Alternative meanings
-i. too tilt to one side
ii. (archaic): base form of lust, to wish for.
I only mention the alternative meanings because they best sum up Jakartass. Although I have a blogroll, to the right, which is a list of sorts, it's completely subjective. Links occasionally get added and removed. Not to be on my list is not necessarily a dishonour, although if sites are misogynist or racist, then there's no way that they'll feature.
Sites to check
Viper Blue is by Adrian in Bandung.
He has list of insightful bon mots rarely updated but worth quoting.
Today's favourite:
You know you've been in Indonesia too long when you instinctively rate 'human development' in various cities according to the franchises established there, i.e. from least developed to most developed: CFC, KFC, McD, Starbucks.
Aroeng Binang lists loads of local blogs in English, many of which I hadn't come across before. I particularly like Wisdom of Wildlife for its delightful snippets.
In the morning breeze of tropical rainforest of Southern Sumatra, a colugo (cynocephalus variegatus) glided and landed at a branch of tree. This ancient mammal of Southeast Asia reminded me of the ancient age when flying ability was evolved. Jump, climb, or glide. With the grayish color, this mammal is well camouflaged when resting on tree bark.
Listing Sites to watch
I don't carry much advertising, and what few ads there are carry my personal endorsement. Like Alicia Keys, who performed in Jakarta last Thursday and is apparently a rather good singer , I won't be a banner holder for products I don't approve of.
So, sorry, but I'm not giving a permanent link to What's New In Jakarta, which I first mentioned on 20th April. The home page has more than a dozen ads and takes ages to load, not that I'm decrying the service on offer. I'm sure it will grow and prove a useful addition to the very limited listings available, not least because it has an associated blog, Ask Miree.
Presumably newly arrived expats ask her questions such as, "Can you tell me where I can do aqua aerobics in Jakarta?" and "Do you have dates for the visit of the Bolshoi Ballet to Jakarta and can you tell me where to purchase tickets?"
Damn, I missed them as they danced away the night of 28th June.
I've also yet to receive a copy of the WNIJ newsletter.
Time Out
Jazz fans living near the Welsh/English border might like to know that John Etheridge, a deceptively vague guitarist (as described by the Guardian), is playing with Arild Andersen and John Marshall at The Guildhall, Brecon, this coming Friday, August 8th.
How come I know more about gigs like that one than forthcoming events here in Jakarta?
As a Londoner, it's inevitable that I make comparisons between the two largest cities I've lived in. Not that I get out much - parental responsibilities and poverty take their toll - but something I really miss from my London days are gigs and exhibitions.Time Out was the first, and remains the best (only?), listings magazine in London and is coming to Jakarta. I presume it will be an English language edition because all applicants for the positions of graphic designers, editors and reporters, sales and marketing staff etc "must speak fluent English".
Hopefully there will be fewer gigs I hear about after the event. It gets tedious reading reviews and muttering if only.
