He’s live and kicking

What have 61 years turned a man into? Hoping to find a bragging child, selfish, dependent, and lost? You will likely say it’s ridiculuous and i’m with you. 61 years are too much to develop a deep-thinker adult man (you want to call grandpa?) with lots of experience in life (of course if lung cancer or heart stroke doesn’t take him earlier). It’s a long time span to start from zero to hero, grasp the idea of life and perhaps answer some profound questions found during the journey of life.

However, being a citizen of a country which got its freedom, born to the global world, 61 years ago doesn’t help too much in some other’s perspective. The country -so called Indonesia- is severely injured, nearly faint, collapsed. Maturity which is supposed to be there is stil too far, yet unstability and macroscopic chaos surround her days. Pathetic, because now she looks older than her age, burdened by troubles and problems she shouldn’t face.

Compared to other asian countries which get the independences after indonesian’s, a fairly simple conclusion can be made. This country is so slow in development. As result, highly dynamic people who always strive to stride a step forward in developing their countries are more sporadic to find though they already form some prospering communities in big cities (oh yes, that’s why it’s called sporadic). Common inhabitants still entailed old characteristics which is considered old-fashioned, inefficient, and not suitable for the rushing world.

I have interesting experiences while dealing with foreign coleagues or clients. Most of them don’t know a country name "Indonesia" exists on earth or even if they know, they mostly refer to negative impressions such as "lazy people, bali bombing, terrorism, money laundering, golden triangle (weed production), etc". Are we that bad? Is being Indonesian a pain?

For me myself, it was hard to declare as an Indonesian at first. The reason is a bit economical. If I said i’m indonesian, i’ll reduce chance to get new clients since they’ve already had stigma to avoid trusting indonesian people. This is really hard at first, especially to ensure that indonesian people have skill and lots of Indonesians are brilliant. They just don’t know much and are too much influenced by the media. My favourite quote when having conversation with new foreign clients is as follows:

C: client, M: me

C:what country are you from anyway?
M:indonesia
M:a country where not many people realizes that many rough brilliant talents are waiting to be polished
C:are you sure?
M:of course. an example is me

Although it seems as self appraisal,  it’s stunning. For me, at least it spreads the word that Indonesia is not that bad and there are lots of Indonesian people who strives daily, hourly, secondly, every nanosecond of their lives to bring this country into a great one. Me myself, as a person who was born in this country, whatever opinions people say, however bitter it is, i’m still proud of being indonesian.

Happy 61st anniversary to my indonesia.

People lie. A man lies. A girl lies. A husband lies to his wife. An employee lies to his/her coleagues. I’m lying to people. You lie to me. Are you with me?

Sometimes, you get situation when everything seems too good to be true. Let’s say it’s just another ordinary day for you and by chance, without any good feeling, you start getting bombarded by luck. An old friend comes to meet you. You hit jackpot in a lucky draw for the ticket you bought six months ago. Your neighbour, who you never talk with before, come to your house and give offerings such as garlic, onions, joss stick, lucky charm (err, don’t you tell me you’re a ghostbuster before?) and many more. In brief, ordinary day turns into luckiest day immediately.

I got a client who at first conversation was just like another client. Normal business talk, usual meet and greet, and daily routines decorated my acquaintance. However, he seemed to be at rush, urged me to do his project over my ongoing projects. As compensation, he offered me fantastic amount: $xxx if i can complete the project within 4 or 5 hours. Gee, observing the amount, i got  surprised, it was too good to be true. But as a man who often thinks the positive way, i thought it was normal since he might not want to disappoint his client.

Okay, so I sat down at my desk, started looking at the file and document provided and spent my night for the project. It was nice, i could do it and complete it on time (yes, i know i’m smart :p). Later I contacted him to settle the project and complete the transaction. A suspicious act was performed. He asked me to send him all files to be reviewed prior to sending the payment. I smelt something might go wrong, so i literally said a big no. "Let’s keep on the track. Let’s act based on what we’ve agreed upon. Finish the transaction and i will send the files", insisted me. From this point, I started thinking this person was unreliable.

Anyway, after some ticks (yes, people move so fast these days) i saw him transfer the amount to my account. Yes.. Yes.. Yes… I flew to the sky. I imagined how i could take a summer break and have some vacation from the transaction. "Bali here I come again" Ouch, my dream seemed so true. I packed the files and sent him along with gratitude for trusting me in his project. He said no problem and he might refer me for future projects. Ah ha, double hits, i thought.

The next day, I got emails from CC authority confirming that the transaction was rejected because it was suspected to be fraudulent. Damn! I composed a message and emailed them back to notify that i would clarify things with my client. So I wrote this person short email, asked him whether he was trustworthy and politely requested to clarify things to the authority. However, unlike his usual prompt response, i only got silence. Oh no, i got cheated. 100% positive. The australian guy (well, i hope he is also gay), who was friendly at first, played a character game with me, to let me down at the end. I felt so dumb why i realized things so late.

Moral of the story is, when you face situation which is too good to be true or you meet someone who is super duper kind, be aware. Don’t let your faith on the person or the situation. Just like and old saying, "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst". And yes, now i’ve lost my $xxx along with a supposed-to-be-calm night and  bruise legs and hands because i hit the wall too many.

Old proverb says "getting friends is harder than accumulating your enemies". This must be true in most cases. I’m so lucky to have delightful, enjoyable experience with one of my clients, instead of common irony and sad story.

Have you ever met your boss? Okay, the question is rolling here. Come to your boss and say, "hey dude, howdy?" and the next day you will find yourself dismissed. Completely fired! Colleagues say, "Mind your language! Behave! Show you’re a person with manner". So irritating, at least if you grew up in not so well-versed society, a circle of apt people and intriguing rules. This barrier of communication sometimes leads to headache, itches, and perhaps some internal diseases (ah, who knows). Hierarchy and social degree in community sometimes take disadvantages in such avoidance or denial of more intimate relationship to occur. A result of what Adam Smith started centuries ago and what Stalin tried to vanquish, with nothing to avail.

I had a unique experience with one of my clients (there are some, but this one is my favorite). Commonly, I should say "dear sir/madam".. etc. upon starting a conversation and say yes or i think so- i agree- it’s a good idea- often to satisfy my client’s ego. Pathetic, though it’s a fact. This man, however, brings me back to memories of what friendship in work should be. The result is fantastic, compassion - spirit - enthusiasm instead of the old "oh no, i’m approaching deadline" plot. Ok, some of you may say, "oh, you’re exaggerating." so i put some snippets of conversation here just to share you the joy.

Me: me, Cli: client

Me: i asked whether image was disappeared on being clicked?
Cli: no larger image shows
Cli: supposed to show larger
Me: heh?
Me: i found blank
Cli: yes thats the bithch
Cli: bitch
Me: ah, you got me
Me: :p
Cli: they were there now notx(
Me: i thought i was the only one who got blank
……….
Cli: keep both
Me: ok
Cli: no tin yahoo
Me: writing it
Me: but it’s free
Me:
Cli: yes I had trouble with yahoo too had to install there new software etc.
Cli: nice for them to explain and give notice
Me: yeah, you got what you pay for
Cli: yep
Me: but i like their recent webmail
Me: nice ajax coding
Me: it’s clean
Me: i see the code
Cli: yes they are really trying hard to get some new features and give google some headaches
Cli: ARE U an ajax guy
Me: nope
Me: i’m just a womanizer
Me: but i can do some ajax
Me: depends on the complexity
Cli: dammm
Cli: grrrr jealous
……..

Hilarious!! This is my first client whom i can put some jokes on work! This is also another reason I avoid working as an employee. I just can’t help living in stiff daily conversation where someone should behave like my boss’ favourite or systematic act to reach higher status instead of natural traits to be performed.

I‘m still observing people and it’s fun to know how different people react. Can’t wait to see the next scene.

Finally i’m here..
Doing something i avoided in the past, writing my own blog.

Writing on my own site, my own server is better
But hosting is rather expensive these days (but the day will come, for sure…)

I’m here at this place
Recording ideas, experiences, milestones, and things which jump in to my life.
Bright ideas don’t come so often and only less than 10% of cerebral cortex is utilized. Can’t assure that it will be sufficient or instead, superfluous and i’ll lose my hair, trying to keep all old memories.

Every end has the very beginning (the fundamentalist will argue me with this, but hell, this is my opinion). I’m late to start, but i know i accelerate fast.