I Heart Toy Collections!!!!!

"EXPENSIVE PIECES OF PLASTIC"

"20,000Php Barbie for men..."

"It's taking too  much of your space at home... And your life." 

"LARUAN NA NANAMAN????"

Like any newfound culture, it's always up for a certain degree of judgement. Back then "toys" were limited to kids aged 0-14, anyone over that age limit would be caught dead in ridicule by society. I myself also were pretty shy about publicly stating my toy fixations when I was in college. "Girls and Cars" were the socially acceptable norm. 

Fast forward a few years, and "toys" or "collectibles", if you want to be politically correct about it, have grown to be a multi-billion dollar business, spawning numerous conventions for people of the same interest to meet and buy stuff, a lot of movies been shown today have been inspired by toylines of yesteryear 

( Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, GI Joe ) and an average Joe being able to walk to a toy aisle to look at some Hot Wheels without being laughed at ( to an extent, but we're getting there ) 

Collectors are no longer being branded the stereotypical "nerdy-guy-who-still-lives-in-Mom's-basement",  like this: 

Youtube user "VR Reviews"

Youtube user "VR Reviews"

( But hey, I like this guy's toy reviews. ). Now, there are people like these: 

by deviantartuser KidThink

And because of that, I wanted to show the blogging community some toy collectors that I know, that it's okay to "come out of that ManCave and show your collections to the world". I was able to ask permission out of all these people to take a picture of themselves with their collections, or at least "grab" one from their photo-albums from their Facebook profile. These are just a few of them, so I'm like only showing 1-2% of the toy collectors community. Feel free to check them out after this...

CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO SEE IT IN FULL DETAIL

there are "Seasoned Toy Collectors", the experts, the "masters", 

the ones who knows the genuine 

from the bootleg, and already knows what they want to collect...

by Jhun Capco

by Jhun Capco

by Jhun Capco

by Michael Araujo

by Michael Araujo

by "Sinned Azodnem"

by Robert Lopez Calupitan 

by Robert Lopez Calupitan

 while there are some who collect a specific line only...

by Perry Berry Jr. 

by Jholitz Manumbale

by "Chinito's Garage"

by "Chinito's Garage"

by "Chinito's Garage"

  

by "Chinito's Garage"

by "D Workx Customs"

by "D Workx Customs"

by "D Workx Customs"

by "D Workx Customs"

by "D Workx Customs"

by Jar Sia

some still find ways to enjoy collecting toys even 

if they are busy with work and all...

by "Benny's Toy Place"

...while some still manage to collect even 

if they already have kids of their won... 

by "Tito Reque"

by Rollie Doinog

...and there are some collectors that

nurtures future generations of toy collectors.

by "Jo XToyz"

by "Jo XToyz"

there are also collectors that are 

proud to be as collectors, showing their passion 

even in public places...

by Adam Lo (right)

some would display their collections and make 

some artistic and creative photo-shoots...

by Redjie Rebugio

by Gian Paulo

by Gian Paulo

by Gian Paulo

by Gian Paulo

by Gian Paulo

by Gian Paulo

by Gian Paulo

by Gian Paulo

by Perry Berry Jr. 

by "St. Cris Casanova"

by "St. Cris Casanova"

by "St. Cris Casanova"

there are also collectors that go to 

great lengths to customize the look of a toy, 

making it a lot better than what the toy company released.

by Redjie Rebugio

by Redjie Rebugio

by Redjie Rebugio

by Redjie Rebugio

by Redjie Rebugio

by Redjie Rebugio

because of my collections I was also able

to meet kind and free-spirited toy collectors from other parts of the world...

by Baharfian Novrianto from Java, Indonesia

...slowly there are female toy collectors 

proudly showing off their collections.

by "Coco Crunch"

by "Coco Crunch"

by "Coco Crunch"

by Rjona Jheck Mendoza

by Rjona Jheck Mendoza

Basically we collect to make up that part of our childhood where we did not get that toy that we had years ago, great conversation pieces, stress-relievers and...

Just to have fun...

by "Sinned Azodnem"

I hope these set of pictures inspired you to also start your own collection. Remember, save up, don't buy too much at the first go and always save room for Groceries...

by Yours Truly

- "the king" 

Buhay Pag-Ibig, The Series...

Love, as they say, is many things. It can be wonderful, or it can devastate you. It can make you do the biggest decisions that can either make or break you. That's the power of Love. 

Recently I've ended my sharing of internet memes and inspirational posts that reflected on Life on my Facebook account ( of which you can find it HERE. ) and started sharing some new memes, this time reflecting on Love. I've already accumulated enough posts to warrant a new entry on my blog. So, without further adieu, here are some memes and pictures that will make you laugh, cry and laugh some more about that L word. Enjoy. 

on dominance...

on punctuality...

on territory...

on expectations...

on temptations... 

( this is one of my favorites...) 

on recreation...

on annoyances...

on parting ways...

on science....

on confusion...

on earthly possessions...

and on decisions... 

In closing, here's a video that has all the good love songs mashed together that has also become my soundtrack of my 4th year high school days. Ah, the memories...

- "the king"

Coke Yin-Yang

by deviantart user lyddelilyddis

Coke is good... 

Coke is bad...

by deviantart user deslaias

And that's THAT!!!!

It's always good to know both sides of a story. Call it "investigative journalism" if you may.

Now here is a song that is synonymous to that famous urban legend about where Coca Cola got it's name:

-  "the king"

Music and Japan...

It's been a while since I've posted something here, because your brain would just want to relax and rest in the shade drinking a martini. I admire the people who are able to post on their blog on a daily basis. It's either they are born writers or they are able to multi-task, playing DOTA ( is that still relevant? ) and checking the trending stories on Facebook while downloading new ( read: illegal ) movies on torrent.

I've decided to rant less in this post ( but rant nonetheless. ) and share with you some of the best stories I've seen on the net. So videos are aplenty ( because showing it with just picture are so 2010... ) 

I've been a huge fan of Jewish-Reggae singer Matisyahu ever since I've heard his song "King Without A Crown" : 

While his brand of sound can be alienating to some, his is so uplifting and unique from the run-of-the-mill music of today. So it is with great joy that he is releasing his 5th studio album titled AKEDA, the proper word being AKEDAH, which is the binding of Isaac, son of Abraham, a symbol of an ultimate sacrifice and fear of God. He has released some of the tracks from the said album online, the best that I've heard is this one called "Reservoir" 

And by a sheer stroke of coincidence, my other favorite band, nu-metal Linkin Park will also be releasing their 6th studio album, The Hunting Party. They've also released some of the tracks as well, my favorite being " Until It's Gone ": 

And while we are in the subject of music, I feel like there is no song for a male who is in a relationship and chose instead the "other woman" and hoping that his previous flame is doing alright despite his actions. Most of the music that is offered are about still in the "decision" stage. The closest that I stumbled upon is this: 

It's something that I've been going through. I mean, music is therapy, y'know? 

Will Ferrell is a very versatile comedian, and I was entertained by his recent stint on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon: 

Man, they DO look alike... 

And thanks to this, I've taken a liking to the song that they've played. It's "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult. Take a listen. 

And because of this, I've stumbled into this infamous Saturday Night Live skit: 

Speaking of Late Night shows, Conan O' Brien is my favorite host, he is really in his element when he does remote sketches like these: 

                                  

As well when he plays videogames and makes some very witty remarks: 

                                    

                                    

Lately I've really taken an interest on Japan culture, most notably their interpretations on sex. I mean, they have this: 

I've dream of making a documentary on Japanese pornography, like going to Japan and interviewing porn stars, directors, producers and such. I mean, we only know so much, especially with the language barrier. Documentaries can take years to finish, but it's something I can sink my nose in. But it appears that there are already a couple of documentaries already being made about it, such as these: 

But of course, it's always good to give your point-of-view of the porn industry, and I already have a title for my documentary as well, I call it KIMOCHI: A DOCUMENTARY ON JAPANESE PORN. Kimochi is japanese slang meaning " it's good" or "it feels good". So, get me a producer. And a Japanese work visa. And restraint from hooking up with a Japanese porn star when I'm filming a documentary. 

So that's it, do watch these videos, and be patient when they are buffering. 

- "the king" 

The Torpe Road Chronicles: The Search For New Zealand...

WHERE THE F*CK ARE YOU???

I am staring at my dated laptop and I suddenly thought about her again. I've already checked all the necessary news feed on my Facebook profile, ( illegally ) downloaded songs that I need to listen to my mp3 player and checked and updated my anti-virus software. Dumaan nanaman sya sa isipan ko, so I tried searching for her on Facebook using her real name.

Nothing.

Instagram?

Nothing.

I tried the Google search engine.

Zilch.

It has been almost 10 years now, and I still don't know how "New Zealand" is doing.

                       

Who is she? Siya ang una kong niligawan. My first attempt at puppy love, my awkward advances, ang simula ng aking pagiging Torpe, at iba pa. I dubbed her "New Zealand" dahil dun na sya nakatira sa huli kong balita sa kanya, and taking a cue from a writer on a local Men's Fitness Magazine. And, well, to protect her identity. I really don't want a lawsuit dahil lang sa aking nais na ipahayag ang aking mga nilalaman. Naks.

( you can check out my post about my time with New Zealand HERE to know more. )

                        

It's very strange y'know? She would be the last person on earth that I know that wouldn't have a Facebook profile. She's very social at ma-boka sa lahat. Yung tipong nagse-selfie sa kama with matching GOOD MORNING ALL!!! GOD BLESS POH na comment. I would think that she uses a jejemon-like name for her Facebook profile, something like -= =- but that would be too absurd. Last that I have seen of her was her Friendster profile. But we all know what happened to Friendster now, didn't we?. All that I could ever dig up on her on the internet is a Myspace profile that has 3-4 pictures of her and a Picasa profile that I've just discovered recently. But those 2 discoveries don't really give out any new details on her. Mas madali pa nga akong makakuha ng impormasyon sa nurse na nag-alaga sa akin nung sinilang ako kaysa dito. Parang nawala lang sya sa daigdig. I remember having some "intimate conversations" with my brain about that and I arrived that merong mga tao na ayaw magpahanap. Kung bakit, yan ang isa sa mga misteryo sa mundong ito.

Having a habit of making stories in my head, I would often imagine my attempts to find her, like packing my bags and getting to New Zealand and knocking on doors, joining some neighborhood get-together, community outreach or a Christmas party just so I could get some leads. I recall an FHM article that I read where the country of New Zealand is a haven for paid prostitutes, where they get health benefits and government registration. That also played in my mind in New Zealand's scenario, pero mas minabuti ko na lang na wag nang ikwento ito masyado. For obvious reasons...

There is another scenario that I played in my mind ( yeah, I have knack for those ) where I finally meet New Zealand by getting an item online and doing "paying-cash-on-meetups" basis. We talked for hours on end, and exchanged numbers and we keep in touch for a while until she would disappear again. Or she would meet me sa isang party na pinuntahan ko. Ang mangyayari ay makikita ako ng isang kaklase ko nung elementary na nagkaroon ako ng alitan at marami na rin na nainom, kaya biglang lumapit sa akin at pinapahiya ako, sumsigaw sya at may mga sinasabi na mga salita na nakakasakit ng damdamin. Inaawat sya at lumabas naman ako para di na mapahiya masyado. Tapos may lumapit sa akin sa labas at si New Zealand yun. Kinamusta ako sa nangyari sa akin at nagkwentuhan na kami. Mga ganung eksena. Yeah, I have a lot of time on my hands. Or that I really tend to drift a lot when I'm all by myself. It can go something like this:

There I was, seating next to my first love New Zealand. She really blossomed into a woman. She kept talking about her last movie that she watched or something. I could care less about what she's talking about.

I'm just happy that she's here, physically. Then she stopped talking. I thought I did something to upset her. But she smiled and said, " Alam mo, na-miss kita, ( my name ) and suddenly held my hand. She looked at my eyes for what seems like an eternity. 

                     

Some of you might be asking, "Why the obsession with New Zealand?". You know, sometimes I wonder about that myself. I often think, "Ano ba, pu****ina, di ka ba maka-move on???". Granted, sometimes I border between a stalker and someone needing serious medication, pero first love ko sya eh, alam mo yun? You can never really forget your memories with your first love. You remember every single memory, good or bad. It is with her that I learned how to approach a girl, what not to say etc. Atsaka wala talaga akong balita sa kanya, di ko alam kung may pamilya na sya, mayaman na entrepreneur, deds na ( just saying ) o may isang hacienda na sa New Zealand na country at nakaupo na lang sa isang villa, nagpapamaypay na lang na may hawak na red iced tea at nagbibilang ng salapi ( there goes my brain again... ) making me more intrigued about her whereabouts. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" mentality. We're just wired that way.

So there. Just something that I wanted to share. It's always fun to revisit my "The Torpe Road" subjects. Wag mahiya sa saloloobin, find ways to express yourself. Sana naaliw naman kayo kahit paano. And to New Zealand, wherever you are...

I hope you are doing fine. Sana buhay ka pa ( hey I'm just saying ) Hit me a line one of these days.

                        

One of these days...

- "the king"