Happy Meal
Today I am poor: down to RP 36,000 (about US$4.00). It is luckily just one day before payday hehehe. I’m at my favorite Starbucks processing more photographs. No No No, I’m not spending the last of my few Rupiah. The staff here see me so often, they know me by name. I even remember some of their names too hahaha. They give me free hand-shaken iced teas, when it is not busy (and thus no one notices).
*~ So sweet of them! BIG THX especially to you, Amanda! ~*
*~ Or, should I say “Bruce Wanye” to my “Batman” given all my tech gadgets? ~*
I was thinking of what photo to post next. I decided to post a photograph I call “Happy Meal” (just recently photographed). You can see a collection of my work at photography website: Beyond Exposures.
“Happy Meal”
Jakarta, Indonesia
It is the middle of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, but the bright-eyed child is too young to participate. Perched on a makeshift table of discarded lumber, he enthusiastically enjoys a modest breakfast. He does not need a Happy Meal to be cheerful. He has all he needs, even if what he has is not perfect: his shoes are too big, his food is buzzing with disease carrying flies and his tiny kampung (neighborhood village) is a rickety complex of decaying wood, metal and dirt floors illegally built next to (just two meters away from) Jakarta’s circulatory system of train tracks.
I’ve been thinking about photography, my photographic work and my overall approach to capturing photographs. I feel shooting the people and scenes in Indonesia have altered my paradigm about photography and my photographic vocabulary.
In the past I would say “I’m going shooting.” or “I’m going out to get or capture photos.”
This type of vocabulary is quite aggressive, almost violent and borderline rude. More and more I am becoming aware I’m a visitor to these places and people. When one visits a home, he should be respectful.
I now “make photographs” not “get a shot.” This is not a war, this is a means to understand a people. Right? Does this make sense? I think photographers have to be more humble and grateful for the opportunities to photograph what they do.
Hmmm…
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today (an easy one!):
Fotografi: Photography
Memotret: Photograph
Foto: PhotoDo NOT ask me why “photograph” is so different from “photography” and “photo” hahaha!
Take care!
Exodus
No no no, I’m not leaving Indonesia just yet. I’m just leaving Starbucks to teach a new class of 11 year olds (fun fun fun). Since it seems most of my time today is with kids, I thought to post a kid photo: another edition for my project of people who found ways to be content with life despite living in truly sad poverty.
No Bahasa Indonesia Lesson today because my battery is down to 2% on my MacBook! Bye!
“Exodus”
Jakarta, Indonesia (just 10 minutes from my home)
Peddling from the depths of her kampung, the girl faithfully follows a
path. She may not know what waits around the next corner, but she
knows very well the sad poverty she is leaving behind. Curiosity, a
tricycle and determination are all she needs to escape. Even in such a
depressing environment hope and happiness are just a short ride away.
Water Water Everywhere…
“Water Water Everywhere, but not a drop to drink… ”
I think that is how the poem goes. It’s Ramadan, the fasting month. Every food place is almost empty! I love starbucks at this time. So many seats for me to choose from!
*~ Ahhhh ~*
But it must be so hard for the workers at places like Starbucks. Going all day without food is not nearly as hard as going without water (Muslims cannot eat OR DRINK until 6:00 PM). It must be frustrating to make all those ice cold, yummy mocha frappucinos, hand-shaken ice tea lemonades (which I am debating to get before I leave) and sinfully tasty cappuccinos! But my Muslim friends tell me they are used to it.
Yesterday I was able to go shooting in some kampung areas, to continue one of two photo reportage projects. It was a lot of fun, and pretty successful. Here’s one of the photos from yesterday.
“Organized Chaos”
Jakarta, Indonesia
Many small businesses within kampungs (neighborhood villages) are ran in wooden shacks converted into rudimentary kiosks. Every nook and cranny of precious space is utilized to the fullest. In many cases there is literally no room for chairs, so workers must squat while working.
My work schedule totally sucks this week! I am not sure what the managers were snorting when they created my schedule. They created one schedule, that I felt was quite nice. They published it, and had the courier deliver it to my house. Nice. THEN the next day G-man called me and said he as to alter it, as it has too few hours.
*~ What?! Why did he give me a sched to just take it back??? ~*
He created the schedule! He did not see his own handiwork? GRRRRRR
*~ Keeping my Leo-side on a tight chain ~*
BUT I Have been reading “The Secret.” To stay in tuned with the Universe, I will just be grateful for this !@#$ schedule.
*~ I know: I still have some work to do on being ‘grateful’ ~*
To the Universe: OK, I am happy, fit and healthy. I am grateful I am able to handle such a schedule. I am glad I have work that allows me to be in the place I wish to be to pursue that which I wish to pursue.
*~ Happy now, Universe? ~*
Ok. Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today:
Depan: Front (the front side of something)
Lagi: Again or More
Depan Lagi: Front Again (or the next “front” of whatever is being talked about).
Example: You are in a taxi. You are at one building, and want the next building. You would tell the driver “depan lagi” and he will go to the front of the next building….
*~ makes sense? ~*
Take care!
Conducting Business
Jakarta is said to be the #3 Metropolis on Earth. I can say I am always amazed by this place, as I exepcted a 3rd world appearance to the place. Certainly lots of Indonesia is 3rd world, but Jakarta strikes me as being a hybrid of Singapore and New York! Jakarta is certainly more “modern” than a lot of areas in my home state of Virginia (even more modern than my home city of Norfolk!). I know many of my photos show lots of poverty. But not every single thing I see is doom and gloom. Sometimes people encountered daily are interesting as they are so strange to me (in their actions). A good example is the bus attendants!
The Kenek or kondektur (Indonesian for conductor) is the unconventional, cash clinching, guardian angel who herds passengers on and off buses, collects fares, protects passengers against “aggressive” pick-pockets and screams out to the public where the buses are going. They always ride the bus, standing halfway out side of the vehicle. But be warned: getting on and off buses can be a quite hazardous task, as they rarely come to a complete stop since the drivers and conductors get paid based on the total number of passengers carried daily.
For me, I’m also “conducting business” in the form of having a more focused view of what I am doing, what I should be doing, what I am not doing, what is being done to me, and what I should do next.
*~ Hmmm, is that confusing? Hahaha ~*
Anyway, take care. I’m alive and OK for now. This weekend I will go to Kota to shoot some old ship yard areas, as well as back to kampung areas to continue work on one of two projects.
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today:
Kondektur: Conductor
Gigi: Teeth (smile)
Cheers!
Making My Bed
I’m in the process of moving to a new bedroom in the teachers’ house. The house normally holds three teachers. One left. His room has a private bathroom and queen size bed!
*~ Whoo Hooooooo ~*
The only sad part to this is I have bed sheets (including a cool, Spider-man set I received for my birthday) that are for a twin bed (the size of my bed in my old room). So I need new sheets, and I cant use my cute doggie sheets, my spider-man sheets (still in wrapped in plastic) or my way-cool sheets with the big-ass world globe on them!
*~ To my sheets: you will be missed…but oh well! Bigger bed now! *grin* ~*
Much to my dislike, a new third teacher will be arriving tomorrow to take my old room. I say I dislike it not because I hate people (although I HIGHLY prefer being alone). I say I dislike it because I have to clean my old room! Anyone whose seen my room will testify that my room is always a huge mess. Let me put it this way. I’ve spent a good 2 or 2.5 hours for the last two days moving my junk. and I STILL AM NOT DONE! I figure I need another hour to finish all the rest. Which I will do tonight.
What I hate the most is I am lazy. And that teacher comes tomorrow. I have no choice but to finish. Sigh…more work.
I’ve been reading “The Secret” I’ve successfully used it, albeit for small things. The book says nothing is too big for “the law of attraction” but I find my room is. I have wished, begged, and even tried to bribe the universe but my room is still dirty and a mess
*~ My room is clean, my room is clean, my room is… Heyyyyy !@$!@#$ ~*
My room’s still dirty Kyaaaaaaaa!
Anyway, today’s photo post is about beds:
Gajah Mada Plaza
Jakarta, Indonesia
In Jakarta the less fortunate homeless can be found sleeping anywhere possible: under the doors of businesses closed for the day, in the dark crevaces under toll road bridges and even in flower beds next to stairs frequented by mall goers. The more fortunate and privileged nonchalantly stroll past, ignoring the homeless as if they are part of the architecture.
Ok, I must go home soon to finish the work. I am confident I can finish in one hour! I am confident I can finish in one hour! I am confident I can finish in one hour!
*~ Are you listening, Universe? ~*
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for the Day:
Tempat: Place
Tidur: SleepTempat Tidur: Bed
Take care, and sleep well!
*Cough, Cough* Ahhhh *Cough*
I’m once again at EX at the 2nd floor Starbucks, overlooking the 1st floor, with its way-cool big screen TV. Today it’s showing ads instead of Anime or videos.
Once again there is a local band playing 80s and 90s American rock. It’s so horrible! I personally think the drummer is cool, but the bass player has these big, Irish sideburns! He looks like an Asian Elvis, if Elvis was Asian and maybe 22 years old, and did not have all the sparkly clothing.
The lead singer is sooooo into himself! The band began to play. He then walks out as if all the world was waiting for him. He open his mouth and sounds like an American Idol (sorry, “Indonesian Idol”) reject! Who does he think he is? Robert Smith? OMG He’s striking poses with the microphone stand! He looks like Quasimodo with a microphone pointing up at a 45-degree angle! He’s more like William Hung (below)!
But that singer must have brought friends. Every song begins and ends with a select group of people clapping and whistling.
I’m waiting for my movie, Rogue Assassin, to start. I’m still poor, but today is Monday and it is discounted prices. So I got one ticket, and brought a drink from Quickly for just RP 10,000 (which I will sneak into the theatre).
William Hung is now starting another song, by the Goo Goo Dolls. I used to like that song! At least it is from the 2000s…
Ok Ok. I will say one thing about him. At least he not reading the lyrics from a sheet of paper (most bands’ lead singers do!). The down side is he misses some words.
I really miss my friends back home, especially Jackie. I’ve known her since I was 13! Before I moved to Indonesia, I think every day was spent with her since 13. She’s like my family. There is a lot of glowing things I can say about her, but she knows she’s missed.
I also miss my friend Janet. She and I have many things in common. She and I keep each other on point for our “goals” in life. Janet: that 5 yr plan is still on track, yes? I am hoping so 
Of cos there are others I miss. If I do not mention you, PLS do not take it the wrong way. Ok, movie starts in 12 minutes.
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today:
Penyanyi: Singer
Sumbang: Tone-deaf
Penyanyi sumbang: Tone-deaf singer
Take care!
A Room With A View
I’m at the Starbucks at EX (one of my fav places) listening to some VERY bad singers. I am with my good good good friend from Singapore. She and I just selected a photo to post on my photography site! The title of this post fits the photo too. Time for our movie. See you!
Room With A View
No matter how big your home is, it is always packed full (of love) when you are with loved ones. This family may live in a very poor area of Jakarta, yet their vivid smiles show they are appreciative of what they have.
Today, an unusual stranger provides the family with a unique opportunity for entertainment. They are more than open to anyone in their kampung. Their compassion brightly shines through the dark surroundings of abandoned buildings and mounds of garbage below them.
Wingless Cherubs
More and more I am finding the desolate and poor in Jakarta are actually very “rich” in the most fundamental and important ways. These people work VERY hard labor, but due to extremely low pay, they are forced to live in extremely humble places.
So, to show happiness is not about material possessions, I am doing a project capturing the smiles and laughter in the middle of rampant poverty.
*~ I am also thinking: “How to survive my little f_ckers tomorrow???” ~*
Anyway, here is today’s photo (Japanese haiku poem is by me, of cos…another hobby of mine). *~ Smile ~*
A Wingless Cherub,
Bright smiles outshine poverty,
Sweet deliverance.
I should mention, you can see larger sized version of these photos at:
www.pbase.com/thewizardrod/i_witness_indonesia
I am happy to say I have holiday time soon, Thank God! I need it! I’m also happy because my friend from Singapore will visit me!
*~ Sponge Bob Squarepants singing: Happy Happy Joy Joy! ~*
Take care! Oh….one more thing…………
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today
Macet: Traffic Jam (more and more of these lately since toll road fees increased!)
The Great Escape!
My lastest photo (“At Work, At Play”) describes my current status. These last few weeks have been quite busy. I’ve new corporate classes and a new highflyers (little kids) class. While many teachers had very light schedules, and even holiday time, I was busting my butt!
The corporate class is going well. The highflyers class, made up of six 8yr old girls and four 8yr old boys is nuts. I was shocked to see this class on my “corporate/business classes-only” schedule! GRRR.
I talked to Shirley, the kids’ previous teacher. I saw there were more girls than boys, and I was happy. Girls tend to be more orderly and quiet. Shirley nearly choked on her coke: “They’re evil, Rodney! The girls are FAR worse than the boys! They constantly fight and climb the chairs and kick!” *~kyaaa~*
OK, when I first walked into class, the kids immediately stopped screaming, staring at me in awe, for maybe 10 seconds before starting to fight again.
A-girl, who is the most brave kid I’ve ever seen, proceeded to kick Samuel Adams square in the balls!
Samuel Adams fell to the ground like a small sack of potatoes cupping and holding his balls like Golem held that ring in “Lord of the Rings”
*~ Oh, my preciousssss, She kickssess youuu Oh, my precioussssss ~*
I, being the adult, said “no kicking in the balls unless ‘Simon Says!’” They all laugh.
Ok, by end of the 1 hour, 20 minute class, my tie clip was ripped off, and stepped on, my USB flash drive was pick-pockeded, the girls were playing “sit on the boys” and the boys were saying “Misterrrrrrrrr”
I needed a drink, bad! I got an A&W rootbeer! (and it was not even cold! Kyaaaa!)
I let the class leave 10min early. I just could not take much more. I promised the little f_ckers stickers if they spared my life.
*~ Lets get this straight: They’re my f_ckers. If you call them f_ckers, I’ll smack you up! ~*
The second class with them was better. I used flash cards for foods found in grocery stores. I also found a fun game/video online (our school has internet access and 19in screens mounted in all rooms).
*~ I should tell you: A-Girl knows the teachers’ secret login password to the network ~*
Rodney: (thinking to himself) what’s that damn password, before they eat me!
A-Girl: “Let me! I know it!”A-Girl squeezes in front of me, using her butt to get more room.
*~ WTF is she doing!? ~*
*~ CAPS lock: type type type type. CAPS lock off: type type type type type type type ~*
*~ OMG….she DID KNOW IT *shudders* ~*
I had them doing my “lion” and “tummy” dance. I even taught them to “dumb dance” (dancing as nutty as you can, but you must keep a serious face while acting a fool).
After dumb dancing we actually did some English learning, then more fun. A-girl, who seems to really like head-butting me like a goat, and likes to give me hugs at the end of class, said “i want a ride!” So I gave all the kids a Superman ride. (basically, they climb on my back. and i hold their arms and run around…they flop around like Superman’s cape hahahaha).
That was my week. I’ll give you the nicknames of all the little f_ckers next time.
Today the teachers, and entire office staff, was to go to Puncak for the weekend. I am/was going but not wanted to. But my friend said “I cancelled my trip” so I said “i will too! ” and I am now freeeeeeee. I just do not like coworker gatherings… Ahh, freedom.
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today:
Anak Bandel: Brat (a.k.a. little f_cker)
Take Care!