Tragedy

At a glance, i won't seem like one with a remorseful empathy toward other's misfortune nor one with grudging envy toward other's lucky charms. That's merely because i considered myself a firm believer that everything that had happened in our life was already written (well if not all of them, a considerable portion of life, then), all of our tragedies and misfortunes, all of our luck (as i believed that no such thing as luck is actually exist) and fortunes, were already plotted. That been said, i've had also believed that some of the money i had made belongs to one of those 'unluckies'.

However, a recent fire in Bandung, West Java earlier today made me ache. At least ninety kiosk had burned. No life lost though, fortunately. But unfortunately, a considerable amount of books were burned. With estimated loss around 8 billion rupiahs, it saddens me to know all those books gone black, charred and turned to ash. And those books aren't mine. I can't start to imagine what would i feel if those books that had burned were mine. I would probably break down and went to the Cuckoo's Nest.

Autism

My new friends had said - largely with mocking tones that only good friends did (oh, and i made good friends rather quick, even my new Human Resource Manager had admitted it, well, at least to men, women frightens me, unless if they're pregnant, and my new female good friends, they whom i felt comfortable to had lunch with, were pregnant, or young mothers. Go figure) - that i had every symptoms of an autistic. Now, i don't know shit about Autism, nor about its behaviors, so i can't exactly tell why did my new friends said so. However, one of my new friend said, that i had some odd, curious, out-of-this-world behaviors, which of course qualify me as being weird. Another admired me for my wackiness (no kidding). Yet another gave up his throne as film appreciator after knowing (in a hard way, which satisfied me) that i had more knowledge in the field than him. Another who had commented on my thick Javanese accent, had a shock of her life (this one, a young rich girl, i don't like much, and i tend to avoid talking to) when she found me laughing to tears while reading The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, reads my blog, heard my not-too-friendly comments on Harry Potter's seventh book, and ultimately, to learn that i kept my thick Javanese accent on purpose, as heritage. Another, a chinese descendant female (also young and rich, and also i tend to avoid as well) also shocked when she knew that i had some knowledge in Japanese (and Chinese) letters even without proper (nor formal) educations whatsoever.

Actually, i just did what everyone should did. I learn, i study, about things that interested me the most. For instance, films. I learned to read Japanese merely because i wanted to play un-translated Japanese Games (if it comes to Games, i'm a purist. All against dubbed Games). Therefore, i don't know how to speak or read Japanese properly, but i know enough those Kanji letters to understand the meaning. See, i'm not necessarily learn the language, but just enough to read the symbols. Give me a Kanji letter, there's a fair chance i would know the meaning. But not how to read them properly (either in Japanese or Chinese). If i'm not interested in a particular thing, i would know nothing of it. Just like everyone else. Well, even Sherlock Holmes, the greatest detective ever written, and arguably one of the brightest fictional character, doesn't know that the Earth was orbiting the Sun (i believe this fact was unearthed during his first moments with Dr.Watson in A Scarlett Letter). He doesn't care about it one way or another since it doesn't have any significance whatsoever with his job as a private investigator.

You know what i hate the most about people nowadays? They tend to judge the book by its cover. Well, not that i'm guiltless about it though, but, when i'm comfortable around people, i don't give a shit what they looked like, or how they behave. And really, it doesn't takes a lot to made me comfortable around people.

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Review: In short words, The Bourne Ultimatum doesn't disappoint. If you liked The Bourne Supremacy (and i can't thought of reasons you shouldn't), you'll love Ultimatum. However, if you are one of those people who complained with how Paul Greengrass shots his scenes in Supremacy (and i say, go watch more movies, you dweeb), you'd found a little love to Ultimatum (blasphemy!).

As with previous incarnations of Bourne series, the latest installment still features Jason Bourne, a super-spy, a much-much more down-to-earth super-spy than the other JB super-spy who had last much longer than him, who suffers amnesiac and tries to unveiled his shrouded past.

However, i assured you that previous experience to the Bourne series aren't immediate necessity. However, if you'd liked to know why was Jason Bourne limping in the streets of Moscow at the beginning of the film, feel free to watch The Bourne Supremacy again. And it's actually good to know that the final scene on the Bourne Supremacy is actually happened at the near end of the Bourne Ultimatum.

Matt Damon had said that this is the last Bourne, although that it was hinted that he would likely to return should the next Bourne (if any) still directed by Paul Greengrass. Thus, the film should delivers a bang with style. And even though, if compared to the Bourne Supremacy this film still fell short, this is one of the best film i've see this summer, and it's worth the wait.

Just like the predecessor, the film's pace is incredible. It moves so fast i had barely a time to draw breath. However, as i've said earlier, if you didn't like the way Greengrass shots his scenes at Supremacy, you'd have little love for Ultimatum since the camera always in constant movement even if the sots was actually a static close-up shots. Alas, i believe that such direction strenghten the tension it generates. Thus, i had no objection whatsoever with it.

With Matt Damon who plays Bourne perfectly, and one of my favourite actress, Julia Stiles as his damsel-in-distress, also David Strathairn, this film would most likely in my 2007 top-10, and is certainly my #1 summer 2007 film.

Ultimatum was not without its flaws, there are some scenes, and decisions made by characters (whom mostly CIA officers) that made me frown. And i found myself dragging my attention toward the film's end where the conclusion was about to be given. After all, after being entertained with superb consistent action sequences, the slowing down was rather unwelcomed.

One side foot-note: Why the trilogy's best is always on number two? Well, that's what i think anyway.

My Rating: ***1/2 / ****

New iMacs

I had a day-off yesterday (due to Jakarta's Governor election) and so i just had the news regarding the newest release of Apple's desktop line this morning. And yeah, i definitely want one.

Brushed Aluminium case, glossy 20-inch (and 24-inch) screen, oh-my-god-that's-so-cool ultra-thin keyboard, if i want a desktop, that would be my choice. Further, i would chose the middle tech-spec one that costs about US$ 1500. However, since i'm rarely at home, and yet, i don't have a home that could be called as my own, i would stick to my MacBook right now. But, of course, you're more than welcome if you want to give me one.

Actually, i'm more excited about the update on iWork software line. I've been using iWork '06 and loving it. And has been longing for its spreadsheet application. iWork '08, the next update of iWork '06 has been shipped with Numbers, a spreadsheet application. Now, for US$ 79, that's a true bargain.

Write the Goddamn Book Already

So said the Procrastinator.

Windows Troubleshooting

My job description are including but not limited to computer's troubleshooting. Which means, that if the average user in my office can't connect to an internet, can't connect to a network printer, can't access their mailbox, et cetera, they called my extension. It's by far the most humiliating job that i've ever had. However, given the circumstances, it's also the easiest job that i ever had.

Okay, most of, well, everyone but me (proud Apple user) in the office were using Microsoft Windows. And one lesson i learned (in a fast and a hard fashion) that Windows needs to be restarted. That's all. One day, one user can't find a brand-new network printer. I tried to connect it from my Mac, in three minutes the printer churning a colorful image from my Mac. This user, who uses Windows XP, tried as he (and i) may, still can't find the same printer even though that i had given the correct parameters to it. Minutes later, i learned that if you feel you did everything in your book about troubleshooting and still the response was nowhere near your expectation, restart the goddamn machine.

In days to follow, i still believed that there's still a logic way for these misbehaviours, i.e, it should work when it should work. However, the experience proved au contrarie with my assumptions. For instance, one day, a user said that he can't connect to a network using wireless. What did i do? I was mulling over the settings, the switch, and various other methods only to find that the solution was a mere button away. Yes, restart. Also, once a user said that the Microsoft Outlook he used to read his mails refused his password. I tried using mine, and worked, so i said, restart. And yes, it worked. One of the mysteries of the computing world. When your Windows misbehave, restart, most of the time, it worked. If not, then it's really the time to call your IT Department.

That's why i didn't miss using Windows at all, in fact, the Toshiba Satellite that was given to me by the office was mostly unused. I prefer, much prefer, using my MacBook which i never shut down for about 12 days and counting as of now.

Ugh... The Tension

After a disappointment of this year's summer's number threes (yes, Pirates, Spider, i'm talking to you), i simply can't wait any longer to see this film since i loved number one (great) and number two (even better) so much. And my heart leaps and beats faster whenever i saw the trailer. Every single time. Honestly, i can't remember when was the last time i had greatly anticipated a film... i just hope that i won't be disappointed. Now, this film had scheduled to hit the theater at 7th. That's Tuesday, which means that there's a fair chance that the film would be screened this Saturday mid-night. I just can't wait.

I'm Too Lazy to do Individual Posts

All right, this is a recap post.

Die Hard 4.0 (2007) *** / ****

In my opinion, this film works even better if the viewer hadn't any previous experience with Det. John McClane. Nevertheless, the over-the-top actions quite often make-up the McClane-less experiences to somewhat make this film quite engaging in and of itself.

In truth, i've been expecting the revival of our old-school hero - now balding, and a father to georgeous lady (in the film) - with lukewarm anticipation, at most. However, the film turns out to be a okay. In fact, i'm enjoying it so much to an extent that i'd give it a nod for actually the first summer sequel that i enjoyed the most.

When the plot revealed that it's going to involve Mary Elizabeth Winsted (aptly nicknamed MEW by her fans) as his daughter, i was afraid that the film would plot your usual damsel-in-distress scenario in which Det. McClane runs around to save his daughter. Well, i was wrong. And i couldn't be happier for being wrong. MEW is still had her portions of course, but Det. McClane is still Det. McClane. He does his job not because he has no other options. He does it because it's his job. And that's what nailed this film in my current appreciation. Should he runs around tried his best to save his daughters right from the first minute, i would laid curse to the screenwriters, and i wouldn't give a three-star to this film.

Timothy Olyphant (i haven't used to spell his name right yet) is magnificent as the main villain. I liked him since i saw him in the Deadwood series, and hugely anticipated his next flick, as Agent 47 in Hitman due this fall. MEW is great, superbly great as McClane's daughter, in a sense that she was in the film not merely as a necessity but as something more of a color to the film. And of course, the sidekick, Justin Long whose forever would be known to us as 'that Mac guy in the Mac TV ads'. Truthfully, even Samuel L. Jackson can't quite do well as McClane's sidekick. McClane is a lone-wolf and always will a lone-wolf, adding a sidekick would actually loses the sense of his lone-wolf-ness. However, i would love to see a possibility in which McClane team-up with his daughter. Number five, perhaps?

Ow yeah, Kevin Smith practically steals every scenes he's in. You know, he's the 30-something dude whose command-center is in his mum's basement?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) ***1/2 / ****

I gave a surprise to many of my virtual-friends when i said that i actually liked the film. Even more to say that this is the best of the series yet. With a darker, gloomier atmospheres as the young wizards' nemesis dawning its evil existence. Many fans of the book i know complained about the film being trimmed here and there, bla-bla-bla, yada-yada-yada. My take, the film is an actual improvement to the book. Where the unnecessities, overlonged tidbits are gracefully left-out. I'm not saying that the film was better than the book. Or to complained about how the books were overated. Well, for the books to actually spanning for seven series and cashing-in millions (probably billions) of dollars, my opinion is unimportant to the matter.

However, if i had been asked how to divide the series, i would say that fifth is the less lovable book of the series. Some argued that sixth is worse. Well, before the seventh hit the shelf, it's quite true that sixth is the worse (and i was growing anxiously afraid that the series would go downhill from there). But when i read the book number seven, i could say that book six and seven was in a unison. Book six being the first part, and book seven being the second part. Now, that left book fifth alone and ugly. That's my answer however, if i had been asked about the books.

As with the book, the film's spotlight unceremonously fell to Dolores Umbridge. The evil manifestation of cat-lover, purple-adorer newest DADA (you, bookworms should know what DADA is) is downright evil. I mean, she could kill a man. And that smile of her won't falter. Downright evil. The rest of the (main) cast shown quite an improvement in department acting. With an exception to Miss Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) who of course due to that she hasn't had a chance to star in a non Harry Potter-ish.

That been said, i won't be waiting that much for the sixth film (scheduled to release next-year). As i've been stated before, book six is better enjoyed when coupled with book seven. I don't visibly see the (would be) movies to be any different.

The Simpsons Movie (2007) **1/2 / ****

The Simpsons has been around for 18 years (correct me if i'm wrong). When the show has been around for that much of time, the only question of when the series hit the bigger screen was of course, "When?". But of course, 18 years cannot be qualified as short. However, even though that the film produces many laughters from start to finish, i won't be bothered to go seeing it for the second time anytime soon. It's just that, well, if you know them, you know how Bart is, you know how Lisa is, you know how Homer is, you know who's who in Springfield, it proposes a none to slight difference experience with enjoying (as Mr. Homer pointed out at the beginning of the film) the TV series.

Nevertheless, the guys behind The Simpsons are clearly having fun. And why can't we have some fun too? The film tackling religions (easy), environmental-issues (also easy), and of course, (US) government inability (easiest). Well, i won't be bothered to tell you about the plot, just enjoy the ride, and you surely going to had your laughs. Right from the very first minute when Green Day played the intro theme-song with a nod to Titanic. Owh, i speak too much already. Just go see it.

Now, my rating might be influenced by the fact that everyone seemed to enjoyed the film so much. It has been almost a week since the film hit the theater and yet there were still so many friend of mine who put the lyrics of Spider-Pig into their Messenger status. You who have seen the film must know what i'm talking about. And yes, it's hillarious especially if you know the lyrics (not merely reading the subtitles, that would ruin the fun-ness factor of it).

My favourite Simpsons moment however was when the film rolls it's end-credit. So, make sure you don't leave your seat even if the theater's light starts to light, it is, in my opinion, really worth the wait.

The Joys of the Craft

Taken from 1975's The Mythical Man-Month - Essays on Software Engineering.

First is the sheer joy of making things. As the child delights in his mud pie, so the adult enjoys building things, especially things of his own design. I think this delight must be an image of God's delight in making things, a delight shown in the distinctness and newness of each leaf and each snowflake.

Second is the pleasure of making things that are useful to other people. Deep within, we want others to use our work and to find it helpful. In this respect the programming system is not essentially different from the child's first clay pencil holder "for Daddy's office."

Third is the fascination of fashioning complex puzzle-like objects of interlocking moving parts and watching them work in subtle cycles, playing out the consequences of principles built in from the beginning. The programmed computer has all the fascination of the pinball machine or the jukebox mechanism, carried
to the ultimate.

Fourth is the joy of always learning, which springs from the nonrepeating nature of the task. In one way or another the problem is ever new, and its solver learns something: sometimes practical, sometimes theoretical, and sometimes both.

Finally, there is the delight of working in such a tractable medium. The programmer, like the poet, works only slightly removed from pure thought-stuff. He builds his castles in the air, from air, creating by exertion of the imagination. Few media of
creation are so flexible, so easy to polish and rework, so readily capable of realizing grand conceptual structures.

Especially for the fourth and fifth reasons, that's why i loved programming. No matter what they said about how being a mere programmer won't get you rich, or.. this is can't be truer in Indonesia.. being a programmer is a mere stepping-stone to a higher positions (such as System-Analysts? Bah). I had many experiences where a long-time no see companions of mine asked about how am i doing only to saw his/her eyes looked to me in pity when i said that i'm still a programmer. I'm still a programmer today, and will be a programmer tomorrow, and forever.

The fact is, i held two jobs right-now. Double income? Not necessarily, but enough to get me by. My day-job is an ultimate boredom. The only plusses i had was of course, the fixed monthly salary, the privilige to go home when the sun still shines, the internet connections, and of course, the free meal. But when the sun sets, that's when my day was actually begin.

Rotten Tomatoes's Best 25 Film Mid-Year 2007

If you considered yourself a film-geek AND an internet-avid, but oblivious to the existence of RottenTomatoes.com, you seriously need to give up one or both your status consideration. That being said, taken from one of them pages, Rotten Tomatoes' best 25 film in 2007 so far. With my nifty (probably useless, but heck, i feel the urge to write right now, and nothing you say, or thought, could possibly hindered my enthusiastment right now) comments added next to it.

25. Paris Je T'aime (2007)
Well, thanks to the latest theater addition in Jakarta, i'm able to watch the film on a big-screen. The film consists of several tens short-films (i believe it's around 29 or something) told about some segment of love ranging from absurdities, true loves, betrayals, and well, almost any emotional feelings you could probably able squeeze out of that butteflies in your belly. However, given the nature of short-films, some shorts will make you smile, some shorts will make you wince, some shorts stellar, and some others fell flat. Thankfully, the shorts that fell on my good side dominates. My favourite segments were naturally, one segment that came from Coen Brothers, and one with singing Spanish lady (it hurts so much, i cried - on the inside).

24. Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
A shocker indeed. Haven't seen it, will go see it with my girl-friend this weekend.

23. Into Great Silence (2007)
22. Starter for 10 (2007)
21. God Grew Tired of Us (2007)
20. An Unreasonable Man (2007)
I haven't seen any of the above films. From here on, the ones i hadn't commented on will be ones that i haven't seen.

19. Grindhouse (2007)
This film has been in my shortlist for like.. forever. The chance to see the film in local theater was almost as likely as snow storm in Jakarta. And i haven't seen the DVD editions of this film, which of course, deluded me to any actual experience i should have with this film.

18. After the Wedding (2007)
When this film played at last year's Jakarta Film Festival, i gave up the chance to seeing it. Now, i'm regretting it.

17. The Namesake (2007)
16. Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
On one evening, i had mulling, prospecting the idea to see the film instead of Shrek. That day, i figured out that i may have another chance to see the film some other time. I don't.

15. Breach (2007)
14. Red Road (2007)
13. The Hoax (2007)
Currently playing at local Cineplex.

12. The Italian (2007)
11. The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2007)
Another gratifying performance from Cillian Murphy.

10. The Lookout (2007)
9. The Waitress (2007)
8. Zodiac (2007)
This film has taking his sweet-ass time to be released on local theaters.

7. The Host (2007)
One of my best experience at last year's Jakarta Film Festival, and still one of the very best (along with that awfully-creepy A Tale of Two Sisters) Korean film that i've ever seen. Period.

6. Sicko (2007)
For some reasons, i responsed the news regarding Michael Moore negatively. However, he has been very succesful in tackling some sensitive prominent issues in his documentaries, that people actually wondering and even suggesting the issue Michael Moore should tackle on his next documentary flick.

5. Hot Fuzz (2007)
Hollywood! This is how you made a parody. Hot Fuzz (as of their previous flick, Shaun of the Dead) tackling action genres (especially buddy-cop genres) with style. However, unlike the genre's counterpart made by the infamous Production House across Atlantic Ocean, this parody made with a substance and taking its time as well to build it. The final twenty minutes, however, will make up for it, and certainly worth your money.

4. Knocked Up (2007)
My general disagreement about the rom-com genre bites back when i found myself actually liked this film. I tried to measure it up by attributing the factor to my illogical admiration to Katherine Heigl (she was in Under Siege 2, THE ONLY Steven Seagal film i liked to watch for second time, or more, and of course, Roswell) and let it pass. To see this film at the #4 spot merely confirmed my suspicion that this film probably one of the best rom-com films for the last few years. You, young couples, go see it.

3. Once (2007)
2. Away from Her (2007)
1. Ratatouille (2007)
The moment this Pixar's newest baby hit the local theater, i would be there.

Damn. Only 5 out of 25.. i've got to get out more of this cubicle.

Work Space

I've got three computers. Yes, three. One, my very own Apple MacBook, two, the company's laptop (all employees were given one, even at day one on the job), Toshiba Satellite something-something, running Windows Vista, and a desktop computer running Fedora. Yeah, three computers, three brands, and three OSs. But, something wrong with my finger print identification. Yesterday, when i signed home, the finger print reader reads my finger-print correctly (i had my finger-print IDed just yesterday). But today, when i arrived, the machine refused to recognize my IDs (all three of them, which is left thumb, right thumb, and right point finger), i went to Human Resource to inform about this. He then resets the machine, so i had to re-register my finger print. And guess what? After i re-register my finger ID, and had to re-do my identification, the machine refused to recognize it again, and yes, all three of them. The Human Resource decided to gave me a password instead to override the logged identification. Now, i dont know what had happened, but i guess it's the cold.

Harry Potter 5

I dont know about you, but Daniel Radcliffe's neck freak the creep out of me. Spooky, brrr... Harry Potter fifth book wasn't my favorite. In fact it was in my opinion, the worst of the series so far, there's these several hundred pages of Teen Crush which made me rolls my eye upward. But, the reviews so far has been so positive, that even James Berardinelli (the only reviewer out there whose reviews has been my first meal every Monday morning) gave it an awesome three and a half star. One other reviews at Cinematical also pointed out the flaws in which the book suffered, has been trimmed out that the movie was actually an improvement to the book. Now, that made me a wee bit curious about the film, maybe i'm going to the theater later this evening to see what's all the hype about.

Ouh, anyway, i'm already at the new office right now, and the internet here is a fucking awesome. And by fucking awesome is that if you could download a 10 MB file in less than a minute at 9 am working days, now, that's a fucking awesome.