Easy Condoms

Have you ever watch the cashier’s face when you going to pay a box of condom? Or often feel embarrass when a shop keeper asked, “Do you need anything?” Though, we'll feel shame if we say "condom". Well, you're lucky!! Because the government has "respond" to solve this problem "together". Now, to avoid those smirky eyes, BKKBN (Badan Koordinasi Keluarga Berencana Nasional/National Birth Planning & Coordination Foundation) provide SEVEN CONDOM ATM in Jakarta.

With this machine, you don’t need to do ‘human contact’ for an esteemed work, is to protect ourselves and couple from contagious disease, also to prevent population.
All you need is insert 3-coins of 500 hundred rupiah (white coins), press the button of condoms flavors you want, and then an “ARTIKA” box (contains 3 condoms) slides out. For awhile, these machines are provided only in Graha Kencana, BKKBN at Halim area, RSPAD hospital Gatot Subroto, Mabes TNI Cilangkap (Cilangkap Police Headquarters), Toko Koperasi Mabes Polri Unit Kesehatan (Police Headquarters, Health Division and Cooperation shop), Polda Metra Jaya (Metro Jaya District), and a clinic at Pasar Baru.

Then, is it done with all the trouble in buying condom? Hmm… sorry to say, but... not yet. Eventho you buy it yourself, but it doesn’t mean that other people can’t see you while you doing it on the condom ATM. As you know, these ATMs are located in crowded area. Shape of the ATM is just like an ordinary can which is put it on the wall, like an old fashioned public phone. Also, without a partition or close-room like bank’s ATM.

For instance, Condom ATM in Pavilion West Kartika, Gatot Subroto hospital, this ATM is hanging on the outside wall of “Wartel” (aka Public Phone), which is taken place in parking area. Surely you can imagine how many eyes, including smirky eyes you might get while doing the transaction.

The purpose of placing this ATM getting more confusing than it’s original. Consider the chosen locations.
Those locations are not “urgent sex” places which are commonly happen. So, if the purpose is not to “urgent sex” victims, but more to ‘avoid the shameless feeling when to buy it’, so we are push back to the statement above. The only possible positive effect that can be taken from this government project is the ‘easy transaction’. Too bad, the differences are still quite significant because buying condom in the drugstore on supermarket which is spread widely can be more easier, escaping from shop keeper’s smiles. :-D

(Source : AREA, the guide to everything Jakarta!, No. 54/11 Jan 06)
-Sorry for bad translation-

Memoir of Geisha

Today, as a reverse of yesterday's bad day. I went to the theater to watch a movie. There are Memoir of Geisha, Into the Blue (Baywatch sytle), SAW and many other things.. (I forgot). Well, I was sick with the 'bikinis' scenes, so the choice are either Memoir of Geisha or SAW. Too tired to get a heart attack, and need something more dramatic, so I picked MEMOIR OF GEISHA.
The audiences were not more than 10 people. It was expensive to watch movie during weekday. Compare to Monday's discount and weekend?? I rather chose today. Didn't have to get in line to buy the ticket and feel ashame to watch alone, as I saw few people do that too.. hehehe :D
When I entered into the theater, it just starting.. My luck!! (I was late, because of the stupid traffic jams and rain for almost 2 hours!!! heck!)


Analysis and Comments :
First of all, I should say that... I like the eyes!!!! I wonder where I can find blue-grey contact lens. Hard to find it in here... but I do hope that it will available soon in here..
The beginning of the movie is quite sad and boring. It's about a childhood story of a little girl named Chiyo who was sold into geisha house, separated with her sister, tried to escape from Kaiyo (Geisha's house), and the bad treatment she had from Hatsumomo. Also the first meeting of Chiyo and The Chairman, and Chiyo and Mameha. It's begin more interesting when finally can see her grew up. I starting to like this movie when finally Mameha (Michelle Yeoh) coming, take and teach her about how to become a geisha, and secretly look between Chiyo and The Chairman... Well, she hasn't change her name into Sayuri yet. The whole parts, competitions, dancings, were totally amazing, and also the love intrigue. I can feel how Sayuri felt about hoping that The Chairman would bid for her mizuage (virginity). Well, she's a miako at that time... (a miako = a virgin Geisha.... can I say that?).

There are three parts that really impressed me:
First one is how a Miako turns into a real Geisha (Well, you know what a Geisha mean). They (Geishas) sell their mizuage to the highest bidder. This is same like modern people think nowadays (well, they dont sell it for money..), specially in Indonesia. As the effect of globalization, women (in this care are teen girls) start to think that virginity is not important anymore.. and to become real women, they have to let go of their virginity in such a young age...
Well, are their life just like Geisha's life? I think so...

Second is the life of Geisha is soo mysterious. I never open my eyes and ears to find out more about this 'night life' culture. I always thought that Geisha is like a street hooker, but it's different... completely different.. than my perspective before. Eventho the movie was not adopt completely Japanese culture, but this one is pretty close. I can't wait until I read the book. Becoming a Geisha is not a destination, or to choose your own faith, but because they have no choice.

Third is the romance intrigue between Sayuri (Chiyo switched her name when she became a Miako) and the Chairman. How Sayuri was forced to forget about her love just like any other Geisha should do. Geisha is not suppose to love, but to entertain... And it's only to fund their life and... find their 'danna' . Guess what, it's not happen only in Geisha's life. But also in modern life. Sometimes we are force to forget our love to someone when we find out that there's no hope. It's such a pain, can't live in our own life, can't love. Sometimes it's more easy to fall in love than to leave it all behind. Nothing is last forever. You and me, we never know how much someone love us... is it forever? and, finally.... A heart is still unknown, and Love... is still remain a mystery.... until someone reveal it. Just like end of this movie, there is always a little hope... maybe it's only 0.001%. But do you still call it a hope? I do... Coz I live in hope, by love and only for love, as in God. In the movie, Sayuri & The chairman finally tell each other about their feelings. What about it? is the trully future still remain? Should we hide or reveal it?? Once again, the decision is in our hand. :D

OK, now for the part that I not really disagree:
First, I was kinda disagreed about the asian thingy (in here Hongkong & Malaysia). The actress were too chinese. This is Japanese movie, so it's better to use Japanese actresses. Michelle Yeoh(Malaysian) and Zhang Zi Yi (Hongkong) are chinese, they are not really fit to this movie.
All I know that the director chose them only because that they're famous in America? That's silly and stupid. There are more famous Japanese actresses and actors who fits this characters.

Second, The language used in this movie was closer to Chinese instead of japanese, the actresses dialects were not same like... Japanese people. It makes this movie is toooooooo chineseeeeeeeeee... :(

What I want from this movie: A BLUE-GREY contact lenssssssssss !!! :D

Now memorable quotes from Memoir of Geisha: (Sources : IMDB.com, thanks! I've been looking for this quotes :) )
Mameha: [in voiceover] Remember, Chiyo, geisha are not courtesans. And we are not wives. We sell our skills, not our bodies. We create another secret world, a place only of beauty. The very word "geisha" means artist and to be a geisha is to be judged as a moving work of art.
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Chairman: Please, Sayuri, do not be afraid to look at me.
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Sayuri Nitta: [turns to see the Chairman standing in front of her.] Chairman, where is Nobu-san?
Chairman: He won't be coming.
Sayuri Nitta: Is something wrong?
Chairman: He knows what happened. It is not in his nature to forgive.
Sayuri Nitta: Chairman, what happened on the island...
Chairman: Please, you don't have to explain.
Sayuri Nitta: But I have shamed myself so deeply, must for forgiveness.
Chairman: No! I'm the one who must be forgiven.
Sayuri Nitta: I do not understand.
Chairman: Perhaps...if you had only known the truth.
Sayuri Nitta: The truth?
Chairman: Some years ago, I was on my way to the theater. I saw a little girl weeping by the river. I stopped to buy her a cup of sweet ice.
Sayuri Nitta: You knew I was that little girl?
Chairman: Didn't you ever wonder why Mameha took you under her wing?
Sayuri Nitta: Mameha came to me because of you?... I wish you could have told me long ago. [turns her back to him]
Chairman: What could I do? I owe Nobu my life. And so when I saw that he had a chance at happiness with you, I stood silent, but...But I cannot any longer. I hope...it is not too late. Don't be afraid to look at me, Chiyo.
Sayuri Nitta: [turns around to face him again.] Can't you see? Every step I have taken, since I was that child on the bridge, has been to bring myself closer to you. [finally kiss and embrace, cries in his arms.]
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Sayuri Nitta: I am not worthless!
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Pumpkin: A long time ago, you took something from me, the only thing I ever truly wanted. Well...now you know how it feels.
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Chairman: Kindness we receive in our lives is not always enough.
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Hatsumomo: I was a maiko once.
Sayuri Nitta: Oh, of course. But that was a long, long, long, *long* time ago.
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Hatsumomo: [suggesting that Mameha used immoral methods to gain Sayuri the lead role in the dances] What did Mameha do, speak with the Director in *private*?
Sayuri Nitta: Not *all* geisha use that kind of currency.
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Chairman: It is too pretty a day to be so unhappy. Did you fall down? Why so shy? Nothing to be ashamed of, we all stumble from time to time. Do you see that enchanting lady in green? Once when she was just a myiko, she fell clean off her wooden shoes. [laughs]
Geisha in Green: [laughs] It's true I did.
Chairman: And now look at her, so elegant...
Geisha in Green: Mr. Chairman, shouldn't we hurry? We will miss the beginning.
Chairman: We see the spring dances every year, we can spare a moment. What's your name? Don't be afraid to look at me. Do you like sweet plum or cherry?
Chiyo: You mean...to eat?
Chairman: I like sweet plum myself. Come. None of us find as much kindness in this life, as we should. My children wait for these every spring. [hands her the ice and spoon.]
Chiyo: [looks at geisha by the tree, smears some of the cherry ice on her lips.] Now I'm a geisha too.
Chairman: [laughs] And so you are. How did you come by such surprising eyes?
Chiyo: My mother gave them to me.
Chairman: Generous of her, wasn't it?
Chiyo: As you have been to me.
Chairman: Smile for me, won't you? [Chiyo smiles for him.]
Chairman: There now, that is your gift to me. [hands Chiyo his handkerchief with the change inside.]
Chairman: This will buy your supper. Now promise me one thing, next time you take a tumble...no frowns. [Chiyo nods]
Chairman: That's better. [leaves with geisha]
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Narrator (Old Sayuri): [as Chiyo watches the Chairman leave with geisha.] In that moment, I changed from a girl facing nothing but emptiness, to someone with purpose. I saw that to be a geisha could be a stepping stone to something else...a place in his world.
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Chairman: [to Chiyo] Do you like sweet plum or cherry?
Sayuri Nitta: She paints her face to hide her face. Her eyes are deep water. It is not for Geisha to want. It is not for geisha to feel. Geisha is an artist of the floating world. She dances, she sings. She entertains you, whatever you want. The rest is shadows, the rest is secret.
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Sayuri Nitta: If your honorable sister tells you to cut your leg, you cut your leg.
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A place for myself

When I stayed at the hotel, attended the New Platinum Seminar. I had a thought.
It came soo sudden when I took the pictures of the hotel room. This expensive hotel room ($120/night, I stayed two nights for free!!! yayay! :D ) gave me an idea to write my own thought.

This room provides you with everything. Just like your own room. All facilities from housekeeping until spa / sauna. These facilities are soo expensive. Really really tickles me to try them all (too bad, I didn't have enough time to do all that). In this hotel room, I feel like I have everything I wanted, a big King Koil bed, a shower room, bathtub, wardrobe, a nice single couch, gym, pool, spa-sauna (you can see the pictures in the previous post) All for myself... A nice city view, a nice sleep. Wow!! I thought about all this. I paid all this with my loneliness, becoming myself. Haha! Well, am I crazy enough to do all this? Of course, It would be much better if it's free... but that's not my question. Would you pay the price for this place? for a comfort sleep and the facilities? Do you know how many people would spend alot of money to get a warm cozy place for theirselves?.

This hotel room is giving me an idea to find a place for myself. The question is, would I pay the price?

New Year Goals or should I say Resolution !!

A new year is begin.. It's time to get a new chapter in life. It's 2006. What would you do for your life this year? What are your Goals (or.. some says "Resolution") ??

I have settle mine already... Wish this will keep me straight to what I'm gonna do. Here is the list :
1. Diet! Diet! Diet! Keeping the shape!
2. Swimming everyday... (now 2-3 times a week)
3. Get to know friends closer.
4. Become myself.
5. Spend time to writing more.
6. Laptops hunting.
7. See Mandarinfish in Seaworld Indonesia, with a friend.
8. Diciplines in bedtime reading & listening.
9. Saving money, and buy more dollars for investment.
10. Not being soo pushy :(

Happy New Year