#KADIR Graffiti

[heavygyroscope]

London 2023

[reelvibes91]

Story Ave: Street Art and Powerful Themes Collide

Stories are supposed to be captivating and bring you into a world you know little about. Story Ave just does that as it immerses you in the world of Kadir and his bond with graffiti and the way it helps him express his emotions.

Led by Asanta Blackk as Kadir, we see a lot of heavy themes on display. Loss, grief, family, and choices. Blackk is phenomenal in the lead role as he feels the grief of losing his little brother and making a series of choices that could have a larger impact on his life going forward.

Every single person has faced a crossroads in their life where a decision is made. That is what this film showcases. We are in control of what we do, the consequences that arise from choosing one over the other and how we must live with the outcome.

Story Ave is a beautifully shot movie which puts the Bronx on full display. Every aspect of it. The good and the bad. Real stories don't hide the truth, they embrace it and that is why Story Ave is so captivating right from the beginning.

It is mostly after Kadir is given the task of robbing someone as initiation into a street art gang the film really kicks off. He chooses Luis (Luis Guzman) a lonely MTA worker with very little left to lose. Instead of hating on Kadir he asks to have a meal with him which leads to the two of them bonding.

It is really heavy at times as Kadir is forced to choose a life of violence or take the risk of applying to school and facing rejection. Blackk and all of his cast mates take this on well. We see the juxtaposition of those who tried hard and escaped the violence and those who did not.

Story Ave is compelling because there are so many people who don't escape the violence and who willingly choose it as way to feel like they have a place. We can tell any story we want through creative expression in this life. We don't have to choose a predetermined path in life. The relationships we have shape the choices we make in life, good and bad. All anyone can do is try and make the right ones given the circumstances.

[tomorrowedblog]

Friday Releases for September 22

Friday is the busiest day of the week for new releases, so we've decided to collect them all in one place. Friday Releases for September 22 include EXPEND4BLES, No One Will Save You, Faith Is A Rock, and more.

EXPEND4BLES

EXPEND4BLES, the new movie from Scott Waugh, is out today.

A new generation of stars join the world’s top action stars for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in Expend4bles. Reuniting as the team of elite mercenaries, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Sylvester Stallone are joined for the first time by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy Garcia. Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills to use them, The Expendables are the world’s last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table. But new team members with new styles and tactics are going to give “new blood” a whole new meaning.

No One Will Save You

No One Will Save You, the new movie from Brian Duffield, is out today.

From 20th Century Studios, “No One Will Save You” is an action-packed face-off between Brynn and a host of extraterrestrial beings who threaten her future while forcing her to deal with her past.

Spy Kids: Armageddon

Spy Kids: Armageddon, the new movie from Robert Rodriguez, is out today.

When the children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful Game Developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, they must become spies themselves to save their parents and the world.

Barber

Barber, the new movie from Fintan Connolly, is out today.

A private investigator (Aidan Gillen) exposes dark secrets and corruption after a wealthy widow’s granddaughter goes missing.

It Lives Inside

It Lives Inside, the new movie from Bishal Dutta, is out today.

Sam is desperate to fit in at school, rejecting her Indian culture and family to be like everyone else. When a mythological demonic spirit latches onto her former best friend, she must come to terms with her heritage in order to defeat it.

Cassandro

Cassandro, the new movie from Roger Ross Williams, is out today.

From Luchador to legend. Don’t miss the inspiring true story that is Cassandro.

The Origin of Evil

The Origin of Evil, the new movie from Sébastien Marnier, is out today.

A woman is sucked into a world of secrets and betrayal as the battle over her estranged father’s massive estate reveals him to be more than the genial patriarch she’d assumed in this twisted satire.

Story Ave

Story Ave, the new movie from Aristotle Torres, is out today.

South Bronx teen Kadir (Asante Blackk) is a gifted visual artist who loses his way following the death of his younger brother. Overcome with grief and struggling with the pressures of school and family, he escapes into the thrilling yet dangerous world of graffiti gangs, seeking an outlet for the creative force threatening to explode out of him. To prove himself and join his neighborhood’s ruling gang, Kadir tries to rob no-nonsense MTA conductor Luis (Luis Guzmán) on the Story Ave subway platform. He is caught off guard when Luis agrees to give Kadir the cash if he’ll sit down to a meal with him. Following their conversation and the delicate, transformative friendship that grows out of it, Kadir sees for the first time how his artistic talent could lead to a better life.

The Continental

The Continental, the new TV series from Greg Coolidge and Kirk Ward, is out today.

The three-part event will explore the origin behind the iconic hotel-for-assassins centerpiece of the John Wick universe through the eyes and actions of a young Winston Scott, as he’s dragged into the Hell-scape of 1970’s New York City to face a past he thought he’d left behind. Winston charts a deadly course through the hotel’s mysterious underworld in a harrowing attempt to seize the hotel where he will eventually take his future throne.

Still Up

Still Up, the new TV series from Steve Burge and Natalie Walter, is out today.

Bonded by insomnia, best friends Lisa and Danny stay connected late into the night and find their way through a world of wonderfully weird surprises as their relationship deepens.

The Bunny Graveyard

The Bunny Graveyard, the new game from Pichon Games, is out today.

The Bunny Graveyard is an episodic horror adventure about a bunny who seeks to find the horrifying truth behind her existence. Immerse yourself in a world of pixel art inspired by GBA and NDS graphics, while unraveling an enthralling story that keeps you hooked!

Faith Is A Rock

Faith Is A Rock, the new album from MIKE, Wiki, and The Alchemist, is out today.

Scarlet

Scarlet, the new album from Doja Cat, is out today.

RIP Human Art

RIP Human Art, the new album from EARTHGANG, is out today.

[truly-morgan]

This is (nearly) all my aspec characters

Wanted to do some pride drawing but I feel son drained from working and also my motivation is dying from me never being satisfied of what I make. So here is close to all my Aspec characters (only three missing, but I never designed them before).

I feel like gushing about my characters, so under the cut more about them for those interested.

[from left to right, top to bottom]

> Kyosuke Hamada: Telekinesis artist who’s been stuck in a illegal and underground lab to be studied on since his childhood. Really love sweets and arts, his walls are always full of painting.

> Kadir: A demon who became a bounty hunter after taking example of his three adoptive dad. Pretty short tempered and really powerful, he’s not good at getting along with other people. The only one he could call a friend (more like frenemy) would be Tamir, even though the other demon always tries to piss him off.

> Evan Matsui: A human vessel, he took upon himself the task of carrying a demon so his twin brother doesn’t have to. He’s pretty bad at befriending people and often keep people at a distance to make sure Kuro won’t try something with them. His brother is really precious to him.

> Raph P.: A oc from the movie Osmosis Jones, firstly a white blood cell who then became infected by Thrax but didn’t died. He’s kept by Thrax side mainly as an entertainment, losing parts of his memory easily and somewhat chasing after the virus so he don’t get kill of left behind. I though it was funny to make an body cell ace, I know I’m really funny.

> Nikolaus Fichter: A spider hybrid who’s a librarian after being taken in by one when he was little. Doesn’t goes out much and isn’t really good at socializing, but if someone gets to know him he’s pretty nice and will talk more easily. He’s a total bookworm, which is sort of why he’s often in the bookstore/library.

> Jérémie Prieur: Cat hybrid abandoned by his parent at birth, he’s picked up by a teacher who took care of him. He doesn’t go out of the house much because of his appearance but does like to interact with people online. He can come off as a little naive and innocent at time since he doesn’t have much real life experience, but one shouldn’t believe he has the mind of a kid either.

> Yashiro: A pretty cold man who doesn’t approche people much and prefer being alone. If it wasn’t for Koseki, he would be living in the middle of nowhere all alone, but he needs to take care of this little carefree subterra to makes sure nothing bad happen to them. He got a real soft spot for this little fella even if no one would catch admitting to it out loud and would do anything to keep them safe.

> Samuel Roy: A hitman addicted to coffee who only have one friend and for which anyone else is just a source of annoyance. He don’t care much about other people which help a lot for his job. He lives from day to day and doesn’t really have any plans or dreams for the future, as if he could die tomorrow because of his line of work and accept that fact.

> Keir: An incubus who really love sex and doesn’t really mind who’s their partner. They roam around the human realm to have some fun and eat good food. They can switch their body appearance to whatever could please someone best but often stick to a more masculin and androgyne body.

> Theòs Mortem: Previously a death god before people kicked out of the death realm after pushing people to die earlier than expected by tricking them into dying. They have a really morbid fascination of humans dying from their own hands and will often play mind game to push someone over the edge, but never does anything himself physically. They switch from a masculin to a feminine appearance when needed to be more trustworthy in someone eyes.

> Cassius: a greek dragon who loves to travel around the world, but often stick to Bankei side. He got a grudge against human for causing the dying of his people, in big part at least. Yet, he’s still interested by what said human can do, despite this grudge.

> Jim Campbell: A teenager who believes in alien and who destined a big part of his early teen to fight against an alien who came to earth in an “attempt” to invade it. He loves everything that is supernatural and cryptic, doesn’t really know what to do in the future since this field isn’t something stable and his parents want him to have a good job.

> Billy Anderson: Young boy who loves to cause trouble and would do anything for his two best friends. He’s adventurous and often get himself injured or in trouble, yet it never stop him from having crazy ideas to suggest to his friends. He plan on getting out of the town the moved in and to hopefully still be with those two friends of his.

> Ludwig Lange: A tall demon who works in a freak show as a scene master, even if he come to pull the string behind the scene at some point. He absolutely loves his crew and would do anything to protect them from outsider coming at them. He easily adapt to his time and finds humans to be pretty fascinating.

> Casey McCormick: A little rat hybrid who loves photography, they are pretty shy at first, but once they know you they’re a real chatterbox. They would love to became a professional photograph and practice on their own or with close friend of them.

> Yasuhiro Ogawa: Due to a curse in their family, Yasuhiro is an snake hybrid. They don’t mind it much though since their uncle, who’s the same, made sure to make them feel at ease. They work as an bartender in their best friend gay bar, but will from time to time be a dancer when the bar is short on dancer or when they feel like it since it something they enjoy doing anyway and the only safe way they can show their scale under the pretense of it being prosthetic.

> Cyrus: Little angel who has fallen from heaven after some other took revenge on him and pushed him down after taking away his wings. Once on earth lost all his memories and could only remember his name because of a pendant. He was found by Micha who then decided to keep him under his wing and even let him work at his bar. Cyrus can be a little naive at time and can be easily trick, which is why Micha keeps a close eyes on him.

> Gabriel Woods: He became mute after some injuries cause to his vocal cord by his mother. After the traumatic incident he was taken in by his best friend family who treats him like a family member and do their best to help him heal. He works as a waiter in a small family restaurant where his best friend is also employed even if it can be challenging at time, most costumer are regular who are cooperative when he has some difficulty communicating correctly.

> Sculptor: A sculptor who’s going through hard time after his young daughter death. He goes through his grief with his art, but the support of his friends is what helps him better. 

> Han Tsao: Someone who loves art and doing graffiti, working in an antique shop after being caught graffiting over the back wall of the shop. He still became a good friend with the owner and kept working there even after paying back the cost of repainting the wall. He would love to became a professional wall painter artist.

> Sebastiano Leone: Became a vampire when a pandemic broke out in his little town and his wife and daughters were affected. He threw out the window faith and went to follow rumors of a vampire nearby as an attempt to save them, but took too much time convincing the vampire to turn him. His biggest regrets is not being there when his family died. Nowadays he travel around the world, trying to fade into the decor and live normally. He decided and promised to himself he would keep on living since he know his wife wouldn’t want him to end is life just to join them, carrying an old locket with his family portrait as a way to make them keep on living too.

[abdulharisbooegies-blog]

Memori 86 Pesantren IMMIM

Oleh Abdul Haris Booegies

    Memori 86 merupakan seikat pengalaman selama belajar di pesantren pada 1980-1986.  Catatan ini sekedar corat-coret, bukan esai berat.  Saya menganggapnya tulisan berkategori kacang goreng.  Bisa dinikmati kapan saja, di mana saja.  Saat menunggu teman, menanti mikrolet atau penat sesudah berselancar di lautan luas Internet.     Dahi tidak perlu berkerut untuk mencerna catatan ini.  Sebab, isinya bukan persoalan berat.  Beberapa nama disamarkan untuk menjaga keharmonisan silaturrahmi.  Sementara istilah Gladiator 86 merujuk ke Angkatan 1986 Pesantren Modern IMMIM.

Pesona Sumur     Pada 1977, terjadi kemarau.  Banyak sumur warga Tamalanrea yang mengering.  Ajaibnya, air sumur di Pesantren IMMIM berlimpah.  Penduduk sekitar pun berbondong-bondong ke pesantren.  Mereka datang di tengah malam agar aktivitas pesantren tidak terganggu.     "Pihak pesantren kemudian menyiapkan sumur bor agar tidak terjadi antrean panjang", kenang Zainal Abidin, tokoh ikonik alumni pertama Pesantren IMMIM.     Di antara peziarah dadakan itu, ternyata banyak wanita muda.  Ini menggiurkan bagi sebagian santri yang puber tingkat dewa.  Mereka menggunakan momen ini untuk saling mengobrol.  Apalagi, memandang wajah cantik saja sudah cukup bagi santri yang terkungkung dengan aturan ketat.  Bahkan, sebagian santri rela menimba air di sumur untuk diberikan kepada wanita yang dianggapnya menawan hati.  Ini cinta bertepuk sebelah tangan.

Bubur Hilang     Pada 1980 saat masuk ke Pesantren IMMIM, sarapan ada tiga macam dalam sepekan.  Nasi, nasi ketan (sokko) dan bubur kacang hijau.  Naik kelas dua, bubur tidak ada.  Beberapa hari berselang, sokko juga menghilang.  Padahal, itu favorit saya.     Suatu hari, kami tiga Gladiator 86 asyik berkisah.  Imran Syukri (ini nama palsu) bercerita bahwa ia sangat suka bubur.  Sekali waktu ia menikmati bubur di kamarnya di Asrama Sultan Hasanuddin.  Ketika sedang mengunyah, ia tiba-tiba merasa menggigit sesuatu yang kenyal.  Imran langsung memuntahkan.  Ia mengamati benda itu.  Ternyata ia mengigit kecoa yang terbenam di bubur.  Kecoa malang itu hancur tergigit.  Perut serangga sial itu tampak putih akibat terburai oleh gigitan.     Sore, Imran langsung ke rumahnya.  Ia mewartakan kepada ayahnya tentang nasib apesnya.  Tadi pagi mengunyah kecoa yang terkubur di bubur.  Sang ayah bergegas menemui Pimpinan Kampus agar memperhatikan secara seksana kebersihan dapur.

Striptis ala Pesantren     Ardi Husain (nama asli disamarkan) merupakan Gladiator 86 dengan kulit putih.  Ia bertubuh gempal.  Selama enam tahun, ia tidak pernah terlihat berolah raga.  Ia malas karena perokok berat.     Figur Ardi tergolong urakan.  Suka ceplas-ceplos.  Sekalipun norak, tetapi, ia pemurah.  Saya pun beberapa kali memberinya satu pak rokok (10 bungkus).     Saya pernah gusar campur marah melihat ulah Ardi.  Kamis sore ketika keluar kamar di Asrama Pangeran Diponegoro, saya arahkan pandangan ke Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan.  Mata tertuju ke orang yang memakai baju kaos putih bergambar Michael Jackson.  Saya tertegun seraya memperhatikan wajah orang itu.  "Ardi" bisik saya seraya berlari masuk kamar.  Saya bergegas buka lemari.  "Makhluk tanpa adab!" pekik saya.  Ardi ambil lagi baju kesayanganku.  Saya kemudian melongok ke jalan raya, tetapi, ia sudah naik bis ke kampungnya.  Seperti sebelumnya, baju itu tidak akan kembali.  Sebab, ia sedekahkan ke temannya di kampung.  Namanya juga pemurah.     Bukan Ardi kalau tidak slebor.  Ketika suatu malam listrik padam, ia melepas seluruh pakaiannya.  Bugil.  Kemudian berlari memeluk satu demi satu teman di asrama sambil terbahak-bahak.  Betul-betul pertunjukan aneh.

Perintis Graffiti     Usai ujian pesantren setelah ujian SMA dan ujian Aliyah, saya diajak Fadil Mahmud (nama palsu) ke kantin.  Dari kantin kemudian menuju ke pos piket lewat belakang masjid.     Ketika sejajar dengan mihrab, Fadil minta spidol hitam yang saya kantongi.  Saya heran, ini bocah mau corat-coret di mana.  Di luar dugaan, ia menulis nama "Haris Bugis" di strip putih mobil pesantren yang parkir.     Saya tertegun.  Saat masih terpana, ia lalu mengelilingi mobil dari arah belakang.  Kemudian menulis lagi namaku di sisi kiri mobil.     "Mobilnya Haris Bugis", ujarnya tertawa sambil menatap saya.  Psikopat berdarah dingin betul ini anak.     Betapa mengerikan perbuatan Fadil di mata saya.  Ini bukan graffiti, namun, vandalisme pertama sejak Pesantren IMMIM didirikan.  Tidak pernah sebelumnya ada santri berani corat-coret kelas, asrama, aula, apalagi mobil.     Kala itu, saya tidak tega menegur Fadil.  Saya membiarkannya karena kasihan.  Sebab, selama enam tahun, ia tidak pernah masuk Kismul Aman (pengadilan bagi santri nakal).  Jadi, apa salahnya kalau hari ini ia melampiaskan kejahilannya.  Ini euforia ala Gladiator 86.

Jalan Bugis     Saat duduk di kelas empat (kelas satu SMA), saya dipindahkan ke mes.  Ini lantaran pembina mengira saya nakal.  Mes itu terletak di sudut kiri belakang kampus.  Mes punya tiga kamar, satu ruang tamu, dapur dan susunan papan sebagai pelindung saat mandi atau buang air kecil.  Mes yang berbentuk rumah panggung ini, terletak di pinggir rawa.     Saya satu kamar dengan Misbah (bukan nama asli) yang lebih dulu dibawa ke mes.  Kamar sebelah yang di depan biasanya ditempati oleh guru yang mau menginap di pesantren.  Sedang kamar utama ditempati ustaz Abdul Kadir Massoweang.     Dari luar, ini pasti mengerikan.  Saya dan Misbah terkungkung karena ada pengawasan langsung dari pembina.  Kenyataannya 1000 persen keliru.  Saya dengan Misbah justru makin amburadul.  Sebab, kalau ustaz meninggalkan mes, maka, suasana bebas langsung membuncah.     Sejak tinggal di mes, saya jarang ke masjid.  Kalau ustaz hendak ke masjid, ia cuma berpesan:  "Siap-siap ke masjid".  Begitu ustaz pergi, saya segera ambil radio.  Berbaring sambil mendengar musik heavy metal dan rock n roll.  Di periode inilah saya tidak pernah masuk Kismul Aman.  Sebab, pihak Kismul Aman tidak berani mencari saya ke mes.     Kebiasaan saya ke bioskop juga tidak terusik.  Kalau malam Ahad, saya tetap bisa nonton midnite show di Artis.  Modus operandinya, saya tidak mengatupkan gerendel jendela.  Kalau tengah malam pulang, saya mengendap-endap membuka jendela.     Tidak selamanya rencana berjalan mulus.  Saya pernah marah dengan Misbah karena ia mengatupkan gerendel ke lubang.  Akibatnya, saya tidak bisa masuk.     Saya akhirnya berjingkrak-jingkrak melewati rawa.  Kemudian memanjat jendela untuk membangunkan Misbah.  Nasib apes lainnya, dua bibi (juru masak) memergoki saya berusaha membuka jendela di suatu subuh.  "Beginilah kalau kau suka melarikan diri ke kota pergi nonton".     Di mes kalau mandi tidak perlu menimba air di sumur.  Sebab, ada selang dari dapur.  Saya cuma membahanakan seruan.     "Bibi, kasih jalan air, Pak Kadir mau mandi".     Air langsung memancar ke drum.  Di suatu sore, cuaca cukup panas.  Sementara drum kosong.     "Bi, kasih jalan air! Pak Kadir mau mandi!"     Mendengar teriakan saya, bibi membalas sambil bersungut-sungut.     "Pak Kadir ada di kota!  Nasinya saja masih ada di kantin!"  Air yang saya tunggu pun tidak mengalir.  Akhirnya ke sumur dengan langkah gontai.     Setelah beberapa lama tinggal di mes, saya pajang papan nama jalan antara mes dengan rumah ustaz yang berada di samping.  Tiap santri yang lewat mes, pasti melihat papan nama bertuliskan Jalan Bugis.     Setelah enam bulan, Pak Kadir memanggil saya di ruang tamu.     "Saya lihat kau sudah baik, sudah sadar.  Jadi kau nanti pindah untuk bergabung dengan santri lain".     "Saya jangan dipindahkan dulu, Pak.  Saya belum sadar", pinta saya sambil memelas.     "Tidak, kau sudah baik.  Saya juga sudah dapatkan kau kamar di Asrama Panglima Polem".     Saya langsung lemas.  Mes ini bagi saya adalah puri, sekarang mau dipindahkan ke bangsal.  Kapok jadi orang baik.

Teh Sedap     Ketika duduk di kelas dua, saya sudah langganan Mahkamah Lugha (penghukum santri yang tidak berbahasa Arab).  Malam itu banyak santri yang diadili di ruang Majelis Guru, termasuk saya dan Imran Syukri.     Saya bersama Imran memilih diadili terakhir.  Akhirnya giliran itu tiba.  Kami diadili oleh Bahrum (bukan nama sejati), santri kelas empat.  Orangnya pendiam, tetapi, jenaka.     "Kenapa kau?" tanya Bahrum.     Saya dengan Imran menjawab kalau menggunakan bahasa Indonesia.  Bahrum kelihatan kurang bersemangat.  Mungkin letih.     "Jadi kau berbahasa Indonesia".     "Iya".     Bahrum kemudian mengumpulkan gelas berisi sisa teh yang tadi siang diminum oleh guru dan pembina.  Sisa teh lantas disatukan dalam sebuah gelas.  Terkumpul hampir setengah gelas.     Bahrum menatap saya dan Imran.     "Minum ini", ujar Bahrum seraya menyodorkan gelas berisi teh.     Saya serta Imran bergeming, mengira perintah Bahrum sekedar canda.     "Haris! Minum ini!", seru Bahrum dengan mata terbelalak.     Tiba-tiba saya merasa ini bukan guyon.  Saya dan Imran saling memandang.     "Imran!  Minum ini".     Imran menggeleng.     "Betul kau berdua tidak mau minum!", bentak Bahrum seraya menggebrak meja.     Rasa takut membuat mulut terkatup.  Saya dengan Imran tetap menggeleng.     "Kalau kau tidak mau minum!  Saya yang minum!", suara Bahrum meninggi.  Saya dengan Imran tetap bertahan, tidak mau minum teh sisa.  Apalagi sudah basi.  Baunya apak karena dibikin tadi pagi.     "Jadi betul kau tidak mau minum!"     Begitu melihat saya dengan Imran menggeleng, Bahrum mendadak meneguk teh itu.  Saya serta Imran melongo.  Sesudah menenggak, Bahrum mengusap mulutnya dengan telapak tangan pertanda puas.     "Laziz (sedap)" katanya sambil memegang jakun.     Imran tidak bisa menahan tawa.  Perlahan, saya ikut tertawa.     "Ukhruj (keluar).  Kau sudah diadili", katanya sambil mengibaskan tangan, menyuruh kami meninggalkan ruang Majelis Guru.     Saya dan Imran bergegas pergi sambil terbahak-bahak.  Sinting betul.

Toilet Berhantu     Pada 1982, toilet yang berada di sisi tiap asrama ditutup.  20 toilet baru dibangun menghadap ke timur di sisi belakang kampus.  Di sebelah barat toilet terhampar danau Universitas Hasanuddin.     Kalau menuju toilet, santri lewat di Jalan Bugis.  Sebelum mencapai toilet, terdapat sebuah sumur.  Dari lima sumur saat itu, hanya sumur ini yang tidak dipakai mandi.  Airnya tidak jernih.     20 toilet ini digunakan sekitar 500 santri.  Hiruk-pikuk terjadi sesudah makan siang.  20 toilet dijejali antrean.     Di suatu malam, seorang santri kelas satu buang hajat di toilet 19.  Ia tiba-tiba menjerit-jerit.  Sebab, melihat sesosok tubuh berpakaian putih.  Berita langsung menjalar bak virus ke segenap kamar.  Ada invasi makhluk halus sebangsa pocong.  Malam itu, pesantren gempar.  Santri dilanda ketakutan.     Sebelum sarapan, saya selalu ke toilet.  Pagi itu, 20 toilet lengang.  Saya kemudian ke toilet 20, paling ujung.  Baru kali ini saya merasa nyaman di toilet.  Tidak terdengar langkah kaki, derit pintu atau bunyi air dalam embar.     Di hari ketiga, saya coba masuk toilet 19.  Ada ember merah dengan posisi terbalik.  Ini pasti ember santri malang itu.  Lantai toilet tampak kering, pertanda tidak pernah dipakai.  Selama beberapa hari, mungkin hanya saya yang menggunakan toilet 18, 19 dan 20.

Khusus 17 Tahun     Secara normal, dua kali kesempatan saya nonton di bioskop selama sebulan.  Sebab, santri dibolehkan pulang tiap dua pekan.  Secara abnormal, saya bisa nonton tiap pekan karena bolos.     Jumat, 31 Agustus 1984, saat mentari mulai tergelincir.  Saya ke bioskop Mitra, di samping Karebosi.  Film yang diputar The Seduction dengan bintang Morgan Fairchild dan Michael Sarrazin.  Sesudah membeli harga tanda masuk (HTM) alias karcis berharga Rp 1200, saya duduk menghadap pintu masuk gedung pertunjukan.     Beberapa penonton mulai masuk.  Saya kemudian melihat Saldi (bukan nama sebenarnya) sedang membeli HTM di loket.  Saldi tidak menyadari kalau saya memperhatikannya.     Saldi merupakan adik kelas.  Tubuhnya pendek serta ramping.  Kalau berjalan, terlihat pijakan kakinya tidak kokoh.  Seperti oleng karena tidak terkena gravitasi bumi.     Dengan karcis di tangan, ia kemudian ke pintu masuk.  Penjaga menghentikan langkah kakinya.     "Tidak boleh masuk!"     Saldi kemudian menjelaskan bahwa ia sudah berusia 17 tahun.  Penjaga tetap melarangnya.  Sebab, postur tubuh Saldi tidak meyakinkan sebagai penonton film erotis.     Saat itu, Morgan Fairchild digembar-gemborkan media Tanah Air sebagai simbol seks Hollywood.  Sekarang ada santri berperawakan mini mencoba peruntungan melihat fisik sensual Morgan Fairchild.     "Tidak boleh", sembur penjaga sambil mengeleng-gelengkan kepala kepada Saldi yang belum beranjak dari jalan masuk.     Saya mungkin berhalusinasi saat melihat Saldi memegang ikat pinggangnya.  Ia seolah hendak melepas kancing celana bagian atas.  Imajinasi liar saya berkemacamuk, barangkali bocah itu ingin membuka celana guna membuktikan kepada penjaga bahwa ia sudah disunat.     Adegan di Mitra membuat saya cekikikan.  Mungkin belum saatnya Saldi nonton film erotis.  Apalagi, menyaksikan tubuh mulus Morgan Fairchild.     "Camera Roll...Action!"

Ustaz Gadungan     Pada 1984, suasana politik Indonesia memanas.  Apalagi, terjadi pembantaian terhadap ratusan Muslim di Tanjung Priok pada 12 September 1984.     Peristiwa yang terus-menerus memojokkan umat Islam, dijadikan dalih oleh orang bernama Didin untuk mengeruk keuntungan.  Sasaran empuknya siapa lagi kalau bukan santri Pesantren IMMIM.     Didin atau panggilan takzimnya ustaz Didin, betul-betul panen raya.  Korban terbanyak dari Angkatan 85 dan 86.  Tiap malam ada utusan santri menemuinya di di Jalan Cenderawasih.  Utusan ini kemudian membawa informasi tentang perlawanan terhadap rezim zalim.  Warta berlabel rahasia sempat beredar di kampus:  "Pejabat tinggi negara si Fulan sudah mati batin".     Darah muda santri dibakar dengan janji untuk berjihad.  Santri-santri yang buta politik akhirnya terseret.  Rapat-rapat gelap sering diadakan di kamar tertentu.     Saya sempat dibisik oleh teman.     "Tadi malam orang rapat.  Fadil Mahmud (nama samaran) berseru bahwa halal darahnya Haris Bugis".  Saya tertegun, begitu mudahnya saya mau dibunuh.     Saya memang tidak tergiur ikut aktivitas Gerombolan Pengacau Pesantren (GPP) anak buah si Didin.  Saya menentangnya dengan sikap sinis.  Kebencian mereka terhadap saya makin membara gara-gara saya berkiblat ke Hollywood.  Hampir semua seleb dan ikon popular Amerika saya paham.  Pasalnya, saya bermazhab Liberalisme Silaturrahmi.  Visi berbeda karena saya anak kota, bukan bocah pedalaman.     Jurus terakhir Didin yakni meminta kerelaan hati santri untuk menyumbang.  Inilah inti dari sepak-terjang Didin.  Menurutnya, sumbangan tersebut untuk membeli senjata.  Santri GPP pun bergegas menyumbang.  Tragisnya, banyak yang menyumbangkan uang SPP.     Sesudah menyumbang, santri GPP diiming-imingi pangkat kemiliteran.  Saya sempat sekamar dengan seorang kakak kelas.  Ia geli campur malu kala berkisah. Menurutnya, ia waktu itu menginginkan pangkat kapten.    "Terbayang saya memegang granat lalu melontarkan ke musuh".     Daswar Muhammad berkomentar di Facebook bahwa Lesmono Saleh (nama palsu) ditunjuk sebagai personel di bagian logistik.  Tugasnya meledakkan jembatan Tallo.     "Seperti saja di film", tulis Daswar.     Santri GPP akhirnya terendus oleh pembina.  Jika mengajar, Abdul Kadir Massoweang mengimunisasi teman-teman yang terpapar virus Didin.     Saya sempat bertanya kepada Pak Kadir.     "Menurut mereka pejabat tinggi negara ini sudah mati batin".     "Apa maksudnya mati batin?"     Santri GPP akhirnya sadar kalau kena tipu oleh ustaz gadungan.  Mereka akhirnya kelabakan.  Sebab, bagian keuangan pesantren menagihnya.  Ada yang belum bayar SPP sampai tiga bulan.

Booegies Lahir     Pada 1980, jumlah kelas satu di Pesantren IMMIM sekitar 150.  Santri baru bernama Abdul Haris ada dua.  Ini merepotkan saya jika dipanggil, terutama kalau ada tamu.     Sesudah semester pertama, saya ditempatkan di Asrama Datuk Ribandang kamar sebelah timur.  Sebelumnya di kamar sebelah barat saat masih berstatus santri baru.     Pada 1981, setelah semester menjelang naik kelas II, diadakan Porseni.  Di suatu kesempatan, saya pinjam spidol Azhar Ahmad (nama samaran).  Terlintas di benak untuk mencari cara agar nama saya unik kalau dipanggil.     Modifikasi nama perlu agar saya tidak saling berbenturan kepentingan dengan Abdul Haris yang lain.  Iseng-iseng saya tulis di pintu lemari "Abdul Haris Booegies".  Tulisan saya agak besar, akibatnya di pintu cuma tertera "Abdul Haris Booegis".  Huruf "e" kehabisan tempat.  Saya menggunakan dua huruf "o" supaya mirip 007.  Ini juga agar tampil beda dengan nama yang jamak terlihat "Boegis".  Sejak itu, saya mulai memperkenalkan nama "Haris Bugis", yang tulisannya "Haris Booegies".     Nama Haris Bugis cepat dikenal.  Sebab, hampir tiap malam disebut di masjid karena masuk Kismul Aman (pengadilan santri bandel) atau Mahkamah Lugha (pengadilan santri yang tidak berbahasa Arab).  Ini jelas promosi gratis.  Terima kasih untuk Kismul Aman maupun Mahkamah Lugha yang turut melambungkan nama Haris Bugis.     Ketika naik kelas tiga, Muhammad Thantawi yang orang Bone memanggil saya Haris Ogi.  "Ogi" artinya "Bugis" dalam bahasa Bugis.     "Bukan Haris Bugis, tetapi, Haris Ogi", seru Thantawi di hadapan saya.  Sejak itu, ia selalu memanggil saya Haris Ogi. Seiring waktu, Thantawi akhirnya memanggil saya "Ogi".  Nama ini keren juga, pikir saya.     Saya terakhir memperkenalkan diri sebagai Ogi saat ujian Aliyah.  Siswi MAN yang ikut ujian di pesantren menanyakan nama saya.    "Ogi".     Serentak sekumpulan cewek MAN tertawa.     "Namanya mirip di film kartun, Yogi".     Ketika kuliah, banyak yang geli dengan nama Abdul Haris Booegies.  Nama dari era sebelum Masehi, sindir mereka.  Sedangkan Zaenal Abidin yang merupakan alumni pertama Pesantren IMMIM, heran karena nama itu menggunakan ejaan Belanda alias ejaan Van Ophuijsen.  Walau nama "Booegies" dituding dari zaman prasejarah, tetapi, bisa tertera di Pedoman Rakyat, Panji Masyarakat dan Tempo pada 1988.     Pada 2010,  Facebook makin melambung.  Di sini muncul masalah.  Ada yang memakai "Booegies" di namanya.  Saya sempat menegurnya karena merasa itu hak milik saya.  Makin lama kian banyak pengguna "Booegies" di media sosial.  Bahkan, ada grup di Facebook bernama "Booegies".  Lebih mengejutkan ketika saya mendaftar di suatu media sosial.  Ternyata sudah ada username "Booegies".     Saya tidak bisa lagi berkutik untuk menegur.  Saya cuma menghibur diri.  Barang luks memang banyak ditiru.

Pertanyaan Maut     Dedi Mawardi (bukan nama asli) termasuk Gladiator 86 yang paling sering muncul di seluruh kegiatan IAPIM (Ikatan Alumni Pesantren IMMIM).  Ia penurut, tidak mengeluh jika mengemban amanah.  Sekali peristiwa, ia sempat berbincang dengan Fadeli Luran, pendiri IMMIM.     "Siapa nanti pengganti Bapak kalau meninggal?", tanya Dedi.     Wajah Fadeli Luran tiba-tiba berubah.  Ia tercenung.  Sekilas rona wajahnya menyemburkan kesedihan.  Ini pertanyaan maut yang rumit dijawab.  Sebab, menyangkut peremajaan organisasi besar.     Regenerasi merupakan masalah pelik.  Tentu saja, sosok Fadeli Luran sulit digantikan oleh siapa pun kala itu di tahun 80-an.     Sesudah Fadeli Luran meninggal, Dedi dipercaya sebagai pemegang kunci kantor Ketua IMMIM.  Di sofa kantor yang terletak di Gedung IMMIM itu, ia sering tidur siang.     Saya pernah mengendap-endap masuk saat Dedi tidur siang.  Saya kemudian duduk di kursi Fadeli Luran.     Tiba-tiba Dedi terlonjak.  Ia menatap saya.  Kaget.  Kemudian mencengkeram dadanya.     "Astaga!  Saya kira Abuna (bapak kita) Fadeli Luran!", seru Dedi.     "Kau lewat dari mana?  Pintu saya kunci!", tanya Dedi sambil berjalan ke arah jendela.  Ia bergegas memeriksa jendela untuk memastikan kalau jendela juga terkunci.  Dedi mengira saya lompat dari jendela.     "Kau lewat dari mana!  Sudah berapa lama kau disitu!  Saya saja tidak pernah duduk di kursi Abuna", sembur Dedi.     Saya menggaruk kepala yang tidak gatal.  Tadi saya lewat dari mana?  Plafon...?

Bioskop Pak RT     Saat kelas III, banyak teman ke rumah Pak RT nonton video.  Masa itu, nonton film merupakan hiburan langka.     Dari isu yang berhembus, santri dikutip Rp 50 untuk sekali nonton.  Ada pertunjukan siang ada pula malam.  Saya tidak tahu film apa yang diputar.  Saya tidak pernah ke sana.  Malu nonton kalau bukan di bioskop.     Santri yang keluyuran ke rumah Pak RT, akhirnya diendus oleh pembina.  Di suatu malam, pembina bersiap menyergap para santri yang bolos pergi nonton video.     Ketika rombongan santri masuk kembali ke area kampus, mereka terkejut.  Wajah mereka disorot senter oleh pembina.  Kontan para santri mengambil langkah seribu.  Sebagian sempat masuk ke pondok.  Sisanya lari kembali ke lorong yang menuju rumah Pak RT.     Santri yang masuk kampus dikejar, termasuk Dedi Mawardi (pasti ini nama palsu).  Terjadi kepanikan.  Santri pun berhamburan seperti kelereng yang tumpah dari kaleng.  Kocar-kacir.  Suasana mencekam.     Sebagian santri lari ke laboratorium yang berbentuk rumah panggung.  Suasana di seputar laboratorium memang remang-remang.  Selain terkesan kelam, juga becek.  Ini sempurna sebagai tempat persembunyian.     Pembina tidak kalah cerdik.  Mereka menyorotkan cahaya senter mencari santri yang merapatkan tubuh ke tiang-tiang laboratorium.     Sorot senter membuat seorang santri ketahuan karena tidak sempurna menyembunyikan tubuh di balik tiang bangunan.     "Kau Dedi!", seru ustaz Hasnawi Mardjuni, pembimbing tahfiz al-Qur'an.     "Iya, ustaz", jawab Dedi memelas sambil membolak-balik al-Qur'an di tempat gelap.     "Apa kau kerja di situ", bentak ustaz sambil menyorotkan cahaya senter.     "Saya baca hafalanku, ustaz".     Sependek pengetahuan saya, hanya dua manusia yang bisa membaca di tempat gelap; Clark Kent (Supernan) dan Steve Austin (The Six Million Dollar Man).  Malam ini, ternyata ada juga santri Pesantren IMMIM yang bisa membaca di tempat gelap, namanya Dedi Mawardi!  Ini baru namanya Gladiator 86.

Disogok Wafer     Saat kelas III, bercerita seorang santri kelas VI.  Usai santap siang, ia mengisahkan hikayat di sisi tempat tidur saya.     "Tahun lalu seperti waktu ini sesudah makan siang, saya mendatangi Ketua ISPM (Ikatan Santri Pesantren IMMIM) yang seangkatan saya.  Saya marah dengan dia karena sesuatu hal".     Sebenarnya Karni Mahardika (jelas ini nama palsu) orang tetutup.  Jarang bergaul.     "Saya ke kamarnya dengan rasa marah.  Ketika melihat saya, ia mempersilahkan duduk di tempat tidurnya.  Begitu duduk, ia menyodorkan satu wafer kecil.  Saya tidak bisa menolak", Karni melanjutkan cerita.     "Silahkan makan", ujar Ketua ISPM atau Ketua OSIS(Organisasi Siswa Intra Sekolah).     "Seketika rasa marah saya hilang", ungkap Karni sambil ketawa.     "Kami kemudian berbasa-basi.  Saya geli kalau mengenang ini.  Saya cuma disogok sebiji wafer kecil, mendadak saya diam.  Terlupa semua kejengkelan.  Padahal, saya datang untuk memarahinya", jelas Karni seraya tertawa.     Biskuit, wafer atau kue apa saja merupakan makanan berharga di pesantren.  Tidak semua orang bisa menikmatinya.  Pertama, pesantren adalah wilayah karantina.  Tidak sembarang waktu diperkenankan keluar.  Kedua, banyak santri yang pas-pasan secara finansial.     "Kamu tahu kan wafer berlapis cokelat itu.  Pembungkusnya jingga bergambar Superman.  Isinya sebanding dengan ibu jari.  Kecil.  Saya hanya disogok wafer begitu langsung batal marah", Karni terbahak-bahak.

Stensilan Yolanda bertanggal 27 April 1981

Momok Seksi Keamanan     Namanya Bahrum.  Ia pengurus Ikatan Santri Pesantren IMMIM (ISPM) Seksi Keamanan (Kismul Aman).  Tubuhnya seperti kebanyakan santri, biasa saja.  Wajahnya juga tidak sangar.     Bahrum kelas V ketika saya santri baru.  Bisik-bisik terdengar bahwa ia sangat berbahaya.  Tentu saja kami kelas satu merasa tidak enak, ngeri.     Hembusan bisik-bisik ternyata bukan gosip balaka.  Kalau subuh, ia cuma berseru: "Bangun!"  Dijamin semua santri kelas I, II, III dan IV serempak bangun.  Rasa kantuk yang masih minta untuk berdekatan dengan bantal, langsung sirna.  Mata yang masih mau tidur langsung terbelalak.  Kantuk pergi bak debu yang ditiup sang bayu.     Di dalam masjid, suasana langsung hening kalau ia masuk.  Nafas teman yang di samping, depan dan belakang, bisa terdengar karena tidak ada gerakan.  Suara tapak kaki semut pun seolah terdengar.     Bahrum makin ditakuti karena menempeleng lima kali dari belakang santri kelas II.  Suara tamparan itu menggema ke empat dinding masjid.  Pekik marah Bahrum menambah horor.     Dalam ingatan saya, inilah awal dari ketakutan Gladiator 86 kepada Bahrum.  Ia menjelma momok.  Kehadirannya selalu memaksa hati gentar tak terkira.     Aksi penempelangan itu sempat saya lihat.  Sebagai santri baru, saya menganggap perlakuan itu sungguh mengerikan.  Kami jauh dari orangtua.  Tujuan ke pesantren untuk belajar.  Di luar dugaan, ada praktek fisik yang membuat nyali mengerut.     Rasa takut berlebihan dengan Bahrum membuat saya berpikir tujuh kali untuk melakukan pelanggaran.  Selama di Seksi Keamanan, ia tidak pernah mengadili saya.

     Ketika tamat, Bahrum mencari saya.  Dua teman di dua kesempatan  memberitahu bahwa saya dicari Bahrum.  "Ada apa gerangan".  Kenapa dia cari saya.     Usai Zhuhur, Bahrum menemui saya di Asrama Datuk Ribandang kamar sebelah timur.  Ia melongok dari jendela karena saya di ranjang atas.

     "Kau masih punya stensilan Yolanda?", tanya Bahrum sambil tersenyum sesudah kami berjabat tangan.  Saya tersipu.     Rupanya selama ini, Bahrum tahu saya suka mengoleksi bacaan pembangkit fantasi.  Nakal juga dia.     Sampai sekarang, Bahrum dikenang sebagai sosok keamanan yang bisa menggerakkan santri paling malas untuk ke masjid.  Ia ikon abadi Seksi Keamanan.  Tak ada yang bisa menggantikan posisinya.  Ia mirip Rhoma Irama, tak ada yang bisa mengudeta tahtanya sebagai Raja Dangdut.     Sejak Bahrum tamat, teman-teman yang hendak ke masjid sering berseru ke santri yang masih mengaso.  "Ada Kak Bahrum!"

Semalam di Masjid Raya     Saat kelas II, saya mulai aktif nonton di bioskop.  Hiburan di awal 1981, tidak banyak.  Ada hiburan murah-meriah, yaitu penjual obat di pinggir jalan dekat Pasar Sentral.  Mereka kerap mempertontonkan atraksi unik.  Terus terang, saya tidak suka tontonan begini.  Terlalu norak.     Saat kelas III, saya pernah nonton dari sore sampai tengah malam di empat bioskop.  Pukul 15.00, saya nonton di Bioskop Ratu di Jalan Lembeh.  Kemudian ke Bioskop Jaya saat pukul 17.00.     Malam pukul 20.00 saya di Bioskop Artis II.  Berlanjut ke Bioskop New Artis pukul 22.00.     Saya kemudian ke Bioskop Istana untuk nonton film midnite show.  Setiba di bioskop, saya heran.  Ini film silat, bukan film cowboy seperti iklan di koran.     Saya pulang.  Kecewa menyelimuti hati.  Saya berjalan kaki menuju Masjid Raya untuk menunggu mikrolet (petepete).     Dalam perjalanan pulang, saya tidak habis pikir.  Mengapa film di Bioskop Istana bukan film cowboy seperti tertera di iklan.     Beberapa hari ini kemudian, semua terjawab.  Saya salah bioskop.  Saya mestinya ke Bioskop Benteng, bukan ke Bioskop Istana.  Sampai sekarang, saya sesali berlarut-larut kesalahan ini.  Andai jeli, saya pasti tercatat di Guinness World Records sebagai satu-satunya santri di dunia yang pernah nonton di lima bioskop dalam satu malam.  Belum mujur namaku tertoreh di Guinness World Records.     Di Jalan Masjid Raya di samping Masjid Raya, saya bertambah kecewa.  Tidak ada lagi mobil angkutan.  Sepi.  Penjual kue dan gorengan yang berjejer di selatan masjid, sudah beranjak pergi.  Gorengan di masa itu hanya lumpia dan bikang doang.  Tahu isi belum ada.     Saya letih berdiri.  Dari tadi siang saya jalan kaki dari satu bioskop ke bioskop lain.  Kini, lelah mulai terasa.  Mata pun sejak tadi minta dipejamkan.     Saya menghela nafas.  Tidak bisa pulang ke pesantren tercinta.  Saya menoleh ke belakang memperhatikan pintu masjid.  Pintu kaca itu ada dua.  Membukanya harus didorong ke samping.     Saya kemudian melewati pintu pagar menuju pintu kaca masjid.  Di sisi pintu kaca saya duduk, tetapi, serangan nyamuk sungguh biadab.  Saya mulai jengkel.  Lelah dan kantuk merasuk tubuh.  Sekarang nyamuk mengganas di sekujur tubuh.     Saya perlahan mendorong pintu kaca.  Terbuka sejengkal.  Saya menjulurkan kepala.  Begitu kepala masuk, saya miringkan tubuh.  Bahu kanan di bawah kemudian kaki mendorong tubuh.  Akhirnya saya bisa masuk masjid untuk tidur.     Saya terbangun ketika azan Shubuh dikumandangkan.  Saya bergegas tinggalkan masjid.  Tidak lama menunggu di jalan, langsung ada mikrolet.  Asyik, pulang ke pesantren untuk tidur.     Dua kali saya menggunakan modus operandi yang sama di Masjid Raya.  Terakhir saya dibangunkan seorang jamaah.  Ternyata azan sudah selesai digaungkan.

[fashionphotograpybg]

Treehouses Olympos Turkey

They might look rustic, but damn they are cool!

I jumped out of the shuttle bus outside of Kadir’s Treehouses and wandered in. A hand-painted sign greeted me, declaring, “I came, I saw, and stayed, and stayed, and stayed!” I looked around and noticed a collection of Turkish millennials splashing colours across planks of timber. Every wall, chair and table was adorned in tasteful graffiti. Clearly art was an important feature of Kadir’s, and people tended to get “stuck” here. It’s these kinds of places that I tend to fall in love with.

Painted bungalows.

The affable manager, Gokhan, met me and gave a personal tour of the property, enthusiastically claiming there would be over a thousand people attending the celebrations on New Years Eve. With around 130 bungalows, treehouses and dorms, a restaurant, two bars and a fire pit, it was well set up to host scores of revellers. But this far out of summer, the place was almost empty – excluding the handful of artists and staff sprawled out.

I wandered the one-road village, explored its few supermarkets and stopped to watch some foreign climbers tackle bolted routes above the dried-out river. The town was all but deserted, with accommodations closed for the season and restaurants shut. I could see how in summer this place would be cranking. I reached the Roman ruins and turned around, back to Kadir’s where the only people I had encountered, climbers excluded, were hanging out. The first evening went by in a hazed flurry of dinner, drinks and music by the fire with new friends, and saw us retiring close to sunrise.

Fire Pit Kadir’s Treehouses Olympos Turkey

The fire pit by day. Unfortunately I was way too…incapacitated…to take a photo when it was roaring.

Waking to a rainy day, it was all too easy to slip into a hungover state of laziness. Lord Disney had arrived late in the evening, and we spent most of the day perfecting the art of doing not much.

Will arrived late on the 30th, with his brother Alex in tow and accompanied by Lilia. The following morning we made plans for how the evening would play out. Kadir’s was still more-or-less empty, and we had little hope that this massive party would eventuate. In the early afternoon we started drinking rum, and found ourselves in the only other hostel open at the end of the village. Beers, wine and more rum flowed, and our buzz was well and truly underway. As dusk turned to twilight, Will, Alex and I swore to stick to our original plan of nature-based escapades.

[kazanlakhistory]

Treehouses Olympos Turkey

They might look rustic, but damn they are cool!

I jumped out of the shuttle bus outside of Kadir’s Treehouses and wandered in. A hand-painted sign greeted me, declaring, “I came, I saw, and stayed, and stayed, and stayed!” I looked around and noticed a collection of Turkish millennials splashing colours across planks of timber. Every wall, chair and table was adorned in tasteful graffiti. Clearly art was an important feature of Kadir’s, and people tended to get “stuck” here. It’s these kinds of places that I tend to fall in love with.

Painted bungalows.

The affable manager, Gokhan, met me and gave a personal tour of the property, enthusiastically claiming there would be over a thousand people attending the celebrations on New Years Eve. With around 130 bungalows, treehouses and dorms, a restaurant, two bars and a fire pit, it was well set up to host scores of revellers. But this far out of summer, the place was almost empty – excluding the handful of artists and staff sprawled out.

I wandered the one-road village, explored its few supermarkets and stopped to watch some foreign climbers tackle bolted routes above the dried-out river. The town was all but deserted, with accommodations closed for the season and restaurants shut. I could see how in summer this place would be cranking. I reached the Roman ruins and turned around, back to Kadir’s where the only people I had encountered, climbers excluded, were hanging out. The first evening went by in a hazed flurry of dinner, drinks and music by the fire with new friends, and saw us retiring close to sunrise.

Fire Pit Kadir’s Treehouses Olympos Turkey

The fire pit by day. Unfortunately I was way too…incapacitated…to take a photo when it was roaring.

Waking to a rainy day, it was all too easy to slip into a hungover state of laziness. Lord Disney had arrived late in the evening, and we spent most of the day perfecting the art of doing not much.

Will arrived late on the 30th, with his brother Alex in tow and accompanied by Lilia. The following morning we made plans for how the evening would play out. Kadir’s was still more-or-less empty, and we had little hope that this massive party would eventuate. In the early afternoon we started drinking rum, and found ourselves in the only other hostel open at the end of the village. Beers, wine and more rum flowed, and our buzz was well and truly underway. As dusk turned to twilight, Will, Alex and I swore to stick to our original plan of nature-based escapades.

[istanbuldaily]

Treehouses Olympos Turkey

They might look rustic, but damn they are cool!

I jumped out of the shuttle bus outside of Kadir’s Treehouses and wandered in. A hand-painted sign greeted me, declaring, “I came, I saw, and stayed, and stayed, and stayed!” I looked around and noticed a collection of Turkish millennials splashing colours across planks of timber. Every wall, chair and table was adorned in tasteful graffiti. Clearly art was an important feature of Kadir’s, and people tended to get “stuck” here. It’s these kinds of places that I tend to fall in love with.

Painted bungalows.

The affable manager, Gokhan, met me and gave a personal tour of the property, enthusiastically claiming there would be over a thousand people attending the celebrations on New Years Eve. With around 130 bungalows, treehouses and dorms, a restaurant, two bars and a fire pit, it was well set up to host scores of revellers. But this far out of summer, the place was almost empty – excluding the handful of artists and staff sprawled out.

I wandered the one-road village, explored its few supermarkets and stopped to watch some foreign climbers tackle bolted routes above the dried-out river. The town was all but deserted, with accommodations closed for the season and restaurants shut. I could see how in summer this place would be cranking. I reached the Roman ruins and turned around, back to Kadir’s where the only people I had encountered, climbers excluded, were hanging out. The first evening went by in a hazed flurry of dinner, drinks and music by the fire with new friends, and saw us retiring close to sunrise.

Fire Pit Kadir’s Treehouses Olympos Turkey

The fire pit by day. Unfortunately I was way too…incapacitated…to take a photo when it was roaring.

Waking to a rainy day, it was all too easy to slip into a hungover state of laziness. Lord Disney had arrived late in the evening, and we spent most of the day perfecting the art of doing not much.

Will arrived late on the 30th, with his brother Alex in tow and accompanied by Lilia. The following morning we made plans for how the evening would play out. Kadir’s was still more-or-less empty, and we had little hope that this massive party would eventuate. In the early afternoon we started drinking rum, and found ourselves in the only other hostel open at the end of the village. Beers, wine and more rum flowed, and our buzz was well and truly underway. As dusk turned to twilight, Will, Alex and I swore to stick to our original plan of nature-based escapades.

[dreambulgaria]

Treehouses Olympos Turkey

They might look rustic, but damn they are cool!

I jumped out of the shuttle bus outside of Kadir’s Treehouses and wandered in. A hand-painted sign greeted me, declaring, “I came, I saw, and stayed, and stayed, and stayed!” I looked around and noticed a collection of Turkish millennials splashing colours across planks of timber. Every wall, chair and table was adorned in tasteful graffiti. Clearly art was an important feature of Kadir’s, and people tended to get “stuck” here. It’s these kinds of places that I tend to fall in love with.

Painted bungalows.

The affable manager, Gokhan, met me and gave a personal tour of the property, enthusiastically claiming there would be over a thousand people attending the celebrations on New Years Eve. With around 130 bungalows, treehouses and dorms, a restaurant, two bars and a fire pit, it was well set up to host scores of revellers. But this far out of summer, the place was almost empty – excluding the handful of artists and staff sprawled out.

I wandered the one-road village, explored its few supermarkets and stopped to watch some foreign climbers tackle bolted routes above the dried-out river. The town was all but deserted, with accommodations closed for the season and restaurants shut. I could see how in summer this place would be cranking. I reached the Roman ruins and turned around, back to Kadir’s where the only people I had encountered, climbers excluded, were hanging out. The first evening went by in a hazed flurry of dinner, drinks and music by the fire with new friends, and saw us retiring close to sunrise.

Fire Pit Kadir’s Treehouses Olympos Turkey

The fire pit by day. Unfortunately I was way too…incapacitated…to take a photo when it was roaring.

Waking to a rainy day, it was all too easy to slip into a hungover state of laziness. Lord Disney had arrived late in the evening, and we spent most of the day perfecting the art of doing not much.

Will arrived late on the 30th, with his brother Alex in tow and accompanied by Lilia. The following morning we made plans for how the evening would play out. Kadir’s was still more-or-less empty, and we had little hope that this massive party would eventuate. In the early afternoon we started drinking rum, and found ourselves in the only other hostel open at the end of the village. Beers, wine and more rum flowed, and our buzz was well and truly underway. As dusk turned to twilight, Will, Alex and I swore to stick to our original plan of nature-based escapades.

[delicioutravel]

Treehouses Olympos Turkey

They might look rustic, but damn they are cool!

I jumped out of the shuttle bus outside of Kadir’s Treehouses and wandered in. A hand-painted sign greeted me, declaring, “I came, I saw, and stayed, and stayed, and stayed!” I looked around and noticed a collection of Turkish millennials splashing colours across planks of timber. Every wall, chair and table was adorned in tasteful graffiti. Clearly art was an important feature of Kadir’s, and people tended to get “stuck” here. It’s these kinds of places that I tend to fall in love with.

Painted bungalows.

The affable manager, Gokhan, met me and gave a personal tour of the property, enthusiastically claiming there would be over a thousand people attending the celebrations on New Years Eve. With around 130 bungalows, treehouses and dorms, a restaurant, two bars and a fire pit, it was well set up to host scores of revellers. But this far out of summer, the place was almost empty – excluding the handful of artists and staff sprawled out.

I wandered the one-road village, explored its few supermarkets and stopped to watch some foreign climbers tackle bolted routes above the dried-out river. The town was all but deserted, with accommodations closed for the season and restaurants shut. I could see how in summer this place would be cranking. I reached the Roman ruins and turned around, back to Kadir’s where the only people I had encountered, climbers excluded, were hanging out. The first evening went by in a hazed flurry of dinner, drinks and music by the fire with new friends, and saw us retiring close to sunrise.

Fire Pit Kadir’s Treehouses Olympos Turkey

The fire pit by day. Unfortunately I was way too…incapacitated…to take a photo when it was roaring.

Waking to a rainy day, it was all too easy to slip into a hungover state of laziness. Lord Disney had arrived late in the evening, and we spent most of the day perfecting the art of doing not much.

Will arrived late on the 30th, with his brother Alex in tow and accompanied by Lilia. The following morning we made plans for how the evening would play out. Kadir’s was still more-or-less empty, and we had little hope that this massive party would eventuate. In the early afternoon we started drinking rum, and found ourselves in the only other hostel open at the end of the village. Beers, wine and more rum flowed, and our buzz was well and truly underway. As dusk turned to twilight, Will, Alex and I swore to stick to our original plan of nature-based escapades.

[livelifesofia]

Treehouses Olympos Turkey

They might look rustic, but damn they are cool!

I jumped out of the shuttle bus outside of Kadir’s Treehouses and wandered in. A hand-painted sign greeted me, declaring, “I came, I saw, and stayed, and stayed, and stayed!” I looked around and noticed a collection of Turkish millennials splashing colours across planks of timber. Every wall, chair and table was adorned in tasteful graffiti. Clearly art was an important feature of Kadir’s, and people tended to get “stuck” here. It’s these kinds of places that I tend to fall in love with.

Painted bungalows.

The affable manager, Gokhan, met me and gave a personal tour of the property, enthusiastically claiming there would be over a thousand people attending the celebrations on New Years Eve. With around 130 bungalows, treehouses and dorms, a restaurant, two bars and a fire pit, it was well set up to host scores of revellers. But this far out of summer, the place was almost empty – excluding the handful of artists and staff sprawled out.

I wandered the one-road village, explored its few supermarkets and stopped to watch some foreign climbers tackle bolted routes above the dried-out river. The town was all but deserted, with accommodations closed for the season and restaurants shut. I could see how in summer this place would be cranking. I reached the Roman ruins and turned around, back to Kadir’s where the only people I had encountered, climbers excluded, were hanging out. The first evening went by in a hazed flurry of dinner, drinks and music by the fire with new friends, and saw us retiring close to sunrise.

Fire Pit Kadir’s Treehouses Olympos Turkey

The fire pit by day. Unfortunately I was way too…incapacitated…to take a photo when it was roaring.

Waking to a rainy day, it was all too easy to slip into a hungover state of laziness. Lord Disney had arrived late in the evening, and we spent most of the day perfecting the art of doing not much.

Will arrived late on the 30th, with his brother Alex in tow and accompanied by Lilia. The following morning we made plans for how the evening would play out. Kadir’s was still more-or-less empty, and we had little hope that this massive party would eventuate. In the early afternoon we started drinking rum, and found ourselves in the only other hostel open at the end of the village. Beers, wine and more rum flowed, and our buzz was well and truly underway. As dusk turned to twilight, Will, Alex and I swore to stick to our original plan of nature-based escapades.

[lifeinbulgar]

Treehouses Olympos Turkey

They might look rustic, but damn they are cool!

I jumped out of the shuttle bus outside of Kadir’s Treehouses and wandered in. A hand-painted sign greeted me, declaring, “I came, I saw, and stayed, and stayed, and stayed!” I looked around and noticed a collection of Turkish millennials splashing colours across planks of timber. Every wall, chair and table was adorned in tasteful graffiti. Clearly art was an important feature of Kadir’s, and people tended to get “stuck” here. It’s these kinds of places that I tend to fall in love with.

Painted bungalows.

The affable manager, Gokhan, met me and gave a personal tour of the property, enthusiastically claiming there would be over a thousand people attending the celebrations on New Years Eve. With around 130 bungalows, treehouses and dorms, a restaurant, two bars and a fire pit, it was well set up to host scores of revellers. But this far out of summer, the place was almost empty – excluding the handful of artists and staff sprawled out.

I wandered the one-road village, explored its few supermarkets and stopped to watch some foreign climbers tackle bolted routes above the dried-out river. The town was all but deserted, with accommodations closed for the season and restaurants shut. I could see how in summer this place would be cranking. I reached the Roman ruins and turned around, back to Kadir’s where the only people I had encountered, climbers excluded, were hanging out. The first evening went by in a hazed flurry of dinner, drinks and music by the fire with new friends, and saw us retiring close to sunrise.

Fire Pit Kadir’s Treehouses Olympos Turkey

The fire pit by day. Unfortunately I was way too…incapacitated…to take a photo when it was roaring.

Waking to a rainy day, it was all too easy to slip into a hungover state of laziness. Lord Disney had arrived late in the evening, and we spent most of the day perfecting the art of doing not much.

Will arrived late on the 30th, with his brother Alex in tow and accompanied by Lilia. The following morning we made plans for how the evening would play out. Kadir’s was still more-or-less empty, and we had little hope that this massive party would eventuate. In the early afternoon we started drinking rum, and found ourselves in the only other hostel open at the end of the village. Beers, wine and more rum flowed, and our buzz was well and truly underway. As dusk turned to twilight, Will, Alex and I swore to stick to our original plan of nature-based escapades.

[tomorrowedblog]

First look at Story Ave

A new trailer has been released for Story Ave, which is set to release September 22, 2023.

South Bronx teen Kadir (Asante Blackk) is a gifted visual artist who loses his way following the death of his younger brother. Overcome with grief and struggling with the pressures of school and family, he escapes into the thrilling yet dangerous world of graffiti gangs, seeking an outlet for the creative force threatening to explode out of him. To prove himself and join his neighborhood’s ruling gang, Kadir tries to rob no-nonsense MTA conductor Luis (Luis Guzmán) on the Story Ave subway platform. He is caught off guard when Luis agrees to give Kadir the cash if he’ll sit down to a meal with him. Following their conversation and the delicate, transformative friendship that grows out of it, Kadir sees for the first time how his artistic talent could lead to a better life.

[bluebisera]

Treehouses Olympos Turkey

They might look rustic, but damn they are cool!

I jumped out of the shuttle bus outside of Kadir’s Treehouses and wandered in. A hand-painted sign greeted me, declaring, “I came, I saw, and stayed, and stayed, and stayed!” I looked around and noticed a collection of Turkish millennials splashing colours across planks of timber. Every wall, chair and table was adorned in tasteful graffiti. Clearly art was an important feature of Kadir’s, and people tended to get “stuck” here. It’s these kinds of places that I tend to fall in love with.

Painted bungalows.

The affable manager, Gokhan, met me and gave a personal tour of the property, enthusiastically claiming there would be over a thousand people attending the celebrations on New Years Eve. With around 130 bungalows, treehouses and dorms, a restaurant, two bars and a fire pit, it was well set up to host scores of revellers. But this far out of summer, the place was almost empty – excluding the handful of artists and staff sprawled out.

I wandered the one-road village, explored its few supermarkets and stopped to watch some foreign climbers tackle bolted routes above the dried-out river. The town was all but deserted, with accommodations closed for the season and restaurants shut. I could see how in summer this place would be cranking. I reached the Roman ruins and turned around, back to Kadir’s where the only people I had encountered, climbers excluded, were hanging out. The first evening went by in a hazed flurry of dinner, drinks and music by the fire with new friends, and saw us retiring close to sunrise.

Fire Pit Kadir’s Treehouses Olympos Turkey

The fire pit by day. Unfortunately I was way too…incapacitated…to take a photo when it was roaring.

Waking to a rainy day, it was all too easy to slip into a hungover state of laziness. Lord Disney had arrived late in the evening, and we spent most of the day perfecting the art of doing not much.

Will arrived late on the 30th, with his brother Alex in tow and accompanied by Lilia. The following morning we made plans for how the evening would play out. Kadir’s was still more-or-less empty, and we had little hope that this massive party would eventuate. In the early afternoon we started drinking rum, and found ourselves in the only other hostel open at the end of the village. Beers, wine and more rum flowed, and our buzz was well and truly underway. As dusk turned to twilight, Will, Alex and I swore to stick to our original plan of nature-based escapades.

[treelifestyle]

Treehouses Olympos Turkey

They might look rustic, but damn they are cool!

I jumped out of the shuttle bus outside of Kadir’s Treehouses and wandered in. A hand-painted sign greeted me, declaring, “I came, I saw, and stayed, and stayed, and stayed!” I looked around and noticed a collection of Turkish millennials splashing colours across planks of timber. Every wall, chair and table was adorned in tasteful graffiti. Clearly art was an important feature of Kadir’s, and people tended to get “stuck” here. It’s these kinds of places that I tend to fall in love with.

Painted bungalows.

The affable manager, Gokhan, met me and gave a personal tour of the property, enthusiastically claiming there would be over a thousand people attending the celebrations on New Years Eve. With around 130 bungalows, treehouses and dorms, a restaurant, two bars and a fire pit, it was well set up to host scores of revellers. But this far out of summer, the place was almost empty – excluding the handful of artists and staff sprawled out.

I wandered the one-road village, explored its few supermarkets and stopped to watch some foreign climbers tackle bolted routes above the dried-out river. The town was all but deserted, with accommodations closed for the season and restaurants shut. I could see how in summer this place would be cranking. I reached the Roman ruins and turned around, back to Kadir’s where the only people I had encountered, climbers excluded, were hanging out. The first evening went by in a hazed flurry of dinner, drinks and music by the fire with new friends, and saw us retiring close to sunrise.

Fire Pit Kadir’s Treehouses Olympos Turkey

The fire pit by day. Unfortunately I was way too…incapacitated…to take a photo when it was roaring.

Waking to a rainy day, it was all too easy to slip into a hungover state of laziness. Lord Disney had arrived late in the evening, and we spent most of the day perfecting the art of doing not much.

Will arrived late on the 30th, with his brother Alex in tow and accompanied by Lilia. The following morning we made plans for how the evening would play out. Kadir’s was still more-or-less empty, and we had little hope that this massive party would eventuate. In the early afternoon we started drinking rum, and found ourselves in the only other hostel open at the end of the village. Beers, wine and more rum flowed, and our buzz was well and truly underway. As dusk turned to twilight, Will, Alex and I swore to stick to our original plan of nature-based escapades.

[yellowbg]

Treehouses Olympos Turkey

They might look rustic, but damn they are cool!

I jumped out of the shuttle bus outside of Kadir’s Treehouses and wandered in. A hand-painted sign greeted me, declaring, “I came, I saw, and stayed, and stayed, and stayed!” I looked around and noticed a collection of Turkish millennials splashing colours across planks of timber. Every wall, chair and table was adorned in tasteful graffiti. Clearly art was an important feature of Kadir’s, and people tended to get “stuck” here. It’s these kinds of places that I tend to fall in love with.

Painted bungalows.

The affable manager, Gokhan, met me and gave a personal tour of the property, enthusiastically claiming there would be over a thousand people attending the celebrations on New Years Eve. With around 130 bungalows, treehouses and dorms, a restaurant, two bars and a fire pit, it was well set up to host scores of revellers. But this far out of summer, the place was almost empty – excluding the handful of artists and staff sprawled out.

I wandered the one-road village, explored its few supermarkets and stopped to watch some foreign climbers tackle bolted routes above the dried-out river. The town was all but deserted, with accommodations closed for the season and restaurants shut. I could see how in summer this place would be cranking. I reached the Roman ruins and turned around, back to Kadir’s where the only people I had encountered, climbers excluded, were hanging out. The first evening went by in a hazed flurry of dinner, drinks and music by the fire with new friends, and saw us retiring close to sunrise.

Fire Pit Kadir’s Treehouses Olympos Turkey

The fire pit by day. Unfortunately I was way too…incapacitated…to take a photo when it was roaring.

Waking to a rainy day, it was all too easy to slip into a hungover state of laziness. Lord Disney had arrived late in the evening, and we spent most of the day perfecting the art of doing not much.

Will arrived late on the 30th, with his brother Alex in tow and accompanied by Lilia. The following morning we made plans for how the evening would play out. Kadir’s was still more-or-less empty, and we had little hope that this massive party would eventuate. In the early afternoon we started drinking rum, and found ourselves in the only other hostel open at the end of the village. Beers, wine and more rum flowed, and our buzz was well and truly underway. As dusk turned to twilight, Will, Alex and I swore to stick to our original plan of nature-based escapades.