(Almost) 90 Days Looking for Love?

A former colleague from work, who happens to be a close friend, invited me for lunch couple days ago. I knew it wasn't going to be a catch-up session, and I was right. She was confused, about her love life, a very recent fling.

She was just recovering from a failed relationship, the one where the other person left for a marriage with somebody else. Not that the guy was committed in the first place, but that was not the point. Another man showed up just in the right time, offering comfort, or so what everybody thought. I know the guy, not too close, but he was also a former colleague from work. He was not much of a difference, less commitment and more confusion. A fight ensued several days before, and the relationship was in an awkward position. Neither one of them want to make the first reconciliation move.

I told her what was on my mind given the situation. I talked left and right, but she summarized it best on her own. A simple and objective, but unfortunately a bit cold truth. It was almost 90 days, but the two of them had not figured out what they want from the relationship. I have been in a "going-nowhere" relationship before, and I realized that it should not take too long to make up your mind. If neither one of you are sure, then was it worth fighting for?

Love is not always smooth, lasting love requires sacrifices and some ego-busting. Love does not recognize ego, but that does not mean you don't have self-worth. Love got tested most often during tumultuous time, when sacrifices are required. When one party gives up too easily, then does the test tell you something? If the love is worth fighting for, then both of you will fight to defend it. Lower your egos for each other, but remain respectful of each other's self-worth, and of your own.

And lastly, your loving partner will chase for your affection. Motives may be in question, but there will be times when motives got tested. When you love your partner, you will fight for her love, and when you know what you want from your relationship, then both of you will fight for your love to each other.

The talk wasn't that succinct, but she helped me out sharpening it. Good luck to you, my friend. May that lasting love come after you very soon! All that you find along the way are part of the journey.

A Year Later, Twitter

One year and 2,605 tweets later..

I didn't realize it has been one year since I jumped at the microblogging bandwagon. A tweet was directed to me earlier this afternoon by @jak_twop_1000,  which I thought at first to be a machine, but turned out to be conversational. My foray at the Twitter world turned out to be fun (aside from the occasional "floods"), and very useful. I have been using Twitter mostly as news aggregator just like Google Reader or similar RSS aggregators, that's why I didn't tweet that much (you think 2,605 is a lot? well, wait until you see my 10,000+ tweets of my friends, yeah those in just a year).

The way the aggregator thing works is that I follow several Twitter accounts belonging to news station and field experts. Therefore, all I need to do in mid-afternoon at work or night at home is just look at their tweets to get the latest updates and links. I can then follow the link to a more comprehensive writing. For this purpose, I use a software application instead of directly read them from Twitter. This is because Twitter has limited showings and it takes a bit long to show more tweets. Plus, the app I used allows me to flag the tweets I like but rather read it some other time. The software I used is Socialite by Realmac, which was EventBox before they got bought by Realmac. Honestly, I kinda like EventBox better because it had less bugs and caused less stress.

Second, I also use Twitter as bookmark, like del.icio.us. The way it works is that I put a favorite star on those tweets I like to bookmark or tweets those articles I found on the web myself. This is why my tweets are dominated by finance and investment related news and websites.

What's for the next one year? Well, more or less the same I think, unless I got the sudden urge to post more of my original writings. Until next year...

Vote Earth!

A global election is taking place, between Earth and Global Warming. Your vote will contribute to a global mandate for action on climate change, to be presented to world leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, set on 16 December 2009. What's your vote?

"Because global warming is not about what country you're from, it's about what planet you're from."

Walk the World

Today, on 7 June 2009, hundreds of thousands of people across the globe in 24 times zone walks together to raise funds and awareness for United Nations World Food Programme's work to end child hunger. The event is named 'Walk the World', one of the biggest global events against hunger. The WFP walk in Indonesia is also sponsored by the national philanthropy organization Dompet Dhuafa.

WFP's school feeding programmes provide meals to over 20 million children each year, giving them the food and the motivation they need to go to school and build a better future for themselves.

Alternative to 'Walk the World' is 'Walk the Web', where each dollar donated on 'Walk the Web' counts as a mile walked, with WFP's target to achieve 25,000 miles walking distance around the world. I am unable to join the walk itself today, so I've made a small donation, with a glimmer of hope, that it'll make a difference in the life of a hungry child.

Looking forward to join again next year. See if you can find my photo in the Wall Against Hunger, if not, look closely.

Earth Hour 2009

Yesterday night, my friend and I observed the 2009 Earth Hour, from 20:30 till 21:30, Jakarta's time. Along with us, 83 countries the world over were participating, turning off lights for an hour to raise awareness of global warming.

In Jakarta, the local government committed to turn off the lights in 5 of the city's icons: the City Hall, the the National Monument, the fountain of Arjuna Wiwaha, the Youth Statue at Senayan, and the Welcoming Monument at Hotel Indonesia roundabout. I suppose you can guess where I was from the video?

And this is the scenery when all the lights were turned on again:

I know there are some of you out there questioning the purpose of such event, and if it could really curb climate change. Well, directly? It's not nearly enough.

The event was held to raise awareness for the public at large of efforts that can be done to stop global warming, and to raise their curiosity of climate change, its dangers, and measures to be taken to save the planet.

For the act was so simple, yet done en masse it would put a dent in the amount of carbon emitted in one day. Imagine the possibility of more complex, concerted, and conscious efforts could have done?

The Big Freeze

I came across a video on Financial Times website. The video is a report by investment editor, John Authers, on the financial crisis that has hurt the world's economies, developed and developing alike. A financial crisis that was rooted from the US subprime mortgage sector.

As Mr. Authers said, it may started from US subprime mortgage, but the implication is far and wide. Financial companies are collapsing, bringing with them others in different industries. As purchasing power hit by streams of layoffs, profits across the board are tumbling down. In an interconnected economy, the effects are felt globally and rapidly.

As Americans spend more than they earned, fueled by ever-increasing debt, the momentum has carried them deep in debt. So deep, that it would take years to unlever it. Historically, housing price has always been increasing, but in drying demand caused by mortgage defaults, price no longer holds. Since the price is declining, would that increase further defaults as people holding mortgage higher than the actual price of their homes?

James Melcher of Balestra Capital, called the subprime mortgage meltdown a year ahead, profiting tremendously from crisis. Mr. Melcher believes that the worst may have yet to come. People are desperate to believe the market has bottomed, that it can only go up from now on. Opportunities to profit?

Twitter Badge

I found out this neat Twitter widget which allow me to link my tweets (yes, that's a new word thanks to Twitter, meaning my posts on Twitter) to my blog here in Blogspot. First, I tried to put it on the sidebar, just as it recommended. But, it is likely to be missed if it was on the side, and it can lengthen the page for individual blog post, making wasted layout.

So, I decided to put it on the top. Yes, it will show on individual blog post as well. However, it won't mess out with the layout, plus individual blog post reader will be aware of the tweets as well. It didn't take long for the whole process. And the colors can be adjusted to Blogger's easily.

I also linked my tweets to my Facebook. Since I don't want to flood my Facebook status with my tweets, I put the badge on Facebook's Boxes tab. Because I think those that want to be flooded by my tweets will follow me, instead of being "pushed" by Facebook's status. I put it on the Boxes tab so just people will know of its existence.

Microblogger of Choice, Twitter

So, after several of my friends jumping into the microblogging bandwagon, I followed suit. Since most of them are on Twitter, therefore it is the logical choice for me to choose the same. Remember? network effect?

It was four months ago since I contemplating about the move. I haven't got any idea yet what to write so it'll probably gonna be some daily activities for the first few posts or so, until I figured out what and how can I best use it for my needs.

In case you want to follow me, my Twitter address is http://twitter.com/indrayudha. See you there.

25 Random Things (About Me)

So I got tagged in my Facebook with this 25 random things list. The rule goes: once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you; at the end, choose 25 people to be tagged; you have to tag the person who tagged you; if you have been tagged, it's because I want to know more about you.

Here's the instruction to do the tagging in Facebook: go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app, though I don't think I can make it to 25) then click publish. So, here they are, the 25 random things in no particular order, except one (hint: posting date).

1. Moderation is a virtue.
   
2. "Trekker" should be my middle name.
3. Live, and let live.
4. I thought I would never work 60+ hours week, boy was I wrong.
5. I used to be my class' photojournalist in high school.
6. Finding life's meaning has been a lifelong goal.
7. I was a church choir boy in my elementary school.
8. Look it up, culinary connoisseur.
9. My mom is an impersonation of unconditional love, though if only she knew...
10. I like unconventional storytelling like those in Memento, Lillies, 12 Monkeys, and La Mala Educacion.
11. I am well-versed in Earth 616 up to Operation Zero Tolerance.
12. Fitness First sums it best, "Motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going".
13. I am an INTP.
14. I thought I would not be in love again for a long time, boy was I wrong.
15. I have been a gadget freak since pre-school.
16. Staying bald is a way to keep hair degeneration from being visible.
17. I actually did my final management trainee presentation based on City of Heroes.
18. Religion does not play a big part in my life, only a central one.
19. I used to be a shopaholic, until I read Peter Lynch's Learn to Earn.
20. Wearing mask comes naturally after awhile.
21. I don't think I'm worthy for the responsibilities of being a father.
22. My laughter is infectious, ask my friends.
23. I'm a Merlin to my King Richard and his knights of the round table.
24. Finance is not my immediate talent, but I love managing money.
25. I had the most fun in high school, but college was a life-changing experience.
    

Hmm... I guess I can continue for the next 25 random things, but... I'd rather let you have yours. Happy listing! and do let me know.

A Butterfly Award

Hmm.. I just received an award a week ago from none other than Ibnu Akmal a.k.a. Captain Steve. Well, thanks for the award, though I wonder, is my blog really the coolest blog you ever know? Hee.. hee..

Well, let's see, this Butterfly Award is a meme. Therefore, I need to pass it on to several other bloggers (the rule says I can send it up to ten others, but I think I'll choose less). Oh yeah, about the rule:

1. Put the award logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who gave you the award.
3. List your award recipients (up to ten).
   
4. Add links to the recipients.
5. Leave a message on their blogs.
   

So, without further ado, I present this award to:

1. Ibnu's Blog (yes, the giver, see the rule above).
2. Space for Brabus (hi Fel, hope you enjoy the award...).
3. Sanetya (Man, counting days now?).
   
4. Tempat Kreativitas Koe (Rie, where have you been?).
5. Same Shit Different Day (Judd, what's up bro, how things goin?).
6. Heart Speaks (hi Frit, I finally found you).
7. Si Dungu Bertutur (Ndah, I know you won't like this but what the heck, have a joyous birthday bash!).
   

Congratulations, guys and gals! Keep on the good writings!