Do you keep track with your calendar of 2015? Well, all of you must be realize that half of 2015 is already over. Ha-ha! Do you still keep track with your new year’s goal? The good thing is, I made it on .jpeg, so I can keep it on my phone to remind me of a lot of things.
Category: Daily
My daily commute, whatsapp chat history, Evernote notes, random ideas, or countless saved pictures on my phone. Every bit of everyday, any RGBs and hex codes along the way.
Another June’s List
Sunday!
I think it is time to make another list (since it makes me really happy). By the way, this Ramadhan runs so fast. I managed to only break my fasting outside once until now (just because Ramadhan means family time). See, my greatest glory comes in form of much more blessed things. You just can’t replace family time on Ramadhan.
Now, here comes the June’s list!
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
I truly love him! John Oliver got the HBO weekly night show gig, after graduating from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. After writing quite some times for the show, some Emmys, and replacing Jon Stewart in summer 2013 (while Stewart directed a movie), HBO realized the true potential of this British comedian. Last Week Tonight airs every Sunday night, reviewing some of the news that happens from the past week. The show has tackled some important issues concerning Wage Gap, Lottery (which claims lottery benefit the society), Tobacco Addiction, Miss American Pageant (which claims themselves as the biggest scholarship for young woman), Online Harassment for Woman, and maybe the most watched episode of them all, FIFA. Also his famous Bud Light Lime chug.
The show is hilariously spotted on and entertaining. I wonder if the same method of the show will ever be on our national TV. Despite its satirical tone, the show delivers the important issue in funny acceptable way. My hope on national TV ever came in the form of Indosiar, then Metro TV, then Trans TV, only to realize time changes them all. Rating raise and fall, political interest emerge, and creativity goes awry in the form of useless show. Other hope came in the form of .NET TV which amazingly offers (almost) no commercial in between their show. Fresh sitcom and daily talk show (with line of veteran and amazing hosts). But then comes Masalembo, a complete rip off of the TV series I love dearly, LOST. Now, only time will show if .NET will become another ‘something goes bad and I cannot hold any longer’ or come as glorious alternative TV that consistently delivers high quality show.
By the way, I’d love to write my fascination towards some of late night shows someday.
Online Courses
At my 2014 year review, I said that creative workshop skyrocketed to become one of the hippest event on your weekend agenda. Not only that it gives you some knowledge and some skills of making something from scratch, it also becomes an alternative for your weekend gateway (bye bye, fancy mall. Let’s move to… fancy cafés). The hard truth about all of that, it (sometimes) costs a lot. Especially in capital city like Jakarta. The cost for this creative workshop ranges from +/- 200.000 to 1.000.000 and above. TOBUCIL, located in Bandung (which I always set my eyes on the Bookbinding workshop) sets the range cheaper on +/- 100.000 to 250.000. For your references, here are my suggested Jakarta based event organizer and/or workshop place:
INDOESTRI // Living Loving // Hello Smithies // Mau Belajar Apa
For you who doesn’t have the luxury of spending that much money or the luxury of going out in weekend, please welcome the INTERNET (sunglasses emoji, please). Youtube obviously gives you everything you need. But for you who don’t mind spending some money on your credit card, here comes Skillshare. The website is no different than any online course like Coursera (which still awesomely FREE). Coursera offers much more academic subject, partnering with top universities and highly educated lecturer. But if you are like me, who already fed up with calculation and anything technical in your work (and really don’t want to enroll to Introduction to Programming with MATLAB), maybe Skillshare is the perfect place for you.
Skillshare believes you don’t need to have a degree when you want to teach something. You just need to be experience in that field of subject and you can teach classes. The thing is, Skillshare requires some Premium Membership to access all of their classes. Their Free Membership still let you access their limited free classes. Their Premium Membership costs $10/month and $96/year. However, if you sign up for their Premium Membership you will get 14 days free trial so you won’t be billed at that time (at my first day signing up, I enrolled to almost 23 classes, ha-ha). So if you want to get access to all the classes, just be sure to enrolled to all the classes you like and cancel your membership after the trial ends :)) But if you are interested enough to sign up for Premium Membership account, they offer 20% off across this summer. A really good bargain I must say.
Skillshare offers range of more creative approach to their workshop, from DSLR for Blogger course, Branding Yourself on Instagram, Knitting 101, Hand Lettering, SEO and E-mail Marketing Strategy, etc. I signed up for the membership just because I want to enroll to Elizabeth Olwen’s Pattern Design Worskhop :)) But after that, blown away by their range of topic. There is also another workshop that I enjoy a lot called Strategic Design The Art and Science of Branding. The people from Lippincott teach about branding strategy with The Hyatt Place rebranding as case study.
By the way, Linkedin just acquired Lynda, which is another good online course I want to try. It costs more that Skillshare (around $25/month), but covers more topics which I interested of. For Linkedin member, they also offer 21 days free trial before signing up for Premium Membership. Another great deal. After my Skillshare free trial ends, I do want to try this :))
Other online classes from my favorite DIY blogger/website like Brit+Co usually cost $19.9 and the girls from A Beautiful Mess sets the price from $35 to $75. Since I don’t have the luxury to spend $50 for a blog branding course, I would like to recommend Skillshare for overall :)) These online course websites also have mobile apps feature if you want to access your courses offline. It is an alternative for you who commutes and stuck in traffic a lot. Instead of spending countless scroll on your social media, 10 – 15 minutes of new subject won’t hurt you.
I Wrote This for You
It took years for me to actually get this book. The book published back in 2011 and I know the website for quite sometimes, always fascinated by the words (who doesn’t?). To actually having this on my book shelves is beyond believe. By the way, this is still one of my favorite piece.
The book itself (like the blog) features Iain S. Thomas’ poems and Jon Eliss’ photographs. I enjoy the first volume a lot just because it features a lot of photographs from Japan. It is somehow enchanting and beautiful. The guys just release another book titled I Wrote This For You and Only You on March 2015.
Jurassic World
I don’t really follow the mix review of the movie, but I do want to watch it because I LOVE DINOSAUR. It’s like my favorite animal after dragon :)) Back in college, I cried alone at night when I ran out of National Geographic’s Dinosaur coverage. And to be honest, Jurassic Park is one of the three VHS I have back in the day (the other two were Beauty and The Beast & Aladdin).
A friend told me that I need to put my 10 years old inside me to get the real experience of the movie, I don’t believe it. I came as 20 something and I felt happy when I left the theater. I think the movie just served as the perfect must-watched summer movie this year. I have to admit, that there are a lot of re-used plot and re-used scenes (which still okay by the way). The movie takes homage to original movie through many Easter Eggs (which I love). Any adults (maybe the 20s mostly) will scream seeing the night goggles appearance and of course the T-REX!!! I idolize the T-rex a lot, I could die clapping my hands when he appears :)) I know the end of the story completely in the middle of the movie, just because I really want it to happen (and it does happen!). As it should always be, the T-rex needs to remind all newcomers who the reigning king really is.
Bonus point: THE WEBSITE IS SUPER AWESOME.
Hand Lettering Artist
You know, it is really a career. The more I read and explore what these people are doing, the more I know there are various kind of hand lettering. Tough sometimes, I still cannot distinguish which one is more like calligraphy, graffiti, brush lettering, or the combination of all that; it’s still fun to see many of handmade beauty. My favorite local artist is Jamal M. Aziz from Lapantigatiga. He writes (and draws) like wizard.
(taken from Lapantigatiga’s Instagram)
There is also another hand lettering artist from Indonesia, but based in Virginia, named Feling Poh. Her works are more whimsical and modern, combining lettering and floral illustration. Her illustration works are also powerfully beautiful.
(taken from Feling’s instagram)
(taken from Feling’s website)
My favorite international artist might be Maiko Nagao and Jasmine Dowling. I love Nagao’s lettering because it is the right amount of messy that I like, and she sometimes mixes the writing and simple drawing like superheroes or animal graphic that fitted perfectly in a children’s room.
(taken from Nagao’s Instagram)
And Dowling is not only a famous letterer, she is also super fashionable. No wonder that her works include collaborations with IMG Model and Maybelline.
(taken from Dowling’s Instagram)
So, how’s life treating you lately? Hoping that you’ll always make the best of it.
Your May’s Guide
Just finished up my task this week after 3 straight night shift. Can we insert a confetti emoji here? :)) May came so fast, so here what’s I really up into lately.
On Finding Something You Get Fond Of
A Beautiful Mess
I know the website and the sister for quite a long time. I super love their colorful happy website layout and falls in love with all of their filter-perfect-photos. But just until last month I bought their book (signed dearly by Elsie and Emma, with a half price off, super love ❤) and suddenly madly in love with all of their products. Start to install their photo apps and start subscribing for their Happy Mail (shipping for international customer is $2).
I have this certain fascination towards stationary for a long long time. If I ever got a chance to be making an event or a pop-up bazaar (besides an open air cinema and drive-through cinema), I will definitely make something like this. It will be heaven! People will be equipped with welcome package contains of stationary kits. There will be a pop up card DIY station, the postcard station where you can send anything to anyone through a standing red blue and white mailbox, and all those beautiful paper bliss that force you back to writing with your hand. In Instagram era, hand lettering is associated with brush and fancy gouache paint, but I think you don’t need that to create something meaningful. Pen and pencils are just alright, it is the thought that matters.
Our stationary local products nowadays are so surprisingly good, in terms of quality and design. I believe it can definitely match up with anything out there. Some of my favorite are Pola, Kelly’s The Wrapping Paper Company, Kyub and others~ They might not as witty as Emily McDowell, but there are so many local brands out there who get really serious stuffs under their sleeves.
Circa Waves
Finding Circa Waves these days is like finding a gemstone. While ‘older’ bands try new form of music, blending rock with R&B and electronic beats; the band comes as a representative of garage rock meets classic alternatives. Reviving the sound of the early 00’s indie scene. I was beyond excited the first time I heard them (BBC’s Radio 1 Live Lounge, they cover Ellie Goulding’s Love Me Like You Do).
These four lads from Liverpool are young, formed the band in 2013, did support act for 1975 and The Libertines, gaining fans from gigs to gigs. Their debut album Young Chasers (2015) is pure joy, each song is perfectly made for summer music festivals with infectious melodies and rousing choruses. The must notable tracks are T-Shirt Weather, Stuck in My Teeth, and Young Chasers.
And should I just say that YouTube Mix is amazing? It’s kind of the Nokia’s former Radio Mix, with videos :)) Watched all my favorite 2000’s video clips, right when they’re all still played on MTV.
On TV Series
Haha, how I kept finding time to watch TV series? There is undeniably good question afterall. Weekend marathon is one thing, multitasking is another thing. Just keep your player switch to ‘Always on Top’. Problem solved :))
True Detectives
You know, it is so hard to find someone who can narrated anything as good as Morgan Freeman. But let’s welcome Matthew McConaughey. Damn that voice tone. In 8 intense episodes, Nic Pizzolatto (creator) and Cary Joji Fukunaga (director) delivered a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece with terrifying fear, wrapped in a supernatural element. Finished season 1 in a day, it is toxic, brilliantly acted, and beautifully directed. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson’s performance is just grand and dazzling. After that kind set of cast, everybody will doubt whether the 2nd season will top up its predecessor.
Game of Thrones season 5
Four episodes of its newest season leaked before premiere day, Game of Thrones might secured its place again as the most pirated show of the year. The storyline is going on much more different direction than the books, but I found it somewhat more interesting. Book nerds, go bites the dust already.
Superheroes TV Galore
I just watched Avengers Age of The Ultron last week, and really realized that Marvel is doing great to brand themselves on superheroes summer movies. Year after year, sequels and the crossover. But it is hard sometimes to pack a great plot on 2 or 3 hours movie. So, sometimes it is just another bang bang, explosive sounds, and everything burnt that matters. DC on the other hand, is lying low with TV Series. Arrow is a successful series with right amount of heroism and brutality, layers of past after past, and did I mention about League of Assassin and the Ra’s Al Ghul?
DC’s other project, The Flash, gains new demographic they needed. With much more “superheroes power” simply called the meta-human, the show is more popular with the younger age. So many easter eggs on the show, which related to further show extension. Now, CW is already aired Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow’s first look trailer, and a crossover would likely to happen anytime soon. I gave up Gotham after 3 episodes and maybe it is the time to give the show second chance.
By the way, Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD is sucks, but Marvel’s Agent Carter is a five thumbs up. Peggy Carter is a character from Captain America’s movie (which I never watched any of it) and her series is packed with woman empowerment (bonus point, they got Jarvis on the show, like the real Jarvis).
Daniel: How can you just sit there and take that?
Peggy: Daniel.
Daniel: I’m gonna tell that senator what really happened. Hell, I’ll tell Truman himself.
Peggy: It really doesn’t bother me.
Daniel: Well, it bothers the hell out of me. I saved that jerk’s life.
Peggy: I don’t need a congressional honor. I don’t need Agent Thompson’s approval or the president’s. I know my value. Anyone else’s opinion doesn’t really matter.
That scene when Peggy doesn’t get any recognition for saving the city is so powerful and it just screams greatness ❤.
So, what have you been lately?
Have a gorgeous Sunday, lover of the light.
Let’s Take A Time
There is something calm and somewhat fear towards mountains. The silent guardian, telling story about million years before us. The story of every explosion and every friction of the earth. Sometimes we forget how to be human, caught up in the middle of the universe. Mending broken pieces which supposed to be left unsaid. We forget how to take a silence between the hustling moments.
Let’s take a time today, to remember every moment that matters. Every people forgotten. Every hearts that need to be heal. Let’s take a time today to sit around and glad to be alive.
Hold On
Life isn’t easy for some of us, but is not that bad either for most of us. Lately, I’ve been struggling with work at office. Not the first time to experience it tough, everybody does have time to question their being and whether they’re unsure of doing things for a long time. Or maybe just questioned what exact changes or impact you have created to this great great world. For me, it usually cured up by taking short vacation. HongKong, Tokyo, mostly Singapore, or like last month, to this place.
Sure, sometimes I still stare blankly on the ceiling and said to myself, I should just buy that ticket to Milan and leave all of these. But I guess, when you get older, you get list of responsibilities and getting afraid of a lot of things. I think I have told you million times about that, so I just leave it to there. You probably knew all that feeling already. Doubt and what-if are normal for the late 20s. Suddenly I realized, I just forget how to be young. I’m 27 and considering I will always be younger than a lot of people, I’ve been thinking a lot lately. John Mellencamp once said to Jack & Dianne,
“Hold on to 16 as long as you can.”
Maybe for me, it’s 16 and 11 years later, but I just want to cherish every moment. The point is to hold on to your youth and celebrate it. If you’re not considering you’re young, well let me tell you this, you are :)
***
Beside all of it, I’ve finally found something that cheer me up lately. You know, last time I wrote a post about a lot of friend who’s getting a broken heart. Well, one of them isn’t anymore (or two?). At first, I’m really not into matchmaking, because I think it’s lame and terrible. But you know that happiness is contagious and just seeing people /that happy/, I suddenly remember what is all my life about. Seeing people happy, giving happiness, being happy and that’s just what I need right now. Remembering those feeling about giving, it’s really a great feeling. I just want to do more and more of it. Whether it’s a box of chocolate, a pair of shoes, or even in the form of introducing someone to certain someone, I always hope it ends up the same. Happiness.
Have a nice Saturday night, lovebirds :3