Weekend at Karo Higland

Weekend is too good to be spoiled to think about work place at all time or annoying issues you face in your daily life. Thus we decided this weekend to go to Brastagi and simply just chillin' out(yeah, yeah.. while Abach is also having his meetings there). We almost forgot how nice the weather is up there among the flowers, fogs, mountains, and the organic farms at the foot of Sibayak.... and how much of valuable time we miss everyday with the girls.

Padang, I need that Old District to be Restored!

Another annoying view for my sights seeing the potential in Padang city. I finally traced the historic area in Padang, at least the small bit of it. Definitely untouched and just left neglected. That afternoon I had a chance to walk along the road and area of Batang Arau river, sad to see the old shop houses were simply filled by cement, cement, and cement! If only we can see and ralize more of these rich potentials. It's all right there! The hills, the kampung, the river, fishermen boats, old shop houses! A potential that a country like Singapore, even Malaysia (gosh, imagine other advance countires) would just dig and develop.

And here I am.. sitting on a stone by the sidewalk, calming myslef from getting angry to whom I dont know to blame. Government? yes. Communities? yes. Architects? yes. But again, what to do?

Well, by posting all the pictures, hopefully one will actually do something, I hope.

Padang, a place behind isolated by Barisan Hills. If those policy makers can only see...

... and ACT!

Concert in Palembang!

Ozomatli and Slank in Palembang!

Yep, who would actually knew that I will take part in organizing our mega concert in Palembang. Collaborating a Californian Band and The number one rock band from Indonesia, Slank! The night I saw 50.000+ audience gathered in Benteng Kuto Besak, where we held that free concert, made all my preliminary frustration just evaporated! :) Now I know whatit takes to organize big events.... (and sshhh......how much money one can make when become an EO!)

"Cinta itu putih, itu suci... " Maaan... never I thought organizing artists will be major challange! From simply providing simple drinks, to doing presentation in front of the sponsor to get support! Frustration, excitement, anger, blast in happiness, back to frustration, sick! well, that were sort of my feelings organizing this event. I learned a lot! of why people want to support, why people want to be supported by a band, how many of those just want the names - and refuse the work! (eh, that standard right?I face that everyday with a lot of people!) but, yeah.. it's a lesson and experience I will not trade for anything. Not only the fact that I enjoy the band, but also another dictionary to my hobby in learning people's behaviour!

For sure I know though, if no cool band available, then you have to have prestige name behind you. Then, support will flow!

The humble members of Ozomatli just dear to the heart! Silly, friendly, and definitely funk!

We did in Kampung Kapitan for the fishermen communities, then for the orphans and the 'big Mama' at BKB!

Can't wait to do it again. But no more of the song "Ku Tak Bisa Jauh" please..!!!! heard waaay too much of it. :0)

More bands? Okay! We'll take'em!

Kampung Kapitan, Palembang

Okay, so the name is Kampung Kapitan. I broke my heel on the boat! My favorite orange shoe! - I can say it is worthed to again have a chance to see it. Rather than hanging out with associates. I thanked 1000 times to be with people who admire the beauty of this Kampung!

Kids running around, old buildings, Colonial mixed with transformed Malay houses, and the atmosphere of dwellers along Musi River.

Perfect time! Perfect get away! Wish can take more photos though!

Sacred Legacy Exhibition in Medan

Well, working at Pol Econ port folio does not mean I am stuck with no connection to art any longer. Thank God for that! Lots required to get the business done, especially in programming, decorating, and producing items that actually, in some ways, sort of full fill my desire in art and craft.

I was given the responsibility to set upthe opening in both Medan and Palembang, as well as the set up in Medan. This exhibiton drew attention of hundreds of public eyes. We invited schools students, media group, government officials. The pictures just spoke hundred of words in their stillness -

However, behind the scene, I have to put 2 thumbs up to the collegues who supported me in the project. Kudos to Henni, Kamal, Suhadi, Ucok and Eka! This is the people who I can count on for team work. In this blog I would like to show my appreciation to them. It was a relieved to know there are people who are actually working for the sake of getting the job done right, with professional result, and worthed to many. In my eyes these are people with value.

Some of the samples of craft and work that I designed for the Sacred Legacy Exhibition at Sun Plaza and another opening in Palembang.

Who knew? next job will be event organizer.... (NAAHHH!!!)

Sama siapa lagi bicara kalau nggak dengan Dad..

Dad, sudah cukup lama tidak bertemu

Sepertinya aku tahu sekarang susahnya menjalani hidup - jika tanpa iman dan prinsip

Tapi dunia seperti ombak besar Dad, menerjang dari segala sisi - membawa ke pasir pantai

Sayangnya pasir siang itu panas...

Kadang Dad, ingin bertemu untuk bertukar pikiran

Kami ingin hanya menumpahkan.... yah .. anak-anak yang tidak punya tiang....

Hanya sekedar untuk menenangkan hati, kata demi kata yang sering menyadarkan

bahwa semua bukan milik kita

Hingga aku malu... sama pemiliknya...

Dad, mungkin mungkin senang di sana. Kadang kami membicarakan senyummu

Membicarakan kekuatanmu, membicarakan uluran tanganmu,

yang selalu menjembatani dan menjadi pintu damai kami

Dad, sampaikan salam kami padaNya - agar kami juga nanti bisa duduk bersama

Minum teh sama, dan aku... ya ... aku akan lagi bercerita seperti dulu...

mungkin soal teman, soal sekolah, soal kerja... dan dia..

dia akan duduk mendengarkan Dad...

mendengarkan setiap uraian kata dan amanahmu... untuk menjagaku

Mungkin nanti Dad tidak perlu menjemputku dari kerja, atau diantara tumpukan kertas..

memesan nasi soto... dan diantara kerja, mendengar keluhan... mungkin nanti akan lebih indah

Mengingatmu Dad paling tidak membuatku, membuat kami berpikir, bahwa kekhilafan yang kami ciptakan, kemarahan yang hadir, emosi, nafsu.. semua itu seharusnya bisa kita hadapi.. dengan otak, dengan perasaan, dengan tidak membiarkan harkat dihina, dan dalam jalurNya...

Hanya saja Dad, semoga uraian ini membuat aku, membuat kami, semakin kuat dan dewasa

Semoga saja membuat kami bisa membuka hati mereka yang juga gundah....

Seperti kegundahan kami pagi ini....

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