Is Your Country Swanky?

I presume every citizen wants to have a swanky country or at least city. There are already many cities that are full of style. Just on top of my head i can name Tokyo, London, Paris, Havana, Prague, Casablanca, Stockholm, Venice and more. If we can state islands, they are Hawaii, Bora-bora, Bali, and again more others I don't know. It is frustrating if we are living in a place that is ugly. We will always ask how can we make our country/city/place swanky, won't we? Do we even have any plan? Isn't it nice to have a beautiful country and cities you are proud of? Or is this an impossible dream? Does Indonesia need a swanky doctor? Oh the good thing is that Indonesia have Bali, a very swanky island, indeed. At the moment, I live in Jakarta and it is raining hard. Flooding, bad traffic, pollution, uneducated citizens are definitely factors that prevent it to be a swanky city. Though I have to be real, I still have a dream and energy to try to make Indonesia a swanky place to live and love, of course with the help of lots of people. The old city of Jakarta is actually a gold mine, it can be a real swanky area where old colonial buildings can be turned into something really cool. But I don't know why not many people want to make it nicer. I know there are small amount of people who tried like, Graham who promote the area with Cafe Batavia and others who reportedly were unsuccessful in doing it. I would try to do all my best to make the effort to change. I will later list what kind of things that can help this city to become swanky in my next writing. Getting back from Prague definitely inspire me to come up with few swanky actions...

Let's keep our hopes high

More photos of Prague at Travel Pack Your Bags Swankglossy February 08 Edition

Text and photo by Gino Korompis @ gino.korompis@sglossy.com

HERESY

I think believing in God is one's mutual beliefs right?. Rights that we attain as we are born into the world. I never wanted to try to contradict to these meanings but what about these people, and why are they so interesting?

In 1989, Trent Reznor with his band entitled Nine Inch Nails their debut album, the songs talk about disappointment with God and sometimes mocking at a very aggressive way. Try and pile into their lyric for "Terrible Lie"

"Hey God

Why are you doing this to me?

Hey God

Am i not living up to what i'm suppose to be 

Hey God

Why am i living in this animosity

Hey God

I think you owe a great big apology"

The lyrics above really reflect what Trent actually felt toward God, an interesting approach to his own musical drama. And who would've thought, the album sold millions !

Freedom of speech some people might say. Trent Reznor is simply applying an already trendy way of thinking of rejecting God. Back in  the 1960's a man named Anton sZandor Lavey had already done this with his eccentric yet phantasmagorical book, "The Satanic Bible", here Lavey unveil everything that he has ever think about God. His hatred and everything in between. 

Looking at this the positive way, Reznor sees this to be an opportunity to be different and sell more records with his "truth statement"

Nine Inch Nails grow to be one of the most somber band there is in this planet, bringing album after album that explains Reznor's private revenge to God. His satire approach with his music really illuminates who he is. And then come the question, why is he like that? what is in his mind? and all other media related bullshits.

We are trained to be amazed at all the new amazing things that are explicit, that contradicts with our daily norms as human beings. But i think all of it makes it even more interesting to live our daily lives in this globosphere we call earth.

Trent Reznor is just one example of all the rebellion this world has. Marilyn Manson (Reznor's protege), even if we go back in the time, there's Karl Marx, Zarathustra and many more.

we need the same freedom, we need the same right, after all we're a free country (is it?) well, if it's not, i really really think.....we should

cheerio,

Looking for a Djembe Instructor or Expert

Swankglossy.com would like to find out if anyone know if there is anyone in Indonesia or Jakarta who is a djembe Instructor or Expert. We would like to organize a drum circle. Thank you for the support.


In the mean time, to get a good start, for those of you who would like to learn can pick up some thing from this straight forward and helpful free djembe lesson site http://concrescence.com

I wonder why most sales people here treat you like crap?

The other day I was shopping for Christmas lights at a fancy supermarket chain in Jakarta. I wanted some plain white lights and found a box of the kind that I was looking for.

At the cashiers, this lady rung me up and while she rung me up, one of the supermarket staff offered to check the lights. So while he was checking the lights for me the, cashiers girl had already swiped my card. Then it turns out they weren't even the lights I wanted. The lights were star-shaped, not at all the plain ones they had pictured on the box. So I went back to the lights section and found another box and I opened to check and see if they were the plain ones. Luckily they were and so I rushed back to the cashiers.

Then I asked the staff if I could exchange it. And as soon as I mentioned the word "exchange" all the staff gave me the dirtiest look, especially the cashier girl who had rung me up. It was as if my request was something unheard of. It's just a major no no!! Disastrous!! Catastrophic!! I thought to myself, good God, what's so difficult about exchanging an item. I guess it was such an inconvenience for them. And the cashier made it a point and showed me how annoyed she was in doing the whole transaction. So I apologized and apologized again. But note, there wasn't a single apology from them for the box that I took with the star-shaped lights or for swiping my card even before they checked the lights? Yet still, no smile, no "don't worry miss, we'll sort it out", nothing. Well bloody hell woman!!! Aren't you the one who rung me up and swiped my card whilst the other staff was still checking the lights? What happens if all the lights are dead, and that was the last box of lights? Shouldn't you have waited until the guy checked my lights to see if they're working or not before doing that?

Whatever happens to the saying "customer is king?" I guess such thing doesn't exist here. Sales staff would rather "ha ha he he "with themselves and if you are desperately looking for something and ask for their assistance while they're chatting with each other…. Oh… don't even try. That's like committing a sin.

Perhaps it's a good idea for you sales people out there to start treating your customers like king. After all, we might be less inclined to come back and visit your store again, ever. Just think about that. - Gwen Winarno

Swanky Eye - Submit your Swanky Writings or Work

Now, you can post your writings to Swankglossy.com . We welcome any good writings that can be associated with Swankglossy.com , such as swanky shop review, restaurant review, hotel review, fashion news, fashion story, travel destination, swanky spot, events and other swanky works. We will review your stories or work and if they fit, we will publish them. You can send them now to swanky eye sglossy.write@blogger.com

Understanding Electronic

a simple mind statement........

For all you dance fanatics and electronic music addicts. House music is nothing that is unfamiliar to you, i believe. With playful tunes and joyful disco that will guarantee to daze your night. House music has seen the coming and goings of many great electronic artists (from as early as the Summer Dance Festival in 1989) to the massive Love Parade in German.

House music itself is divided into many subcultures that will guarantee to boast your intrigue knowledge to understand more about this music. Since 2003, Electro has become the new buzz of our city (Jakarta), okay, Indonesia, perhaps. Everyone plays Electro, every club we went to plays a distinguished electro music. Little did we know that one branch of house music that was rooted from Electro is evolving, and its evolving fast. Minimal Techno to some people, or just plain Minimal. 

With deep curios basslines and delicious vocal mashed together with eerie synth background, Minimal plays an important role on today's dance music. Minimal has become the biggest news around the world. 

But, why? oh why? 

our people seems to be having a hard time understanding this kind of music, all that they want to hear is another Electro, anything pumping. It's not that it's uncool, it's just unbelievable how hard it is to make Indonesian people like something new (and not tailing on the back) as we are led to believe.

for all you new to this kind of music, try downloading certain artists that might boasts your interest on this music

1. Gui Boratto

2. Oliver Lieb

3. Chris Liebing

4. Ame (played in Stadium in 2007, was a great success but poorly played a different set than he usually is)

5. Radioslave

Minimal may suck to some people, some people won't love it all. I fully understand that, but there was a day i went to a club and there's this guy standing out front asking to the bouncer "what kind of music they're playing inside?" and the bouncer answered "tonight is a night dedicated to minimal techno and minimal electro", the guy then fastly answered "what is that and will the DJ's play electro?" when the guy learns that no electro will be played tonight, he left, without even wanting to know what Minimal is.

i am not saying that Electro is lame, i am not saying that other genre is so "back-in-the-days", i am simply saying, why can't us (as proud Indonesian's) learn to love something new?

cheers,

-thebastardknowsdisco-

Nicoline Patricia Malina - Fashion Testimonials 2

Photography Nicoline Patricia Malina, Stylist Kesya, Makeup Artist Philip Kwok & Team, Models Julia, Wardrobes Iwan Tirta - January 08 Original Edition

Charlie Frankline - Fashion Testimonials

Photography Charlie Frankline, Stylist Resida, Makeup Artist Philip Kwok & Team, Models Vanya, Krisna, Kims, Sanchia, Lizzy, Regan, Thomas, Joza, Julius. Special thanks to WhatNot - December 08 Party Edition

I wonder why most people here won’t queue?

So I'm sure we've all experienced it one way or another. It happens to the best of us in public restrooms, at ATMs, at the banks, at restaurants, on the road… yes, pretty much everywhere. The intolerable people who refused to queue. But you wouldn't think that it would happen at an embassy? Because surely it's a place where order is very much the norm. Well, I beg to differ.

This morning my husband and I were at the Turkish embassy to apply for visas. As we got into the waiting room, I saw a man standing in front of the visa window and others were seated as they wait for their turn. Immediately I thought to myself "how do we do this? Is there a line? How do we know who's next? Do we have to take a number? Hmm…" I get tense at situations like this. But my husband calmed me down and assured me that we'll go after all the ones seated down have gone. Still, I didn't like it one bit.

So this lady comes in with another man and sat next to us. They were tour & travel people, you know, the ones coming into embassies with stacks and stacks of passports. I'm thinking "she better not cut us." and what do you know? Even before I finished my thoughts she told the other man to chuck the passports at the window, as my husband was standing there waiting for his turn. Unbelievable!!! And the man did so and I was so furious. I mean hello!!!!! We were there first!!! Can't you see woman that we've been waiting forever for our turn as well???? Luckily the visa lady told them in a rather sharp tone to sit her butt down. And she finally did with a stupid grin on her face.

The whole point of this is why would you wait for someone to tell you off in front of other people? Isn't it embarrassing? But I guess it all comes down to the fact that most people here are not familiar with the concept of queuing. You must give them a number or rope them or write in big letters to "please queue" or finally, if all fails, shout at them. My advice is don't wait to be told off!! Have the common courtesy to queue wherever you are. If you don't know how, well don't you think it's about bloody time you learned it?! - Gwen Winarno

Anton Ismael - Fashion Testimonials

Photography Anton Ismael, Stylist Gwen Winarno, Makeup Artist Philip Kwok, Model Roberta
July 08 Sexy Edition

Nicoline Partricia Malina - Fashion Testimonials

Photography Nicoline Patricia, Stylist Kesya Makeup, Philip Kwok and team, Model Ayu
September 07 Swank Edition

Quirk It, Anniversary Madness

Review... Swankglossy visited the Gig, Quirk It, on their Anniversary Madness last Saturday Night. One of a kind talented Leo shook the crib with a style that pleased the ear. No pretentious crowd, original ambiance, cool spin and nice crib... Swankglossy highly recommends for the fresh and free characters to come. And on top Swankglossy would certainly hangs there gladly.
To make it perfect, and we know that this is out of Quirk It control, (just as a peaceful input) the bar tending division needs some schooling to do. We could not believe that they messed up our order not only once or twice but three times; didn't know the difference between Greygoose and Absolute, gave us cranberry instead of tonic and completely forget one of our order.
Quirk It! Madness it is with a mojo.

Jakarta Internet Connection

Although Internet Connection is getting better in Jakarta but not many of the provider offer real fast connection. Here, a list of some of the providers in Jakarta. The list is based on daily perception and real usage of opening site such as Swankglossy.com (1 fastest - 5 Slowest) :

1 Fast Net
2 Biz Net
3 Speedy

Please let us know the connection speed of your provider by commenting this post.

So where will you be this New Year's Eve?

Is 2007 a good year for you? Are you fortunate enough to plan your end of the year vacation? Where will you be? Can you feel Christmass vibe? Ho ho ho.... It is always good to be able to end this year with good celebration. Will you be in Bali, Singapore, Hongkong, Europe, Japan, Australia, or Jakarta? Please tell us... Often times, we forget that we need to celebrate and take time off from work... even spend a good quality time with family on the new year's eve is hard to beat...

image by www.sxc.hu

Crazy Taxis Drive Me Crazy

Oh gosh... those damn cabs in Jakarta!! Do they actually have their driver's licenses?? They drive like the road is theirs! What bugs me is that they have the attitude of "who gives if my taxi gets scratched" cos they don't love their vehicles the way I do (my car even has a name: Red Bitch). So when I'm like head to head with one of those cabs to get into a little space on the road, 90% of the time I lose cos I don't want Red Bitch to get damaged. All I can do is just honk and honk like an old women havin a fit. At least that makes me smile.

People... just honk.

image from www.sxc.hu by Akbar79

Let's Go GREEN!

Nafas suka sesak, sakit semakin sering, pasti gara-gara polusi. Lho kok Jakarta belum mau menjadikan kota ini Eco Friendly? Dari yang gampang saja, kurangi pemakaian kertas, gunakan bio bahan bakar, jangan bakar sampah sembarangan, mulai usulkan knalpot yang menggunakan emission control atau filter yang mengurangi polusi dari mesin, recycle, tidak buang sampah di mana-mana dan masih ada yang lain sih sebenarnya. Sensitif akan environment kita itu bagus, kan sudah banyak orang yang pakai mobil mewah di Jakarta, masa membantu membereskan ginian saja tidak mau?... Gimana kalau serentak satu hari kita promosikan Eco Jakarta?
Dulu Jakarta/Batavia cakep benar tapi kok sekarang babak belur. Gimana beberapa tahun lagi ya.

image by Gino Korompis Photography

Who is this in Swanky Town?

His works are well known in the media and entertainment business. Urban, alternative, young and fresh...

He started Trolley magazine, a leading Indonesian design magazine back in the days, designed Stage for bands such as Kings of Convenience, Nouvelle Vague and more...
Who is he then?....
He is Acong aka Sir Dandy the Original.
Be patient, more of his works are coming,
a feast to your eyes...
no doubt

Here is the place to get it ALL OUT....

This blog is to complement S Glossy Magazine; for readers to review, give feedback, rate (1 to 10) discuss or simply share experience after reading any of the articles or viewing the photos of S Glossy. by S Glossy, www.sglossy.com


Please feel free to write your comments. Thanks again...

Farewell Kesya

We are glad that Kesya came and styled two of Swank glossy fashion pages. Her styling com bination was rad, rarely found in places like jakarta. Her landcruiser will totally miss her when she leaves indo and so will we... tx Kes

NEW Front Page

Introducing a new designed front page to ease navigation to every articles in S glossy. Now, you can go directly to the article you want and see the image of the article before you browse. On the top of the Sglossy.com page, you will see S glossy current issue cover, highlight, slide and navigation bar. On the middle portion of the page you will be able to navigate to each article in any of S glossy editions. On the left middle part of the page, you are able to subscribe to S glossy monthly Newsletter, search S glossy and participate in S glossy's Poll.
Please let us know what you think by replying to this post, we crave your opinions to make S glossy, your swanky magazine.