A Walk in the Clouds

This book was about the travel diary, a trekking that took from Sentani to the Grasberg peak. The author narrates the trip himself and complemented with his own black and white pictures. This book does not need photographs to dazzle you, if you view the photos in conjuction with author own notes, it will strongly give you idea to picking up your camera and traveling wherever the road takes you.

It was published quite sometime ago, in December '05 and it was only distributed among friends of the author (George Tahija). It makes this book a kind of rare collection and i am very fortunate to have one copy and of course with George's autograph.

A Conversation

World famous photographer Josef Koudelka was once asked:

the friend: "...you've travelled or so many years, never stopped; you've seen lots of people and countries, all sorts of places. Tell me which place is the best. Where would you like to stay?"

Koudelka didn't say anything. Just as he was about to leave, the friend asked again. Koudelka didn't want to answer, but the friend kept on insisting.

Finally the friend said,
the friend: "You know, i've figured it out! You don't want to answer because you still haven't found the best place. You travel because you're still trying to find it"

koudelka: "My friend, you've got it all wrong. I'm not desperately trying not to find that place."

Lil' Hand

I haven't gone travelling for quite sometime, last trip was to Myanmar in '06. I was planning to Peru and Bhutan this year but i have to put plan into shelf at this moment.

The above picture was taken in Don Muang airport in year '02.

The Road to Reno

Initially, i was not really interested with her works. Her photographs are more like everyday or tourist snapshots. But when i look at the way this book was prepared, i decided to order one.

This book recorded a travel journal that Inge Morath took together with the famous Henri-Cartier Bresson from New York to Reno. Photographs taken in combination color and mostly black & white. And also the original script of the daily journal was included in this book. The original script was typed in the old typewriter using Magnum notepad.

This is what makes this book interesting. Photographs is subjective and individualistic, if you take the pictures and put it together with some kind of narrative notes, the photos will become very interesting piece of memory.

New Arrivals

Two new arrivals i've got from mas Brahm, one is the compilation of Indonesian celebrities portraiture by Indra Leonardi and the other one is documentary book on Yogyakarta post earthquake.

Don't Go to University, Go to Work.

I have just finished reading Paul Arden's book, Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite. It's full of controversy wisdom and ideas but i like it because it will work for some people. Especially, his idea about school.

In every parent mindset, and probably me later, once you finish high school, you will have to go to university for further study. But the question is whether this is necessary path for everyone. At some point, i will agree with Paul's thought in this book.

Going to university usually means, "I don't know what to do with my life, so I'll go to university.'

A gap year confirm this.

They are delaying tactics.

Some people are lucky enough to know what they want to do early in life.

The majority have great difficulty in putting their asset to useful purpose.

I feel sorry for these people. It isn't easy for them. But going to university is not going to solve their problem.

Whereas going to work will.

If you start work at eighteen, you are five years ahead of someone starting at twenty-three.

At twenty-three, for all your education, you will still be the office junior.

If you get your career decisions wrong when you are young, you can alter course, but at twenty-eight it is a bit late to find out you in the wrong job.

So don't go to university unless the subject of your learning is close to your heart.

Go to work and do your learning in the school of life.

Rest and Relax

I wish i can do this every day and thinking what i really want to do in this life.