Butterfly

Last night I heard something terrible.

A pretty bad news for us 90s survivors.

The singer of "Butterfly", the opening theme of Digimon anime, that nostalgic song that still gives me goosebumps today, the spirited upbeat song of my childhood—had passed away due to his cancer.

Kouji Wada

(1974 - 2016)

Come to think of it, I didn't really listen to the original song as a child. We Indonesian kids were exposed more to the translated version of the theme, which was great, as it showed how we appreciated his song that we didn't change the other part of it -unlike Americans who created a whole new stupid opening theme and I bet even the fans of Digimon in America have no idea of who Kouji Wada was. As I grew up I knew I had an extended love for Digimon. So I began to get myself exposed to the original version of the song, and I fell in love with it.

I knew him only from Digimon Adventure -the very first serial- and the latest Digimon Tri. What I didn't know is that he was apparently also the man behind each and every single latter series of Digimon franchise. I took him for granted.

And now that he's gone, I felt pretty crushed.

Well then what can I say now,

But to wish him a very peaceful rest.

Pic belongs to him. Or her, I'm not sure.

So.

Quoting my tweet,

I'd like to say it again.

Rest in peace Mr Kouji Wada,

You'll always be the prettiest butterfly

In my childhood garden

Hello, Ex

You guys probably know about my so-called obsession in football.

Well, I’m a mediocre tho, but I do have a team I’m putting myself on their side: Liverpool. But if you’ve been so loyal to me that you never missed any of my post –which I’m sure none of you have, you knew that I began supporting Liverpool since 2010 right?

Now, do you know what, who, or which one I did support for like, eight, nine years ago? You don’t? Oh—you don’t care? Well you have to, because you’ve read this far you can’t step back.

It was Kaka, and AC Milan.

One big happy pic, taken from here.

The saga began since World Cup Germany 2006. I followed the whole Brazil’s games and Kaka’s performance was pretty entertaining to me. But they tragically lost against France and I dramatically cried upon the heartbreaking moment. WC ended, Italy won, and suddenly AC Milan came to my preference. AC Milan as a whole, not because Kaka was in there. I didn’t even know that Kaka played for Milan. Fate?

Frankly, post Germany 2006 was my very first time got seriously in deep love with –watching– football.

Serie A schedule back then was quiet unbeneficial for me as they mostly played during Italian night time which was super late midnight for me. To catch up with every game, I had to sleep early, set alarm and forced myself to wake up around 1 or 2 AM and watched the TV in the dark – well gotta admit that during my maniac time towards Milan, I was still sleeping with my brothers.

But it was a hell of a great time. I still remember every second of each night I wasted just to watch Milan. Every ups and downs stupid teenager emotions I expressed to myself, and the TV screen. The exact taste of certain chips I always had, plus every single drop of coffee I sipped to keep my eyes opened, yea, I remembered everything. But my adoration for Kaka, that’s what I cherished the most.

Aside his football playing skill, he was an incredible person. Religious, family-oriented, I looked up to him as if he was my very own older brother. But the greatest thing I like the most from him was, his way of living. Way of believing in himself and achieving his dream. Damn I was so freak back then. I never even played good football but I acted like he was my hero for not only the sport, but for all aspects in my life. I was crazy obsessed about him like, oh you wouldn’t believe all the weird things I did back then – which, for the love of God, I’ll never ever tell even to my closest friends.

I even had a magazine about him. Special edition, exclusively talking about him. I enjoyed every single page of it, especially the part when he mentioned that joining Milan had always been his long goal. And to show his grateful for the chance to finally be able to play for his dream team, he said that he wouldn’t ever consider moving out of Milan. Perseverance, and loyalty—could I fall more for him?

Couldn’t.

Because in 2009, he decided to move to Madrid.

This shattering a$$hole pic is from here.

Sounds too much, but it broke my heart. It showed me really clear that there’s no such thing as pure loyalty. Milan wasn’t that bad on that time so, why would he move? I subconsciously began hating him. And deep inside kind of hoping that he couldn’t be as bright as he was, when black-red stripes was still covering his body.

And umm, my honest prayer turned out to be working well eh?

Kaka didn’t make it well in Madrid and deep inside I was like, happy.

It’s been years but I couldn’t seem to move on that much. Even during Brazil 2014, I still felt super satisfied seeing him “struggling to get my attention back”.

But remembering the time I was still deeply in love with him, every ups and downs stupid teenager emotions I expressed to myself and the TV screen while watching him, the taste of grilled-salmon flavored chips I always had during his game, plus every single drop of coffee I sipped to keep my eyes opened while seeing him on pitch, well, I can’t lie, he is a part of me.

Because no matter how stupid and heartbreaking his decision was,

Apparently the things I adored back then from him,

Is getting more relevant to me.

And for that, I still love him.

Thank you, ex-idol.
And happy birthday

The Local Warming

So the day I was anxious about had come.

The day I referred to as my runaway, yea it came.

Yes, the day I meet my idol again.

Skenoo Exhibition Hall

September 1st, 2013

Can't really tell you how I exactly felt. This was his third time coming to Jakarta, and my second time coming to his gig. My friends didn't really expect him and even had no idea that he planned to come again. It also meant that, no one would ever be going to the concert.

So I don't care.

I watched it anyway.

Alone again and that was okay.

Unlike his second concert which was started around 9 and ended before 10, this time, the whole concert was much more humanized. We queued at an air conditioned hall, sitting, sequentially entered the main hall and only waited like one hour before the show started.

8 PM, music played, lights dimmed, bands started performing and boom! There came my all-time, top notch, irreplaceable idol. I knew I watched him before, but once I saw him on stage yesterday, it felt like my first time. I yelled, I chanted his name hysterically, I was like a male groupie.

He sang like every single hits he hit. His original songs, his songs where he got featured within, some popular songs as the bridge to his main songs, AAARRGGHH I DO LOVE HIM!! Funny thing was, I'm sure I was the only one who rapped with him. Other people, who stood in front of me, hindering my way from my idol, acted like his biggest fans, only sang the choruses which mostly done by featured artists. I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO MASTERED THE RAP!

And people glanced at me for that. I didn't really know, and care, what they were thinking about. But I'm sure it was either how could he do the rap?? or perhaps the contrary. Shut up, you stupid hoe! We're trying to enjoy Pitbull here! But what can I do, people?? It's just my nature to rap along Pitbull's songs. And I paid to feel the concert anyway, so the songs and the stage were half mine.

On some level of the concert, I stopped singing and just rolled my eyes to where that guy moved. The beat, the rap sensation, the lighting, the fvckin smokin hot dancers, the Armando Christian Perez...

I adored that guy.

I do, wholeheartedly, adore that guy.

I realized I wasn't just acting like a fanatic fan in front of my friends, these last three years.

But I, really am a fanatic fan of Pitbull.

After one hour and fifteen minutes, he got off the stage. People kept screaming "We want more, we want more!" but I knew, he wouldn't be coming out again. 

So the hall started to be clearing off, and I started to get near the stage and saw if I could bring something home. Earlier on the concert, Pit threw his recently-wiped-to-his-bald-head hankie right to my spot. But my hand couldn't stretched further and I failed several centimeters before a male scum bastard ass snatched the cloth right before my very face.

So yea once again, I only got a playlist paper.

Even a bule staff of his couldn't get me the towel...

Well then I returned home.

But no, I didn't feel down...

The concert really opened my mind about how I actually idolized Pitbull a lot.

People know that I like him, people turn to me when it comes to Pitbull.

The guy's all about me and it's just the other way around, vice versa.

But I just never realized that this thing is real deep.

Feels a bit dramatized eh? But no, I really mean it.

Then came the question, "How was Pitbull, Vick?"

"Rocked my night." I answered. "And I'm sure he'll be back soon.

Even if apparently, he's holding another concert tomorrow, well friend,

I'm so gonna see it again."

To Batten, Barton, Durstine, Osborn, and Their People

I knew BBDO for more than a year. I like the agency. It's big, it's worldwide, it's the most awarded one internationally and I'm sure, it's so prestigious to work for it.

Then I got to know it much deeper last year, when I was an intern at BCA. Met some cool people, learned how they worked, explored stories that subconsciously convincing me to try my luck there, met some cool people--oh. Have I mentioned that? Well because I did, meet some cool people.

Mas Haris

was the Creative Director. Came to BCA, presenting creative proposals. I adored him.

Mas Didit

was the Executive Creative Director. Never seen him working as an ECD but he was my lecturer at the campus tho, so, I happened to know how agency works. I adored him.

Mas Awal

was the Copywriter. The first real, agency-worked-for copywriter I ever shook hand with. I never knew how he worked but, since I never met anyone else with title "Senior Copywriter" written on his name card, I adored him already.

The three of them.

They were the reason why I shouted like a scoring dad when the HRD called me, telling that I was accepted as the copywriter intern. I finally got to see them. And some other cool people I've been stalking for since the previous year, and I've been dying to work with.

So June 17th I came to the office, but...

It was only Mas Haris who remained staying -and he's leaving soon.

I knew that Mas Didit had long gone even before I gave a fvck about the internship thingy.

But knowing that Mas Awal,

and those cool people I thought I'd be seeing in real life,

Had all resigned from the agency without me knowing because I stopped stalking...

Well I can't judge. I barely knew the rest of those people. I didn't even know well those people who left, so why should I feel down already? There must be reasons why BBDO turned to be my way. There must be reasons why I wasn't as happy as when I was accepted in BBDO, once Ogilvy called me for schedule-matching interview.

And it turned out to be real.

I got everything what I need in here. Experience, insights about agency, the professional world, the office intrigues, facts and gossips about THE other agencies -and it made me relieved that I wasn't called again, new friends, and the most important thing, of course, the experience of working as a true copywriter.

Thank you, BBDO.

With Mbak Oni, the senior copywriter.

Anyway.

Yes, this post is not yet ended.

On my second day of working there, I got an ID card of my own, proudly posted it in all social media I have, and stating something like "Ah, feels like hired. I hope this'll be permanent."

So thank God that wish didn't come true.

Thank God no one convinced me to stay and help a little longer.

Because now I realize,

I'm not ready yet

This Is Harder Than High School

This year is a party time for football lovers. You know,

Arsenal will come, Chelsea will come, Liverpool will come...

Ah yes, Liverpool will come.

To Indonesia, to the land I'm staying at.

This could actually be like, you know, a chance for me to show the universe that I am trying to be a good fan of Liverpool. And um, this could be the only time for them playing here! I mean, WHEN ELSE WILL THEY BE COMING TO THIS CRAPPY COUNTRY!?

But... Yeah, there's a 'but'.

You know I'm not posting this story for a scrubby reason.

This is a real deal because, you know what, Pitbull will also come this year.

Yes, Pitbull. Again.

The all-time-fave-rapper-of-mine Pitbull.

He'll come. Again. And it gave me some hard times.

I know, I should've just pick Liverpool over Pitbull but... Got to admit, I adore the Cuban bastard much much more than all Liverpool players. Combined.

And the last time he came, well since I obtained his ticket for free, I couldn't help but promised myself that the next time he's coming to Indonesia, I won't risk my chance again by waiting for some stupid free tickets. I will just buy my own ticket instead. No matter how expensive it'll be. No matter what.

And now that he's coming again,

Along with the game of Liverpool,

I don't even know how to react.

Image of Captain Gerrard is from here, and Pitbull's from here.

I drool.

I drool like a mule.

Oh how could I dare to miss the duel

Of my favorite club, right before my stool?

But you know I won't say no to my lengua española fuel.

The guy who made me love to rap like a fool.

Argh, this is so uncool.

If only I have a gold pool,

I don't have to face this mull.

So, Liverpool or Pitbull?

God this bugs me deep into my skull

P.S. : I don't know why, but I have this feeling that somehow, eventually, I get to see both of them this year.
Just, Amen o Lord :')

Cause I Rap With The Best, For Sure

Let's talk about hobbies. Well, I like singing. Discreetly. Like inside the bedroom, inside the bathroom, inside my heart, or among the crowds, but when nobody sees me tho. After all, I sing for myself.

And talk about singing. You know I like Pitbull. And Nicki Minaj. And Jason Mraz. And Black Eyed Peas. See the things in common from those singers?

Yes, they mastered wordplays. They rap.

Now talk about rapping. I like rapping. I do rap, sometimes. Well, most of my times. Especially in Pitbull's songs. In each and every single song of his, there's always the rap verse. And I can do that, some of that. Actually, I'm a shy bird and showing-off-not-of-a-kind guy. But when it comes to Pitbull's raps, I can't help but sing along.

Some of my friends noticed my rap skill. One of them even suggested me to develop my own YouTube channel of my own rap covers. Well that wasn't a bad idea. In fact, I've been thinking to do that.

It's not because I want to be famous, oh Lord, no way! I'll earn my fame in my own way. It's more like to, you know, distribute this uncontrollable desire of rapping somewhere decent. Also for me later on my old days, to remind the old me that when he was younger, he could do such cool raps.

Well, what do you think guys?

Geez no, ain't talking to you.

I was asking them instead.

Here are the links for Jason's, Nicki's, Pitbull's and BEP's pics

Well,

I do like singing.

After all, I sing for myself.

But for rapping, I can consider go public.

Haha who cares what others think.

Uncle Pitbull once said in one of his songs,

"It's my life,

Imma do what I do.

And if you don't like it

It's cool, f*ck you" :)

Don't Phunk With My Heart

Gue baru baca berita dan apa yang gue dapat?

BLACK EYED PEAS MAU BUBAR

Wawewowawewowawewowawewo apa apaan nih? Gue baru aja demen ama mereka setaun belakangan, terus sekarang mau bubar?? Eh lo berempat gilakaliye. Dateng dulu plis kemari (Indonesia, lagi) baru suka suka lo mau apa, asal jangan pada bubar.

Denger denger sih ego si Fergie terlalu tinggi jadi dia mau out. Oh tidak, justru kan dia yang paling gue dengerin dan liatin di lagu lagunya BEP.

should you leave so soon, Fergie?
Where is The Love of yours?
Don't Lie, you do need the BEP
and I Gotta Feeling that those men won't be as shiny as they are now

...without your humps

Image source: here