It is me!

[made marko]

Hi all! sorry to have been away so long.
Unfortunately... I am still in the states. No longer in the midwest, but in the fine city of Eugene, Oregon...
I was led here by someone who had wished an aide and travel companion to Bali.
-Let's just say that everything does not always work out as one may hope.
I will still be there, only not as soon as I had hoped and planned on.
I have so much waiting for me there that it is now driving me as I have never been driven before.
However, this is quite a nice place also...The university, art scene and all around culture is great! There are no less than three Gamelon orchestra here. One Balinese, sometimes led by I Made Kantor, of Ubud. One Javanese, which I have been allowed to join...and one that is 'experimental' that I have not had much info on yet.
there are a few Balinese living here, and folks from Lombok. I do hope to meet them soon, I have met a good contact in a university professor.
Next tuesday the ID alt rock band, 'Rumah Sakit' will play at the campus...very cool.
Local galleries have juried some of my paintings, and have accepted them. I have a 'real' job too. ...I have been here 2 weeks.
Why have I been away? Not even a pc at the home of the person who has led me here! much less the networked system I was led to believe existed???? :roll:
I had to have a piece of mail sent to me to be able to get a library card to use public PC's. -Now that I know that I will have $ coming in again I have broken down and allowed myself a membership at "Indra's internet cafe", which is where I am now, Just having finished writing to a very understanding, but deaply saddened Balinese woman I have until now neglected to tell you all of. She is waiting for me, and I will be there. I am again offering my service, in any capacity I am capable of providing to anyone(...anyone honest with me) that can assist me in going to the place I BELONG.
I am not a wealthy man. I am a resourceful one. A dedicated one. Honest, trustworthy, hard-working and a gentleman. I need an expat job, and I need it bad!
Later I will relate the story of my experience at Chicago O'hare airport. I think that 4 S's at the bottom of one's ticket must mean stop, search, seize and SCARE THE *@#$$#@OUT OF!!!!
Nanti

 

[Kawika]

Major Bummer Made Marko,

I hope things will turn around for the better for you soon.

I hear ya about the S's at the bottom of the airline ticket. The screeners in Vegas wrote on my ticket once w/ a red S. Damn, it's the mark, you're marked for a thourough screwing, opps I mean screening, atleast it was for me. But a recent report on the news said billions of tax dollars later the effectiveness of screening has not improved as compared to before 9/11.

Good Luck

 

[made marko]

Thank you for your compassion, Kawika.
Vegas was no problem for me, BOLEH! I even tried my hand at gambling in the airport during my layover. $2 in a slot machine -I won $2, no loss no gain. I believe the gods have informed me that I will not become a rich man by gambling, but they were generous in their alowing me no loss.
I have said before that I live a somewhat charmed life...
I am certain that I will soon be in Bali, and my dream will be realised.
I am here in Eugene, for a reason I am sure.
My Mudi is a patient woman. There is a fine law school here, she now has her S1; this is perhaps why I have been led here??? We have discussed my bringing her to continue her education at OU, while I earn these filthy $USD that are so precious now.
All will be well, it always works out for me in the end!

 

[Irislahay]

Made...

Did you shave? :lol:

I even tried my hand at gambling in the airport during my layover

Ck.. ck... ck... :lol: :lol:

 

[made marko]

Nyesel, Ibu Iris...janggut kari!
I do not think it wold have mattered if I were shaven, wearing a buisness suit(I WAS), waving a U.S. flag, and singing " The Battle Hymn of the Republic"! I was told by a man on a conecting flight that an 'S' on your ticket was to inform security of a possible risk, I had no less than 4 at the base of mine 8) :roll: :wink:
The layover in Sin City was added after I had puchased my ticket, I took this as a sort of sign that I should try my luck at gambling. As soon as one steps off the plane at the airport, one is confronted by a miriad of slot machines. I had $2 in singles in my pocket, and I decided to 'shoot the wad' and see what was in store. The machine made some noise, and a lovely young lady approched me with my winnings! This was quite enough for me...

 

[Irislahay]

Well, jangan nyesel Made..

My hubby shaved already, a moment after I showed comments of Thorsten and Roy :lol: And I told him, that he have to change his favourite music.. Eminem is much better, aniway :lol: :lol:

 

[made marko]

he he he :lol:
Eminem is better than what??? Oliver's favorite music must be very bad!!!
I do enjoy hip-hop, but not of the popular variety...
I like the slow beats. -makes me nod the noggin, but I can live without poetry that displays pshycopathic behavior.
I thhink I shall like to hear the jazz at the club in Ubud everyone raves about! -This is my favorite style of musik...but I love the 'byar just as much!
I shall ask Mudi if she would prefer to see me without the beard, it has never come up; and up until now I have not wanted to ask her in fear of the most likely answer. :cry:

 

[mimpimanis]

Hi Made

Sorry that you seem to be having a hard time. I never knew about the "S" before. Did you ask them why they considered you a security threat? It's hardly cos you have a beard!

Anyway be sure that once you get there, it will all be worthwhile

Gemma

 

[made marko]

Hi Gemma,
Do not despair, all is well with me and I am only sidetracked...
I did not think it wise to ask any questions at the time.
I am certain that the beard played no part, as I was surely an some sort of 'list'. It may be because I speak B.I. on the web, or another forum that I was involved in that started sending me inflamitory emails regarding U.S. policy.
I may have been under survailence for some time as I was once a 'freedom rider' and trveled throughout the country fighting for civil rights in my youth.
Who knows? I now live in what is known as "the anarchist capital of the united states" and this cannot be helpful in this regard either! :cry:
It is very frustrating.
Maybe they are still trying to figure out the "My friend the witchdoctor" reference I had posted on the forum weeks ago :shock:
I was allowed to travel, and this is all that matters to me.

 

[Irislahay]

Eminem is better than what???

Cat Steven!!!!

I have not wanted to ask her in fear of the most likely answer

If she give answer "you're looks scary with that beard", you know that you just have to say "May God bless you" :lol: :lol: