...sorry

“Yang namanya mahasiswa telanjur dianggap cendekia. Keistimewaan mereka diduga berada pada kekuatan nalar dan kecerdasan intelektual. Sementara warga republik lain kembang kempis menanggung krisis ekonomi, mereka menikmati kemewahan bertahun-tahun mengolah ilmu di tempat terhormat yang tertutup bagi mayoritas warga negara seusia.”

Gosh! This article has alerted me very strong. I am also
a college student (baca: mahasiswa)… and I feel sorry.

for Yogya...

A deep condolence and sympathize with my brothers and sisters in Yogyakarta for the losses due to the earthquake...

tentang maaf

Coba bacalah dengan seksama artikel di sini. Menarik sekali menemukan bahwa ternyata tutur bahasa Indonesia penuh dengan topeng seperti halnya individu-individu yang menggunakan bahasa tersebut. Makna dari penggunaan kata maaf pilihanku adalah sebagai berikut:

16. ’kalau mau urusan lancar…’ seperti dalam "Maaf. Pengertian dong. Uang rokoknya mana?"

Masih belum habis pikir, ternyata ada juga yang memperhatikan hal ini hingga sejauh demikian.

statement of the day

This is my favorite statement from a reading that I've found today:

"There is nothing wrong and much right with letting religious faith be the wellspring of a citizen's public action. At the same time, one whose moral judgements are driven by religious devotion must be ever careful to discern whether God's word or human politics is doing the work. For there is a vast difference between a political inspiration that is fired by one's deepest religious beliefs and a claim of religious belief that is fired by a pre-existing political commitment. It is the job of the religiously devout citizen to understand and preserve this distinction, one that unfortunately is blurred, and perhaps disbelieved, by our political rhetoric, as well as by our mass media."
The Culture of Disbelief (1993) by Stephen Carter

After reading several comments and reviews on this book, it is hard for me not to agree with Carter. I just touch by this book as my 'positive protest' on so many religious-based law that already (or will be) inacted in Indonesia.

To be honest, I am worry... no doubt on that.

I just wanna go home

(video klip click here)

by Michael Buble
Album: It's Time (2005)

Another summer day
Has come and gone away
In Paris and Rome
But I wanna go home
Mmmmmmmm

Maybe surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel alone
I just wanna go home
Oh I miss you, you know

And I’ve been keeping all the letters that I wrote to you
Each one a line or two
“I’m fine baby, how are you?”
Well I would send them but I know that it’s just not enough
My words were cold and flat
And you deserve more than that

Another aeroplane
Another sunny place
I’m lucky I know
But I wanna go home
Mmmm, I’ve got to go home

Let me go home
I’m just too far from where you are
I wanna come home

And I feel just like I’m living someone else’s life
It’s like I just stepped outside
When everything was going right
And I know just why you could not
Come along with me
That this is not your dream
But you always believed in me

Another winter day has come
And gone away
In even Paris and Rome
And I wanna go home
Let me go home

And I’m surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel alone
Oh, let me go home
Oh, I miss you, you know

Let me go home
I’ve had my run
Baby, I’m done
I gotta go home
Let me go home
It will all be all right
I’ll be home tonight
I’m coming back home

*Gosh, I really miss you, my south-moon

a good lesson learn from European song contest

You may be wonder why I posted song lyrics of “Hard Rock Hallelujah” by Lordi in my previous post. Definitely, it was not a tremendous song (not yet perhaps) and Lordi is not (yet again) a well known famous rock band. In fact, yesterday is the first time in my life I heard this song and the band. So, I want to share you the reasons.

It was all start from the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. First of all, I am really not a big fan of any singing contest. Maybe I follow a bit on Idol, especially American Idol (from a biggest “my beloved wife” fan) and Norwegian Idol (salute for Wisnu Witono Adhi). Somehow, I got curious with this Eurovision contest since it was trying to perform different countries’ music and let the European public to vote for. They have a simple rule that they cannot vote for their own country’s performer. Thus, it has a meaning that we must appreciate (by vote) other countries. Such a wonderful rule of contest, I guess. In the year 2006, there are 24 participants. You may find the detail event in here.

Now, the main reason why I interested with this event is because the winner for this year contest is the band whose lyrics I have been posted. Lordi with his band and the song titled “Hard Rock Hallelujah” won the contest in a very unique way. The thing that I love from the band winning is that they are a “rock band”. As most of us know that it is very rare that rock music or band will participate in any song contests with televoting system. Most of the contests will be dominated by pop or ballads songs. Moreover, in such contest they commonly would be dress a very glamorous, sexy, and attracting in fashionable way. So, at the end we mostly will vote for the performer with obvious style and genre of music.

But, Lordi’s band has changed the obviousness. This rock band was really “rock” the Eurovision 2006 (I borrow part of the term from this headline). With their unique monster costumes and mask, as media said as a shock “horror rock” group, they won the vote from 35 European countries participated in the voting. The music, typical rock enough music (not that “hard” or “metal”) with fires on the stage were really gives different customary feeling on what a song contests should be considered. In short, they are really different. One of a kind!! (You can see their performance here)

Although political voting between neighbors’ countries voter may exists, but this year Eurovision – as stated by many commentator – was the best ever. I am absolutely agreed on that. There is a good lesson that I grasp from this year contest: the open-mindedness and heterogeneity. I quote what Lordi said to the press after win:

“This is a victory for rock music, not only for Finland, but also for rock music. And also, it was a victory for open-mindedness. There are a lot of Eurovision fans that belongs to the minority. … We are the minority. But now, suddenly a hot rock band, looking like monster won a Eurovision. … The thing is that from now on Europe and the European people, they actually showed that the times changes and there are more different kind of musical style than just pop or ballads. Those are nice too, but this is also a prove that from now on I hope that there’s a band, more rock band who will have a courage to join in.”

So, are you ready to vote for different kind of music?

Hard Rock Hallelujah

(video klip click here)

Hard Rock Hallelujah!
Hard Rock Hallelujah!

The saints are crippled
On this sinners’ night
Lost are the lambs with no guiding light

The walls come down like thunder
The rocks about to roll
It’s the Arockalypse
Now bare your soul

All we need is lightning
With power and might
Striking down the prophets of false
As the moon is rising
Give us the sign
Now let us rise up in awe

Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
Demons and angels all in one have arrived
Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
In God’s creation supernatural high

The true believers
Thou shall be saved
Brothers and sisters keep strong in the faith
On the day of Rockoning
It’s who dares, wins
You will see the jokers soon’ll be the new kings

All we need is lightning
With power and might
Striking down the prophets of false
As the moon is rising
Give us the sign
Now let us rise up in awe

Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
Demons and angels all in one have arrived
Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
In God’s creation supernatural high

Wings on my back
I got horns on my head
My fangs are sharp
And my eyes are red
Not quite an angel
Or the one that fell
Now choose to join us or go straight to Hell

Hard Rock Hallelujah!
Hard Rock Hallelujah!
Hard Rock Hallelujah!
Hard Rock Hallelujah!

Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
Demons and angels all in one have arrived
Rock ’n roll angels bring thyn hard rock hallelujah
In God’s creation supernatural high

Hard Rock Hallelujah!

Music & lyrics: Mr Lordi
Arrangement: Lordi
Performer: Lordi

Grunnlovsdag 17 Mai

Hari ini, Norwegia merayakan hari jadi-nya yang jatuh pada tanggal 17 Mei setiap tahunnya. Di kalender yang aku peroleh dari minimarket Rimi, tertulis "Grunnlovsdag" sebagai nama yang ditulis untuk merayakan hari tersebut, yang berarti Undang-Undang Dasar atau Constitution. Dan hari ini adalah hari libur nasional, di mana seluruh warga mulai dari anak-anak hingga warga imigran turut serta turun ke jalan berparade membawa bendera Norwegia dan bersuka-cita. Pada perayaan tahun ini, aku tidak turut merayakan karena alasan keengganan ditambah hawa dingin yang disertai hujan semenjak pagi. Namun, aku tetap menyaksikan keriuhan perayaan tersebut melalui televisi.



Tahun lalu, aku ikut merayakannya dengan berkumpul di tugu tempat di mana konstitusi Norwegia pertama kali dirumuskan oleh Christian Magnus Falsen (1782-1830). Oh ya, tugu tersebut berada tepat di belakang Tårnbygningen atau dikenal dengan nama Tower Building di kampus UMB. Jadi, dengan sedikit bangga aku mengatakan bahwa para "founding father"-nya Norwegia dahulu berkumpul di Ås dan merumuskan cikal bakal konstitusi Norwegia seperti sekarang ini.

Jadi, Gratulerer grunnlovsdagen og god 17 mai...

At last!!... But not yet finish...

At last!

All the files already burned into CD. Inside the CD, there are data management folder, including log file, do file and data file in Stata format; there are cover template in PDF files both for hardcopy-cover and CD-cover; there are the main thesis file... yes, it is my thesis!, including both MS-Word and PDF format. Why should I made all of those thing? Don't ask me, it was required by the university. According to regulation at UMB, I must submit my thesis print out with special-preserved cover and binding also with CD that include all data and necessary working file related with my thesis.

Therefore, all of them are ready now. Just need to print and binding (within a few hours) and submissioooooon!!!
[Note: the deadline for submission all of those stuff is May 15 2006 15.30pm].

But... Wait a minute!!
But, it's not yet finish!
Not at all!
I must defend it...

So help me God...















PS: I would like to show some important part from my acknowledgement of the thesis. "Specially, I appreciate Diahhadi Setyonaluri, my best friend and wife, for her love and continuous support. She is the one who patiently withstand the pain and stress during my absence while I was in Norway. I love you so much, my dear" (Wisana 2006: p.ii).

pesan tentang 'Kesadaran'

Di tengah tenggat waktu yang sedang aku hadapi, aku bersyukur karena masih ada sedikit ruang untuk merenung sekaligus pembelajaran yang selalu aku temukan di dalam ajaran Sidharta Gautama atau yang lebih dikenal sebagai Buddha. Membaca Dhammapada selalu memberi inspirasi dan mengingatkan pentingnya kesadaran akan diri sendiri.

Check your mind,
Be on your guard,
Pull yourself out,
As an elephant from mud.
— xxiii.8

Terlebih, di tengah dunia yang semakin penuh dengan pengendalian oleh orang-orang yang berkuasa, tirani dan pemegang modal maka perdamaian dan kesejahteraan seperti yang selalu diagung-agungkan oleh berbagai peradaban dunia seakan semakin jauh dari kenyataan. Yang lebih memprihatinkan adalah betapa banyak agama yang telah turut serta - sadar maupun tidak - menjadi alat penguasaan. Pesan tersebut di atas, seakan menjadi relevan untuk diriku agar selalu mawas diri. Karena sangatlah mudah untuk kita terbawa arus 'panas' seperti saat ini. Hanya dengan menyadarkan diri sendiri lah, keseimbangan dan perdamaian hidup masih bisa dijaga.

Sehubungan dengan hal tersebut, hari ini umat Buddha merayakan hari raya Waisak. Aku menemukan dan membaca renungan yang ditulis oleh Biku Dharmavimala berjudul "Berjalan di Atas Bumi" yang telah membuatku ingat akan pesan Sidharta Gautama tentang 'Kesadaran'. Aku selalu menemukan tulisan dan renungan yang ditulis oleh para biku sangatlah religius dan mendamaikan, apabila dibandingkan oleh tokoh agama atau ulama lain di Indonesia. Secara apa yang aku pahami tidaklah cukup hanya diucapkan, maka aku tidak ingin mengumbar kesan apa yang aku pahami dan mengerti seperti khotbah dan pidato para pemimpin agama-agama besar tersebut. Cukup pesan-pesan sederhana ini datang di hari-hari seperti ini dan kubaca dengan seksama agar tetap bisa mengingatkanku akan kesadaran-ku.

Bagi segenap saudara/i umat Buddha, aku menghaturkan selamat merayakan Hari Waisak. Semoga segala kesadaran penuh damai dan cinta kasih akan selalu datang dari seluruh penjuru alam. Salam damai...

PS: Aku mendengar dan membaca kalau Buddha konon lahir di wilayah yang dikenal sebagai Nepal sekarang. Secara Buddha mengajarkan tentang kedamaian dan cinta kasih, namun ternyata di tempat kelahirannya saat ini perdamaian masih jauh dari kenyataan karena kemelut politik dan pemberontakan. Dengan ini, semoga Nepal bisa kembali damai dan membangun negaranya.

untuk para pria

Judul artikel ini Mata Pria yang ditulis oleh Ariel Heryanto.

Silahkan baca, dan seraplah dengan pemahaman anda sendiri. Aku sudah menyerap dan memahami dengan caraku sendiri.

Selamat Jalan Pak Pram!

Ini bukan obituari, melainkan sekedar ungkapan rasa sedih bercampur haru-nostalgi akan berita kepergian seorang sastrawan sekaligus sejarawan terbaik Indonesia. Pramoedya Ananta Toer adalah salah satu penulis yang pertama kali membuat aku tidak mampu melepaskan buku saat aku membacanya.

Gadis Pantai adalah judul buku pertama karya Pak Pram yang aku beli sendiri di pameran buku Senayan. Aku habiskan membacanya dalam waktu 2 jam! Bahkan, setelah itu aku masih ingin membacanya lagi. Belum pernah aku sebegitu semangatnya membaca semua cerpen atau cerita. Tidak juga buku pertamaku, Petualangan Tintin ke Bulan, bisa membuatku seperti saat itu.

Sebelum membeli buku ini, aku hanya tahu dari diskusi-diskusi di kampus FEUI tentang Pak Pram dan kontribusinya bagi dunia sastra dan juga politik di Indonesia. Patut dicatat, sebelum tahun 1997/1998 karya-karya Pak Pram tidaklah dijual secara terbuka. Karena itulah, aku termasuk terlambat dalam mengenal dan membaca karya-karya Pak Pram.

Karya yang paling membuatku 'semadi' total (baca: mengurung diri) di kamarku adalah Tetralogi: Bumi Manusia, Anak Semua Bangsa, Rumah Kaca dan Jejak Langkah. Keempat buku ini aku beli bertahap dalam waktu dua minggu. Setelah keempatnya lengkap, barulah aku membacanya semua satu per satu selama dua hari di akhir pekan. Lagi-lagi aku tersentuh membaca keempat karya legendaris Pak Pram tersebut. Setelah itu, aku kerap menyempatkan membeli dan membaca beberapa karya Pak Pram yang tentunya semua sudah merupakan cetakan terbaru.

Kini, Pak Pram sudah pergi. Indonesia lagi kehilangan seorang tokoh besar. Pun tokoh ini adalah tokoh yang terlupakan dan terbuang oleh negaranya sendiri, padahal dunia mengakui pemikiran dan karya-karya besarnya.

Selamat jalan, Pak Pram! Terima kasih yang tulus dari seorang siswa biasa atas segala ajaran dan pemikiran besar tentang arti hidup dan berbangsa.