Did You Know?

Apparently, "Jakarta" is also the Korean term for "The Perfect Crime". This gives a whole new (but not entirely unfamiliar) meaning to the city slogan "Enjoy Jakarta!"

Japanese Tokusatsu's Spoof: Lionman

The proof that idle hands can lead to either tears or laughters.

For those who aren't familiar with the term Tokusatsu (and too lazy to click the link to the definition in Wikipedia), it's a Japanese term for live action shows. Yes, I know, Peter North can claim that he also stars in "live action shows". But let's not digress.

One of the old, popular tokusatsu series in Indonesia is Lionmaru, basically about the adventures of a katana-wielding warrior, who can turn into a fierce, half-lion superhuman. I can't understand now how the fact that getting your head inflated so huge, everytime you try to locate your enemies you sprain your neck, could make you stronger. But around the 80's, I and a lot of kids bought it.

In short, some guy in Bandung made a spoof from an episode of Lionmaru. In this particular scene, for example, the Indonesian subtitles turn the supposedly evil villain into a son driven to desperation for his father's love.

I figure it will spread like wildfire. It has every element that sells like crazy in Indonesia: old school reminiscence, sophomoric humor, and soap opera-quality scripts on people dressed as half-lions and bats.

UPDATE: Apparently, the Subtitler's name is Yusuf Ismail, who also did the film editing for "Anak Naga Beranak Naga", a documentary of Gambang Kromong, an Indonesian cultural performance.

How to Publish a Bestselling Book

Get an endorsement from Osama bin Laden.


Now That's Revolution

Public shools of West Virginia will develop a curriculum that require their students to play the popular game "Dance Dance Revolution." This is the state's effort to battle the rising childhood obesity rates.

For those who aren't familiar with the game, to play Dance Dance Revolution, one has to stand over a "dance pad" consisting of four directional arrows. The screen will show a series of arrows which indicate which part of the dance pad you have to step on. The timing also counts. If you step on the right pad at the right time, a sign "Perfect" or "Good" will pop up. And your scores soar.

So, the song YMCA, for example, will show righ-right-right-left-up-up-down-right-left and lastly the sign "Get outta here before you make a fool of yourself you moron! Oh, too late."


For Those Who Want to Get Their Hands on the Game...

...with less than 1/10 of the sweat. You can buy this.


Worst Undercover Attempt of The Day

Michael Jackson trying to pass as a traditional Arabian woman.

For Those of You...

...who don't give a care in the world whether Indonesians should support or ban the upcoming Playboy Indonesia magazine, let's spend our time in a more constructive activity.


If You'll Only See One Movie This Year...

...you may need to go out more. But seriously, why not check out the Lego Star Wars: Revenge of the Brick


Signs of Wisdom #5

"Valentine's Day is not the time to give your lady anything that plugs into the kitchen wall."


I Know What You Fear Last Summer

According to one Gallup poll (on the same page as the above article), the most common fear of youths is terrorism. However, trailing one percentage behind at number two is the fear of spiders. No records available about the percentage related with fear of spider terrorists.

And You Think Your Job's Tough?

Consider this case:

1. Job description: befriends a snake.


2. Requirements: loves danger, must be a hamster.


3. Occupational hazard: getting eaten.


4. Perks: being the butt of the joke--getting named "Gohan" (literally means "food").

Oxymoron of the Day

Organized fun.


Signs of Wisdom (or Lack thereof) #4

"Lettuce comes from the ground, therefore it can go back into the ground..."

A New Definition for the Term...

...battle of the sexes.

Worth quoting:

To reproduce they try to stab each other with their genitals and the first to penetrate inserts sperm and then goes on to spar with another flatworm. The "loser" lays and broods the eggs.

Sounds like a usual Saturday night in Jakarta.