Lelaki Tua yang Merindukan Bintang

“Ya, tapi entah kenapa untuk itu, Tuhan harus meminta tumbal!”
“Tumbal?”

—

Malam mengalun.
Lampu pijar menerang susah payah sebuah teras rumah sederhana. Pada sebuah amben reyot seorang lelaki tua dan perempuan tua duduk.

“Ceritakan padaku, apa yang kau lihat?” kata lelaki tua. Perempuan tua tua yang duduk di sampingnya memilin ujung baju abadinya, kebaya usang berwarna pudar.
“Tak ada,” kata perempuan tua. “Gelap saja.”
“Tak ada? Bulan tak ada? Bintang?” lelaki tua merasa tak yakin dengan jawaban yang ia dengar.
“Mestinya ada. Tapi mendung sekarang ini, langit gelap sekali.”
Lelaki tua terbatuk-batuk beberapa lama. Perempuan tua mengangsurkan padanya gelas berisi air teh pahit.

“Aku masih ingat,” lelaki tua kembali berkata-kata di antara sisa-sisa batuknya baru saja. “Dulu aku selalu melihat bintang sampai jauh malam. Bintang adalah makan malam. Tidak benar-benar mengusir rasa lapar, tapi bisa membuat aku melupakan rasa lapar.”
“Kau tadi mengunyah krowodan-mu. Kau tak sedang lapar lagi bukan?”
“Tidak, aku hanya be
... baca selengkapnya di Lelaki Tua yang Merindukan Bintang Cerita Motivasi dan Inspirasi Nomor 1

Tiga Ayam Petelur

Suatu hari tiga telur menetas bersamaan dalam rimbun jerami tua di pesawahan desa. Anak-anak ayam itu terlihat begitu cantik dengan bulu kuning halusnya. Tak lama kemudian pak tani pemilik sawah menemukan mereka dan memeliharanya hingga mereka tumbuh besar menjadi ayam-ayam betina yang sehat dan kuat.

Tibalah saat mereka untuk mulai bertelur. Pak tani mulai menyiapkan tempat khusus dan nyaman untuk ayam-ayamnya dan seperti yang diharapkan, ayam-ayampun bertelur.

Ayam pertama saat mulai bertelur, begitu gembira terutama melihat pak tani tersenyum pada telurnya. Namun disayangkan si ayam mulai merasa dimanfaatkan pak tani ketika telur diambil dari kandang. Iapun mogok bertelur.

Pak tani lalu memberikan berbagai macam vitamin dan pakan kesukaan si ayam. Ayam pun mulai bertelur kembali meski sering tersendat-sendat. Pada akhirnya pak tani memutuskan untuk memotong ayam pertama karena ongkos pakan yang lebih tinggi daripada telur yang dihasilkan.

Ayam kedua saat bertelur juga merasa bahagia melihat pak tani tersenyum. Ia merasa jika bertelur, ia menjadi begitu menarik. Maka saat bertelur, ia selalu berkotek untuk menarik perhatian pak tani.

Namun beberapa hari kemudian ia kecewa karena kotekannya diabaikan pak tani dan menyuruh orang suruhannya untuk memungut telur si ayam tiap berkotek.

Kegembi
... baca selengkapnya di Tiga Ayam Petelur Cerita Motivasi dan Inspirasi Nomor 1

Wiro Sableng #10 : Banjir Darah Di Tambun Tulang

WIRO SABLENG

Pendekar Kapak Maut Naga Geni 212

Karya: Bastian Tito

Kiai Bangkalan menggeletak di lantai batu dalam Goa Belerang. Sedikit pun tubuh itu tidak bergerak lagi karena nafasnya sudah sejak lama meninggalkan tubuh!

Orang tua itu menggeletak menelentang. Dua buah keris kecil yang panjangnya hanya tiga perempat jengkal berhulu gading menancap di tubuh Kiai Bangkalan. Darah bercucuran menutupi seluruh wajahnya.

Dalam jari-jari tangan kiri Kiat Bangkalan tergenggam secarik kertas tebal empat persegi. Sedang tepat di ujung jari telunjuk tangan kanannya, yaitu pada lantai batu tergurat tulisan:

TAMBUN TULANG

Pendekar 212 Wiro Sableng yang berdiri di dekat tubuh tak bernyawa Kiai Bangkalan tidak mengetahui apa arti dua buah kata itu. Apakah nama seseorang yaitu manusia yang telah membunuh orang tua itu, ataukah nama sebuah tempat. Yang diketahuinya ialah bahwa si orang tua telah menuliskan dua buah kata itu pada saat-saat menjelang detik kemat
... baca selengkapnya di Wiro Sableng #10 : Banjir Darah Di Tambun Tulang Cerita Motivasi dan Inspirasi Nomor 1

Let's Start Talking About Money

by: E. K. Teo


Good morning. Let's start talking about money. How to make more money, that is.

I am assuming a few things.

1. You have some money, but want more.

2. You know something about money, but think you want to know more.

3. You know money is important, but true wealth is more than money. And you can feel this.

Now, this newsletter is not going to be very long. It is intended to be so. This article would kick start some ideas inside you and slowly along the way, while we learn and grow together, we reach our destination. If you think that getting rich is "15 minutes away" or "parting with $69", then kindly unsubscribe. However, there is certainly a science (or art) of getting wealthy. And we are going to look at how some rich and wealthy become "who they are".

Again, I am assuming these:

1. You do not have much hope of an inheritance.

2. You do not have much luck at the lotteries.

3. You may not have the chance to marry rich.

Let's begin with a simple concept. Sales. Yes, we hate this word. We loathe to be doing sales. We despise salespeople. I can understand where you are coming from. There are many tools to rich our destination, and I'll explain some of those tools another day. For now, I would like you to concentrate on what exactly makes money.

All of us came to this world with nothing. Technically, we started off at the "same playing field", although some had fathers (or mothers) who had gained advanced foothold. However, we do see people getting rich and wealthy from scratch. I am not suggesting that you will not benefit from networking, far from it, but if you start with little, you have little choice. Or is that so? Maybe, maybe not. Let's see. (I'll cover how to network in another setting.)

Back to sales. Imagine I sell you a pen (or pencil). I am a sales person. I will sell you $X dollars and make $Y profits. Assuming simplicity, $X-$Y would be the cost. I made a profit. Notice the above 5 sentences. It is all about me. Or "I". Nothing about "you". Where do you come into the picture, except that you bought a pen? You bought it because of necessity. You bought it because you needed to write or whatever. You get the point. Do you? Read on.

Base on the reasons that I wrote above, do you think that selling pens would really have a huge profit margin? The $Y would be small, isn't it? How do you really profit? Yes, by adding value. "Function value", I say. Let me illustrate a function value first. If you advertise your pens and explain that the 'function value' of the pens can write me books or bestsellers that will bring me huge economical value, would that reaffirm my decision? No doubt I would not pay more "cash value" than the marketplace, but "function value" is something that you need to provide, to add value to that sale. And the good news is, function value is really up to you imagination.

What do the rich and wealthy have in common to the above "sales talk"? They create value. Let me drum this in. They "invent" value. Who has not used paper to write and post it on the desk or the kitchen door to inform that beer has ran out? Well 3M created the "Post It® Note" and sold millions. Hence, I am not talking about how to sell better, or how to be a better salesman. No doubt these sales skills would be handy, but do you really think that you can outsell and sell to millions worldwide just because you are a good salesman to begin with? Your function value must speak for itself.

With the advent of the Internet, we can have a better chance (note, better and not surefire) to reach out to millions and advertise our function value, whatever that may be. Do kindly digest this before I write to you again. Let your imagination run wild a little. As I said, there are no quick-get-rich-schemes. You have to depend on yourself. But I am here to help and will reveal more opportunities. See you soon.

Meanwhile, if you have any questions, I would try to answer. Thank you

Money Talks - How Your Listening Skills Bring You Wealth

by: Tania French


Yesterday I spent some time with a friend and kept my mouth shut. Well, not the whole time, but most of the time.

What kind of friend was this.

A person who’s expertise in health is one I admire and seek out whenever there’s an opportunity.

So, here was a chance to ask a lot of questions and Listen. It made me realize why I don’t like small talk. Never have. So, we didn’t talk about the news, barely mentioned the weather, and there definitely was no gossiping about others – just a joyful exchange of helpful information and laughs.

This friend is highly successful. He’s a great listener. Because of that, he connects on a deep level with those he’s listening to. The result of this careful attention is that his answers to questions are intuitive, lightning bolts of reason.

When you hang around people who haven’t accomplished much with their gifts, you notice that they like to talk – and have a hard time listening.

Makes you realize why they’re life is in a rut.

They’re not asking the right people the right questions, because they aren’t open to change. They can’t even concentrate on the predicament of their own life, let alone anyone elses.

It’s much easier to talk than it is to listen. Listening is an art. And it must be cultivated every time an opportunity presents itself.

One of the best exercises you can do is to pay close attention when some one is talking. In addition to learning what they have to say, you’ll develop strong powers of mental and physical concentration.

You can practice this anywhere, anytime. Even on the phone. That’s just what I did a couple of days back. When I talked to one of my mentors, a master teacher who knows what it takes to go from rags to mega-riches. He’s done it. Needless to say, he’s someone I listen to closely.

And when I do open my mouth I ask a lot of questions.

I know what it’s like to be at the receiving end of questions too. And, believe me, most questions only need short answers. Not much people ask requires a long detailed explanation. That’s saved for the serious students, the ones whose eagerness to learn spurs everyone else on too.

I am such a student. And you should be too. Because every person of greatness remains a student for life.

So if a life of wealth is your goal, read and listen to those you wish to emulate. Immerse yourself in the topic you want to succeed in. Listen closely and quietly.

And put all you learn into action immediately. Action is a critical part of listening. Implementing wisdom is hearing it all over again. That is the key to a prosperous, joyous life.

Copyright 2006 Tania French

Make Money With Your Music In Films Just By Talking To People

by: Phil Johnson



Licensing you music into films is a great extra income stream for you as an independent artist. But, as with any other aspect of the music business, you have to go through the learning curve and networking process. My experience with film licensing, just like everything else, revolves around whom you know.

Your first (or tenth) licensing deal probably won’t be the next Hollywood blockbuster, but that’s ok. There are a zillion independent films that need and want your music. No, you won’t be immediately rich and famous from having a song in an indie film, but you will probably get paid, and you’ll get some good exposure. Remember, a good ling music career is not built on one big hit. It’s built on a series of small projects and successes building to bigger ones, and, of course, multiple streams of income.

With that in mind, independent films are a great place to start. So where do you begin? Well, listing sites like Versus Media, Film Music Network, and Taxi are a good place to start, but it’s hard to rely on a steady income from people you’ve never met. Also, something I’ve learned recently from a couple of music supervisors, is that follow up on your package is not required, nor particularly appreciated. So you really are relying on your package and your music being picked out of the pile. However, the listing services will give you access to projects you may not have known about otherwise. They are, therefore, a good investment.

An even better way to hook into independent films is to go out and meet film people. As musicians we tend to get stuck in our own little world. Hanging out with musicians, going to music workshops and events, etc. You must take your product to the people who need it instead of waiting for them to come to you.

A great place to start is Indie Club. This is a worldwide organization of independent filmmakers, actors, crew, and everyone else. Find your local chapter through the IndieClub.com website. It’s free to join. Where I am, San Francisco, we have the country’s largest chapter. Join their discussion list and introduce yourself as a music artist. Go to their meetings and get-togethers. When I went to my first Indie Club meeting, I was one of two music artists in the room. The cries of “We need you!” were not just the voices in my head (this time). That room full of independent filmmakers was looking for good music that they could license and still stay within their budget.

I scored my first licensing deal within an hour. Two songs in the same film, one I’d already written, the other to be written specifically for the movie. My tactic was simple. Ask them about their latest project. They’ll be happy to tell you about it, I assure you. They’ll ask what you do. Tell them, but don’t exaggerate. I explained that I had not yet written for films, but just came to see where I fit in. This particular filmmaker then explained to me that he couldn’t find a particular song for this one scene he was working on. I told him I’d be happy to custom write it for him. And there it was. I was being paid up front to write a song. How much? I received $100 for the new song, $50 for the previously written and recorded one. Like I said, you won’t get rich off of these. But hey, $50 to let him use a song that I’d paid for long ago is free money to me.

For the new song, the director arranged for recording time at the local recording arts school where his sound editor was studying. This was fortuitous, and not necessarily normal. Most other project I have to record myself. Because I kept the copyright for the song (which you should always try to do), I was able to release the new song on one of my future CDs, which put more money in my pocket. There’s that multiple streams of income again. And, as a topper, I was able to perform at the premier and sell more CDs there as well. I got all that just for showing up to a meeting and talking to people. I made a few other deals at that meeting too.

So the moral of the story is to just go where filmmakers are and talk to them. Besides Indie Club, I’m sure there are other film clubs and organizations in your area. Find them and make yourself a part of them. Get to know everyone, and you have your tunes in the movies in no time!

Next time: How to get your music in movies by getting yourself in movies!

The Explorer And The Talking Money: All About Dora And Boots

by: Low Jeremy



Best of friends, for life…

The above phrase describes the friendship Dora and Boots have. You may ask who are Dora and Boots.

If you are familiar with Dora the Explorer then you might find it easy to answer who Dora and Boots are.

Dora is a seven-year old Latina lass who pilots the animated show “Dora the Explorer.” She is set forth to beat various tasks. Every task she hurdles requires her to come up with strategic plans. At all times, Dora succeeds in her mission. Dora will not be able to accomplish her tasks if Boots is nowhere to be found.

Boots is Dora’s best pal. He is a talking monkey who helps Dora with her every task. He seldom frets on matters which requires problem-solving. Yet it is evident that Boots love to assist Dora and complete her mission. You can observe Boots as an outgoing and active monkey.

Dora and Boots have always been together with every Dora’s adventure. They have experienced laughter and sadness together. Both have encountered triumphs and failures. They just lived their lives together.

Some of Dora and Boots adventures keep their friendship alive are the following:

A true friend remembers his friend’s birthday and makes a way to brighten up his day.

On one occasion during Boots’ birthday, Dora plans a surprise party for her best pal. She invited all their common friends. However Dora, together with her friends has to climb a stair with almost-never-ending steps. Afterwards she and her friends need to go across a Troll Bridge. Dora and her friends need to do that for them to be able to reach the venue for the surprise party…all for the love of Boots.

It is not only during good times that Dora and Boots are together. They are also together on bad and rough times.

There is also one instance where Dora and Boots have to catch a bouncing ball. Boots is the one who purchased the bouncing ball. He thought it will be a good toy for him and Dora. Unluckily, the ball bounced down to the hill. Dora and Boots decided to follow and get hold of the bouncing ball. The best pals experienced their first mud swim in search for the bouncing ball. They also brainstormed on a tricky riddle at the Troll Bridge for them to be able to get their toy. Fatefully Swiper threw the bouncing ball into the Volcano. Dora and Boots had their first taste of volcano explosion as it spewed the bouncing ball.

Dora and Boots also have a heart for other creatures. They will face many challenges set forth to them just to help someone.

During one of Dora and Boot’s water adventure, they have come across a baby fish which is fenced in a tide pool. Dora and Boots agreed to help the baby fish and chose to return him in its home. The decision to return the baby fish is not an easy one for both friends needs to mount over a sandcastle which is believed to be owned by a King Crab. Moreover, they need to make Val the Octopus says yes to take them into an underwater ride.

On the examples given, you can see how Dora and Boots maintained their friendship. It is not all about fun times. A true friend sticks with you on both good and bad times.

As the song goes…that’s what friends are for.