Looking Back to 2015 // Looking Forward to 2016

december2015

[dropcap]I[/dropcap] can’t believe that we almost passed December. That means, we almost greet 2016! I am excited to face whatever happen there, so let’s put a war paint for next year.

You know, I always love December. It’s festive, it’s bright, it’s usually kind of chilly (we’re usually in the middle of rainy season), and discount season. But I usually already spent a lot for that year, that I have no other left to spend on Year End’s Sale anyway :))

This month has been exhausted, as December should have been. Bits and fragments of work, life, interest, confusing statement, cluttered politics, big quotes and databases, sudden trip, deadlines, an awakening, function and properties, etc. I’m sure that those will make one hell of memory for 2015.

And here I am making another promise to write more. So this series of looking back and  looking forward will be filled with self-reflection for this year and wishes for next year. I will tag in under 2015//2016 tag. I think I will do these for years after. The #28postsfor28 is a good exercise, so I want more challenges :)) I have no breathing room for this month so I always write notes in between tasks. Sometimes it can’t be waited because I might forget anything in split second. There are a bunch of scattered thoughts on my notes right now and I hope I can finish it all before the end of the year. Given the facts that next two weeks will be the busiest weeks of December.

Have a nice Sunday, lovebirds :3

Cover Song Mixtapes #1

It’s been awhile since I posted Sunday’s playlist. I’ve been dying to make one, but today, let’s mix it a little. I really want to share some of my favorite cover song videos. Over the years, I often find new bands by seeing them covering famous songs. When the band founded by labels and release an original album, it becomes such a joy because I kind of see their awesomeness evolved through times. Cover songs tends to show off more about artist’s musical approach to another artist’s song. Too little improvisation made the cover looks dull. Make too many adjustments, then it flies off its original vibe. That’s why it’s always interesting. There is no rule, there is no right and wrong, there’s only good music.

Postmodern Jukebox – Sugar, We’re Going Down (Fall Out Boy)

Sugar, We’re Goin Down is hands down my most favorite Fall Out Boy’s song and Postmodern Jukebox is hands down one of my favorite channel for a cover song. Re-imagining pop songs by adding an old school vibe, they brings back the fun and the sultry of 1920’s – 1950’s music to the future. With big instruments and fresh arrangements, Postmodern Jukebox is successfully made a time machine.

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In Between

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]’m glad that this week I’ve become a little bit more productive. I think this is the first week I’m actually crossed all things in my to-do list for a really long time. Lately, it’s harder to focus on things, as work life has been exhausting and I’m having this issue that makes me want to do many other things outside work :))

I’m kind of fall in love with designing newsletter, that I decided to activate Kawung Living Newsletter. We gathered e-mails list over the year and put a subscription box in our website, but we’ve never actually send any e-mails! :)) Now that I’m getting a hang of how newsletter works, let’s see if this will be an effective way of promoting. By the way, this Holiday Marketing Tips from MailChimp is just the best!

So, ready for a Random Round Up?

Since 2016 is running faster and faster, this is the perfect time go free calendar hunting! This beautiful simple calendar from Harley Quinn and Co. featured beautiful brush calligraphy and ink drops. You can download this for free or give $2 donation to World Animal Protection.

savethedamndate

Bought the domain SAVETHEDAMNDATE.com. There is not much on it right now, but this is a personal project that I want to make next year. If you read Pricing & Template, you read it right. Some say that you don’t need to spill too much on personal project until it really launched, but yeah, what the hell :))

jessica-jones

Jessica Jones dropped on Netflix this week! I’ve been binge-watching it this weekend and the show is just awesome~ I love Krysten Ritter! Over the years, I’ve watched her being supporting acting and cameo for many popcorn movies (The Confession of a Shopaholic, She’s out Of Your Leagues, etc.) as well as TV series (Breaking Bad, The Blacklist, etc.). She got bigger role by starring in Don’t Trust The B in Apartment 23. Now, Ritter plays a Marvel’s superhero! I mean, everybody deserves a big break and Ritter just got a great one :’) This piece is a great interview with Ritter about playing Jessica Jones. As for the series itself, I really want to rank up all TV series featured a female superhero. Since I haven’t watch Supergirl, I think I’m going to save it up for another time :P

instachaaz

A funny satiric art over pen and Post-It. Lovely!

thenostalgiamachine

And last, the best of it all. I forgot whether I’ve mentioned it before, but since it’s so awesome, it’s worth unlimited share! The Nostalgia Machine is a perfect website to visit on weekend when you-want-to-do-something-but-can’t-think-of-anything (true story). I’ve been watching to The Corrs Unplugged and Destiny’s Child Mix Video all week. Precious gem! (Hint: Year 2000 is one of the best)

That’s all for this week. Good night, precious treasures.

The Number Game

2, 3, 4.
Shotgun blaze.

5, 6, 7.
Bloodbath.

21, 22, 23.
The famous tower.

34, 35, 36.
The Cambodian restaurant.

49, 50, 51.
The news outlets’ rampage.

60, 61, 62.
Paris.

74, 75, 76.
Beirut.

77, 78, 79.
Baghdad.

83, 84, 85.
Lebanon.

90, 91, 92.
Syria.

105, 106, 107.
Iraq and all countries suffered from the previous attempt of people’s act of selfishness.

118, 119, 120.
It is not about how many and the number you wrote on the screen.
Or the name of the city.
Or the name of the country.

127, 128, 129.
There is nothing more suitable than differences.
To be the blame for everything.
People will defend everything until they feel superior.
Or safe.

Ironic.
The common things left out of them, actually belong to one title.

Human.
You are not different with any of us.
And how dare you, playing God while walking on earth.

***

And today, let’s take a moment of silence for all ignorant, who pretends to care. Or not to care. Or just here to correct the fact and present the number. May the thoughts be forgiven.

And for people who found the unnamed street on the other side of the world, it’d be nice to touch the rainbow’s end. Until then, you know you’ll be missed.

Cerita Para Pengguna Jalan

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]wal tahun 2015 ini, masyarakat di kota besar cukup gempar dengan kehadiran Gojek. Walaupun sudah beroperasi dari tahun 2011, keberadaan apps Gojek di handphone menurut saya merupakan turning point dari kepopuleran Gojek. Seperti biasa, masyarakat Indonesia sering sekali latah. Keberadaan transportasi berbasis apps menggunakan armada ojek ini kemudian mulai menyebar seperti virus. Muncullah ojek-ojek lain, seperti BluJek, Taxi Ojek, LadyJek, dll, dst. Tapi dua raksasa penguasa bisnis ini tetap Gojek dan Grabbike.

Sebenarnya saya tidak terlalu suka kendaraan bernama motor dan dulu berkeinginan untuk menciptakan game berjudul Smash The Motorcycle!, dimana misi saya adalah menghancurkan motor sebanyak-banyaknya dengan palu dan special stage-nya menghancurkan motor memakai bulldozer :))))

Don’t get me wrong, saya tidak anti dengan line business ini. Saya sendiri sering menggunakan service Gojek terutama GoSend dan GoFood (semasa masih promo). Terus terang saja, saya jarang keluar rumah di waktu weekend dan karena keperluan pengiriman barang dari Kawung Living, keberadaan Gojek ini sangat membantu saya untuk pengantaran dalam kota. Fasilitas Gojek sendiri adalah yang paling jarang saya pakai (karena jarak rumah kantor hampir 20 km, jadi kemungkinan driver yang mengambil pesanan saya hampir tidak ada, haha). Untuk transportasi jarak dekat yang tidak ada akses, saya juga masih sering memakai ojek pangkalan.

Menurut saya, Gojek adalah perusahaan yang baik, mampu melihat peluang dengan baik, dan bermisi baik untuk meningkatkan taraf hidup banyak orang. Keberadaan GoMassage, GoMart, GoBox, dan banyak cabang bisnis Gojek lainnya memperlihatkan kepiawaian Gojek dalam melakukan diversifikasi bisnis. Membuat standar harga dan menghubungkan banyak penyedia jasa ke konsumen adalah dua poin penting yang ingin diusung Gojek. Tapi dari semua itu, saya cenderung tidak ingin Gojek maju di bagian transportasi dalam kota Jakarta (haha, spesifik ya?).

Saya sendiri memang lebih memilih menggunakan transportasi publik macam TransJakarta atau angkot daripada ojek. Salah satu alasan utama saya adalah mengurangi emisi (ceilee) dan saya mau percaya dengan transportasi umum. Ketika Gojek disebut sebagai alternatif transporstasi ibukota, saya sedikit sangsi. Karena pada dasarnya, saya tidak ingin pemerintah daerah, operator transportasi umum, maupun Organda terlena karena keluhan masyarakat terhadap transportasi umum berkurang karena adanya alternatif ini.

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