Machine Messiah

Radio Komunitas Utan Kayu Jakarta, 89.2 FM, August 21^st-25^th 2006

The story goes waaayyy back sometime early this year. Someone from Utan Kayu Community Radio sent me an e-mail. They’re planning to make a daily talkshow about various communities (particularly in Jakarta). In the last 5-7 years, we saw the birth of sooooo many hobbies communities everywhere. Thanks to Yahoogroups mailing list. Today you can almost find any group communities with the same interest as yours. The email they sent, was also sent to several communities founders/ moderators. They knew me got heavily involved in comicbooks. Later on they were very excited that I was also into radioshows and have my own show. They got more excited when they knew I was part of Andy Julias team in his progressive rock show on Radio Utan Kayu (previously known as Radio 68H) 89.2FM in 2003.

Fitria Anwar (Fia), the producer, called me some days before and asked if I could join her for 5 days. Wha????? Five days? I couldn’t confirm at once since anything could happen in 5 days. But a promise is a promise, and I confirmed my participation for August 21^st-25^th 2006

So there I was in Utan Kayu studio. The first day, Monday August 21^st, Idah and the kids joined along. It was public holiday and I asked them to see me on air, since they’ve never seen me before. We started around 6.20 pm and Fia was hosting their regular news. I was asked to make comments or questions to the source person. At 6.30 pm the show began.

That first day we talked about my general profile for several minutes, and spent the next 30 minutes about comicbooks in general. It was fun when so many incoming phonecalls sent their concern about Indonesian comics today. Most of them remembered their younger days, or asked nowadays comics, or critized young cartoonists. I tried to answer each questions with clear answers and diplomatic answers. Some comments couldn’t be made on air.

The second day, August 22^nd we talked Indonesian comics in general. As usual many incoming calls asked about old comics availability. Fia asked about Indonesian comicbooks history and today’s comicbook characters and identity, including what KomikIndonesia.com’s vision and involvement in rebuilding our comicbook world. One of the most important discussion was the fact that today comicbook was not exclusive for children anymore. We could found comicbooks with theme around politics, religions, environments, espionage, adventure, horror, suspense, adults and sex, etc.

August 23^rd, we talked about Tintin, international comics and Komunitas Komik Alternatif. As we all know, Japanese comics invaded Indonesia in the past 15 years. In fact it invaded worldwide, including Europe and America, two of the biggest comicbook industry. Yes it affected our industry, but please don’t judge young cartoonist by their drawings. Please look at their storyline and we would see if their books actually based on Indonesian culture or not.

Thursday, August 24^th, we talked about progressive rock. I really loved these 30 minutes as we explored many interesting topics such as the differences with other music genres. People also called to told us how much they loved progressive rock. Some even asked if this or that band could be said as progressive rock artists. We played Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and Beatles’ A Day In The Life as progrock song examples.

The last day, August 25^th, Fia and me were having fun by playing and discussing jazzy tunes. Fia was very excited as she was a die-hard fan of jazzy tunes. Actually it wasn’t even a music genre. It was more as grouping made by label company here in the 70’s and 80’s to call what we knew now as pop-jazz (including smooth jazz, acid jazz, pop fusion jazz, etc). We played some excerpts from my collections such as Casiopea’s Take Me (as the opening track), Michael Franks’ Jealousy, Dian Pramana Poetra’s Gelisah, Bobby Caldwell’s You Promised Me, Al Jarreau’s We’re In This Love Together, etc. People kept calling us and requesting songs! Unfortunately our show only ran for 30 minutes and there was no way to play more.

In the end I gave Fia my 4-discs jazzytunes collection as a gift. It was one of my most favourite compilation I ever made. Fia was very excited and happy, and was very anxious to listen to Gino Vannelli. She also gave me a box of Radio Utan Kayu souvenirs. I really loved the mug!

Overall I was very happy for the full 5 days accompanying Fitria Anwar with the community talkshow. Wished we had more times. Thirty minutes for each episode was soooo short!

by Scott Morse (Top Shelf Productions, 2003, ISBN 1891830376, colour and B/W)

Scott Morse, the cartoonist who was widely known with his works such as Soulwind, Visitations, and Volcanic Revolver and also got Eisner Award and Ignatz Award-nominations, published a tribute to the late-Japanese legendary movie director, Akira Kurosawa. For Kurosawa’s fans, it was no question to love his movies such as Rashumon (1950), the Seven Samurai (1954) and Yojimbo (1961). The beauty in most Kurosawa movies were laid on its humanity messagas. Many Western movie makers were inspired by Kurosawa’s vision of life.

THE BAREFOOT SERPENT gave us two stories inside. The first was Akira Kurosawa’s biography which was presented in full colour. At a glance we could follow Kurosawa’s life and career. Starting from his childhood and family background, dreams and obsession as a teenager, his collaboration with his old-time friend Uegusa, many achivements in cinema, international recognition, including his unhappy life. This was the first time I knew a bit of his life, although I’ve seen some of his movies on DVD. Morse’s illustration was very beautiful and emotional. His drawing line and the colour made Kurosawa’s biography very interesting to read countless times.

The second story was a fiction inspired by Kurosawa’s works. There was a couples and their daughter went for holiday in Hawaii, mourning after their lost son. The three of them wandering and iamgining life after a member of the family died. The leading role was played by the daughter, who reign her spirit of life back after being friend with a native boy. Together they find the meaning of life now and after. Morse brought us (and the small family) to embraced unfamiliar Hawaiian culture.

B/W illustration with less-narration (and Hawaiian dialect) gave the same deep impression as the coloured Kurosawa’s biography. More even adapted many roles and story from Kurosawa’s movies. The Legend of Night Marchers from Hawaii was inspired by the movie Dreams. The boy who helped the girl came from Subarashiki Nichiyobi. The pool who was unwilling to handed over dead souls was inspired from the movie Yoidore Tenshi. There were so many more, and Morse knitted them into a new-beautiful and touching story. The depressing members of the family, the healing process, until the return of happiness inspired from Kurosawa’s personal experience (who once tried to commit suicide).

Overall it was a comicbook I highly recommended, especially those who loved the movies from legendary Japanese moviemaker, Akira Kurosawa.

Y: THE LAST MAN

Being The Last Man On Earth?

Bahasa version originally published in Koran Tempo: Ruang Baca newspaper July 2006

Have you, men, ever dreamed the excitement being the last man existed on earth? Surrounded by ALL women and loved and praised you for eternity? Some men might think that it was the absolute dream ever. But Yorick Brown didn’t feel that way, which was actually the true last man on earth. Not only in his country, USA, but all over the world. He was the last man in the universe.

This graphic novel series by Brian K. Vaughn presented the adventures of Yorick Brown, an amateur escape artist, in saving himself dan finding the cure for this destroyed world. In just a mere seconds, all men in this world died. Old, young, children, infants. All of them. Not just human being, but all animals and plants with Y-chromosom. Nobody knew what caused this disaster. The whole world turned upside down instantly.

For some women, the disaster became their ultimate nightmare. Almost all daily activites went down, because most operators and controller were men. They couldn’t replaced the men, in both quantity and quality. For some women, this disaster became their turning point to took over the wheel of life. As long as they could keep life keep going. They took the responsible their husbands, fathers, and sons had. For other women, this disaster became their momentum as feminist. It was time for womenkind to rule humanhind.

And what about Yorick? He wasnot alone. The only surviving Y-chromosom male (except himself) was Ampersand, his monkey pet. Yorick, now scared to death, put himself in disguise. He gave Ampersand diapers, so women couldn’t knew its sex. Yorick went to Washington D.C. looking for his mother, a senator. His mother was very happy and relieved knowing Yorick was alive. Realizing that (perhaps) Yorick would be the only hope humankind had, she ordered Yorick to find Dr. Alison Mann. Yorick was accompanied by a special agent as his bodyguard, Agent 355. Dr. Mann was widely known some month ago for her controversial experient. She claimed to succeed in creating human clone without Y-chromosom. It was also possible that Yorick’s DNA had the antidote or cure to this mysterious ‘epidemic’. Yorick must be saved, at all cost. Their quest was close to failure, when they found out that Dr. Mann’s laboratory was destoryed and she lost all her records. Now the three of them must find a cure. If not, humankind will extinct in the next 100 years.

Following this comic series that already reached issue #50 since its initial release in Sept 2002 was very interesting. Some men must have imagined a life surrounded by millions of women. Brian K. Vaughn gave us a different view how the last man on earth was torturing. Women wanted Yorick for sex, leader and world’s saviour, humankind’s last hope, and as the last surviving witness what must be murdered so women’s supremacy on earth became absolute. DC Vertigo as the publisher really succeeded from this comicbook. They continued their success with alternative-theme comicbooks such as Sandman (by Neil Gaiman) and Fables (by Bill Willingham).

Y: The Last Man was still ongoing and there were clues the people responsible in this disaster. Even the antitode was almost found. But the problem was far from over, since so many people didn’t want men’s existence returning to earth. The popularity of this series made New Line Cinema already bought the rights to made the movie version. Brian K. Vaughn was writing the script at this moment. Let’s hope in the near future Y: The Last Man movie will join other DC Vertigo’s successful adapted movies such as V For Vendetta.

Friday, Aug 11^th 2006

Once I promised to RRI Progama 2 Jakarta’s Music Director that I would highlighted any kind of progrock artists, although I might not be familiar with their works but they deserved to be profiled. This episode I fulfilled that promise and we profiled PAIN OF SALVATION. I have all of their CDs, although I wasn’t that blend into their progmetal music. To fill in my lack of knowledge I invited two long-time friends, Luky Kurniawan and Sigit Prabowo.

Luky was my best friend since University and that means our history ran way back to almost 20 years ago. The two of us, together with Sigit Prabowo, once were co-hosts in M97FM’s Progressive Rock (1999-2001). During that time the host was Andy Julias, who couldn’t join us that night. For two hours our show was more like a reunion and it was fun!

The playlist were as follow:

1. Handful of Nothing (One Hour By The Concrete Lake/ 1998) 05:39

2. Idioglossia (The Perfect Element part 1/ 2001) 08:29)

3. People Passing By (Entropia/ 1996) 09:07

4. Genesinister (12:5/ 2004) 16:00

5. Rope Ends (Remedy Lane/ 2002) 07:02

6. MAchinageddon (Be/ 2004) 17:47

7. ! Forward (Entropia/ 1996) 06:11

Stay tuned to Rock The Night on RRI Programa 2 Jakarta, 105 FM, every Friday 2^nd week, from 9 pm to 11 pm with Iwan Fadillah and Surjorimba Suroto.

Friday, May 12^th 2006

It was another profile of another progressive rock artist. This time it was THE FLOWER KINGS! For those who was not familiar with this band from Sweden, their influence came from Genesis, Yes, with a bit of pop, jazzrock and psychadelic touch. I was more than happy when so many phones, emails, and sms responses came when we aired 8 songs from their published works. The playlist were as follow:

1. The Merry Go Round (Stardust We Are, 1998)

2. In The Eyes Of The World (Stardust We Are, 1998)

3. Hit Me With A Hit (Paradox Hotel, 2006)

4. Rumble Fish Twist (Space Revolver, 2000)

5. Deaf, Numb & Blind (Flower Power, 1999)

6. Kite (Edition Limtied Quebec, 1998)

7. Retropolis (Retropolis, 1996)

8. Babylon (Adam and Eve, 2004)

Stay tuned to Rock The Night on RRI Programa 2 Jakarta, 105 FM, every Friday 2^nd week, from 9 pm to 11 pm with Iwan Fadillah and Surjorimba Suroto

Aug 2^nd2006, the day after my office’s anniversary party, me and my family went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was not actually a family holiday. The main occasion was the wedding party of one of my best friend, Liza. I promised to her once that I’d go to her wedding with my family.

We went very early, 3 a.m. and we didn’t take a bath. Just washed our face and brushed our teeth. And zapped! In an hour we’ve arrived at the famous Soekarno-Hatta Int’l Airport. Well, on our way the taxi had flat tire. But it only took 10 minutes to replaced it. The taxi driver was very fast. At the airport, the check-in counter wasn’t open yet. Some passengers were waiting there. We’re flying with Air Asia. Around 15 min later, the counter was opened and we finished our documents. I rushed to the fiscal counter, asking for fiscal-free. As you might or might not know, children under 12 were fiscal-free. We brought along all related documents, including the originals. We were not confident travelling abroad bringing original docs, such as birth certificates etc. So I have to make sure that these docs will be safe. Beyond our expectation, they didn’t ask for any original docs neither the copied ones. They just asked Ratnadya and Kalista’s passport (yes, they have their own), entry their data, filled in some forms, and voila! The kids were free. We saved IDR 2 million for both.

Then we went to salat Fajar/ Subuh and had breakfast. Soon after we were already at the boarding gate and shortly after we were in the plane. Our schedule was 6 a.m. It wasn’t that crowded, since it was the first flight to KL. Since Air Asia didn’t include meals and drinks in the airfare, we should buy if we wanted to. So Ratnadya bought a cup of warm Milo, while Kalista fell asleep. In two hours we were at Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) Kuala Lumpur. It was the cheap terminal and only Air Asia landed here. Actually it was only several kilometer from KLIA. This LCCT has no train to KL, as KLIA does. From boarding gate we could see the famous KLIA. I wished there was a public transportation to KLIA.

After clearing our docs, we took our luggage and went outside. In my PDA, Liza sms me telling that her sister Lina would fetch us and told me her clothes. It wasn’t hard to found her. Lina called Liza confirming our arrival, and Liza welcomed us by talking to Idah on the phone. Lina bought some meal from Mc Donald’s and we drove to KL using her boyfriend’s car. On our way, I tried to make conversation with Lina and thankfully she was a very nice person. We exchanged stories of Malaysia and Indonesia, including Indonesian movies. Lina also handed over a local sim card that Liza bought for me. In case I wanted to make calls to anyone, using local sim card would be much cheaper. Lina also gave us a welcoming basket with many drinks and foods inside. Very nice.

From airport to our hotel, Singgahsana, took around 45 minutes. It was located in Petaling Jaya area, Selangor. Very near to Taman Jaya LRT station, Hilton PJ Hotel and Amcorp Mall. It was an old hotel, I was sure about this. Remember Kartika Plaza Hotel, Jakarta? It was similar like that one. Before we separated, Lina gave her cell number in case we needed to contact her or got lost in KL=).

In our room we unpacked our things and enjoyed the bed. Meanwhile I tried the local sim card Liza gave. I took off the casing, battery, and my Indosat simcard. After I placed the local sim card, put the battery in place, and on. It was ok at first and I tried to make phonecalls (based on manual guide). And one of worst nightmares in my holidays ever has just begun……

My PDA showed funny images as if it was installing new softwares. I didn’t recognize what was happening at first. But in 5 seconds I knew what it was. My PDA was reformatting itself! OH MY GOD!!!!! When it was finished, I noticed the front wallpaper has changed into its basic image. The menu returned into its default. My identity, adzan and Koran recitals, Yahoo Messanger, address book, inbox/ outbox sms, shopping lists, shopping places, important dates and appointments, my notes….all very very very important notes….all of them dissapeared. If only you saw my expression. Maybe I was as pale as those marble statues at cemetary.

Using back my Indonesian simcard won’t work. The data was gone. I wasn’t that worried actually, since I have the original data at home and office PC. I always synchronized my PDA in a regular basis on both PC. So recollecting data won’t be a problem. But…. I’m in KL, just 2 hours after I landed, the 1^st day of 5 days, and moreover I didn’t remember any numbers!!!!!

I could only remembered three cell numbers, as I always memorized them: Idah’s (it’s no use, since she was with me), Andy Julias, and Luky Kurniawan. Soon I remember I have a printed contact numbers in my wallet. But I realized they were dated back in 2002! Many numbers had changed in 5 years! My Malaysian friends were not even listed!

I tried to stay calm. Rule #1: DON’T PANIC. Especially in front of Idah and the kids. They must not know what happened. Otherwise they would get panic. The first thing I needed to do was to contact Widhi, my PDA and computer wizard. But I didn’t have his number. So I sms Luky with a very short message: “HELP”. In only 5 seconds I received an unknown call. I knew it was Luky. But he didn’t knew I was in KL and receiving his call would meant roaming charge for both sides. So I didn’t answer it, and sent another sms instead explaning what happened. Later on when we finally met, Luky told me he was very worried. He only thought two things at that time: I got a terrible car accident, or…I got robbed. When he tried to call and it was disconnected, he thought the burglar shut down the phone.

From Luky I got Widhi’s number and I sms him telling what happened. While waiting for this reply, I read my printed records. It was dated year 2002. I needed only several important contacts during my stay in KL. Then I read my friend Kurniawati. I believed her number was still the same, so I sent her an sms. When she replied I was very relieved! I explained what happened to my PDA and asked her to call my secretary (Fridajani) to sms me. Also asked Kurni to call Edi Juanda (my colleague and also our friend in Uni) and tell him to sms me. Yani and Edi sms me and I recorded their numbers. So far 3 friends of the office were recorded. That would be ok.

Then I remember Soraya, my Uni friend who worked and lived in KL. She didn’t know I’ve arrived and I was bringing her goodies. Edi didn’t know her cell number. The only person who knew was Liza, but I lost her number as well. I asked Edi to call our other Uni friend, Malikus. He would knew Soraya’s number. But Edi didn’t have Malikus number. I couldn’t contact Malikus via email, as my GPRS setting didn’t existed and I didn’t remember how to set it again.

Shortly after Liza sms. Thank GOD!!!! I told her what happened and I asked her Soraya’s, Ramesh’s, and Surain’s number. She gave me the latter two, but Soraya’s number was recorded in her other cell. She’ll return later in the evening, as she was outside preparing her wedding. I couldn’t asked for more, so I have to be patient.

So far, the recollected numbers were sufficient. I could live with these for the next five days. We went to KLCC to have fun, lunch and shopping. Walking to Taman Jaya LRT station wasn’t that far. Around 5 minutes walking. At the ticketbox we asked the officer how to go to KLCC. Shortly after we were already inside the cozy, clean, and cold LRT. The kids really loved it and enjoyed the view. 

The trip only took around 10 minutes to reach KLCC/ Petronas Tower. The LRT arrived at the underground of KLCC/ Petronas Tower. We wanted to visit Petronas Tower, but it was raining outside. So we went to Suria Mall, which was the lower level of Petronas Tower. After having lunch at Secret Recipe (quite expensive, if only we knew earlier), we started our self-entertainment at the Mall.

It wasn’t that crowded, since it was Wednesday noon. Yes people were having lunch, but still it was quite enjoyable. I went to Tower Records, scanning each display (as I usually do whenever enter a CD store wherever). Bought 3 albums of Malaysian artists Ajai & Nurul, plus a double disc of STYX-Wooden Chronicle album (it was their first 4 albums packaged in 2 discs). The kids were playing at those small theme cars (Bob The Builder, Garfield, Tweenies, Teletubbies, Barney, Sponge Bob, Dora The Explorer, etc) and took pictures. I also bought aftershaves at Marks & Spencer, which was the only kind of aftershave I could use. My skin was sensitive, and Marks & Spencer Jakarta had no stock of this particular aftershave. It was quite expensive in KL, but I didn’t have any other choice. We also went to Isetan to buy shirt. I did bring the suit, tie, and everything for the wedding party. But I forgot to bring the shirt. The price wasn’t that different than in Jakarta.

Then Idah and the kids went on shopping and wandering around, while I went to Kinokuniya at 4^th floor. It was Malaysia Great Sale and it was sale everywhere. Although only some brands were cheaper than Jakarta, some were still interesting including Kinokuniya. A friend used to say Kinokuniya KLCC was very huge. But I disagree and I thought their outlet in Takashimaya Singapore was bigger. Their comicbook section wasn’t that impressive, but I got the book I’ve been looking for for months: Queen and Country vol 1. I got vol 2-7, but still couldn’t find the first volume. Not even at Kinokuniya Takashimaya. So this title was my treasure that day. While scanning bookshelves, Liza sms telling Soraya’s cell number. So I sms Soraya and we had a short conversation. She said if only I called her earlier, since her office was on Petronas Tower. I told her my PDA incident and promised her to meet later.

One of my Malaysian friend, Ramesh, sms and invited us to have dinner. He would picked us at the hotel around 7 pm. We took a short rest at took a bath (we haven’t have one since yesterday) and Ramesh was already downstairs. He asked about my PDA accident, but I said no need to worry. Some important contacts were recollected. He arrived with Sue, and soon we went to Mega Mall.

The Mall was huge. People claimed that it was bigger than Suria Mall/ KLCC. I didn’t know which one was bigger, but yes Mega Mall was huge. We had dinner at a very delicious restaurant, Little Penang Café (they have outlet in KLCC). I highly recommended this place, if you visit KL. We didn’t stay long at Mega Mall, as the kids were tired and sleepy. On our way to parking lot, we managed to stopped by at a department store (forgot what name) and some cups of Baskin Robbins. At the department store, I bought Siti Nurhaliza’s Live at Royal Albert Hall, London DVD.

We didn’t do much anything that night, except went to bed. The TV channels on our hotel weren’t that interesting (no cable TV) and a bit boring. So we took a very good sleep….

In the morning we had breakfast at the hotel. The menu was nice and the kids got free/ no charge. How convenient! Finishing our meal, we went off to Central Market/ Pasar Seni by LRT (what else?). Ramesh said yesterday that this was the recommended place to buy souvenirs.

Arriving at Pasar Seni station, we went straight across the street. Here we found that many bus waiting for passengers, with the bus conductors yelling their destination to people, hoping they would jump into their bus. It was no different than Indonesia, which I thought they only existed in our country.

Central Market was a quite huge building. We found many interesting shops in this place. As for me I found two CD shops (what else?). The first was on the first floor. It had many Indonesian artists, but I bought Malaysian artists: Jaclyn Victor (Malaysian Idol 1^st winner), Erra Fazira and Sheila Majid’s Legenda (remastered, repackaged, with 2 bonus tracks). I had a very nice conversation with the lady-owner. She told me that Indonesian artists were very popular in Malaysia. She named some artists and I agreed with her.

The other CD shop was on the 2^nd floor, and I was amazed by their collection. They had CD boxsets and brand new vinyls! We could found Emiliana Torrini, Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater CDs. As for CD boxsets, they were similar with stores in Jakarta. But their vinyl collection! They had George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, Pink Floyd’s Echoes, Frank Zappa, Kate Bush’s Aerial, Rolling Stones’ remaster series, Beatles series (too bad they didn’t have Sgt. Pepper’s), Coldplay, Radiohead, etc.

We had lunch and bought several scarves for my friends. In the meantime, Santi Rahmayanti sms and I was very happy! Finally someone from Tintin_Id mailist contacted me. From her I got Dina, Bayu, Marcel, and Uwi’s number. Again I explained my PDA accident. It was raining outside so we took a rest at a Indian-Moslem restaurant, Yousuf and …. I forgot the name. People there thought we were Malaysians, as they kept talking to us in Malay. When they realized we didn’t understand, they asked where were we from. They didn’t believe we were Indonesians. “You don’t look like Indonesians”, they said. I assure you this was not the only time people asked. Kalista fell asleep as she was very tired. Ratnadya kept coughing, and I was beginning to worry. Later we went home.

That evening Liza was scheduled for akad nikah, the Moslem marriage ritual ceremony. We were prepared to attend and went to the State of Selangor Mosque. Unfortunately Idah was not feeling well and Ratnadya’s cough was getting worse. I thought it wouldn’t be wise if I insisted to go alone. So I dropped the plan and sms Liza that we couldn’t come. We really apologized couldn’t take part on her special night. We send our highest prayers for her happiness.

That night I took the kids to Amcorp Mall, the nearest mall from our hotel to buy dinner. Idah stayed at the hotel. We bought chicken nuggets at Mc Donald’s, which was the kids’ favourite. But these nuggets had special sauce: curry and barbeque. The kids were very excited. We also went to the supermarket to buy some mineral waters, and took a trip to other levels.

I found some stores selling pirated DVDs. But their collection and prices wasn’t that good, compared to Jakarta. There were also some used bookstores with interesting collection. The CD store on ground level still had Yesyears boxset with 4 discs and a booklet. This item was rare and they still sold it as usual price. In fact there were more interesting shops in this Amcorp Mall. I wished we had more time. Before we went home, I bought a cup of caramel machiatto at Starbucks.

We went to KLCC again to visit the famous Petronas Tower. Unfotunately the tickets were sold out (it was free anyway), and the officer suggested we came again very early in the morning. So we went to Aquaria at the Convention Center. On our way, we took a stroll at the garden/ lake in the back of Suria Mall. It was very beautiful and we really loved this place. 

Aquaria was a sea world, and the entrance fee was quite expensive. They even had different entrance fees for foreigners. I decided to wait outside, and let Idah took the kids inside. Meanwhile I entertain myslef at their gifts shop and bought several goodies such as mug, magnet for fridge, cool can holders, etc and rested at the foodcourt outside with a cup of Starbucks. I saw so many people from Middle East spending their holidays at Aquaria. There were also so many groups of kindergarten and primary students having a tour to Aquaria. The kids really enjoyed Aquaria and they bought themselves their souvenirs. Aquaria even gave them free gifts. They gave us discounted tickets to PetroSains.

It was close to salat Jumaat and I went to the great mosque at KLCC complex. Idah and the kids waited at the foodcourt. The mosque itself was quite nice and quite crowded. I even got the place outside, at the park. It was a nice experience having salat at a different country. I remember having salat Jumaat at Taipei and Singapore some years ago. On my way back to Aquaria, I passed a large area of playing ground. If only the kids knew, they’d play while waiting for me salat Jumaat. Then I entered the Convention Center and it was very convenient. Just like Jakarta Convention Center.

Shortly after I joined Idah and the kids having lunch. We had a quite cheap lunch and very delicious. Never thought before that our lucnh was that cheap for a place like this. Then we spent some time again and took pictures at the park. Next, what else, Suria Mall.

We went to PetroSains, as you might knew from the name. It was a theme science-place. Since it was near their closing hour, we went to their Speed theme. Inside we could simulate and played so many scientific attractions and experiences. The kids learned to make their own movies using a manual handle camera. Just like in the movies. I took a racing car simulator and I couldn’t imagine what it would like speeding at 300 mph like Kimi Raikonnen.

The most interesting game in PetroSains: Speed was the MindBall. It was a game for two wearing magnetic head-belt, trying to moved the steel ball to the other player. The more you relaxed, the more you could move the ball against. Beside the players there were TV screens showing our brainwave. The more we relaxed, the flatter our brainwave on the screen. I won against Idah. Competeting against Ratnadya was the hardest. I won twice and lost once. She was very hard to defeat. Kalista won twice against Ratnadya, and lost once. Watching the kids playing mindball was very entertaining. They took around 10 minutes in their last game, and the ball almost didn’t move! They were equal and the employees there really enjoyed the competition.

While we were playing inside, Soraya came visited us. She just dismissed from her office, Bloomberg, which was located in Petronas Tower. She asked to get us some dinner. But I said Ramesh already invited us to spent the night at Chinatown. So we promised to visited her Saturday morning and swim at the apartment. In fact she could brought us to the Petronas bridge, since she worked there. But no kids were allowed. From KLCC we went to Pasar Seni/ Central Market as it was our rendezvous with Ramesh. He came with Sue and his kids. He bought us some breads and drinks, and took us to Chinatown which was nearby Pasar Seni. We kept our belongings at his car.

Chinatown/ Night Market was interesting and not. Well the stuffs out there were not that cheap for night market. It should be much cheaper. It was crowded anyway. We didn’t buy anything in the end. Liza sent an sms asking if she and her hubby could visited us at the hotel. Unfortunately we were at Chinatown. On our way home Ramesh wanted to take us to Hard Rock Café. But the kids were too tired and we decided to go home. We took a trip around KL and Ramesh showed us many places. Near our hotel, Ramesh and Sue bought us dinner at A&W.

Saturday, Aug 5^th 2006 we woke up late. No way we could reach Petronas Tower in time, so we skipped the idea. After preparing our swimming suits and goodies for Soraya, we took breakfast and went to Setiawangsa the nearest LRT station to Soraya’s apartment. She and her family lives in Kampung Warisan apartment. A very nice-kampong theme designed by the famous Malaysian cartoonist Lat.

When we arrived Soraya’s kids were swimming. Ratnadya and Kalista changed into their swimming suits and enjoyed the pool. We were surprised to know that Soraya’s son and Kalista’s birthday were only one day apart. In case you didn’t know, Soraya and me are only two days apart. A very funny coincidence. After talking here and there, we went to Soraya’s apartment and the kids took a bath there. Her apartment was quite nice, and I could say it was quite expensive. Well, it was huge and it was located very near the elevator, with a small space in front to place shoes and bicycles.

Soraya and her family entertained us to Berjaya Times Square, which had a playing ground like Disneyland inside the building. The mall itself was inconvenient, IMHO. Not well designed, difficult to find ATMs, escalators, parking lot, and even toilets. Before playing we had lunch at Chicken Rice Restaurant. The menu was very delicious and I wished we had these in Indonesia. In the end I was glad I brought enough money to share the bill with Soraya. They didn’t except credit cards and Soraya didn’t bring enough bank notes. Sharing the bill wasn’t a problem since me and Soraya were very close. Our history ran way back to almost 20 years ago. So she’s more like my twin sister (remember our birthdays were close?).

Again I didn’t take part at the playing ground. I entertained myself by wandering around Berjaya Times Square. Couldn’t enjoy myself, as it wasn’t convenient. I could see the kids playing trains and they travelled near me. They were really excited. We didn’t spend long since all of us were going to Liza’s wedding party. Soraya dropped us at Ampang LRT station and we went home.

We took some rest and got prepared. The kids were beautifully dressed with their kebaya we bought in Bali. They were very cute. Idah wore the kebaya she specially made for Liza’s wedding. While myself wore a suit. Ramesh and Sue fetched us and we went to Sheraton Hotel, Subang area. Ramesh was surprised seeing me in suit, as he never saw me wear one before. Sue was amazed with Idah’s kebaya and she asked a lot about kebaya and batik.

Sheraton Hotel had several occasion that night. One of them was playing 80’s music such as Earth, Wind & Fire, The Romantics, Human League, etc. At first I thought it was Liza’s wedding that was playing the music. All of us waited at the lobby, while Ramesh was parking his car. Then I saw a girl and Idah said that was Lina (Liza’s sister). I approached and called her. I was mistaken as she told me that she was Nadya, Liza’s other sister. They really looked alike, and no wonder I was mistaken.

With Ramesh we all walked to Liza’s venue. Some woman greeted us and asked who we were. We told her we were Liza’s friends and she took us to one table. Ratnadya handed over to her our wedding present. The table was round and there were ten seats surrounding it. I took a seat between Ramesh and Idah, and hoping Soraya and her husband would arrive on time to take the other seats on our table. But they were nowhere to be found, and some couples took those seats. Meanwhile I met Surain and Along, and we chat for awhile. There were also wedding souvenirs on each seat, in form of boiled egg contained inside a lovely golden shaped case. Thurthfully I wasn’t comfortable with this arrangement. In my mind, I believed everybody would love to come to gave their blessings to the couples, parents, family, everyone. Wedding parties were also commonly used as family and friends reunion. But with these arrangement would limit the invitations. Many people could not be invited. I just didn’t feel comfortable with this.

Then the wedding couple arrived with their followers on behind, and the Middle East music started. It was similar with the music in many Islamic events in Indonesia. We could see the wedding couples clearly, as they walked in front of us. Soon after the followers stopped, and the couples kept walking to the stage where the best man and bride’s maid were waiting. There were only two chairs on stage. Very different from Indonesia, where we usually have 3 pairs of chairs (one pair for the couples, and two pairs for the parents). Soraya, Indra (her husband) and their daughter later arrived and seated on the table behind us.

The MC guided some chit chat here and there, including the best man and a representative from the groom’s family. Both grandmoms and mothers gave their blessings to the couples. After the couples moved to the other side of the room to joined their family at dinner table, all of us were served the main course and dessert. When the couples cut their wedding cake, I asked Ramesh if the guests would get a piece of wedding cake. He said actually all those were fakes. Only the part sliced was the real one, while the rest was not. Oh I forgot, there was also a video playback of akad nikah procession (with Liza’s fave Fallen by Lauren Wood on the background) and several pictures from the couples starting from infant till adult. It was nice to see Liza when she was very young. I was a bit sad watching the akad nikah ceremony, as we didn’t attend it. The ritual was supposed to be the most important happening for the couples and we were not there. In Islam the couples would be blessed by the guests, and those blessings would be heard by God.

We actually had the chance to shake hands with Liza’s parents. I wasn’t sure if they actually knew me. Maybe they didn’t, as I didn’t introduced myself (later Liza told me her mom recognized me). There were too many happenings that night I couldn’t remember the sequence. But I did remember the couples cut their wedding cakes. I asked Ramesh if we would get a piece of it. He said actually from all those cakes, only the small part they sliced was actually the real cake. The rest were fakes. We laughed hearing his explanation. When the couples started to walked around the guest tables, we knew the party was coming to end. Liza and Pandhu came to our table and greeted us. Liza told Pandhu who I was, and she kissed Idah on the cheek. That was the first time they did it. Ratnadya and Kalista kissed Liza’s hand. Then Liza and Pandhu met Soraya and Indra. I thought some photographer took our picture. Wasn’t sure about that.

Then it was time to go home. On our way at the lobby, I took the chance to have one last chat with Surain and Along. I apologized for not having the opportunity to spend some time with them. I wished we had more time. Next to us I saw Liza’s mother. I wanted to say hi, but I felt awkward. I was feeling embarrassed if she didn’t recognize me. When I decided to meet her anyway, Idah told me that Ratnadya’s nose was bleeding. She was always like that whenever got too tired and exhausted. We always bring small towel for her. But not this time. So I rushed to men’s room and took many napkins. Ratnadya already knew what to do, but I was worried if the bleeding got worse. By that time Liza’s mother was nowhere in sight. Ramesh and Sue took us to the hotel.

It was the last day in KL. Sunday, Aug 6^th 2006. Idah and Kalista went off to Central Market/ Pasar Seni to buy more souvenirs, while Ratnadya and me went to KLCC to meet Soraya. We wanted to give her the discounted entrance tickets for Aquaria and PetroSains. We won’t use it anyway. I also had to buy some Lat comics, as Syamsuddin sms me last night. So I bought him around 5 Lat comics, and The Kampung Boy for myself. I haven’t got this one. The one that I have was Kampung Boy: Yesterday and Today. I also went to Tower Records to buy Putri Gunung Ledang: the Musical Stage CD. Unfortunately it was still on order. I asked one of the store officer about a Malaysian acid jazz band. They didn’t provide indie labels and suggested me to go to Pertama Complex, near Sogo. If only I knew earlier, and if only my PDA didn’t get that accident. The Pertama Complex was actually noted in my PDA. But I couldn’t remember it when my PDA reformatted itself.

We also went to Aquaria to buy some more souvenirs, including those funny handwrist. After that Ratnadya and me had brunch at Burger King. I didn’t have much money left, and we only bought one package of Whopper burger. While we were there, Burger King’s having a program with Garfield. I insisted to Ratnadya to take a picture with the huge Garfield. I was glad she finally had that pretty picture with Garfield.

When we were walking to KLCC LRT station, Idah sms me that she was returning to the hotel. She met Indonesia’s Women Minister party and Idah used that opportunity to have bargained price. She also met a woman with her teenage children talking in Sundanese. After I arrived at Singgahsana Hotel, I asked Idah to take the kids to buy lunch at Amcorp Mall. Meanwhile I packed our luggage. We planned to check-out and leave for the airport at 2.30 p.m.. Idah wished we had more time, as she found out that Amcorp Mall had so many interesting shops. Unfortunately we had to go.

After finishing the bills, we took a taxi to LCCT airport. The taxi driver was an Indian ethnic and he thought we were from Sarawak. Now I realized why most people thought we were Malaysians. Of course they thought we were from Sarawak. Idah was originally from Kalimantan, and her beauty was a very typical Dayak character.

Chatting with the taxi driver was exhausting, as I almost couldn’t understand what he was saying. Liza sent an sms asking our flight schedule. When I replied we’re on our way, she apologize and thought Ramesh was taking us. She was very grateful we attended her party last night, as it meant so much to her. On my part, I apologized didn’t have the opportunity to meet her while we’re on KL.

We had plenty of time before our departure, so we had another lunch. Actually it was Idah having lunch. After check-in and handed over our luggage, we entered the boarding room. Idah bought some chocolates at duty free, while I never got interested to buy stuffs at duty frees. We took last pictures in KL and in no time, we were on our way to Jakarta.