On Death..or Life?

Death is easy, living is hard. Yet every single living creatures is struggling to survive, to live. Suicide is a sin, and longevity is a gift; sometimes an achievement. Perfect health doesn't guarantee longevity;some people with perfect health and die sooner than those who are squandering their health. Some failed suicide attempts, some were unborn. Life is more appreciated when there is death, more loved although it's a struggle.

People try to live healthily so they don't die, and "achieve" longevity. But isn't life is a gift? Then why we live healthily? Qualified life?

Why people want to live long? So they have more time to make up their mistakes, and do some more? Or to have most of it? Isn't heaven is incomparable to life on earth?

Life is more on getting, receiving, or giving?

It's fascinating to realize the fact that human can feel more than one emotion at once.
I'm glad that I'm home, sad for my mom, and missing my dad. Regret for times I did not spend with my parents and happy for the times I've spent with them. Grateful for family and friends. Angry for the circumstance.

"I can do all things with Christ who strengthen me"

Where No Man Has Gone Before

We have come the the age where we can actually portray all the science fiction we had while we're growing up. Maybe MY generation, who are now young adults, mid-twenties, to mid-thirties. We had "Star Wars" trilogy not very long ago, a remake and sequels for 1977's Star Wars. We finally can see "Transformer" in a movie, not in cartoon anymore. The X-Men. Even "Alvin and the Chipmunks". I wonder if they would make "Voltron" or "Patlabor", or "Gundam" movies. Comparing "Batman Forever" and "Dark Knight" is like comparing integral and basic arithmetic. "Dark Knight" is the integral. Way more advance. We have the technology to "make dreams come true".

I tried to remember how 'Star Trek' was like, when the way younger me watching it on the only TV channel back in those days, TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia).I vividly remember Spock, Cpt. Kirk. The split-finger salute.Fitted uniform. And along came RCTI, with "Star Trek: The New Generation".I can't forget Patrick Steward, that Klingon, the guy with funny visor, and my favorite: Data, the only one whose name I can actually remember.

I've never seen any Star Trek movies. Maybe I did, once when I was much smaller; I couldn't remember. Anyway, I couldn't wait till someone download the movie so I went down to Bangkok and watched the movie. As "Angels and Demons" I didn't expect anything. Just enjoy. So I got the ticket in advance and waited for it while reading "Laskar Pelangi" by Andrea Hirata. I chose a different seat this time. I thought I should try a couple of rows behind the row I chose for "Angels and Demons". I considered moving the seat a few rows forward, good thing I didn't. It was EVEN BETTER seat than the one before. It's right in the middle. Perfect. I planned ahead so I wouldn't hold my pee the whole movie, but this time, I was afraid I would miss the last van to Muak Lek. According to the ticket guy, the movie runs for 2 hours so by my estimation, the movie would end at exactly 20.00, and I have 10 mins. to reach Victory Monument. So just sit back and enjoy.

I was expecting they would put the theme song in the begining. They didn't; replacing it with a very futuristic opening. The plot goes back and forth. A bit confusing in the begining but there's no anachronism in the characters' childhood as far as I know . Blame of the "Black Hole" if the viewers find the story confusing. Thanks to Spock (spoiler). I didn't have to be Nero to realize that :) The couple on my right, left way before the movie got exciting. It's either the girl didn't understand the movie (she kept asking the guy what's going on), or they're going to watch "Night at the Museum 2" in the other room. I wouldn't waste my time guessing. I was just relieved they left since the bimbo had no idea what she was watching and she shrugged annoyingly when I tried so hard to hold my laugh on funny parts. She didn't get the joke. It was the downside of watching in the theater, I couldn't laugh my head off.

So basically the movie told the background stories of the main, original characters. No Spock's birth nor his conception. Sorry Raj:). The story goes somehow unpredictable until near the end. Of course we would know the end: the heroes will win. So, in the end, they saved the day, the story end (duhh..or just started, since it was "The Beginning")

The movie ran smoothly, no broken tape. Viewer should have a small knowledge about Star Trek to fully understand the movie. It's still enjoyable if one doesn't know anything about Star Trek,though. Those who have would have the "Ohhh.." moments. If no knowledge at all, at least ability to follow the story is needed. Crucially. If not, this movie would not be appreciated or enjoyed. Isn't that what the movie maker had intended, to put some hidden story on what is obvious? I mean, they would not give the story plainly. It won't be fun and stick the viewer on their seat. So like in any other movie, viewers need to follow the story, don't sleep or chitchating while the movie is on.

Unlike "Angels and Demons", they sprinkled some romance that somehow annoyed me, a little bit. The romance distorted the image of the characters. If I were the scriptwriter, I would write the romance in Spock's logic. Oooopppssss, spoiler! Ok enough with the spoiler. The story was dynamic, the music was a step below "Angels and Demons"'s, the picture was the best. Zachary Quinto's still hot as Spock (the real Spock would be steamy). Even Eric Bana was a good-looking Romulan. The comedy, even in just a bite, was a strong point in making this movie a must-see. Overall, go watch Star Trek XI!

Live long and prosper.

No Expectation

My main purpose of going to Bangkok yesterday was to watch "Star Trek". If I woke up yesterday morning as I planned to, the story would be different. I would watch "Star Trek", stop by Kinokuniya, watch another random movie and go back before 6pm. But I got up late, so I took the later van, reached Bangkok later than planned. When I got there at about 13.00 and "Star Trek" started at 13.40 but VIP ONLY. The next one would be at 17.40. What am I gonna do for 4 hours?, I thought. I had a silent plan to watch "Angels and Demons" too, but after I finish reading the book so I would have some ideas about the movie. I need to study it beforehand, in other words( I wish I did this during college :P). I haven't finished reading the book for..5 years! Started in High School when I found the book in a book store; it was in Bahasa. I started reading the first and second chapters, and I found the English version about 2 years later,and continued to third and fourth chapters and stopped; so I actually started it 7 years ago?? Wow! And I haven't finished it! To make the story short, I watched the movie with no "preparation" nor expectation.

I had a bad habit of doing research about what I'm gonna watch. Like "300"; I watched the trailer, the making, and read the review in Bangkok Post before I watched it. Or "Hitman". It was quiet a disappointment since they can't really depict the game into a movie. It was a whack (like Jun would say). Harry Potter fans would understand that. Or "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian". Or even "The Princess's Diary". Annyyywwaayy, since I didn't finish the book, I had no expectation on the movie. I remember Deanna said about we're "disappointed by our own expectation", that so true to me. Since I had no expectation, the movie turned out to be a very good movie, excellent even!

These are reasons why it was an excellent movie according to me:

One. The plot is very intriguing. Since I had no idea how the plot will turn out, I enjoyed the fast-paced change of place. Of course it's slower and more details in the book, I believe.

Two. The plot was so fast, there was no room for romance. Why is this a good thing? I'm enjoying the excitement of actions, mysteries, and thrill, so if you (the characters) want to have romance, please, find your own time. Or play (or watch) chic flick. I wasn't in a mood for romance, and romance doesn't have to be in EVERY movie right? I'd prefer movies that have integrity; they don't have to put some romance to increase their gross revenue, in other words, get people to watch it. People are just so desperate to be loved (or just gullible) that they would be drawn for romance-themed works. Only a few movies had this integrity. The "Da Vinci Code" movie (not the book though, there was a hint of romance in the book between Robert and Sophia), "Finding Nemo", "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", and "The Passion of Christ" are just some examples of this kind of movies. Not that I don't like romance. If it's obviously a love story, or need some romance, I loved that. Like "Troy", or "Wall E". But some additions of unnecessary romance kill the movie, like in "Transformer". Come on, I want to enjoy the robots and the actions, do you have to put romance on everything? If you do, then make it more "romantic" and less "passionate". They are not Siamese twin, they can stand by themselves, romance doesn't mean passionate, vice versa. See "Wall E". Or the "Dark Knight".
That's my personal believe. You don't have to agree with me.

Three. The music. *Speechless...The best I ever heard, so far :) Really. The chanting choir, male choir in forte, Latin songs, all are my favorite.

Four. The setting. I like how Dan Brown brought the readers from places to places, gave the dynamic to the story that it wouldn't remain stagnant. I got tired just reading the book, the movie, even better! They shot the movie on angles beyond my imagination while reading [parts]the book.

Fifth. I was sitting on the best spot. In the middle.I didn't have to tilt my head backward because it's too close, or sit straight up for it's too far. My knees were stiff, though, from sitting down too long.

The movie was cut in the middle, as if the tape was broken or the tape deliverer was late (kaya di Janji Joni). The guy to my left kept eating, the noise he made was annoying. The couple to my right ate chocolate waffle (I think) the smell distracted me (I wanted some too :( ). I was holding my pee throughout the movie. Other than that, it was AWESOME!

High Cholesterol

Question on Final Test:
"What is a disadvantage of vegetative propagation (no-sex reproduction)?"

Expected answer:
"Genetically identical offspring which cuts down species variability. In other words, no more variation of offsprings."

Given answer:
"Give high cholesterol if vegetative propagation is activated in your enzyme."

I blame the question.