Inspirits: Seven Old Friends, One Garage, and Music That Heals

Me, holding the white guitar, with Rudy (bass),
Tony (red guitar) and friends
in the garage. This is the preparation moment.

 The night jamming with guitars, coffee, and friends in the garage. We showed the real playing after the preparation.

''Honey Don't" by the Beatles was the first song we played. Followed by "Baby It's You" and "Here, There, And Everywhere," we played beautifully. 

There were five players: Syarif Hidayat, nicknamed Abot (vocals); Rudy, nicknamed Yoyo (bass); Iwan (melody guitar); Yunan (rhythm/keyboards); and Zaenal (drums). They are professional players who often perform in many places. 

But since we were coming (Tony and I) as guest players, we created the jam sessions in seven. These are old friends who still love loud music. 

We do not only play The Beatles. We play rock 'n' roll and pop. From Chicago to Koes Plus, we play what makes us happy. The location is simple: the garage of Pak Yunan's house at Jl. Melong Kidul, Bandung. No big stage. Just a mixer, some cables, a small table with coffee, martabak, and cigarettes. That's enough to make us feel joys spend the night together with cheers.  

Preparation takes minutes for setting up, mixing, and tuning. Yunan had already prepared before the whole team came. And we enjoyed every minute of it. We played as if we were a real and the best band. We sang the songs and played like professionals! 

The live music vibe is joyful. If I make a mistake, like when I forgot the lyrics, they do not get angry. We just laugh. Playing with these old friends reminds us of when we were young.

Honestly, playing music makes us feel young again. For 5 hours, as we play in the band, we forget all our troubles. Even though music does not solve problems, it heals our pain and raises our mood. Music cures the bad times. 

After playing in the band, we get new inspiration and a better view of how to handle life with a better mindset. That is what we call Inspirits—the life and rise of inspirations. 

It's not the first time we've met at the same place; we did it for the second time, and it was three years ago. 

Thank you, Kand Yunan, for the pleasure and for being the host.   

Bandung, 2026—Live from the garage at Jl. Melong Kidul—

coffee, smoke, and old friends playing like a pro band.

45 Tahun Kebersamaan Fikom Unpad 1981-2026

Temu Kangen 45 Tahun Fikom Unpad, 1981-2026

45 Years Later - From Class of '81 to Rema's House in Ciateul, Bandung. 45 is the age when someone becomes mature. You should know better what, where, and why you are here now. As a comparison to army ranks, at 45 you are a colonel or lieutenant colonel. You already know whether you will become a general or not. It depends on the career you are in. Do you hold an important and strategic position or just a mediocre one? That will tell you how far you can go. 

Even though the future is a mystery and no one can predict it accurately—because life is not linear—at least you can predict your next stage. So did I, when I saw my classmates again at our reunion, 45 years after we left college. We graduated from the Faculty of Communication Science at Padjadjaran State University in Bandung. 

Tahun Pertama, Publisistik Unpad 1981

We had been together since we knew nothing, in the class of 1981. After graduation in 1988, we were separated and pursued different career paths for a long time. 

When the internet and social media connected people around 2010, we started tracing each other one by one to gather in the virtual world. And finally, on 27th September 2026, someone took the initiative to gather us in person. The place was Rema's house at Jl. Ciateul 33, Bandung. 

Our class had about 90 people, and only 45 could attend. Some had passed away, others were sick, some couldn't come because they lived too far away or abroad, and some had other reasons. But the fact that 45 people came on time is something great! 

Surprisingly, we met again when most of us had left our jobs or retired. Some of us had become grandmas and grandpas. It was amazing! Time has changed everything—not only our appearances but also our lifestyles, compared to when we were teenagers. We talked, laughed, ate, drank, and made joy together. 

We didn't just say "how do you do," but "how have you lived your life so far?" The favorite questions were: Where do you live now? How many children and grandchildren do you have? And what are you doing now? 

These questions were not just lip service; we really wanted to know. As we get older, we share a common curiosity about health. We avoid talking about what we have achieved or how much money or property we have. It sounds impolite and ridiculous. Instead, we try to see what is the same about us, not what is different. 

This was amazing, because we take care of each other. Yes, time has changed everything, but it has also tightened our bonds into a great family, a great brotherhood, and, most importantly, a deeper care for each other. Does that sound good? That's what reunion means for us now, especially when we reach 65. 

The meeting was arranged by Rema Karyanti, the host, with Kang Aan, her husband, Dr. Jenny, our best announcer, and Ani Yuningsih leading the games. They cheered us and raised the joys all the time we met.  

But we have also had time to reflect as we asked Wirianingsih, a mother of 11 children, Havidz and Havidzah, to speak in her busy time. Her experience was really great. 

"All of us must have a clear vision for our children, even grandchildren; they are like soft clay, so choose to be a good one. Don't ignore their golden ages (0-7 years), the time when their brains develop significantly. God has created me with His plan...be the best as far as you can go! And the first thing is fear of God,'' she said. 

The wisdom from Ibu Wirianingsih relates to our time today, since we are getting old. And I have made it into beautiful quotes.     

We have committed to meet more often. We never know what life will bring us tomorrow. Will we meet again? I hope so. 

Written on September 28, 2026, one day after our reunion at Rema's house. For my 44 friends who came, and for those who couldn't.