UMADIAWAN

Poor, my poor sister.

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:40:00 +0000

This is my third draft, you wouldn�??t want to see the other two, it full with anger and un-proper words, probably it�??s the after effect of my trip to the capital, metropolitan where I used to lived, I was there last Saturday dawn �??till Monday evening, that�??s enough to spin my head around, with traffic jam, suspicious looks of its people, every click of a second counts, it just crazy, and I�??m being on the 24th floor of a fancy apartment, complaining about this, what about those people living in a card board boxes, what we�??re they complaining about, we, the comfort settlers with thousands of complains, how ungrateful.

Perhaps it was not the city, perhaps it was people I met when I�??m there, perhaps it�??s my second sister family being torn apart.
You know, when I was born, this was my mother telling, at that time no doctors were around, nurses thought my mom was joking when she said that she�??s a fast laborers type, the baby will slide out by itself without help, this is baby number 6 my mother told them nurses, but still they didn�??t trust her, so my mom asked my sister to stand by. Truth be told, I was born, in my sister hand, with no help from them nurses nor doctors.
We�??re 20 years in between, me and my second sister, she�??s like, whatever I want you got, kinda sister, so, whenever school holiday comes up, I say I want to go to the city, right away, she�??ll send airline tickets, sometimes even first class.
When I finally arrived, I said to her I want to go to the zoo, fantasy world, transformer, toys this, toys that, anything a kid ever wants, and I got it, that�??s how my second sister treats his little brother.
I know that this treatment not going exclusively for me, I bet she treats my fourth sister and my brother with the same courtesy.
She�??s the kind of sister you can talk to, tell your hearths out and she�??ll listen.

But somehow, along the way, shit happens, don�??t know why, she got involves with big chunk of debt, and I�??m talking billions, perhaps their lavish lifestyle caused it or mambo jumbo she practices as a �??kind�?? witch doctor �?? who knows.
Her marriage is on the edge, her husband became loony, she can�??t think straight, this is way beyond my imagination, you know, K__my brother in law, was a cool dude back then, his perfume flying straight from Paris, shirt; smooth, shoes; fancy, no flaws, all his things we�??re top of the line, and now, he use detergent to take a bath, speaking of how loony he is.
I remembered their room, Persian carpet, blue grass motives, numero uno wall paper, big screen TV, Laser Disc, inside bath room as big as mid-class housing garage, well equipped by Grohe, back at that time, no one except the very rich in this country use Grohe as their bath accessories, too damn expensive.
Now, 21�??TV, washing machines, 5 beds all cramped into one big bed room, she couldn�??t afford to fix the other room in the house that soon will be taken by the bank. All of this makes me sick.

I was there Sunday morning, witnessing how now, my brother in law eat frozen beef stew, yeah, straight out from freezer, chunk it, chunk it, chunk it, like a piece of chocolate ice cream, accompanied by a frozen fresh cow milk from couple a days ago, as dessert, a frozen melon, OK, it�??s probably good for him, I mean, he probably like it that way, so who am I to complain about how one should eats.
I didn�??t get to meet my sister, she went somewhere with her friends, but I get to meet my niece and nephew, I asked them how�??s things, and they start to downloaded their story to my head, I won�??t shared, it just too awful, anyways, now I knew that by the end of this month their house will be taken away by the bank, hence no payment being transferred, there will be no payment being transferred, they didn�??t have that kind of money.
So yesterday, I called my sister up, asked her about her solutions to the matter, to my surprise, she doesn�??t have any.
WHAT�?�end of the month is just there, NO SOLUTIONS!
I called all my siblings to tell them this , they all say that we should wait �??till things really happen, then from there, we�??ll see what we could do.
Ooohhh�?�poor, my poor sister.

Notes.
Originally written on late October, I just don�??t have the guts to put it on, Bank should overtake the collateral on end of November, but up till this moment, there�??s no news of it, I hope my sister just making that things up to make us, her siblings, worried sick of her �?? just trying to get our attention in form of self pity whatsoever�?�

pic fr.newton-i.usefilm.com/.../2550/652986-medium.jpg

Garlic Butter Black Soy Sauce Fried Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:15:00 +0000

�??Go check if the dinner�??s ready

�??Go check if the dinner�??s ready!�?? He said.

�??OK�?? I replied.

My aunt Theresia happily cooked 5 main course of My Dad�??s favorite dish, plus one Macaroni Soup for the appetizer, it smells great, I can�??t resist to give it a try on Wiener Schnitzel, but she didn�??t allow it,

�??Enjoy it with your Dad,�?? she said, carefully placing Garlic Butter Black Soy Sauce Fried Chicken on a serving dish from a hot wok, �??now, this is your favorite.�??

I smiled �?? as confused as I was, cause to be honest, I kind a mean to her, but not that night, and I also notice, she�??s at her best look, nice dress and a hint of cologne, she�??s wattchamacallit, short and chubby with a happy go lucky attitude, but�?�she cooks like an angel.

Aunt Theresia is my Dad�??s cousin, I don�??t know why but she ended up with my family instead of being with her own, I remembered once Mom told me the reason, but I completely forgot it.

As all the dishes well prepared on our big round �?? marble dining table, Dad, stood up and gave a bowl of macaroni soup to me,

�??No, dad�?��?? I said, standing up and politely takes the bowl of soup from his hand and putting it on his side of the table, �??you go first.�??

I watched him eat, I smiled, a great sense of happiness surrounded me.

After awhile, I couldn�??t help but notice he awfully quiet, enjoying this every meal, and every time he offered me something, I refused, I don�??t know why I refuse it, but what I couldn�??t understand �?? he didn�??t say a word, just a gesture and a nod, and his signature�??s smile.

And spookily, Aunt Theresia stood beside me and pointing out Garlic Butter Black Soy Sauce Fried Chicken, again without saying anything, just pointing her finger toward that dish, that�??s when I realized that both of them died already, and I�??m wide awake, I heavily trying to catch my breath, a sudden panic attack �?? maybe�?�

I got up from my bed, drink a full glass of water, turn the TV on and fell a sleep on my couch.

pic fr.http://forums.egullet.org/uploads/1164582369/gallery_12248_3938_71815.jpg

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:55:00 +0000

I�??ve been out of town for about a week, that temporary madness was one of signs that I�??ve to change scenery, beside that �?? there�??ll be some changes of personnel in my partly own business that I got to attend to, so I went to paradise, a warm welcome from a best friend after my late night flight is expected, usually after a stick of Marlboro on airport�??s parking lot �?? we venture for supper in Chinese restaurant not far from the airport, those sea food porridge, along with other side dishes, such as simple stir fry veggie, prawn dumplings, etc �?? yummy- yummy.
But that night, I feel like a big grilled chicken sandwich on the seaside 24hrs convenience store might do the trick, so there were we, sipping our green tea instead of beer, munching our delicious grilled chicken sandwich, peacefully sitting on side of the street, dark beach as our background �?? we gotta move that way cause the patio on that convenient store was full of wanna be player and literary smells like puke.

So my dear best friend start telling story of his latest photo�??s hunt, with Hanna, Hanna, I met her on a wedding in the city several months ago, something about her that made her stands out from all charming ladies on that wedding, not that she�??s that pretty, but she�??s the only one with a big Nikon hanging on her neck.
So I make my usual approach, talking to her as if I�??m a photo freak, and charmed her of heaven on earth? Yes, there�??s still a few places we could call heaven on earth despise all that global warming shit.
This wedding that we attend to �?? was from my love one side of family, me talking intensely with Hanna suggest a red alert for the on-looking, but I didn�??t give a flying f@#k, not that we�??re holding hand or something, or making my usual moves of telling jokes �?? near ear whispers �?? try to pick up her vibe.
But suddenly something struck me by, I had enough of this, I�??ve been with all kinds, I know this type, as if I�??m boastfully telling myself �?? WE�??RE DONE BRO�?? THERE�??S NOT MUCH SURPRISES FOR US ANYMORE!
Not much, meaning there still some�?�I contradicted my own statement, picked up my mobile and dialed my best friend number, I said to Hanna, I love to take you to that island, unfortunately I can�??t - so talk to Daryl, he�??s one of my best bud, guaranteed, he�??ll love to take you around. After filling Hanna profile to my buddy Daryl, they talked, wrote e-mails, talked some more, and off she went to paradise with my buddy.

�??So?�?? I asked.
�??Helluva gal, for a 26yo, her brain, choice of music, way she responded on certain complex subject, superb�?��?? said Daryl, after downloading story of his trip with the remarkable Hanna.
�??Did she know that you�??re married?�?? I asked.
Daryl looked at me, puzzled, �??Don�??t know, she didn�??t ask�?��??
As if we had this mutual understanding, we nod to each other and laughed our ass off.
�??Not that I wanna do anything funny,�?? said Daryl, a statement to make sure of himself that he didn�??t want to, or plan to do anything funny.
�??Hear-hear,�?? I claimed, raising my bottle of green tea mixed with honey.
�??But she surely our type of gal !�?? said Daryl, looking at invisible television, showing �??Daryl and Hanna �?? a trip to heaven on earth�??
I laughed, I sort of glad, to know that my first impression of Hanna is exactly how Daryl pictured her, glad to know that my less than 30 minutes conversation with Hanna �?? maps her unexplored beauty �?? in which only certain type of man able to help her realizing it, am I that man, sadly not, I�??m taken, Daryl perhaps, he�??s taken as well, but probably still available, LOL!!!

temporary madness

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:03:00 +0000

i will not deny it, it happens to me sometimes, worst thing that i ever done, being on that condition is - punching a stupid male teller whom have a great attitude (NOT !) in one private bank, lucky he didn't press any charges, a security haul me out and surprisingly said,"that bastard is always like that, bossy type, good that you punch him..."
As usual, i feel bad afterward, but that temporary madness have been with me since - i don't know when, but now i'm aware of it, so whenever i'm on that stage, i'd rather not see anybody - not my kids - but anybody, several electronic equipment have been bashed out, doors, and many other stuff, somebody on the street looks at me the wrong way, i would jump off them in an instant or loudly saying..."WHAT A F@#K ARE YOU LOOKIN' AT!!!" and my - never learn from experience - love one, would make a hurtful comment on that action, which leading to worsen my temporary madness level. therefore - now, whenever i'm on that temporary madness period - i shall locked my self up in my own shangri-la.

I tried meditation, it just won't work, or haven't really work, or probably i could say it helps... ' coz normally - that temporary madness period lasted for a day or two,but since i meditate - eeerrgghhh, 6 hours top, give or take.

Why i post this - 'coz it happen last night, OK, picture this, i went out for dinner, me, my love one and kids, as we enjoy our dinner, a late 20's couple sits nearby, the girl - i gotta say it's an A girl, so i glance at her - as a normal man do.
Somehow, the man looks at me distastefully, i thought for a while, 'i did glance at your girl - not stared', so he looked at me and i looked back at him, he gave me that look - or maybe it's how i feel - but i'm certain his look saying"what a hell you're looking at."
So i nodded, politely, and actually saying..."You've got problem?"
My wife shake her head in disbelieve...
That man didn't say anything, and looked at the other way.
Later i chatted with the owner of the restaurant, as we chat - this A girl cutting me off, stood right in between me and the owner, and asking for extra rice, and quickly back to her seat.
"What a manner?" the owner said.
"I think they wrote something about that kind, a pig wearing diamond, once a pig always a f@#kin' pig, no matter how many f@#kin' diamond she wears." i said.
"Yeah..."the owner replied, " ONE RICE!" he then yelled to his staff.

On the way out...i got my youngest, i carried her, passed by their table, i jokingly made a sudden movement, the man look surprised and slided toward other direction, i laughed.

temporary madness - temporary madness, at least now - i'm aware of it.

Trishaw's awakening

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 05:12:00 +0000

It has been raining since last night, the air become significan

It has been raining since last night, the air become significantly cold due to close proximity to higher ground, cold breeze from the mountain sweep the entire small town, layer of mist cleared after 7am.

One of my cars is in the garage; the breaks need to be check as I don�??t feel comfortable with it since couple days ago. The other car will be use by my wife, she got a small gold shop, around 45 minutes drive from the house.

This morning, Regina�??s grandpa came over, brought breakfast for all of us.

He then decided to drive Regina to school, normally �??Darso�?? the trishaw guy take her back and forth, but he didn�??t show up today, later I found out that his trishaw still being fixed.

Darso came over afterward apologizing, and I said it�??s not a mistake, and he said he�??ll pick Regina up as usual.

�??No, come over here first before you pick her up, �??cause I�??m coming along.�??

My daughter Regina, tallest and prettiest in class, cheerfully running, seeing her dad come picked her up.

I asked how�??s her day going, she tells everything�??s fine, and she talks about her friend and her beautiful teacher �?? Mrs.Nana.

It�??s raining, we�??re in a plastic covered trishaw, sometimes a splash of water from ignorant prick driver surprise us, but hey it�??s all fun, i don't know if it's the rain, but somehow it makes me realized something, -

I HAVE A REASON TO LIVE, REGINA AND CATHE, a proof that The Man above entrusted me of caring, nurturing and protecting His wonderful intelligent creatures, and that is a responsibility to live for.

trishaw pics fr.http://ayulittleone.blogsome.com/images/becak02.jpg

LORNA 2 :Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 04:52:00 +0000

I knew that I need to end my relationship with Lorna, but I don�??t know how, I don�??t have any particular reason because everything went well, cowardly, and as lame as I often did, I didn�??t call her, whenever she called me, I always pretended that I�??m busy, I told my secretary to really screen my incoming call and I unplugged the land line in my place, I set my mobile to certain group, a group which not containing her number, normally within three days, they stop calling, but not Lorna, she came to my office, brought lunch.
She didn�??t meet me on her first visit, because I really went to a meeting, when I got back, my secretary told me that Lorna was coming over and left a box of lunch, not the second time though, I just got back from the airport, and she patiently waited in my office waiting room.

�??Do you want to end this relationship?�?? she asked, as soon as she stepped in to my office.
�??I don�??t know.�?? I replied, plunging myself on my work chair.
She sat across my desk, cynically smiling.
Dave came barging in,�??Hello love birds!�?? said Dave, saved by the bell I thought.
�??Dave, could you please wait outside, we got something important to talk to.�??
Dave looked at me, and did what Lorna told him to do, without saying anything.
�??Can we do this some other time, I mean Dave is outside, I don�??t feel right to let him wait�?��?? I said, trying another leeway.
�??Here�??s your lunch, it�??s that noodles you like, did you enjoy yesterday�??s lunch? Where�??d you want me to put it?�?? she asked.
I stood up, walking toward the door, on my way there, she hold my hand,
�??Just tell me the truth, are we done?�?? I let her hand go.
�??Come in Dave, Lorna brought some lunch.�?? I said to Dave, he flirted with my secretary.
�??Oh no, thank you, I gotta run, I forgot, I got something to do.�?? Dave said.
My secretary must�??ve told him something, I knew it from his face, that smirk as if saying, �??Gotcha!�??
I closed the door behind me and walk back slowly to my chair; I could feel Lorna�??s eyes watching my every move.

�??How�??d we do this?�?? I asked.
�??Do what?�?? she asked back.
�??If we end this.�?? I said, dare not looked at her.
�??At least you told me right in front of my face, now I gotta to ask you why.�?? Lorna said.
I noticed there�??s a crack on the left corner of my wall, used to be just a hairline crack, but it become wider, wider than just a hairline, and there�??s dent on my filing cabinet, when was that happen, who dented it?
Three pencils already dulled, need to be sharpen, The KLM posters tilted a bit to the left, this all I notice, so I need not see a beautiful woman, sitting in front of me, crying.
She�??s too beautiful, way too beautiful, to cried over a shit head like me, but I couldn�??t helped myself, my angel is back, Francine is back, she might only be here for a month, but I care more about that than my relationship with Lorna, which I knew not going to last anyway.
I couldn�??t tell this version of truth to Lorna, because it will only hurt her more but I didn�??t have any other reason, any other reason than that, and I hate to make up any false reason.
�??When I was in Singapore, I had this friend, girlfriend, honestly I don�??t�?�, we don�??t know what sort of relationship we have, and she�??s in town,�?? I finally said. ( yes I�??m a dumb jerk)
�??The one that you picked up from the airport?�?? she asked.
Any man, crossed my hearth, any man will think I�??m crazy to let a woman like Lorna got away; she�??s elegant, even while wiping her nose with a Kleenex.
�??Yes.�?? I said.
�??The one that you spend the night with, afterward.�?? She added.
�??What?�??
�??I called your place, when I couldn�??t sleep, I called you like 2 or 3 am, you always answered, what did she do to you that makes you ignoring all that, if you wanted to cheat, at least you did it carefully, bet you spent all nights since she arrived on that f@#king Friday.�?? She added some more.
�??Ya.�?? I said, I can�??t deny, I don�??t bothered even she caught me sleeping with Francine red handedly, I didn�??t understand it myself.
She stood up, jamming the chopsticks on top of the lunch box and put it on my desk, walked and slammed the door on her way out, tilted KLM poster fell; and the mysterious dent on the filling cabinet, solved.
Soon my secretary came in, asked me if I�??m alright, she then scolded me, of why I didn�??t run to followed Lorna away.

I told Francine what happened, she listened as if she heard a news of a terrible accident, she difficultly swallowed her spaghetti that I cooked for her, she came quite late that night and happily telling me about her day, then she asked �?? what about my day?
She put her fork back on her plate, and stood up,
�??Ain�??t you gonna finish your spaghetti?�?? I asked.
She walked back to her room, without replying my question, �??shit!�?? I thought.

When I came to her room, she just sit on the edge of her bed.
I sat besides her, wrapping my arm around her, she slide, as if telling me not to touch her.
�??OK, I won�??t ask why, because I know why.�?? I said.
�??I�??m going to take a bath, and�?�if you don�??t mind, I like to be alone tonight.�?? She finally said, after a long silence.
�??What if I don�??t want to go?�?? I asked.
�??What can I do?�?? she replied, �??Stupid, I�??m stupid, I really don�??t need this.�??
�??What? Because what happened between me and Lorna? I took that decision, is none of your fault.�??
�??How could you say that, it is because of me,�?? Francine said.
�??I said�?�, I took that decision, I don�??t see my relationship with Lorna will work, sooner or later, it�??ll end.�??
�??Why start then?�?? she asked.
�??And you claimed you know me well.�?? I replied, �??Spare me your sentimental crap, and don�??t you dare say there�??s no bits of satisfaction inside of you, knowing that I couldn�??t get over you, Francine, you taught me too damn well.�??
�??I resent that tone.�?? She said.
�??Up yours, I�??m outta here.�??
I walked out, left her alone as she wished.

LORNA 2: part 1

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 08:15:00 +0000

The deal went through, share of our big telecom company have be

The deal went through, shares of Indo big telecom company have been bought by Singaporean Business Group, Francine�??s advertising company also getting the benefit by taking care of the campaign, new era for a brighter future.

I picked her up from the airport that night, last flight from Singapore, it�??s been quite a while, we occasionally talked over phone and e-mails, I missed her a lot, both of us been busy, and I�??m in a relationship with others but right at that time, with Lorna.

�??Oh�?�how am I glad to see you?�?? Francine said, hugging me real tight.

�??Same here�?��?? I replied.

�??Oh you know what, I�??ve been practicing my bahasa again, nak cuba cakap dengan awak, bolehkah?�?? she said, intertwining her arms in mine.

The way she speaks bahasa is arousing.

The porter got all her baggage,

�??Great!!!�?? I said, �??You�??ll be here long!�??

Two big black samsonites, and one polo medium suitcase.

She just smiled and kisses my cheek, that�??s a wonderful smile, and her perfume, the one that have its magic to calm all my senses in seconds.

�??Berapẻ duik nak bagi kat porter tu?(How much should I gave the porter?)�?? she asked.

I laughed.

�??What are you laughing about?�?? she asked, then laughing.

�??You should�??ve asked that in English,�?? I said, glancing back at the porter finding him laughing as well.

�??So where�??s this place?�?? asked Francine.

�??It�??s south part of Jakarta, nice place, I�??ve been on that area all the time, somehow it reminds me of Ubud.�??

�??Oh you promise to take me to Ubud.�?? Francine said.

�??Ya, but we�??ve never been in Bali together.�?? I said.

�??Yet�?��?? she added, running her fingers through my hair.

Francine�??s gave me this address in Kemang, South of Jakarta, it�??s an exclusive bungalow complex, mostly being rent out to expats, I knew that place because I�??ve been there couple of times, expats come and go, I�??ve got good contacts with certain embassy and of course with airlines that gave me a heads up on personal effect (freight forwarding terms of personal belongings being forwarded) business.

Suddenly my mobiles ring, Francine took it from console box and handing it over to me.

�??Lorna�?? , written on the screen.

�??Answer it.�?? Francine said.

Lorna wants to know where I am, she�??s been calling to my place but no one answered, and it�??s couple minutes past midnight, I told her that I�??ve been in the airport, what for? Trouble at work? She asked.

Because sometimes I would go to the airport late at night, just to make sure all things with my shipment went well, and I answered NO.

First I wanted to lie to her, but it�??ll be an insult to Francine, so I told Lorna, that a dear best friend from abroad just came, and I�??m on my way to take her to south.

She said, take care than hang up.

�??So, Lorna huh?�?? asked Francine, I handed her my mobile and she put it back to

console.

�??Ya�?��?? I said.

�??What?!? It�??s OK with me, good for you.�??

I didn�??t comment on that, I asked her instead, �??What about you? You�??ve got anyone?�??

�??NO.�??

She looked out the window, not much view to enjoy, we then talk about work, she�??ll be staying in Jakarta for about a month, supervising the project manager of new business campaign on that telecom company.

Two guys from her Jakarta office standing by on the bungalow designated for Francine, they handing over the key to her and several working sheet on a grey see through document folder. One of the guy asked whether Francine wanted to have supper, but she said, she already bring her own, and thanking him for the offer. I shake hands with those guys, but I didn�??t tell them my name, it�??s merely being polite, I didn�??t

get any of their names either, nothings wrong with them, obviously they really look up on Francine, help bringing all baggage down, showing around the fully furnished bungalow, the skinny one a bit, whattchamacallit, looking sharp, if not wanting to be called gay, and he never stop talking.

�??Well thank you very much for waiting for me here,�?? Francine said.

�??Not at all, we wanted to pick you up in the airport, but Pak Gunadi, told us to wait here, he said that you�??ve got your own�?��?? the skinny one said, then politely pointing at me with his thumb, the way most Javanese did while pointing something.

As if agreeing on that skinny guy, Francine grabs my hand.

As soon as they gone, we hurriedly lock the door, we didn�??t make to the bedroom, well decorated living room with cream colored comfy sofa will do.

�??I�??m hungry.�?? I said.

�??Hmmm�?��?? Francine murmured.

�??What supper did you bring?�?? I asked, �??Is it in that shopping bag?�??

�??I just had my supper.�?? She said, smilingly.

We both woke up around 7am, she asked me if I�??ve to go to work that day, it was Saturday, I said, yes, half day on Saturday.

�??Ooohhh, I start on Monday, so what am I supposed to do? Just stay here?

I guess I could, but it�??s ok if you go to work a bit later, right? I need to go to supermarket, or if not, just draw me a map.�?? Francine said.

�??I�??ve an appointment at 10 Fran, I�??ll draw you a map, quite near here.�??

�??Is it safe?�?? she asked.

�??This is Kemang, one of safe place in town.�?? I replied, laughing.

�??Mr. Gunadi, one of big share holder of my Jakarta rep. office, invited us for dinner tonight.�?? She said, on her way to the bath room.

�??What, us? I don�??t know him.�?? I said.

�??Yes us, he said bring your guy, so you are my guy.�?? She said, leaning on bath room�??s door.

I didn�??t answer.

�??Ahhh, Lorna, yes, what about her?�?? she said, closing the bath room door.

Half shouted I said, �??I�??ll make excuses.�??

�??I wanna meet her Ry,�?? she shouts back.

�??What?�??

�??I want to meet her, I want to see Mrs.B____�?? Francine said, drying her long black hair with a towel.

�??You�??re busy, you have no time for that kind of shit?�?? I said.

�??Oh I make time...?�?? she said.

�??For what?�??

She moves her shoulders up then down, as if saying, don�??t know, but that�??s what I want to do.

�??You�??re crazy!�?? I said, jokingly.

�??If I am not, will you be here?�?? she asked.

I shook my head.

She laughed out loud, �??I�??m joking, but for real, are you suppose to go out with her tonight?�??

�??I said I�??ll make excuses didn�??t I?�??

�??Yeah, some kind of priority right, we hardly got together, she got you all the time, so I thing it�??s my turn now, what she looks like?�??

At that point I was imagining if both of them were my wives, priority?

My brain process all this data real fast, and soon a conclusion being served, bright and clear, marriage, definitely not my thing, let alone two at the same time, what a mess!

�??She looks like you, bit more glamorous.�?? I finally answered.

�??Who�??s prettier?�?? she asked.

I used the old trick she ones told me, look her in her eyes and kiss as if you really meant it, that�??s a way of escaping certain trick questions.

The 15th Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:08:00 +0000

We�??re on the 7th hole, if it�??s a hot shot golf down in play sta

We�??re on the 7^th hole, if it�??s a hot shot golf down in play station, I already reset it or change to other games, my score card is an embarrassment, he kept asking, �??what a hell�??s wrong with you?�??, double bogey on par 4, way +3 on 5, slicing left and land on sand.

I was in a process of gathering my courage to tell Mr.Wijaya that I�??m no longer dating her daughter, Lydia.

I sometimes don�??t get it, being a man I am, if a girl that I date, still lives with her parents, I will always ask permission from her mom or dad of taking their daughter out, I guess that�??s what man need to do, the think that I don�??t get, those parents in which their daughter I�??m dating, easily go along with me, like this Mr. Wijaya for example, we click and soon became golf buddy.

Now Lydia, I met her down in one of my friend�??s office, again, she reminds me of Francine, she had her charm, witty and similar type of face. I know that I need to stop comparing girls I met with Francine, but I couldn�??t help, it�??s one of those automatic process inside of my brain.

After a month of intense approach, we kissed and make out, in her room on the second floor of Wijaya�??s residence, it�??s high school dejavu, anyway from that point on, we officially in a relationship.

Things went smooth, we get together almost everyday after office hours, and on weekends, I would go to her place in the morning and do whatever.

Mr.Wijaya soon became a client of mine (not just a client �?? he relocated almost half of his shipping instruction to my company), and by that, I got to play golf with him every Wednesday or Friday, I like Friday in particular (who wouldn�??t), his driver picked me up from my office so I need not drive, bring me to golf course, and after refreshing ourselves, I would drive Mr. Wijaya�??s Jag with him in it back to his house �?? we talked a lot on this trip and he talks freely without his driver present, from business to personal, he said it�??s quite a long time he can really talked like this, manno a manno, without me in need of being a �??suck-up�??.

Arriving in his house we would have dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Wijaya, Lydia and her younger sister Susan, Daisy the oldest in the family lives in Hong Kong, a divorcee, �??scumbag�?? as Mr. Wijaya once described her ex-son in law.

Sometimes relatives might come over on this Friday night dinner, like Mrs. Wijaya cousin for instance. I miss family dinner and being there reminded me of my happy home.

The closer we get, the more I knew Lydia, quite surprising actually, she�??s got this ability to mock people and saying harsh things right on their face, describing type of life(not in a good way) that man/woman�??s having, until they really broke down, like being stripped naked in a middle of busy road.

At one dinner, she did just that to a waitress that serve our table, simply because this waitress accidentally spilt waters, it�??s not completely her fault, some jerks pass this waitress by in a hurry, splash of waters land on Lydia�??s skirt, she jumps off and pointing finger at this waitress, the rattling starts.

I already utter my objections several times due to this manner, but somehow, she�??s ignoring it.

I stood up, saying to Lydia to let go, and telling that waitress whom already saying sorry for hundreds of time but still fails to stop this queen�??s rattled, to just go.

And guess what, we already creating some scene on this fine dinning bistro, but what an additional embarrassment that I need not face, is having my girlfriend shout at me saying shut the hell up and sit.

Soon the manager came over, apologizing, telling the waitress to go, Lydia�??s soon calm herself down.

Then come my turn, I stood up and go, went to cashier myself, settled the bill and walked out; she followed, asking, �??What�??s wrong, what�??s wrong?�??

�??Be careful,�?? I said, �??That kind of act, justifying the negativity being judge to our kind!�??

�??What?!�?? Lydia asked.

�??You�??re a f@#kin�?? racist Lydia, a racist brat, obviously you did not get that from your dad, where did you pick that up? We�??re you one of that adopted happy go f@#king lucky type of child, who once live in a gutter and then brought up to a palace? Or merely something wrong inside of your head?�??

�??What a f@#k? How dare you? No one ever talk like that to me!�??

�??Well, no gal ever telling me to shut the hell up and sit before, I guess this makes us even.�??

She looked at me with rage, �??Give me the key?�?? she then said.

I handed over her car key.

�??Will you be driving JAG or this SEL if you�??re not going out with me?�?? she said, with that mocking tone she usually use while talking to her employee.

I laughed, �??For your information, I was born into a family that brought the first generation of Mercedes Benz into this country, it�??s nothing but a car!�??

�??It�??s probably a middle child syndrome, if there�??s any - she�??s always the hard one, but she surely able to run part of my company well enough, by having that attitude.�?? Mr. Wijaya said, after hearing my explanation of what happened on our 15^th Saturday night.

�??I�??ve tried, but she didn�??t want to see me or received any of my call.�?? I said.

�??Not surprise, she hadn�??t spoken to Daisy for years.�?? said Mr. Wijaya, while signaling a group of four to go ahead, �??let�??s call it a day and back to clubhouse.�??

After freshen up, we decided to have our dinner in a club house instead of going back home.

�??I won�??t be able to�?��?? I couldn�??t finish my sentence.

�??Continue your relationship with my Lydia.�?? he said, helping me out.

I nod.

�??Too bad, you have what it takes to be a good son in law.�?? Mr. Wijaya said, laughing.

�??Not a scumbag?�?? I add, jokingly.

Up till this moment, Mr. Wijaya still a dear friend of mine, those trips from various club house to his house, and joyful rounds of golf, considered being a private lesson from a master of lobbying and successful self-made billionaire. Perhaps In other chapter I�??ll share some of his insight.

As for Lydia, I left her a note, basically I wrote, we�??re not meant to be, apologized to her of things that I�??ve said that night (which actually not necessary, considering her insult).

Bulldog named Aaron

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:22:00 +0000

Recently I spent quite some times talking with this guy named Aaron, his on his mid-fifties and love to wear those branded surf tee and walk short, a friend of mine ones met him in Jakarta, and he asked me,
�??Is that Aaron, a billionaire living near you that you�??re talking about? That guy with a bulldog�??s face?�??
�??Yes.�?? I replied.

Some people are born with that kind of face structure, you know, when your getting old, most part of your body couldn�??t resist the force of gravity that succumbed you slowly but surely to a ground and soon, way deep in the ground.
Like I said, certain people have a face structure in which on certain age, if not being taken care, or shall I say - aware of what will it become, will soon looks like a bulldog, fat on those cheeks soon got no grip and blab�?�.drops to the floor!

Yes, at the beginning when I start coming to his place, I couldn�??t help but notice the movement of his face, funny in such a way, and this guy, boy he can talks, all kinds of subjects, from gold, retail, hospitality industries, stock market and his most favorite subject �?? life and all its art living it.
When he made a joke, I will let myself laugh out loud, laughing at the joke and also at his face, but it soon worn off, as that face became more and more, watchamacallit,�?�I�??m getting used to it.

He said to me that he loves challenges, so he start talking about one of his businesses which is printing company, he ones said to his manager who runs it that he�??s unsatisfied with the growth of it.
Dissatisfaction came from a limited market that his company got, so he wanted to go national, market wise, but his worker said it�??s impossible, due to insufficient scale of production. Buying a couple of printing machine was not a wise decision due to national market wasn�??t being developed yet, talking about eggs and chicken.
�??Stupid!!!�?? he said, �??That�??s why Ry, there�??s so few of rich and successful people compare to mediocre.�??
Tell me about it �?? I said in silence.

�??We can outsource, right?�?? said Aaron, with both arms open and some face flappin�?? action.
A dear friend of Aaron came to picture, wisely advising Aaron that it�??s impossible, because two major printing companies on this region, join their forces, making sure that all national corporation situated on the same region won�??t be taken by any other, they lock their prices, they bribed officers on those national company, simply a no can do situation.
�??Other region?�?? Aaron said to his friend. His friend shakes his head, disagreed.
�??No, yes, I understand, to try to find national market on other region is a waste of time, what I meant is, BIG PRINTING COMPANIES in other region, the one that wants to support us!�?? said Aaron.
His friend, shake his head, lost his words.
Aaron told me; probably his dear friend didn�??t understand what lies beneath his words, by finding big printing companies in other region.

So he continues, he said that he�??s being aware, going to big printing companies in other region, asking them to support his company in penetrating national market is simply �??an asking for the world�?? situation, so he got this crazy idea,
He went to a THE national company on a neighboring town on the same region �?? a car manufacturer, five hours drive.
He said he went there prepared, he got a ball park figure, of how much that national company paid big printing company on an order of calendars, yes, calendars, thousands and thousands of calendars.
He talk to the manager, his estimation about the price was right, he lowered it, proposed it, now he also aware of the rumors about the bribes, he then said,
�??Sir, go anywhere, I guaranteed that you can�??t get this price, a big cut on expenses will help you look good on your boss point of view, not taking this, is a risk.�??

He went back, two days after, he got the call, an order sheet already being issued, so he soon going back, and settled.
He said to the car manufacturer manager once he got there, to change the order sheet, to the same price they got from the previous company, so people won�??t asked the same price, because he claimed that he gave their company a real special discount!
Now, after all settled he went to big printing company on the other region, bare in mind, he already got that order sheet on his hand, A BIG ORDER SHEET, giving him power to negotiate with the big printing company, but also, bare in mind, that he already lowered the price to an impossible figure to be competed by big companies that going to go straight to that car manufacturer company, in other words, that BIG SHEET ORDER equals BIG LOSES.
A done deal, best price from big printing company being agreed, big lose partially covered, he went back.
He gathered all his sales force, gave them copies of BIG ORDER SHEET, a boost of spirit, a show off for up coming prospective client, quality-quality-quality.
Order after order came pouring in, new sales being recruited, all towns from the same region got covered, collecting bits order soon became larger and larger, at the end, those loses from that big risk idea covered, with not so big surplus as a bonus.

�??After effect, Ry, after effect, I got new clients, new contract from new clients, big companies, national or no national, and a significant increase of order. And my printing company became the talk of the town!�?? said Aaron.
�??Oh Uncle Aaron, you�??re a dog! A real bull dog!�?? I said.
He laugh, proudly, words and gestures of praise patted him on a back,
ain�??t we all dog?

CARPENTERS 4: Singapore National Day

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 06:56:00 +0000

After I finished my high school at �??93, I went to UNI,

�??It�??s meant to be that our relationship which got no names, here to remain.�?? Francine said.

�??What about love? Lover, you and I?�?? I asked.

She smiles, holding my hand tight, always seeing eye to eye.

�??I don�??t want you to waste your time on me, but this I promise you, from now on I will always be there, when you fall, I�??ll catch you, I�??m just a ring away, believe me�?��??

�??How can I believe you, you left without saying goodbye, no explanation, no nothing, I was lost at that time, broken, I couldn�??t focus, couldn�??t think straight, and I�??ve never experienced that kind of feeling before, perhaps when I was in high school �?? NO!, not that strong.

I felt like part of me being taken away, something inside me, all the good parts, were gone, I lost all sense of direction�?��??

I quickly stand up; walk a few steps away, biting tips of my tongue.

�??It�??s a rational decision, that�??s my ground in saying what I needed to say then, about what I�??ve deliberately done to you, yes, I know that I�??ve hurt you, believe me, it�??s best for both of us, that�??s why I said what I said�?� �??

�??Wait!�?? I said, suddenly, �??You think that I couldn�??t reason at that time?�??

�??It�??s going to be bloody messy, I know you that well!

I know that you have the ability to say something like; don�??t go, I LOVE YOU, let stay like this forever, and you know WHAT!!! I might just do that�?�or offered you to go to London with me, but what that makes me, good if it�??s workin�??, what if not, I�??m still going to be what I am, but what about you?�?? she said.

How dare her, trying to determine my course of life, what I might become, I wanted to say this things but I let it slide.

There�??s an awkward moment of silent, she kept sitting on the sofa while I look out at dark skies from a window of her hotel room.

Moment before I went back to my country from Singapore, Aunt Lian said that I got no plan for my own life, if I have one, she guess it might be a destructive one, and I don�??t care about a thing she said at that time, because I am not there, I am not myself, a body without a true soul, like a fallen leave, taken path of a river flow.

I remembered vaguely that a guy named John Huang, once pick me up and take me to church, and again, vaguely, because as you know, my mind did not work properly at that time, we went to dinner together after church, and he talks and talks about value of life, sort of motivational speaks, Dale Carnegie, Robert whatever, style.

But funny, what I do still remember happening at that time, until this moment, was hearing La Vie En Rose inside of my head instead of really paying attention of what he talked about.

And also, Aunt Lian, must�??ve told him already that I wanted to try to get a job in Jakarta instead of going back to Bali, so this John Huang handed me a name card of a freight forwarding company, belongs to his friend �?? Frederick Lee, which have a representative office in Jakarta, and if I�??m interested he�??ll give Frederick a ring, now you see, I didn�??t really appreciate that at that very moment, I just nod and saying thank you, but my words meant nothing, just like an automatic answering machine, programmed to response when being asked or talked to.

What a prick!

But what I�??m trying to tell you, hence, Aunt Lian ain�??t give a shit about me, she wouldn�??t asked John to take me to church at that time, and he would not be so kind to handed me that name card of Gerard Lee, younger brother of Frederick Lee.

I went to Gerard Lee�??s office in Jakarta, he got no job for me, I�??m too young and incapable, according to him, but he said it politely.

But you know what, after several years, when another good friend of my dad entrusted me of running his cargo company in Jakarta, me and Gerard soon become friend, and during one Singapore National Day, he invited me over for a party in a ball room of one of the finest hotel in town, and BOOM! There she was, as beautiful as I remembered, Francine Chow, on simple light brown night gown, long black hair but not as long as before, in an arm of a handsome fella whom looks like younger version of David Chiang(Senior Hong Kong actor). I shake my head in disbelieve.

�??I thought you were with that guy?�?? I said, breaking of the silence.

�??He�??s my date for tonight, a colleague from Jakarta�??s rep. office.�?? Francine said.

�??He looks like David Chiang!�??

She manages to laugh, �??That�??s what most people say.�??

�??You don�??t know what you make me.�?? I suddenly said.

�??Please, don�??t blame me, one should not blame anyone for things one done.�??

See, how true things coming out from her, things that I didn�??t know yet at that present time.

�??But you need to know!�?? I insisted.

�??OK, what?�??

�??You make me incapable of loving anyone truly; you�??ve put a standard, incapable to reach by any women that I�??ve dated, easily thanks to you, once there�??s a woman, a year younger than you, I made her to be as near as you, she played hard to get at beginning, which make her extraordinary compare to others, but I put an end with her anyway, she�??s not you, although she�??s one of the reason that I ended up in this town, I may become an important part of her life or some other woman�??s life, it maybe act of revenge on my subconscious�?��??

�??Why you think like a woman?�?? she suddenly cut me off.

What?!? That�??s the most hurtful things coming out from her.

�??What do you mean?�?? I asked.

�??How many of�??em that you make love with?�?? Francine replied my question with question.

�??What�??s that gotta do with any of this?�??

�??Ain�??t that what you man after?�?? she asked again.

�??What?�??

She stood up, unzipped her gown, she let it slides down smoothly, revealing beautiful bra and panties on her perfect figure, I felt myself trembled, I can still recall in details, all the nights I spent with her, how she patiently taught �?? trained �?? to be exact, the art of love making, �??let�??s drop the �??I�?? then both of us can truly become one�??�?�

�??Let�??s do it and be done with it.�?? she said, without any expression

�??Are you nuts? Ain�??t you the one who taught me that sex got nothing to do with love? And love and sex, could be non-related.�??

�??EXACTLY!�?? she said, �??Have sex with me and just forget the past.�??

�??I�??d rather not.�?? I said.

I took her gown from the carpeted floor, and lay it neat on the sofa, I looked at her with mix feeling of love and hatred, I wanted so much to quickly grab her and make love until her beautiful brain explode, an action�??s statement �?? this is your disciple, soon or rather already be, a master.

Francine took her gown and went to the bath room, I do not know what to do, so I sat again, and turned the TV, Jay Leno on CNBC is on

I waited and waited and waited, then a bit worried, so I knock the bath room door,

�??Fran, are you OK?�?? I asked.

No answered.

�??Fran,�?? I said, trying slowly to open the door.

She sat on a tip of an almost full bath tub, bubbly with bubble bath, she looked straight to my eyes, naked.

I stripped down, and finally going in with her to that warm bubble bath, I felt a certain calmness and peacefulness, a feeling that I never felt for a very�?�very long time.

I guess I�??m not yet a master, minutes ago I said �??I�??d rather not.

We made love, in that bath tub, not saying a word, except sigh of joy, we become one, like well choreograph dance, we completed each other ( I swear, this line got nothing to do with Jerry Maguire�??s line �?? if you know what I�??m saying), the change of looks said more than words, taking turns drying each other bodies and moved to bed, and we did it again, and again.

�??Ooohhh, how am I glad to see you? All this years, when I�??m alone, I think about you all the time�?��?? said Francine, snuggled closer to me.

�??What about when you�??re with other man?�?? I asked.

�??Ry, we never really talk about exclusivity didn�??t we? We never really talk about this,�?? her index finger pointing back and forth between me and herself.

�??Ya, we never did.�?? I replied.

Francine finally got up from bed, get my Marlboro from the pocket of my suit, grab an ashtray and light a stick, puffed it up and gave it to me, she then snuggled right back in under the blanket.

�??I am sorry�?��?? she said almost whispered.

�??For what?�??

�??For whatever you find me guilty of.�??

This is part of her magic, she, right at that very moment, made me realized how stupid I am, for all of this years, clinging to uncertainty, irrationally held her responsible of all of my action concerning my �??sexperience�?? �?? post Francine, and so called relationships with my opposite sex.

I then said, �??No, I am sorry, for allowing myself for letting you say you�??re sorry.�??

She smiled, I giggled.

FREEDOM!!! I shouted on the inside.

It�??s dawn already, we talked and talked and talked until both of us fell asleep.

Senayan Plaza not far from her hotel, after brunch we went there with my car, everything I looked at became more beautiful than it used to be, we walked hand in hand, we did some window shopping and spent almost an hour and a half, browsing well organized bookshelf of QB world of books and another hour on Kinokuniya, bought some and afterward we stopped by for our coffee at Famous Amos, she left me there alone for a while, saying that she needed to go to rest room, but when she came back she handed me a book.

�??What is this?�?? I asked.

�??This is for you, I�??ve got one copy in Singapore, you should have one too, and let me say this, if it�??s meant to be, it�??s meant to be, nothing so called coincidences.�?? Francine said seriously.

�??What are you talking about?�?? I asked.

�??Just read the book and you�??ll understand.�??

The book called THE CELESTINE PROPHECY.

The next Monday till Wednesday, I stayed with her, we hardly had enough sleep during that period of nights, not that it mattered, we read the book she got for me together when we�??re together, or I read it alone while waiting for her to come back from her work or meetings, I make sure I left from my office on certain time, as to beat the traffic or well calculated my appointments, so none of time being waste.

I finished the book before she went back to Singapore, despite the break for work, sex, meal or late night room service.

Fully understand what she meant by NOTHING SO CALLED COINCIDENCES, if it�??s not meant to be, it�??s not meant to be.

Come to think of it, what�??s the odd of seeing her on that party?

CARPENTERS 3

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:26:00 +0000

After I finished my high school at �??93, I went to UNI,

Harry, Aunt Lian�??s son, asked me where did I go last night, so I explained I went to Boat Quay, and back, I skipped all the drunk part even though the beautiful smell of her hair stays on my mind, her body heat, pressed against mind while I lay her down in her bed.

�??Francine got great legs!�?? Harry said.

And so did I noticed, while she bent one of her leg on her bed, her skirt go way up, exposing her perfect milky white thigh.

A week went by without any word from her, asking her phone number from my aunt seems not a good idea, but her phone books just laying there, I tried my luck and browse through the �??F�?? section, no luck, and then I remembered, maybe on the �??C�?? section, and it change my luck, �??Chow, Francine�?? complete with her mobile.

Called her up, awkward at the beginning, but something in her voice soothed me, so we talked and talked and agreed to meet on Sunday, it a lazy hazy Sunday, that�??s what Sunday about for her, so she said to me that we�??re not going out anywhere, but she promised to take me back at night, she�??s got this kind of ritual, she�??ll stay at home right from morning until around 8pm, then went out for dinner, go to supermarket for her weekly supply, and back.

It soon became my habit too, every Sunday I went to her place, as early as I could, one Sunday she asked me about that night when she got drunk, thanking me about not taking advantage, and humbling herself - saying that probably she�??s too old for me as a reason why I wasn�??t �?? take the chance, she's 7 years older than me , that makes her 27 years old.

Old? I don�??t think so, so jokingly I said, if I want to do it, I wanted her to be sober, it got nothing to do with age.

So there, at that Sunday, she became a very important part of my life, doing it sober, exploring every inch, not that I never done it before, but this time, it�??s different, a man I am in the making.

Not only about sex, she brought me to a new world, replacing Alice Cooper, Axl Rose, Kurt Cobain to JOHNNY MERCER, GEORGE GERSHWIN, GUS KHAN, COLE PORTER, ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM, RAY NOBLE and many more.

Then I start telling Aunt Lian that I stayed out at Leslie�??s place every Saturday night, and back on Monday night, Leslie�??s my high school friend in Bali, she also studied in Singapore, my aunt think that she�??s my girlfriend, which I don�??t care, so every week I got to stayed with Francine for two nights, not bad, not bad at all.

I learn a lot from her, she cooks well, so I learn how to cook, learn how to distinguished which ingredient making what taste this and that �?? when we eat out, learn how to appreciate wine - how to taste it right.

At night before we went to sleep, we read to each other, one good books after another, then she�??ll explain to me certain word that I didn�??t know yet, sometimes both of us didn�??t know a certain word and she would grab a dictionary and we find it together.

She pointing out my mistakes calmly when I mistreated her or saying things that need not to be said, she said being a gentleman is a thing that can�??t be trained, it�??s hereditary and it�??s got to be on the gene, you either have it or not, when you have it, polish it right and it shines.

�??Is that what you see in me?�?? I asked.

�??Don�??t boast yourself,�??

Francine plays piano, I love when she played Debussy�??s - Clair de Lune, I remembered my fourth sister play this kind of stuff, and it�??s my biggest lost not to enjoyed it as much, but yeah�?�.what a boy know...!

But most of the time Francine played jazz standard love songs, the kind of songs that never dies, on one Monday wee hours, I�??m being awake by the sound of music from her CD player, later on I found out that it was THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU by RAY NOBLE, I sat beside her, and she smiled, always a beautiful one.

�??I couldn�??t sleep�?��??she said.

�??Why?�??

�??Something I have to say to you�?��??

�??What?�?? I asked.

She turn down the volume, looking deep into my eyes, as she once told me, �??when you talked with a girl you like, penetrate her soul by looking deep into her eyes, �??

�??Carpenters, �?�don�??t fall in love with me.�?? she said.

She didn�??t tell me, that on Tuesday she�??ll be flying off to London, not even a letter, she leaves me a box of cd, music that we used to hear together, no notes inside, some guy from her office drop it off at my aunt�??s place, it was my aunt who told me that Francine�??s career in advertising company was stepping up and her company send her to its HQ in London.

Sudden attacks of loneliness grab me by surprise, more painful than the betrayal of my ex-high school sweet hearth, I�??m lost at sea.

College went down to toilet, and I�??m going back home.

pic taken fr.http://www.sanctuaryclassics.com/product/images/CDAJA5115.jpg

CARPENTERS 2

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:51:00 +0000

Aunt Lian hooked me up with Aunt Bee, I told her that I need a part time job, so I can earn my own pocket money, it�??s a risky request actually, my visa is a student visa, not like Australia, in Singapore, they prohibited those who came under student visa to work, if immigrations find out, not only me will got problems, Aunt Lian being my sponsor and her youngest sister Aunt Bee will also got fined.

Lucky me being Chinese, I got to be Joseph Tjan on my name tag, a waiter in a steak house belongs to Aunt Bee, tender-juicy steaks and well known scones during high tea, up on the third floor of The Paragon, I mingled well with other staff, of course I ain�??t telling them nothing, my American accent like, making me cousin of Aunt Bee�??s husband as far as my other colleague need to know.

One day during High Tea Time, I got to served table#6, to my surprise, there she was, Ms. Francine Chow, alone, enjoying her book.
�??Afternoon Miss�?��??
She looked up and genuinely surprised,
�??Haaa, being naughty-lah!�??
My index finger went to my lips,�??Sssshhh�?�.�??
And we both giggled a bit.

I then leave her alone with her book, got to wait another table.
Then she asked for her bill, she puts a well folded money to my shirt pocket, you see, the regulation is, if one customer wants to tip, he/she need to put it in a box near the cashier, and at the end of a month, it will equally being shared among the workers. So I took the well folded money out from my pocket, open it and put it back to bill�??s folder.
�??Gotta share�?��?? I said, smilingly.
She smiled back.
�??You know what, I got nothing to do Friday Night, you work Friday Night?�??
�??Yes, I�??m off on Sunday and Wednesday.�??
�??OH, I thought of taking you and Harry to a movie or something, like the one we planned on the house, someday, we watch movie together, well, that someday is this Friday Night, to bad you got to work�?��??
�??Is there any midnight show on Friday Night? I�??m cleared out at 10.30�??
�??Of course�?��?? she said.
She looked up at the ceiling, naturally I did the same, there�??s nothing up there.
�??Tell you what, you�??ve never been out late in the city aren�??t you?�??
�??Nope�??
�??I am going out shopping, and then I�??ll go to Aunt Lian, pick Harry up, oh shit, it�??s a school night�?�well anyway, I�??ll go to Aunt Lian and saying to her that I�??m taking you out, a new to the city�?�and I�??ll be around here at 10.30�??
�??Oh you don�??t have to go there, I can call Aunt Lian and asked her permission myself.�??
�??You do that, but I gotta go there anyway, I need to renewed my apartment lease with her�?��??
�??Cool!�??

Later that evening she meet me up in front of lobby area of the shopping mall , her hands full with some shopping bag, I took it and carried it for her.
�??You got time to freshen up.�?? She said.
�??Always, �??cause sometimes when I got home, I got too tired and when to bed straight.�??
�??Your first time being a waiter?�??
�??Yeah�?��??
�??Your first time working for your own money I guess?�??
I gotta think before I answered, tried to remember, do I ever worked for my own money before?
�??Yes, I guess so.�?? I then replied.
We walked not too far to where she parked her car, a Benz 450SEL, 6,9.
�??So your tired now?�??
�??Yeah, but night out in the city give me a second wind�??
�??You drive?�??
�??Yeah, but got no international license.�??
�??Are you going to crash the car, speeding or recklessly drivin�?? it?�?? she asked.
�??Of course not�?��??
�??Then?!?!?�??
So that night was the first night, I got to drive in broad, smooth asphalt of Singapore.

We went to Boat Quay, she meet up with some of her friends, and don�??t know what got into her, she said to them that I�??m her relative, a distant cousin from uncle what not, and live in Bali.
I got bored, the pumpin�?? music and all those crowed, cramped into a small pub, and this friend of hers, they talked in Cantonese Language, so I grabbed my can of root beer and wave my hand saying I�??ll be on the outside.
A magnificent view of heritage building, mingled with high rise sky craper, it�??s different point of view from a boy who normally see beaches of Bali, sort of disbelief that I�??m actually here, away from anyone I know.
�??Carpenters, what�??s wrong?�?? she asked.
That�??s the first time she touches my head and run down my neck, and then she throws her arm around me.
�??Nothing, it just�?�beautiful.�?? I replied.
I smelled alcohol in her breath, her head lean to my head.
�??Don�??t get drunk! I don�??t know any road here.�?? I said, warily.
�??I am not that drunk!�?? She almost shouted that.
We sat on the bench, she sleeps in my shoulder, I got a strange sensation, a mix of happiness, gloomy, horny, and worried ness.
I woke her up, telling that I have to go back, I don�??t feel right being there at almost 2am, this is the first night I ever go out this late, and I really don�??t feel right with my Aunt, yes I got my own key to the house, but it just not right.
She asked me to get her a bottled water, after flushing it down her throat, she sleepily giving a road direction while I�??m driving.

�??Ya, you obviously can�??t drive under this condition.�?? I said.
I walked her to her apartment, almost carrying instead of walking.
Now, I lay her on her bed and I�??ve got choices, #1:be naughty, #2:sleep on her couch,#3:go home. She did say �?? lay beside me, or probably I�??m just hearing that inside of my head, but again, not going back to my aunt place �?? is something that I never done.
�??Number 3�?��?? I said, thinking out loud.
�??uuughhh wha�?�?�?? she said un-clearly.
I went back, by taxi, there goes my weekly allowance, stupid midnight charge!

CARPENTERS 1

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:24:00 +0000

After I finished my high school at �??93, I went to UNI,

After I finished my high school at �??93, I went to private university for a year, before going to Singapore, I sort of take a leave from my education and tried to study abroad, which in the end, both ain�??t worked out.

I�??m not a bad boy type - really, let just say, I became �??the student of life�??, polite way of saying �?? I�??m f#@ked up in formal education.

My first months in Singapore, I stayed with my aunt, up in residential area, when you�??re out from it, take 174 and it brings you straight to Orchard Rd, a fancy area, well she�??s not really my aunt, her late father was a very good friend of my ol�??man, she lives alone with her second son, her husband already past away, and her first son lives in Canada.

One afternoon on a weekend, my aunt said that we all (me and her son �?? Harry) ought not make any plan on Sunday Evening because we�??re all going to go to Doctor Chow�??s place, one of well known plastic surgeon in town, for Sunday Dinner.

So come the Sunday evening, another fancy residential area, a big house, palace like, with swimming pool and all, marble floor, a fake fire place in the living room �?? memory of fake fire place well planted cause doctor Chow, put a television inside it, mounted it up pretty need, connecting it with a VHS player, and he said sometimes during night time, he use to sit in his La-Z-Boy, aircon full blast, all lights down, and watch the fake fire from the TV,

�??I got the tape from Canada, two full hours, just showed log being burned�?��?? he said.

The dinner went very well, wife of doctor Chow cooked all the dishes, from appetizer to dessert, a rare occasion, her husband said boastfully.

It�??s an uptight dinner, sit straight up, no clanking and no slurpy sound, use your utensils from the most outer part of your plate and work your way in, thank God, I took my table manners course way back when.

After dinner, we move to the living room, yes, the one with the fake fire place, Aunt Lian, Mister and Missus Chow, hold their cup of coffee, while me and Harry still clinging to our glass of coke.

�??Sorry I�??m late for dinner�?��?? she said.

I couldn�??t stop starring at her, she looks like Michelle Yeoh, that�??s why you see Michelle Yeoh got a special place on my blog, not that I really interested at Michelle Yeoh at that time, just that type of face, is my kind of gal.

Her boyish did not diminish nor over took her lady like charm, white t�??s and short denim skirt.

After saying �??hi�?? to Aunt Lian and Harry she just politely smiles at me, then doctor Chow introduced her to me, she�??s the youngest sister of the doctor, her name, FRANCINE.

�??it�??s so quite! What�?�somebody died?�?? Francine said jokingly, everyone smiled,

She walked to stereo set, placed in between rows of books on an open cabinet,

�??What you guys wanna hear, Harry, got a special request?�??

�??Go ahead I___, go there and choose what you�??d like to hear.�?? Doctor Chow said to me.

She smiled at me as I walk to cabinet, I gazed around the rows of cd, of course no Guns �??n�?? Roses, Nirvana nor Mettalica, so I choose THE CARPENTERS, she give me a look, a surprising looks.

�??why do birds suddenly appears, ev�??ry time, you walk by, just like me, they long to be, close to you�?��?? crispy sound, well filtered, perfect output from BOSE set, definitely not for my type of music at that time.

Leng Pan; the killer appetizer

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 03:01:00 +0000

It's been a while, i've been away from sometimes, one boring wedding after another, but the worst one was last night, let me see...first, interior of the hall, sinetron type of set, like the one you normally see on those stupid wedding ceremony down in indonesian tv drama, yeah, big and tasteless, second, food: Leng Pan, supposed to be a dish of tasty cold Chinese Salad,an appetizer; consist of cold cut smoked chicken, slices of thousand years egg, slices of steamed shrimp(sometimes with lemonized and sugarized mayo), and jelly fish is a must, so the ingredient may vary, but fall under that standard mentioned earlier, but not last night, the bloody stupid Leng Pan of one and only big hotel in town in a place called Purwokerto (south part of Central Java) consist of; gizzard,chicken liver, slice cheap sausages, boiled egg and lumpia(sort of fried egg roll) TALKING ABOUT YUCK!!!!
and the rest of the food, i shall proclaimed, it's the worst food of any wedding that i ever attended, i went to deep forest in Kalimantan once, the daughter of head of the village, married on that day, did i mentioned it's in the deep forest, yeah, the food, waaaaayyyyyyyy better than last night.

And i kinda confused, is it me? 'cause you know, i look around at nearby table, and i look at the guy sitting next to me, they seem to enjoy what their eating, so it must be me, speaking of whose being crazy when a sane guy being put in an asylum, ok..ok...now come the entertainment, A VERY SPECIAL GUEST STAR, A POPULAR ONE, NOT ONLY IN THIS COUNTRY BUT ALSO IN SHANGHAI BLA...BLA..BLA..., and guess what...a big, smurky,she-male,........... WHAT A f#@k!!!!
he's an indonesian, but speaking in mandarin, so fluently that all indonesian chinese attending can't understand any word coming out from his mouth, read any history lately, chinese indonesian generally don't speaks mandarin....(maybe some part ya...)
I gotta go...
So i took my oldest daughter out, saying to my love one that she's bored, and both of us end up in a fast food restaurant eating fried chicken and fries...
"be back soon..." i said to my wife.
I calculated my time and back when all crap s'pose to be ended, but to my surprise, it didn't, hell..i've to sit again....

Ps.
Did i mentioned that this wedding is a wedding of one of the richest man in town, no?!
And the EO, all dressed up like an FBI agent, cheap suit and an ear piece dangling, all of'em, yeah all of 'em, have this looks like, you know, i'm SOMEBODY kinda look....ooooohhhhh

And so i said to my wife...
"when the time comes, when our daughter going to get married, we shall not entertain a ceremony like this, just invite most close relatives; a true inner circle, most close friends, have a small gathering in house or restaurant, with the best selection of dishes that we could afford, the best that we could afford, the best!!! and afterward let'em go to their honey moon...."

(i kinda feel sad, i should do that on my wedding back then...but... past belong to where it belong)

pic fr.http://tripcart.typepad.com/tripcart_the_blog/images/vomit_here_by_seedpix_at_flickr.jpg

Vivid

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:03:00 +0000

I had a dream couple nights ago, i was at this fashion week somewhere, the location looks like it's up in the cliff in Uluwatu over looking the ocean, you know where the big temple is, but before i went there, we were at this guy office, the office looks like a ultramodern office, with lots of high tech things, but i didn't notice it quite that much, 'cause plenty of models around, not that i really like models (most of them are airheads), but God given beauty is hard not to notice.

Anyways, there's one particular girl, i knew her from a very good friend of mine, in a real world we sometimes hang out together, at that dreams of mine, this gal didn't know me, and we just being introduce again by my good friend, i told him that i knew her, but he didn't believe me, i said or (rather) explained to him, that we've gone out together, me, my very good friend and her, but my effort soon go to waste, what a hell, i then said.

All this models there, were professional one i suppose, unlike this gal i knew, so most all of them girls, look down on this gal, saying that she's not pretty enough to be a model, i sort of feel pity for her.
After long waiting and gazing around all the beauty that pass me by, my very good friend said, it's time for the photo session up on that cliff.
So all of us went there.

Ok this cliff, like i said in the beginning, the location more or less like the one in Uluwatu, but there's no temple there, instead, there's this one big hollow pyramid, so tall like the tip of it touches the sky, and inside that pyramid, somewhat mystical heavy metal ball, spinning around in mid air, spinning and spinning in its own axis, i got a tremendous shiver lookin' at it, then when i tried to see the top of it, the sky became darker, not of clouds, it just, went dark brown...
Everyone looks worried, or rather scared, and suddenly there's heavy wind blows, clouds of dust minimizing our view, i covered my eyes, but pinching it a bit, trying to locate where my very good friend at, but fail to do so, then sudden silent. No wind, sets of clouds emerged, thunder start roaring, thunderbolt lightning smash the pyramid, massive electricity flows on its four triangular pillar, on the ground inside the pyramid, a big hole just open, from inside it, seven gorgeous women dressed in flappy red came out, not a beauty sights, they all have fangs and their hairs on fire, flying around the pyramid.

That ball, stop spinning, suddenly split in two, a silver runway like,stretch out, and i saw this very good friend of mine on the tip of this runway, hanging real tight on it, if he let go, he'll fall and dies, so he hang while this runway stretch longer and longer, this gal that i told you about earlier, walks on top of that runway, ignoring the very fact that this guy she knew, hanging on the edge for his life.
I ran, trying to catch up, the runway stop stretching right on the edge of the cliff, i then try to catch my very good friend hands, but he let go.....
flying off the cliff to the open sea down below.

I woke up, trembled, after a drink of water, i slept again, and i had another dream, in this second dream i saw my self calling my very good friend about the first dream.

picture taken from :www.philipcoppens.com/nap_cholula.jpg

LORNA 1

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 05:45:00 +0000

After 1998 riot, Dave, my next door neighbor, became one of my best friends, we�??ve both experienced the fear of being burned alive inside our houses; we�??ve climbed up to the top �?? and found out that our other neighbors also had the same idea, if rioters managed to get in to our sector, we�??ve going to jump off our roof to an empty land on the back of our houses and run as fast and far as we could Not long after, the crowd was shifted toward other directions, one of neighbors got an info that �??Hari-Hari Supermarket�?? open its door for the looters to take whatever they want, so we brace ourselves to go down, me and Dave got into my car, my designated driver was actually an office boy of a kindergarten not far from our house, meanwhile me and Dave took cover at the back, yeah, those rioters only aimed at Indonesian Chinese.
We managed to get to the airport, saved, it�??s the longest 15 minutes drive ever. The airport looks like a china town, people crying, shouting, howling, one guy lay down with blood still coming out from his head, t�??was hell of a mess.

Anyway after all that, I and Dave become best bud; we went out for dinner almost every other night, our favorite spot was a food court near our sector, with its famous Char Kwee Tiao. Dave�??s girlfriend lived in other town, he went to visit her every end of the month, meanwhile I, sort of single�?� At one of the dinners that we�??ve had, Dave mentioned about his ex-girlfriend named Lorna, the reason they�??ve broken up was because they�??ve both found that they�??ve got less and less things in common, by the way, they�??ve been with each other for almost five years. Not long for some people, but for me, I�??ve never experienced a relationship of more than a year and a half, so it�??s way long�?� So Dave got a wild idea, of introducing Lorna to me, he said Lorna is A fine girl, so I agreed. Long story short, Dave called her up and so we agreed to meet at a bakery inside MTA(a mall).

Lorna, 174cm, I gotta slightly look up every time I talked to her, 34c and the rest is just follows perfectly, I almost lost my confidence first time I met her, way too classy, bit of arrogant, designers goods, from top to bottom, bottom by mean of shoes, top by mean of tees. Her hair was long, bit brownish highlighted, up to the middle of her back, curled down at the bottom, a handsome gal, nothing�??s wrong with her. I gathered my confidence and asked her what I could get her, cup of cappuccino and she wanted to share cheese cake either with me or Dave. Conversation went well, I got her number, she got mine.

Two days later, I called her, asking her if she�??s got the time for dinner, surprisingly she said OK. I asked where should I picked her up, she said no need, so we decided to meet, again at MTA, but it never my style to take a girl for dinner on a first date at a mall. So after we�??ve met, I told her that I gotta take her somewhere down south, and then we went with my car.

We went to Toscana, a perfect Italian restaurant; I need not explain a perfect Italian restaurant do I, it just perfect. She�??s really dressing up, a short sleeves white silk dress with a bit below knee skirt, diamond necklace and a plain white gold ring on her finger, she must�??ve known that mall is not the place that I�??m gonna take her to dinner to. Her hair was perfectly done, she looks like a million dollar meanwhile I look more like her employee or something, boys will be boys, those men at the restaurant, most all of �??em take a good look of her then of us, they must�??ve been thinking, either I�??m loaded or her employee, just like what I was thinking about. I gotta admit though, Lorna was way beyond my league, no wonder Dave got less and less in common with her, witnessing the transformation of Lorna must�??ve been painful to my buddy Dave, a well calculated man if not want to be called stingy. Lorna; definitely a high maintenance type of girl.

She�??s agreed to our second date, the first one went very well I supposed, this second date, I gotta pick her up, way down to her house, in order to go there, I gotta pass a part of town that I hate most, endless, stupid, time consuming, traffic jam, but a man gotta do what a man gotta do. She lives with her mother, one younger sister and a brother, I met none of�??em. This time we went to Fountain Lounge at Grand Hyatt, really, not that I�??m loaded or something, but it�??s a perfect place (and I�??ve got privilege card, a gift from my client, big discount on F&B, plus a complimentary room voucher that never been used �?? and already made a booking �?? positive thinking �?? cyber kinetic �??whatever, that tonight is my lucky night) and this time, I suited up. We�??ve talked about lots of things, books she reads, places she�??ve been, music, and Dave. There�??s moment when our eyes really meet, chemistry on the making, I�??ve dared myself to reach her hand, try to remember what Francine once told me; of how to really treat a lady, of what to say and not to say, of how to gently touch without indicating lust, of how to let a lady wanting what we man actually wanted to do.

Normally I need not making an effort to do this, but Lorna, making me nervous right from the first time I met her, like I said, she�??s way beyond my league, and Francine, - Francine oh Francine, a great tutor a man can ever have, saying, �??It will work, it will surely work�?��?? And it did, it works.

In a middle of our conversation, after all magic sprinkles being laid upon, I suddenly said, �??Let�??s not go home tonight, let�??s just stay here, we can talk all night long�?��?? �??Here? Is it open 24 hours?�?? she asked, her head slightly tilted to one side. It�??s actually a coded question saying, �??Where are we going to stay?�?? �??Why, don�??t you wait here for a moment,�?? I said. I ran downstairs to the lobby, claimed my reservation, get my key card and run back up, this time, Fountain Lounge floor manager; Gregory, whom also my friend (again; being introduced by my client) already brought out a chique chocolate mousse, 3000orgasm guaranteed kinda mousse, an idea of his, way of impressing every date that my client brought here, an idea that soon also become a habit of mine.

That chocolate mousse brought her to sixth heaven, so I just followed it up,
�??Be gentle�?��?? she said. I took her hand in mine and we went to seventh heaven.

I woke up earlier than her, watching her sleep, I suddenly remembered what my father said, �??�?�beauty is a novelty that soon wore off,�?? I couldn�??t picture her being with me on the longer run, I know that for sure, but �??the accomplishment�?? still amazed me, so I stayed on in the game, let the river run.

To be continued�?�

TC GALLERY: SE7EN

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 05:01:00 +0000

She was my last one before I got hooked up for life, I still re

She was my last one before I got hooked up for life, I still remember that night, it was quite dark, stop.

�?� as I wrote this, my love one came barging in, asking to read what I write, kinda funny, she never asked before what I do in front of my monitor, not that I look at porn, she�??s just �??minding your own business�?? type of gal, I love her for it. I used to complain about it a lot, my love one not wanting to know about what I was doing, come to think of it, it�??s actually a blessing, again not that I�??ll do anything funny on a side (on my standard) :-)

OK�?�continue�?�

She just left the room, taking care of Regina and Catheline,

OK, where was I,

Oh yeah�?�it was quite dark that night, of course I�??m talking about the sky being dark, couldn�??t see stars, dark heavy cloud, it was 2 days after we broke up, she asked me to meet her at TC Gallery in south of town, when I asked what for, she said �?? just come. So I came over.

She asked me again that night after we ordered our dinner, asked whether I�??m being serious about breaking up with her, and of course I said yes, two days before that night, she gave me an ultimatum, either got married or engage or broke up, she generously gave me 3 days to think things over.

I said to her, I don�??t need 3 days, you gave me an ultimatum, I can give you the answer right at this very moment, I choose to break up with you.

She�??s dead silent.

When the big WHY slipped out of her, I answered - because I don�??t believe in marriages, simple, marriage is never a concept of mine, she couldn�??t understand it, she never want to understand it, she then said that she already introduced me to her family, had thousand of lunches and dinners with her folks, church and all, and for what?

Come my turn being dead silent.

Then she try to reason me out, but an ultimatum already got out, what�??s done is done, she shouted at me, start throwing things around her, and asked me to go, so I did, but I�??m a bit worried, so I came back in, an ashtray flew by me, I slammed the door , what a hell!

So that very night, I recall she�??s being pretty and all, her hair straight down- a bit bellow her broad shoulders, plain red Giordano tees with jeans skirt, little above the knee, pearl necklace and earring, very simple yet elegant, and a chique white shoes, I wished that she didn�??t gave me that kind of ultimatum before, but you know, it just�?�, I went crazy every time anyone gave me an ultimatum let alone about marriages, somewhat I had difficulties listening to the authority, yeah�?� I was that type, if my boss yelled at me, I just slammed the phone, if he called back and still yelling, I�??m slamming, until things get cool off by itself, I�??m positive it got nothin�?? to do with luck that I didn�??t get fired.

No one can tell me what to do, except maybe my brother, my fourth sister and her hubby, just the way they say things to me, it�??s not authoritative, more like an input, which I can dig. But not after I got married, boy, my love one can sure tell me what to do without me being realizing that I�??ve been told to do it. Let�??s not go there, this story is ain�??t about that, it�??s about a thing that leads to transformation, a flash back, some of you may say�?�yeah�?�he only got the past to tell, well you bloody wrong bloke, I�??ve got past and present, future�?�aaaarrhhhh�?�not ours to tell.

OK, back to that night, we�??re both calm, well, being in TC always make me calm, don�??t know about her, I mean, her being in TC, TC is a unique restaurant, probably that�??s why it�??s being called a gallery instead of restaurant.

It�??s not really that big, but inside you feel like you�??re not being part of the world outside, the interior of this place were design like an exterior of an alley, somewhere in Europe, there�??s a small barber shop, a travel book shop, stone flooring, bright brown brick wall, and if you got flu, don�??t bother to come, coz�?? the aircon, just blaring, nope, not a sound, but it�??s just perfectly cool, oh yeah�?�save the best for last, no�?�.not the food, the live performance, classical and jazz, one after other nights, a sidewalk style of shows with Broadway standard(probably a bit exaggerating), but it is a good performance, not loud like the one downtown.

By the way, she wants me back, this time �?? marriage is no longer a subject.

I couldn�??t, I knew her expectation, not that I didn�??t love her, she should�??ve been a mother of my child, but I couldn�??t�?�so I walked away, �??when I look in your eyes�?? being played, gently lead by violin, harmoniously backed up by grand piano and percussion, ..I�??ve broken both of our hearts.

Almost two years later, when I was driving with my wife, it was bumper to bumper, there she was, right besides my car, we both rolled down our window,

�??Hi�?��?? I said.

�??Hi�?��?? she replied.

I tilted back a little on my seat and point my finger to my wife,

�??N____, my wife�?��??

�??Ooh�?�Hi�?��?? she waved my wife, and then rolled her window up, her line moved.

�??It�??s her, the one that I told you about, she�??s, you know, my last,�?? I said to my wife.

She laughed and teased me over and over.

And another two years later, when I was waiting in line for an x-ray at the airport, I met her again; she introduced her husband to me.

At the waiting lounge, she came over, alone,

�??How many kids you�??ve got?�??

�??Two, you?�??

�??One�?��??

�??How old are yours?�?? she asked.

�??First one almost five , and the other almost three, and how old are yours?�??

�??Almost seven�?��??

�??What?�??

�??Ya, almost seven, if he or she exist,�?? she replied.

And she said this with a straight face.

I put down my book and stood up.

�??It�??s not you, it�??s�?��??, I couldn�??t continue, she stared me over through my soul, freezing me out, as if blocks of ice being wrapped all over me..

�??The one that never believe in marriage.�?? she said, and then walked away.

I wanted to explain, the things that I�??ve been through, the transformation, but her husband met her halfway, so I just wave at them instead.

Not long ago, when I was at book store with one of my best friends, I saw her, sitting alone, reading a book,

�??Bro�?�, I gotta go, I see you down at Kid�??z Station�?��?? I said to my pal.

Another chance to explain to her, but I blew it; probably it meant to be that way.

pic. fr.: http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Marcel-Lorange/Violin-resting-by-candle-light-Poster-C11743520.jpeg

Michelle...oh Michelle

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 03:17:00 +0000

A dear friend of mine called me yesterday, the divorce that she

a dear friend of mine called me yesterday, the divorce that she�??s been talking about since couple of months ago finally happens.

�??The house that I�??m about to be staying in after I split is ready, so I gathered my courage and talk to my husband last night.�?? She said calmly.

�??What did he say?�?? I asked.

�??Yes,�?? she replied.

�??No, I mean, how he responded, what did you say to him?�??

�??I said, seems like you are happy with your friends, enjoying your life being with your friends, so I like to be your friend instead of your wife, I�??ll be moving out and start packing�?? tomorrow, and then his reply is simply, YES.�??

�??What...?�?? I said, laughing.

�??Please don�??t laugh at this, I know it�??s ironic, he must�??ve been wanting this as bad as I want, but he got no balls saying it first, shit, what an embarrassment?!�??

�??Nothing to be embarrass about, it just, gosh, what a guy,�?? I said.

�??What do you mean?�??

�??No, I mean, great! No drama, no nothing, just simple YES.�??

�??Yes,�?? she laughed.

No really, I kind of admired the guy, I don�??t know whether his being wise or simply a prayer being answered, a simple yes to washed away five years of living together and a year of holy matrimony, he must�??ve stopped loving her for some time, or he loves her so much and couldn�??t bare to see her suffered if she stayed on, too afraid to communicate this, so he patiently waited until it happen naturally, and when it finally happen, a simple YES is sufficient.

�??So when will you move out?�?? I asked.

�??Tomorrow, I wonder if you could help me out,�??

�??What, hundreds kilometers away from you hon, gotta cross a strait, and no airport where I�??m at.�??

�??I�??m just kidding, shit, I hate packing.�??

�??I could ask a friend of mine,�??

�??Nah, too much trouble.�??

�??What about you, you alrite?�??

�??I am OK!�?? She replied. Her voice trembled.

�??You really OK...!�??

�??Yeah, he�??s just�?�., no, I�??m OK.�??

�??OK�?�take care.�?? I said.

She�??s probably OK, but I won�??t asked again, I don�??t want to get involved, I�??m through of getting in the middle of someone else problems, not that I won�??t help, I�??ll help, but I just don�??t want to get involved, but how can I help out without being involved, there�??s a way, there will always be away. I�??m talking to myself again.

�??OK, thank you for lending your ear,�?? she said.

�??That�??s what friends for.�??

�??Friendship last longer,�??

�??Indeed�?��??

�??You know, after the simple YES, we sat on our big couch, watched Memoirs of Geisha on DVD, right from start to end, both of us didn�??t say anything, I couldn�??t understand the movie.�??

�??You�??ve read the book?�?? I asked.

�??What book�?��??

�??Memoirs of Geisha.�??

�??No, never�?��?? she said.

�??Me neither, but according to my sister, she reads the book and watched the movie, she won�??t be surprised if anyone wouldn�??t understand what�??s the movie about.�??

�??What�??s that supposed to mean?�??

�??Nothing, I�??m just saying,�?�no drama, simple yes than watched movie.�??

�??Yes�?��?? she laughed.

What a guy, what a guy, I get it now, the beauty of Zhang Zi Yi is unbearable, but for me, Michelle Yeoh is way prettier than her, Gong Li, NE..not for me.

Shut up is my prerogative, yes I�??ve seen Memoirs of Geisha, enjoying it from start to end, and I dig it, what�??s not to understand?

There you go, talking to myself again.

�??�?�because burger is actually a modification of Char Siew Pau�?��??

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:54:00 +0000

�??Those after rain smell, lights and sound from inside that Jazz Club of yours in which made quite a strange harmony with the �??grruebeck�?? of probably a thousand toads, high puffed of my marlboro lights, and�?�of course, watching you playin�?? piano from that long framed window outside the club�?��??

This is my answer when she asked me what do I miss when I�??m not there, but it�??s not always raining when I�??m there, but I like it better when it�??s raining, not cats and dogs kinda rain, just long, constant sprinkling kinda rain.
�??So you rather stay outside than in?�?? she asked.
�??No, it�??s not like that, you asked me�?��??, and come that strange smile of hers.
�??Just kidding�?��?? she said.
�??..., yeah, I hardly knew you, hard to tell when you�??re kidding or not�?��?? I said.
�??It�??s because I�??m old�?��??
�??C�??mon, why I�??m not surprise, what is it with you women, always with I�??M OLD, you are not that old,...�??
�??See, I am Old�?��??
�??No, what I meant, I mean, what I�??m about to say, it�??s all natural, I�??m growing older, you will too, so is that guy�?��?? I said, randomly pointing my finger to the passer by.
She smiles.
�??Mind me asking?�?? she asked.
�??Shoot�?��??
�??What�??s with the finger nails?�??
�??Ooh, it�??s that thing they called psoriasis.�?? I replied.
�??Of a liver ?�??
�??No, it�??s an un-known origin kind of sickness, something about immune system being unbalance, and those doctors that I went to, claimed it was a�?�watchamacallit, pshycological, an outburst of subconscious stress, whatever-whatever�?��??
�??And that trace of wedding ring, you a�?�, divorcee?�??
�??What�?�oh�?�no, I�??m happily married.�?? I replied.
And I just don�??t know why I start to laugh, try to stop but failed, I laughed some more.
�??Sorry,mm�?�maybe it�??s too personal�?��?? she said.
�??Neehh�?��?? I manage to hold it for a while and start laughing again.
�??Well I�??m not happily married�?��?? she said bluntly.
I got �??oh no!�?? face on, it successfully bring my ha-ha to a complete halt.

And I do not know why, seems like I draw myself to this kind of situation much too often, most of �??em thinks that I got those �??good listeners�?? quality in me, and boy do I know how to abused it back on my hay-days, but now a days, I gotta be careful. I avoid to ask WHY, so I took one stick of my cigarette, light it up and puff it away, and it�??s like a curse,
�??Do you want know why?�?? she asked,
�?�my oh my, it�??s indeed a curse.
�??Why?�?? I asked, resting all my strength on that comfy café chair.
�??Not that I didn�??t like him, I like him very much, he protected me and all, and actually this is my second marriage, oh shit, why�?��??
�??Why what..?�?? I asked.
�??Why I even bother to tell you, I hardly know you, and it�??s not being good yaa�?�telling people about my husband, something about you, how old are you, actually�?��??

Wow, her voice start to raise up a bit, I sense rudeness.

�??Then don�??t tell, you asked me, do I want to know why, and I asked why, but if you then decided not want to continue, then don�??t,�?? I replied.
�??Sorry�?�sorry�?�.�?? Her hand reach mine.
Now, I started to regret being here on the first place, I tried to find a reason why I invite her to have lunch with me, want to know her more, yes, but why? Why she�??s agreed also a mystery for me, the first part of this lunch was fun, thrilling, we talked about jazz, books, life in general and food.
�??Let me pay for this lunch�?��?? she said.
�??No�?�no, I invite you, I�??m the one who should pay�?��??

�??Do you have time?�??
I need some time to chew that question down, with a sigh, I replied, �??�?�yeah�?�have time�?��??

�??I have a villa, way pass - over the hill, try to rent it out, but no luck so far, we could have an afternoon tea there,�?�if you have the time�?��??
�??Okay�?��?? I replied.
�??But we have to go with your car, I don�??t have mine.�??
�??Ya�?�no problem.�?? Now, this I lied, she�??s quite known on this area, a wife of someone, what if someone �?? or maybe her own husband, sees us, and this is definitely not my turf, it could be a problem, but her expression is plain, no sign of being worried or anything, so �??what a heck�?��??

Inside the car she said she was sorry, she didn�??t mean to be rude, and she also said that I look familiar, like a friend she once had during her youth �?? way back in North Korea, and that�??s the reason -why she asked about my age. Then she starts talking about reincarnation, jokingly I said about dreaming of going to North Korea. She didn�??t think it was funny, she then asked me about a lyric of a song, well sang by Sting, I forgot the title, but she sing it well,
�??�?�.wonder if Russia love their children too?�?? some of the lyrics goes like that.
I said I know that song.
And that is why she ran away from where she ran away from, because she thinks she knew the answer to that lyric, if that particular song exists way back when on her country of origin.
�??So you are not really from Hong Kong?�?? I asked.
�??I am �??on paper, but I am not actually Chinese, that is why I am marrying a Chinese, to confirm myself that I�??m Chinese.�??
�??Is that the reason you got married in the first place?�??
�??My second marriage, my first was with local, then I got lost, I don�??t know who I really am anymore, then I met him, I know I can be Chinese, I got away of being Chinese back in the States, so why not becoming a real one, then I re-married.�??
�??Wow, you must�??ve got quite a life story, running away from your country, going to US, Hong Kong, then here, mind if I made it a book�?��?? I asked.
�??Are you a writer?�??
�??No, I�??m a blogger�?��??
�??Dangerous�?��?? she replied.
�??I won�??t mention your name.�??
�??Whatever�?��??
�??Now that is American.�??
�??Aren�??t we all?�??
�??What?�??
�??American ?!?!�??

I am curious about what she might say next, but after hearing it all, I understand what she meant, we both love jazz �?? that�??s American, although she claimed later on - that her style is mostly being influenced by European main streamer, but hey, Billie Holiday, Pete Jolly Trio on Victor definitely American.
Next is Jeans, come fast food, Hollywood movies that successfully penetrating our lifestyles, yeah�?�all from Uncle Sam.
�??But lucky you�?��?? I said.
�??Why�?��??
�??To decide being a Cinois.�?? I said, bragging my French accent.
�??Why�?��??
�??Because burger is actually a modification of Char Siew Pau�?��??

Thank you for saying NO

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:21:00 +0000

She lives like those authors, which typically being pictured in romantic flicks, house by the ocean, minimalist style but carefully combined with traditional touch, spacious living room, simple pantry and glass dining table with white chunky chalky stone as its legs(leg of the table that is), all well arranged on the first floor, with marble tiles flooring, makes it chilly without sandals on.

A wooden steps brings us to the 2nd floor, a wooden floor, her working area sets up nicely on the corner, not so big wooden table, an open wooden filing cabinet on the left side of it, and on that table, paper and more papers, neatly stack on one side after another.
Right on the center of the second floor, a big cozy rattan sofa with it's big musky white pillows, tempted its looker to plunged in. That's where i supposed to sleep that night.

Her house consist of two bed rooms, all upstairs, right before she went to bed, she told me that sleeping on the sofa is not a wise decision, "mosquito!".
I can live with that.
The massive glass wall surrounding the 2nd floor is actually facing the beach, amazing view, i realized that in the morning, right after i carefully stepping out of her room, i definitely had too much wine that night, suddenly i remembered, during my sleep she wakes me up, she said, "Come inside, i couldn't sleep..."
So i followed her in, black silk see through over top, king size bed, lots of pillows, my head is spinning like crazy, she climb on top of the bed, taking her top off, bra and panties all black, exposed, i knew very well that my consciousness is way below 30%, but i manage to say,"No penetration..!"
She laughs a bit, tapping her soft king size matrass, as if saying, 'lay here, you are save, nothing will happen...'
So I lay asleep, holding her close, of course i got my natural reaction down below, she's that type of women most men can't say no to, for me, she reminded me of a long lost friend, but nothing happen, not that night, not ever, I promise The Big Man.
But her perfume and the smell of her hair, her subtleness...unforgettable...

I walk extremely slowly, the wooden floor making it impossible, damn low crackin' noise, afraid to wake her up i decide to sit on the sofa, but my dying need of water is unbearable, what a heck....i went downstairs, drink myself lots of water, and climb back up, i heard she stepping out of her room.
She wears black frame glasses,(of course with her top on) looks even pretier than last night, she smiled, again with the tapping, but now saying..'sit beside me...'
"Thank you for saying no..."She whispered to my ear.
That sofa is strategically situated in order to get a maximum view of the beach, what a view...
"PANCAKE FOR BREAKFAST!" yelled her out of the blue.

World Watching

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:37:00 +0000

one thing that keeps connect you to the world, as an observer, from Umadiawan, is by watching hundreds TV channel via sattelite dish...

If you got your own sattelite dish a digital one of course, complete with actuator, and receiver unit, and still wondering, why i couldn't get this channel or that channel.... maybe you should go to http://www.lyngsat.com/

Knowadays though, if you live right in the city, your transmission might get jammed on several channel, what caused this...A BLODDY MICROWAVE SCRAMBELLER...wait...wait...wait...nobodys fault...the air is getting full....

so good luck!

"WOMAN MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND"

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:59:00 +0000

EVE; The Woman

Couple days ago i had a discussion with a friend of mine, this brought us to the question,

is it true, that all the suffering in the world is caused by that woman named EVE???

Well of course Eve got persuaded by the devil, but why Eve, why not Adam?

This buddy of mine gave such a wonderful explanation, he said like this,

Ok, where's Eve came from, what was she made of?

From Adam's rib...

Ok, Eve is created from Adam's part, that makes her "less perfect" than a man, if "less perfect"sounds hars or sexes, let's just paraphrase that with, Eve...needs to be protected by Adam, Woman needs man protection...(not really applied on the world today...but hey, we talk about way...way...past back when...)

And according to the scriptures...GOD talked to Adam, you know,... about you can do whatever...whatever...as long as you didn't eat that FRUIT OF LIFE....GOD TALKED TO ADAM...not to Eve, Adam then, relay the message to Eve, don't you see the difference here, some movies portray how God's voice resonate like thunder when He speaks, but when Adam speaks...he just speaks...Eve hears about it, but it didn't effect her much, now this thing also explain how sometimes our wife, having difficulties hearing what her husband saying...i know, it's hard to complain about this, cause this things is being written like thousands and thousands years ago.

Back to the story...devil knew this thing, that's why IT spokes to EVE, not Adam, than Eve persuaded Adam....you know how when women start persuading man...yes...of course he complies, together they successfully creating the first sin for us to inherit...

Takes two to tango, so it wasn't Eve's fault entirely, but the fact explains...Eve....always the first factor, come Samson and Delilah, come Babylon, come King David...takes two to tango...see them apples???

"WOMEN MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND...!!!"

single chair for a single mind

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 05:57:00 +0000

If you could sit with your opposite sex for hours and talk about lots of things without being angry in the middle of those conversation, consider yourself being lucky, now if that someone is your spouse or your long life companion, consider yourself The Luckiest, coz' it just RARE.

These days, i don't know the accurate percentage of married couple that can do that, most of my friends that i know of are not that lucky, typical problem of being married; C O M M U N I C A T I O N, either you have it or not, the grey area of it, prone to "DANGER".

("DANGER" could constitute a real trouble, or an addiction of the following)

There will always going to be another person that you think, "She/he could understand me better..." once you have that kind of thought, a hook will start to look like a real meal, like when i gone fishing on an open water, those bait are so sophisticated, they really looks like small fish, ready to be whacked and yanked by those Snapper, and you know, that snapper taste mighty damn good....

But again, i remembered a friend of mine, a divorcee, and then she found another "life companion", then failed, then came another one, then failed, come the next...and then she called and said..."This is it, this is the one i'm looking for..."

Yeah, she finally got the one she's looking for, after going through 1 living together not marrying thing and 3 marriages, ...4 children.

Tell me what is wrong with that?What is wrong with people like Elizabeth Taylor?

And then another friend, her husband is a con artist, bullshitting her on a daily basis, lying cheat son of a b**tch, drug user, but this friend of mine said that she wants to fight for it, fight to make her husband a better person, save her marriage, she's goin to hell, try to kill the devil by herself, sometimes with a bit of my help, but still, you can't change a person unless the person him/herself wanted to change, her husband, is like that one of Sinatra song - "That's life" but not in the positive way.

"For the sake of my children..." According to her this is the only reason, why she wants to stay in that hell hole.

Tell me what is wrong with this? Isn't she entitled of pursuing her own happiness, was she neglecting that? Scared perhaps?Scared of being alone so 'I'd rather stay with this bastard, than being alone" Isn't that f**kin' pathetic.

So tell me, what's what?

...where monkeys become human

noreply@blogger.com (OLE) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 05:55:00 +0000

this is the way to go to UMADIAWAN it's near yet so far, look up...it's always there!