So, let’s started with…

50. Maggie Gyllenhaal

The photo taken fromhere

I first notice her in Secretary. I didn’t really like the movie but from the moment I saw her, I knew there is something about her. I wasn’t surprised that years later she got nominated for best actress with her role in Sherrybaby. She shines in that one as she does in Secretary.

49. Leigh Nash

The photo taken from here

“Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight…” Remember that song? It’s called Kiss Me by the band Sixpence None The Richer with Leigh Nash as their lead vocal. She is probably not the best singer in the whole world, but I just never got tired to hear it. Later, they do remake of Don’t Dream It’s Over, which I like better than the original, thanks to Leigh’s voice, of course.

48. Madonna

The photo taken from here

I’d probably add Madge on higher position if only she didn’t dress like she was on her teens. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like discrimination someone because of her age. I am glad that Madonna can still proof that being 50 doesn’t mean your career is finish. However, what’s wrong with wearing clothes that more appreciate to your age. It doesn’t mean you need to dress like granny on their 80’s, in fact you can still dress like 40’s if you want. Of course, again she has the right to dress like she want. The other reason is that I don’t really fond her music lately, but there are so many great songs came from her in the past, that’s why I feel the need to put her on the list.

47. Sharon Stone

The photo taken from here

I know most people know her after her unforgettable performance in Basic Instinct, including me. The different is I was too young to watch it, so I HEARD the name and had some ideas why people think she’s hot.
Then I saw her on Quick and the Dead. I liked the movie at the time and I thought she was okay. Finally I saw her on Casino and thought this women was a great actress. I know her movie choice lately isn’t that great, but I still believe in her. Maybe one day, she’ll be on higher list.

46. Kim Basinger

The photo taken from here

I don’t really see many of her movies including L.A. Confidential where she won an Oscar. But thanks to Netflix, I was able to see 9 1/2 weeks. That’s enough to make her on the list.

45. Yoanna House

The photo taken from here

Yeah… I like America’s Next Top Model and I think Yoanna House is the best model and winner they ever had. She seemed very passionate and REALLY knows her stuff. That’s the only model I saw on that show that ACTUALLY have knowledge about fashion industry. Even though she didn’t ended up like Adriana Lima or Kate Moss, last time I heard she’s the host of House of Style which still related to fashion at least.

To be continued…

I am so proud to be Indonesian! I always thought that we’ve always behind in everything but NOT lately! So, western countries especially the almighty America better watch out!

Remember when not so funny movie, Fitna were all over websites and making news all over the world? Well, somehow my country able to FORCE the biggest video uploading and sharing website, YouTube to take the video out or… No more YouTube in Indonesia.

First, I thought there is no way YouTube would be afraid of this threat, but I WAS wrong because after Indonesian goverment blocked the site, YouTube finally gave up and deleted the video. Bravo, my goverment!

And now, after YouTube, WordPress also done the same. After a very offensive cartoon were published on one of it’s blogger’s site. Indonesian government reacts and… bam! The website is gone! I didn’t even get a chance to view it.

Apparently, now if you find something that offense you while you browse, read, watching TV or whatever just asked your beloved Government to do what they do best; censoring, threatening, blocking, or whatever you like to call it and hey they’ll do that for you! Especially if you have the same “vision” as them and usually just agree with what they want or believe. In other hand, what has been decided by majority are usually the best ways and no one SHOULD be questioning it. So, I bet you’ll be happy to live under the rule of this amazing government.

So If you see something on TV that offend your pure little heart, you don’t even need to change the channel or simply turn it off, they WILL do that for you. If it’s on internet, don’t waste time to go to other website, again you DON’T have to! Because our kind government will DO anything so you don’t have to see things that might offends your heart and turns you into a big fan of anything that against them.

So, if you think you part of somewhat called minority, or an inspiring artist, poet, or just some small and random people who likes a little of freedom of speech and believe it’s part of the human rights. Too bad and I felt sorry for you!

While I am in this topic you might wanted to take a peek to this Indonesian latest law. It’s pretty hilarious (so at least one positive point comes from that), but it just show that Indonesia is more powerful than ever. I mean, how come a very funny law like that can be passed?

It seemed that somehow no matter how people think of how ignorance the Indonesian government is STILL they ARE SO DAMN STRONG…. HAHAHA! Even stronger THAN America and other western country (who believed by many are the strongest among others). I bet they government WON’T be able to come up with such thing and be STRONG as MY government.

Finally, just don’t try to mess with Indonesia! Merdeka!

What I like the most about Transsiberian how the plot can twist and turn and keep making your guess the wrong thing. I guess I like to be fooled by a movie? Well, only the one with smart stories, like this one.

Okay, this is not the best thriller movie I’ve seen, but it could be the best one I’ve seen this year (I planned also to see Tell No One, and many people believes that THIS is the number one thriller of the year).

I also always fascinated when they use train as their main setting of the movie. Maybe because I like road trip and plan to have one on my own one day? (of course, I hope things that happened here won’t ever happen to me).

On a beginning we met this Russian detective, Grinko, played by Ben Kingsley, who already played characters from all over the world all his life. He was doing investigation about drugs trafficking gone wrong that later explained often happen in that country and it’s surrounding.

Then we meet this young couple, Roy and Jessie Nassir, played by Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer. They were just done from their humanitarian work at China after their church send send them there. It doesn’t really explain that much, but I assumed that Roy probably the religious one since Emily once referred the church as “Roy’s church”, although she corrected it right away into “our church”.

The beginning seemed more like introduction to the main characters. Roy seemed like a positive kind of person, nice and a bit naive as well. Jessie, in other hand, still trying to get rid off her bad past that seemed still effect her. We learned that she wasn’t really a “good” girl until she met Roy.

Roy wanted to have kids, Jessie wasn’t sure yet, and that seemed started to create problems between them.

Then meet another young couple, Carlos and Abby. They soon became “friends”, although Abby seemed doesn’t like on how Carlos interact with Jessie. My mind started to form on how the story is gonna turn out, that Carlos and Abby are gonna be the bad guy while Jessie and Roy will try to defeat them, they have their happy ending and Jessie finally wanted to have kids. Not it isn’t simple as that!

The story keep changing and made you’re guessing all wrong! For a start, Roy accidentally missing his train. So, then I thought the story is gonna about how Jessie trying to find him. The worst part, Roy could be have been killed. I guessed that the the bad guys prefer to use her as their “drug” carrier instead, although I think the “drug” story was only gonna be background of the main story which is FINDING Roy. Of course later I learned that I WAS so totally wrong.

Like I said before, the story kept changing but in a very good way (I don’t mean good things happen to the characters, but to how they carried the story). It has the aspect like most thriller have. The one that seemed good not always the good one or vice versa. As for me, I kept changing my mind on who I root for. The one that you think might be the hero could turn into bad one. It isn’t in a confusing way, in fact it was pretty easy too follow but still can make you think that this is a SMART movie (*)

Never Forever

(Vera Farmiga Online) http://vera-farmiga.com

Oscar for Vera Farmiga! That’s the kind of thing that I’d like to see happening in the next Academy Award celebration next year.

Who is Farmiga anyway? No one really knows her, really. Especially the one who only watching mainstream movies. She’s not as big as Kate Blanchett or Nicole Kidman, but I am confident to say that she’s on her way and they better watch out.

I know her (not personally) when I watched Autumn In New York where she played as Richard Gere’s daughter. I didn’t really impress at that time but mostly because the story wasn’t really focus on her. But I knew that she had this unique looking especially her eyes that seemed so mysterious.

Then I saw her again in The Departed. It’s not really a big role and she was overshadowed by all the male cast, so again I just forgot anything about her.

Until I saw Never Forever.

Farmiga starred at this young woman named Sophie who married to American Korean Andrew Lee (David McInnis). Andrew coming from a religious Christian family and just like in many traditional Asian family, that when you were married, your whole family expecting you to have children. It didn’t really explain in the movie that way but that is my conclusion only for also grow up in Asian culture.

To make long story short, we soon learned that Andrew was depressed. Was that because of the reason they might won’t ever have kids? Again, it didn’t explore that well, but Sophie, the wife seemed thinking that brought a kid in their life might changed their marriage, or shall I say would bring the happiness in her husband that she loved dearly. She thought that if he was happy then she would too.

The suicidal attempt by her husband get her to the phase where she MUST have baby or she will lose him forever. But how? Seemed the husband was already given up on that idea. He seemed has given up life too.

In her depress and last attempt to have a baby, Sophie comes up with the crazy idea to have OTHER man slept with her and hopefully get her pregnant. She met this Korean man by accident in a clinic when he tried to sell his sperm.

The guy, Jihah (Jung-woo Ha), is an illegal immigrant who was trying to save money so he could bring his Korean girlfriend to the States. Seemed like a perfect target. Sophie told him what she wanted and he agreed. So, it should be pure physical with no emotional involved and that was really their intention.

Sophie FINALLY pregnant. Just like she hoped for, Andrew’s attitude changed. He WAS happy now and seemed like they were gonna get their marriage back.

The story started strong from the beginning, however it started to get weaker after Sophie learned that she got pregnant. However, I can’t really said that without spoil too much. I can only said that the whole idea of having other man as the biological father of the baby was interesting but then later the half part of the movie becomes too “Unfaithful” kind of style.

But the reason to keep watching is of course the wonderful performance by Vera Farmiga. So, it might getting weak but still worth to watch her and I can’t wait to see her more in the future.

EDIT : I learned that this movie is actually distributed on 2007, so I didn’t really understand how Academy Award choose their contendents (is it the right word, anyway?). So, maybe Farmiga already got ignored anyway? I don’t know (*)

Last weekend, we took another trip to Julian. This is probably the third or fourth time we’ve been there, although one of those times we’re just passing there on our way to Borrego Springs (we were headed actually to Salton Sea, but ended up there instead).

The trip this time wasn’t really planned. First we just went to had some breakfast at local coffee shop, Krakatoa. This is the first time we went there. The place is pretty small, but I like the atmosphere which reminds me of house in Tondano, although it’s much cleaner.

Anyway, after eating some bagels and drinking black Chinese tea (for me) and banana peanut butter smoothie for Adam, we get on our car and drive to Julian.

The weather was colder than usual. Now it felt more like a winter than summer. I’d like to say that summer has officially over that day because we also need to set our clock “one hour back” because of the Daily Saving Time kind of thing.

The trip was fun. The high way wasn’t that busy mainly because it’s weekend. We took a stop sometimes if we notice something interesting and wanted to take pictures. Well, there were so many beautiful view that needed to record with our camera, but unfortunately you can’t just stop whenever you want.

Here are some of the pictures :

Maj and Adam on Vista Point

I See A View From A Hill

Middle-Earth

On A Way To Julian

Sometimes having no expectation can turn things around into good things.

Before watching The Dark Knight, I kept hearing great things about it, like it brings the superheroes movie into new level, like it might get nominated for Oscar or might even win!

So, when I did see it. I had this HUGE expectation that I will see something that is gonna stays on my mind at least until I leave the theater. Well, as a matter of fact, it did actually. My mind kept trying to figure it out why I felt like nothing really special about it. Sure, it’s a great movie. Heath Ledger’s performance especially, but that’s about it. I actually kinda “disappointed” that I won’t be able to capture it’s greatness.

After that I started to think, if Dark Knight wasn’t that great, then Iron Man or even The Incredible Hulk would be just bad experience then. So, I decide not to even think about it let alone having a high expectation.

So, I finally watched BOTH movies. I don’t know if it’s because of me having no expectation or both movies are just great, but I REALLY like these movies. In fact, I like those more than I like The Dark Knight. I think both are more enjoyable, entertaining and the special effect aren’t bad either. Now, I am having dilemma on which I like the best.

I’d say Iron Man tops for it’s great humor, entertaining and stories and the chemistry between it’s cast especially Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow.

While Hulk is more humble and simple and has touching stories. So, it’s like drama but it just happen that one of the character can turn into this green giant creature. So, I don’t know which I like better actually.

Of course, one of the most important aspect in the superheroes movie is the action scene. What I like about Iron Man, that it’s really fun to watch. Sure, the special effect probably isn’t as fancy as The Transformers, but it’s still in the level where they showed everything in the right time. You don’t get much, but also don’t get too much it becomes overloaded, you just wanted it to over (like my experience watching Transformers).

I have several favorite scene on Iron Man, but usually when he’s on action. Like when he tried to get away after being hostage in Afganistan, or when he done some test drive with his suit, those are amazing to watch. The final battle is nothing special, because on the way they carry the movie from the beginning, the end it’s a bit predictable. I don’t see that as a problem actually because I enjoy the movie too much to complaint.

For Hulk, mostly I like the story. Different with Ang Lee’s Hulk, where I have to wait the half of the movie to be over before I could see the transformation. In this version, we don’t need to wait that long, but in other way, it didn’t get overexposed that we’re getting tired of it… Just like The Transformers.

Norton is great as Hulk. Among all three actors in The Dark Night, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, I like him the best. The second is Downey Jr who I still amazed on how he could turn his career around like that.

So, which I like better? Hard choice, but I think I’ll go with The Incredible Hulk (*)

G-Force

This is probably the cartoon that stole my heart the most. I remember how much I wanted Ace and Aggie (Agatha) to end up together. I think that’s how I started to like the name Agatha although my husband said that it’s an old woman’s name. I tend to have interest with old name like Marjorie or Rochelle. Oh, well, that should be on different topic, by the way.

My obsession with G-Force is so crazy now it’s quite embarrassing to think about it. I think that’s the only one or two Japan anime show that I like. Anyway, somehow I forgot to add this to “Things I Used To Obsessed With” topic.

Thanks to Google (and wikipedia), I learned that G-Force is actually the second (of THREE) English adaptation. The original known as Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. The other version include Battle of the Planets and just Gatchaman.

SilverHawk

If my memory about G-Force somehow still clear as I just watched it yesterday, I don’t really remember about this one. The only thing I remember that I used to have a sticker (a bonus from Bobo, my favorite children magazine at the time).

Silverhawks (which hasn’t had any connection with the movie Silver Hawk, starring Michelle Yeoh whatsoever) according to Wikipedia are heroes who are “partly metal, partly real,” to fight the evil Mon*Star, an escaped alien mob boss who transforms into an enormous armor-plated creature with the aid of Limbo’s Moonstar.

Interesting fact that almost all the female characters in this show voiced by Maggie Wheeler who later played as Chandler’s on and off girlfriend, Janice on Friends.

Captain Planet and the Planeteers

I was in my late teens so I remember this one quite well. A show where the superheroes are caring so much about the environment. So, basically the bad guys trying to destroy the planet by causing a pollution and stuff that support the cause of Global Warming. I think Leonardo DiCaprio should be cast as Captain Planet if they ever make a movie version (Nahhh… just kidding).

Wikipedia wrote:
Captain Planet was formed by combining the powers of the rings of the five Planeteers, which represented the four Classical elements: Earth (wielded by Kwame), Fire (Wheeler), Wind (Linka), Water (Gi) - and the additional power of Heart (Ma-Ti) All of these people represented a major ethnicity and each one of them came from a different continent. Upon his formation, he proclaims, “By YOUR powers combined, I am Captain Planet!”

The role of Gaia was voiced by Whoopie Goldberg and the female villain Dr. Blight is voiced by Meg Ryan. Of course it took me years before finding out.

He-Man

Just like the other superhero, He-Man also had his alter-ego, Prince Adam. However, I could understand if no one in his world can really see the resemblance, because both He-Man and Prince Adam has different skin shade and even voice, unlike Super Man and Clark Kent.

There are four character that I remember the most, He-Man, Teela, Sorcerer and the villain Skeletor.

There is also a live action version with Dolph Lundgren which I quite enjoy as a kid. At least there were two Friends actress on that movie. Courtney Cox and Judy Pickles (Monica’s mother).

Defenders of the Earth

For some reason, I remember this cartoon as Flash Gordon. Not until I started to search for the clip and ended up finding something that wasn’t familiar at all.

Then I found out that the one once showed in Indonesia actually called Defenders of The Earth. It was actually the fourth installment of Flash Gordon series ( I didn’t know that).

It started with Flash Gordon (1954-55) a live action television series. Then they made into cartoon called The New Adventures of Flash Gordon (1979-80). Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All (1982) came next after that and of course Defenders of the Earth (1986).

On 1996, Flash Gordon was brought back to television again. And according to Wikipedia (my favorite FUN source), since 2007-present there is still a new version of this one on television.

Oh, did anyone notice the resemblance between the villain Ming and the founder of Church of Satan Anton LaVaey?

The Legend of Prince Valiant

Set in the time of King Arthur. Prince Valiant was actually American animated series. I didn’t even remember why I like this show because it offers nothing but just regular family oriented adventure story.

Richie Rich

The comic was one the first thing I’ve read my whole life, so automatically I became a fan of the tv show either. Unlike the live version who wasn’t that faithfully to the comic, the cartoon basically the same with the comic only that it had voices and can move of course.

Fantastic Max

About a baby (or toddler) who likes to have adventure in space. Of course his parents had no idea.

The Flinstones

One of the most famous cartoon of all time and has been broadcast almost the whole world so I am sure even people who never see the cartoon at least familiar with that name. So, I guess no explanation is necessary.

I also enjoy the live version as well with John Goodman. However, the sequel Viva Rick Vegas probably one of the worst movie I’ve ever seen.

The Hulk

I guess everyone know The Hulk or sometimes refer to as The Incredible Hulk.

As written on Wikipedia, The Incredible Hulk run for 13 episodes on NBC in 1982, part of a combined hour with Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (as The Amazing Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk).

The series is of course focus on Dr. Bruce Banner life after he was accidentally exposed to the blast of a test detonation of a gamma bomb.

RoboCop

Love the cartoon and the live version as well (hate the sequels though). Hope that one day there will be another live version of this one (better be good!).

I learned that the cartoon actually set after what happen during the movie. With RoboCop still partnered with Officer Anne Lewis.

Just in case you don’t know, RoboCop once was a human cop named Alex Murphy. He got shot and died but OCP turned his remains in the construction of RoboCop (kinda creepy and unethical, but oh well).

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Love April O’neil. It was probably one of the character that inspired me to be journalist.

This cartoon is about four turtle mutants, who are trained by their sensei, Master Splinter, in the art of Ninjutsu (Wikipedia).

Magical Princess Gigi

I thought the title of the cartoon was Gigi. Well, until today. I remember that my favorite part when she transformed into young adult woman with different profession. Sometimes she was a stewardess, singer, police and I was always exited on who she was gonna turn into. I thought that was amazing.

Wikipedia wrote : Gigi is a princess from the land of dreams in the sky. The king and queen sent their daughter Gigi to Earth to help them regain their dreams. Gigi became the adopted daughter of a young childless couple in the earth.

Gigi actually is the international name of the heroine. In Japan (the original country), she was called
Minky Momo.

Next list are the rest show that I also like so much (Sorry too tired to write more about those)

Police Academy

The Lone Ranger

Alice in Wonderland

Mask

Gobots

So, what’s yours?

1. America’s Next Top Model.

cwtv.com

Apart from the reality typical format (which I hate), I really enjoy this 11th cycle of the show. Mainly I love the part of the photo shoot part and always exited waiting for the result. My favorite was Elena but then the “terrible” makeover they did to her hair makes me like Marjorie more, an awkward girl with French descendant, so every time she appears on screen they always play French music in the background which I think quite funny.

2. Desperate Housewives

justjared.buzznet.com

Last season show started a bit weak but ended quite strong. This season however it started pretty strong and I hope it continues that way. The idea of forwarding the time line to 5 years ahead seemed does the show better.

3. Law and Order : SVU

NBC

It started okay but the second episode is GREAT, which fit more as a premiere I think. They have new A.D.A. I don’t have opinion about her yet but I think she looked more believable (partly of her more mature look) as an ADA than Casey Novak, who still seemed too young to have that job, although her great acting could make up her youth look, which is great.

EDIT : The third episode IS horrible. Apart from the great acting, the story is so disappointing. It felt unrealistic, dramatic (in bad way), cheesy and seemed like it was adapted from Nora Roberts novel, but without the romance. I think it fit more if they play it on Lifetime channel instead.

4. Ghost Whisperer

CBS

It sad that Jay Mohr has departed from the show especially since he was the one who has more chemistry to Jennifer Love Hewitt than the guy who played her husband. Last season I almost gave up watching the show because the story just too repetitive. The last episode seemed gets better because they started to add more variety, although I don’t like the idea of replacing Delia’s kid with a teenager so I don’t really care with his storyline at all. This season, however, seemed to get better, so I think if they stay this way, then I’ll keep watching it. Melinda and Jim aren’t such a perfect couple anymore and their character now seemed more realistic than it used to be. Melinda doesn’t said “I can talk and see a Ghost” to everyone anymore. Well, I guess it makes more sense now MANY people has known her secret since she KEPT telling everyone since the first season. The only thing that annoyed me that she still have this “teary” eyes even when it’s not necessary. That’s the only thing I just have to pretend that I don’t see it.

Coming soon:

Law and Order : Criminal Intent

SpoilerTv

Some fans of this show are outraged when the promo pictures showed Vincent D’onofrio standing behind the new detective played by Jeff Goldblum. I don’t, however. I think they do that because this is an introduction of the new guy. I think the producer know that no matter what D’onofrio will always overshadowed everyone and this is always HIS show, so it won’t hurt to make new promo picture that way. The only thing I complained that the picture isn’t that special, like NBC/USA was such in a hurry when they made that. Hopefully the promo video will be better though.

Eames Is THE Boss!

On to that topic, I found video on YouTube about funny promotion of Crminal Intent from TV 1 Australia. The video posted by Jane75. I just checked her channel and it seemed she’s the same Jane who like to comment on my site sometimes. So, thank you, Jane, for sharing that wonderful video :).

I have a program called GIMP, I am still learning how to use it. So today I use my new drawing as part of my experiment and I seemed to like it better than the original one.

And here’s the original which looked kinda boring and I am so terrible drawing stairs by only using mouse.

Instructions:
A) Answer the questions below, do a Google Image search with your answer, take a picture from the first page of results, and do it with minimal words of explanation.

B) Tag 5 other people to do the same once you’ve finished answering every question (although, I have to pass on this one simply because I don’t really have enough reader to tag).

1) The age you will be on your next birthday

(hulu.com)

Sometimes I forgot that this is the last year in my 20’s. How time files so fast. I hope that there won’t be too many “rock” ahead of me.

2) A place where you want to travel to

(estandardsforum.com)

I was about to find picture of my hometown, but I realize I was born there and I’ll probably will always got a chance to visit. But how about Sweden? Will I ever got a chance? I hope so.

3) Your favourite place

(divefroggies.com)

I’d say Tondano, my hometown. Although, I kept getting less and less reason to go there, but still have enough to call it favorite.

4) Your favourite food

(geocities.com)

I choose Thai Food over Indonesian Food. I realize that I only like food from certain area in Indonesia which is from hometown (of course), but so far I like ALMOST kind of Thai Food.

5) Your favourite pet

(world-net.net)

Basset Hounds are cute, don’t they? I don’t know if my next dog will be this kind because I think I’d just adopt some homeless pet and it’s probably not gonna be basset hound.

6) You’re favourite colour combination

(rokasox.com)

I was a Blue fan for a long time then lately sort of got tired of it and started to like Green and Brown more, but soon I realize I still can’t give up Blue completely.

7) Your favourite piece of clothing

(shop.guess.com)

Short is always comfy, maybe because it’s so light. However, when winter comes then it won’t.

Your favourite TV show

(hbo.com)

Still the best show ever. Great character, stories and simply the best.

9) First name of your significant other

(christusrex.org)

Guess who!

10) The town in which you live

(sandiegoconcierge.com)

Yup, that’s San Diego!

11) Your first job

(masternewmedia.org)

I am pretty lucky to land at my dream job at the time on my first try in “working” world. Hope I’d be able to achieve more dream jobs in the future.

12) Your dream job

(vitamindblog.com)

Guess what!

13) A bad habit you have

(davidshrigley.com)

Although since I got a job I don’t feel that as much as I used to.

14) Your worst fear

(failure-movie.com)

Nothing to say about it.

15) What you’d like to do before you die

(delivery.superstock.com)

Seemed my dream job and this last category just basically related to each other (*)

Once I really like something, many times in turn into obsession. It happens quite rare but when it did, I am shamed to admit that it usually started to control my whole life. One of these things still part of my current obsession.

Drawing
My first obsession ever since I was three years old. That’s basically what I did every day. Looking back, it seemed I was on the way to become comic book author.

Reading
If you’re Indonesian and grow up during 80-90’s, then you MUST be familiar with a kid magazine, Bobo and Kawanku. Although, I like Bobo much better. Then I don’t know if you know the comic Mimin, a story about black Mexican kid with his three friends, Ricky, Carlos and Ernesto. To think about it right now, the story is so “soap opera” typical, but I still wanted to re read it again if I could. I used to have maybe around hundred series and I never know how it ends. I was wondering if I could still find them at the used books market around Pasar Senen, Jakarta. Then there were Nina, Famous Five, St Claire, Mallory Towers, Pippi Long Stocking, Secret Seven, Noddy, etc.

English
Maybe the healthiest obsession I’ve ever had. I wanted to learn English so bad but at that time I couldn’t take English class because my school didn’t have it. So, I thought about a plan to learn English through songs. I didn’t know what the lyrics mean, but at least I could learn how to pronounce them. Of course later, I started using my dictionary to translate every songs that I love and it helped me a lot in my vocabulary.

Tommy Page
My first favorite singer ever. Back on the 80-90’s, he was very famous in Indonesia. I first know him when I accidentally bought a karaoke song that has his song on it. The reason I bought it at the first place because I really wanted to learn English. Then at some show on TV, I saw him singing the same song on my karaoke tape while playing the piano. I thought he must be the most handsome guy I’ve ever seen in my life and I was officially become a fan.

Study Abroad
I always wanted to come study abroad (or some other western country) thanks to TV show and movies. As a kid, I wanted so bad to have cool school like they show on TV. That obsession becomes bigger over the years. I tried to get scholarship to study abroad, although there were times my target country changed into Sweden (thanks to my other obsession). I even send letter to the Embassy and they nicely reply me. I forgot what they said but apparently it didn’t work out.

Andy Lau
The first movie star that I adore and at that times I didn’t even seen any of his movies. Weird, huh? I don’t remember what makes me like him. Probably the fact that my best friend, Rinny, liked him a lot, so it makes me like him too.

Roxette
The biggest and the longest obsession in my life. At least since 1991, my life really revolves around this Sweden band. My friend, Rinny, introduced me to them. I didn’t really care at first but then a year later, I become completely crazy about them, in fact for years they became like the most important thing in my life. I listen to their songs all the time. When I just got home the first thing to do is listen to their song. There are too much stories to tell about Roxette, which still become a huge part of my life until know. Maybe one day I’ll write more about that.

Twin Peaks
How much I wanted Agent Dale Cooper and Audrey Horne ended up together. Remember watching it every Saturday night on TVRI. Unfortunately, they only showed the first season only and leave us hanging. So irresponsible!

Tapak Sakti
Inspired me to make a comic of my own. One of the greatest martial art comic I’ve read. It’s about twin brother, Samsun and Devilito, who got separated when they were little. Their parents being murdered by two princess who fell in love to their father. However, he chose a slave over them. As a revenge, the princesses decided to make the twin killed each other when they grew up. In my opinion, they should stop the story when the two princess died and they failed to make the twins killed each other. In fact, they kept continue and the story became so anti climax. I then stopped reading it, especially since they killed Hati Baja off, one of my favorite character.

Writing
From reading to writing. I got inspired so much by Enid Blyton books, I wanted to write my own story. Then of course after Roxette came along, I started writing and using them as character. At that time, I didn’t know the term “Fan Fiction” back then. From writing stories, I started doing it in magazine way. I’ll made up interview with them. To think about it, I was on the way on working for media.

Movies
I don’t really watched too much movie when I was younger. I didn’t have cable and have no money to go to theater. However, for some reason I like reading movie review from the used magazine I found at my home. Then years later, we finally have cable then this time movies started taking over my life. At first, I watched EVERYTHING, and then I started to become picky and finally be able to tell which are great movies and which aren’t.

Harry Potter
I thought after Roxette, I won’t ever obsessed to thing in that way anymore. I was wrong. There were times I was so busy with my school and work, I started to lose interest in reading and writing! I always felt too tired to do that. I missed reading so much and there were times I got disappointed that I didn’t read anymore. Well, until Harry Potter came along. I saw “The Sorcerer Stone” for the purpose of writing the review for my newspaper. I didn’t like it at all. Then, one time I found the first book of Harry Potter just laying around at my grandparents house. It was Saturday and I have nothing to do, so I started to read that. I was surprised how GREAT it is. To make story short, I then bought all the rest of the series and from that point always couldn’t wait for it’s movie to come to the theater (*)