Autumn, you’re slipping away too soon.

…but the poignant winter lights are too pretty to be missed.

Just because every girl can dream.

…and fulfill a geek-ish wanderlust.

29102011 @ Organisation Européenne pour la Recherche Nucléaire.

(Oui, plus connue sous l’acronyme: CERN)

Lead me to the path.

…and I’ll follow, if you please.

A hand in mine.

It took my attention from the beginning when it comes to choice of beverages, we share different views. Hanging out at the same worldwide franchised coffee shop, he’ll order tea and I’ll have my usual cup of coffee.

On our first meeting, we had conversations about–well, everything, killing time accompanied with our white paper cups.

Such conversations later became our ritual, our interval, the luminous place between now and what’s next. It seems ubiquitous and legal, solitary and communal. Somewhat paradoxical, yet enjoyable.

In very each encounter, a space opens between the molecules; but at the same time an empty void is filled.

Our minds fans open. Ideas shared. Stories told. Laughter exchanged.

The moments spent were brief, yet worthwile. And I would want to have more of it, after January.

Like a cup of coffee, the bliss of his company. Savouring each sip after the scorch has dissoluted, before the cup feels loose and lukewarm like a hand in mine.

 

- As dedicated to Naufal Fileindi.

Things you joke up and about on a Friday afternoon. Really, Molen.

So I am not the type of person who regularly checks my Facebook, like, on a daily basis. Logged in and realised I had several notifications coming up, for replies on status which extended into some stupid discussion and went like this:

Selwas, Gulardi and I suffered 4 painful years of education in lawschool. All outsmarted by a former hip urban-styled radio announcer.

And presumably, Google.

Update:

Along came a reply 2 hours later.

The departure lounge.

Monday morning in mid-July. Soekarno-Hatta airport.

Him: “Hi.”

Her: “Hi.”

Him: “Of all places.”

Her: “…and it’s the airport.”

Him: “I could have asked.”

Her: “Well, it turned out to be a pleasant surprise, don’t you reckon?”

And we departed through different boarding gates, foolishly wishing to possess the ability of arranging coincidental encounters.

 

By the way, I know you thought it was pleasant.

happy 40th deathday, James Douglas Morrison.

 

“People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain.”

(Jim Morrison. December 8, 1943 – July 3, 1971)

 

The faintest trace of pain is fading.

Adiós.

A sip of coffee, a music festival and the widespread so-called revolution.

On his way to the Glastonbury Festival, friend of mine texted me a few days ago, “there will be no revolution without coffee shops.” Well, he was sort of drunk when he sent me the message, but I would never object on his point. I have read that without Café Procope, France might never have had its revolution. Voltaire, a regular, used to drink forty cups of coffee a day. Along with the list of customers were names such as Denis Diderot, Jean-Jacques Rosseau, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. In Habermas’ theory about public sphere, coffee shops—along with newspapers, journals, reading clubs, and Masonic lodges—would work as a check on state power. It is not a surprise that discussions conducted in public spheres help trigger public opinion into political actions. Now, has social media successfully did the exact same contribution on the political upheavals happening all around the world?

Influence on society is not only social, cultural, institutional, economic or political, but also technological. In this sense, we could see the social media’s role in the societal system, having the ability to deviate from dominant structures, practices and actors within that system, and also connect to a wider world. The internet today IS the public sphere, 2.0. Now combine this with widespread political angst oppressed by an authoritarian government, demanding expectations from an economic instability. Voices, thoughts and ideas are amplified through the use of Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter— ‘revolution’ is all but certain.

Well, it magnifies your messages, speaks your thoughts out loud—but coffee shops and social media alone did not create revolution. Neither did the Glastonbury Music Festival. Or Bono.

It was the people.

keep calm and carry on.

…just don’t forget to drink your coffee later.

crossroads.

Lies and sighs to the point of falling apart.

…and you embraced me through the night that was about to disappear.