The Risky Journal

Gravity Movie Poster  “I think that movie is boring. It only features two actors. What’s so cool about that!” said an acquaintance of mine, commenting on a movie entitled Gravity . But I have an entirely different opinion. You probably have seen countless movies about space. But I bet you have never really experienced what it feels like to be in space. This, in my opinion, is what Gravity has to offer. Joining space shuttle Explorer, Dr. Ryan Stone, a Mission specialist nicely played by Sandra Bullock, is hired by NASA to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Accompanied by veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski, starred by George Clooney, Dr. Stone floats away in the space, trying to service the telescope. It will be outrageous if you are not stunned by a jaw dropping view of the blue Earth, which shades the work field of Dr. Stone and Kowalski. However, all of sudden, the Mission Control in Houston warns of a high-speed space debris, created by a defunct Russian satellite destr...

Akil Mochtar A shocking news surprised me when I woke up in the morning today. Akil Mohtar, the Constitutional Court’s Chief Justice, was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in a raid early on Thursday morning. Akil, who was elected as Chief Justice in August 2013, allegedly received briberies to settle election dispute in Gunung Mas regency.  Former Golkar Party politician Akil was arrested along with Golkar Party lawmaker Chairun Nisa and businessman CHN at the chief’s official house in South Jakarta. Shortly, Gunung Mas regent Hambit Bintih and another businessman DH was apprehended in a hotel in Central Jakarta. The anti-graft body’s investigators confiscated money worthy of SGD 324,000 (IDR 3 billion) from Akil’s house. The Constitutional Court, so far, has always been considered as the cleanest body in the judicial branch in Indonesia. This highest court deals with constitutional disputes and those about regional, local or national election disp...

When I wander across streets in Indonesia, oftentimes, I find people that I think as superheroes. How come? Probably these pictures may describe what I think. Credit goes to  Pak Subaktyo   Above picture is taken from a blog. As you can see, the picture shows a motorcycle fully loaded – if not overload – with things that appear to be 28 white sacks. I don’t know how much each sack weighs. But, still, it is still very dangerous! Can’t you see the driver? Yes, you can only see his legs!! Then what about him? Can he see what is on his back through side mirrors? Definitely not! Then, I suppose he has some superpower to see through the back of his head (and through the pile of the white sacks) Retrieved from  kaskus.co.id   What about these two girls? Well it is just a common scenery you will find in various streets across in Indonesia. You will often find people riding motorcycle while texting, making a phone call or chatting through various chat messengers....

Book Cover   Relieving. This one word may best describe what I feel about Paulo Coelho’s latest novel, Manuscript Found in Accra. Coelho has once again captivated my heart though his writings. I came across Coelho’s works unintentionally. I still vividly remember an American woman giving her copy of the Alchemist to me when we flew together to US in 2011. Through that book, I came to the marvelous works of Coelho. Manuscript Found in Accra tells about a story happening in Jerusalem in 1099. One night, the townspeople are engulfed in fear as the crusaders are about to attack the city, which is regarded as a holy city to Jewish, Christians and Muslims alike. The townspeople, regardless the difference of age, gender and religion, gather in a corner of the town. Suddenly, an unknown man, called himself as the Copt, appears out of nowhere. He then spreads his wisdoms to the townspeople who ask him about life, death, love, fear and any thinkable human’s life aspects.  ...

"Cool !! I have never seen that side of Superman." That’s what I thought after spending more than 120 minutes inside a movie theater in Central Jakarta last night to watch Man of Steel, a reboot of America’s most iconic superhero, Superman.  In my opinion, Man of Steel showcases an image of Clark Kent aka Kal-El aka Superman that I have never seen before.   Man of Steel , featuring Henry Cavill as Superman Man of Steel, featuring Henry Cavill as Superman, became one of the most anticipated movies this year because it is directed by Zack Snyder, the director of 300 and Watchmen, and produced by Christopher Nolan, the director of Batman Trilogy. Hopes soared high that the marriage of the two would resurrect Superman from its slumber. Opened with a narration of Superman’s origin, Man of Steel provides its audience with a scenic view of Krypton’s environment and civilization. Compared to previous Superman movies, Man of Steel probably has the most complete narrati...

Beberapa hari yang lalu saya menemani salah seorang penerima beasiswa Fulbright dari Amerika untuk mengurus surat keterangan jalan di Markas Besar Kepolisian Republik Indonesia di Jakarta Selatan. Kolom demi kolom dia isi dengan seksama hingga pada akhirnya dia berhenti di suatu kolom dan bertanya kepada saya.  “Why do they ask me to mention my religion?” kata Megan, sang penerima beasiswa tersebut. Welcome to Indonesia Megan! Anda baru saja mengalami sedikit cultural shock. Megan berasal dari Amerika, sebuah negeri yang terkenal akan prinsip pemerintahan yang memisahkan agama dari urusan pemerintahan. Bagi pemerintah Amerika, agama benar-benar menjadi urusan yang sangat sacral antara seorang individu manusia. Seorang manusia boleh saja tidak beragama apabila dia merasa hal itu benar baginya. Dia tidak akan mendapatkan sanksi dari siapapun – baik dari Negara ataupun dari masyarakat – karena memilih untuk tidak beragama. Agama benar benar menjadi urusan masing masing indi...

infojkt.com Tak terasa, hampir satu tahun saya mengendarai motor di Jakarta. Pada awalnya, saya bersikukuh tidak mau mengendarai motor di kota ini. Bagaimana tidak? Pada beberapa bulan pertama di kota ini, saya menyaksikan bahwa pengendara motor di kota ini gila. Rambu-rambu dan peraturan lalu lintas yang ada seakan tidak bisa mengatur mereka. Namun pada akhirnya saya menyerah karena saya ternyata membutuhkan sebuah sepeda motor. Pekerjaan saya yang lama menuntut mobilitas yang tinggi dan saya tidak bisa bergantung pada transportasi umum yang ada. Bus Transjakarta yang telah mengantar saya selama 6 bulan pertama di Jakarta semakin tidak bisa diandalakan. Waktu tunggu yang lama, penumpang yang melebihi batas dan jumlah armada, yang menurut hemat saya, masih terbatas membuat saya menyerah untuk bergantung pada Transjakarta. Mulai di pertengahan tahun lalu, saya menjadi seorang pengendara motor. Naik motor di Jakarta itu membuat stress. Begitulah kesan pertama saya ketika pe...