Sitting in one of their past events, I was moved to make the Indonesia Mengajar trip that is still defining my life until now.

And chatting with one of its founder Tika, I am glad that the feeling’s mutual. “You are one of our first and most concrete example of how a person sitting in a TED talk can actually go out there and do something. When meetings sponsors and organizers, we always tell your story.”

And I am more than lucky that my schedule this year permits me to sit and watch the talks again. More than that, we were honored to be able to support this time through pictures and videos.

Thank you for all the Edward Suhadi Productions team that has contributed their time and effort. I know you guys too felt lucky to be taking part :)

Thank you for all the ganks of TEDxJakarta, Arif and Tika and Santi and all of yous that has been giving the best for TEDxJakarta to keep happening. No they’re not just feel-good talks. They’re a place to inspire and connect and collaborate to contribute something to Indonesia dan the world. Once in a while, there’s someone in the crowd that will go out and do something. Like yours truly :)

Enjoy the pictures and videos.

Here’s the video of the preparations the day before:

Here’s the video of the day of the event:

I will vacuum more often if I just had a nicer machine. I will plant more if I just had a rooftop garden. I will cook more if I just had an oven. I will take pictures more if I just had a studio. I will do better work if I just had a bigger screen. I will sell more if I just had a bigger marketing budget. I will spend more time with you if we just had a closer home to work.

But we all know the truth:

If we didn’t run when we didn’t have a treadmill, then we will not run when we have one.

We just bought the most expensive clothes hanger and tie rack in the world.

Run, vacuum, plant, cook with what you have.

Or do you like making excuses instead?

I take pictures of women all the time. All sorts of characters and all kinds of physical features.

First I have to admit that I still most of the time fall to the thinking of the common men, that ‘beautiful’ is the face and the body that we see on a magazine cover.

But like I said, as a photographer that photograph ‘real people’ and not models, I often encounter people that will not make it to your nearest magazine cover.

So are they beautiful?

I learn to say ‘yes’.

I say learn, because I still often failed to do so. But I know, I know, that this person in front of my camera right now is beautiful.

I just have to unlearn myself the definition of beautiful that has been taught to me all my life by televisions and magazines.

I have to find the right angle, look for the right moment, and capture that ‘beauty’ that maybe only a few people in the world could understand: Your family, your closest friends, and that person that is going to marry you.

You’re beautiful. Really.

While driving home and think about the things that I currently don’t have, I just realized something.

The Internet has been teaching us to look up.

With today’s ever connected world, with the Facebook pages and BBM statuses and Twitter and Instagram feeds, we constantly look at other people’s stuff and activities.

And since people will always be posting *only* the good things that are happening to them, the internet and social media is like a wall of achievements and goodies. From admirable trophies and honorable awards, vibrant vacations and sexy beaches, perfect families and smiling couples, up to new cars and hot gadgets with the cool teammates and offices.

We failed to realize that social media is the ‘edited’ version of people’s life. No wonder you’ve never seen the bad takes. Even the good ones usually didn’t make the cut. It has to be ‘extrodinaire’ to go up the wall or down the feed.

And last time I checked, there is not a single soul that will follow people that they don’t like. We will only follow the people that we admire, so most probably our feed is filled with people who has ‘made it’. Our idols. Those who is ‘above’ us.

Without us realizing it, this neck it getting sore from too much looking up.

We are probably not aware of this, but we are constantly bombarded with news and photos of achievements of other people.

Now if you are a very mature man with a very big heart, these kinda things probably will motivate and inspire you.

For me, a lot of times they do.

But alas, a lot of times, they also filled me with jealousy, frustration, restlessness, envy, stress, depression, and discontent.

The really scary part is not the frustration.

But for all of our times we spend on social media looking up, we forget to look down.

We forget about being thankful.

We forget that there are so, so, so many that are fighting a lot of harder battles than us. Most probably they are our own closest friends and families.

We forget that we already have so much, already climbed so high, already fat from all the luxuries we enjoyed.

We don’t realize that where we are now, seemed so low and miserable from our point of view, is seemed so high and unthinkable from a lot of people’s.

Their necks are sore from looking up at us all the time.

Wake from the dream. Realize what you have been watching. Feel how they have made you live your life.

Remember to look down. And maybe extend a hand from your high point.

Be thankful for where you are, what you have, and where you are going.

Another wedding. Another prewedding. Another presentation. Another product development. Another exhibition. Another meeting. Another column. Another movie. Another book. Another budget report. Another collaboration.

If you are a professional and there’s a reputation behind you, that means you must be good at what you do and you have been doing this for quite a long time.

Well, long enough to feel that this is just another [insert project] here.

We will do ‘as we used to’ professionally, and the clients or whoever at the other end will be delighted and satisfied for we have delivered what we have promised.

Nobody’s upset. Everyone’s happy. End of story. Another day gone by. Switching the lights off on our way out.

But what if?

What if we treat every project as a chance? As an opportunity to tell the world whatever it is that we want to say?

Today where everyone could have a webpage that everyone in the world could open, where everything gets retweeted and forwarded, we have this opportunity.

Imagine this broadcasting studio, where you could walk in, shut the door, stand in front of the microphone, flip the switch, and whatever you say is broadcasted on speakers all over the world.

What are you going to say if you stand in front of such microphone?

Will you use that microphone to say that your work are amazingly beautiful?
That you have taste?
That you stand for something?
That you are this new upcoming talent?
That you are revolutionary?
That you are building a new point of view?
That you make work that is making a mark in your industry?
That you are giving all you got?

Or, will you use that microphone to say that you suck?
That you can only do what you did yesterday?
That you are only here to do as you’re required to do?
That you do work that is forgettable?
That you are boring?
That you can’t wait to go home and play facebook?
That your winning days are over?

Most definetely not, right?

Sadly these are what we do most of the time.

We fail to realize that the microphone is switched on everytime we do a project, and instead of trying to say anything interesting and have the world to look at us, we broadcast that we are here just to do the job. As required.

And we fail to realize, that the microphone is not ours to use.

When a trusting client/producer/boss/leader gives us complete freedom with his/her project, that’s when the microphone is shoved in front of our faces.

This does not come often.

But when it does, it is your chance to wow the world.

Or to let the world know that you suck big time.

Every project is a microphone connected to the world. So, what are you going to say?

The world is listening.

Why? Because as one business man to another, I know how valuable a credible recommendation is for a start-up business. And who doesn’t love to help a friend?

So from time to time I’ll be curating good experiences and I’m gonna share them here. Please note that these recommendations will not be sponsored/paid. These are honest tips for places of business that I think deserve more crowd and attention.

So here’s the first:

We Recommend: ROC ‘N RON Barbecue.

The owner is a client of mine, and last nite I dine there for a meeting.

It was a blissfull experience. I had their specialty: which is the Baby Back Ribs. The meat was heavenly, so tender falling off the bone so easily, and the sauce was right on the money. I like the mashed potato, which was roasted briefly after they put it on the plate so they have this crust on the top.

I found out after that the man behind the ribs is a former chef Uncle Tony R*mas. And seriously, I couldn’t tell the difference.

They serve local and imported beers, and they have decent outdoor hangout place.

The place is spanking clean with good service.

The downside? It was practically empty :(

Granted I was there on a Tuesday night, but I believe the place really-really deserve more attention. At least people have to try it. With their very reasonable price (80k for a full length local baby back rack and two generous side dishes) people will come back for more.

I really want to help them. More people need to know. And last night, driving home from the place, I had this crazy idea. After a phone call to the owner, we sealed the deal.

And here it is:

From today up to this Sunday (27-31 March), when you say “EDWARD SUHADI GANTENG” when you ask for the bill, you will get a 20% discount on your food!

The only reason drinks were not discounted is because his cashier system is not programmed to have drinks discounted. “My drinks are cheap,” he said.

They don’t only serve pork baby-back. But they serve beef ribs too, and tenderloin and sirloin steaks, pasta, and other western food.

But seriously, if you eat pork: You gotta try the baby back ribs. The one in the picture above is more than enough for two ladies.

Here’s their location:

View ROC N RON in a larger map

Basically if RCTI is on your left (beside Tol Kebun Jeruk) – go straight – you’ll see SILOAM HOSPITAL – go straight – you’ll see FOOD HALL – go straight – you’ll see an overpass – go straight 100 metres – it’s on your left.

Try it, trust me you wont be dissapointed. Perfect for celebrations with the office team, friends hangouts, a family meal, or even a romantic hearthy dinner.

Remember, only until this Sunday, and don’t forget to say “EDWARD SUHADI GANTENG”.

Please help spread this word around. I am also curious how far this will go :)

Thank you all for your shares :)

This is a poem that is read so powerful by a Shane Koyczan about bullying. The artwork and music is a collaboration between artists worlwide, making this piece so elegant and moving.

I have been fortunate to not be an object of bullying growing up. But for those who were, this will be immensly powerful.

Here’s Shane reading it live in a TED talk:

Don’t forget: things will say is often more powerful and hurting than a sword or a bullet.

Share generously.

During trials and during hard times, we always ask:

Does this mean that this is not the right way to go, or because this thing you pursue is so precious you need to fight hard for it?

I used to pray for the steep and stony road if I am going down a dangerous path. I prayed that things will be put in my path so I know this is not the choice I should be making. That if this was meant for me, make the road downhill and smooth.

Well, these last couple of years my life experiences have changed me.

I believe now that you will have to fight for great destinations. The journey will not be easy. The better it is for you, the harder the road will get.

It is never easy to court that beautiful, hot, athletic, smart, can-cook, full-of-humor, adventurous, stinkin-rich, good-with-kids, responsible, loyal and angel-hearted member of the opposite sex.

You get the point.

This new belief has changed the way I see problems and trials and hardships.

It has given me tremendous strength in difficult times when I am pursuing new great destinations.

I become a stubborn man.

The more I get bombarded with difficulties and problems, the more eager I get to solving it and continue the journey. The harder it gets, the more I become undeterred and focused on the goal.

Obstacles and road blocks have almost felt like signboards saying: “THIS WAY”

The latest of such journey is having The Disco as the new home for Edward Suhadi Productions.

There is so much trouble right from the start: the financing, papers, legals, permits, up to the renovating, constructions, faulty facilities, cash-flow, and disruptions in our workflow.

Many of the problems are not lone incidents. Many of them occured repeatedly and intertwined together. Getting bigger everytime.

Thus I know in my heart: The Disco is a very big deal. A place that will change everything.

There were times when the obstacles were too stressful and mountainous, I still asked myself: “Is this the road to take?”, “Maybe this place is not for me.” – “Maybe I have to slow down a bit.”

But by the end of the day, I know that this *is* the road to take. This is the hard journey to get there.

Building the studio with a massive headache

Yeah but how do I know? When the path gets really steep, how do I answer the question on the title of this post?

You can try this 3 item checklist:

1. The road is hard not because of our incompetence and stupidity.

A lot of people blame everything and everyone for the mess they are in, but deep inside, most of us know that we’re neck deep in some troubles because we dig the hole ourselves: lazyness, fear, dishonesty, ignorance. When you know that you have *really* done your best, then do not fear, and try harder.

2. The road is steep because you want to get higher.

If you’re facing obstacles because you want to get into a new higher level, with more responsibilies, more risk, more impact for the people around you, and not because of pride or ego or selfishness or greed, then do not fear, and try harder.

3. Amidst the storm, you find peace.

The true beacon. The warm heart amidst the storm. The calm voice when you kneel and say your prayers. Even when the stress become almost unbearable, you know deep inside you that this is the right path. It reminds me of this story:

“There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But therewere only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.

“Because,” explained the king, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.” “

If you find peace amidst the storm, then do not fear, and try harder.

The first messy days in The Disco

It was when we just moved to our Kosambi Dalam office.

Mbak Yanti was still thin (!), Evy was still with her very long hair (I don’t even remember how she looked with the long hair), and Wiji was painting the wall black for us to write on countless discussions in the future.

The picture evoked sweetness. You know, when you did not realize your lips were slowly forming a smile.

I look at the date, it was January 2011. Two years ago.

I realized that the picture is just a snapshot. Just a click of a camera phone when nobody was even looking.

Back then, the picture probably worth nothing.

But now, like I said, it evoked sweetness. I found myself smiling looking at it.

This led me to a theory, that when a picture is fresh, a lot of irrelevant things become a very big deal. The composition, the background, the bokeh, the lighting, the rim lights, the awesomeness factor, everything becomes a big thing. Every little detail becomes a headache.

But if you give it time, a lot of those things fade away, and you’re left with the most important thing:
The memories. Sweet memories.

Do not forget why you take pictures. #PicturesToRemember

Despite the lower than usual traffic on the exhibition, our booth was always fully packed. People keep pouring in and out. The desks were never empty, the stools were always seated on. A couple of times there were couples sitting outside the booth looking at our albums. We’re sorry, and at the same time, really happy to see that.

I think I love this ESP booth design the most. It was really us. Simple, sophisticated, warm and fuzzy, with headlines that will kick you in the nuts :)

Sure a wedding photography booth with no photo on it might not be for everyone. But for those who stopped and read the headlines and the copy and the manifesto, then I think together we can work something out :)

And we did this tradition that started in the Lagu Baru exhibition: everytime there’s a sale, we rang a bell. And the people in our booth welcomed it with an applause.

And the bell was ringing all day baby :)

Some funny clients even passed the bell to the couple next to them, saying: “Okay, now’s your turn.”

But do you know what the best thing is?

The best thing is seeing something that you fought so hard for, something that is so unpopular but you believe in so strongly came through in the end.

Making a lot of sales is business as usual. Making a lot of sales of a product that few people believed in is priceless.

You know our sales were hit bad for setting this ship to a new course, so to hear the bell ringing all weekend was a lot of encouragement.

I felt like the father that has been telling his family all year long, “A little bit longer sweetie, okay? Just a while longer. The seeds we planted will grow. I know it’s been a bad year, but you’ll see them sprouting soon enough. A little while longer.”, and then finally see the seeds do grow. The harvest does come. They did fight for something.

That night, while looking at our booth being teared apart, this quote comes to mind:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Thank you believers. Still a very long way to go, and still we need you on our every step.

PS: For those who missed the exhibiton, here’s a look back.