Responsibility

Uncle Ben used to say to his nephew, "With great power came a great responsibility". Now, is it my chance to had a sip from a God's grail as a sign that i had more power with more responsibility that i had to put on my shoulder? I'm about to whine in this post.

I was more comfortable working behind the screen, because by that, i could easily put my timetable the way i see fit without any concern for other's. And i've been doing that for this last two years. But now, after 6 months and two weeks of job, i've been pushed by management to not only sit behind my screen but to stand and speak before the end-users. And i dont like that.

On the other hand, by given that responsibility, i could push my value to the company i'm worked for and would easier for me to ask for a pay-raise in the future. But then again, i would ten times prefer to be a developer than a system-analyst, even though, here, a system-analyst was considered as an upgraded developer.

In real life, i've recently also faced with threatening responsibilities. I wouldn't want to went into details here though, well, yet. But, by facing these responsibilities i may in the end could prove myself worthy of the title "adult". No, i'm not kidding. And thus, i could abandon my seven years nickname, "Ramza Boy" and maybe changed it into... "Ramza Man"? Don't like the way it sounds though. Cheers.

Book Review: The Rule of Four

Dubbed by The New York Times as "the ultimate puzzle book", many compares this book with well-known Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. I disagree. Much.

I picked up this book at my friend's house, he was an avid reader, and doesn't share the hype everyone felt about Da Vinci Code with similar reason with me which is roughly translated as "i dont like Da Vinci Code that much, because everybody else's hugely praise it as the greatest novel ever written... duh". So, i picked up the book, in a hope that i'll get a good read.

The book opened with what could easily be teached at "Writing Thriller 101", a passage about some mystery - murder, in this case - which happened several hundred years ago. It was a success-guarantee formula for every successfull thriller novel. Put an opening passage that would surely piqued reader's interest. You know, such as, "I was fifteen years old when i died".

The book, in short, was revolved around a mystery, a puzzle that has been surrounded a book, an actual book, Hypnerotomachia Poliphili for 500 years. The book, has been a favourite subject among literature researchers.

In The Rule of Four, four room-mates at Princeton had its share of involvement with the manuscript. But, instead of dealing with the obsessions of the book, the puzzles (since it was cited by The New York Times as "the ultimate puzzle book"), and the prize behind the puzzle - which of course the things that i would like to see from the book -, it spends a quite considerable amount of time running around in circles told about the customs at Princeton, about "the growing character".. frankly, i dont need characterization, simply because i dont expected to see one. So, imagine my disappointment when more portion of the book spent at the four adolesence men's relationship.

But all in all, i must gave the authors an extra credit for bringing such careful research with the material behind the book and since both of them were relatively young and this was their frist book, the credit went more. Not enough though, for me to attribute this book more than just a mere mildly entertaining, and unless you had time, i wouldn't recommend the book.

Google AdSense

Just received my monthly report, i've made $1.03 from various ads i put here at my blog. Well, it's not something to be proud of though, and it was only on paper report (since Google would only cashed in the money whenever it's reach $100), but considering that i've spent almost no-effort to generate that $1, and i've never urged anyone to click the ads, i still had this kind of a proudness within.

A Week Old Rant

I've been wanting to write something after the long weekend (in Indonesia, we had 5 days off last week), the pleasant long weekend, but really, my work doesn't spare a moment to catch breath by putting in high gear right straight on Tuesday.

First of, we celebrates our 61st Independence Day on August 17th, but on August 19th, 4:08 am, my mother's dad, who was my very last third generation grand-parents passed away after suffered from a month long stroke, may God rests his soul.

Had a pleasant weekend with my shopaholic love (just kidding, love), spent quite a fortune as well. Watching several movies at the local theater, such as Captain Jack Sparrow's havoc adventures which is surprisingly, as good as when i watch them the first time a month ago, well at least, i didn't get bored at all just like when i watched its prequel. And damn, that end scene still robs my breath.

And then, it was a documentary about some Miami's cops. It was a very much pleasant experience. Well, aside from this man's character who doesn't convince me of being the leader between the duo (well, Sonny Crockett's was supposed to be the leader, not some wimpy cute-boy) and his love interest's sad sad performance. However, even if that it's still mightly far from his masterpiece - well heck, in my opinion, every artists could only have ONE masterpiece -, it was still one of the best Summer films i've seen this year. I especially love that trailer park scene, so haunting... and many thanks to the fellow audiences who surprisingly, was also mostly quiet at that particular scene, which enabled me to could feel its grandeur beauty.

And lastly, some lame excuse on this man's behalf about superheroes-theme that recently plagued our theater nowadays. It was a bad mix between Smallville, Scary Movie (it's spoof quality with her aboard as well), and 14-year old girls as his target audiences. To give them some credit, there's this scene, involving a deadly sea-creature which i'm sure that most audiences would find pretty amusing (and entertaining). Doesn't give a damn about its ending though.

And now, a new week emerges, new steps taken, new decisions made, new risks challenged. Wish us luck, folks, me and my love would try something really risky in this couple month ahead. I'll let you know when it comes around.

Clint Eastwood's Duo

Coming this October and December, would be Clint Eastwood's two epic World War II films which based on the event of the Battle of Iwo Jima. The first film, which was scheduled to release on October 20th, was Flag of Our Fathers and the second film, was Red Sun, Black Sand. While both films told the event of Iwo Jima, Flag would be told from American POV (see picture), and Red Sun would be told from Japanese POV.

The trailer has been online (but sorry, couldn't find the decent URL), and from what i've seen, it was a film worth to wait. The tone, which was almost black-and-white, the mood, all sets for a majestic, epic, and sorrow instead of... mmm... crash-boom-bang?. The battle of Iwo Jima itself was said as a American's superiority Japanese crucial loss in World War II. And if i could be bold enough, Clint Eastwood will be another serious contender for this year's Academy Awards.

Monitor

It seems like i've been cursed with computer's monitor. I've recently (well, not quite recent actually) bought a monitor, a brand-new monitor mind you. And last night, when i was typing something, some two-years debt that i've been neglected. All of the sudden, without any apparent cause (such as lightning flashes, or power outage as were the cases when my previous computer's monitor broke down), the screen flashes white, and shortly after, all of the screen emitting a white light. A blinding light. I was anxious, because i bought that monitor not so long time ago. Ah, well....

Today's Theme Song

Not Enough

To love somebody naturally
To love somebody faithfully
To love somebody equally
Is not enough, it's not enough
It's not enough

To love somebody secretly (And never touch)
To love somebody honestly (And always trust)
To love somebody tenderly
The tender touch is not enough
It's not enough

Love hurts you sometimes
It's not so easy to find, no
Searchin' everywhere, you turn and swear (Ahh-ahh-ahh)
It's always been there

To love somebody foolishly (Can happen once)
To love somebody hopelessly (It hurts so much)
To love somebody equally
Is not enough, it's not enough
It's not enough

Love takes a little time
It's not so easy to find, no, no
Searchin' everywhere, you turn and swear
It's always been there

(Guitar Solo)
Standin' there....

Oh!

And if it don't come easily
One thing you must believe
You can always have trust in me
'Cause my heart will always be, yours honestly

Yeah! Love hurts you sometimes
Not so easy to find, no-oh
Searchin' everywhere, you turn and swear (Ahh-ahh-ahh)
It's always been there, standin' there
Love hurts you sometimes
It's not yours, it's not mine, no-oh
Love is only to share
You turn and swear (Ahh-ahh-ahh) it's everywhere
Standin' there (Ahh-ahh)
'Cause it's always been there

What Am I To You?

What am I to you
Tell me darling true
To me you are the sea
Fast as you can be
And deep the shade of blue

When you're feeling low
To whom else do you go
See I cry if you hurt
I'd give you my last shirt
Because I love you so

If my sky should fall
Would you even call
Opened up my heart
I never want to part
I'm giving you the ball

When I look in your eyes
I can feel the butterflies
I love you when you're blue
Tell me darlin' true
What am I to you

Yeah well if my sky should fall
Would you even call
Opened up my heart
Never wanna part
I'm giving you the ball

When I look in your eyes
I can feel the butterflies
Could you find a love in me
Could you carve me in a tree
Don't fill my heart with lies

I will you love when you're blue
Tell me darlin' true
What am I to you
What am I to you
What am I to you

Summer 2007 Movies

I know, i know, it's still a year away, but at least you'll know what to anticipate coming 2007. Mind you, that it's only a partial list and some changes in the future may, or even most likely to happen.

• May 4: Spider-Man 3
  
• May 18: Shrek the Third
  
• May 25: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
  
• June 8: Ocean's Thirteen
  
• June 15: Fantastic Four and the Silver Surver
  
• June 22: Evan Almighty
  
• June 29: Die Hard 4 Live Free or Die Hard, Ratatoullie
  
• July 4: Transformers
  
• July 13: Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix
  
• July 27: The Simpsons Movie
  
• August 3: The Bourne Ultimatum
  
• August 10: Rush Hour 3
  

Okay, what do you get? More sequels, and refurbished ideas? Frankly, i'm not too hyped with the list. But at least, some movies (which i indicated on bold) are worth the wait, MY wait.

The FA Community Shield

Sniffffffff.... can you smell it? The smell of a newly-cut grass, of sweat, of determination, of joyful wins, of desperate losses? It's football season coming. English Premier League was one and (almost) only world's football league that i closely watched. Due largely to my involvement as one of the (successfull) manager at Barclay's EPL Fantasy League game over the internet, even that i'm not an avid fan of a game, i knew a good game, and love it as it is. And therefore, merely five weeks since the conclusion of the Greatest Football Tournament on Earth which won by a bunch of sissy football players i ever known that goes under the pseudo-name, Azzuri. Yeah, right, i felt something is missing on my weekend, and only last night when Liverpool vs Chelsea at the FA Community Shield was aired live on TV, that i knew what i missed all that time, football.

Rather different from most friends of mine, i'm not into fanatisms or club-cults or such. So, if there was a friend of mine who despises Manchester United, or if there was another who'll never walks alone with Liverpool, i was regarding all of the EPL clubs at the (almost) same contentment level. So come last Sunday, at Community Shield, when Liverpool met Chelsea which undoubtedly sets-off sparks between two club fanatics, i bought a Chitato, Fruit Tea, some Roma Malkist Crackers, and watch the game, and hopefully no sissy negative football shown. Because later today, based on that game and some latest news on EPL transfers, i would decide my first 15 players who would be my ammos in facing the challenge at Barclay's EPL Fantasy League. And it would be a difficult decisions, as always.

Anyway, congratulation to Liverpool who had won a Community Shield. It was a good game. And as an afterthougt, it was rather pleasant for me to see the anguish on Jose Mourinho's face as his mega-star packed eleven squad was beaten.

Amway

For years, as long as i've remembered, i've been carefully furiously avoiding an MLM practice whenever some unknowns - strangers or not - tried to piqued my interest on some 'business opportunity'. Some of you may've recalled that in a certain evening i've sent some stranger out of my room with harsh words - harsher than i intended, but much softer than i desired - when he came to a point of asking me, again and again, of why i'm not interested in an MLM thingy. Look, punk, i just don't like it. And i believe i had no need of any reasons to dislike a thing and let it that be that. Later, i've discussed this MLM thingy with several friends of mine and i had a firm opinion afterwards that i don't like MLM because some men are working less hard than others, but making more, and in fact, exploit others to his / her benefit. And that's what? Capitalism? Whatever you called it, i don't like MLMs even more. The idea of making tons of money with little efforts - a jargon often used by MLM salesperson to invite some strangers - were a bit off of me. The world doesn't work that easy.

But anyway, here's the thing. Sometime last week, i've got a call from my uncle offering me the same 'business opportunity'. I was slumped in my chair when i heard him speaking and shaking my head with audible sigh of exasperations. No, no, not him, i said to myself. I could easily furiously patiently said 'No' in different excuses to some strangers. But believe me, for me, saying 'no' was a hardship - something that actually brought me trouble from time to time, but that's me, there, you knew my secret - even to some strangers. Well, at least until i met this girl. Little by little she taught me how to say 'no'. Anyway, my uncle - the one who called me - was happened to be my closest kin in this town, and he was like a big brother for me for the last 25 years of my life. Oh, wait, that's my whole life. It's true, because you see, he was the only blood brother that my mum had, and i was the first male nephew of his. Therefore, i was his favorite nephew, and he was my favorite uncle. And in my mother's family-tree, the male cromosome was a hard one to come through. So, if you're my position - and share my personality - could you really say 'no' to him? I've tried, and i've failed.

So, on a Thursday evening, i found myself sitting on a small conference room while some guy - which happens to be my uncle's uplink - in front, explaining how much money you could have compared to how little time you've wasted invested on it. Buy the first time, he - the some guy - mentions 'Amway', i lean closer to my uncle and whispers, 'Hey, bro, this is some kind of MLM, right?', 'No, it was Network21, there was a difference', he said. Immediately, i don't feel comfortable and wished to get home right away. But later, again, with my inability to say 'No' to him - curse you, morality -, i agreed to attend an even bigger seminar on Sunday, and agreed to be a member of his Network (that's how he called it, Network) and there goes my 163 thousand rupiahs... *sob*. Wait, 165 thousand rupiahs because i spent an additional 2000 rupiahs for parking. Just right about when i needed every single penny i could afford.

Sunday seminar was better than i thought, actually. If on Thursday, i was presented with some dreams of working less, earning more, let the money works for you, and other day-dailing-dreamings, the key speaker on Sunday seminar was more concentrated on the hardship that she had to suffers through for her to get to the point where she was at this moment, which is a passive income for about 420 mills rupiahs a year. And regardless of wether she told the truth, a half-true, or even an outward lie, i've got something right there. And believe me not, after the seminar i called my wife girl, and told her how much i loved her since i don't realize how much i've alreday had and i've been forgotten to thank the Lord for those.

Anyway, i must give you a fair warning, because maybe, someday in the future, i might called you out of the blue and i'm going to ask inform you about this product, huahahahahahaha (insert Dr.Evil theme song, here).. just kidding..

Well, actually, i'm serious.

PS: If that happens, i'm not going to lie and had a sweet talk. I'm just going to say it out front that 'okay, this is Amway, and this is Network21'. That, i promise.. if that happens, anyway. Because, i'm still not sure about my involvement on this product. But, damn, i still missed that 165 thousand rupiahs i've spent. It's worth exactly 15 comic books... *sob*

52

For the last a year and a half, i've been interested in collecting US Comics and taking deliberate side with DC whose known for it's colorful legend men-in-cape such as Superman, Batman, and so forth instead of Marvel whose hip-ness, represented by young and dynamic superheroes such as Spider-Man, and X-Men.

Why DC? well, you see, there was this event called Infinite Crisis which aftermath re-vamped a whole DC Universe, restarted it, killed some of them, altering some of their superheroes' power, and introducing new superheroes. In short, the DC history was rewritten. The Infinite Crisis spans 7 series (7 months) and interlinked with several DC specials that in one way or another, supported the event.

After the Infinite Crisis' conclusion, the whole shelf of DC products experiencing a time-jump called One Year Later. As it's title suggests, One Year Later describes the story One Year after the Infinite Crisis. Now, what happened between the Infinite Crisis and One Year Later? How does these heroes lost their ability? Why does this guy is still alive? Doesn't he get killed during the Crisis? and so forth.

To answer that question, DC came up with a solution that came with a weekly serie called 52. The serie should be delivered weekly and depicted the event for the current week, until it reaches week 52, where all the stories should continue logically correct with its appropriate One Year Later continuation.

The latest issue was #14, i just recieved it this Thursday. And so far, this serie has yet to fail me, for fourteen weeks, this serie has been delivered on time and features some lesser super-heroes (wasn't it nice?) such as Questions, Booster Gold, Steel and even Batwoman (i dont know where she does coming from, but red hair? Barbara Gordon?).

** Spoiler alert **

And still, Superman remains loses his power, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Robin were still nowhere to be seen.

Fragment of Dreams

Yeah, right, just what we all needed. Another blog from some unknown guy. Well, you see, i've recently been abandoned a three-years old blog, ScreeningLog where i used to dump all of my ideas reviews on films. I've been unable to keep up. Sooooo, i decided to start anew, where you'd see none of my old glorious pretentious reviews in-trade with my babblings on life itself as it progresses around me. And if that wasn't enough, i may thrown in some reviews here and there among the posts i shall made here in the future. And don't worry, it shall be updated quite often. Well, at the very least if you compared the update-rate of this hip, ultra-spanking new blog with the old ScreeningLog, it would be like compared an old snail with a cheetah in its prime.. um, just kidding. But, you get the point.

Now about the title of the blog. I was rather ashamed of myself to admit that it was a reminder to myself that i was always bemused myself with dreams and not doing anything to achieve it. Well, it's true. I've been acting as a great proscastinators for these last ... um ... seven years? Gosh. That's a long one. But now, all was going to change (well, i hope) with this young lady behind me, supporting me, consoling me, even put out some harsh words to encourage me, i would be ready to REALLY start life. As if i dont have live before. Well, truth be told, i dont.

And you know, as a friend of mine put out, "love could really changes a man". So, it's time to pick a hammer, smashes the dream i've been living in into pieces, pick one of them, look at it closely, and act on it, not just merely dreaming it.