Frat Rock

Throw your phones up in the air, and wave 'em like.... I just don't care.

I've been to a few concerts in my day, but two things have finally gotten on my last nerve: people who use their cell phones as lighters during rock anthems, and people who decide to call some unfortunate soul who couldn't make it to the concert just so they can hear a part of the concert.

The pseudo-lighter effect is just plain cheesy. Hundreds of blueish LCDs don't have the same ambiance as the butane glow that's persisted through decades of rock legends. Fire is a symbol of life, of something natural, of rock's undying spirit. Sure, rock music has evolved, but the spirit is still the same. Cell phones only represent a materialistic nature, which is more like pop music; one hit wonders deserve a cell phone glow because, like materials, they'll be gone tomorrow.

Can you imagine being the poor soul getting this call from your friend who's at a show you only wish you could be at? Wouldn't you just want to reach through the phone and throttle your friend for basically saying, "Here's what you're missing, SUCKER!"? Not only that, but isn't it essentially stealing? I'm not allowed to bring a recrding device because they want everyone to pay for the experience. But Joe Fratboy gets to bring his cell phone to call all of his already-paid-for-friends...? How is this different from bringing a recording device? Sure, phone calls can't be mass-produced and sold, but you are still providing a service to those who cannot pay to attend the concert in person. Not to mention that the person on the other end of the phone cannot really hear what you want them to hear; all they really hear is noise. Joe Fratboy's a real friend, isn't he...

Put the phone away; I'll see you in the pit.

Into Indo

Oh, the sunsets... If only all the sunsets during the trip were like this. Actually, I can only remember 3: the night of my brother's wedding, the night at Tamahlot, and the night at the dirty beach. I know there were sunsets on the other nights, but I just don't remember them. Chris and I had to ham it up for one of these pics, because I think we needed to release a bit to energy... We rushed to get to the beach to see the sunset, so we were still a bit hyper.

The first place we really visited was Taman Mini, which was basically a "little Indonesia." It showed us a snippet of the different island cultures and things to see and do while in Indonesia. My grandmother got a kick out of the pseudo-Tigger, who apparently was very "gabby."

We also went to the bird park located at Tamah mini. I was the only one who really wanted to go in, but was able to convince my mom and Chris to join me. Everyone else in my travel group was afraid of the bird flu... nuts to that. If I'm going to get sick, I'm going to get sick. And I don't remember hearing of any cases in Indonesia, let alone in an entirely enclosed bird sanctuary! But whatever...



Welcome to Bali! Thanks to Chris and Val for traveling to Bali with us; they were the greatest friends, interpreters, and guides that we could ask for. I should bake them pies...

The first day we were there, we went to the popular town of Kuta, where they had a Polo store every 100 feet. No joke. But just about everything there was really inexpensive; I got a huge bottle of water for what was basically 15 cents. T-shirts were around $1.50, nice luggage for less than $30... Good thing I only walked out of there with the water.

The following day we went on a big tour of the island. Our first stop was the biggest Hindu temple on Bali. I think this was also the biggest Hindu temple in Indonesia, but don't quote me on that. Big was a bit of an understatement... And even though it was rainy (check out my mom in her "poncho sarong"), the visit was really cool. The temple is on the tallest mountain on Bali, over 3000 feet above sea level, which afforded us some great landscape views of the whole island.

Val and I ended up breaking away from our big group and somehow ended up with a guide of our own. (Don't we look cute together in our sarongs?) Along the way, I learned the difference between bale, bole, bali, and bule. Bahasa seems easy to learn, I just wish I would have had more time to learn. (Bahasa is the official language of Indonesia, and the word "bahasa" translates into "language." So if anyone says they can speak the bahasa language, they're being redundant.)

Ah... lunch. Maybe it' s because I was really hungry, but the food at the Dirty Duck Diner was some of the best I've ever had. Not just in Indonesia... But I can have the same opinion about freeze-dried food after a long day of hiking. I was so hungry and the food cost so little, that I asked for everything on the "special" menu. The honey basil prawns were possibly the best part of the meal... But the entrees were delicious, too...

Afterward, we all went to the beach to watch the sunset, which was a surprise because it had rained all day. The next couple of days were spent relaxing, swimming, snorkeling and whatnot. Overall, a great time. I just wish I could have stayed longer.

O brother, what a wedding!

Congrats to my brother and his new bride! I thought she was taking enough of a risk by marrying him, but then she stepped it up by dancing with him! I guess he remembers a lot of the moves from his days in show dance... yes, I remember and we still have the video tapes. Maybe that will be my belated wedding present...

The wedding itself was really great, at fit the personalities of Tim and Rina. I don't know much about Indonesian wedding traditions, other than a really big reception. Apparently, Tim and Rina had to "trick" people into showing up for the wedding instead of the reception, because they wanted people to attend the ceremony more than the reception.

I guess the other Indonesian tradition is that the groom will pick the bride up at her house the morning of the wedding. This conflicts with the western tradition that it's bad luck to see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding. Oh well... bad luck either way? Nah... What God has joined together, let no luck put asunder.

The day itself started off well...very relaxing. Tim, Chris and I opted not to do all the things that the ladies were doing: cream baths, facials, massages, haircuts, etc. Therefore, we were left with some free time to sleep or listen to Chris sing showtunes. We were supposed to meet up with Rina and her immediate family at the photo studio for some family pictures before the wedding. I think there's a good reason why I never hang around when women are getting their hair and makeup done: I don't recognize them in the process... Sometimes even scary...

I recognize these people...sort of...

Ah... Now isn't that better? Chris was religated to using my camera to take some pictures, and must have been a little bored because I ended up with several pictures of Chris. Weird; anytime I try taking a picture of myself, I end up with one of those arm-extended-toward-the-camera pictures, but chris manages to avoid that... Maybe he's just too sneaky.

One of the highlights was the Newlywed Game. The new bride and groom were pulled on the stage with 2 other couples, and were asked questions about each other. I guess the winner was supposed to ask his/her partner to dance... I still don't know who came out a winner on that deal, but at least it was entertaining.

I guess Tim and Rina will move back here in the summer, so I'm looking forward to seeing more of them.