2006 Gibson Les Paul Standard – Desertburst

2005 Epiphone Les Paul Custom Limited Edition Lacquer Series, Made in Japan – Ebony

2003 Epiphone Elite Les Paul Standard, Made in Japan – Washed Cherry

The Collection

- Crisp Friedrieyk

Many were shocked when the news came out. Behold mom and dad! Child pornography at its best!

Or not? A lot of debates have erupted since the news broke out. Some say it’s art, others say it’s nudity.

Let us first tackle the bigger issue: Is it cool for your kids or not? The answer is a big NO. In reality, kids make idols out of television stars. They imitate who they see on TV. If the actor/actress wears a periwinkle-colored lip gloss, they’d have it too. If their idol learns how to play the piano, they should learn it too. But what if their idol explores or somewhat shows to explore her sexuality at such a young age? Is it right to follow their footsteps?

You decide.

Now, others say that its main purpose is to promote the magazine, the show, the kid… Come on, isn’t it obvious?

Going back to the topic. There is no clear-cut line between art and nudity. Only the viewer can decide for himself whether it is art or downright nudity. Values and morals, my dear ladies and gents…

Personally, I don’t think that it’s nudity. Not that I’m a pervert. From my point of view, it’s really beautiful and artistic to look at.

I’ve been thinking. How will I be able to cope with my new life? Financial, social, emotional, studies, etc. A lot of problems may arise. A lot of things will change. Will I, as a person, as a naturally-born Filipino, change?

I am proud of what I am now. I am proud of everything and everyone around me. I am proud that I grew up in the land where majority of the people are either minimum wage earners or earn nothing at all.

The only thing I am not proud of is when I hear the muffled cries of the so-called “small people”. What was once a democratic country where even the song of an infant is heard by the people in the position, has turned into a country of thieves, gangsters, and leader-wannabes.

I hope my post is not becoming too political. I just want people to know what I think and feel…

(to be continued…)

The thing is, I’m not totally pleased with it. Here is my pro-con list:

Pros:

1. 80GB memory. Yes, it’s more than what your average hard-drive can handle. You can also purchase one with a 160GB memory. You can dump your stuff here without worrying about disk space.

2. Stylish. Every iPod is.

3. Excellent sound quality. The iPod Classic, when matched with the stock iPod earphones, delivers rich, high tones and deep bass tones. You can now bring with you anywhere the experience of having a surround sound system.

4. Music + Pictures + Videos. Before, you won’t leave home without your wallet and mobile phone. Now, you can add this to the list.

5. Long battery life. Hours and hours of listening and viewing pleasure. You’ll never get caught watching forbidden stuff ever again. Consider that DVD player of yours a thing of the past.

6. Split-screen. Never made sense. You just have your screen showing you two different things while browsing. On the left is your menu and on the right are pictures, album covers, videos, etc.

7. It’s rechargeable. Triple and Double A’s? Those are for my TV’s remote, not for my music player!

Cons:

1. Price. At Php 11,500, it’s a rip-off.

2. Hangs a lot. Here it is: The ultimate hang-machine. Most of the time, the flip-wheel does not respond.

3. High maintenance and repair cost. When you break this one, you’ll have sleepless nights thinking about those days when you had to eat less to save up for this baby.

4. The wall charger is sold separately. YES. THE WALL CHARGER IS SOLD SEPARATELY. I always have to charge it using my laptop’s USB port. Argh. Does this make sense?

Over-all, I would still recommend buying this baby.

I’ve been thinking lately. Do we really need to leave? I think so. There are a lot of things that we could not cope with anymore. One of them is politics. Politics here in the Philippines is becoming more like a soap opera that is best watched on an old, beat-up television. It has become a social circus. Politicking has become a profession or better yet a hobby for most Filipinos who are influential and are in dire need of money and attention.

Do they really know what they are doing to their countrymen?

The ordinary Mang Dodong is never satisfied with the way the political circus is being ran. Mang Andoy and Mang Berting who are on the other street are arguing whether or not they should participate in the upcoming mass protest against the current dictatorship. Aling Nene’s only job, gathering old cans and plastic bottles, does not pay enough for her to satisfy the daily needs of her 12 children.

My goodness, what has happened to our beloved country? The country that Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio and a lot of other heroes including Manny Pacquiao fought for. Many claim to know what the root of the problem is. Blah, blah, blah.

The truth is, it is a cycle. You see: People Who Choose Their Leaders Based On Good Looks Instead Of Personality and Good Track Record = Less Knowledgeable People In Position = Less Accountability = Greed = Corruption = Less Money For The People = Less Money For Education = Poverty = Overpopulation. Then it goes back…

There is no period. The only way to solve it is to break the cycle.

For me, the weakest link is the part where people get less money for education. People need to be educated. Education should be given to where it is really needed. Private organizations should award more scholarships to people who really deserve it.

Next, we should change the system. Better system of government = greater accountability = less greed = less corruption = more money for the people = more money for education = less people below the poverty line = wiser voters = wiser people in position.

Third, control the population. The budget alloted for the people, no matter how big it may seem, is small when divided to a lot of people. Simple Mathematics. Numerator / Denominator. Budget / Population. Budget / Greater Population = Smaller Amount for a Single Filipino. Budget / Smaller Population = Greater Amount for a Single Filipino.

These, I think, will lead to the betterment of the entire nation. We need to put a stop to the exodus of a lot of Filipinos who are in search of greener pastures in other people’s lands. The Filipino belongs to the Philippines and the Philippines belongs to the Filipino.

- Crisp Friedrieyk

1. PlayStation Portable

2. iPhone

3 and 4. The mini-concert of Adolfo Timuat ( Famous Filipino Flamenco Guitar Player ) and Doctor Charisse Baldoria ( Famous Filipino Pianist )

Watch out for my post about the PlayStationPortable (PSP).

What is the meaning of true happiness? Well, no one can really tell. We just feel that we are enjoying ourselves, enjoying pleasure or contentment with what we are doing, and maybe enjoying life. These give us a hint of what the meaning of true happiness is. But what if one of the factors that make up true happiness is not achieved? Can we say that we are truly happy? Will it be devoid of its meaning?

At present, I am a freshman at the University of the Philippines. I am currently taking up BS Industrial Engineering at one of the best universities in the country. With the path I am taking, I should be happy and proud of myself. The million dollar question is: Am I?

All my life, I have longed for an adventure. I wanted to become a photographer, an artist, a professional racecar driver, or maybe a chef. In short, I wanted to become myself. I maybe gifted with the skills and the abilities suitable for an executive job, but that is not my calling. If there is one wish God can grant me, I wish to live my life.

Sadly, this wish of mine has not come true. I am forced to live my life full of misery. I have learned that one cannot be truly happy if one of the factors that make up true happiness is not achieved. I have learned it the hard way. And along the way, I have lost myself.

She’s been gone before.
I worry all the time, why worry anymore
Now I go, away
Now I know, today

I picked out your star
Turned night to day
A simple whisper from your voice
And I fade away
You wish for love
You pushed me away
Your love for me was everything I need
The air I breath

She, now she’s all alone
Her eyes they drown in tears
Their love was meant to last
But she is blind with fear
Now I go, away
Now I know, today

I picked out your star
Turned night to day
A simple whisper from your voice
And I fade away
You wish for love
You pushed me away
Your love for me was everything I need
The air I breath

Leave me be
Now I’m free
Love reflecting everything
You want space
I need you to help me see this through

There she goes
(there she goes)
(there she goes)

I’ve become your star
Turned night to day
A simple whisper from your voice
And I fade away
You wish for love
You pushed me away
Your love for me was everything I need
The air I breath

I woke up at 6 am. Bathed. Dressed. Ate. Left.

I had a hard time finding the room of my 1st class, Biology 1.

I couldn’t stop complaining about the heat. Argh.

As I was filling up my class card with my name etcetera, my friend (would not mention the name), asked me the meaning of the word “KINKY”. Hmm…

Very tiring…

I had to walk quickly because from the Math building, where my Math 17 class is held, I only had 15 minutes of travel time in order for me not to be late for my next class, Creative Writing 10, which is held at the College of Arts and Letters.

I did not get my Math book (College Algebra and Trigonometry by Leithold) today. Argh.

I chose the first one because it looks more presentable than the second.

* Ferrari Enzo featured in red and Maserati MC12 featured in silver.

Name: Ferrari Enzo
Engine: 6L Ferrari Dino V12, Naturally Aspirated, 660bhp @ 7,800 rpm
Price: ~ Php 50.3 million
Weight: 1255kg
Performance: 0 – 62 mph (0-100kph) in 3.65 sec
Max Speed: 218mph (350kph)
Transmission: Six Speed paddle-operated sequential manual

The Ferrari Enzo is named after the company’s father, Enzo Ferrari. Why? Well, the Enzo was the best Ferrari production car of its time. The team then decided to name it FERRARI ENZO.

* Ferrari Enzo featured in black

* Back of the Ferrari Enzo

The first thing that I want you to know about the Enzo is that is a Ferrari. Car enthusiasts wouldn’t care what model you have as long as it is a Ferrari. The second is about its aerodynamic design. The Enzo’s aerodynamic design is inspired by the Ferrari F1. Yes. The driving experience feels the same as the F1′s. It even has the Ferrari technology that has been restricted from F1 because of its advantage over the other participants. The Enzo is mostly carbon-fiber in material. Even some parts of the dashboard!

Let me take you inside of it.

Here is a picture of the steering wheel.

Look closely. It has those tiny buttons. If you are not a car enthusiast, you would think that those are just Ferrari rubbish. Well, they’re not. The button that is least pressed is the RACE button. You might ask why. Well, it’s for you to find out.

The next thing is its transmission. It is semi-automatic and is paddle-operated. That’s what makes it like an F1! Paddle-operated transmission!

Here is a picture of the Enzo’s Dials:

Well, this review has been about the Ferrari Enzo and the Maserati MC12. Why? Because they are brothers! Maserati was under the Ferrari’s management when the MC12 was conceptualized and produced. And as I’ve said, they share the same DNA. They share almost the same V12 engine, suspension design and carbon chassis with aluminum cradles at either end, mid-engined rear-wheel drive set-up and the six speed sequential paddle-shifts.

Name: Maserati MC12
Engine: 6L Maserati V12, 630bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Price: ~ Php 47.1 million
Weight: 1535kg
Performance: 0 – 62 mph (0-100kph) in 3.8 sec
Max Speed: 205mph (330kph)
Transmission: Six Speed paddle-operated sequential manual

Compared to the digital Ferrari Enzo, the Maserati MC12 is analog. The MC12 was conceptualized and produced during the time when Maserati was under Ferrari’s supervision.

Let me take you inside the car.

Hmm. Do you think you’ve seen this interior before? Maybe. It’s almost the same as the Enzo’s! It also has that paddle-operated transmission! See the difference? The Enzo is digital while the MC12 is analog! Look closely to compare the MC12′s dials with the Enzo’s! They’re almost the same!

(More on this next time.)

* Bugatti Veyron

Could it beat the Koenigsegg CCR, a car that has posted a new lap record on the UK Motor Program Top Gear? According to Hans Hahnkase, a Bugatti engineer, they are disturbed by the reports of the Koenigsegg smashing the 250 mph mark. But according to Mr. Hahnkase, the the company will not succeed. “No-one is interested in a car they cannot spell,” Mr. Hahnkase added.

* Koenigsegg CCR

*Here is a picture of Bugatti Veyron’s Engine