28 reasons to be thankful for still being alive today

1. My wife

2. Manchester United

3. My friends

4. My family

5. Upcoming summer movies

6. The Solomon Key - Dan Brown

7. Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling (due out July 16th)

8. Marvels 10th Anniversary Edition - Kurt Busiek & Alex Ross

9. Pringles Original Potato Crisps

10. Mamee Noodle Snack Chicken Flavored

11. I haven't been to Old Trafford

12. Superman Returns

13. I haven't finished watching the whole Voltus V VCD at home

14. Radiohead's Greatest Hits hasn't been released

15. I haven't done bungee jumping

16. Eating Kuo Tieh at Krekot

17. Watching movies in Puri 21

18. Driving in Jakarta streets on Saturday & Sunday morning

19. UNITED Magazine

20. Steven Spielberg & George Lucas have promised us "Indiana Jones 4", and I want to see them make good of their promise

21. New Zealand Natural Spotty Dog ice cream

22. Mie Naripan

23. Future possibility of having my own child

24. McDonald's Chocolate Ice Cream Cone

25. Pempek ayunan in Lampung

26. Single Disc head unit with MP3 & WMA capability in my car

27. Peaceful morning walk

28. Shopping at Borders

completion

The past week had been like a whirlwind. It came fast, and turned everything upside down afterwards. It was started by Episode III, United losing a heartwrenching FA Cup Final, and a 3-day trip back to Lampung.

I don't want to dwell on the Cup Final, it broke my heart just to think of it. But, I really enjoyed the night out. Being finally able to see some old faces again, and cheered the team out wholeheartedly.

So, it's better to pour my heart out on what I think of ROTS. I managed to secure two tickets on Thursday, eventhough it's on the first row from the screen (I started to get dizzy after an hour, but the movie itself is worth the pain) and everything was just so perfect. Lightsabers fighting, cool new ships, great enemies (Grievous, Palpatine/Sidious), Chewie!, Yoda!, you name it, they have it.

The best parts for me were when Anakin first donned his mask and breathed, Obi-Wan vs Anakin, Obi-Wan vs Grievous (Lucas seemed to have this habit of having cool enemy in the prequels, starting from Darth Maul), Yoda vs Sidious, Palpatine when trying to seduce Anakin to the Dark Side (his words were very slithery and slimy that you can feel it oozing out from the screen. Such a masterful performance from Ian McDiarmid), and finally when Obi-Wan wounded Anakin and shouted "YOU'RE THE CHOSEN ONE!!" with that pained expression. The same feeling that was resonating to every Star Wars geek in the whole universe. I must admit that I shed a couple of tears there. Geez, I shed many tears during the movie! I'm such a sucker for this kinda thing :P

That's it. No stones left unturned. Everything's answered. The saga is complete, and George Lucas leaves us alone with the scary thought of no more Star Wars in the coming Summers...

God help us.

keep the fight

I've been wanting to update this blog since last week but the page just wouldn't open properly. So, I just abandon the urge and wait till the right time. But the time wasn't well lately. I've been feeling depressed and down for the last 3 days after it's clear that Glazer has been successful in his bid to takeover Manchester United.

I'm so crushed because I failed to keep my promise of joining Shareholders United, long before Glazer makes his move. At least, if I've joined SU before this, I won't be this sad because I know that I've done my part in the fight. Actually, this whole thing began 14 years ago when Martin Edwards turned MUFC into a Plc. Therefore, such takeover like this is a disaster waiting to happen. Sadly, it happens now and at the time when the club is arguably having its worst season since the Premiership starts.

I wish there's still light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how small it is. We all just have to keep the Red Flag flying high.

perfect

Last weekend was one of a few weekends in a quite long time when I really enjoyed it. It means that I have time to rest, do things that I'd like, and be happy doing it. It was great. On Saturday, I got the chance to stroll for ice cream, buy some snacks, enjoy the lazy afternoon, and even go for the 10 PM session of xXx: The Next Level. I'm not sure why it becomes "The Next Level" in Jakarta, instead of "State of The Union". But I think the sequel is much better than the Diesel-powered one. Ice Cube is really the cut-the-bullshit kinda a guy, and the story itself is more logical. Such a good way to pull the curtain on a wonderful Saturday.

The story on Sunday is equally wonderful with the good result from The Valley as a finale. United crushed the Addicks 4-0 with goals from Scholes, Fletcher, Smudger, and Rooney. What really pleased me was how the lads played the game. I don't think I've seen such determined & aggressive play apart from our games against Arsenal and Liverpool. It's just too bad, that we can't play that way in EVERY game this season. Another thing that made me happy was that Smudger finally got the goal he deserved after being assigned to the bench in favour of Rooney or Ruud. It's just perfect and couldn't get any better than this.

held hostage in sahara

Those who expect to see another Indiana Jones while watching Sahara will be hugely disappointed after coming out of the theatre. From the opening credit, we're told that the good guys are "marine historian" who specialize in "marine salvage". The marine version of Indiana Jones, to be exact. The Holy Grail in the movie is apparently an Ironclad ship from Civil War bringing loads of gold coins that mysteriously vanished somewhere in Africa. But then, most of the movie talk about a disease outbreak in Mali, chemical waste, and corrupt warlord! So, where's the Ironclad?? It eventually was discovered, and easily predictable. What a waste, considering if the movie stays true to its course of finding Ironclad, it might become more interesting for the audience.

Bruce Willis is back as a hostage negotiator who failed in his last assignment and then moved to a small town to exorcise his demons. The story revolves around a trio of punks who held an accountant and his family hostage. The twist is, apparently, the accountant works for a powerful mafia, and they want Willis to solve the case and get something that they want. For insurance, the mafia also held Willis' wife & daughter hostage. So, our hero uses his wit and might to outsmart the punks & the mafia at the same time while keeping the cops off his ass. It's quite thrilling but there are so many loose ends here that are quite disturbing and won't let go even after you're back at home. But I think, they'll all be solved if you read the novel from which the movie was based on. My verdict, Hostage is much better than Sahara. At least, Bruce Willis doesn't need to try so hard to be funny. Poor Steve Zahn

habemus Papam!

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum;
habemus Papam:

Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum,
Dominum Josephum
Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Ratzinger
qui sibi nomen imposuit Benedictum XVI

the last 4 days

- Seagate 5.0 GB USB 2.0 pocket hard drive

- Microsoft, PO, Fulfillment Zodiac promo

- Microsoft, PO, Redemption

- Microsoft, Invoices, No. 135, No. 136

- FedEx Duri Kepa

- Ayam bakar Ganthari

- Oscar's autistic journey

- Siomay Atma Jaya

- Tahu goreng Atma Jaya

- Kinokuniya, The Straits Times Saturday edition

- Kinokuniya, pre-order Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

- 100 pages of Michael Crichton's State of Fear

- Ruud, Scholes, Ruud, Ronaldo at Flanagan's

- Semen Cibinong, Non-disclosure agreement

- Super Kitchen, "light, veggie-filled lunch"

- inlingua, class postponement

- Carlson Marketing Services

- Sovereign Asset Management

- Nasi gudeg krecek + telor

shipment tracking

*Beavis & Butt-head mode on*

FedEx shipment tracking application is cool ehehehhee...I get to see where my package is, and right now the last location of my package is Subic Bay Freeport in the Philippines. I can't wait to lay my hands on it!

Date/Time

Activity

Location

Apr 14, 2005

6:02 AM

Departed FedEx location

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT PH

12:23 AM

Departed FedEx location

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT PH

Apr 13, 2005

5:56 PM

In transit

PARANAQUE PH

5:55 PM

In transit

PARANAQUE PH

Apr 12, 2005

2:55 AM

Departed FedEx location

OAKLAND, CA

Apr 11, 2005

10:51 PM

Departed FedEx location

OAKLAND, CA

6:55 PM

Left origin

UNION CITY, CA

6:40 PM

Arrived at FedEx location

OAKLAND, CA

12:06 PM

Picked up

FREMONT, CA

Apparently, Oasis is having a new video "Lyla" coming out. I'm anxious to see what Liam & Noel still have under their sleeves. It's been a while since their last decent album, and their last decent album is (What's the Story?) Morning Glory.

see me. hate me

Life has been really slow today. There's not much to do in the office, and I just have to stay here for the 3.30 meeting. Most of my mind lately have been wandering towards what I am and where I stand now. To be honest, I feel that I've been a huge disappointment for my parents and also my wife so far. I've let them down in so many occasions and I think I've done nothing to pay them back. Something needs to change. I need to change coz I'm so sick of myself right now. To make it worse, things aren't really conducive for the time being and my mind has already looked like a dark labyrinth with no way out whatsoever. Step into it and you'll know what I mean. But then, nobody with a sound state of mind would want to do it.

So, what now? I haven't seen that silver lining that you promise me. All I see is myself looking back at me full of hatred with what he sees.

worst day

Last Saturday must have been one of the worst days in my entire life so far. The worst in the most possible way. Half of my precious Saturday was lost in doing unimportance stuff that I hated most and it's not even for me!!!. Enough is enough, I reached the limit of my patience, and no anger management could prevent me from blowing my top off. I told my wife that "mendingan gue dimusuhin daripada gue jadi gila sendiri! *supply your own F-word here*

To top it off, United was totally humiliated. Our opponent was more determined, they wanted it more than us, so I think we deserve the beatings. It's always hard for me to take whenever United lost, but this one it's even harder to take.

exercise

The more I look at my stomach, the more I'm convinced that I need to join that Celebrity Fitness. It's not about why it should be Celebrity Fitness, but it's more because they're offering free joining fee and other stuffs, and not to mention that it's quite near from my office. So, whenever I like it I'll just drive there and have a good sweat for 1 or 2 hours.

Time has really changed now. I used to disagree with this kind of thing, because for me if you want to lose weight, all you gotta do just doing any kind of sport and watch what you eat. In my case, with where I live now, there's no way I can play hoops or even jog. Therefore, joining Celebrity Fitness seems like the best option from the worst.

Fitness or lifestyle? Fuck 'em all, I just want my flat tummy back!!

it's a dog!

We have a dog. She's a Basset Hound and she looks like that dog in the picture. We bring her to our home since last Saturday and she had gotten used to her new environment.

Her name is Dogmatic, and if you're a big fan of Asterix & Obelix, you must know that Dogmatic is Obelix's dog. Another Basset Hound, which is Dogmatic's brother, stays in my brother-in-law's home for his kids and his name is Obelix. So, you see that there's no way a dog is named Dogmatic without Obelix.

The funny thing is I'm the only one who calls her "Matic" while the rest of the family calls her "Matrix". Matic is still about 3-month old and she can't even climb to her cage. She's so funny & cute, but she stinks. Fortunately, my wife has bought the grape dog powder, so Matic is not as smelly as before.

My father-in-law and my wife are quite happy now because at least they have another thing to occupy their minds, and I write like an elementary school kid.

adieu

Requiescat in pace, Pater

Let's light candles in our windows, and may they light up the road to God for him, the way he did for us...

screwing up

Ever since I work as someone else's employee, I have this mantra that I always try so hard to keep: "Don't screw up". I think during the last 5 years, I've managed not to screw up. But yesterday, I guess I might have screwed up. *heavy sigh*

I don't know. I just hope things will turn out fine later today.

easter rendezvous

I've been wanting to update this blog since Monday, but works have been so cruel to me. So, the only free time I have is only like 15 minutes today.

I guess last Easter weekend was the best one I've ever had. My wife's cousin came to Jakarta together with her boyfriend from San Francisco and we were asked to accompany them going around Jakarta. It was nice for the fact that I got to visit the places I wouldn't be visiting normally. In the end, we're the guide and also the tourist :P The cousin offered us her apartment whenever we managed to get the visa and went to the States, and they even told us that they're willing to write any sponsorship reference if necessary. I thought "what the heck", just apply for it and see what happens. But that would mean wasting 2 million rupiahs which we don't have at the moment. Fingers crossed.

Yesterday was the 2nd anniversary of my Granny's departure from this life. I'd planned to spend some time last night to pray for her. But The Bone Collector and tiredness made me forget that, so I guess it must be done tonight. I hope you're well taken care of up there, Pho. We all miss you.

PS: The time and date of this blog still follows the American one. So if you're reading it, please adjust your time accordingly.

black, lonely, & busy

This is the new England home kit for the next two years. It's not very much different from the last away kit. Umbro apparently really likes the idea of the St. George Cross on the shoulder, besides that they still put the World Cup winner star. This time, it's above the Three Lions badge. I don't think it's not good, I still like the previous home kit better even though its reversible concept is really troublesome. Umbro, please sack the guy behind reversible idea for your jersey!!! It's not suitable for those who happen to have, erm, "irregular" tummy, like me.

It's a very hectic day in the office for me. That's the consequences from yesterday meeting. We still couldn't satisfy this one guy's expectations. It's very hard to shoot the target, if the target is very abstract and ever changing. We're close to the point of giving up this project but we decided to give it one final shot. One shot, one kill. That's all it takes.

While revising the slides and Excels, I still have time to change the looks of this new blog. I'm quite dissapointed because we can't change the colors of the design. So, I'm forced to change the design into this current one. That's the best from the rest, me thinks.

Better stop now, I only have another 90 minutes to finish job and go home for the Church. Happy Easter, folks!

chapter 1

Geez, another blog! After meddling around in the Control Panel and such, I think this new blog is very enhanced. The editing of the design is easier for the beginners. But it doesn't mean that I'll abandon my LiveJournal, it's been very dear to me and I'll do my best to keep updating it. So for now, just gimme some time to handle my income source first.

Later..