リライト

Guess what.

The last time I went to a concert was in 2019. End of 2019 actually, just before the pandemic so no wonder, right? And it was a festival, not even an individual concert. I couldn’t really recall when was the last time I went to an actual one-musician-show concert, the last blog post I had for this was back in 2016 for God’s sakes!

The point is, it’s been TOO LONG since the last time I went to a real concert. The one that only showcases ONE artist be it a solo or a band. The one that doesn’t require stages changing and schedule planning. Yet I didn’t really notice that, until I saw this announcement.

 

At first...

I was surprised by the fact that...
This is freaking ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION.

Honestly I was not yet a big fan of them -was, because now, of course I fucking am now!- but they are a part of my childhood and early adulthood during my long-running Naruto era. And I know that they really are a big name in Japanese rock music industry so of course seeing that poster the first time I told myself,

“You’re going, Vick. You’re going, and you’re gonna be screaming Haruka Kanata out of your heart and throat.”

So I bought the ticket out of my sheer desire to pay homage to one of my childhood anime musicians. Nothing else, all pure for Naruto. I even thought straight in planning which outfit I’ll be wearing, disregarding the fact that I had a bigger homework to do: memorizing their hit songs.

Oh that “memorizing their hit songs” phase. 2-months full of cramming Ajikan’s songs into my ears and abusing my soul with sudden Japanese rock tunes. In Jakarta, in Bali, then back in Jakarta then back in Bali then straight to the concert venue.

At first there were only five biggest hit songs I crammed into my daily life, two of which I knew already. Then I warned myself that this wasn’t enough. Obviously. So I added five more after thorough research on the internet and Spotify listeners rank. After trying hard to get myself used to those 10 songs and its lyrics -of course I had to memorize the lyrics also, I wanted to sing along!- I began to realize that, no, this was still not enough.

So upon my second trip to Bali during this “memorizing their hit songs” phase, I added 10 more songs -TEN!! HAHA I WAS SO DEAD SERIOUS ABOUT THIS “SCREAMING AJIKAN’S SONGS OUT OF MY HEART AND THROAT” THING!- to the total of 20 songs, all played endlessly on my way to, across the streets and beaches in, and then back from Bali.

Then...

It came to my realization that...
I think I fell in love with AJIKAN.

How did I not? The songs played as the background to my WHOLE trip. Whether I realized which title was playing or not, it all played. So it subconsciously lingered to my brain. And it kept playing through my subconsciousness even when my Spotify is off, and it kept playing in my head even when I was asleep.

Rock music is not actually my main forte. But Ajikan already stole my heart with their Naruto appearances so somehow, I could tolerate their music. And eventually not just ‘tolerate’—I could actually find pleasure in their songs. Each title has a certain part that I love the most, which makes me excited to anticipate the coming of that part, which eventually, makes me love all the other parts as well. Is this how those Japanese rock music bands lure their fans??? I think so.

But really, it’s not just about the feeling. When I broke each songs down elements by elements, I somehow figured that I love every details of them. The overall moods are energizing. Not just regular energizing, but anime-opening-credit energizing. You can feel the difference if you watch anime.

The instruments are all beautifully crafted to the point that I thought to myself, “I could really enjoy these instruments alone even without the singer takes part in the song”. And surprisingly, I could’t wait to listen to those instruments on the live concert—something I rarely anticipated from a musician! The vocal, oh the vocal... Gohto-san is such a godly rock star indeed. And the fact that these songs are so compact none of them are overly repeated and none of them has a boring stretched part, I didn’t know how they consistently do it!

It’s crazy.

Crazy to think that I can be easily falling into their music. Crazy to think of, why on earth didn’t I listen to their songs years and years earlier? At this point I could’ve been a freakier fan, purchasing their most expensive ticket, fighting for their meet-and-greet session, gulping their official merchandises, wearing them proudly on the floor while screaming the loudest among the crowds as if I’m their number one groupie and know them the best.

But that’s okay. I was not that late yet. I still got to see them and catch their concert, and be that freaky fan in my own spontaneous way now that I grew stronger love towards them.

And so I left Bali, still with those 20 songs playing non-stop through my AirPods, back to Jakarta where the first concert of Asian Kung-fu Generation would take place, exactly the next day.

Oh the concert...

It's gon' be a long one as well so...

Let's rewrite it in another post.

Total(ly) Solar Eclipse

At first I didn’t really feel like joining the euphoria.

I was just too busy to bother thinking about that.

But moments prior to the big day, I started to sense the splendor of the phenomenon. It’s like, a very great and important day was coming to town. The similar sensation to expecting Eid or Christmas. Only bigger, because it had been all around the media for the last one year.

And the people, I never felt such enthusiasm before. Maybe because it’s a once-in-300-years opportunity? I mean, in 30 years we still can see a partial solar eclipse, but as for TOTAL solar eclipse, on the same track that’s going on this year, well, it won’t happen again until year 2316 something.

It reminds me a bit to the part of Naruto I’m currently watching. There’s this project initiated by the villain to create an illusion moon (“Tsuki-no-me”) that can send anybody to the realm of imagination, where people can live inside their best dream forever, leaving the chaotic real life behind. I mean, well, it’s pretty different to what‘s happening now, as this Tsuki-no-me is obviously objected by people, while our solar eclipse phenomenon is positively expected. But the uproar of the anticipation feels the same.

The terrifying Tsuki-no-me. Pic's from here.

Well that’s what I was thinking.

Until today, exactly just now,

I saw the real eclipse.

No, I was at home. And Jakarta was only served with around 80% of the eclipse. Island of Belitung in the west, and city of Palu in the east, are the ones who were exposed to 100% of the eclipse. And both cities were aired by the national televisions.

It was pretty odd here at home. The morning sun feels like dusk, bright but sunset-like bright. And praises can be heard from nearby mosques. A situation I never felt before. I mean, it’s normal to catch Islamic praises in the morning, but when the situation feels like it’s about to get dark, it doesn’t happen everyday. Well but that’s all, no significant thing happened.

Knowing that I might not get the full experience of this solar eclipse, I switched to my TV because I knew I could get something more with it. And of course I was right.

The footage in Belitung and Palu, clearly showed how a total solar eclipse is supposed to be. From its partial form one hour before the full version, to the seconds when the moon fully covers the sun. It was pretty intense, and breathtaking. Especially when the my screen switched from a normal sunset moment screen –well, a ‘sunset’ at 7:30 am was not supposed to be normal but, yea– to a complete dark in one second. Literally in one second, as if there was a giant was suddenly standing in the way. Then the eclipse ring appeared on the TV. And people started to shout Lord’s name. And the news reporter cried.

I was just watching from home, but all those things that came out of my TV really touched me deep inside. A phenomenon once in our lifetime, was revealed before my eyes. I couldn’t imagine if I was actually there in either Belitung or Palu, standing upon an open air space, seeing the best dark of my life. I might shed a tear.

Well, I didn’t really have to be there to shed a tear.

I cried already, seeing all those on my screen.

Because you see, it was that beautiful.

The majestic total solar eclipse. Pic's from here.

Then you see, I was just stating the obvious throughout this post. You may be able to get these facts from news portal or something, mine is just explaining what I know –which is soo little– and not much about the scientific reasons of the phenomenon.

Still, I’d like to get in the mood of this total solar eclipse thingy.

It’s bad enough that I didn’t even bother thinking about traveling to Belitung or anywhere around Sumatra, just because I was busy with something I can always do again later. While this exact phenomenon, will never appear again in my life.

Thank God I still get to see it at least on TV.

Sensing how crowds crumbled in tears of gratitude.

Completely realizing the fact that they—I mean, WE,

We are TOTALLY nothing

Compared to Him

Thanks for the Tears

Warning:

This post might change a little bit of your perception about me.

Again, but don't worry, this is not something I expose too often.

I'm still gonna be your cool guy who loves Pitbull. And a bit of Liverpool.

With the hobby of traveling. And watching Disney classics over and over again.

Okay that doesn't help. Or does it?

Okay so me and Naruto.

It's nothing big, c'mon. I'm not that freak about the anime. It's not like I bought the konoha headband, learn their jutsu sign, run the way they run -oh for God's sake if you ever see me doing that on a daily basis, not because I'm joking or mocking someone, please, be my guest, hit me hit me hard, and dream of being a Hokage lol please, no. It's just because I simply adore the storyline. And the characters. And how I want to learn Japanese so bad, that's all.

Although, sometimes, I got a little bit too carried away.

Like when Asuma sensei died. Or Jiraiya died. Or Sasuke finally knew about Itachi's real story. Shit man, the creator's playing with my emotion--I LOVE YOU! Also when I found out long ago that in the comic, Neji died too.

Damn. Neji. My favorite.

A member of my all-time favorite team.

But life must go on. I kept on watching the anime. Until today, the scene I've been expecting for, came to my iPad screen. I've been prepared for the last episodes because on the opening song, there's this hint of his death. Causing Naruto shocked. And Hinata trembled in tears. So ya, I'm prepared to see his death.

His death okay.

Not the everyone else's death.

Which happened on the same fvckin episode.

Shikaku, Inoichi, Ao, Mabui and every single ninja in the headquarter, was killed with only one attack. I mean, it's the HQ. A place where it should've been the safest of all. But still they got killed.

What broke my heart is not because of the characters who died. But the scene where they knew that the lethal attack was aimed for them. And they acted calm for the sake of finishing their last duty. Until death came. And it brought shock to Shikamaru and Ino who were on the battle field. Tears came down. On their faces, also mine.

I mean, oh Lord, those kinds of scene, I can never stand watching. Like what happened in Toy Story 3. When all Andy's toys are sliding to the combustion on the dumpster. They knew that the end of their life is before their very own eyes. And they couldn't do anything but, holding hands...

Why would you do that, creators of anime and cartoons, why??

You animations should bring joy to the watchers, not tears...

But after all...

Animation.

Animate.

Alive.

Live.

Life.

Life...

Life's always full of joy.

And tears. Shocks. Deaths.

So ya maybe that's what animations are for.

To keep remembering us about all aspects in life.

Well if that's the case so... Thank you all, died shinobis.

And rest in peace

Ninja Bailouts

Got to admit, it's so difficult to learn Japanese. Especially by myself. Having no class and no strict rules make me take the lesson for granted. Also with no lecturers and partners to speak Japanese with, every single thing I learned will be just gone the next second I close the book.

But hey, don't call me Vicky if I run out of ideas.

So just you know, I have a fling with Naruto anime. I guess I've told you this, but I don't know, I've always liked movies or series that consist of dozens of characters with their own specialties. Like Hunger Games.

And Naruto, well you see, the main characters are 12. It excludes their senseis, their relations, their allies, their enemies, their men from the past, and all of them, have their own unique skills.

One more thing that I like, is that these characters are somehow linked from one another. Like Naruto's mentor, Kakashi, used to be the student of Naruto's dad. And Naruto's dad, Minato, was the student of Jiraiya, who later on became Naruto's personal mentor and godfather. Such cool histories and relationships, don't you think?! Don't you??

Hmm, do I sound creepy and weird with all these talking?

Well stop thinking about that, because I watch Naruto for a reason.

Yes! To learn Japanese!

So I have this cool Naruto apps on iPad. It allows me to watch every single episode of Naruto Shippuden, without buffering -well it depends actually, since I use the home wi-fi, I've always had good times. But the coolest part is, the series are all in Japanese!!

It's like, when they start talking and I get what they say, I kept repeating it over and over again so I could remember what it is, and in what situation I should use it. It also helps me with expressions, tones, and... Pronunciations!

You see, Japanese has their own tones and certain pitch while having a conversation. And some words could sound the same with some words in Indonesian, but have a whole reversed meaning. Like "Iie" in Japanese means, "No". Sometimes it's pronounced like "Iya" which in Indonesia, means "Yes". Confused? No? Good.

So don't judge me weird because I watch anime.

I have my own defense mechanism and reasons.
It might be weird to you, but not at all for me.

Well, to be honest, I'm freak about the anime.
But umm guys, seriously, I can't help it.

Because when it comes to Naruto,

I turned geeky

If You Consider This as Abnormal, Please Let Me Know Right Away!

Before you go on, I warn you, this post might change your perception about me.

So you must know Naruto. That popular anime, and comic thing, that's just so... Popular. The story's about ninja lives. Consisting many characters of male ninjas and female ones, known more as kunoichi.

Speaking of kunoichi, I somehow have my favorite one out of many female ninjas appeared in Naruto series. Her name is Tenten.

http://www.fanpop.com/spots/tenten/images/19280197/title/tenten-screencap

From the buns set and suit she worn, and also her name, she's Chinese. She's a protagonist. But roll a minor part. That's why when she appears, it's such a sweet surprise because I somehow long for that.

When her thoughts are considered by other ninjas, I feel honored. Yet while she's ignored or forgotten, damn I feel like being cheated. Gosh it's weird, eh?

Guess I'm gonna stop it now.

It's not that I'm such a lonely, nerdy pervert.

I just appreciate the art of animation