A R U M

Hi ...

When you are a child do you ever have things that you wanted to buy but you never get it?

Or ...

Do you have things that you own but not anymore, but suddenly you want to own it again?

Last time I talked about things you wanted to buy but never get it and finally I fulfil my wish, right? Now it’s the second sentences. Things that I own but not anymore, but suddenly I want to own it again. 

It started in pandemic. Pandemic really stops time isn’t it? I always have a feeling that we still live in 2020, but it's already two years ago. I started two new addictions this pandemic. One, is playing games and two, watching people playing games, as known as gaming streamer. 

I, myself, enjoy playing games before. So, it’s not because of pandemic, I started playing games. But, I’m not a gamer either. I just enjoyed it as something to kill time. Also, watching people play games is a different experience. As my new hobby is watching people play games, these streamers also influence me to buy the game they’re playing, because it looks fun, and easy, and can be played offline. So, I downloaded Steam. 

Pandemic also recall many buried memories to surface as these childhood craving. There’s plenty of games that I played as a child. A list of games that you probably played it too. But, to be honest, I never played from play station or Nintendo, so my childhood games are around PC games.

Something just pop, when I browse into Steam’s games lists. 

Roller Coaster Tycoon. 

I played this game a lot when I was a child. Along with The Sims. And this game, as today is so cheap too. You know what I do after that. 

I bought right away. I’m an excited child again after 20 years. 

But the nostalgia didn’t end there. I bought another childhood game, which is Hotel Giant 2!

Never in my mind to cross this game anymore. I just remember that I used to play a hotel game before, but I really don’t know the name. For now, I forgot how to play these games. I depend on my muscle memory to play it as it really ancient. I am really glad I found these games at this age. So, if I have child someday, we can play it together. 

As the Sims that I mentioned before. It is one of my childhood games, too, but have the Sims 4 that I got for free from EA when they have ‘download for free’ week, couple years ago, so it’s not really craving anymore. Although I missed the sims 2 a lot. 

To think about it. I played a lot of simulation games, specifically building and managing places. Is that why I become an architect? Well, I didn’t really do architecture anymore (still designing for fun only) though.

What’s your childhood craving anyway? If I have another that I found, I’m going to post it soon, or I’m going to make list of it to see if I can fulfil it. Bye~

Hi ...

When you are a child do you ever have things that you wanted to buy but you never get it?

Or ...

Do you have things that you own but not anymore, but suddenly you want to own it again?

Well, I do. 

This was last year. When I got Covid out of sudden despite I always at home, I happen to scroll online marketplace and I saw a second-hand bookshop in it. They have so many comic books and as you can see, I love comic books. But, since digitalization exist, I rarely buy it anymore. I only bought it if I really like the series, mainly as collection for my bookshelf. 

So, I found a comic books that somehow, I remember wanting it when I was a seven-year-old. I never actually found that title on the shelf back in day, but I found it through the book recommendation at the back of another comic book. I become interested after reading the summary and how cute the artwork is. But, if I went to the bookstore, it never there. So, subconsciously I remembered it.

I asked the seller; do you still have this comic book title? But unfortunately, they said no, which is kind of annoying, because why they put it on display if they don't have it. I had Covid, right when I surfed the online marketplace. I’m dizzy enough to find another seller, but the child in me already awaken, so I scrolled it out and found two other seller that have it on display. I asked them one by one. The first one said they still have it, but after I paid for it, they want me to cancel it because apparently, they didn't keep track their stock, so the book that I wanted isn't there anymore. 

...

For God sake ...

...

Then I asked the other seller. They said, they're going to check their storage first, so I said to them, I hope you have it because I've been searching this book for ages (pfft) and they said okay, but not promised it will be there. 

Three days later, they said they have it and if you really want it, please check it out fast because they’re not going to keep it to only one person (?). Like, if they found another buyer that check out faster than I am, the book goes to them. Then, I check it out very fast and three days later …

Here it is, the comic book that I always wanted. 

A miniseries called Melody & Christopher by Naoko Moto. 

Both are little detectives but Melody can speak to animals. A simple story, simple characters, and a simple problem, yet captured my heart to own it. First published in 1999 in Indonesia. It's a 22 years old comic book. No wonder I never found it, I'm three years late. 

This kind of comic books cover is such an old school cover. Red is for feminine kind of story and dark blue is for masculine story. Light blue is for Doraemon. The Indonesian publisher did this until maybe, 2004? They didn’t do this kind of cover anymore. This comic book and my other old collection is called vintage now. 90’s kids like me are considered as vintage. 

I know this is just a small thing, but for me it's kind of achievement. I am now in a position that, in small step, fulfil my childhood 'craving'. Never know that brain can remember something that I, myself, didn’t know or didn’t imagine, about my forgotten wish like this. And I don’t know either that simple things like a comic book can makes me happy. 

People often said, why are you still reading these kids book? Isn’t it time for you to change or move on to more adult reading material?

Well, listen. I’m growing. At this age, I can read both kind of book or any book that I wanted. Why should I leave one behind just to feel or look more adult? If become adult is like shoving all the little fun I have, what’s the point of become adult?

Why would I stop liking things that makes me keep going?

You know, I will always have this child side. It will stay, like, forever. Doesn’t mean I will not responsible as an adult, just you know … you get it. Maybe, you have it, too. So, bye~

It's year 2022!

Happy late new year~

This blog is getting dustier and dustier isn't it? These past years, I kind of lost interest in everything that I used to like. But, I made up my mind to start liking things that I forgot why like them. And one of them is this blog. 

To start revive my casual self in this blog, why not starting it with this challenge, right? I found this challenge way back then on twitter, but I have no interest. So, as I regain my interest in every aspect possible, this challenge is a good start.. 

It's said that 30 days, but I'm going to make it like 30 songs.

No ...

30 Japanese Songs

Well, let see what I have here ... 

1. Nibiiro – Takeuchi Yuito

Nibiiro means dark grey. Actually, I find this first task is a little bit difficult. My favourite song with colour in title is Akai Earphone by Angerme, but they don’t have it on Spotify, so I scrolled down my liked song and found this. I listen to it a lot, but never know the title.

2. 3 Gatsu 9 Ka – Remioromen

3. Life is Beautiful – Hirai Dai

4. Wherever You Are – One Ok Rock

This song. I used to like it, but I don’t know, if its overplayed or overhype, I hate this song now and don’t want to listen to this song anymore.

5. Music Hour – Porno Graffitti

Just listen to it and you will understand. No explanation needed.

6. amp – Da-ice

7. CHE.R. RY – YUI

This song is such a sing along song in the car. When travel across a forest in a summer, Sunday morning ride, with one or two friends. Open both of the windows and feel the breeze. Yes, that situation. Feel it.

8. Nanisama – SKY-HI ft. Boku no Lyric no Boyomi

I don’t listen to drug or alcohol songs, but I find this song quite fit in for something dark and depressive. Nanisama means who are you?

9. Paprika – Foorin

Happy kids voice is a proof that this song is full of happiness.

10. My Zouni – Rekishi ft. Nyanbokuchou Jidai

They just released this song, basically in 2022 and already makes me sad.

11. Kiseki – Greeeen

Who doesn’t love this song? This song is never aged and the nostalgic feeling will always there when this song is played. Especially when Shirota Yuu sang this when he found out Miura Haruma passed away …

12. Sobakasu – Judy and Mary

I watched anime back in the days, still do but not so much now, but my preteen song is this song as this song is the opening of anime Rurouni Kenshin.

13. UFO – Pink Lady

14. Apple Pie – Blue Vintage ft. Suzuki Airi

15. HARUKAZE – SCANDAL

I don’t remember is it cover or not, but I believe this song is originally by Aqua Timez(?). This song is one of the changing marks for SCANDAL. From a rock band that always wear school uniform to more adult like band.

16. Departure – SCANDAL

Will always love this song since the first time it came out.

17. Citrus – Da-ice

This song is so hard but I want to duet this song with people and ruin the entire mood of this song with bad and crack high note.

18. Innocent World – Mr. Children

I don’t know song from when I was born, and I searched it up and found this song, which is one of the greatest songs in that year. So, I’m going to start listen to this carefully.

19. Ano Natsu e – Hisaishi Joe

Nothing can go wrong with Hisaishi Joe’s music, right? This song is so calming that makes me not worry about life. This is one of my favourite music ever.

20. Sazanka – Sekai no Owari

21. Robinson – SPITZ

Is Robinson a person name? I don’t know, but it is like a person name and I do like this song. One of masterpiece songs from SPITZ.

22. Music – Sakanaction

This is one of my never get tired song. I put it here not in never get tired category is because I like the meaning to continue forward even with weak self and sing it out loud.

23. Body & Soul – SPEED

Listen to this now! No explanation needed.

24. Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~ – Zone

Secret base is one of the best songs that exist. Unfortunately, Zone disbanded, twice. It is kind of hard for all female rock band to remain active for more than 10 years isn’t it? I wish many all-female bands can active more than 20 years though. SCANDAL is in their 16 years, so I hope they continue their journey even longer.

25. Natsu wo Matsu Sail no Youni – ZARD

ZARD is actually a band, but Japanese media often address them as one person, Sakai Izumi, because of how big her influence is and she passed away in 2007. I heard this song from Detective Conan The Movie, I forgot which one, and I instantly love it even after more than a decade.

26. Love so Sweet – Arashi

27. Koigokoro – Da-ice

If you happen read this blog long enough, you must know that I love this song since the first time it came out. This song, dance, and music video is so well done and catch the sad feeling.

28. Egao no Hana – Goose House

I found them in 2012 and their voice and harmony keep getting better and better, but then they break up.

29. Butterfly – Wada Koji

I grew up with Digimon so this song is so nostalgic and still hype people up when someone played it.

30. Watashi ga Obaasan ni Natte mo – Moritaka Chisato

I don’t like being old but it’s life, can’t stop growing. This song is about a woman worrying about being old not loved anymore, but then she realized it’s okay, because other people is growing too. So, this is I am now. Yes.

That’s it! it’s unfortunate that I can’t fill it with some songs that I like because they’re not on Spotify. And some of them doesn't have explanation either, but heh ... it's a long post already. Within a couple of years, maybe it can happen and this list changes. 

So, thank you and bye~

I recently got hooked by classical music. I found two set violin couple years ago, but not too much until recently. Before that, the only classical music I ever listen is the album of Phantom of The Opera and Ghibli’s music from Joe Hisaishi until I listen to Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. That piece is really beautiful that I replayed every movement without getting bored. What a wonderful piece.

So, then I found Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra is going to have a concert live from Youtube at 12 September 2020. And I thought, wow, such a perfect timing for me, to in depth with classical music. So, I set my reminder to watch them live, right, but before that, I need to go to computer store to upgrade my laptop Ram. I thought it’s not going to take more than an hour, but it takes the whole three hours because my laptop somehow, is having a breakdown and the guy who did it my laptop have to try every brand of ram they have to make it compatible with my laptop. So, I finally managed to watch them live in a car on my way back home.

So, they started at 5pm. Because the title is Family Concert, all pieces they played is something that all of age group is going to enjoy. They stated in their video, that the highlighted musical instruments are Viola, Bassoon, Flute, Piccolo Flute, and French Horn. And they’re not going to play the whole two hours movement like usual orchestra did, but they played every couple of pieces a little bit with introduction between them.

The concert opening was the introduction by the beautiful and talented conductor, Eunice Tong, about how she and all musicians misses people especially children in concert hall and how she stated that, even when people don’t play any musical instrument, people still have voice to make music. She introduces four instrument families and how they all different in size, shape, and of course sound.

I stated this complete playlist from their Youtube channel. They only post this concert for three days that sadly, when this post is up, they already make it private. So, here the setlist …(by the way, sorry for low quality of images here, I screenshot those from Youtube)

Gounod Mirror Variations

They first piece from Faust – Ballet Music. The conductor wants us to watch how all musician play the instrument in this piece.

 Mozart Rondo Alla Turca

This piece is very famous that maybe people already listened to it without knowing the title. She said that this piece is originally for piano, but because this piece is very famous, they make the orchestra version. And before they play the orchestra version, she wants us to hear the piccolo version.

Debussy Golliwogg’s Cakewalk

The last piece from Debussy six movement called Children’s Corner for his three years old daughter based on her toys. The conductor introduces how to play this piece by viola and bassoon before the orchestra version.

Bizet L’Arlesienne Suite 1: Minuet

She said that this piece is started by the strings then woodwind and brass join along. Every instrument complements each other even though all of the instrument gives different sound.

Bizet L’Arlesienne Suite 1: Carillon

French horn is the shiny star of this piece.

Delibes Pizzicati

This piece in this concert is like the introduction to how to play string instrument without bow.

Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite: Trepak

Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite: March

Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite: Dance of the Road Pipes

Ponchielli Dance of the Hours

The conductor, Eunice Tong, said that this piece is one of her favourites because it’s short and playful.

Bizet Carmen: Les Toreadors

They close the concert with high spirit piece that maybe everybody already knows about this one.

The concert only less than an hour long, but it’s still beautiful. This concert is great concert for people who just got into classical music, whether for a listener like me or people who just started play their instrument.

Let’s hope together so this pandemic is going to end by next year so we can attend their concert right in the concert hall. I never been there so, I really want to hear them play more, especially the formal concert with soloist or only the orchestra.

Bye~