tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59042628486799909272024-03-18T21:35:03.570+08:00BUANASENI..... where aesthetic values transcend and appreciation ignitedJohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.comBlogger1526125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-87304015702439473852024-03-18T21:24:00.007+08:002024-03-18T21:34:08.768+08:00LAMPU TRAFIK 199<p> </p><p>Lampu Trafik 199</p><p><br /></p><p>Lampu merah sombong</p><p>Tidak mahu dia minggir</p><p>Sudah 199 minit berlalu</p><p>Ia terus jua, </p><p>.....menganjingkan kita</p><p>Kepala otak kita semak</p><p>Berkira-kira waktu</p><p>Bertahan pundi kencing</p><p>Dan perut kembung angin</p><p>Namun, </p><p>..... susah hidup puas rasanya</p><p>Lebih rela kita bertungkus</p><p>Mahu pun onak belukar dirempuh</p><p>Dari dipenjara zoo binatang</p><p>Kata orang kita harus terus berjuang</p><p>Bukan sekadar jam Rolex</p><p>Kononnya hadiah bersara</p><p>Berkilat berkilau cantik</p><p>Namun maknanya jelek</p><p>Di ufuk sana matahari malu</p><p>Pergi ia jauh dia dari kita</p><p>Agar kita berteguk air</p><p>Menghembus kretek</p><p>Dan bersyukur masih hidup</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Oleh Jo Haq</p><p>18 Mac 2024</p><p>7:27 malam</p><p>Shah Alam</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-74649659692301862672024-03-14T07:34:00.003+08:002024-03-14T07:34:34.200+08:00SEBAB KITA SAYANG<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>Sebab Kita Sayang</p><p><br /></p><p>Kita marah dengan anak</p><p>Perangainya malas mencanak</p><p>Mahu dicorakkan otak</p><p>Sebab kita sayang anak</p><p><br /></p><p>Kita membebel dengan isteri</p><p>Belanjanya boros tak terperi</p><p>Mahu dibendung kata hati</p><p>Sebab kita sayang isteri</p><p><br /></p><p>Kita gelojoh wang dan harta</p><p>Lumayannya terbeliak biji mata</p><p>Mahu dikumpul macam Si Qarun Izha</p><p>Sebab kita sayang dunia</p><p><br /></p><p>Kita mencabut lalang di pusara</p><p>Sejak kita bayi sabar mereka membela</p><p>Mahu kita tebus apa yang alpa</p><p>Sebab kita sayang ibu dan bapa</p><p><br /></p><p>Kita meroyan fasal Kerajaan</p><p>Politikusnya hancing labunan </p><p>Mahu dirombak keterampilan</p><p>Sebab kita sayang nilai kebangsaan</p><p><br /></p><p>Kita sujud dan berdoa</p><p>Kumitannya nangis tak berirama</p><p>Mahu ditaubat dari segala dosa</p><p>Sebab kita sayang yang Maha Esa</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Oleh Jo Haq</p><p>14 Mac 2024</p><p>7:26 pagi</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-36798305666379448652024-03-11T05:22:00.013+08:002024-03-11T10:25:53.557+08:001947 CHINESE HORSE RACING CALENDAR<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNH1j6kzLz4qqHfOu5x4zkXCak7MOmu3kCe4sPNTvi8qOtfzFQkTpOh_wr1U9Ybp6dHwgjDdmg4Gjvclx6b3XDdXus96xy0wtcMcgPX7WFBuFdU-2GQhQzol1QSouLzf1ATS9sml4E_EYEwQIsakTzK3gLn1UH-FzKy6CyYEC6Se697o_LwjlLQRn4F9c/s1080/Screenshot_20240311_052105_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1080" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNH1j6kzLz4qqHfOu5x4zkXCak7MOmu3kCe4sPNTvi8qOtfzFQkTpOh_wr1U9Ybp6dHwgjDdmg4Gjvclx6b3XDdXus96xy0wtcMcgPX7WFBuFdU-2GQhQzol1QSouLzf1ATS9sml4E_EYEwQIsakTzK3gLn1UH-FzKy6CyYEC6Se697o_LwjlLQRn4F9c/w400-h235/Screenshot_20240311_052105_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>1947 CHINESE HORSE RACING CALENDAR</p><p>By Jo Haq</p><p>11 March 2024</p><p>4:35 am</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I just woke up to a very weird dream. I was an accidental time traveller back to 1947 in Malaya. I saw a Malaysian Chinese horse racing calendar somewhere while I was there, or when I was then. Funny, the clothing was more like 1957 because I saw women wearing mini skirts and police wearing shorts.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I checked my wallet and saw that I still have some 2024 Malaysian currency notes, my Malaysian national registered identification card and all. I figured that those stuff shall be my evidence. So, I went for a quest to identify someone whom I can give, maybe a 2024 fifty Ringgit note with my signature on it and my 2024 telephone number, that is 0179881185. That someone would look for me in 2024. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Say if he or she is twenty years old, in 1947, then in 2024 he or she would be 77 years old. So, he or she would have to look for me earlier, say in 2014, at his or her age of 67. To be safe, I thought to myself, 67 is too old. He or she might be dead already. So, I resorted to give my phone number used earlier then 2013, that is 0172508811.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">And there, or then, begun my adventure of identifying that person. But every time I was about to utter the words that I suspect the person will not believe, some obstacle will happen to stop me from continuing. This happened many times.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Oh! Ya! I forgot to mention. I was not alone. I had my friend, Riza, whom used to be the successor CEO to me for MyCreative. So, we both encountered the same obtacles together. One of the obstacle was a police raid due to fear of communism spreading. Riza got captured for God knows whatever reason. He does not look like a communist. So, I was left alone.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I was tired and had given up in my attempt to give the marked fifty Ringgit note because even if I did not attempt to utter any words, the act of pulling out that note with the attention to show what was written on it would trigger some sort of obstacle.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Soon I realised, every person that I got closed to would be out of my life. I became lonely. So, I think, or thought, rather, I should just retire from my intention and just live 1947. I looked for a job as an office boy. I met a twenty year old Malay lady by the name Sofia. She looks like Zaleha from the P. Ramlee film, Antara Dua Darjat. We became good friends, but not lovers.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Despite my effort to avoid telling her or showing her where, or when, I come from, an obstacle happened anyway. She did not want to continue our friendship and refused to see me. In fact, I couldn't even find her as I suspect she may have left town or moved away. I was alone, yet again. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">What could have happened? Did she try to look into my Bally wallet? Maybe she did see my Malaysian national registration identification card. Maybe she did see my fifty Ringgit note that had my signature coupled with a written date of 10 March 1947 as well as a written declaration scribbled as, "I am Johan bin Mohamed Ishak. I was born on 29 August 1975. Call me at 0172508811 in the year 2003". </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I was so sad that that sadness had awoken me from my sleep at 4:24 am on 11 March 2024. The funny thing is, normally I would not remember the details of my dreams. This dream, however, stays vivid in my mind down to the colour of clothes worn by people in the dream, their faces, as well as stuff like the Malaysian Chinese horse racing calendar. Oh well, I am just going to have a smoke and then back to sleep. Who knows I might end up in 2047?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYn9QsBI7_R8zkqDaMKNfQenrFubyETJhDYGvKt3LXQ2CNpdU3fyCb8_pJ8UUUtFATl9MSMCTgW397c20nfFJqK4_T4l0rWuLeqFKHFVWidgKKo8XrF2C6sONT8YX7xfr9aifPaAS1CuMkIj5wvI4HQ2ED23cF7Avt-4jZwblKoJSeqtq7-YezlRbRf4/s751/Screenshot_20240311_052648_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="751" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYn9QsBI7_R8zkqDaMKNfQenrFubyETJhDYGvKt3LXQ2CNpdU3fyCb8_pJ8UUUtFATl9MSMCTgW397c20nfFJqK4_T4l0rWuLeqFKHFVWidgKKo8XrF2C6sONT8YX7xfr9aifPaAS1CuMkIj5wvI4HQ2ED23cF7Avt-4jZwblKoJSeqtq7-YezlRbRf4/w400-h320/Screenshot_20240311_052648_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-2131071603538353002024-03-07T19:54:00.009+08:002024-03-08T15:19:02.649+08:00SURPRISE! RISING RICE PRICE<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKEfGB1Rt8GlqB4jAiN1ScZK7oNetbY7w1IMUS5c5AsgD24sD8RxQOtirkleAWXL-nVbbHurhTJSDKlFBmAzw_KmiBzfBId0ZzRkkYMgQNGHcNM92ZEjXBDdCWZo8sMWNIPo06iZO5afKCn0PlgMupiBtBit3R91KXjOKmhekosCmsXFtty2WrVdDNvc/s1036/Screenshot_20240307_195227_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1036" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKEfGB1Rt8GlqB4jAiN1ScZK7oNetbY7w1IMUS5c5AsgD24sD8RxQOtirkleAWXL-nVbbHurhTJSDKlFBmAzw_KmiBzfBId0ZzRkkYMgQNGHcNM92ZEjXBDdCWZo8sMWNIPo06iZO5afKCn0PlgMupiBtBit3R91KXjOKmhekosCmsXFtty2WrVdDNvc/w640-h461/Screenshot_20240307_195227_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>SURPRISE! RISING RICE PRICE</p><p>By Johan Ishak</p><p>7 March 2024</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">RICE is a staple for us Malaysians as well as most countries in Asia. In fact, it is probably the ranking No.1 staple food surpassing fish, meat and vegetables. As simple as it may be, there is a need for many types of rice particularly those with medical condition. Given its importance, consumers reaction to any change in price of rice is highly elastic.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Since early 2023, price of rice has increased by 36% from RM2,350 per metric tonne to RM3,200, as reported in The Star on 1 September 2023, and consumers are angry. India, who is World's top exporter of rice has restricted its rice exports in order to satisfy their local consumption needs. As a result, the price of rice is now at RM6 per kilogram (expatistan.com). However, recent shopping done at the supermarket seems to price 10 kilogram at RM45, i.e RM4.50 per kilogram.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">A kilogram is equivalent to 4.5 cups, enough to feed a family for a day. 30 days gives you RM135 per month. This can be sizeable portion of monthly household income of B40 segment of the market. That is assuming a small family of 4. What if there are more?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Malaysia produces 1.5 million tonnes of rice that can only meet 73% of the local consumer needs (ap.fftc.org.tw). The remaining 27% are imported from various countries including India, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. The question is, why is Malaysia not addressing the supply issue and, hence, address the pricing issue. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">India has managed to become the No.1 rice exporter in the space of one decade since they embarked on their rice policies. What has the Malaysian Government done? Since the new Madani Government of Anwar Ibrahim came to power, a new ministry for food security has been created for which, Mat Sabu is the minister. Mat Sabu or even PMX Anwar should do what is necessary to address the situation we are facing.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to Professor Fatimah Arshad of Universiti Putra Malaysia in a Breakfast Grill interview on BFM on 7 March 2024, the Government has introduced Beras Madani policy. The policy aims to combine local and imported rice, which means, combining low quality as well as high quality rice. This also means, the price averaging of rice deprives the poor from a cheaper rice price option.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">What good does this policy bring particularly when the country is facing economic issues. The poor suffers more and the rich rice distributors make more profits. In any case, how does this address the issue of shortage of rice supply in the country? Fatimah further expressed her disagreement of such policy specifically and generally on the overall control mechanism for rice by the Government.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Whilst the Government is studying the monopolistic behaviour of Bernas for rice distribution on the pretext of fairness and equitability of the industry, the Beras Madani policy only tends to legalise the illegal activity of mixing low and high quality as well as depriving what could have been lower price for rice. Perhaps the rice subsidy mechanism needs to be overhauled as well and certainly, research and development needs affirmative action.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to Fatimah, Malaysia is ranked second in the World for biodiversity behind Brazil, third in South East Asia for the number of scientist per capital, do not have climate issues like draught or elnino in India and a special ministry for food security. Shouldn't this result in better food economics? Fatimah further said that various studies suggest that seventy per cent of future supply of rice comes from research and development that we do, or can do, or should do, today.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Professor's advice during the BFM interview was for Malaysia to upscale research and development, do away with monopoly and empower many small and medium companies to engage in distribution of rice as well as down stream pivoted product development from paddy or rice. Bernas can still be an important player if this is done as they have accumulated decades of experience since Lembaga Padi Negara days. What is left is just the political will to make it happen. Otherwise, we will always face many more future "Surprise! Rising Rice Price" again and again.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p>~ end ~</p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-75224074531217629982024-03-05T16:23:00.006+08:002024-03-05T16:23:46.951+08:00AND I SHALL BOW DOWN<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>And I Shall Bow Down</p><p><br /></p><p>Let the mighty light shine and glow</p><p>Melting away the dirty old snow</p><p>And may the flowers bloom on the meadow</p><p>So that the birds sing in the borough</p><p>I shall stand tall and thorough</p><p>Realising the blessings I can no longer borrow</p><p>Forgiveness I seek in the shadow</p><p>The darkness that juxtapose goodness halo</p><p>Let alone like in the gallow</p><p>As if deprived of any hello</p><p>For a soul that is mellow</p><p>So that I shall direct the flying arrow</p><p>To the eye of sorrow</p><p>Let the dreams follow</p><p>Soothing with bees black and yellow</p><p>In the garden of tomorrow</p><p>Where hope is set to grow</p><p>For me to prostrate in awe</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>By Jo Haq</p><p>5 March 2024</p><p>4:17 pm</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-57443125091983636642024-03-05T15:37:00.005+08:002024-03-05T15:37:41.958+08:00IMPIAN MAKRIFAT<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>Impian Makrifat</p><p><br /></p><p>Bersinarlah cahaya keagongan</p><p>Meleburkan salji berlumuran</p><p>Maka debunga berterbangan</p><p>Menarilah,</p><p>..... burung-burung</p><p>..... berkicauan</p><p><br /></p><p>Bangunlah aku kelapangan</p><p>Membuka mata keinsafan</p><p>Mengharapkan kemaafan</p><p>Dan makrifat,</p><p>.... yang sebenar</p><p>.... kepada Tuhan</p><p><br /></p><p>Izinkan ku bersepi</p><p>Dengan kerelaan</p><p>Jiwaku ini</p><p>Dalam kekusutan</p><p>Agar ku mengerti</p><p>Makna kehidupan</p><p>Untukku hadapi</p><p>Segala kesulitan .....</p><p><br /></p><p>Inginku bermimpi</p><p>Bunga-bunga di taman</p><p>Menyejukkan hati</p><p>Dengan keamanan</p><p>Membuka kembali</p><p>Jalan keimanan</p><p>Hamba ini .....</p><p>Ooo .....</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Oleh Jo Haq</p><p>5 Mac 2024</p><p>3:33 petang</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-27398520441021561032024-02-29T18:16:00.003+08:002024-02-29T18:16:57.962+08:00HITAM MERAH BIRU HIJAU PUTIH KUNING<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>Hitam Merah Biru Hijau Putih Kuning</p><p><br /></p><p>Gelap Hitamnya gaung mendalam</p><p>Menggelegak Merah gunung berapi</p><p>Terbentangnya luas lautan memBiru</p><p>MengHijau pepohon hutan belukar</p><p>Berkepulan awan Putih berarak</p><p>Terbenam menusuk mentari Kuning</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Oleh Jo Haq</p><p>29 Februari 2024</p><p>6:13 petang</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p><p><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-42941088136589316292024-02-29T16:54:00.005+08:002024-02-29T16:54:42.236+08:00WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?<p> </p><p>Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?</p><p><br /></p><p>Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?</p><p>Because Rafizi said we'd have to reduce chicken in our diet</p><p>So, the chicken is either pissed off</p><p>.... because it has lost its importance in society</p><p>Or, it may just be happy</p><p>.... because its mortality has improved</p><p>Either or, the chicken crossed the road anyway</p><p>It is happily roaming the Earth</p><p>Or, sulking away in sadness</p><p>So, that is why the chicken crossed the road</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>By Jo Haq</p><p>29 February 2024</p><p>4:53 pm</p><p>Shah Alam</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-31065926232571937322024-02-28T17:07:00.006+08:002024-02-28T17:07:59.707+08:00HEY! ORANG TUA<p> </p><p>Hey! Orang Tua</p><p><br /></p><p>Hembuslah lilin itu</p><p>Pejamkan matamu</p><p>Mimpi dan angan-angan</p><p>Yang indah-indah belaka</p><p>Ramaskan yang busuk hancing</p><p>Campak jauh nun jauh ke laut</p><p>Hidupkanlah keazaman baharu</p><p>Yang bersih, putih dan mulia</p><p>Yang padat, padu lagi jitu</p><p>Semoga kebahagiaan berpanjangan</p><p>Semoga dunia ini engkau redha</p><p>Untuk imbangan duga yang laras</p><p>Bukalah matamu</p><p>Lihatlah asap berkepulan naik</p><p>Meninggalkan lilin yang cair</p><p>Maka itulah ibaratnya hilang</p><p>Apa yang harus kehilangan</p><p>Dan apa yang harus wujud</p><p>Untuk engkau insan sejati</p><p>Selamat hari jadi</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Oleh Jo Haq</p><p>28 February 2024</p><p>5:04 petang</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p><div><br /></div>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-67971010453475978822024-02-28T02:13:00.005+08:002024-02-28T02:13:41.408+08:00LEST WE FORGET THAT GUILT WHISPERS FOREVER<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>Lest You Forget That Guilt Whispers Forever</p><p><br /></p><p>Safe space for a difficult truth</p><p>And that is how the poem ruths</p><p>Write a thousand words to sooth</p><p>Or smell the tulips, roses and acanthus </p><p>Yet you shall run like a headless goose</p><p>Excited over a screw that has gone loose</p><p>As if jack's beans went up through the roof</p><p>And you have now come to squeeze the juice</p><p>Hoping for its bitter to heal the bruise</p><p>And in the end you shall all be amused</p><p>Like a vampire sucking in profuse</p><p>The stale blood of those souls refused</p><p>The tale floods from whose roles abused</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>By Jo Haq</p><p>28 February 2024</p><p>1:58 am</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-63100624527098187752024-02-24T17:35:00.007+08:002024-02-24T19:23:06.869+08:00TOP 11 GUITARS TO COLLECT<p> </p><p>TOP 11 GUITARS TO COLLECT</p><p>by Johan Ishak</p><p><br /></p><p>GUITARS have been my passion for years since the age of fourteen. I can still remember watching the TV when Rock in Rio was on air in 1989. I saw Slash for the very first time with his iconic gold top Gibson Les Paul. Ever since, I dreamt of owning a Gibson Les Paul. I only got to acquire my first Gibson Les Paul fifteen years later in 2005 when a guitar shop at Denmark Street, London, had a huge discount for a 2002 Tobacco Burst 60's Style Gibson Les Paul. That was the beginning. From thereon, as my music appreciation expanded from Guns N' Roses to the likes of Metallica, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Joe Satriani and many more, Gibson was no longer the only brand that I had interest it. It expanded to Ibanez, Fender, PRS and EVH Wolfgangs.</p><p>The thing about collecting guitars is, not necessarily it needs to be brand new nor does it need to be the very expensive ones - although price can be damaging for some collectibles. So, let me share with you the 11 guitar models and editions worth collecting:</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZMn5dCn6_ZMwPZeGghGgh40BY5cBB4BAgfj9qMiL6-Rk7cuyrUyPaJbkSV_G4njyMtAdPImr20FArqYCJbvIBqHcRSxnmA-sl_BDVrx6CVKIndZ-lGyudLWV4SQ0sPB7S6y1Pg5yKMl8G9-5TN01hCEavHyJc4q68Wa4i9tgY_GDQ92N18axMdNkToQ/s974/Screenshot_20240224_155138_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="844" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZMn5dCn6_ZMwPZeGghGgh40BY5cBB4BAgfj9qMiL6-Rk7cuyrUyPaJbkSV_G4njyMtAdPImr20FArqYCJbvIBqHcRSxnmA-sl_BDVrx6CVKIndZ-lGyudLWV4SQ0sPB7S6y1Pg5yKMl8G9-5TN01hCEavHyJc4q68Wa4i9tgY_GDQ92N18axMdNkToQ/w173-h200/Screenshot_20240224_155138_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="173" /></a></div>1. GIBSON LES PAUL SLASH STANDARD - There are many Slash signature editions ranging in different colours such as Anaconda green, Appetite amber, November Rain (Guns N' Roses) tobacco burst, vemilion red 4 and the list goes on. However, the most iconic of them all is called Victoria, a gold top Gibson Les Paul. The good thing about Slash's edition is that they come in Standards and not Custom Shop, which means, cheaper Gibson Les Pauls, probably around USD3,000. Best if you do not instal the pick guards because, the pick guards do look ugly in my opinion. All of Slash's Gibson Les Pauls come with Slashbucker humbuckers except some limited edition ones where Gibson actually use Seymour Duncan. If you can get the ones with Seymour Duncan pickups, it'll be a fantastic collectible item. What you should not bother looking for is the Gibson Les Paul Slash Snakepit featuring a python with the top hat image on the guitar as it is very, very rare and when you do find them, it'll cost some stupid USD99,000.<div><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_780LW-SirDFSV0Sosnwns4ICJuz9k6OhQIhobABf38GqzgTJPSiHffUfju_-x_haKm3kEe-i_49PdxJu27F5bQzSy2RGFYgv9VXediskngLMSYyj8E7V8Es0dOOg6anpXZms7G8Wxu1KS2LaJ7JVfOE_CvUgGxGNxMzGvccQ80O8piEj8XUtjW1eQg/s930/Screenshot_20240224_155316_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="930" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_780LW-SirDFSV0Sosnwns4ICJuz9k6OhQIhobABf38GqzgTJPSiHffUfju_-x_haKm3kEe-i_49PdxJu27F5bQzSy2RGFYgv9VXediskngLMSYyj8E7V8Es0dOOg6anpXZms7G8Wxu1KS2LaJ7JVfOE_CvUgGxGNxMzGvccQ80O8piEj8XUtjW1eQg/w200-h146/Screenshot_20240224_155316_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>2. GIBSON SG ANGUS YOUNG - I am not a big fan of SG's. They look too over the top and the physical feel of the body is irritating. When you are hanging it on your body but with no hands holding it, it is super imbalance so much so that the head stock and neck falls down pushing the body up. That is super irritating. The body feels too compacted that, in my opinion, I do not get the right wood vibration from the guitar. Nevertheless, its satanic horn shape is quite iconic. If I ever want to buy, I'd buy the red one with black pick guard. Although Angus Young of ACDC had used a red SG on stage, he was seen mostly with a black SG. SG's would probably cost slightly cheaper than a Standard Gibson Les Paul, i.e. less than USD3,000.<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenZwTk-0lqKIMFeR8VaGorXpcjLHYaNqWHsqEnJrojHDbfSId4ig3vmNsR07DRGG-U1hhIFLdVnp7p0ddmaY8ZMRnCi3FwBxQcYi24LdNpj-LqMBgG7rZnr0i7DEOsX8Jbjq_J8E03JTrZiNZu8Iw0J7Bz2PwBkZLfRjkP_MMH502XMJQC1SYHHHO_8o/s784/Screenshot_20240224_155553_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="784" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenZwTk-0lqKIMFeR8VaGorXpcjLHYaNqWHsqEnJrojHDbfSId4ig3vmNsR07DRGG-U1hhIFLdVnp7p0ddmaY8ZMRnCi3FwBxQcYi24LdNpj-LqMBgG7rZnr0i7DEOsX8Jbjq_J8E03JTrZiNZu8Iw0J7Bz2PwBkZLfRjkP_MMH502XMJQC1SYHHHO_8o/w200-h182/Screenshot_20240224_155553_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>3. GIBSON ES B.B. KING - What is amazing about an ES is that, the hollowbody effects on the sound is superb. That semi-acoustical surge even when on distortions is simply awesome especially when in harmonics. Most ES comes with the two f-holes on the body and some only one f-hole, hence the description Hollowbody and Semi-hollowbody, respectively. The most iconic ES is the black one used by B.B. King and despite it being hollowbody, B.B. King's version has no f-holes! Personally I prefer a dark crimson red ES with two f-holes. It costs probably the same as a Gibson Les Paul, i.e around USD3,000. However, the thing about ES is, it is huge. It looks nice on a fat man's tummy but horrible if you are not fat. Ha!Ha!<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYvatifIMg3Ca0dp9beSGJ53A4_LwZct3bPhstTsBw5v0hprbFf7BFcpCLQn_1gsaaZdldfV0WT644PW1FKVgg34aS5USDLax5C7VEj5GC13_Kt58Ja-kexLulx_vxH249kiBcFmXrwMQFvP5pIUpvv4JhEKt3ZOScS4JNz5mB23gqr8u0_0m4so5AGU/s698/Screenshot_20240224_155809_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="686" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYvatifIMg3Ca0dp9beSGJ53A4_LwZct3bPhstTsBw5v0hprbFf7BFcpCLQn_1gsaaZdldfV0WT644PW1FKVgg34aS5USDLax5C7VEj5GC13_Kt58Ja-kexLulx_vxH249kiBcFmXrwMQFvP5pIUpvv4JhEKt3ZOScS4JNz5mB23gqr8u0_0m4so5AGU/w196-h200/Screenshot_20240224_155809_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>4. IBANEZ JOE SATRIANI SERIES - Joe Satriani has many guitar editions with Ibanez, in various colours ranging from red, black, blue, white, chrome, gold to artsy fartsy designs, but never have I seen any in green or yellow. In any case, my personal pick would be a plain Ferrari red JS2480 where only this red ones have a sustainer single coil pickup accompanying the humbucker. JS series probably costs USD3,000 each and be sure that you buy the ones made in Japan. The ones made in Korea or Indonesia will not have the desired resale value albeit being an original Ibanes. If you have a money printing machine, and/or a spare USD10,000, then Satriani's top of the range would be the Ibanez JS 20th Anniversary with the iconic 3D image of Silver Surfer on it, emulating Satriani's album cover for Surfing with the Alien. JS 20th, as it is commonly refered to, only has 100 units made in Japan, if I am not mistaken. When surfing the net, as in February 2024, there is only one prelovedJS 20th available on Reverb listed by a Thai entity with the price of USD10,000.</div><div><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3ZbGjQbxzis7SyUEl4nAB5h1sz_0KD9sycoBivTBjf3I0hqpg6fddvnWKJKHF76yOlOiR22vSsDVNUHROGaYsQ3qF_NYpAsMxM9sWKLg_PyGZ5Y7AtkfrUQ1Dj4ilMTFiSgo-sRI_kKDTmRw5XJvKYv0fWmLp9qit4ae_NVuIZM8H9TYHXOzhqyNB1M/s678/Screenshot_20240224_161306_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="389" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3ZbGjQbxzis7SyUEl4nAB5h1sz_0KD9sycoBivTBjf3I0hqpg6fddvnWKJKHF76yOlOiR22vSsDVNUHROGaYsQ3qF_NYpAsMxM9sWKLg_PyGZ5Y7AtkfrUQ1Dj4ilMTFiSgo-sRI_kKDTmRw5XJvKYv0fWmLp9qit4ae_NVuIZM8H9TYHXOzhqyNB1M/w115-h200/Screenshot_20240224_161306_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="115" /></a></div>5. IBANEZ STEVE VAI JEM SERIES - Steve Vai's top of the range series with Ibanez is the JEM PIA models. Personally, I do not like its aesthetic looks as it looks too feminine with those gayish floral motives. Hence, I would go for the older JEM such as the iconic trio JEM777 available in three neon colours: Yellow, Green and Pink. It has very ugly looking fret marks in the shapes of progressive pyramids. I also do not like its fret board because I am so used to rosewoods and JEM777 doesn't seem like it has rosewood fret boards. The pink and green ones can easily be found on the preloved market as these two colours do not fade as much as the yellow ones. The yellow ones fade dramatically so much so that it looks really old. As the neon feel is supposed to make it feel new, a faded yellow would certainly take away that feel. However, I do not like neons, so, the old yellows work well for me aesthetically. More so when it is the rarest amongst the three colours. New JEM such as PIA may cost around USD3,000 but a rare item like the yellow JEM777 can be as expensive as USD7,000. Oh ya!, don't forget, the made in Japan ones are recommended to retain its value.<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9CXA4uj6fCJQ9AJC9LBEhqmo35ltiJwAlSrD-j20_3gmJjVz-ocruiGw4TAwtWbO1jZ3RBthnG1TkhBVjVNMvfpECof1_VB_awCUO7x_MQg4QyCnkwjrpQwRaW84_hCWYTS2AFgyjQC_zPvM1Q24YjdVOendfD7zPCKjvnEH4OYCtWqAxpGtAX7IoJ8/s1191/Screenshot_20240224_161625_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1028" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9CXA4uj6fCJQ9AJC9LBEhqmo35ltiJwAlSrD-j20_3gmJjVz-ocruiGw4TAwtWbO1jZ3RBthnG1TkhBVjVNMvfpECof1_VB_awCUO7x_MQg4QyCnkwjrpQwRaW84_hCWYTS2AFgyjQC_zPvM1Q24YjdVOendfD7zPCKjvnEH4OYCtWqAxpGtAX7IoJ8/w173-h200/Screenshot_20240224_161625_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="173" /></a></div>6. FENDER STRATOCASTER JIMI HENDRIX MONTEREY - Jimi burned his Fender Stratocaster on stage during the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. That is the most memorable action done by Hendrix so much so that Fender released a special Hendrix Monterey edition of a Strat. The Monterey Strat is not made in the U.S. It is only manufactured by the Fender factories in Mexico. So, for those Strat collectors, they may not like it if the Strat is not made in the U.S. One other irritating fact is that its fret board is made of pau ferro instead of rosewood. Hence, it may not sound as good as expected. However, I would still collect one simply because of Hendrix's misbehaviour of burning his guitar! After all, it only costs USD1,800.<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN3FA9OkuQYSYXY5bhij3DTcVhRVaF7mMWwg7MbpmRt3oa5PVzstv14JrvPJKZDOtDCqB94YlIEpC7ES6NXRQ5W24F0_aq4x5_-VM8v3WlbsbiR3YEOID_AYvqU3JMdgefatpDJtVSSLNJz3_fxanwjMOJOLI_MLl1QJh-rRNGwnKpCjwx2wxK0i2oxE/s1191/Screenshot_20240224_161837_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN3FA9OkuQYSYXY5bhij3DTcVhRVaF7mMWwg7MbpmRt3oa5PVzstv14JrvPJKZDOtDCqB94YlIEpC7ES6NXRQ5W24F0_aq4x5_-VM8v3WlbsbiR3YEOID_AYvqU3JMdgefatpDJtVSSLNJz3_fxanwjMOJOLI_MLl1QJh-rRNGwnKpCjwx2wxK0i2oxE/w163-h200/Screenshot_20240224_161837_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>7. FENDER STRATOCASTER YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN - I do not appreciate scalloped frets. It disrupts my guitar playing as the notes get unintentionally distorted and flat, or sharp. This happens because I am so used to playing the rock n' roll style on a Gibson Les Paul. To play scalloped fret guitars, you need to be a shredder. Fast, swift and not too much pressure on the strings. As much as I love Malmsteen and his arpeggio from hell, I fuckin' hate scalloped frets! I would probably buy a Malmsteen Strat when I am satisfied that I have acquired all other guitars that I want in my collection simply because I do not know how to control scalloped frets. Malmsteens Strat only comes in yellowish cream body with white pick guard. This is a boring colour scheme. In addition, the frets are made of maple. I prefer rosewood. So, maybe someday, if there is a rosewood and not scalloped fret Strat on a heavy relic cream colour issued for Malmsteen series, then I might just buy one (Although I think the rosewood but scalloped fret board ones do exists as Ritchie Blackmore's signature edition). For now, I'd rather skip this first and go for other models not yet acquired. Oh! I do not mind a made in Japan or made in Mexico Strat for a Malmsteen series, as it is cheap at around USD1,500 for an undesirable model, yet fulfilling the completeness of a portfolio of guitar collection.<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE1rjvwhIdPT29qru0PDd1IoZgKQSTxW_EeRyy4f8-VcZt1vNYvL691GEaDKSJ3K-ULOe5UEsd-cl-uTz2r-Xvd_DN_pMuq93caWhTPrHuVoFk4Q0mGiv4fNlfxDnYdC6ADWPuQSBsdUcueFt0x21Hdbeoc3JTsJVjcQj0LwB3zEa8kFaX6LUKJeGp7w/s763/Screenshot_20240224_162259_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="565" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE1rjvwhIdPT29qru0PDd1IoZgKQSTxW_EeRyy4f8-VcZt1vNYvL691GEaDKSJ3K-ULOe5UEsd-cl-uTz2r-Xvd_DN_pMuq93caWhTPrHuVoFk4Q0mGiv4fNlfxDnYdC6ADWPuQSBsdUcueFt0x21Hdbeoc3JTsJVjcQj0LwB3zEa8kFaX6LUKJeGp7w/w148-h200/Screenshot_20240224_162259_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>8. FENDER TELECASTER JIMMY PAGE DRAGON - Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin is well known for using Gibson Les Pauls. However, his memorable performance using a violin bow was on a Fender Telecaster prior to him being accustomed to a Gibson. Page painted his natural wood body Tele with some artwork that is supposed to be a dragon. Until today, I cannot figure out how are those red and green patches resembling a dragon. In any case, it is a famous design. As it is only produced by the Mexican Fender factories, the price is at a cheap USD1,200. What is also unique about this edition is that, its pick guard is in silver-metallic mirror-like colour.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l2guhHSfXJteOBmI-O0Cwk0a5gZ8WrxOOJv4Qle24a9cFfVI_Q47q9B8dkSphLSZ0Qz7jmclMo3Gw_bf14FkRjQb9nW9iQCUQ1_vTdZ26Oee_qohdFIVBrMenVGuQoeNVF8i45CwveI55OtoAaL8aFHcBW01lcom_bGR0BtQnyRdKRdmKAUZrtziIaY/s1266/Screenshot_20240224_162656_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="911" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l2guhHSfXJteOBmI-O0Cwk0a5gZ8WrxOOJv4Qle24a9cFfVI_Q47q9B8dkSphLSZ0Qz7jmclMo3Gw_bf14FkRjQb9nW9iQCUQ1_vTdZ26Oee_qohdFIVBrMenVGuQoeNVF8i45CwveI55OtoAaL8aFHcBW01lcom_bGR0BtQnyRdKRdmKAUZrtziIaY/w144-h200/Screenshot_20240224_162656_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="144" /></a></div>9. PRS SANTANA - Paul Reed Smith, or PRS, was only established in the late 1980's. Being a young brand, it quite impressive that PRS has a few well known guitarists using them such as Orianthi, John Meyer and the famous latino rocker, Carlos Santana. Most PRS are slick in its shape but the Santana versions are fat. That gives unique characteristic akin to Gibson Les Paul. Santana PRSs comes in many colours but the ones mostly associated to Carlos Santana are the yellow-amber ones. It fetches USD4,000 to USD6,000 a piece but if you do not mind a lower PRS version of SE, it only costs USD600. Although a PRS SE can be cheap, the fact that its fret boards are made of ebony or rosewood, I will still enjoy playing it.<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6a3FnUREUmJ_5NaHCo55y8yqvkiufZj8ORBWdG2jmc0tvSwq1lkvtypGisRamw-tbx7Db3mrwT5VJ7E6dW8JcS6jae2m4e0vCHJ9ZfDIjBt2SntrovFKjRCBSNlaHhn3mXHCNCR1jq7nF64i3vCUZ4ExEFzIc0iZf5tO427TPN5NrWB7L9sKEtrOySc/s828/Screenshot_20240224_162826_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="773" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6a3FnUREUmJ_5NaHCo55y8yqvkiufZj8ORBWdG2jmc0tvSwq1lkvtypGisRamw-tbx7Db3mrwT5VJ7E6dW8JcS6jae2m4e0vCHJ9ZfDIjBt2SntrovFKjRCBSNlaHhn3mXHCNCR1jq7nF64i3vCUZ4ExEFzIc0iZf5tO427TPN5NrWB7L9sKEtrOySc/w187-h200/Screenshot_20240224_162826_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="187" /></a></div>10. EVH WOLFGANG - The EVH Wolfgang or Eddie Van Halen shape designed guitar, named after his son Wolfgang, is a force to be reckon with as more and more guitarists are picking it up. The Wolfgang shape, coupled with a D-Tuna system allowing the 6th string to drop from E to D was first produced by Ernie Ball Musicman for Eddie. He then later brought the design to Peavey where the necks were made of a special wood called bird's eye maple. Although, in my opinion, rosewood sounds better than maple, a bird's eye maple has the versatility that enhances guitar tapping and the smooth use of floyd rose tremolo. The Peavey EVH Wolfgang was patented in 1997. The ones manufactured up to 1997 have engraves that say "Pat. Pend" and Eddie's signature; whereas the ones subsequently, says "Patent 388,117", also with Eddie's signature. Personally, I find the Pat. Pend 1997 and prior versions by Peavey has better playability and sound resonance than the patented ones. Maybe because the patented ones were mass produced. So, a 1997 Peavey EVH Wolfgang, at USD3,000 is a very good buy. Later on, Eddie brought the design to Fender incorporating two new features, that are, rosewood or ebony fret boards and a red button for stuttering sound effects. The Fender version is at USD4,000 for American made and at around USD1,000 for made in Mexico units.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcvCzhtsa7j5qtF_37B2tTmwQAXlTqBd0RKAABxEzP8NL0SWwzE4bVQEdjFPzsiqzXgJwaQE1mnsmuTkOOV7mZDCLOfymItIvRDzsb1HL3NTYXmcVIS69OiKin6mISGzmOOxtsLyh1fbWvzKcVPctdRSxxilIh9JxISQQkNQ3Z3XksTmt4vyMzeFnW8M/s1317/Screenshot_20240224_163221_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="949" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcvCzhtsa7j5qtF_37B2tTmwQAXlTqBd0RKAABxEzP8NL0SWwzE4bVQEdjFPzsiqzXgJwaQE1mnsmuTkOOV7mZDCLOfymItIvRDzsb1HL3NTYXmcVIS69OiKin6mISGzmOOxtsLyh1fbWvzKcVPctdRSxxilIh9JxISQQkNQ3Z3XksTmt4vyMzeFnW8M/w144-h200/Screenshot_20240224_163221_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="144" /></a></div>11. ESP KIRK HAMMETT EDITION. Kirk Hammett of Metallica has recently moved to Gibson when he acquired the famous Greeny Gibson Les Paul that was previously owned by Gary Moore and Peter Green. However, throughout Hammett's life as a metal guitar shredder, he has established himself as a very famous ESP ambassador. All of his signature designed guitars were from ESP, made in Japan, or ESP's second brand, LTD, made in Korea. Hammett's signature models are mostly in SuperStrat shape and comes in various iconic pop art of horror themes like Dracula, Zombie, Frankenstein, ecetera. My personal pick would be the plain black relic ESP with two stickers, one saying, "Kirk's Guitar" and the other, in orange rectangle, saying, "Caution Hot". There are cheaper versions under LTD at USD1,000 but nothing beats the ESP ones at USD3,500. To prove a point, ESP versions give the closest sound you can get when playing the riffs for Metallica's Master of Puppets.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>Well, There you go. My commentaries for signature guitars that ought to be in your portfolio of guitars, if you are a guitar collector. So, happy guitar hunting guys!</p><p>By the way, recently on 11 February, it was the American National Guitar Day! We do not have such day in Malaysia (where I come from). So, an American calendar mark would do. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7e2GeY4lR3wYuH3MFdy1yrZ4FARkCROTg-fyd9AEfpSdTgBdATii0FiBDWvBrxQdOvVSIZRzoQwTVIMNTYTtkBvRNRSarZReB5zAHKKE2l_GmNFi79S00koJHAKIqLrQ5fUFNuPrd6y-FDA7piA-cn6s5m682CkzVjxAuYSrlh_ws4YkruJyZwWlkl0/s1326/Screenshot_20220718-214936_WhatsApp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1149" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7e2GeY4lR3wYuH3MFdy1yrZ4FARkCROTg-fyd9AEfpSdTgBdATii0FiBDWvBrxQdOvVSIZRzoQwTVIMNTYTtkBvRNRSarZReB5zAHKKE2l_GmNFi79S00koJHAKIqLrQ5fUFNuPrd6y-FDA7piA-cn6s5m682CkzVjxAuYSrlh_ws4YkruJyZwWlkl0/w346-h400/Screenshot_20220718-214936_WhatsApp.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-42723417674051676732024-02-13T21:59:00.001+08:002024-02-13T21:59:06.425+08:00JUMPA DI SANA<p><br /></p><p>Jumpa Di Sana</p><p><br /></p><p>A: Jumpa di sana</p><p>B: Jumpa di sana?</p><p>A: Ya! jumpa di sana</p><p>B: Di sana, mana?</p><p>A: Di sana lah</p><p>B: Di sana? Mana?</p><p>A: Di dalam kubur moyang kau. Di sana lah</p><p>B: Di sana? Eh! cakaplah di mana?</p><p>A: Kan aku dah cakap, di sana</p><p>B: Ish! Ish! Ish! Dia ni kan, aku tampar kang!</p><p>A: Ye lah! Ye lah! Aku bilang. Jumpa kita nanti di akhirat, moga-moga di atas sana dan bukan di bawah sana</p><p>B: Ohhh! Ok lah nanti kita semua mati jugak. Macamana pun, kita sembang kat kedai kopi esok</p><p>A: Itu lah yang aku maksudkan tadi. Bongok!</p><p><br /></p><p>Oleh Jo Haq</p><p>13 Februari 2024</p><p>9:54 malam</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-82836663516742662882024-02-12T06:47:00.001+08:002024-02-12T06:50:52.659+08:00AND ALL WE COULD DO IS TO HAVE CRIED<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>And All We Could Do Is To Have Cried</p><p><br /></p><p>I woke up to the sound of the night</p><p>Total silence yet it possess fright</p><p>The Himalayan crystal lamp still shines bright</p><p>By the bed side it resides</p><p>My two tired eyes now open wide</p><p>Fuelled by what should have gone right</p><p>Thinking whether today will be alright</p><p>Because yesterday's (events) have gone flight</p><p>My mind continues the fight</p><p>It calculates what is there to strive</p><p>Burying all the regrets of life</p><p>Giving a new hope in sight</p><p>At 6:20 the clock acquiescently strikes</p><p>For the call of 'fallah' to ignite</p><p>May God retract all of our plights</p><p>For He bestows (mercy) to us from the height</p><p>And all we could do is to have cried</p><p><br /></p><p>By Jo Haq</p><p>12 February 2024</p><p>6:20 am</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-29618927522053274202024-02-11T20:04:00.000+08:002024-02-11T20:04:43.951+08:00AND YOU ASKED WHO FUCKED UP EVERYTHING?<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>And You Asked Who Fucked Up Everything?</p><p><br /></p><p>Ask the school</p><p>And they will blame the parents</p><p>Ask the doctor</p><p>And he religiously blame your diet</p><p>Ask your imam</p><p>And he lectures humanity's sins</p><p>Ask your boss</p><p>And he shall blame the Government</p><p>Ask your politicians</p><p>And they seem to blame the economy</p><p>Ask the bankers</p><p>And a compounding response follows</p><p>Ask the City Council</p><p>And out comes the stench of your rubbish bin</p><p>Ask the beggar</p><p>And his stomach utters words of hunger</p><p>Ask the internet</p><p>And it defaults to syntax error</p><p>Ask the violent gangsters</p><p>And you'll get a tatoo on your face that says, "Fuck You!"</p><p>Ask the glowing moon</p><p>And it hides behind the never ending parade of grey clouds </p><p>Ask God Almighty</p><p>And within your heart lies the answers</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>By Jo Haq</p><p>11 February 2024</p><p>7:48 pm</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-30562500585282055812024-02-11T19:26:00.005+08:002024-02-11T19:26:45.147+08:00AND IF YOU PRAY FOR THE RAIN<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>And If You Pray for the Rain</p><p><br /></p><p>If you ask for the wealth</p><p>.... assume to lose it one day</p><p>If you seek forgiveness</p><p>.... never think it is forgotten</p><p>If you cry for a cure</p><p>.... accept to sustain the scar</p><p>If you expect others' respect</p><p>.... look inside you where you err</p><p>If you love something dear</p><p>.... you shall surely sob and cry</p><p>If you cannot stand the sadness</p><p>.... it shall soon come to past</p><p>If you hope for the sun to shine</p><p>.... shine it will only after darkness</p><p>And if you pray for the rain</p><p>.... prepare to deal with the mud</p><p><br /></p><p>By Jo Haq</p><p>11 February 2024</p><p>7:20 pm</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbe2gYRm-VRSe0D7ugoe3Ez9ddQyZcOXWwJWEG-5eIDEEZqX-oEcCcnk9g-W6lb7rIvnHyWbovINU0RZ68EoXdLavhfMPon9RnGdIq-R6Dj6Yu2AnvCIb0P7UYd0bcGcZA7upZsGwgMjplgiV_yPhP7TCjs2Wvih-cVmYI8yp5MYt0_dkrTT45iYwT3k/s1080/Screenshot_20240211_192522_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1080" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbe2gYRm-VRSe0D7ugoe3Ez9ddQyZcOXWwJWEG-5eIDEEZqX-oEcCcnk9g-W6lb7rIvnHyWbovINU0RZ68EoXdLavhfMPon9RnGdIq-R6Dj6Yu2AnvCIb0P7UYd0bcGcZA7upZsGwgMjplgiV_yPhP7TCjs2Wvih-cVmYI8yp5MYt0_dkrTT45iYwT3k/w400-h297/Screenshot_20240211_192522_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-84556904571878730742024-02-08T16:05:00.002+08:002024-02-08T16:05:11.512+08:00THE BRICKFIELDS DWELLERS 2<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGV_Kuq0jgpOYExs2S8DvcqJpTqgOZwLa7Imhk4p3o8gXjwemxkfAgmcq0cJq7Md7LEhmbsK3uYflM18MgXBuzUxeEloyt6vdivAhLfji_kFbSJ5YEgSTxcl4-KOBOSognolnTvusjTOV_04csqY6ZyClBK5bfhkqXbwOBvSo1rqEt2840CGvUvVTHh4/s3566/20230331_170744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1821" data-original-width="3566" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGV_Kuq0jgpOYExs2S8DvcqJpTqgOZwLa7Imhk4p3o8gXjwemxkfAgmcq0cJq7Md7LEhmbsK3uYflM18MgXBuzUxeEloyt6vdivAhLfji_kFbSJ5YEgSTxcl4-KOBOSognolnTvusjTOV_04csqY6ZyClBK5bfhkqXbwOBvSo1rqEt2840CGvUvVTHh4/w400-h204/20230331_170744.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Brickfields Dwellers 2</p><p style="text-align: center;">by Johan Ishak</p><p style="text-align: center;">March 2023</p><p style="text-align: center;">Photography</p><p style="text-align: center;"> Jalan Rakyat, Brickfields</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-60737566777315427892024-02-08T16:03:00.004+08:002024-02-08T16:03:55.077+08:00THE BRICKFIELDS DWELLERS<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZMjHXEWsaJRtlFZBwVvp6FspLT6UDaU4L6VBpGyDMbqEhTC51IEm3v5sv2oxWAuxQ4ZC8I967OKPeY56VgkIXrpBqoVTjIyen7-psJOP6CLs5jjAxv8P2lkrwfxXzFDteTVwznjBORWuVkZpCH5Cwkv1bFEtqUnaRxysl0f_x3nfTmoatA6iAIRCTY4/s4074/20230331_170729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1931" data-original-width="4074" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZMjHXEWsaJRtlFZBwVvp6FspLT6UDaU4L6VBpGyDMbqEhTC51IEm3v5sv2oxWAuxQ4ZC8I967OKPeY56VgkIXrpBqoVTjIyen7-psJOP6CLs5jjAxv8P2lkrwfxXzFDteTVwznjBORWuVkZpCH5Cwkv1bFEtqUnaRxysl0f_x3nfTmoatA6iAIRCTY4/w400-h190/20230331_170729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Brickfields Dwellers</p><p style="text-align: center;">by Johan Ishak</p><p style="text-align: center;">March 2023</p><p style="text-align: center;">Photography</p><p style="text-align: center;"> Jalan Rakyat, Brickfields</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-38017588922993126492024-02-08T15:59:00.003+08:002024-02-08T15:59:34.927+08:00NANAB'S PORCH<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DbxoYO9h7fQj_HzMaf0P28Ks7lnEM5qUkbq53Hry_0HgIctfDHU0mML3pi9_XYWqEC9psTNrCVsCjSeRv3nLb6-YajOp0WaVPaSUsRRxH3_ed4tNU9sblhBPYBJKRfI2iG3mxElsp9W3_DNEjBTrUyuJlkabegiyfvPEtCeq5VMOs4xCMsIPi4OY7rY/s3281/20230318_133402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2184" data-original-width="3281" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DbxoYO9h7fQj_HzMaf0P28Ks7lnEM5qUkbq53Hry_0HgIctfDHU0mML3pi9_XYWqEC9psTNrCVsCjSeRv3nLb6-YajOp0WaVPaSUsRRxH3_ed4tNU9sblhBPYBJKRfI2iG3mxElsp9W3_DNEjBTrUyuJlkabegiyfvPEtCeq5VMOs4xCMsIPi4OY7rY/w400-h266/20230318_133402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Nanab's Porch</p><p style="text-align: center;">by Johan Ishak</p><p style="text-align: center;">18 March 2023</p><p style="text-align: center;">Photography</p><p style="text-align: center;"> Penang</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-62537615614548952332024-02-08T15:40:00.004+08:002024-02-08T15:40:22.287+08:00IPOH LIME STONE<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XEwF8z9v4tjbnr3GnaXf8qJoA9dGno7CXJAk6t_uN45izYTSyH2O3rDJ5nDh6EY3NixsG0ixWTl4QSEqBLPeDkqunABuJ0MyeylgBQ5yKAZcWAmmHrc4ObpVEQd0FphJeK6kk49DFC6rPxfco6hPNZWO-wM-RMu1HzlAE9g-XF_bzhwgT1sx_rW03eY/s3934/Ipoh%20Lime%20Stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2950" data-original-width="3934" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XEwF8z9v4tjbnr3GnaXf8qJoA9dGno7CXJAk6t_uN45izYTSyH2O3rDJ5nDh6EY3NixsG0ixWTl4QSEqBLPeDkqunABuJ0MyeylgBQ5yKAZcWAmmHrc4ObpVEQd0FphJeK6kk49DFC6rPxfco6hPNZWO-wM-RMu1HzlAE9g-XF_bzhwgT1sx_rW03eY/w400-h300/Ipoh%20Lime%20Stone.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Ipoh Lime Stone</p><p style="text-align: center;">by Johan Ishak</p><p style="text-align: center;">1 February 2024</p><p style="text-align: center;">Photography</p><p style="text-align: center;"> Ipoh</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-5749956550529630642024-02-01T14:59:00.007+08:002024-02-01T15:26:01.021+08:00TUJUH BATU HITAM<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Wl-EPoKqY_G2t_Hi-mz39VEnEoFz5QKjV3Mf2WDKGWaWJ20sGfkZGtJ1QKdFEGO8g3rFY2XCxtnq_uHq9w96ixa_gZfcu3K8s2ZDzVbws5wn4s9OCuS3WVy6k6XXNoiJl0ugK2IlFOyQgcglYtLChQpbKTtJuNfVhTZ0ZLai0KLp7N-toencQTI1K4M/s759/Screenshot_20240201_152344_Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="759" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Wl-EPoKqY_G2t_Hi-mz39VEnEoFz5QKjV3Mf2WDKGWaWJ20sGfkZGtJ1QKdFEGO8g3rFY2XCxtnq_uHq9w96ixa_gZfcu3K8s2ZDzVbws5wn4s9OCuS3WVy6k6XXNoiJl0ugK2IlFOyQgcglYtLChQpbKTtJuNfVhTZ0ZLai0KLp7N-toencQTI1K4M/w400-h251/Screenshot_20240201_152344_Gallery.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">TUJUH BATU HITAM</p><p style="text-align: center;">Husin Hourmain</p><p style="text-align: center;">2023</p><p style="text-align: center;">30cm x 30cm x 7 Panels</p><p style="text-align: center;">Acrylic, Charcoal and Texture Gel on Canvas</p><p style="text-align: center;">Acquired on 6 August 2023</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67gDhDLraAPdF5OlgxGpAf1canasZo6Na4GoBc-Ab9NqNRtBX7MDoclNfsTCk-BwsTxXbRIIzk-e0Rf00iGqz4oEDbgSMAjSoz8OIW6u8qSgfUHDtY8wM94rOUso9dllfYrasKhLai9IV2FFWfYQ58MUXEt3fSLxrjq6ngR0df69QY0aOgkkkFy4CuZY/s1008/IMG-20230806-WA0052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="1008" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67gDhDLraAPdF5OlgxGpAf1canasZo6Na4GoBc-Ab9NqNRtBX7MDoclNfsTCk-BwsTxXbRIIzk-e0Rf00iGqz4oEDbgSMAjSoz8OIW6u8qSgfUHDtY8wM94rOUso9dllfYrasKhLai9IV2FFWfYQ58MUXEt3fSLxrjq6ngR0df69QY0aOgkkkFy4CuZY/s320/IMG-20230806-WA0052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDCgzKkDqxyYSguZO3fzhqfW7AuCgfH_IIzbbEd1Yg3p69OykYPy-lt_8_ZYXJk-rh6szPoDjeYoYDhetFCB1PpB_dzwOjPrEQGBYNZcY4VlME9al5hxS_qMbp1RP7pWRZhdgYgxyn8O4Ie81qBdQgN4Hjc2TgWRWZ5fiSz7gLVX3qR-a27-d1ljngDw/s1008/IMG-20230806-WA0053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="1008" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDCgzKkDqxyYSguZO3fzhqfW7AuCgfH_IIzbbEd1Yg3p69OykYPy-lt_8_ZYXJk-rh6szPoDjeYoYDhetFCB1PpB_dzwOjPrEQGBYNZcY4VlME9al5hxS_qMbp1RP7pWRZhdgYgxyn8O4Ie81qBdQgN4Hjc2TgWRWZ5fiSz7gLVX3qR-a27-d1ljngDw/s320/IMG-20230806-WA0053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9k4kdR7L8a5WWGro-K_65uhPJkibuSC1lgv7TVAKDzqlzrd2sjFuuPJK5SyA55QckkeF-uU-fGqJqExPLKwGOa3mc9kH7CnmM7X9MCtNirtGzLoIkU1l8a9Y0yEqt6tlTRusfcbiPPbdrfqa8oVruPuMsL70fCmwDeJdvnaOpzQXruRPqbF2y1fhDyg/s1008/IMG-20230806-WA0060.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="1008" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9k4kdR7L8a5WWGro-K_65uhPJkibuSC1lgv7TVAKDzqlzrd2sjFuuPJK5SyA55QckkeF-uU-fGqJqExPLKwGOa3mc9kH7CnmM7X9MCtNirtGzLoIkU1l8a9Y0yEqt6tlTRusfcbiPPbdrfqa8oVruPuMsL70fCmwDeJdvnaOpzQXruRPqbF2y1fhDyg/s320/IMG-20230806-WA0060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-27387776084446950572024-02-01T09:04:00.004+08:002024-02-01T10:54:06.671+08:00DADDY, CAN YOU COMPILE ALL MY ARTWORK PLEASE<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjvhSqikmPW89_wx96W_cSWm9PG1R3ZUuCnAgRV-AzwOA9K9xLH6lN7-H026WxgRRg7Hi3492FYtBjDICDl-aPzQMO0fJ0FHoAv76wTkbeg5nc9QK_e80ypxLxpIxPvqo8fmF1jubVNI4eDejBW17dZap-JjVrhUPzQdmLpfP55eGg7W2UwQL610exbs/s1412/Screenshot_20220507-200259_Office.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1412" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjvhSqikmPW89_wx96W_cSWm9PG1R3ZUuCnAgRV-AzwOA9K9xLH6lN7-H026WxgRRg7Hi3492FYtBjDICDl-aPzQMO0fJ0FHoAv76wTkbeg5nc9QK_e80ypxLxpIxPvqo8fmF1jubVNI4eDejBW17dZap-JjVrhUPzQdmLpfP55eGg7W2UwQL610exbs/w400-h275/Screenshot_20220507-200259_Office.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Daddy, Can You Compile All My Artwork Please</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">By Johan Ishak</p><p style="text-align: center;">1 February 2024</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>IAN ZUHAYR's</b> demise breaks my heart significantly. My ten year old son who could have been twelve now. How I wish I can use the words "broke my heart" in that first sentence but I cannot. It can never be a past tense. Hence, I embarked on a journey to live and coexist with that melancholy. As they say, "misery loves company".</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsH9fsn0pRaOM1vbChog3JVX1o_OaW5dlIiMvSkcLeRS7ThRHb9JlvTh7LWO_23gYrGiz6zkoH_8oR9HniV673q61s1tYSOWBahkBhSIspKR2D7SJGBoYqfffStdCQQujoTKJE103hoGm4BzuSdfPMjY0h23vECRnOb1uTSZbzJD-GLtkmS6iWCv9C8s/s637/IMG-20220426-WA0084.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="540" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsH9fsn0pRaOM1vbChog3JVX1o_OaW5dlIiMvSkcLeRS7ThRHb9JlvTh7LWO_23gYrGiz6zkoH_8oR9HniV673q61s1tYSOWBahkBhSIspKR2D7SJGBoYqfffStdCQQujoTKJE103hoGm4BzuSdfPMjY0h23vECRnOb1uTSZbzJD-GLtkmS6iWCv9C8s/w169-h200/IMG-20220426-WA0084.jpg" width="169" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One method that I use to neutralise sadness of Ian's demise is to keep on thinking about him by looking at stuff associated to him frequently; like, going to KLPAC Sentul where Ian had his last outing with me and his brothers, photos (also as the wallpaper to my phone), videos and going to the old house where Ian grew up from the age of two to ten. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ian used to give me his drawings of Godzilla and I can still remember vividly that he said, "Daddy, can you compile all my artwork please". So, naturally, another method of thinking about Ian is to look through his drawings that I still keep. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUheud42PULFJA8BTntR_gra_wRHnoiMrq8_L5CfOSNB5NJB5N0zay9rNnY8Kh_egGH0-bk3ItU1Ql9C98UxU6bQvYPNmNOYP86NSWs2hfo-MEKW1iiGHUNcQFaqDavpQ5cmi-nivEVwvVW5y2SxmUbaLH-RHtWhHXldV1iQEGKR8Xj55uxQKiFbL1QY/s2522/Screenshot_20220523-002426_MetaMask.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2522" data-original-width="1440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUheud42PULFJA8BTntR_gra_wRHnoiMrq8_L5CfOSNB5NJB5N0zay9rNnY8Kh_egGH0-bk3ItU1Ql9C98UxU6bQvYPNmNOYP86NSWs2hfo-MEKW1iiGHUNcQFaqDavpQ5cmi-nivEVwvVW5y2SxmUbaLH-RHtWhHXldV1iQEGKR8Xj55uxQKiFbL1QY/w114-h200/Screenshot_20220523-002426_MetaMask.jpg" width="114" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of my artwork for my solo show 'Pandamonium' at KLPAC Sentul is a caricature of 'Panda-ian' that has found its place on my room wall where I can stare at it from my bed. I have a mug with Ian's face on it on my table in my room. I visit Ian's grave a lot too. It is still fresh in my memory, the moments when I washed (mandi jenazah) Ian's body before his burial. It is also fresh in my memory, the moments when I observed Ian's vital medical equipment monitor (whatever it is called) in the hospital that showed a declining trend until it became a straight line.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I also sought and continue to seek divine intervention by praying for Ian's happiness in the afterlife with his late grandfather, Tok, after each Muslim periodic daily prayer. I imagine them holding hands walking towards the horizon of an amberdawn sunrise. God must have a plan to have taken away the boy that I produced and the man who produced me in a short space of three months (25 April 2022 and 21 July 2022 respectively).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWDR9MdxQmx3OB1x1QJjEjOCj5-YtzBvtY9cAanmk6mzonoSsi2XqzEst_Wk2vlAWKC7BkI9gF0AyF0Hk0qmsfAlKwrtMbtnYzW0CBekQ6muVnTetzajG99nOZrerQ-T43dTDoGjnqmTFc9q9uImD56xq1BwqxJc8LtCoCN1NPsPBNWN8LOdlEDaqeo4/s1357/Screenshot_20220507-200342_Office.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1357" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWDR9MdxQmx3OB1x1QJjEjOCj5-YtzBvtY9cAanmk6mzonoSsi2XqzEst_Wk2vlAWKC7BkI9gF0AyF0Hk0qmsfAlKwrtMbtnYzW0CBekQ6muVnTetzajG99nOZrerQ-T43dTDoGjnqmTFc9q9uImD56xq1BwqxJc8LtCoCN1NPsPBNWN8LOdlEDaqeo4/w200-h136/Screenshot_20220507-200342_Office.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I used to force myself to just cry alone at night before sleeping by remembering him. In the morning, forcing myself to remember Ian helps wake me up too. The best method is to talk and hug Ian's younger brother, Emil, a lot because Emil reminds me of Ian. Emil even smells like Ian. Amazing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Soon afterwards, around the time I was at Haj in Mekkah (when I can see many chubby Turkmenistan boys who look like Ian), I had become used to Ian's absence in my life, so much so that I had absorbed the sadness to become accustomed to it. I even sat down with Datuk Izham Omar (a song composer) and Haze (a new singer) composing a song on Ian for Haze to sing entitled Zuhayrku Yang Tidur.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHyqtFoJSoVgYng1HnwBy0Suigdk17pguJtSpzvuC4exCc_Auz6OmzPrYPeY7CqAPer009lBNSOQl6USBkxnBs8jDlz6UbuG410I3j6dl6odq2am7moNU5P4FzCU48898mHsyGItJGQYu_Ne1zecf3wvr6aLlheWdcoewMhSEPPOlIbFzmgEnBO8-iTA/s4032/20220429_080944.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHyqtFoJSoVgYng1HnwBy0Suigdk17pguJtSpzvuC4exCc_Auz6OmzPrYPeY7CqAPer009lBNSOQl6USBkxnBs8jDlz6UbuG410I3j6dl6odq2am7moNU5P4FzCU48898mHsyGItJGQYu_Ne1zecf3wvr6aLlheWdcoewMhSEPPOlIbFzmgEnBO8-iTA/w150-h200/20220429_080944.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like the Malay saying, "Alah bisa tegal biasa" or the Malay word, "lali"; the more you explore a particular matter, the stronger you are at it. This has helped me to continue to live and in time, I hope to live like a normal person where the sadness of the lost of family members will only become sweet memories of them. For this, I ought to say thank you to Ian for his request, "Daddy, Can You Compile All My Artwork Please".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw_EO6tKtYCRGG98Zj_NK02rGvGjRkukMXweb-dy8cpB942bIFrUwGRRZypuaVIAEbpJMqrOicM4Yyabdaq2A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">Berita 7:57 of Awesome TV news report on Ian's demise due to Multisystem Inflamatory Syndrome for Children (MIS-C), a post-COVID19 condition.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyj1C3kxI0EZWI-XBBzcWO9axctl98mOt943MxMQfZYRVtOgY9Y73pSsAywrgE8e4vgS9d2MJzXxB0gnm9Rmw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ian's last outing with his siblings, Daniel and Emil, at KLPAC Sentul where they viewed my solo art show entitled Caricreatures Return.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhR80udzZCvIVMYNEe12veQ-gJ-Fvs1bUt7OabbPqDPTTT-1kDRsNlwtR09ST4N_D5Lp-ZJQxE8zXrIsx-cP85QgFedoVXCmjMQm9mCAU12B9cHd0EQpPM2W0dpihyphenhyphenl_V3wpmaTRbu3tuGquGv6D_xH7M7aLcsr7MEClAjv0I3sWt9YGMu8aa01-PL3Zw/s1909/Screenshot_20240201_101002_One%20UI%20Home.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="1074" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhR80udzZCvIVMYNEe12veQ-gJ-Fvs1bUt7OabbPqDPTTT-1kDRsNlwtR09ST4N_D5Lp-ZJQxE8zXrIsx-cP85QgFedoVXCmjMQm9mCAU12B9cHd0EQpPM2W0dpihyphenhyphenl_V3wpmaTRbu3tuGquGv6D_xH7M7aLcsr7MEClAjv0I3sWt9YGMu8aa01-PL3Zw/w360-h640/Screenshot_20240201_101002_One%20UI%20Home.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ian's last Hari Raya photograph with his siblings, Daniel and Emil.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5zIEHZv5OGwOC2MOanTepI1_n82j56hnJaKZNqY7crs1EJC5D7CjkEechSZ18YRK_KNQ2BdH29m5If0WRhr1uqfN_jz9Wk-QbaOmvQZamLlpQconawLpB5DKL75URZ_zfR5hzmEy9MHNze97DhCmFYEGYRTc3QDpN16JolAGsjHJKfxr4dKrWpJCSHY/s2742/20220424_060938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2739" data-original-width="2742" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5zIEHZv5OGwOC2MOanTepI1_n82j56hnJaKZNqY7crs1EJC5D7CjkEechSZ18YRK_KNQ2BdH29m5If0WRhr1uqfN_jz9Wk-QbaOmvQZamLlpQconawLpB5DKL75URZ_zfR5hzmEy9MHNze97DhCmFYEGYRTc3QDpN16JolAGsjHJKfxr4dKrWpJCSHY/w400-h400/20220424_060938.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ian's last photograph of him alive.</div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Al-Fatihah</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-13259389576429911992024-01-28T09:12:00.000+08:002024-01-28T09:12:01.267+08:00SELAMAT PAGI INSAN MARHAIN<p> </p><p>Selamat Pagi Insan Marhain</p><p><br /></p><p>Bukalah matamu</p><p>Wahai insan marhain</p><p>Kerana untungnya kamu</p><p>Apabila dipersembahkan</p><p>Terbitan mentari jingga</p><p>Nun jauh di ufuk sana</p><p>Mungkin kita tidak mengerti</p><p>Keindahan alam untuk kita</p><p>Atau kita tenggelam dan hanyut</p><p>Di bedal ombak kehidupan</p><p>Yang sering mengacau jiwa</p><p>Dan merobek nikmat dan kurniaan</p><p>Yang selama ini kita perlekehkan</p><p>Telanlah pil merah</p><p>Bak kata Morphius</p><p>Agar kita terjaga dari mimpi</p><p>Yang hanya memperlihatkan dusta</p><p>Fatamorgana dunia</p><p>Agar tersenyumlah kita</p><p>Apabila bahang manis pagi</p><p>Menyinar buka kelopak mata</p><p>Dan mengeringkan wuduk subuh</p><p>Supaya kita hargai</p><p>Mentari jingga yang gigih</p><p>Bertugas 360 kali setahun</p><p>Dalam usahanya mengingatkan</p><p>Yang kita ini sekadar marhain</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Oleh Jo Haq</p><p>29 Januari 2024</p><p>7:24 pagi</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-82578389096723945402024-01-24T16:25:00.005+08:002024-01-24T16:25:55.324+08:00THE GIBSON LES PAUL<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-lUrLf4igjeT8HJMNgKVQP-dL6QmuWQoL26ZdTwVAXHlHWPVCe0DArAvW8zmzzlr6tQm9zS1OE8UR9JN0iG2SMHu0F8Zw5uCekeNXQ4Aans0p3QprsUxtzLWeHOLAJV9uyBDJLRJHuUXnbw6wPxXxH0Ts5QhsEkpPVC9Q1DUe2LWBJjhQ98N8mxTcIc/s1333/Screenshot_20240121_105157_Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="643" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-lUrLf4igjeT8HJMNgKVQP-dL6QmuWQoL26ZdTwVAXHlHWPVCe0DArAvW8zmzzlr6tQm9zS1OE8UR9JN0iG2SMHu0F8Zw5uCekeNXQ4Aans0p3QprsUxtzLWeHOLAJV9uyBDJLRJHuUXnbw6wPxXxH0Ts5QhsEkpPVC9Q1DUe2LWBJjhQ98N8mxTcIc/w193-h400/Screenshot_20240121_105157_Gallery.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">THE GIBSON LES PAUL</p><p style="text-align: center;">Faiz Sabri</p><p style="text-align: center;">2024</p><p style="text-align: center;">120cm x 60cm</p><p style="text-align: center;">Acrylic on Canvas</p><p style="text-align: center;">Acquired on 24 January 2024</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNfkEBnPNNN0koaiuP9lU66e4y1cUXwucXcDiXVPYLXmaZBG5KJv_yc5m756HF13HSIEH2onSRx6MSRbdAxMrJiT0_P_g6-humrxRTZufUvoFivM1vaQQWL-4ZIk6rYO0IB85E3an-ZNlen1RJFp6PiRxpahmoo8jGOMNIYlR6ZZ8JX5hyphenhyphen4P6dKe3iL0/s1024/IMG-20240124-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNfkEBnPNNN0koaiuP9lU66e4y1cUXwucXcDiXVPYLXmaZBG5KJv_yc5m756HF13HSIEH2onSRx6MSRbdAxMrJiT0_P_g6-humrxRTZufUvoFivM1vaQQWL-4ZIk6rYO0IB85E3an-ZNlen1RJFp6PiRxpahmoo8jGOMNIYlR6ZZ8JX5hyphenhyphen4P6dKe3iL0/s320/IMG-20240124-WA0000.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-13719317672036451302024-01-11T00:00:00.003+08:002024-01-11T00:00:19.710+08:00EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT<p> </p><p>Everything is Going to be Alright</p><p><br /></p><p>The Moon looks brighter tonight</p><p>Telling me of an insight</p><p>That everything is going to be alright</p><p>As it always do in plain sight</p><p>With the stars liting up the heights</p><p>Relieving me of any plight</p><p>Inspiring me to continue the fight</p><p>How can I ever make it right?</p><p>For my gratitude can no longer hide</p><p>From this majestic sphere of might</p><p>Radiating with the divine light </p><p>I yearn for the wolves by my side</p><p>So I may command them to howl upright</p><p>Giving tribute until the dawn of twilight</p><p>Giving respect to the keeper of the night</p><p>The Moon that shines so bright</p><p>Tonight</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>By Jo Haq</p><p>10 January 2024</p><p>11:41 pm</p><p>Bukit Jelutong</p>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904262848679990927.post-40944630619894754322024-01-08T18:44:00.003+08:002024-01-09T16:06:16.987+08:00KEMANAKAH JOE MENGHILANG<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Kemanakah Joe Menghilang?</div><div><br /></div><div>Kemanakah Joe Menghilang?</div><div>Joe ghaib dari pandangan</div><div>Tetapi bukannya buangan</div><div>Dia ada sahaja berkhalwatan</div><div>Memerhati manusia yang sawan</div><div>Orang yang kebingungan</div><div>Bani yang hilang haluan</div><div>Bagaikan ulat bergelimpangan</div><div>Diulit arus haluan kesyaitanan</div><div>Dibuai mimpi kaum bunian</div><div>Membuat dosa bagaikan halimunan</div><div>Nah! Maka disinilah terjawab persoalan</div><div>Bahawasanya Joe bukan berangan-angan</div><div>Dia adalah rajawali berterbangan</div><div>Tinggi di langit kehitaman</div><div>Kesal dengan kesombongan</div><div>Yang dizahirkan oleh keinsanan (kini)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Oleh Jo Haq</div><div>8 Januari 2024</div><div>6:41 petang</div><div>Petaling Jaya</div></div>Johanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185997911494372033noreply@blogger.com0