i used to have 4 machines running windows on some cheap hardware. then a few weeks ago, each one started to DIE! pfffffft… harddisk failure, RAM, motherboard, the OS…. i went like, backup PC1 files to PC2 then PC2 broke. so i backed up on PC3 and then PC3 broke…  who would not get pissed off?
i lost a lot of VERY valuable time and money fixing the machines and backing up my data…. hopefully, if all goes well, my 17″ macbook will arrive from hongkong within nextweek… it will be about 20K cheaper in Hongkong….

Pictures from the roadtrip last monday… Click on the thumbnails to view the larger pics… enjoy

Sunod kay sa North nasad…

mao ra na ang pics for now… next time, mas daghan pa… nahurot man gud ang battery sunod dala ko extra pack and maybe even some videos from the road hehehhee

omfg, it has been 3 weeks since my last post. page-rank is down! that’s wierd…

anyways, i got a new job! bigger company! better working environment and better air-conditioning… god, i hate sweating and coding… same pay though… but that is why i keep doing the sidework…

im getting fat though (*ahem* who isn’t?)…

its october 18 and im waiting for my birthday… :)) :)) i’ll be probably sending PM’s to my friends asking for a present… kidding….

I found this on The Jakarta Post. I don’t know how I got there, but it is certainly a good read. I have nothing against the muslims and I do not want to start an argument in this blog. I just wanted to share this because of this line from the article: “It would be better to regard the pope’s address as a challenge to prove to the world that Islam truly is a peaceful religion.” FYI: My father’s half-brother is a muslim.

Here is the article (for your convenience):

Pope John Paul II, during his 26-year papacy, was quite respected by Muslims for his empathy with Islam and the suffering of Palestinians and Iraqis.

He showed great concern over the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, and the fate of Palestinians. He prayed for Aceh, although he also, on several occasions, expressed dismay over what he believed was Indonesia’s disappearing religious freedom.

So how has his successor done, in terms of maintaining relations with Islam?

Pope Benedict XVI has only been in office for about six months, and there are already strong signs that he will be tougher and more open with his remarks than his predecessor. Which is a nice way of putting it.

The comments made by the pope about Islam and violence, as recorded in a seven-page English translation of an address at the University of Regensburg in Germany on Sept. 12, received mixed reactions from Catholics around the world.

They also left many Catholics in predominantly Muslim nations like Indonesia fearing for their security. His statements could affect long-term relations between the world’s two biggest religions.

Certainly, the pope must have had his reasons for touching on Islam in his lecture on faith and reason. Perhaps he wanted to encourage more frank academic debate among scholars, or he just wanted to express his honest assessment of Islam.

He clearly wants a more mature and straightforward discourse on relations between Islam and Christianity and other religions. But while Israel continues to oppress Palestinians, and millions of Iraqis must suffer simply because the United States did not like Saddam Hussein, are the pope’s comments helpful in healing religious divisions?

Did he take into account the possible reactions to his speech, and the direct impact on Catholics across the globe?

If such a remark came from U.S. President George W. Bush, Muslims perhaps would say, “No wonder.” But these came from the pope.

For Indonesian Catholics, who are a minority here, their immediate concern is their own safety and the security of their churches. Personally, as a Catholic, I have to ask myself: “Why would my beloved leader say that in public?”

While the pope’s concerns over the relationship between Islam and violence — by quoting a 14th century conversation between Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleolugus and an educated Persian on the subject of Christianity and Islam — are shared by many people around the world, he should have chosen his words more carefully, or not have said them at all.

As the supreme leader of the Catholic church, was it wise to discuss such a sensitive issue amid the growing distrust between Christianity and Islam, regardless of the truth or untruth of his observations? It will be more difficult now to argue there is no “clash of civilizations” between the West (Christianity) and Islam.

It will also be more difficult for the Catholic church to continue an effective interfaith dialog with Islam if Muslims suspect the sincerity of the church’s leader. In Indonesia even Muslim hard-liners retained a degree of trust in the late pope John Paul II. And we Indonesian Catholics were very proud of that. But now I am afraid we will not be able to have that same level of pride. Only time will tell.

It should be taken into account, however, that Pope Benedict’s speech was delivered to scholars at the university where he was a professor and vice rector from 1969 to 1971. So it was, in effect, an academic paper.

In paragraph 7 of the speech, the Pope said, ” … the emperor must have known that sura 2:25 reads: ‘There is no compulsion in religion.’ It is one of the suras of the early period, when Mohammed was still powerless and under (threat). But naturally the emperor also knew the instructions, developed later and recorded in the Koran, concerning the holy war.”

In paragraph 10, he said,” … but for Muslim teaching, God is absolutely transcendent. His will is not bound up with any of our categories, even that of rationality ….”

The Vatican has been engaged in damage control. But with the Internet, people around the world have immediate access to the full transcript of the speech, and not all of them will feel that the Vatican’s clarification is adequate.

It would be saddening, however, if Muslims acted violently to demonstrate their anger over the pope’s comments. Such violence would only strengthen the perception — not necessarily accurate — among non-Muslims that Islam tolerates violence. It would be better to regard the pope’s address as a challenge to prove to the world that Islam truly is a peaceful religion.

We can only hope that the controversial statements by the head of the Catholic church will somehow turn into a blessing in disguise, by promoting dialog and helping to restore trust between the two major religions.

As an ordinary Catholic with limited knowledge about church teachings, again I can only say: “Was it necessary for my Holy Father to make such a comment?”

The writer can be reached at purba@thejakartapost.com

The source: Jakarta Post

found this on Ian’s Yahoo 360 page…
I CAN be the best for you
boy: hello
boy: k
girl: y did u change?
boy: just want you to know my another address. I am frequent on this
girl: k
girl: so tell me hows life
boy: I remember the day i brought you to church . . .
girl: wt
boy: you are wearing . . . a nice neat suit dress . . .
boy: I think the color is some sort of brown . . .
boy: do u still remember?
girl: nope
girl: then
boy: the message that day . . . I cannot remember or even after that as you have to go back to Bishan
girl: then?
boy: the moment was the path we have to walk to the church as the church is on the hill
girl: uhuh
boy: it was early in the morning . . . the road was a long walk . . .
boy: dry leaves are scattered all around
nor
boy: dry leaves are scattered all around
girl: uhuh
girl: then
boy: the ray if the sun beats through the leaves of the trees and reflected on your face
boy: the radiant was beautiful as you insist on carrying my bible for me.
boy: you hold it closely on you bossom as if it is a treasure
girl: IT s
boy: we walked quietly . . . but I caught a glimpse of smile on your face
boy: it smile of jouy and content . . ..
boy: you are enjoying the walk . . .to the church.
boy: with me
girl: I was
boy: that was one of the most beautiful scenario I will never forget
girl: i enjoyed evry moment w/ u, and u r right
boy: now . . . do you believe I miss you?
girl: ditto
girl: i do
girl: and wud u believe me f i tell u i miss yak too
girl: a lot
boy: sure
girl: and i honestly miss her more than i do miss u
boy: of course
boy: you have been together for a long time
girl: i just cant comprehend hw things change how she forgot all that we share
girl: i can still hear her laughter and that laughter i hear of hers i know she has never laughed like that after wat happened
boy: It is hard I guess
girl: u hv no idea how i feel y she feels that way
boy: she knew we a nearly a couple before and things just change
girl: wt do u mean?
boy: when we came together
girl: u mean u and her
girl: did i come n ur way?
boy: well. at one point you and I were going out . .
boy: but then I chose her.
girl: yes we did, as friends. u go out w/ ate melds too
boy: She will always remember you and I went out before.
boy: But you were different
girl: there was never us, was there/
girl: ?
girl: wt do u mean difrent?
boy: i think there nearly was a chance about us till I saw you came back with another guy at Bishan. . .
girl: wat?
boy: i did make a choice after that
boy: u forgot?
girl: wt r u saying?
boy: one of the most memorable movie you saw with me . . . remember?
girl: remind me
boy: NY156
girl: wt chois did i make
boy: i make the choice
girl: ok, u
boy: well
girl: and wt chois did u hv 2 make
boy: i guess both of us have to make the choice anyway
girl: and wt did i make?
boy: i have to choose between a girl I can feel secure with
girl: and…
girl: ???
boy: well, I guess you just have a lot of other male friends to go out with
boy: you are just to outgoing for me.
girl: i was
boy: the memory of the walk to the church . .. I guess I cling on that image of you too strongly
girl: and hu did i go out w/ hu wer u talking abt?
boy: i dont want to remmebr his name . . . but that night siu and i stayed late and i cooked for the staff . . . I saw you came back with him . . .
boy: i am not jealous but I just think it is wise to be careful in my choices
girl: so? cant a guy take me home, i was single then
boy: he was an engineer . . . i was still seeking for God’s will
boy: there were . . .
girl: yes u did and u r
girl: and everything s perfectly GODs plan
boy: well, I thought there were something special bet us . . . and I was hoping that it will work out. I guess i will never know
boy: indeed. God has been so good to me all this while.
boy: I certainly ahve gone thru so much in my life that I have come to an awareness of who I am and what is my destiny
girl: HE always s, and u know that, I am just not the best for u as u r not for me.
boy: you r wrong
boy: I CAN be the best for you . . .
girl: remember u told ate melds that u cn never be my husband cz u cud not provide for my wants, well gess wat, GOD gave me a minister to marry, and he is just perfect for me
boy: you just will never going to
boy: anyway tho i miss the past and you . . . I always hope the best for you
boy: you have a good hubby and 2 adaorable babies . . .
boy: please sign up with multiply.com
boy: I share my life and ministry in that website . . .
girl: yes i do, and i DID love u but not n a romantic way, and mayb d same w/ u for me at that tym too
girl: did u?
boy: at that time . . . I was sure I love you in a romantic way. . .
boy: I am not shyto tell u that
girl: and by the way, u never courted me lah!
boy: that is why, i take it seriously wen we go out or even the decision i want to make
boy: i am not a filipino guy
boy: I only allow my romance to explode after i got marry
boy: to the only one I willl pamper and loved!
girl: i had a little pampering from u, and u r ryt, maybe i expected spoken words…to me…not thru ate
boy:
boy: she is so nice
boy: I got to go
boy: nice chatting
boy: take care!
girl: utc too
boy has signed out. (8/30/2006 12:33 AM)

i had fun reading this… it is more on the ladies’ side… if you are a guy, just convert all the “Guy” words to ‘Women” in you mind while reading it…
1. If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.
If he doesn’t want you, nothing can make him stay.
2. Stop making excuses for a man and his
behavior.
3. If you have ANY doubt in your mind about a
man’s character, leave him alone.
4. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from
heartache.
5. Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship
that’s not meant to be.
6. Don’t force an attraction.
7. Slower is better.
8. Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly
happy.
9. If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you
deserve then heck no you can’t “be friends.” A friend wouldn’t mistreat a friend.
10. Have faith in God regarding your relationship, but don’t let faith make you stupid. God does things decent and in order.
11. Don’t settle.
12. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.
13. If he keeps changing his mind about the relationship–take that as a BIG sign that he is unstable. Do you really want to be with a man like
that?
14. Don’t stay because you think “it will get better.” You’ll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.
15. Honorable men take care of their business
and aren’t involved in a whole lot of mess.
16. The only person you can control in a relationship is you.
17. There’s only one ‘reason’ a man dumps you; he doesn’t want you.
18. Avoid men who’ve got a bunch of children by a bunch of different
women. He didn’t marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?
19. You really do have to kiss a few frogs before finding the prince.
20. Always put yourself and your happiness first.
21. Always have your own set of friends separate from his.
22. Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up.
23. Like from the show Sex and the City, if he doesn’t call, he just isn’t
that interested.
24. Be honest and upfront.
25. Know when to cut the cord, don’t be strung along.
26. Don’t fall for the “I’m confused role”. Remove yourself from the
situation to let him figure things out (but don’t wait for him, move on).
27. If you want to have a clue as to how he will treat you, watch how he treats the WOMEN in his family (not just mom).
28. There’s more than physical abuse, there’s emotional and mental abuse. If he causes any of them…flee.
29. You cannot change a man’s behaviors. Change comes from within.
30. Don’t let him place rules on you that he is not willing to follow
himself — double-standard.
31. Don’t EVER make him feel he is more important than you are…even if he has more education or in a better job.
32. Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less.
33. Demand respect and if he can’t give it, he can’t have you!
34. Don’t compete with other woman, but be aware that men are attracted to what they see.
35. If you think he is cheating, he probably is. Confront him right away
and if you feel he’s lying, let him go.
36. Actions speak louder than words.
37. Never let a man define who you are.
38. Never rely on a man for compliments, look to yourself for that.
39. Never borrow someone else’s man.
40. If he cheated with you, he’ll cheat on you.
41. Just because he says he loves you, doesn’t mean that he won’t hurt you and it doesn’t mean that you are meant to be with him.
42. To use painful hard-won wisdom — ‘get it right’ the next time.
43. Know that you deserve to be the number one person in the life of the No.1 person in your life.
44. Love is a verb …
45. Learn to give up your lifelong task of trying to make someone
unavailable-available, someone ungiving-giving, and someone unloving-loving.
46. A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.
47. All men are NOT dogs.
48. You should not be the one doing all the bending…compromise is a two way street.
49. If you don’t love self…you can’t love anyone else.
50. You cannot mend someone else’s broken heart.
51. You need time to heal between relationships…there is nothing cute
about baggage…deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship.
52. You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you…a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals…look for someone complementary…not supplementary.
53. Dating is fun…even if he doesn’t turn out to be Mr. Right.
54. NEVER give more in a relationship than you are getting out of it.
55. Never become your man’s “therapist”.
56. When actions and words conflict, believe the actions. Respond to the actions.
57. A real healthy relationship requires two people. One person can end
it - but it takes two to make it work.
58. Don’t fall for the “I’m not the loving type”…when a man loves you
there is nothing in this world (within reason) that he wouldn’t do for you.
59. Make him miss you sometimes…when a man always know where you are, and you’re always readily available to him he takes it for granted.
60. Give him his space…let him go out with his boys, don’t pressure him to spend time with you, You cant force a man to hang out with you.
61. If you wouldn’t allow your daughter to be with him you shouldn’t.
62. Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later.
63. Never move into his mother’s house.
64. Provide financially for yourself and don’t depend on anyone.
65. Never co-sign for a man.
66. Never believe you have the perfect guy and he is so innocent.
67. Never spoil your man; let him spoil you.
68. Never let a man mess up your credit.
69. When it’s time to let go; let go.
70. Good men should be treated like good men.
71. Don’t play games.
72. Don’t fully commit to a man who doesn’t give you everything that you need.
73. Keep him in your radar but get to know others.
74. Compatibility in terms of educational attainment, values, beliefs,
personal and career goals, and socioeconomic status, are important.
75. Never date a guy who wears color contact lens.

i was busy. the past few weeks, i worked more than 8 hours at the office then at least 3 hours at home. then i had to wake up dawn to do stuff. life was so busy then. it was good. i don’t know what is it with me, but when i get very busy, i want to go out at night. this week, every single night, i went out! a couple of beers and a lot of talking to friends. it is weird how beer can give us temporary hapiness. (hehe) the last sentence means deeper than you expect. i maybe like this, but you have no idea how deep i go. if you were there with me, chances are you only knew 50% of how often i went out. there is this person who knows where i have been but i won’t be hearing from her anytime soon because i pissed her off - it was something i did and it was something that i said… i was sorry, but…

life is boring when you don’t know what you want. it becomes sad. as for myself, a few months ago, i knew what i want. i did my best (i think) to get *it* but obviously i failed. but i have no plans of giving up. it keeps me going day after day, living for today and dying tomorrow. it is better that way, thinking wayyy too much ahead it not good. unless if you have a family and kids to raise… that’ll be the day… hehe