Footnotes.1. It's not all doom and gloom and obits this week in Jakartass. Loads of we wrinklies just
keep on rocking. Neil Diamond, 65, Dolly Parton, 60, and Ray Davies of the Kinks, 61, have just entered the UK album charts.
David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, 60, is celebrating by releasing a rare solo album. Van Morrison, also 60, has just released his umpteenth CD. Joan Baez, 65, is touring the UK.
The Rolling Stones, 246 between them, are in the middle of another world tour. Bob Dylan, 64, is forever on the road, though this may actually be an experiment to establish how badly he can maul his old songs before his fans walk out.2. Like the folk above, I'm now a
sexagenarian. If I use that word in an email, will it get past spam filters? Would the proposed Anti-Pornography Law allow me to be one?
This
unnecessary legislation is but gross display of misogyny from a small group of sexual perverts who actually prefer 'their' women to be covered up because it turns them on. Tangerang, that
faux township in West Jakarta, has introduced a number of local regulations which appear to be based on strict
sharia (Islamic) law ~ no alcohol, no public kissing (which wouldn't suit 'Er Indoors) and no display of female flesh. Yet these are in fact a series of measures designed to actually increase the legislators' libido.
Quoted in today's
Jakarta Post is Novi, who has made a drastic change to her appearance.
She now wears Muslim dress - covering her neck, ears, hair, chest and body shape - and a headscarf.
"With my new look, I am earning more money because men these days are more interested in women wearing jilbabs (headscarves),"
she said.
Elsewhere, there is evidence that even complete coverups are no protection from sexual predators. Thalassa Mikra suggests that
all the academicians, politicians, religious leaders, saviours of society at large (should)
don a burqa and travel in a public bus all day. Then we can get them to shut up about how revealing clothing provokes harassment and take proactive measures to address harassment of women.3. Since
my post about the shortcomings of the Indonesian rail system, including a shortfall of a third of their rolling stock due to a lck of maintenance, I've discovered that PT KAI have a page of
timetables and ticket prices. Mind you, I haven't checked whether their info is current.
4. Regular readers of Jakartass will know that, philosophically speaking, I'm a
green. I wish I could be more pro-active, but life in Jakarta does not provide many opportunities to lead a wholesome lifestyle. One Indonesian who does is Maya, who, unfortunately (for us) but luckily for her, lives in Antibes, on the French Riviera. She blogs as
Saya -
a philosophy of life, personal journey, contribution to the world, service to mankind, source of creativity, inspirations and love of life.She has
been writing many posts about how to be a better green through recycling, reusing and reducing and also purchasing more organic or local products; supporting local businesses; promoting and supporting blogs with good causes for our world; and also advocating for Fair Trade products by selling them and/or purchasing them as much as I can. I hope she can inspire a sea change in awareness of environmental concerns here through her very attractive blog. Meantimes, if she, or you, can point me in the direction of Fair Traders with websites who are active in Indonesia, I will happily give them a permanent link to add to
Merdeka Coffee.
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