Coffee and Contemplation - 1

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  It was a pleasant evening, and I always order a Japanese iced filter whenever I spend time at this particular slow bar in Jakarta. As I sipped my 50k-something coffee, my mind began to contemplate the passage of time. Ten years ago, I only paid 18k for the same menu item, the same beans. I understand how inflation works, and I know that coffee crops depend heavily on nature to thrive. Yet, as I sat there, I realized how drastically prices have skyrocketed over the last decade—not just for coffee, but for everything. Even though my salary has increased fourfold in that time, I still feel as though my buying power has weakened. It wasn't just the price of the beans that bothered me; it was the realization that the cost of living is quietly eroding everything I’ve worked for. I won't go into the weeds of government mismanagement, but it reminded me of a scene in The Trial of the Chicago 7 , where Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character asks Sacha Baron Cohen’s about his contempt for hi...
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Midnight Doctor 12

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I was waiting the doctor anxiously.
I've been in this state since last weekend and it didnt stop.
I'm going wild.
'Hey, unlike you to show up without appointment,' the doctor smirks at my appearance.
I smile.
'So, wanna talk?'
'I'm not comfortable with this topic, Doc.'
'Okay. Now did you get enough sleep? Eat well? Still doing yoga and taekwondo?'
'Hahaha easy, Doc,'
'Hm, you're fun. Very unlike you. That's make me worry, actually.'
I smile. Weaker.
'Only slept 3 hours. Eat everything or didn't eat at all. Work out much.'
The doctor writes it down. And waiting for me to continue.
'We're usually talk about love. You don't wanna talk about it? Everything's good?'
'Yeah. It just...'
'Still got that thought?'
'No.'
'Means your life's good?'
'I was too careless lately. I let people touch me without barriers. And I hate myself after that.'
The doctor knew what I mean right away. We already talked about this years ago.
'I know why I push people away. Yes, I don't wanna get hurt. But more than that. I don't wanna hurt them. Like giving false hope.
'Or, I'm afraid people will take advantage from my condition. From my unable to control things when I'm in manic.'
The doctor's picking words carefully.
'Shin. This drives when you're on manic could lead you into mistakes you'll regret. I knew you. And we agreed that this is not yourself, right?
'So if you unwilling to take on medicine, I suggest you told your condition to friends and family who will help you to control yourself.
'We don't want this to ruin your future, right? Or your heart. Or your head. Or your social scenes.'
People or medicine. Tough call. Once I told some friends. Only one who believes I got a condition. The rest thought I made things up.
Medicine is awfull. I can't take it.
'Well?'
The doctor looks me closely. And really can't find the usual me.
These days. I was living a nightmare. Playing with fires. The only wayout is,
'I'll take the medicine. But not for long run. I need to switch my head off a little bit. I might be dull. But it's for everybody's sake. For me. I need to protect myself from my brain.
'Hahaha, ironic. I need to protect myself from my brain.'

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