Adieu to Rolla?

For those who are close to me, they will certainly knows who I am talking about. For those who don’t, well, Rolla is my car. A battered down (at least from the outside . . . and uh, also from the inside) 1991 Toyota Corolla formerly belonged to my grandmother (yes, I’m driving my grandma’s car. Now shut it!). The only way you’ll know that it’s a deep metallic blue painted is by reading the registration paper. Otherwise, you’ll say that it’s black, grey, or as seriously described by a friend of mine, the color of “Bandeng Asap” (smoked milkfish, an Indonesian delicacy).

Despite it’s visually challenged looks and old age, Rolla still runs very well (Yes Aldi, I hear you. Now hush and let me finish). As I was saying, Rolla still runs very well thanks to countless trips to the shops and countless visits from the her ‘doctor’. Compared to her younger sister, my mom’s car,  a 1994 Mitsubishi Lancer GLXi, her engine, clutches, suspension and overall driving comfort still feels a whole lot better. Don’t ask about the speed and acceleration comparison though. I can still taste the dusts on my lips.

I love this car. I may not shown it much but I do. It’s practically my personal mobile time capsule, having witnessed a lot of things in my life. If you’re a CSI expert, you might uncovers a secret or two, among other (probably living) things, inside Rolla.

But now, alas, the price of fuel has gone up again. *Cry of anguish*

As I dug deeper into the darkest crevices of my wallet to pay for fuel, I began to have evil thoughts. A ghostly form resembling a glimmering, brand new scooter hung before my sleepless eyes. This weary brain often stole moments of deep calculation. Numbers are fighting againts numbers. Dark forbidding questions rose one after another. “How much can I save by riding motorcycles instead?” How much will it take to buy one?” If I sell Ro . . . it (I’m careful not to name names here), would I get enough and more?” These question haunts my dreamless slumber. Oh the agony of confusion and stinginess.

I know, most probably I won’t ever sell Rolla. But the fact that I’m thinking about it goes to show how big the problem I’m facing right now. The way I see it, if I want to rode with Rolla still, I have to cut my other spending significantly. Either that or I find another means of income *my spider-sense warns me of someone preparing to kick my ass*

Oh well. Guess before I make any decision, I’d better bring Rolla to the car wash first. Such a demanding partner she is.

12 May 2008

Do you remember what you were doing ten years ago today?

Me, I remember waking up late. I remember lounging around reading comics. I remember turning on the TV just because it’s too quiet in the house. I remember . . . vaguely . . . of hearing the news.

I remember feeling confused. I remember feeling something like anger and I don’t know what else swirling inside me. Mostly, I remember feeling scared. And so they dwell still, those feelings, for days after.

Today, again I turned on the TV. So far, there’s a story about a celebrity couple in some kind of trouble, a famous presenter facing some legal problems, a student protest turned riot in Makassar, and another news about the aforementioned celebrity couple.

I turned the TV off and went back to my work. These deadlines are killing me.

 

 

On May 12th, 1998, four students fell after uniformed men opens fire at a peaceful demonstration protesting the massive price rises of essentials products and fuel. The ensuing chaos leads to a widespread riot in Jakarta. Thousands of buildings, houses and shops were razed and burned. More than 1000 people died.

For The Love of Reading

I don’t know since when, but I always have this dream of building the world’s largest library. A place where you can find every title, every manuscript known to man. From a short poem by a love sick 18th century poet to an inch thick autobiography of a forgotten artist, shadow-written by an obscure writer whose novels will change the world . . . if published. But most importantly, it will be a haven for all who love to read. A sanctuary for a reader, who leafs every pages of a book feeling utmost joy. Following every word not by eyes but by heart. And I’ll be sitting there with them.

Lovely dream. Well, of course, realizing that dream might be a bit too difficult. Unless for some reason Old Bill gave me 20% of his share . . . No? No. Still, someday I’m going to have my own library. At the very least, I want my kids to have a chance of exploring the world of words and find the beauty that was laid bare before me years ago.

Oh, before things got too serious, I just saw an anime series yesterday, called “Library War”. Years in the future Japanese government let out an act of media enhancement, by heavily controlling information for public, including confiscating books deemed harmful for the society. At the same time they also have an act giving libraries freedom of protecting information in their possesion. So basically, it’s about two government bodies fighting over books. Interesting concept, with equal share of comedy and drama. I’m looking forward for the next episodes.