A last-minute leveller from Lisandro fired Olympique Lyonnais into the UEFA Champions League knockout stage for the seventh season running, cancelling out Ryan Babel’s superb strike and delivering a major blow to Liverpool FC’s qualifying hopes.

Late drama
It looked as though the visitors’ campaign had been revived by Babel’s pinpoint 20-metre shot on 83 minutes as a close game burst into life in the dying moments. Liverpool had produced a spirited performance, keeping OL quiet for long periods and forcing Hugo Lloris to make a series of fine saves. Yet with seconds remaining, Michel Bastos’s flicked header sent Lisandro galloping into the penalty area, and the Argentinian supplied a cool finish over the advancing Pepe Reina. The draw means Lyon are guaranteed a top-two spot in Group E, while Liverpool fall five points adrift of second-placed ACF Fiorentina.

Attacking intent
Mindful of his side’s urgent need for points, Rafael Benítez filled his midfield with attacking players, although Yossi Benayoun, Andriy Voronin and Dirk Kuyt all showed impressive defensive discipline early on as the Reds’ compact formation denied Lyon space. Aside from long-range efforts from Bastos and Bafétimbi Gomis, both claimed easily by Reina, there was little threat from the home team in a tense first half shaded by Liverpool.

Insúa inspiration
Boosted by the presence of Fernando Torres despite a groin problem, the five-time European champions raided with purpose whenever an opportunity arose. Emiliano Insúa laid on the match’s first chance for Torres on 12 minutes, the Spaniard meeting his cross with a low first-time strike that Lloris saved with his boot. Anthony Réveillère was struggling with an injury when Insúa found room again moments later, this time squaring for Benayoun whose control teed up Kuyt only for Lloris to tip over the Dutchman’s volley.

Lloris excels
Réveillère was subsequently replaced, soon to be followed by another injury victim Miralem Pjanić, as OL’s concerns grew. Fortunately for Claude Puel’s charges, Lloris was very much on his game, the France goalkeeper brilliantly denying Voronin, again with his foot, after the Ukrainian had latched on to a long through pass. The contest remained tight and tactical as both sides probed but failed to find the killer pass. Aly Cissokho tried hard to stir the Ligue 1 outfit early in the second period, twice surging up the left and delivering good crosses, yet Ederson rifled the first over before Bastos’s looping header sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Fine stops
Most of the good openings were going to the Merseysiders, however, and only another wonderful Lloris stop kept Liverpool at bay when Insúa picked out Lucas, who had ghosted into space on the left of the penalty area. The Brazilian’s placed attempt looked goalbound but Lloris displayed stunning reflexes by thrusting out his left hand, Cissokho clearing Kuyt’s overhead follow-up effort off the line. Not to be outdone, Reina then pulled off a fine save at the other end, rushing out to foil Lisandro after Sotiris Kyrgiakos’s weak back-header, and it seemed as though that save would prove crucial when Babel found the top corner with a thunderous strike. However, there was to be no denying Lisandro, and Lyon, at the last.

www.uefa.com

Victory and a sixth world rally tittle for Loeb!

It was an emotional final day at Rally Great Britain for the Citroen World Rally Team: in spite of having led from the outset, Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena only saw the rally swing decisively in their favour on the penultimate stage.

With their 54th world class win, the Franco-Monegasque pairing sealed their sixth consecutive World Championship. After fighting until the final minutes of the rally, teammates Dani Sordo and Marc Marti finished just one second off second place.

The third day of Rally GB was shorter than the first two – but it still proved a real challenge. The competitors had to complete two runs through the Port Talbot and Rheola stages, which equated to nearly 80km without any breaks for service.

Although he held a 30-second lead over Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen, Loeb knew he couldn’t afford to relax during this decisive final leg. In Port Talbot 1 (SS13), the still-five-time World Champion lost eight tenths to his rival: “It’s not a bad time, but I felt a loss in power just after the start of the stage. I hope it’s not too serious…”

Several phone calls later, the Citroen Racing engineers had diagnosed a ‘fresh air’ problem, which is a system that optimises the performance of the turbocharger. In SS14 (Rheola 1), Loeb lost 11 seconds in one go.

“This stage was much twistier and our problem is quite a big handicap in those sections,” Loeb reported. “We’ve still got a lead of 18.2 seconds, we’ll need to give everything.”

Dani Sordo’s morning wasn’t any more relaxing. After a good start on SS13, he lost seven seconds to Citroen Junior Team driver Petter Solberg in SS14: “We swiped a big rock with the right rear, but the car isn’t too badly damaged. I don’t want to lose my place on the podium, so I need to keep on pushing to stay ahead of Petter.”

The rally took another big swing in SS15, when Mikko Hirvonen lost more than a minute… after having to stop to close his bonnet when a pin broke.

“It’s a great stroke of luck, but we’ve still got a tough stage to come,” emphasised Loeb. At the same time, after catching up to Solberg, Dani Sordo had come within 0.9 seconds of second place.

Each member of the Citroen Total World Rally Team was holding their breath during the last stage. Loeb and Elena put in a controlled performance to secure their 54th victory and sixth world title.
At the same time, Sordo and Marti were attempting to snatch second place from Mikko Hirvonen, but the Finn was one tenth faster and therefore retained the advantage by a single second overall.

After returning to Cardiff, the team and drivers celebrated together enthusiastically.

“There were so much pressure right up to the end of the rally,” said Sebastien Loeb amidst a swarm of microphones. “We had a good start to the year, but then encountered a few problems. However, we got back on top of things just before this rally. Finally, we’ve managed to win the title again, on the penultimate stage.

“Mikko didn’t give up and I had to push right to the finish. It’s never easy to compare one title with another, but I think this is the best one in terms of the sporting battle we had,” the now six-time world champion declared.

“When you win a title with three rallies to go, the pressure isn’t the same because you’ve always got another opportunity to do it. This was the final rally and we couldn’t afford to get it wrong. Everybody expected us to win, but I can tell you that nothing was certain until we reached the finish! That’s why it means so much to us.”

As well as being delighted for his team-mate, Dani Sordo was pleased with his third place overall.

“When we got to within nine tenths of Mikko in the penultimate stage, we told ourselves we had to give it a go and we pushed to the limit,” he said. “We believed we could do it, but he managed to hold out.

“I’m satisfied with a third-place finish in the championship, and that I made a real contribution to Citroen’s success. We’ve had another very good season.”

“Three weeks after winning the manufacturers’ title, we’ve rounded off this extraordinary season with the drivers’ title, too, concluded Frédéric Banzet, Director of Automobiles Citroen. “We’re pleased to have the best team, and best driver and co-driver, in the WRC.”

www.rally-live.com

Following my interest in comic such Tintin, I have another great admire for a different kind of story telling. It is Lucky Luke : The Man Who Shoots Faster Than His Own Shadow. Written originally by Morris & Goscinny, the back ground scene of wild west America somewhere around late 19^th century. A poor lone some cowboy and long way from home – is what he always sings at the end of the story. Team up with his old timer, old buddy, a cowpony : Jolly Jumper, they both crave for adventure and excitement. In the good side guy, mostly played role of sherrif with duty clean up savages and coyotes. it’s like a rolling plot where the crooks got out of jail, and then imprison by our good deed guy, Luke.

I remember when I was around elementary school in 80’s looking these cool comic in book stores. I found so many, and I collected them. It was the same period of collecting Tintin. Both have plus minus in themes and locations. Tintin, in my point of view is more serious and grown ups reader like. While the Cowboy is more silly and funny, for children like. But not always the book for children, as many fan site are dedicating for group of comic reader by grown ups.

Reading Lucky Luke is quite relaxing and worthed spare time spending for me. In my leisure time, I frequently read them over and over again. Though, I knew the story already. It is always a laugh – well, a smile – seeing the mimic of that smart-stupid Cowpony. Either he is smart or stupid, but he surely entertain and liking partner of the cowboy.

The story is surely fiction and not real, but some of the characters is wild west legend. Goscinny made them meet in a conflick with Lucky Luke. Jesse James, tells about the American Robin Hood, with his gang of Frank James and Cole Young, well known for perfect record of robbing train and bank. Later this Cole Young grand children would be most Lucky Luke opponent in the series, The Daltons featured in Dalton City, four brother Joe, Jack, William and Averell. Averell the most nicest Daltons is his mom’s favourite. Ma Dalton represent of a mother whose her children become bandits –later broke her heart. Nonetheless, Joe Dalton is stuck and bound together with “The Stupidest Dog in The Universe” Rantanplan. Though, she will always love them as her children and face one-on-one gunfight with Lucky Luke. Matha Jane Cannary a.k.a. Calamity Jane in the story, is another real character that compound in the story. They – Lucky and Calamity – at least meet twice in the whole albums. Even Lucky Luke has to escort and tame naughty Billy The Kid, very young yet very dangerous with six shooters. Lucky Luke has to confes and  condemn all guilty in The Judge, feature factual Judge Roy Bean. French female actress and singer has her show around the west, and yes our white horse rider was there too in Sarah Berndhart.

Not only characters, Lucky Luke also tells a real history of many the first in the West time. In Western Circus, it tells about the travelling circus accros the States, where it later became famous. Many immigrants and new comer for gold digging opportunity or even oil, they got special ritual welcome party as they were called Tenderfoot. The ministry of federal bureau wants peace with the Indian Apache Tribe then they surely sent the best cowboy in the hood, instead of The Calavry, is the red line of Canyon Apache. Long before cops escorting and guarding valueable goods from the hands of coyotes, Wells Fargo & Co. did hire to escort in travel from Denver to San Fransisco is The Stagecoach. Western civilization long before telephone was history of telegraph in The Singing Wire, first drama appereance to be played live on stage in The Dashing White Cowboy, the fact of Unassigned Land of Oklahoma in Oklahoma Land Rush. The first land property border separated using wire in Barbed Wire In The Praire. The Bounty Hunter tells about hiring professional killer to settle beef for good for such unfinished business. Pony Express has their mail sent accross the state. Newspaper in the west published daily in Daily Star.

And now, collecting Lucky Luke albums is quite enjoyable for me as it is more difficult to gather all of them than the collection of Tintin. It is because Lucky Luke has many albums and published in several publisher. Yet, the hunting is on. My aim to grab as many as I can for the cowboy who rides white horse. Not only capable of searching, I definitely need some luck to accomplish the mission. Maybe later I feel lucky, as lucky as in the end Lucky Luke rides off alone into the sunset on Jolly Jumper, singing “I’m a poor lonesome cowboy, and a long way from home…”.

Here are the characters :

Some of the albums :

www.lucky-luke.com

www.dargaud.com

I used to follow The Academy Award news from years to years. Especially for the best motion picture. Some of the winning category or nominees are my favourites, like A Beautiful Mind, Gladiator, Sixth Sense, Forrest Gump. I have the liking share of same taste with the Oscar in drama. It’s drama that would have a big chance to score, as drama itself is my favourite movie theme.

For the year 2006, the winner for best motion picture is Crash. A movie directed by Paul Haggis, a Canadian, and with starings Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle, Thandie Newton, Brandon Fraser, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Esposito, Ludacris, and others. Crash came close to win the category by defeating rival Brokeback Mountain, a movie directed by Ang Lee (a Taiwanesse who later awarded the Best Director).

Before-long before-the academy, Brokeback Mountain was placed as top pick for best picture nominee. It was the movie who won the same category for best drama in Golden Globe. With actor in leading role, Heath Ledger, the movie tells us about two cowboys who turn out to fall in love with his partner during their duty in mountain. Unacceptable manner for an image of brave and macho american cowboy. Put in everyone’s mind that as an usuall winner in Oscar is automatically taken from the Golden Globe’s winner. Well, it was a bit surprise when they didn’t win.

The story of Crash is about a racism in the city of Los Angeles. It’s a picture of daily life where there’s a boundaries between white and black in many aspects of their life. One thing leads to another. It’s the root of their mind. It settles there for years, even longer. There’s always prejudice when two race meet in some cases, public awareness, bereaucracy, departements, tradings, even love. At some point of time sexual harresment could happen for such reason. People could be so sensitive when they touched issues between races things. They tend to blame another race for starting the whole uncomfortable situation. They set mind that we are right, you are wrong. Who’s to blame when everyone put their fingers on another?

We have to look back to find the roots of the problems. It wasn’t an easy things to do. We could see in the movie how black people are so anti-white. And so it is with the white. They have a bad history in the past, started from the slavery age, discriminacy and intimidating by others. In this case, the black are feel lower than the white. They try to prove that thay have pride and honor for being born in black color. While the white who feel higher, always blame the black for unsecure, criminality, destructive behavior, vandalism, nonetheless poverty and uneducated background.

A complex situation who would make the society a bit paranoid. They try to avoid to any single charge of races. Racism is still in their life. We don’t know for how long it will last. When it comes to racism noone seems to care. Noone dare to speak. Noone would fight for their rights. They prefer to forget and let go as if there’s no such thing as racism. It’s just there. A picture perfect in a life of american dream. Uncle Sam could do nothing about this. Remembering the civil war and slavery that should have been buried in the Abraham Lincoln era. Sound sinically when the crown son of hip hop tribe, Kanye West, once said in a national tv coverage, “George W Bush is doesn’t care with the black people”.

America might just dreaming. May be they are too scared to face the truth. As critics pound said they wouldn’t accept their cowboys turn to be gay, but rather accept the issues of racism. At least, they admit it. In the end, we could only hope and do our things that there will be a better future for us to live together. Side by side in harmony, like ebony and ivory.

For the closing, the song by Stereophonics “Maybe Tomorrow” follow the scene. A perfect theme song for relieving the feels and gut inside. A top quality of an Academy Award Best Picture winner nominee.

“And maybe tomorrow I’ll find my way home…”

…

Epilogue

We might don’t have such thing as color racism in our life here like those in America. But we may have the same-almost like-problems when it deals with religion and race. There are so many things that make us much like them. We just don’t know, just maybe it will happen in our children-grandchildren future. We throw the seed, they will plant the tree. We must learn to respect others who have a different mind, religion, background. Accept we live together in a big society. But sometimes we just need to crash ourselves to others to feel alive. It’s just the truth that hurt us when all we want is peace.

Early Syawal, which it happened to be at late September, muslims usually seeing – as they called Silaturrahmi – families, relatives, friends and others. After Ramadhan, this priceless moments they used to forgive each other, shaking hands, embrace bodies, accepting the way we are. Reunite in harmony.

Somewhere in government office of DKI Jakarta province – the governor – also have the ritual. Many as followed by the higher rank officer from ministry cabinet who have open house with collegues, partners, and staffs. He made it relatively different by inviting all class of citizens. The city council, where the ceremony held, full with mass of crowds, majority they who live below poverty line. They have a chance to meet and see their governor himself directly. Governor accepted them as his guess and treated them with manners and polite.

Behind the scene, the committee prepared for distributing of gifts of primary household needs. For those who live poor, this cause even more attracted than just shaking hands. They needed the gifts. They wanted them. They came from many places, some even came from out of Jakarta just to grab a pack. Indeed, it was the abundant of mass did overwhelmed the authority officer. They were out numbered. Soon, they’ve know more to happen when suddenly tragedy happened.

Eager beaver poors were impatient. They waited for hours. They dried up under hot sun. Their sweat excited them to move forwards, push more. No line of queue separate borders. They were collided. Crashed. Many fell to ground, many injured, some passed out, and less in critical condition. The chaos lasted for hours, before finally the authority did manage and handle the situation.

…

We were shocked when we read the news feed told about the chaos in city council when the governor’s officer giving gifts. Later, most of news station were airing and reporting the tragedy. They said it was all the governors mistake not fully prepared for the large amount of mass attended for gifts distribution. Another line said despite the virtue mind, it was all poorly executed – as reference the gifts for the poor wrongly mistaken. All the injured were taken to nearby state hospital. The governors, eventually, apologized.

Talk show host quite did the same, their guests clearly stated that uneffective way to distribute gifts in such ways. They were questioning the method, but none of them questioning the purpose. Many cursed, some ashamed, one or two were planning to sue the governor.

They took us back couple years ago when the same tragedy happened in East Java. At the city of Jember, a generous kind hajj distributed money and primary needs as shadaqah and zakat to people surrounding area. It ended the same, many people rushing and hustling each other for the gifts. They were even worst for taking victims, one innocent people died. Tragedy happened. It is now in a different city, a different time and a different occasion, the second time. Twice, in this case, is worst than once. Even worst than the first time.

Such tragedy should’ve remind us that we should not repeat for the same mistakes. Morely to the government as they are our role model. They could’ve been more wiser by not giving directly to people. They have the real example happened. Instead, we have some authorities that capable and fully responsible for distributing zakat, infaq and shadaqah to the hand of the needs. We have Baznas, Laznas, Rumah Zakat, Dompet Dhuafa, etc. with the range of national distribution. Deploying the concept of Right hand gives, left hand quiet and Giver is better than receiver.

…

We are human, we made many mistakes. Our history tells us in the past as a reflection of what we are and what the future we will be. There should’ve been so many lesson learned for us. But, we are still the same person that make same mistakes. We never learn, do we?

A cow is sacrificed for Idul Adha at my house. It was the first time ever. Years before we had goats for sacrificed. The ritual took place at the front yard. One day before was raining quite hard along night, so the soil was totally wet and damp. Around 9.30 after the pray, the sacrifed began, and there was eight men as a team. Their role was as a bunch of butchers, cut and slice the whole part of the cow body. The meat, the skin, the guts, the tail, the head, even the bones, then distribute them to the needs.

…

“What’s our resolution for 2007?” asked my wife.

“Uhmm, there are some…but I haven’t quite thought about it for now.” I answered.

“You have to. It’s almost 2007. This is the right time, the right momentum. We can’t lose it.” She replied

“Okay, the list goes like this : improve our financial saving, prepare for the new house, expand network and career as a professional, have baby, and be a better person in many values.” I said.

“Hey, don’t forget your debt and bills. You have to finished it too in upcoming year, right?” She reminded.

“…”

…

The Omen was totally suck. It really is a sucks movie in whole part, the story, the caracthers, the concept. It was a huge regret to rent such VCD. Rubbish in one word. So, me and my wife tried not to make another mistake. This time she picked “Sex In The City : Final Season”. It’s her favourite. She could watch two to three parts in one night. While I was a bit lurgee to pick “Fantastic 4”. When I was a child, I used to admire super hero comics. I even had some collection. My favourite was Spider Man. But, I wanted to see how the story of Fantastic 4 vs Dr.Doom ended. Dr. Doom, Magneto, Dr. Octopus, Sentinel, was the evil caracther in Marvels. It’s like to see the good vs the evil. And it’s always the good side win, eventually.

…

“Can we drop this to 25?” asked Mr. Santo, CEO of Honda Mugen.

“I’m afraid we can’t. This is the final numbers we can offer. We have reduce in many specifications from materials. Some of them have changed in design.” Answered Mr. Bowo, project manager of JLM.

“But, how can this happen? I mean, we have expected to lose 3 billions, right? It was our global prediction in previous meeting.” He insisted.

“Pardon me, sir, but we did all we could. Unless there are more items to reduce or we lose from the BQ. But, we don’t suggest to reduce the structure as it may effect the building strength.” Mr. Bowo explained.

“Hmmm……”

“And the overall price per meter square is already cheap for such building. It’s only 2.3 million.” Mr. Bowo continued.

“I know the price is cheap, but the overall is expensive. That’s over our budget.” He said.

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Okay then, this is it. The final numbers. Now, what more can we do to drop it? Any of you, let’s discuss this matter together now…..”

…

Damn! Why is this bus full of people? And it runs slowly too. I might get late to arrive in Cipinang meeting at BPK Penabur Tanjung Duren. Who are these people anyway? They suck up the whole part of the bus. They look the same. They dress the same. They talk the same language. Last, they step down at the same place. They have same destination. I had no idea where they’d get on this bus at the first place. It’s so hot inside here. All windows are open, but still I can’t breathe. I ran out of air in my lung. I desperately need fresh air. Can somebody help me? Feed fastly numerous of fresh air. I might want to get out of this full of shity things bus right away. Or anywhere else not here. Curse those dark, lame, boring, miserable, sucker buddies. All of you back there.

…

This evening my wife wants lontong cap go meh, pisang bakar, and guava juice for dinner. The last drink later change to apple juice, as she said apple would be nice. Sure, it’s very nice to have such appetizer as she demands. I now get used to have my wife service very well. She’s pregnant, you know. I race against time to fulfill all her menu. It’s almost 9 pm, restaurant would be close at near time. I must find ways to get things done. Ojek fasten me arriving them. The juice first, lontong cap go meh second, and last pisang bakar. Remembering what Mr. Sopyan had said in early day to always fulfill what your wife wants in her pregnancy period. It’s only once in your lifetime. It’s for the sake of your baby too. Don’t bother her, don’t even complaint. Enjoy everything as it’s a burden for you both as husband and wife. Future parents and future baby. I am.

…

“Hello?”

“Rangga?”

“Ya, what’s up mum?”

“Nothing. I just want to inform you that Uncle Lani has passed away today at around 10 am.”

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rojiun.”

“Early, Dad called me and asked me to come to Banjar.”

“You what? How will you go there?”

“First, I have to come to Cibubur. There Ita and Nelson wait, and we’ll go together by Nelson’s car.”

“Okay…But how will you reach Cibubur?”

“By taxi of course, what else? Anyway, since house will be empty, I leave the key at Mpok’s. You can ask it when you’re home tonight. I have inform this to Gita too. So, both of you know how to enter the house.”

“That would be fine to me”

“Alright then, I must hurry. I leave now. Bye.” “Bye mum. Take care. Don’t forget to send my regret and mourn to all our families there.”

Early at dawn. Where people, most of them, are still sleeping and dreaming on their comfort pillow bed. The street was empty. The dark night covers, wind blows breezing slowly, their houses locked. It was quiet at Situ Gintung, Jakarta.

Not so quiet after that, when it changed suddenly. Water all over the place. Flow very vast, shaped everything on their way. Drowning houses, vehicles, trees, fences, and many more. Bodies were taken by the flood.

It all happened in seconds. No one prepared nor predicted before. Some were wondering about what they’ve just been through. And all of us did.

…

Situ Gintung dam is located in southern Jakarta. A man made dam from the Dutch time. The colony created it for the purposes of water supplies and local irrigation. It appeareance also addition for big pond covering hundred meters radius area. Later, the government change its main presence and turn it as a recreational area, public park,equipped with commercial spaces. Well famous in the 80’s, it became one of main destination for holiday and family gathering.

The size of the dam is huge. More like a lake with total water volume more than 10.000 m3. Originally, its surrounded with green belt for Southern of the City. But, after years people start built housing and residences along side the belt. With lack of future consideration and planning of good standard, made the location of these complex reluctant to any worst thing ever predicted. Many source said the dam wall never been renewed since it built for the first time. The old concrete, though it was tough, they never win against time. Small cracks and holes could lead into big disaster.

…

News feed told us the dam cracked, a partition of wall broke down and causing water runs out with maximum speed. A tsunami, a little one. There still a slight remind us about what happened couple of years ago in Nanggroe Aceh Darrussalaam. Though, wasn’t accurately the same, but losing life is one thing hard to accept. Over 200 people died and thousand became refugees in their own land. The loss value of all properties forecasted more than 1 billion rupiahs.

They were all water. The rain shortly fell adding the compound of sadness. Tears, runs though the flood. They hadn’t knew if they cried. Until they found out all was drowning in the flood of tears.

Epilogue

Jabal Rahmah Mosque is a miracle that stands still through the disaster. It became the only building with distance less than 100 m to the dam stand strong without broken defect and heavy destruction. The flood were drowning at 1 m from ground level. With that amount of water volume plus the the speed , in any normal circumstances almost impossible by not taking any damage to the building.

The dam wall cracked right after the call for Adzan Subuh. Some people that pray inside the mosque was survived. They were survivors. They’ve been traped inside and watching miracle saved their lives. While others were sleeping and dreaming that never been wake up again.

Looking back when I was a young boy, I had lots of hobbies. Like most kid at my age, I played robots, action figures, mini vehicles, cartoon, etc. One of my interest was collecting books and comics. This was started earlier even listening to music.

Some name to be mentioned in my favourite list, Lucky Luke : the poor lone some cowboy who shoot faster than his shadow. Choose Your Own Adventure, The Secret of Blue Whale : a classic encounter of cold war. Three Detectives’s series created by maestro of thriller, Alfred Hitchcock. I even had read Agatha Christie’s in early junior high years. Of all, it is clearly seen that my favourite was a mystery packed with detective sense and action. But one left to mention, my all time favourite : The Adventure of Tintin.

Tintin, created by Georges Remi known as Herge, is a wonderful story, a complete journey of a Belgium journalist. Skilled with his curiosity that lead him to many adventures. He and his long life mate, Mileu (a spaniel white dog), travel across the globe, visiting many countries for right reason confronting villain Communist Regime in USSR, Al Capone (Tintin was the only comic character to face The Scarface in his lifetime), Sydavian Kingdom (old Germany before WW II), central America guerilla, legacy and ruined of Inca’s old tample in Machu Pichu Peru, UFO, and even landing his feet in the Moon 15 years earlier than Neil Armsrong did. From bottom of the sea (Red Sea Sharks) to outer space (Explorers on The Moon). Meeting new people, some of them later became his close family, like Captain Haddock, Cuthbert Calculus, Dupont and Dupond, and others.

I remember one day, I went with my father to Majestik in Kebayoran Lama searching and hunting for some old edition of books and comics. There I got the The Crab With The Golden Claws. In another chance when I went to Senen old book market, I purchased The Seven Crystal Balls along with The Prisoners of The Sun. The first series I read actually The Black Island, which I borrowed from my long mate. After that came The Shooting Star and Cigars of The Pharaoh. The Broken Ear, Flight 714 To Sydney, Castafiore’s Emerald, Tintin And Picaros, King Ottokar’s Skeptre and Tintin In America was next on the line. The hardest series for me to collect was The Red Rackham Treasure, it took me almost five years of searching which I finally got the hardcover version with high rated edition. The rest of album mostly I got from bookstores.

Else, Tintin wasn’t just an individual hobby. It was a family interest actually. Since my sister and my father liked it too. This condition was truly an advantage for me as my father wouldn’t hesitate to buy them for me. He wouldn’t complain nothing about books. I remember one time, he laughed loudly when he read Destination Moon. It was quite funny, though.

After sometime collecting, searching and hunting, it was set to completion. I was proudly announced to all my friends that I had all the Tintin’s album. Shortly, they came after me and asked for lending some titles. I had to give it to them, as they pursued over me. I would be kind to all my friends. Unfortunately, some of them didn’t give back the album. So I lost one by one, even most of them. I was careless at the time. I couldn’t blame noone but myself.

And now, more than 20 years after, I still have a kind interest of collecting Tintin. The one I used to collect in the past was publish by Indira. News for past years they have bankrupt and so Tintin was no longer available in stores. The recent collection is publish by Gramedia with a book format and glossy page papers. The difference was the old Indira translated from UK published version of Tintin. This included all the characters mentioned in English name. The Gramedia version translated from the original Casterman Belgium, which I think have a very close similarity and reality to the story (as Tintin is Belgium, he speaks French). So, it is more natural and more enjoyable to read.

Tintin is a very smart story. A brilliant character. It is down to earth. Natural and reality of life. By reading it, you will be able to travel to the past, knowing some piece of history. Learnig new culture in another part of the world. An alternative way of education for all ages, yet entertaining. The album itself is worth of a collectibles. The whole is a masterpiece.

Tonight, it’s very quite. Nothing moves. Noone can hear any footsteps. The lights are all off. The streets are empty. The buildings are envy. The cars are parked. The doors are locked. The sky, the wind passes, embraces cold soft skin. Alone. Silent.

I sit here in the middle of the room where it all begin. In the far away from home. Waiting and longing for something about to come. Time and hope.

My mind flying somewhere across the ocean. Flying high and fast to place safe and comfort. Close my eyes, soon the space will take me there.

Ticking clocks and the sound of this loose hall. Followed me like shadowfax which has meaning of haste. The picture I see, they tell everything or anything. It bears in my head for a while. Playing like puzzles and scramble of words. I try to describe them in a frame of picture. Capture one by one like sequel of recently.

Nothing seems to clear. It all blur and gather immensely. Slowly fade away, leave me still in alone…

The air is breezing, breathing deeply, it frozen me like ice. Crystallize in lung. I didn’t make a move, I didn’t make a sound. I didn’t want to. I plea where time would take me. Seconds away of changing moment. A new page of life. One by one. I see them though my eyes. Everyday. Everyhour.

The dark horizon is brighten. Thin red line cuts into two worlds. Sunrise wake the earth. Right at the beach where white sands and waves broken.

This is February 14th. This is valentine’s day. The day of love. Everyone said that. Not everyone I suppose.

So, do you prepare yourself for today? What are your plans? Do you buy gifts, say chocolates or flowers may be? Do you go out on a romantic candle light dinner? With whoever you may be, the one you care and love?

I don’t prepare anything, coz I don’t have any plans for today. I don’t celebrate valentine’s. I never did. I don’t even recall on the day. For me, it’s just an ordinary day, just like any other days that pass and go. I guess, I’ll stay at home tonight with my family, and without any discussions of valentine’s. If you don’t, so what bugs you here, sitting in front of the computer, writting unnecessary things in your blogs?

…

Back in 2002, when I was a student of architecture department at UNDIP Semarang. I did recall on the day. That day, I was going back home from college in the afternoon after a tiring day with tasks and presentations. I stayed with my grandparents in their house during that period of time. On the way home, on the bus, I kept heard the voices of my friends, discussed everything about valentine’s, in my head. They were about to buy gifts, and planned to go out on a dinner. Did romantic stuffs. I didn’t have any plans for that day.

Suddenly, I remembered my grandma. She was like a substitute mother for me. She looked after me, taken care of me. She loved me very much. Once she said, ”Rangga is not my grandson. He’s my son”. (FYI : Rangga is taken from my last name-Septarangga- which is my family call me with). And this thought came crossed my mind, that it would be nice if I bought her something as a gift. Something to show that I loved her too. So, I bought her a flower. It was a beautiful pink rose.

When I got home, she was there sitting in family room with grandpa, reading a small book of prays, with her a cup of hot tea. She was surprised when I gave the flower.

She said, “Rangga, is this flower for me?”

I answered, “It’s for you”.

She kissed the flower. And still in unbelief thought she said, “But for what occasion?”

“Coz it’s valentine’s, and I don’t have anyone who love me but you”, my replied.

Then she hugged me and kissed me. She smiled and said, “Thank you very much. It such a beautiful rose. How do you know that I like flowers?”

I didn’t reply, I just smiled. I could see her eyes sparkled. Grandpa was stood next to her and smiled too. Then she quickly put the flower in a vase on a table in family room that would last for 3 days. During that time, she was so happy. She proudly announced to all the guests who came-even to all her children and grandchildren-that she received a flower from me as a valentine’s gift.

…

But now she’s gone. My beloved grandma. Later, my aunt (one of her daughter) told me how grandma loved me so much for many reasons, one of them was because I’m the only one of all her grandchildren to gave her flower-ever. She said grandma kept saying my name, remembering me, especially for that valentine’s flower gift. The one she would never forgot. Neither would I. Even now, I still can feel her embrace, her smile, and her sparkling eyes on that day. The day that I gave her flower.

For my beloved grandma, this is your grandson’s writing, remembering you, and missing you.

“Grandma, may God forgive all your sins and pay all your kindness, put you in a place at His side in heaven. Amen.”

The original writting was with the tittle “For My Beloved Grandma”, posted in Friendster Blog Paranoid Android back in 2006