Indonesian Quake, Shake, Rattle and Roll

Hello peoples,

Just to let all know that everything is fine here for us. Unfortunately some of those who lived closer to the epicenter were not so lucky, currently the death toll is 40+ and expected to rise.

Just before 3Pm yesterday I feel this vibration on the floor that got stronger and worked its way up my legs as well the desk I was sitting at. The whole desk, laptop began to shake, so it was time to move on out.

Our pool sloshed water over the sides, and considering the the level was a good 6 inches below the top gives an indication on the swaying that was going on.
So all in all it was an exciting adjunct to what was otherwise shaping up as a fairly boring afternoon. It spiked usage on twitter and Facebook and I'm sure the telcos got some additional revenues from SMS's and calls in the following hours.

More importantly we must remember those that have suffer enormous loses of love ones, friends and neighbours as well as their property.

Our thoughts are with you.

GJ

Stabbed from the Grave

Hello stalkers,

Paperwork...........................don't you just love it!!!

Seems that the whole world needs paperwork, what ever happened to the paperless office?????

Apparently it takes two months plus to change the sponsor on my work permit/visa. Yes two months to delete one name and insert another name and print out.

And during that time I'm not able to work.

So GJ is now an International Monkey Man of leisure once again.

'spose every cloud has it's silver lining.

Cheers
GJ

A First ............A Blog Post From My New Job.

Hello fellow peoples,

Just thought while I had a little spare time that I would post from my new job, at my new office, at my new desk, from my new computer. It is a tad lonely at the moment as only 3 of us here, start time is normally 9:00 am but I'm an early riser and would much prefer to start early finish early.

Have first big meeting meeting today, part of an industry presentation to no less than 40 major players, then follow up tomorrow with a media launch with the Indonesian Government, followed by planned meeting with an embassy official. So things are moving along. Only down side is having to dust off the suit, bugger!!!

Only have the black suit at the moment as the other one is at the tailor's being re-sized (Down that is).

Employee update now 4 in office.

Anyway wish me luck for the next few days.

Cheers
GJ

The Party has Started in Central Java

On the word of the likely capture of Asia's most wanted, the party started in his home town (or at least where they think he's rented a place). The locals seem happy enough!!!!!




SEE IT HERE!!!




Cheers

GJ

Friday and Saturday Nights !!!!

G'day Monkey watching Batik freaks,

As the title says, Friday & Saturday nights should be big nights out, and rightly so. For those who work, it's time to unwind and blow off some stream, catch up with friends and usually finish the night off sharing a roadside feast of sate ayam, whilst speaking in fluent braille, all to the tune from the local Mosque.

BOY will I miss those minutes between 4 and 5 am!!!!!

Why? I hear you ask,.............. well no it's not because GJ can't find a willing posse of friends (never a problem).

No!!! I'm not bedridden with some exotic tropical rash that crept off the floor and up my hairy leg whilst visiting an establishment last Friday night. I'm fully fit and ready to fire.

It's just that FG is a tad spooked by a couple of warning that have been issued over the last couple of days, about..........., yep.....you guessed it!!! some loonies that think they can change the world with a mind full of twisted ideals and a fist full of TNT.

They say the discretion is the better part of valor, doesn't seem as much fun though!!!!!!

So the weekend is full of food, friends and magic jungle juice, so all we really need is a good band ( probably will substitute an Ipod here) and presto, GREAT NIGHT. I can almost feel the braille now.

Have a happy weekend and stay safe,

Cheers
GJ

A New Job!!!! What Already?

Hello o' loyal ones,

Just a quick GJ update. Yesterday after a networking email to a friend of a friend, I was invited for an interview. So 4pm it was off to Mega Kuningan with CV in hand. Arrived a little early thanks to the fickle Jakarta traffic.

Had the interview, and now the upshot is they will send me a letter of offer today for a start date on Monday. It's a little different to what I have been doing, but they seem confident that my background and skills will transfer readily.

So we will see how it goes, nothing to lose.

Cheers

GJ

PS should check the batik policy.

Not Working is No Good for the Wallet.

Hello friends and stalkers in the cyber wonderland.

As you may or may not know GJ is not working at present. That means no daily visits to the office to slave over the laptop and supervisor the generation income for the corporate multinational. No these days are spent on the web at home, flying kites, massages and planning beach side escapes for the next few months. Yes, I know nice work if you can get it!!! And I have it, well at least til Jan 2010.................life sux for some!!! Ha.

But this lifestyle is definitely taking it's toll on poor Ol' GJ wallet. Not in the way you might expect though,.............. see GJ's poor wallet is bulging, bulging so much that it can barely be able to be folded to it normal position for insertion into my back pocket.

I have just counted the notes I have in my possession, and surprisingly in comes to the grand total of............................

492,000 IDR

Which in real money equals

AUD$59.01..............or
USD$49.81

At this point I must add that 492,000 will go a long way in this town, in equals more than half the monthly minimum wage. As long as you don't want to drink a scotch/beer/wine and teh is your preferred poison you won't go thirsty. A hot meal will set you back less than 10,000 from a street vendor, so a day out with 492,000 ain't that bad. A massage at a very nice salon will set one back 70,000, cheaper at some other places but GJ deserves the best!!!!

Back to the wallet, the composition of this 492,000 is the problem, I have 35 (see detailed breakdown below in Chart 1), yes 35 notes in the wallet, blimey that would be the same back home of have 25 $2.00 notes and 10 $1.00 notes*, this is the reason they canned the $1 & $2 notes for a coins for sure , to stop destroying wallets.

* approx

CHART 1

1,000 x 12 = 12,000
5,000 x 12 = 60,000
10,000 x 2 = 20,000 ( seem a bit light on here, need to investigate why)
20,000x 5 = 100,000
50,000 x 4 = 200,000
100,000 x 1 = 100,000

I think this situation goes to show that I'm interacting far more often with my local community than when I was in the office all day, and that is definitely a good thing.

I may have to venture out soon for a replacement wallet.

How much is in your wallet/purse/money belt/sock RIGHT now???????????

Cheers

GJ (IMML)

International Monkey Man of Leisure

I Don't Get You Guys & Gals.

I'm shaking the head at the moment.............................

For only the second time ever I post a photo on the blog, not just any photo but one where the Batik wearing Monkey Man is in the frame (I am on a surf board, not standing on the beach)...................... and not a single comment!!!

Then the next post ol' GJ goes and flies a kite with some kids and it's an avalanche of comments ( using my previous comments record as the reference point).

Now having done both activities,...and each has its merits, but for the sheer thrill of interacting with nature, the ocean wins hands downs!!!!

I won't accept any other verdict!!! FINAL, SURFING RULES. The rest of yous can go fly a kite.
Preferably in a 3rd world country on a tiny street with a group of neighborhood kids. (Shucks that sound pretty bloody good too)

What a life I have.

Cheers
GJ

Simple Joys

Hi All,

Have been working on the resume lately.

Managed to flick off an application today also.

But these are not the simple joys I refer to in the title. This afternoon as I was in front of the laptop (and not Face- booking), when the sounds of happiness and laughter echoed from the street below.

The children were out on the street flying a kite, it was a great afternoon for it. Clear skies, and plenty of wind. The sound of fun and joy was so inviting that I wandered down stairs and out on the road to join in.

Who needs high tech toys when some bamboo, twine and fabric can give so many laughs and squeals of joy.

This is just one of the wonderful sides off Indonesia.

Smile,
GJ

Now for Something Completely Different

Does it get any better than this

Near perfection!!

The ultimate past time

No batik this time just a black rashie

All Photos taken by FG on last visit to Ocean Queen



Cheers from salty, sandy Monkey Man

GJ