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June 2003

High-Points

• West End Ubud update and web site

• Yanti's Family visit

• 1st Annual World Peace Music Awards

• Bali Beaded Purses web site

• Asia-Pacific Harrier article

• John Kassner's coming visit

June 16, 2002 email

  Well this month has been one with ‘ups’ and ‘downs’.  The ‘downs’ were the result of the project I had been working on for 4 full months that was just cancelled by my 2 other partners.  This West End Ubud map project was to help about 30 of the small, but great, businesses on the west side of Ubud in the form of a map.  I had signed up 27 of the best businesses; created the web site (http://www.westendubud.com); hired a distribution person; and was ready to begin the printing of 10,000 maps when they pulled the plug.  I offered to continue on my own but they declined.  The reason(s) given: not many tourists here now; we had not collected enough ad space; and had not collected enough money to print 30,000 maps.  So go figure.  I hope to do something on my own with this but am not sure what at this point.  I’m sorta licking my wounds right now. I had future plans to expand the idea into other parts of Bali, but it’s now all on hold.  I’ll keep you posted.

 ‘Ups’ came in many forms.  One was of my girlfriend Yanti's family visiting us for a few days.  They live in Java and are very sweet.  I’ve updated the web site with some cute photos.

 “The First Annual, WORLD PEACE MUSIC AWARDS” concert was held on Saturday, June 14^th.  (http://www.concertinbali.com)  Look for the re-broadcast in the US in a few weeks.  About 15,000 people filled this beautiful former quarry that is being transformed into a huge statue and park known as GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana) (http://www.gwk-bali.com/projgwk.html has some good images).   I worked for months before the concert doing ‘viral networking’ – no, not sending out viruses.  Sending out emails to ‘peace’ groups and other groups and web sites interested in peace (I had accumulated over 300 email addresses).  On Friday, I volunteered to help out and ended up directing transportation for the artists from a hotel to the venue.  On Saturday, Yanti and I checked into the beautiful Bali Cliff hotel near the venue (picture of the pool).  It was actually built for former Pres. Suharto and is perched on the edge of a cliff (for security I guess).  We rented a small MC to transport us to and from the event which was not far away.  It started at 5PM and the music lasted until about mid-night.  Then a huge 'after show' party.  Yanti & I stayed for a few hours after the concert and then went back to the hotel.  On Sunday we just relaxed around the pool.  After the West End Ubud let-down and all the fun from the previous nights show, we rested ALL day and didn't go back to Ubud until later in the day!  The show itself was great.  I had ‘all-access’ passes so was able to wander around and visit with the musicians (and eat the buffet they had for them).  Go to get in early so had the best seats.  Over-all a really great show.  Musicians from ALL over the world!

 And Yanti and I have started a business together.  The village we live in, Penestanan, is know as the ‘Village of Young Artists’ – from when many Dutch artists came here in the 1930’s and had a profound influence on the painting styles then.  Now it is becoming known as the ‘Village of Beaders’.  Many families now make wonderfully beautiful beaded purses, belts, hair clips, glasses cases, and much more.  So Yanti and I have started Bali Beaded Purses.  (http://www.BaliBeadedPurses.com).  Please have a look and if you like the purses, go ahead and order some.   (They make wonderful Christmas and birthday gifts).  Also you are welcome to forward this email to others that may want to know about the very inexpensive, but expensive looking, handcrafted beaded purses made here.  Plus it helps the local economy!

 Here is a link to my Asia-Pacific Harrier magazine article: http://www.asiapacificharrier.com/aphonline1.htm look at it quickly as the next (3 month) issue will be out in a few weeks and this link may be for the July issue lead article!

 Next month my friend John Kassner, the esteemed inn-keeper from Marin County's West Point Inn will arrive for a few weeks.  We had a great time together when he visited last year……..

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