now....

I'm happy watching from the stands. Life is good :P

-R

PS: For more info about Kosai Sekine, visit his tube channel and his homepage

Italian Dressing

Calma

is a chant I repeat over and over to myself whenever I'm frustrated, stressed, or a little bit short of breath. It's not that I speak Italian, or have any grudges against "Astagfirullah", but I just prefer saying 'Calma' out loud, despite the reckless pronounciation.

Calma.

Remember, everything's fine. You are happy, life is good.

Think about what you can do to others, instead of what others can do to you.

Okay, shoot, now I'm starting to sound all funkyfucius.

(pseudotrance mode -look how I used pseudo instead of pretend. Yeay)

Wow.

Good lord this blog is turning into the dreaded 'curhat' blog.

Okay, that is so not cool.

Okay, I am having second thoughts. Okay, I am having issues with this. Okay, this is so against the image I want to project through this blog. Okay, this is embarassing myself. Okay, well maybe I should...

Calma! Calma! Calma! Calma! Calma! Calma!

Does this shit really work?

God why does Berlusconi get to bang hot young women and jibe Finnish cuisine at the same time?

-R

PS: I knew the word from reading a volume of FANTASISTA, in which main protagonist Teppei Sakamoto shouts the word out loud to distract the opposing team's defender's concentration

I Saw You Doing Something With Your Hands

Let's talk about Grand Gestures.

Objects, love-gifts, charming giveaways , whatever you name it.

I'm a fan of them, I craft them, I enjoy making them, although I don't buy them.

Some people (the well-educated, I presume) questioned why I needed to make them.

Useless, over-the-top, theatrical, they said.

One fellow even went to the point of analogising them as masturbation.

Yes, jerking-off, playing with yourself, rocking the snake, all just because the act was assumed for self-gratification.

Now my friends, this woeful misinterpretation, I think, is because some folks think that the climax happens when I'm spraying stories around with that gleam in the eye to the canteen crowd, when I'm engaging in some kiss and tell (inherited from my old lady) with my comrades, the so-called Kom, where gossip spreads at the speed of light (of which I know, Kom peeps are secretly proud of this notion. Sorry to say, my highschool still one ups you by a country mile).

Well, that would be a very, very daft conclusion, a dishonorable mention to who I intended all of my 'Grand Gestures' for. That's why some have a degree in Sexology, like Boyke, while some play the Love Guru, like Mike Myers. They just can't spot the difference between actual orgasm and that spring in your step the following morning post-sex.

Pardon the analogy, by the way. I've never had intercourse, of course, but I couldn't find a more appropriate counter-analogy to the one about masturbation, which irks me constantly. But my point is, the pleasure... --Okay, I'll defect from the sexual thesaurus, so it won't erode my point--...

That warm, fuzzy feeling, I'd never experienced before I woke up on the other side of the bed some 30 days ago, sometimes occur when you truly know that the one you gave a Grand Gesture likes it, feels that it's special, and likes you even more for doing it.

The effort doesn't count up for anything.

Whether the effort has any meaning for that special someone, however,

counts up for everything.

-R

PS: Do you know where I left my sweetener?

33 Days Ago I Finally Woke Up On The Other Side Of The Bed

And I smiled.

-R:)

Movie Review: Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes Is One Captivating Crime Scene

Case: Sherlock Holmes (Guy Ritchie:2009)

Evidence no.1: Robert Downey Jr.

Call him Tony Stark, call him Chaplin, call him Kirk Lazarus, call him a chameleon. Mr Downey now owns the legendary Sherlock Holmes, bringing an eccentric edge akin to Depp's Jack Sparrow, with more hustle and bustle, and without sacrificing the amazing deductive skills of the detective at all. The perfect reimagination married with the perfect actor.

Evidence no.2: The Conspirators

Or the supporting cast, rather. Jude Law plays Watson as the odd match to Downey's Holmes; straight, reasonable, but at the same time, fetishly attracted to the notion of adventure. Mark Strong is pure menace as the villainous Lord Blackwood while Rachel McAdams is charming is Irene Adler, although arguably both are reduced into cliched stereotypes by the final act. And last, Eddie Marsan steals the scene as dimwit Scotland Yard Inspector Lestrade, like he does in most of his films.

Evidence no 3: The Mastermind and his Plan

Kinetic, frenetic, but definitely one of a kind, Guy Ritchie is the right man for the job. After a string of mediocre and even bad efforts, Mr. Ritchie hits all the right notes by mixing his wonderful wit, his penchant for the pulsating and the uniquely un-linear with producer Lionel Wigram's reinvention of Holmes as a man of action. The story borders on the supernatural, but along with all of the other 'slight alterations', as long as the bond-brothers of Baker Street retain some of the good of old -as they undoubtedly do-, who gives a damn?

Hypothesis:

Grimy, gritty, gripping, but above all, an immensely entertaining funride throughout Victorian London, Guy Ritchie's take on the world's most reknowned detective is the most captivating crime scene this Christmas.

8/10

-R: Live Long & Prosper

Late Night Karaoke Song 007: Tell Her

by Percy Faith

Percy Faith - Tell Her

Tell her each day you adore her
Show her your love won't grow cold
Tell her each day how much you love her
Every girl likes to be told

Show her her problems concern you
Time when she should be consoled
Tell her it's you that she can turn to
Every girl likes to be told

You don't have to give her riches
That's not what she's longing for
Just give her your affection
And she'll give you so much more

So show her that you're thinking of her
And you're hers to have and to hold
Tell her each day how much you love her
Every girl likes to be told

R: Just adore Percy Faith's 'easy listening' work. Chose to put these over my other favorite Percy Faith piece (A rendition of 'Moon River'), because of the lyrics. Sweet.

-R

Movie Review: Avatar Isn't Perfect, But It Blows Your Mind Away

Avatar is a visual smorgasbord. It fully lives up to it's hype as a game-changer, a revolution, a technical achievement, and every hyperbole adjective directed to James Cameron's lovechild for the past year or so. Never before has an effects-loaded event film look this beautiful, this dreamy, and this realistic.

But to acknowledge it's accomplishments without pointing out it's glaring setbacks would be mere advertising.

For all of the wonder appearing non-stop on Pandora, the story is old school instead of new school, which isn't a bad thing, until one recognizes the stereotypes, the predictable plot, the ad-copy dialogue and above all, a middle part (or second act, according to traditional Shakespeare), in which the film painfully invokes yawns.

To sum it all up, I was a bit smorgas-bored at some points throughout the whole 2 1/2 hours or so...

Until the final battle that is,

in which Cameron reclaims his throne as King of the World (and reclaims half a star in this mini-review) by unleashing all hell loose.

Michael Bay, please bring a notebook and a pen, because this is the way to do it.

At the end of our journey, a few light years away from Earth, I can only be taken aback by this level of artistry, one that seems nearly impossible to match for years to come.

Cameron might have stumbled in creating the ultimate sci-fi fantasy, but he succeeds with aplomb in invigorating your imagination,

and blowing your mind...

Away.

8/10

-R: Live Long & Prosper

TXTV

As I entered the Bluebird cab to go home from my sister's B'day dinner at Grand Indo, I noticed something peculiar.

Yay!

They've installed LCD screens on the back of the front chair!

(I get overjoyed by such meaningless things)

It might be prerequisite nowadays in taxis abroad, but being stuck in the archipelago for around 4 years now, I was amused by the cute little thing in front of my eyes. I asked a few questions to the cab driver about it. He said that it had been around for 1 month and that it can only be found in a select 20-something number of Bluebird units. They're still in the pilot stages, I presume.

Speaking of the contents of what was on the LCD, most of it were ads. I loathed Dewi Sandra appearing over and over in some kind of Vaseline ad, but I really liked the movie ads. There was the trailer for God's (Kevin Spacey) new movie 'Shrink' and some summaries of upcoming flicks like Gamer, Nine, and The Surrogates. Cool.
(In retrospect, I think this is the only excuse that propelled me to blog on the LCD hahaha)

It'll be interesting to see how long these 'taxi screens' will last. Is it an effective outlet for companies to advertise their products? Only time can tell, peeps.

-R

Present

Phew.

I'm in my third year in UI now.

I have a lot of assignments on my hands now. (And I can't f**k it up)

I have a fun part-time job now.

I have a monthly stream of income now. (If I don't f**k it up)

I'm both whining and bragging, for such superficial things now.

and self-depreciating, too.

Long time no see,

but nothing's changed, see?

-R

Tantalus

Rant, Rant, Rant.

is what I am feeling, thinking, saying, and doing.

Why must I,

Rant, Rant, Rant?

Obviously because of a gap between everything I need, expect, want, and hope

with everything I have now.

But if it is so, shouldn't I try, try, try, instead of rant, rant, rant?

Is it because the grapes retract every time I try to grasp it?
Is it because the water dries up every time I try to gulp it?

-R

An Age Old Question

In an hour from now, I will be sitting on a carpet in my Aunt Evy's house, somewhere in the eastern outskirts of Jakarta.

In random moments that occur while I sit and pretend to pay attention to whatever topic of conversation is brought up by the members of my extended family (Oldman's side),

I will be asked/told:

-In what class/semester are you now?

-What major are you taking?

-Wow, you're now as tall as/slightly taller than your father!

-You've already grown a mustache, ey? (seasonal)



Silently, I'll ask:

-Why do you guys always say the same things and ask the same questions?



-R

Artifact to Remember-3: Comm UI Cup Logos'

For those who have clicked the link I posted in the Comm UI Cup thread in facebook, please comment, criticize, bash, rave, praise, dump on, blow away, and most importantly, vote on the following pieces of crap:


Logo

1) "Master Card"


2) "The Figure"



3) "The Flame"


update: "The Flame 2.0"





Mock Posters









-R

Late Night Karaoke Song 006: O Vento

O Vento (The Wind)
by Los Hermanos (4)







Posso ouvir o vento passar
Assistir a onda bater
Mas o estrago que faz
A vida é curta pra ver
Eu pensei: que quando eu morrer
Vou acordar para o tempo

E para o tempo parar
Um século, um mês
Três vidas e mais
Um passo pra trás
Por que será?

Vou pensar
Como pode alguém sonhar
O que é impossível saber
Não te dizer o que eu penso
Já é pensar em dizer
Isso eu vi, o vento leva...

Não sei mais
Se tu quer, como sonhar?
Que o esforço pra lembrar
É vontade de esquecer
E isso porque diz mais
Se a gente já não sabe mais

Rir um do outro meu bem
Então o que resta é chorar
E talvez, se tem que durar
Vem, renasce do amor dentro de lágrimas
Um século, três
Se as vidas atrás

São parte de nós
E como será?
O vento vai dizer lento que virá
E se chover demais
A gente vai saber

Claro de um trovão
Se alguém depois sorrir em paz
Só de encontrar

(http://los-hermanoso-vento-lyrics-mp3.kohit.net/_/146166)

R: Call me dated or whatever, but this hit single from 'The Brothers' (as their known in Brazil) album '4', which coincidentally was also released 4 years ago, has been my feel-good anthem for the past fortnight or so.

-R

Three Year Olds Say The Darndest Things

Meet my little three year old cousin, Keanuandri Alliyy. Yes, we call him by the first five letters from his first name (apparently his old man loved Speed).

15 minutes ago, He said to me:

Keluar kamu dari rumah ini!

Keluar! Biar kamu jadi orang yang minta-minta di jalanan!

Rasain!

Nanti tidak Keanu kasih Uang!

HUAHAHAHAHAHA!



Ah, toddlers grow up so quickly these days... Wonder where he picked it up?

-R

Movids III: The newest trailer for INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS + Photos from Alice in CREEPLAND!

QT's back in town, and now he's in the mood to slaughter some Nazis.

Yeah, It's the Jews who do the killing in INGLORIOUS BASTERDS.



As a bonus in this edition of MOVIDS, I hereby present the ultra-creepy photos of The Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) & The Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) from visionary Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND (March 5, 2010)

(courtesy of USA Today)

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=56475
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-06-21-alice-in-wonderland_N.htm

-R

Spock Says

"I will not allow you to lecture me on the merits of emotion"



R: I've heard this bit of dialogue way back from the debut of the first full trailer of my current favorite summer movie of the year, which happens to be J.J. Abram's Star Trek. With a warp-paced, character-driven (although in parts contrived) plot that focuses on the early years of Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the to-be Enterprise crew, this new take on Gene Roddenberry's creation is fresher, more likable, and definitely more accessible to the wider audience than ever.

A Trek character that has always fascinated me is none other than the most famous pointy-eared fellow in TV & Cinema (yes, even above those regal elves from LOTR): science officer SPOCK.

Played by Zachary Quinto, whose favorite past time is literally slicing open human heads as Sylar in HEROES, this Spock not only emulates the Spock of old, but as a younger version of it, brings an emotional side within the character that has never been unleashed to this extreme before. The dynamic between his Spock and James T. Kirk (admirably played by Chris Pine) is well-fleshed and pans out as one of the strongest points throughout the film.

This brings me back to the line above. Spock (as acting captain) utters it while being provoked by Kirk (why? go watch the movie). It actually sounds a bit cheesy without the context that Vulcans are uber-logical beings, and yet it keeps growing on me.

In fact, after watching the flick for an unprecedented 5th time (no, not because the movie's THAT good), I can't help myself from saying it at least once whenever I'm walking, looking in the mirror, taking a dump, and even when I'm typing a post on this blog (like now).

Seems illogical, right?

Is it illogical to say something,

that simply sounds cool as fuck,

although it's only a stylized version of saying:

SHUT UP!

Or is it just Mr Quinto's delivery?

Every God needs a Metatron.
(which sounds goddamn confusing without the context*)

And I may have just found one

-R



*)context

Artifact to Remember-2: Visual Communication Final Assignment

Disclaimer: I am not an Art Student hahahaha...

Subject: Indonesia Kreatif 2009


Print Ad










































Logo