Words and I

How do you celebrate the Earth Day?

A magazine is planning to have a long march around the town. The more the merrier, the longer the march the more successful. I have no trouble imagining it. People, young and old, man and woman, in probably the same attire with colorful flags and hats, would be walking enthusiastically, making a long line along the cheering streets on a sunny morning. Some would be singing, others talking and laughing, few walking quietly, and several enjoying the view. Then in a few minutes, some would be thirsty. Then in the next hour, some would be hungry. Then on the long streets they had left behind, many kilometers away, you would find tissues, plastic bags, plastic glasses, straws, paper bags, lost hats…, quite a sum of garbage!

So, how do you celebrate the Earth Day?

The smoking room at my office is only about… 15 steps from the pantry. For someone young, healthy, and athletic, he can run from the pantry to the smoking room in a matter of seconds. Believe me. But I’m sorry to tell you that laziness has been such a severe illness not all of us can conquer easily. So today I caught a friend of mine smoking red-handedly in the pantry after lunchtime. On the pantry door, a bold sign is put nicely, a no-smoking sign. I was speechless, too shocked to say and I thought why I had to say anything about what he’s doing because he would not listen anyway.  Right now something else is on my mind… I am trying to find out whether this friend of mine is an illiterate man who can’t read the sign or he is just so dumb???

So I read today’s paper and browsed the Internet and found myself losing a tiny hope…again. Great, am I going to be so apathetic my whole life? Surely not. But the truth is it is really not going to be easy to be otherwise. 

Okay, having your own blog has been such an everyday affair. It reminds me of the time quite a long time a go (the late 90-ies) when everyone seemed to have a website! I’d been meaning to have my own blog, too. But this thing kept bothering my mind," What do I have to write about?"  I’m such a private person, mind you! Then suddenly I found my momentum. TODAY. Please, if you think you should, read Smoky Talk, my latest post. You’ll see why.

Cheers!

Today, I believe, is the historical (not hysterical, I hope) moment for Indonesia, especially Jakarta. Well, for me at least, a small dust on the sea of pebbles (never mind). This very day, the government of Jakarta has put the laws about smoking in public places into effect! Oh, what a joy for me!

There were times in my life when I would contemplate into the late hour in the night of how this thing would never ever happen in my country, at least not for another century. Yes, I was so hopeless, angry, and sad altogether with the situation that people smoked freely, even in places they’re not supposed to smoke. Perhaps many people would think that I overreacted and some might think I was weird, out of this world, or even…crazy? But really, there were times when I just didnt contemplate but cried. People who smoke make me sad, people who smoke irresponsibly make me sad more, and the smoking people who are so ignorant have all my pity. Honestly.

But I hope the new laws will be respected by all the Jakartan smokers. Not because of the severe (?) punishment (6 months in jail) and heavy fine (Rp 50 millions!) but because people will be realizing more about the bad effects of smoking cigarettes. Frankly, I can’t wait for tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear or read about how this new laws is getting along. And I hope no one gets into jail or has to pay Rp 50 millions (I could start my own library with that money!) for the stupid thing they do in public places, smoking! Really.

I do respect those smokers. I really am trying to understand how their life is so f–king miserable without at least a cigarette a day. I am trying to understand how they cant replace one cigarette with singing their favorite song (such a pity…) It’s so addictive, yes I’ve heard it lots of times and I do understand. What I never really understand is… how can they smoke freely in public places without any signs of shame when they know other people are so disturbed and this can kill others slowly?

Thank God the new laws has come! I hope this really works…and not just some smoky talks!

Peace!