It’s Coming! + Mail Call :)
It’s Coming!
I knowwwww, I did not post within two days of the last post. I am STILL writing the blog post (yes, this is not the one I wanted to post). The forthcoming post is so deep that I am forced to review and rethink some things (in positive ways). Trust me, it will be worth the wait. 
For now, I will tell you what is happening, share some incredible news, and answer some emails (which I still get hundreds of each week: maybe I should create a forum).
I have been exploring some avenues for my current photographic project. I’ve made some amazing breakthroughs! I may be published in not one, but 4 publications, I may be interviewed by a well-known talk show host (I wont say any names, until it is confirmed). I may be able to get some of the impoverished children I’ve encountered some lasting support, and there may be a book!
Actually I have a horrible reporter to thank for all of this, as his actions made me feel I must give a more accurate accounting of some things. My friend, Yensi, told me to check the JakartaGlobe’s features section, as a reporter published a very short article about the very subject and location of my current project. But, he did not get formal permission to be there, and he only spent a few hours there one time. His information was so inaccurate I almost screamed (from laughing and from disgust). This was just another example of what my Ministry of Health acquaintance mentioned before: how foreigners ignore the government rules, and exploit the people for their own gain. Very sad. I took the time to get permission to do this, and to share my data, findings, and images with the government, and this reporter guy comes along and exploits the people! He only made it harder for sincere researchers to do work, as the government has yet another negative experience to cause them mental trauma. 
After I “googled” the reporter’s name, I found he published the same inaccurate article in other newspapers, with the same, singular misleading photo! *~kyaaa~*
All of this let me to take more action and move my timetable “up” a few months. Instead of waiting longer, I decided to proceed with bringing thing project into public view: thus the publications, the talk show appearance, the possible book, etc etc. And yes, gallery showings. I will tell you more next week
Mail Call:
Justin wrote: “Do you have gallery showings? If yes, where?”
I’ve only had one gallery showing since being in Indonesia, but you can count on another coming in the very near future. Actually, I’m planning for 3 showings, one month each, back to back in 3 different locations in Jakarta. I am still working out the details.
Kim wrote: “Your website does not allow purchases of the images. How can I buy one?”
Actually, some images are not for sale, such as the sex worker images. But when you select a photo on my website, it gives you the option to contact me. So far I’ve given away images, rather than sold them, when I see they will be used for the powers of good.
Kim (another Kim) wrote: “How are you and the stalker?”
Hahaha, funny you ask. I tried to work with the stalker on my current project, only to find out she was still telling people a bunch of bull. I made it clear I wanted co-worker relationship only (and others were witness to this) but it did not matter. Every time she and I work, it seems to be a 2.5 month time limit before she converts into craziness; at first, all is well, but as time progresses in that 2.5 months, she converts into a … not nice person. I won’t work with her again, ever.
It’s sad actually. When we “work” together, we are an *extremely* good team: we blend and mesh very well as we have the same goal: to help the people we are encountering. We know what the other is doing at the time we are doing our part; we even worked together to get the poor kids school supplies for their make-shift school. Working together has never been an issue, when we stay on-topic. It is the private-life items that ruins things every time, like where she tells people, in Indonesian language, we are married, then say they are lying when I learn what was said, or how she say my friends hack her email and cell phone to send me those hate emails/sms messages (ex: how all Muslims are going to hell, and they trying to take me with them, and she will kill them before she allows it, and God hates them all, and God told her it is her responsibility to keep me from their evil. God also told her I had a light blue sofa in my house, and a Hispanic babysitter (I’m not shi!tting you!): insane!).
At our last insane blow-up, 3 friends, the car’s driver, and I had to use a system to jump into the car, and lock all the doors, as she was insisting she wanted to go with us on the project (after I declined her because she cannot separate work and personal topics). I won’t go into more details of how we did it (it’s funny actually), but it ended in her breaking the car’s back-window and door with a brick! The driver got out and almost smacked her! People told him “don’t hit her, she’s just a woman.” (omg)
I had the choice of either giving the driver her address and phone number, so his co can sue her for $, or pay for the damages myself. She is a gov worker: committing a violent crime would certainly get her fired, and she would not be able to go to the USA for her PhD (UCLA, watch out!). I paid the damages (she does not even know they wanted her info, or that I paid the damages) so she would not be fired. I also paid the damages, so her chances of going to the far side of the planet Earth, far away from me, would not be ruined. I’m happy to say she is staying away (no calls or messages), and I certainly am too. Life is happy again.
Ivan wrote: “When shooting, how many images do you keep out of the bunch”
Hmmm, I have to say this will be in a future blog, but to give an base answer: maybe 1 out of 500. The future blog will explain why I am so “picky” about what images I keep.
ENOUGH. Take care, I have to work! And, I have to prepare for next week’s presentation :)
Mail Call…
This post will be very fast. I just wanted to answer more emails that I received:
Lisa Wrote: “Hi, Rodney. Do you still do humanitarian photography? “
Yes, I do! But with this new job, which is quite demanding, I onlyh can go on weekends, after planning it. I am starting a new project in the very near future!
Justin Wrote: “What do you think of the politics there?”
Hmm, That is a sensitive topic for Indonesia! I can say they believe in diversity for political parties. While America has two main parties, and a bunch of smaller ones which rarely are even herad of, Indonesia has like 30+ parties, and all the candidates really get heard from by the people. I think more mainstream parties in the USA would be a blessing.
Janice Wrote: “I heard Jakarta has many malls. Which do you like the least?”
Wow, that is an interesting spin. First, yes, there are tons of malls in this city. Back in Norfolk, VA, there were only 2 malls that I can remember (MacAuthor Mall, and Military Circle). Here, I can’t count them all, and each one here is hugeeeeeee in size. (MacAutorh was just barely 3 floors, with the 3rd having a food court and movie theatre hahaha, and Military Circle is 1 floor only!” If people from Norfolk came here, they’d be shocked. Taman Anggrek Mall, alone, would scare them due to its size and 8 floors, with a full-sized ice skating rink (plus dozens of other stores still) on the 3rd level! Second, of all the malls, I HATE Plaza Semangi! My friends all seem to like it. I hate it. It is like floor after floor of circles. Each floor is just a circle. I hate the place. I hate going there. I do not have a favorite mall yet.
Keiko Wrote: “You have been there over a year now. Do you feel comfortable there as non-typical American Bule?”
Hi, Most people here do not see me as American. To them, Americans are whites. When they see black guys, they tend to think Nigerian (even though my friends say blacks from Nigeria and black from the West look very diff, I do not see how though). Also, Bule is only used with whites. Indonesians will say it is for all foreigners, but from what I’ve seen, it is only used with Whites. The very word means “pale” (its origins are from the old days of the dutch, when Indonesians would jokingly call the Dutch “bule” cos they were pale skinned).
My experience here is that people in Indonesia tend to be more open to “dark” people than most other Asian countries. EX: In Bangkok, they will bend over backwards to smile and “thank you! thank you!” to whites, but for me, they ignore me until they hear my voice, then suddenly “oh, you are American! ” and I get “thank you!” (but not 2 thank yous hahahaha). I think Indonesia is similar: they treat me diff once they know where I am from, but even beforehand, they are not as rude as most other Asian countries. Maybe because Indonesians have “dark” skinned Indonesians here (in the East), they are more used to seeing dark people. I find that if you are poliet, and treat people in a fair way, you will be ok here.
Christi Wrote: “What food have you not tried yet, that you hear a lot about? Why have you not tried it yet?”
Gado-gado! I hear about Gado-gado so much and often, yet not tried it, because of the horrid description of it (horrid to me). It seems to be a mix of everything else, even chips! I also have not tried Durian yet, which is a real shame. I want to try both of these!
Ok, enough email for now. Please take care!
Ice Cream With a Toxic Waste Chaser…
Today started like a typical Rodney Saturday during a holiday. I woke up late, after a night of watching pirated DVDs, took a shower and went to Starbucks.
*~ And thank “you” for the free Fappuccino and Oatmeal Raisin Cookie! ~*
Strange… in America, I never really liked oatmeal raisin cookies, opting for choc chip instead. But here, I LOVE the oatmeal raisin cookies at ‘Bucks! Anyway…
After a few hours of web surfing and research. Yup, I’m “working” on the research for photo projects even on a holiday Saturday. *~ cryyy ~* I met up with The-Twin-Who-Is-No-Longer-Evil and went to Pondok Indah Mall for some special shopping. While there we decided to take in a movie: National Treasure. It turned out to be very fun! I love the action, and I liked that guy, Riley, the tech geek, who used a wonderful hybrid mixture of pocket pc + Apple MacBook, wireless headset and iPod, all networked with Bluetooth (except for the iPod) to do his tech wizardry!
*~ Ahhh, reminds me of the days when Ed and I used to do similar tech pranks ~*
I also LOVED teasing the Twin as all the latest movies (e.g., National Treasure and I Am Legend) showed the heroes using Apple desktop computers and Apple MacBooks! The Twin has been mulling over the idea of getting a MacBook for months. I have one, her sister, Princess, has one, half the people in the cafes had them, and now she’s beginning to feel left out. *~ hahaha ~*
One of the things that surprised me was the price of tickets, only 25,000 Rupiah! PIM is a very high-class mall in a very exclusive area of Jakarta, yet their tickets are lower price than most of the rest of the city (and half the price of Studio XXI at EX Plaza, my favorite place). If PIM was not an 1hr drive away, it could become the favorite movie theater of mine.
After shopping for the special items, and getting the Twin’s evil cat some premium cat-food at a grocery store, we went for dinner, then McD for some soda and ice cream.
*~ No wonder that evil cat is still alive, she keeps feeding it quality food, Kyaaa! ~*
I inhaled the ice cream and reached behind my seat for the mini trashcan she keeps in the back of the car. I opened it, reached in to push papers down, and EWE! My fingers go into some yucky liquid that’s been stewing and fermenting in her hot car for days! It was like some toxic soup of bacteria and viruses! *~ YUCK! ~*
I screamed like a banshee at her! She laughing so hard that I wanted to get revenge, so I tried to wipe that mix of toxic chemicals off my hand by using her shirt or hair, but she scream at me! Then she squirt my hand with hand sanitizer!
*~ OMG! Now I have a sick mix of man-made chemicals on my chubby fingers. *~ Cryyy! ~*
Photography is coming along as planned. I am finding the research I am doing is leading to more and more questions as I dig deeper and deeper. I received news the Ministry of Health would like to see some of the Kalimantan photos for possible use in their documents and maybe a book. Seems like a cool opportunity, so I accept. I’m sending my contact copies by email. The Ministry can pick and choose the ones they wish to use.
About 2 months ago I encountered a “wet market” full of activity. It was so packed and busy and SMELLY. When I think back on how the chicken was being processed, with literally dozens of flies buzzing about the raw meat sitting on a wood log in the sun, I am shocked I’m so addicted to Ayam Bakar (grilled/bbq chicken).
At that time, I only wanted to escape that place, as the smells of raw fish, chicken and veggies (and lets not forget that toxic water flowing down the middle in a dug-out trench covered with wood boards so people could walk). But, today I think that place was pretty interesting. I am thinking of returning during the week to check it out, with camera in hand. After the Twin’s toxic soup encounter, chicken sampled by flies is not too hard to stomach!
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today:
Soup: Sop
Canister: Teromol (I think)
For: Untuk
Toxic: Mengandung Racun
Chemicals: Bahan KimiaTeromol untuk Sop Bahan Kimia Mengandung Racun = Twin’s car trashcan!
I’m tired. I’m going to watch more episodes of Heroes (on pirated DVD of cos–I love pirated stuff!) until I drift off into ZZZ
Take Care!
PS: X-tine, get well soon! *~ Smile ~*
Smack Down! …
I’m about to smack the evil twin! We are moving at a snail’s pace in “macet” (heavy traffic jam) during a heavy rain…
*~ Oh great… Lightning ~*
So, I begin to blog! We start to drive, and she is hitting EVERY pot-hole she can find!
Rodney: “Hey, you missed one. Can you try harder to hit EVERY SINGLE HOLE??? GRRR!”
Twin: “SORRY! hahahahahahahahaaaaaa!”
Rodney: !@#$
This has happened over and over and OVER! I told her I’m going to put NickNick (her evil cat) in a specially-designed-by-Yendor torture chamber if she not stop!
Ok, we are moving more normally now. We’re heading to SinCity (a.k.a. Senayan City–a mall) to eat yummy munchies and see a movie (which one is still under debate). Today is the last day of classes until…..sdfasdf[asdf
*~ She just ran over more holes while I’m typing! Kyaaa! ~*
Ok, let me try again… Today is the last day of classes until Early January 2008! I am sooo happy! I need the break. I’m seriously burnt out! These last couple of weeks has been nuts, crazy, insane, but also productive!
There are a number of teachers on holiday already, extending the already long holiday. So, some teachers may need to cover other classes. I just want to get out after my kid class! So, I tell her asfasdfaewev *~ more bumps! ~*
GRRR Ok, retry this way:
Rodney: “Meet me at 6! Don’t be late! They looking for teachers!”
Twin: “Ok Ok, I’m leaving now (5 PM)!”
Rodney: *~ thinking: she’s always late…sigh, I’ll get asked to cover another class!6:00 PM
Twin: *~ SMS: “I’m sooo close, but macet!” ~*
Rodney: sms-reply “Hurry! They already asked “Is Rod avail to cover blahblahblah!”
Twin: “ok! Ok! stand outside”
Rodney: “It’s raining!!!!!!!!!!”
I go stand outside up the side stairs, in the rain and lightning, to hide from the office staff who are now looking out the door asking people “Have you seen Rodney?” Kyaaa!
*~ SCREAMMMM we almost get hit by some stupid driver! ~*
How can she see out of the windows of this car? Her windshield wipers are like 3yrs old. That’s 21 in dog years! (I won’t mention the blue warning light that always is on when she starts the car… )
Anyway, We are almost there now. I’m just looking forward to a fun two weeks resting, shooting, shooting, shooting, movies, and shooting and resting.
Just remembered: I’ve been missing beef ribs soooo badly. Sure, there is Hard Rock Cafe and Chilis here, but their beef ribs are beyond expensive, even by american prices, and they are not that good! But, I’ve come across a place, Ayam Bakar, that has intensely, orgasmic beef ribs. OMG!
*~ I sucked on the sauce-covered bone as if the antidote was in it! ~*
And cheap! Only 15,000 rupiah for a huge portion. I’ve had this for the last couple days for my lunch. I’m drunk off the ribs. So tender, they fell off the bone. I wish I still had Cassie, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, because she loves the bones. But this time I sucked the bone until my teeth marks made long vertical lines up and down the thing hahaha!
I will tell more about it later. My Twin (no longer called “evil”… I’m being ‘nice,’ damn it) is complaining “write something nice about meeeee”. OMG, does she not realize she is driving!?!? And she constantly turning her head to me to see what I’m typing. *~ Kyaaa! ~*
Anyway, back to more important things: RIBS! They are dirt cheap, as I mentioned. They are like restaurant food at street vendor cheap in price. I will write more about the food I’m encountering as I avoid more and more western places to eat, adding more Indonesian items to my diet.
*~ A street vendor is dancing w/peanuts in one hand & money clinched in the other ~*
Ok, more about food another time.
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today:
Kaki: Leg
Lima: Five
Harga: PriceKaki Lima: Street Vendor
I’m told Kaki Lima means Street Vendor because they move around so much and fast, as if they have five legs Hahaha.
Take care! There’s A LOT more to tell, but we are almost at SinCity (I’m starving: for food and movies)! I will post tomorrow.
*~ OMG! 2hrs in macet. She wants the A/C off cos she’s cold. CRYYYY ~*
*~ Rodney ~*
The Shell Game…
Today was another day of JiFFest, or was it?
The Evil Twin, her sister, Princess, and I met today at Blitz MegaPlex (a new mall, which I hate) for a free international movie. But instead of a fun day of movies, we ended up playing The Shell Game!
We met at Starbucks (of course) and proceeded to the theater. We got in line, got our tickets and and sat in comfortable chairs at a nice big table. Surfed the internet on Merlin (my MacBook) and watched some movie trailers. Soon I grab some popcorn and drinks…
*~ Bare with me, All this info makes sense soon hahaha ~*
I got an sms from X-tine saying she saw I Am Legend, and that Will Smith was great. Hmmm I have to see that!
Soon it’s time to queue to rush in for seats (free JiFFest movies do not have pre-assigned seats. It’s like being back in USA hahaha).
Suddenly the evil twin says “This is not the right queue!” and we had to go to the other door behind a LONG line! I had just walked past that new door when coming from the men’s room, and it was only a queue of 1 at that time. Now it was a double line of dozens of “me-first” thinking people! *~ Kyaaa! ~*
But, what choice is there? We get in the long-ass line, and stand there and stand there and stand there. 25 minutes later she says “These tickets are for the wrong movie! Let me check… “ *~ WHAT??? GRRR! ~*
She checks with the theater people. She discovers…
*~ We’re at the wrong theater! Kyaaaa! ~*
We waited in this long line, left our yummy, soft seats, standing with constantly-growing-stale popcorn, warning drinks FOR NOTHING!
We were at the wrong theater?!!!!!? What is that about?? Princess and I try to strangle the evil twin! DIE, as you deserve to!
*~ Evil: I’m sorryyyyyyyyy! ~*
So, do we stay in queue for what turns out to be an Indian documentary, with Indonesian subtitles. Worse is the fact that it will only last 15 minutes ! Should we stay or go?
*~ YES, we stood in line for longer than the documentary would’ve lasted! ~*
*~ You did the math properly! TEN Points to Gryffindor! ~*
Then the evil twin tries to take her sister’s hotdog while we debated staying or leaving, kyaaa!
Evil: “Let’s go to food court…”
Rodney: “What?! I’ve all this popcorn and Tea! I want a movie!”
Princess: chomping on her hotdog
R: “Does she always make a mess like this of plans?”
P: “Always!”
E: *~ Tries to take princess’ hotdog ~*
P: “Heyyyyy!”
R: *~ Smacks evil’s grasping claws away ~*
E: “Errummmmm!”
R: “Stop that! God, you always taking her food! I surprised she’s not dead from starvation or dis-formed from malnutrition!”
E: *~ Whining ~* “It smells good! I want to try ittttttt!”
P: “She always taking my food! She is just like her lazy cat!”
R: “I believe it! Lazy to move, unless food is involved!”
P: “Hahaha, ya!”
E: “Grrr! Come on, lets go!”
R: “I want a movie! Let’s see Legend! YOU PAY! YOU OWE US!”
E: “GRRR!”
So, the princess and I DEMANDED our free movie! We decided to take X-tine’s advice and watch I Am Legend.
*~ Evil: I not bring much cash. Can I borrow? ~*
I want to scream! But she promised to go to ATM right after movie to give the money back… Hmmm… OK!.
We watch the movie. It turned out to be a good movie, except for the gas-filled man sitting next to Princess, who kept staring at her legs and BURP-ing ever few minutes between talking to his friends.
*~ Luckily I’m not next to him: I’ve ugly legs! ~*
*~ Waiting Waiting Waiting… I’m hungry! ~*
DRIP DRIP DRIP! There’s water dripping on my head! GRRR!
I move to another table, princess joins me, and the evil twin joins us….
DRIP! WHAT!? AGAIN???? More water?! It’s like Chinese Water Torture!
So, we had a shell game with movies, a shell game with theaters, and a shell game with tables. All is well and fine
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for the Day:
Drip: Tetesan
Shell: Kulit
Game: Permainan
Take Care!
PS: I forgot to mention I’ve turned on an option where all comments must be approved by me before they appear on the blog.
Well, on “your” web browser it will seem it’s posted, so you know the submit was successful, but in fact it’s waiting for me to approve it.
I did this because several people, who I not even know, were sending rude comments. While I do allow negative comments, it does not mean I “have” to, especially when it’s rude comments about people I know, or friends or former friends (Yes, I defend even the former friends).
I’m writing a software update which adds functionality where you will only need one ‘approval’ from me and then all future comments from you will be auto-approved (pls be patient!). -
- Rodney
A Watched Pot Never Boils…
December 19 is the last day of classes before the two-week Christmas break. God, I can’t wait! Waiting for the holiday is like watching a pot and waiting for the water to boil! This week has been a pain in many ways. One of the biggest pains is the fact JiFFest 2007 (Jakarta International Film Festival 2007) is currently happening, but I cannot attend because I’m working! *~ Cry! ~* If you are interested in such events, click the photo!
Movies Movies Movies! It began this past Monday and ends December 16. I’ve missed most of the movies!
*~ Kyaaaa! Movies are my drug of choice! ~*
BUT it is ok. My Evil Twin and I will take in movie after movie starting Friday morning, through Friday afternoon (then I must rush to teach a class at Bank Indonesia from 4-6PM) then more fun after. The weekend should be literally saturated with Movies! I think my friend Jackie would love them too. Too bad she can’t join.
A student, who found out I love movies, also gave me a brochure for JiFFest. *~ Thx! ~*
It will be a great time! Back home in VA, I never could get to the film festivals. The Evil Twin, being true to her evil-cat-loving nature, always teased me last year with the huge buffet of yummy movies I was missing. “Ya, Naruto, and then there was the horror movie XYZ… ” I used to scream “That’s just not playing fair!” She’d laugh her evil cat-laugh, Grrr. But this year I can enjoy them! One of the great things about JiFFest is most of the movies are dirt cheap or FREE!
*~ Multiple Movie-Gasms! Yes, men CAN have multiple ones! ~*
My friend, X-tine, is feeling down because her bf is far away and it’s her birthday soon, so I invited her to join The Evil Us’s. She’s joined us the last couple of weekends to see Hitman and The Heartbreak Kid (omg, X-tine and The Evil Twin were laughing at me so much during The Heartbreak Kid). It will be great of X-tine can join this weekend.
I got word from my personal ninja, Jing, that she and The Bookends (a.k.a., her older twin sisters) may come to Jakarta sometime before the next Ice Age. The twins sisters are called the bookends because they always stand on either side of her, like a pair of matching bookends with Jing sandwiched in the middle hahahaha.
So, I need this weekend of free and almost-free movies, a iced mocha frappuccino (hopefully free if Amanda’s working) and time with some friends to escape reality, if only for a weekend. I can make it to Dec 19 and the long holiday! I Can, Damn it!
Speaking of the holiday. I was hoping to babysit my friend’s dog, but it fell through. The !@#$ house owner does not like dogs or cats indoors grrrr. I plan to stay in Jakarta. I am researching some usual families or individuals that I hope I can follow as they go about their daily life so I may create more photo essays for my “Micro-history” project.
Take care. I’m going to bed!
Splat! Pow! Bam!
No, this is not the beginning of the old TV show, Batman, with Adam West!
I’m home sick with a “major bacterial infection” from eating pre-cut watermelon *~ cryyy ~*
I went to the good doctors of International SOS. I was told I have bacteria that comes from raw fish, raw beef AND raw chicken! WTF is that about!!!??? It seems some markets will cut everything on the same tables, with the same knives and handled by the same hands! What is the world coming to when a man can’t try to lose weight by eating yummy watermelon?
I now have 4 medications to stuff down my throat in 5 days time. I’m off from work for at least 3 days, but I can’t ‘enjoy’ the time due to constantly squirting out of both ends.
*~ Ok, that’s a visual you did not need. ~*
I have to say there is some good news and bad news:
Good News: I’ve finished all of the portfolios needed by the December 1 Deadline!
Bad News: They have told me “We’ve recently made a modification to our print process. Please resize the images to this new size, with this new dpi…” *~ Kyaaa, but fine! ~*
Good News (addendum): They extended the deadline to December 15 due to the regulation change.
I spent the weekend in Puncet (or is it Puncat?) at a rehabilitation center. NO I was not a patient! I was there to begin a photo project covering the inmates, their progress and the system being used there. After just 1 day of the 2 days there I realize I’ve not a problem in the world! These people have REAL issues; some based on substance abuse, some based in mental trauma and some based on physical trauma. Here are some examples (their names are intentionally changed):
Jane: a 19 year old Indonesian girl who comes from a very rich family. She was studying in Japan. Unfortunately, her father had a gambling addiction. When he could not pay his debts, he “sold” his wife and daughter for rape to settle the debts. She not only was raped, but betrayed by the one many in her life who should be there to protect her. She now screams when anyone tries to touch her, even in a casual way
Eko: was an expert martial artist and the trainer of the Jakarta police force. He has physical brain damage due to a freak accident during a training demonstration, showing how to defend against a person with a baseball bat. He was hit in the head. He was not ready for the bat when the person swung. *~ eek ~*
Ellen: A 31 year old who was always somewhat naughty even during high school. When I say naughty, I mean staying with the wrong crowd of people. To avoid more issues her family sent her to Melbourne to study during her last year of high school, where she stayed for University. Upon arriving back to Jakarta, she fell into the same issues of out late, sex, partying, etc. Her parents then sent her to the USA to live. She lived there for a year when her mother tragically passed away. She returned to Jakarta. Her father remarried almost immediately, which sent her into a mental spiral. More sex, drugs and partying until she got pregnant. She now hears voices (of Prince William! not kidding). She’s fluent in English and Mandarin (with little accent for either).
Sara: a 40 year old who just cannot deal with the stress of life. she constantly walks up and down the floor, on the same roll of tiles, counting them. She does this for hours and hours. She sometimes is taken to the hospital due to foot and leg issues from all this walking.
The list goes on and on. The facility is quite wonderful with a very attentive staff. I will make at least two more visits there to try to capture their stories and struggle to cope with their distinct issues.
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today:
Sakit: Sick!
Ok, take care and be good!
The Evil Us’es
Recently I’ve been so sleepy! It seems I am always tired, even when I sleep the entire night. I wonder if I have some sort of bug-disease. I mean, there is some fly in Africa that gives you the “sleeping disease” when it bites you. Does Indonesia have similar?
I’ve been extremely busy. I feel like I’m fighting many wars at the same time:
- I’m working very very hard to complete the photographic portfolios before the December 1 deadline. But I’m finding most of the photos from Kalimantan are best “in color” than in black and white. This is not a terrible thing, but means I may have to submit just 2 portfolios instead of the planned three. There is another photo subject I must photograph this weekend; maybe that will prove to be a 3rd portfolio…who knows
- MANY issues with friends lately. Sometimes I think more and more “alone is a gift from God.” and sometimes I think “Uh???” It just seems things are complicated for no good reason. Maybe I make them complicated (this is not a question being asked for reply!)?
- Just reacently a close friend and I had a huge fight, which has all but ended the friendship entirely. We’ll never be the same again. It’s a long story (but this time I was innocent! ok ok ok…stop it…) *~ To that friend: Very sorry, and I wish you the very best… ~*
- Other stuff I won’t go into here. Messy messy messy!
But, there are some good things! My twin and I took in a few movies this weekend! We saw Beowulf and Stardust. Both were quite good. We also met a few times for lunch, which always cheer me up. It’s safe and easy to say she’s my best friend here.
Some people email to know about my friends or see pics of my friends here. Hmmm, sorry but that would not be too cool. But here is one pic I can share. I’m the good twin. She’s the evil twin wearing evil glasses.
We call ourselves The Evil Us’es (stolen from “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Adventure” movie).
We’re totally cool w/each other, usually (we can really really fight sometimes). The only issue with my friend is she loves cats. She has cat-everything. She is even trying to warp the mind of her baby niece with cat-clothing. She even hissed at me before! Truly she is a sick, twisted individual.
Twin Language:
Cats: “K’at” Demonic creatures that serve no purpose except to be the butt of jokes and torture subjects for Yendor’s amusement.
Yendor: “YEN Dor” Evil Rodney (also Rodney spelled backwards).
I don’t really “hate” cats. I love them (love to torture them hahaha).
Ok Ok. something fun for you: The Evil Us’es like to watch animals dance for our personal amusement when we’re “Bete” (refer to previous Bahasa Indonesia Language lessons for the definition!).
Check this link. Before you ask which animal I am; I’m the lion, of course hahaha:
(a repeat, cos if you’re like me, you’re too lazy to look up “bete”)
Bete: bored, tired of…, not-quite-sad, etc…
Ok take care!
Busy as a Bee!
I know I’ve been away from this blog for a while. Simply put: I’M HELL-A-BUSY!
More and more opportunities are falling into place for my aspiring photographic career. The last two weeks have been spent on holiday! The Indonesian government (and thus businesses) gave us a week off for Idul Fitri. For a week I was in Yogyakarta and in Semin. Of course many photos were taken, but one subproject came out of it: a reportage about a 70 year old lady named Mak Muga. She reminds me (and hopefully will remind you) that life is what we perceive it to be, regardless how difficult it is sometimes.
“Waiting for God”
Part of an eight photo series titled Waiting of God. The reportage is focused on the past and present life of 70 year old Mak Muga.
Mak Muga (“Mak” is Javanese for “old lady”) is a sweet, jovial, always-smiling, 70 years old woman. She lives alone in Sambisari, Kalasan, Yogyakarta where she carves out a meager living buying raw melinjo, pounding it into emping, then frying it to make emping chips to sell to travelers a few times a week. The tiny, feather weight, barely 5 feet tall lady with willow-like arms somehow finds the needed strength to perform this strenuous labor in inferno-like heat and humidity.
Mak Muga used to be married with one son. Her unmarried son was an aspiring artist who used colored pigments made from fruit, but died tragically and unexpectedly. Her husband passed away next. Mak Muga then took care of her parents until their eventual passing away.
Despite having to endure many heartbreaking tragedies she maintains a positive attitude. Through a proud, snaggle-toothed smile of dark brown stained teeth she laughs and says “I’m thankful for the life I have, even though I am alone. Now I’m just waiting for God.”
This reportage will be one of 3 photographic projects I want to complete by December 1. The second project focuses on sincere happiness and contentment despite poverty (you’ve seen photos from that series already). The third project will be based on Kalimantan (Sorry, I can’t go into deep details about this yet: it’s a secret! Shhhh!).
What’s next for me? I will go to Kalimantan for 8 days! It should be an amazing trip. I will try to stay alive! I will keep you informed.
*~ Special Note! ~*
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today:
Masuk Angin: (literally wind enter) easy sickness, like get the sniffles or cough for no reason.
Take care!
Paradoxes and Parasites
Hello,
Yes, I’m still alive. Over the last few weeks I’ve survived fungus spores and parasites! I need to tell this country’s street vendors they need to try harder if they want to kill me!
*~ Dear Street Vendors: I’m bullet proof. Next time bring Kryptonite! — Superman ~*
I spent a good part of the last few weeks (and $) going to SOS clinic (a VERY good place ran by Western medical standards). I’m pretty much normal now.
I’m writing this blog from in the un-air conditioned lobby of a new hotel (just opened today!) in Yogyakarta, central Java.
The holiday is Lebaran (Idul Fitri). I am traveling in Yogakarta and Semin to explore the kampungs here, and to add to my current photographic projects. So far I’m off to a very slow start, but I think I will gain back some lost ground (sorry for all the American slang) starting Saturday morning. We lost a full day because of HUGE traffic jams. The driver has driven in past years during Idul Fitri, so he was aware of the traffic conditions, but this year (according to him) is the worst it has ever been. It took us 6 (YES SIX) hours to travel the distance normally requiring only one hour. We were to arrive in Yogyakarta at about 10AM Thursday (we left 10PM Wednesday night) to end a 12 hour journey. Instead, we arrive at about 1:45AM FRIDAYYYY.
So Friday is a lost day. We also had to change hotels to find better one with lower rate. I will go to Semin tomorrow, after an early morning of making photos in Yogyakarta kampungs. I do more photo creating in Semin on Sunday morning. Monday is pegged for Borobudur. Tuesday purely for making photos. We drive back to Jakarta Wednesday morning.
*~ Update: I won’t shoot Saturday. I injured my foot during the 27 (YES 27!) hour car ride. Pain Pain Pain. It hurts to bend the toes. I will use Sat to plan more for Semin. So, for 7 days, only shooting 2 cryyyyy. ~*
I’ve been to East Java (Malang and Lawang) and Jakarta is in the West. Now that I am in Central Java, I can say I have had a ‘taste’ of what Javanese people are like. There are some big differences, in my opinion, between the 3 regions’ peoples. I won’t go into it here, but I will tell some of you in private. *~ smile ~*
Anyway, I now need your help and advice:
I have two photos of two adorable little girls, I’m not sure which I like best. Please tell me what you like in each. The first is so innocent, and represent a vision of how I see kampungs: harsh environments with sweet, sometimes innocent people. The 2nd photo represents how innocence can cloud one’s judgment, leaving one vulnerable and at the mercy of others (as can be seen from that ominous hand reaching out of nowhere in picture #2).
*~ Anyway, which do you like more, and why ~*
The Kampung Paradox
Jakarta, Indonesia
Quite often kampungs (neighborhood villiages) are a paradox: Hard, unyielding rock walls,
old cracked brick and layered grounds of broken slate, razor sharp glass and sharp pebbles
Vs.
The soft, tender, innocent smiles of curious children
The Buddy System
Jakarta, Indonesia
Little children raised in the West are taught to always swim with a buddy because unseen, life threatening dangers can exist in even the most familiar places. If one buddy is in danger the other could provide help. The buddy system does not always work; sometimes both buddies will lose their lives.
The two innocent girls—the smaller one bravely leading her bigger, more apprehensive buddy—may know every corner of their kampung, but do not recognize the very real danger of following a stranger into a dark, isolated corner of jagged, sound-proofing rock and stone. Evil could strike like a hidden snake to grab one or both of them. The only frail evidence would be their unheard screams which would quickly disappear without a trace against uncaring stone.
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson For Today:
Macet: Traffic Jam!!!!
Ok, Take care and be good