Rice munching primates

At least that's what one of them think about us, Indonesians. Slurrings and racism rants towards Indonesian is a result of shocking verdict of Schapelle Corby, who was found guilty of possessing about 4.2 kg of marijuana in her surf board bag in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. As most, not all, public opinions said that they believe Schapelle is innocent. The scoldings and curses have turned into a wider layer, public petition to boycott Bali and even Qantas for not providing a crucial evidence to prove Schapelle's innoncence.

The unfortunate lady was -as said by the public- a victim of big syndicate of drugs smugglers, who oftenly use traveller's bags to transfer illegal drugs between cities in Australia. There has been some investigation about the bag-handlers in Australian airports, but until now there hasn't any proof found and linked to Corby's case. There are some aspects that attached to her verdict. First, the reputation of Indonesian justice systems and courts which are shadowed by corruption practice, money power and just simply politics. Second, the arresting of Bali 9 where the vibe of politics is strong. Then, I might say, the last, is the profile of Schapelle herself. Her illuminating figures as beauty therapy student is supporting her image that drag more people to believe and argue for her, that she's just an innocent victim. Even Derryn Hinch, one of Australia's commentator and radio host, quoted
"the 27-year-old Gold Coast beauty student had become a cause celebre in Australia because of her sex, appearance and a well-oiled PR campaign". He also said:

"I think she's a far more worldly girl than which has been depicted in Australia," he says. "I said I believed that Corby has been championed in Australia becuase she was young and pretty and white and Australian and had big boobs, and I stand by it."

and...

"What the public are seeing here, the veteran broadcaster says, is an extraordinary defence-by-media, rather than the trial-by-media we're used to. And it's been so successful purely because she's portrayed as a "beautiful, innocent young woman."

Anyway, those three aspects are enough to drawn a wide and big reaction from Australian public. As most of them support Corby's innocence, they were shocked and disgusted by the court's decision last Friday. While Corby's family couldn't resist their anger and disappointment after hearing the three judges' decision, the sparks in Australia has sunk into a different level. Many, of those who are angry with the verdicts, calling a boycott to Bali. Asking the other Australians to cancel and not to spend anymore holiday in Bali, or buying Indonesian products. Online forums, chat rooms and even online petitions have created a public dislike towards Indonesian people in general. In some or most of the comments were just over the line. From sending nuke to Indonesia, hoping for another tsunami (which they won't send any aid anymore), asking refund for the aid for last December tsunami appeal where 300,000 Indonesians perished, to stupid ideas about invading Indonesia and destroying our economy.

Now, if we can just take a moment to think about it. Is it right to do such things? Apart from the fact whether Corby is guilty or not, do you think we have rights to commit such actions? We might scold our government or other governments because we are not satisfied with their jobs. But having boycott or even hating other nations based on racism is just over the line. What they don't realize that they're acting worse that the people they hate by being so stupid and racist. It is really hurting me for reading those racism comments against us. They have every right in the world to dislike the justice system in Indonesia, to hate the three judges but those racism slogans towards us is not necessary.

I don't have any grudge againts Corby or Australians in general. Even there are some incidents between Indonesian Government and Australian Government, it never reduce my respects for the Australian people. However it's really shocking seeing the public reaction about Corby's case. She still have chance for appeal for crying out loud. Even they have had a verdict, it's not final yet. There are still some hopes and ways to make a better outcome about this case.

Thankful for those who said more positive comments about Corby's case. Even some of them have taken a different point of view. Some interesting blog entries about not to boycott Bali, including the weight of the bag. She made some interesting points tho, and one of them is about the idea of another mule. Of course these are one-sided and are not back-up by any professional evidence. I'm just giving a chance for you all to read a different type of opinion.

But of course, I'm agree that the way the Indonesian Police handle the case was quite unprofessional, ignoring the crucial moment to secure any evidence. It might be reviewed as same incident of Chika Honda's case in 1992.

Anyway, in my opinion, there is no need to slur any racist slogans. I know some might or will link this to those trial of Bali Bombing where hundreds of Australians were killed. While the dead counts were just shocking, it is also shocking to hear that some of the people involved in the bombing only got about 10 years jail, etc. Well, what can I say? It's not simple as playing paper folding, it's politics, it's dark, deep and disgustiing. Oh, well I've typed too much here, now let me rest in my warm bed and listening to Frank Sinatra. LOL.

"Race hate isn't human nature; race hate is the abandonment of human nature."
George Orson Welles

They're here!

The war has been waged between the three giant console game companies. Microsoft initiated the opening attack by unveiled their product, Xbox 360. With the upgradeable 20Gb HD, 512 MB of 700 MHz GDDR3 RAM, a ATI Graphic Processor, it promise the market to deliver the most sophisticated, realistic game experience. More facts about Xbox 360, and here are some screenshot of it.

Then just at the beginning of this week, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. answered the 'war' by introducing their luminary champ, PS 3. The link also provide the specifications of PS3 console.

The last but not least is Nintendo, joined the battle just a day after Sony revealed their PS3. Nintendo has named their latest diva as Nintendo Revolution. Both Xbox 360 and PS3 have claimed that they're gonna deliver one of the most powerful game consoles ever created. They have upgrade their 'power' to give its customers a new beginning of new era of video game. While Nintendo, they don't rely their product on powerful processors or graphic accelerator, even they claim that Revolution's processor will be at least 2 or 3 times stronger than their GameCube. As quoted, Nintendo's President, Satoru Iwata said:

"Different also defines our approach to our next home system. It won't simply be new or include new technologies. Better technology is good, but not enough. Today's consoles already offer fairly realistic expressions so simply beefing up the graphics will not let most of us see a difference. So what should a new machine do? Much more. An unprecedented gameplay experience. Something no other machine has delivered before.

"The definition for a new machine must be different. I want you to know that Nintendo is working on our next system and that system will create a gaming revolution. Internal development is underway. When you see it you will be excited because you will experience a gaming revolution."

I hope he is right. I can't wait to try one of these babies.

Each console has their special game title to represent and symbolize themselves. Microsoft, will trust their banner to Call of Duty 2 and The Godfather. While PS3 will try to rise its vibe with their famous Metal Gear Solid 4 (MGS4), and Nintendo's ascension goes to their favorite titles such as Zelda, Mario and Donkey Kong. For Zelda, Nintendo has gave a glimpse of The Legend of Zelda: Princess Twilight at E3 this week.

So for the next couples of months, it's gonna be interesting watching the game market. As NPD Group recorded, that until 2004 in North America alone, Sony's PS2 dominated the market share with 56%. Microsoft Xbox comes as runner-up with only 25%, while Nintendo had to be satisfied by placing themselves with 19%. And as in global market scale DFC Intelligence counts that PS2's domination is unchallenged with USD 25 billion or about 68% of total sale. While Microsoft and Nintendo only share 17% and 15%. But Microsoft is confident enough that this year's holiday sale for their Xbox 360 will bring them up in the first place in the market. PS3 and Revolution are scheduled to be released in 2006.

Now, it's up to the game developers to make some kick-ass game to suit these consoles. Seeing their specification, we will realize that the era of video gaming has changed. This is a revolution. This is the future of fun, welcome to the future. Before you realize it, these consoles will take over your home. You will not only use these consoles for sorely playing video games. But with them, you can watch DVDs, convert your music CDs, store your audio files, pictures from your digital camera, online chat, email, etc. Imagine that those high stack of audio systems in your house will start losing their functions as you -might- rely more on these awesome consoles.

Only one thing is worrying us. The price. Of course their technologies will sooner be upgraded or changed into a better one. And these consoles might be cheap at that time. But for now, they won't be.

"The digital revolution is far more significant than the invention of writing or even of printing"
Douglas Engelbart

Sue the bastards episode II

We have heard about this website called Friendster. This is where, as a registered member, you can find and list your friends (if they're registered too). Then from there, you can expand your friendship network. And most of the time, we find our old friends whom we have lost contact with. So did I. I found some of my old friends, friends who were in the same class as me in Secondary School and High School. And since I was graduated from my high school, I haven't got many contacts of my friends. Some are still keeping in touch with me via e-mails or messengers, but the rest are unknown.

So, Friendster has helped its members to find old friends and to make new friends. Of course, there are still so many complaints about Friendster as their database is sometimes just being a prick. Anyway, so last week, one of my friend -let's call her G- who told me about one suspicious account that she found in Friendster. There was this one friend of ours. I've known him since we were very young, Primary School I should say. We grew up in the same school. Even only couple times we were in the same class, but we used to hanging around with same group of friends. The more we spent time together, in school and outside school time, the more I realized that there was something dark about this dude. Let's refer him as "DY" (even I don't give damn about mentioning his full name here, so just call this as journalistic etiquette hehehe..) Later, during our time in high school, I found that he was a deceitful person. He will say different things about a thing to different people. Two-faces, backstabber are prety much explaining it all. He is a smart and witty person, but he choosen the wrong way to apply his knowledge and ability. His skill to convince people is very good, a sweet or smooth talker. He can persuade people so easily but.. he was impatient. Wanting to be in high status in a fast way, wanted to get respects and reputation from his community. So he took the fast way, scamming.

Ok.. then, as I went to Australia, I lost contact with almost of my friends. First, because only very few of them that actually has access to Internet. Second, from those who has access to Internet, most of them were rarely able to be online. Third, the cost of international call is so hurting me and my wallet and fourth, most of us are not a fan of writing letters.

After a while, I went home for the second time in 2000 for Christmas Holiday and at that time I met "DY". Oh boy, he was fat and looked wealthy. Coz we were skinny even at the time we were on Year 12. He told me that he was in charge for a mobile phone shop, dealing with big assets and talking with important people in our town. Many of us were convinced, even he paid out the whole bill we spent for a little reunions (about 30 of us) in a cafe. It was quite expensive especially, during that time, most of us were just in first year of university life. So, all of us believed that he was a success businessman, even he didn't finish his university degree. He told us how easy it was to earn a profit from selling mobile phones, etc, etc.

Years go by, then in 2003, when my parents were here for a mid-year holiday, they told me a shocking news. That "DY" was actually a scammer. He scammed three shops (all mobile shops), and even scammed his ex for a quite large amount of money. That, in result, as his scamming was found out by his employer, he flee. His mum, dad, brother and granny, fleed from our hometown. So it was a big news for my town. Then, just last week, my friend told me about an account in Friendster that using "DY" name. Here's an interesting part, he didn't add many of us, he only added some of them that -might- still don't know about what happened with his 'business history'. And the more interesting part, that he has two testimonials in his account from some of his 'friends'. Both saying the same thing, that "DY" that actually a nice and young business man. And he is gold at heart, generous with people around him, always been found in route Singapore - Japan - Indonesia, etc, etc.

Well, some of our friends might believe it black and white. And that is pissed me off. We all know that the officials are still looking for him. He is responsible for the loss of -at least- three shops, the assets, debts that he made. Coz he was trusted by his employers to order and stock items for the shops. But beside doing it, he spent the money on soccer betting, gambling, and having many parties with his 'important' colleagues. Anyway, I'm very sure that all those testimonials are fake. He is still in Indonesia, not Tokyo, not Osaka or Singapore as mentioned in the testimonials.

So who made those testimonials? Him. How do I know it? Because both testimonials accounts were made at the same exact date and day. I know it is possible but the chance is so damn small having same people sending testimonial to same person. Both accounts were owned by his 'female employees'. Funny thing, one of them only has two friends in her list, there are "DY" and the other girl. All accounts haven't been accessed since last year. It is pathetic. He thinks that he can still scam people as he used to. He thinks that people, especially his ex-friends, could be easily fall for a simply stupid fake testimonial. Well, for "DY", if you are reading this (I'm sure you will eventually somehow), just cut the crap ok? People won't ever accept you, nor forget about you for you keep doing the same freaking shit over and over again. I just want to warn, especially for my old friends, not to trust this individual at any stage for any reason. The safest way is reporting to authorities. I know I won't be hesitated at all.

"The good people sleep much better at night than the bad people. Of course the bad people enjoy the waking hours much more."
Woody Allen

Sue the bastards episode I

We watched Supersize Me, a documentary movie about this guy who tried to deliver a message: fast food is a killer. So to prove it, he ate ONLY McDonald's for breakfast, lunch and dinner, for 30 days. He bought nothing outside McDonald's food outlets, not even a single candy or water. And after 30 long days, he -technically- was killing himself. The last medical check-up of his general condition, he had gained about 24.5 lbs, claimed for a high cholesterol and glucose, a high chance of getting Heart Disease, Diabetes, and some other medical terms =P

Watching it actually was like a jab to my stomach. Seeing him visited the golden arch over and over again was a bit depressing. But from this brilliant documentary movie, I got some fascinating facts about McDonald's. Do you know that -everyday- McDonald's serve food for about 46 million people worldwide - more than entire population of Spain. McDonald's operates more than 30,000 restaurants in more then 100 countries, it's more than Burger King's, Wendy's and KFC outlets combined. McDonald's distributes more toys per year than Toys-R-Us. And in Manhattan, with its total area is 87.5 km², there are actually 83 McDonald's outlets. He said something like every 3 or 4 outlet for couple block (I'm trying to find the exact size of Manhattan lol).

Anyway, we might be a casual consumer of fast food. While in U.S.A. where 1 in 4 American goes to fast food restaurant at least once everyday, the affect is just worrying, 100 millions of Americans are overweight. Some other countries, where the population is smaller, the numbers might be lower. But it doesn't mean that the percentage of people who have a high chance of obesity is gonna be lower also. Again, he only wants to show us that eating fast food without having regular exercise or moderate your dietary, could end you up in hospital.

Talking about bastards, I have this story. But I'll post it in the next posting. Coz if I put them together here, it will be pretty long and some of you might bored hehehe.

To be continued...

Hip Hip Hooray!

Happy B-day to me! So, today, I'm the king hehehe.. Jk! Today is my birthday, nothing much happening tho. Got some SMS from friends and families (phew, they're still remember me!) Some of them even called me. Then just night, I went to Hog's Breath for an exquisite dinner with Liv. Too bad it wasn't a candle light dinner hehehe.. I had this 400g steak, medium rare as usual, was delightful. Just give it a day or two before those fat starts to work in place on my bold body (LOL). Anyway, thanks everyone. For those who always been there for me. My mum and dad, my sis and bro, my beloved friends, who share some great moment and sh*tload of fun and silly things. Thanks for those things that have constructed me, my personality, my desire, likes and dislikes, even my physical appearance hahaha..

I'll leave you all with a poem sent by Liv thru BlueMountain:

A stranger you were once.
Then, with a gentle look you took my hand.
As our lives engaged,
you lit my life and I held both your hands.
Now that decades have passed,
ours souls have indeed become one.
How fortunate we are
that we have found the love so true.

If I could have just one wish,
I would wish to wake up everyday
to the sound of your breath on my neck,
the warmth of your lips on my cheek,
the touch of your fingers on my skin,
and the feel of your heart beating with mine...
Knowing that I could never find that feeling
with anyone other than you.


May today be a gift you'll always treasure. Happy Birthday to someone who always makes me smile!

Love,
Livia

Really, what else do you need when you have people that love you so much, ignoring your negative sides and just keep trying to accept who you are? *sobs* Thanks, my dear.

"Love rules the court, the camp, the grove,
And men below, and saints above:
For love is heaven, and heaven is love"
Sir Walter Scott

*yawn*

Well, it's Saturday. It's fine weather. It's a comfortable day. And it's day of relaxing. Maybe I should go to Freo, enjoying some fish and chips, enjoying the day. Hehehe..

Now I'm at the campus, while Liv is trying to finish one of her assignments. Nothing much happening lately tho. We've got new DVD Burner Dual Layer for $95 (or around that price). So we can freely burn files -in bigger size- to fit into one disc. Got another 4 trials for computer games. One of them is EverQuest 2 and Mourning. And as I don't have anything special to be told today, so let me talk about computer games hehehe..

EverQuest 2, being developed by Sone Entertainment Online, covers some comprehensive hallmarks. One of them is the details of characters' appearance, the sway of trees, the foaming beach. Everything is ellegantly designed to give a touch of real experience. It took me about 20 minutes just to design my character appearance, a rare thing that can be found among other online games. Its world is massive, offers not only hundreds of hours of exploration but the vivid mystery of unknown terrains, unknown creatures, and quests. Talking about quests, they're superbly designed so while you doing them, you can learn more about the game, its history, its famous heroes and legends, its infamous evil myth, etc.

I like it tho. Since I play Star Wars Galaxies, I fell in love with SOE's designs. If you like playing RPG, and want to try it online, go fetch one of its copy.

The other one is Mourning. I've been waiting for this since last year, beginning of last year. I have been queueing up for their closed beta testing (which I missed) LOL. So this morning when I checked my email, I got an offer to download the client and try it. I gotta check the client tonight. Oh, we got shaped into 64Kbps! OMG, that the second time for the last two months hehehe.. It seems 80Gb download quota is not enough for us hehehe..

Anywayyyyy, gotta go now. I'm hungry! Me hungry! See you all later. Have a nice weekend!