An (Ever) Offline Account

I logged into my Yahoo Messenger, and saw his icon. Offline, just as usual. But from this point on, I know that it will never appear online again. Damn, should I just delete him from my friends list? But then, it would be as if I denied and erased all the history behind. And for me, past is something that formed us the way we are now.

I met him at the online forum, tracked back into five years ago. Video games forum, to be exact. He was selling DivX Anime back then, and I was drawn by the offer. He stayed in Yogya, the same city in which I reside. It might be easier and faster rather than my usual DivX vendor who resided in Jakarta. Thus, I decided to contact him, to be able to get all those precious films, which I cancelled later on, seeing on the price. Uh, probably it was me being too stingy though.

He was glad to find some forum users who came from the same city with him. Back then, in 2004, not many people from Yogya went into the forum. When Pink made a special thread for users from Yogya, we grew closer. Not that close, though, but since the thread was first populated only by him, Pink, Ast, and me, what did you expect? We filled the thread, bumping it over and over again. Our effort was worthed, many people started coming to the thread. We grew in number.

It came from Pink’s idea to make the first gathering. Too bad, only three people came then. Me, Pink, and him. Seeing him for the first time, we felt very shocked. He was more than six years older than us. Yet, when we played game in Fantasia, I felt this inferiority of being childish. He was so calm and looked mature. Yet, as a fellow Chinesemen (Okay, I’m being a racist bastard again!), he managed to see beneath my dark-arabic-like skin and face. He suspected me being a Chinese.

My first encounter with Yahoo Messenger led me to add him as my online friend. We chatted, and surprisingly, we found many interesting facts. We studied in the same junior high school, shared the same hatred and love towards several teachers there. And he actually knew my family! Yep, his father and uncle were actually my grandfather’s tennis and basketball mates. He used to live near my previous home. And, we share the same surname!
Furthermore, he even told me his plan to get married, the process of getting into the relationship, and the proposal. How the condition was reversed, in which the girl proposed him, upset of the slow pace. Hehehe! I also managed to find out that he used to have a kidney operation two years prior. It led him being unable to access the excessive workload. But he was in the recovery process.

Just few days ago, Ast posted in forum, asked us whether we knew the bad news from him. People started wondering, what kind of bad news was it. It turned out to be the worst news.

Just when Ast wanted to buy some papers from his store, he called him. Long tone, before suddenly a woman picked up the phone. She told him that Agus passed away that morning. Kidney failure. Very shocking.

So, I think I will just save your ID in my messenger list. At least, while I know that it will never appear online again, it will serve as a reminder of you. Agus Julianto, or better known as Agus08221 in VGI forum. So long my friend! Rest in Peace!

PS : But what should I do with your number in my phonebook???

Facebook oh Facebook!

A social networking site has become a hype since the introduction of Web 2.0. Well, not that hype though during the very first existence of it. Even I did not really pay any interest to the launching of Friendster Beta. I created my friendster account only to take a sneak peek to the global phenomenon (at that time).

During few months after the creation of my account, I didn't bother checking it at all, since I only got few friends with friendster account. But then, when they grew larger in number, I started to e caught in the flow. I started to enjoy looking for some friends of mine. Interestingly, I managed to meet some of my old friends there. Friends from elementary school, from junior high school, and some of old colleagues.

The ability to give testimonial to friends was very attractive. It became an arena to show off, a free place to encourage our narcissism. But the idea of testimonial grew older and started to be left behind. At that time, friendster started to change it into comment. But recently, the once-dynamic-site grew older and unattractive. I don't find enjoyment anymore. Nothing left to do there.

At this twilight moment, rise the dawn of facebook. As previous case, I joined facebook just because of the invitation from my friends. I created my account there, but I lost my interest to the social-networking site already. At that time, most people still used friendster, and only some migrated to the facebook.

As time went by, more and more people join facebook. I still hadn't found any good reason to be active in facebook, even with all the interesting application available there. I didn't play the game, I didn't bother sending gift or such. It was not until I found the interactive facebook mobile, in which I could access facebook via my beloved old cellphone. I found that it worked like plurk, it updated the news in a more detailed manner than friendster. (Beat me, I know I was such a n00b).

I started to be active in facebook, in terms of creating stronger bond to those in my friend list. I managed to find some people who were not in friendster before. I could even find my father's colleagues, some famous authors, some artists, and such. My mother's schoolmate did add me in facebook, thus making me the bridge for communicating with my mother. I found some lecturers of mine, and many pastors!

(This is the point of the writing!) To surprise me even more, I even found my father in the facebook. DAMN! I live with him, meet him everyday, and he didn't say any single word about joining facebook. And I found his profile!!! My dad, the techno dummy, the one who always blamed my gaming habit for corrupting the computer system, the one who couldn't differentiate between email and blog.......

Omidog! The facebook influence really is that wide!

Being A Teacher

Reading Pak Markus' notes in the Facebook, I suddenly remembered one of my precious experiences in teaching. This is one of the experiences that encouraged and strengthened my will to be a teacher.

His name is Fir. A troublemaker in school. He never had any friend for more than two months. The other teachers hated him that much, the other students alienated him. He skipped class often, mostly without giving prior notification. Nobody would like to be with him. Nerd, lazy, unsociable, your usual bullied kid. Yet, he was introverted.

Fir joined the English Debate Society, an extracurricular where I served as the trainer. The same fate happened here, since nobody voluntarily be in a team with him.

During his first debate tournament, he already caused problem, for both his team, the other team, and me as the trainer. He came late to the venue, since he knew not of the way, and he rode his bike to go to the venue. Twenty kilometers. He brought no cellphone, so there was no way to contact him. It caused his team to be disqualified. One of the adjudicators who happened to hold a grudge to me, blamed me in front of the public. Well, I didn't and never hold a grudge towards Fir though. I tried to console and calm him, when he faced the sinister looks from the adjudicators and some friends. He almost cried and felt very guilty for that. I didn't want to add his burden.

As time went by, his social life showed no improvement, leaving him teamless. However, I knew that I could help him. I approached him not as a teacher, not as a trainer, but as a senior, as a brother, and as a friend. He started telling me his problem, his family life, as well as his financial problem which made him feel inferior.

As a second year college student, I didn't really know what I should do. However, I believed that trusting him was something that I could at least do. I tried so hard to involve him in any activities. Though he was teamless, I tried to involve him in the practice by taught him how to adjudicate. Thus, he could still participate in the events. With his knowledge in computer and technology, I gave him the chance to manage our website, our forum, and our friendster account. I told the others to consult him in terms of brainstorming about computer and technology.

It worked. He didn't feel left behind anymore. He started trusting me, he started to listen to what I said, and he started to work himself out.

In time of national exam, I always have this habit of texting my students. Hoping the best for them. And to my surprise, in the moment of graduation announcement, he was the first one to text me. He told me that he graduated and had already received scholarship from one of the computer institutes in Yogyakarta. He said thanks to me, for trusting him, for not leaving him behind. Deep down in my heart, I felt this burst of satisfaction. It felt more than thousand orgasms to me. That was one of the things that put me into belief that being a teacher open a door to a miraculous work. We can create a change!

Spiderman meet Obama!!! It's for real!

Yeah, I downloaded Amazing Spiderman #583 already. Though it has no big arc, or special contribution towards the continuity, it is considered special though. How often do you see the president-elect of United States make it to the cover of the comics? Sure, in 1970's, Captain America was elected as a president, but being despised by US foreign policy, he decided to change his name into Nomad. But this time, Barrack Hussein Obama really make it to the cover!

Yes, Amazing Spiderman #583 was named as Special Inauguration Day Edition. As far as I know, Marvel didn't publish special inauguration day for other presidents. Dude, did that mean that Obama really is special?? Well, couldn't say anything though.

Well, the story was actually just a fragment. In the end of the comics, when Peter Parker was assigned to go to the inauguration day, he saw Obama's doppleganger. One of them is Chameleon. And in order to test both Obama, he asked them the nick name of Obama's nickname on his high school's varsity basketball team. The real Obama answered Barry O'Bomber, while the impostor said it was Barasket Oballma! Wuahahahahaha!!!

Another joke would come from Spidey's quote in dealing with the impostor. "Hey, I've got a little experience with imposters, be they clones, robots, or TOBEY MAGUIRE. I can help!" Tobey Maguire, dudes! ROTFL!!

Furthermore, Spidey pointed out that Biden saved grudge for him, since once Spidey mistaken him as Vulture! Bwahahahahahaha!!!! Omidog, Marvel!

I Still Miss Him after 8 years,,,,,,,,,,,,

I dreamt about him two nights ago. A person that occupied my hearts for long. The one who really cared about me, put me high, and supported me. His name is Agus Buntoro Junaedi, also known as Lie Beng Yun (sorry, don’t know how to trancript it into pinyin). And I used to call him Opa. Yep, he’s my grandfather from the mother side.

I got to say that I was his favourite grandson. Sure, I was his only grandson for 6 years. My little brother was born when I was 6 years old, but we moved away from his house. So, I could proudly say that his affection to me was greater than to my brother and cousins.

He passed away 8 years ago, in 2001. Diabetes Melitus, said the doctor. But the family still believe that the only reason he passed away was his heartbroken. He lost my grandmother 4 year prior. Gee, such a romantic love story (when will I have the same story?)

In my dream, he appeared to me as I remember him. Big, dark, tall, strong. His glorious era. “Doel, let’s go looking for sate kambing!” he asked me. Sate Kambing was something binding us, in fact. He liked to try food from various restaurants. Since he didn’t like to go alone, I was always the one he took. My father and uncle couldn’t eat much, so he wouldn’t be satisfied. Different with me, as my stomach is as bottomless as his, he liked to go with me. And his favourite food was Sate Kambing.

We took off, went to the restaurant, and coming back home again. To my surprise, we didn’t ride Viki (my red Yamaha V-ixion). We rode my old motorbike instead. The memorable Honda Supercup. Right in front of the graveyard near my house, we switched position. Reaching my house, I awoke.

Damn! I didn’t have any thought about him previously. Why did I dream of him suddenly? But then, I missed him deeply. So, Opa, wherever you are, please watch me from above.

PS : Have I made you proud, pa? I’m trying my best to be the best of me. But I’m not perfect. I still have some mistakes and flaws.

Review : Resident Evil Degeneration

Yep, I just purchased this movie three hours ago, and finished watching it half an hour ago. I was mesmerized and stunned. This is what Resident Evil movie should be. By releasing this, Capcom has redeemed their sin for the Resident Evil trilogy with Alice. I mean, who the hell is Alice?? She never appeared in any RE games. They tried to put Jill Valentine in the second movie, but she looked like a crappy cosplayer. The third movie featured Claire Redfield, and ended up creating an over-innocent Claire.

For more than years, I've craved for a 'real' RE movie. The real one, with the similar ambiance to the game. Shock and surprised here and there. Not some sort of action and explosion movie. Milla Jovovich was hot enough, but she brought RE to a completely new direction. Dammit, there were never any superhero in the Resident Evil saga.

When I heard the information of Resident Evil Degeneration months ago in the forum, I was jumping on my seat. A full CG movie of Resident Evil. And yeah, they could make spectacular things happened then. The glory of Final Fantasy Advent Children and its success in redeeming FF : Spirit Within aroused my optimism.

And today, while I'm browsing for new DVD movies in movie stack, I stumbled unto this heckuva title. Brought it back home, turned my parents' TV on (umm, they have this HD LCD TV, so I decided to go there instead of watching it in my home! :D), turned my DVD player on, put the DVD, and played it.

I watched the trailer first. Wow, who's that red haired cute girl? She's the main character in the movie. And I almost screamed happily. Claire Redfield! And who was that man? "I'm Leon Kennedy!" I felt like hopping around my house. They met again, 7 years after Resident Evil 2. After their solo action, Claire in RE: Code Veronica and Leon in RE 4.

I checked the plot. And yea, they recognized one another. It's in the continuity! They didn't make an alternate timeline, like when they screwed the trilogy. A reference to the events in the game. G-Virus, anybody??? Well yeah, they made Claire an NGO official, but in 7 years, it is possible. She still maintained her fighting capability.

Capcom did put a new character there, Angela Miller. Some of my friends are impressed with this character, but I think they put her there only for Leon. I kinda hope that they put Elza, the original character intended for RE 2, which was finally replaced by Claire. Her impressive and memorable scene was in the ending, when she wore 'that clothes' which showed her IMPRESSIVE cleavage! Kekekekeke!

However, IMO, Capcom played safe by not relating this arc into Umbrella corporation. I'm pretty sure they don't want to ruin the continuity in the game. And oh, I want Ada Wong in the movie too.... Make them meet! Jill Valentine (in the first costume, please! You're fighting, not going to the club!), Ada Wong, and Claire Redfield. Yummy!

The Destruction of the Ruin

Recently, I've been captivated with the headlines in KOMPAS. For several days now, it published a violation towards the remaining of Majapahit Kingdom. Some people tried to build Majapahit Information Centre (PIM), but in the process of construction, they blindly bulldoze everything. From the ancient well to the remaining construction of ancient housing.

Furthermore, the authority (local one) tried mutating the informant. They decided to move this person who spoiled the information about the destruction. WHA??? Brainless pricks! Thank God, the central government did give the order to stop the construction.

However, even though the order came, within a week after that, the construction process still run! Aaargh!! Didn't they know how precious are those ruins?

I couldn't help thinking, WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE PEOPLE THINKING? Majapahit is one of the greatest kingdoms in the world. No, not even kingdom. It is an Imperium. Its influence went broader than the recent area of Indonesia. Once, I even heard that the royal blood from Philipines and some other countries in the South East Asia still hold a view that they possesses bloodlines from Majapahit. A great kingdom indeed.

Chinese dynasty at that time also forge this strong bond with Majapahit. If this kingdom really was a small and insignificant one, how could the king married a Chinese princess? (FYI, Sindhunata did write about this one!)

I got the classified information from a team of archaeologists that dig the remnant of Majapahit. They predicted that the area of the capital covered more than one modern cities. Kediri, Trowulan, Jombang. So damn huge! It can place Indonesia in the same position with other countries. It could even beat the ruin of Acropolis, Angkor Wat, or Machu Pichu. And now, they want to make a fun park on it? GET REAL, you PRICKS!

A Tribute to Bu Sri Wahyuningsih

Yesterday (5/01) -- hey, I used this phrase everytime now -- I got a message from a friend from Senior High. My ex-home-class teacher passed away. WEW! Not in a good time though, since I was in the middle of a date. A first date with someone, cute one, and the one that finally made me fall. Gehehehehe!

At first, I couldn't attend the funeral, since it was scheduled at 4 PM. Dammit, I haven't finished my date! So, I just decided to pray for her from home. But then, I got an update that the funeral would be done in the next morning. So, I still got the chance going to her house.

She was a great teacher, though. She's very energetic and kind, especially as our home-class teacher. One interesting and memorable thing about her was her voice. When she taught at the IPA 2, students in IPS could even hear her voice. The way she explained things similar to the way she explained things to the children. But that's the way she is.

We used to call her Bu Suneo, though. She looks like Suneo's mother from Doraemon anime, with her curly hair and lips shape. Interestingly, many friends of mine forgot already her real name. They just know the nickname, Bu Suneo.

So, bu Ning, rest in peace. You are my teacher, and teachers lives an eternal life, since teachers transferred part of themselves to their students, which will also transfer that again to other people. Watch us from above, bu Ning!

Yon: Surprising Change!

Yesterday (3/01), I had a reunion with friends from elementary school. It seems funny, meeting them again after all this time. Well, that was not the first reunion though, since the first reunion was held two years ago. But in this opportunity, some people who couldn't make it to the first reunion managed to come. And yea, it is always fun to catch up some update from people.

One of the coming people was Yon, an ex-bully. And I was one of his victims. He bullied those smart asses (meaning I was one of the smart asses?? Hehehe! Kinda like that!) He did porn, he stole golden earrings, he fought seniors, and things. When we were in the junior high, I heard rumor that his arms were full with scratches. That could only signify his being an IDU (Injected Drug User). There was also a rumor that he had been convicted as a criminal.

A day before reunion, I got information that he'll come to the reunion. Damn, in an instant, the memory of being bullied by him came into my mind. I started imagining him coming as a big badass tattoed thug.

And, surprise came. He emerged as a reformed youngster. Completely a new person. All his words seemed so 'not him'. He told us that he changed his life, tried to lead a new life. He worked as a bartender in the Hyatt Surabaya, having reached a position as a captain. His regret and reforming commitment of not bullying others, not teaching drugs, and avoiding violence.

In the last session, however, I finally see that the basic trait cannot be changed. If he seek domination by violence in the elementary school, now he seeks domination over discussion and forum. He talked in a good and convincing way. But overall, his changes really surprised the rest of the class though.

Good luck brother, good luck in living the live, good luck in stepping all those narrow roads.