a kid and her dreams, the deadliest poison there is..

After watching the controversial movie and rereading the original novel, i declare the movie as a fair attempt to visualize "the biggest story ever sold" ^__^ IMHO, Ron Howard did not entirely deserved to be dished at Cannes but yet he did fail to bring about some of the grandeur and majestic scenery so eloquintly described in the book. moreover, just like what happens to movies adapted from Crichton's novels, the beauty of symbology and a large portion of historical references mentioned in the novel were stripped down.

many details were altered and some were added, but over all they are still acceptable. also, it could be very annoying or excitingly amusing watching the movie beside someone who hasn't read the book with their occasional bewilered gasps and shocked expressions. for those watching in Indonesia, a bit of warning: when English is in use rather than French or ancient Latin, do NOT depend on the translated text since it is often deliberately blanked, specially when the dialogue is revealing an important but sensitive issue.

now, back to the story. when i first heard the title of the novel, being a great scientist in his time, i expected Da Vinci's codes to be mathematic and cryptographic in nature rather than subtle message in the art works themselves. clearly, my portion of digital science education far outweighs that in arts. nevertheless, personally i think this is a good story.

Cha-cha

1. Closed basic
2. Spot turn
3. New York
4. Spot turn
5. Hand-to-hand
6. Triple Cha-cha
7. Spot turn
8. Open basic
9. Closed hip twist
10. Hockey stick
11. Shoulder-to-shoulder
    
12. Spot turn
13. Time step
14. Spot turn
15. Natural top
16. Natural Opening Out
    
17. Alamana
18. Closed hip twist
19. Alamana
    
    

Jive

1. Fallaway rock
2. Change of places Right to Left
3. Change of places Left to Right
4. Change of hands behind back
5. Link & Whip
6. Change of places Right to Left
7. Stop and Go (kaya nama bengkel sepatu ya?)
8. American Spin
9. Change of places Left to Right
   
10. Windmill
11. Spanish arm
12. Link rock
13. The Walks & Single Walks
14. Turning Chasse Right to Left
15. Change of places Left to Right
16. Rolling of the Arm
17. American Spin
18. Change of places Left to Right

Rhumba

1. Fan
2. Hockey Stick
3. Progressive walks back
4. Natural top
5. Closed hip twist
6. Alamana
7. Side steps
8. Cucarachas
9. Alamana
10. Open hip twist
11. Alamana
12. Hand-to-hand lead Lady to turn left into Spiral Turn (yep, this is where i went: "Come again...?")
    
13. Aida
    
14. Cuban rocks (shake that hips!)
15. Spot turn

• there will never be enough time, you'll have to make some
• there will never be satisfying enough carreer while you put something on hold
• there will never be enough good in this world, you will just have to try

 
how far is considering considered too far?

Law Identity
Back when crimes against human rights were rampant and somehow justified, the identity of law lied in the reigning groups, individuals, or individuals leading those groups. Bills and regulations did not fence off any unwanted actions but rather facilitated another kind of law to stand tall by their easiness to be manipulated as necessary.

A land without laws. Not a pretty place to live in.


Law Supremacy
Aside from the rise of struggle against corruption, the supremacy of law where no one is immune and yet everybody will be presumed innocent is still by far a long way to go. Even more, our credentials as the nation of law may be smeared by unauthorized acts of a few groups trying to hold their own laws or by the symbolism of immunity to laws whom Soeharto now represents.

Again, the complex sentences in those much debated bills and regulations still do not offer as much security as expected. Furthermore, many biased words recently introduced to those already manipulative regulations bring about a new kind of monopoly. No longer in the hands of certain individuals or legitimate groups, everyone can now be a prosecutors and judge at the same time with guns as the verdict and gasoline as the hammer.

However, these loop holes, fine prints and backstage negotiation sometime may be the only way getting out of trouble. An irony creating the devil's circle of... advocates?

A land with confusing and manipulative laws. Still not a pretty place and even more dangerous to live in.


Law Ultimate
While Doomsday is still longer than 7 days ahead, there is no place on Earth that has the luxury of ultimate justice. Even the super power practices a very obvious double standard in implementing the respect for human rights which is announced so proudly ever since men recognize reward and punishment.

A land yearning for justice. At least there is hope to live up to.


Btw, does anyone know when 'Bourne Ultimate' will be filmed?

One of the juniors blurted to me, "Kak, kuliah tinggal sebulan lagi ya?"

My automatic response was, "Not really, I didn't take any classes this term", but wait... even if it's just the Final Assignment, everything yellowish would hopefully be retired at the end of next month. Weirdly enough, being occupied with a lot of current activities (TA, graduation movie, Rhumba dancing, consoling those with nerves getting wrecked at the notion of impending deadlines), i don't really put my heart into setting up the path into the glorious future... yet.

Sure I applied to a few graduate schools and to overseas companies recruiting new high-spirited slaves while toying with the idea of freelancing... but like always before, I don't really wanna leave anywhere.

One of my buddies said that I'm quite shallow nowadays, grabbing any opportunities to fly around the world; school, job, reporting bird migration.. whatever. Well, everyone's got to have a goal. If my current one is somewhat shallow, then so be it

There's something a bit different with my previous major changes though. I've got one constant now whom I hope can ease up any transition ahead, if he's patient enough

sounds classy, isn't it?

Apparently, more and more people turn to blogs and personal websites for updates on current events regarding their own personal interests. Armed with the convergence of digital technologies in a piece of common cellular phone, anyone can now deliver reports dressed with sound and motion pictures within minutes after the news happens. Not for long it would be almost real time, whizzing past the regular editting and censorship of traditional media.

Neat..