#people who talk about books online are like a foreign species to me

[femininominon]

in a positively vampiric mood, has anyone read octavia butler's Fledgeling bc i have been mulling it over and i think the life of the vampire's symbiont is one i am very much suited to

[deathlygristly]

Thank you for the explanation. The first post really confused me.

I'm still thinking through this. No one was really ideological around me when I was growing up. I just read books and came to my own conclusions. And yeah, I'm old enough that I didn't get internet access until I was around 16 and a half and plenty of different books were available in my small town's library and no one cared what I checked out, because in the 80s and 90s fascism wasn't super popular in the US yet so people weren't so intense about things like that.

I'm fairly sure that I'm on the autism spectrum. The spousal person too - we call it being One Of Us. :) So I'm not quite sure I get neurotypical empathy. Also if this gets long and windy and personal I promise it's not me being pretentious, it's just how my brain works and how I've always worked through things.

For me, basing my politics on empathy means mostly reading the experiences and thoughts of others in both non-fiction and fiction, or watching the experiences of others these days now that one of the spousal person's special interests is Korean dramas and we have so much access online to other people telling their stories. Then I combine other people's experiences with research into history and psychology and attempting to understand why humans harm other living beings and what ways we've come up with to reduce harm to arrive at my understanding of the species and its current reality, which is always subject to change. Both in the sense that I am always learning more so my understanding may change and also just that existence is change and nothing is permanent.

I can kind of see what you're talking about if I think about my brother. He shared the link to a Foreign Policy magazine article I shared on Facebook about Russian propaganda, and he also shared someone else's post trying to say that support for Ukraine was wrong because of Helene damage? Even though the damaged areas are getting the help they need (we're in North Carolina so we both have access to local news about this) and it's pretty obvious that propaganda trying to make Americans upset about aid to Ukraine comes from Russia, as explained in the article he shared from my post.

I don't know what to say to him. Honestly I could probably explain it like I just did, like just point out that hey Russia is invading Ukraine right now so maybe think about where this is coming from and link to some stuff about FEMA funding and Ukraine aid and he'd be like oh okay, but it probably wouldn't stick. He's not very good at thinking.

The more I think about the problems I had communicating with my family growing up and how I've always wondered what it's like to have parents and siblings that you can have conversations with, though....

I don't know, I still kind of think it comes back to empathy. Just maybe a different understanding of what that word means.

Currently on the internet a lot of younger people seem to think that empathy means feeling the exact same feelings as another person at the exact same time they're feeling those emotions. I've always thought of it more as being able to understand the perspective of a living being who's not you. I know that my family has a lot of trouble with that. Probably my father was good at it, I mean one of the stories my mother constantly repeats is that she was really angry at me when I was a toddler and he walked in and got upset and asked "What's going on here?!" about it, but he died a month after I turned seven and then I was on my own with the non-perspective taking people.

It's not on purpose with my brother and he doesn't mean to be cruel and hurtful, but plenty of times growing up he didn't realize that I didn't want to go to the club until I went out and sat in his car reading a book after he forced me to go to the club with him, or he didn't realize that I didn't want to be dunked in the water until I repeatedly kicked him with all my strength while he was trying to dunk me, and honestly I don't think when we were there last weekend he ever figured out that a car festival with a lot of really loud noises and exhaust fumes was deeply unpleasant for me, even after the spousal person gave me his noise-dampening airpods to wear.

So I think there is at least somewhat of a case that people who are deeply ideological and very committed to harmful things aren't great at empathy. They may want to be kind and good and helpful to others, but if they keep insisting that their beliefs are the correct way to do those things when other people explain how the actions and laws and policies that come from those beliefs is harmful I do think it shows a lack of perspective taking.

Hmm. Maybe I get so confused when people talk about empathy online because they're talking about immediate subjective feelings and I'm talking about being able to understand the perspective of other living beings.

Actually, isn't the convincing people that there are better and less harmful ways to enact their values a matter of trying to get them to see the perspectives of the people who their behavior and votes and policies are affecting?

Gotta go eat dinner now but again, thank you really a lot for your post that really helped clarify the OP for me. Will be thinking about this.

you know how there used to be all those posts going around like “I don’t know any political theory, it’s not hard to have good politics, it’s called being a decent person” type stuff, where it’s like okay, well, if it works it works. but this year more than ever has convinced me that actually it’s really important to have political values to fall back on even in cases of high emotion, e.g. anti-imperialism or bodily autonomy. feelings like kindness, empathy, concern, just on their own, are politically neutral and can just as easily motivate conservative or even fascist political positions. you know. like what happens to empathy-based politics when it’s people whose lives are very different from yours, or where there’s a culturally-ingrained bias against seeing them as people, or if they are just interpersonally offputting and unlikeable. like how etiquette is for being polite when you’re not “feeling it”, you need something to fall back on, a metric to evaluate what a “just society” looks like for people you don’t personally know and/or like. am I making sense here

[iwillsearchtheuniverse4u]

See You In My Dreams, Stranger

Sik-k smut | khh smut

Warnings: SMUT! ORAL! (f and m receiving) PUBLIC? (not really tho)

Preview: Meeting a stranger on my night walk down the river turns out to be one of the best nights of my life.

It was one of those restless nights that I’ve been dreading ever since I started attending university. I couldn’t sleep, the thought of not knowing where my life is headed keeping me awake every single night. I couldn’t concentrate, I couldn’t brush my teeth or remember to drink water, I just felt like existence was so utterly useless when all my dreams have been swept under a rug somewhere because I was too afraid to act upon them. I’d been dreaming of becoming a translator but all the odds of the world were against me so I chose some apparently more ‘useful’ business degree that I hated with all that I had in me. Because of my perfectionism I had been attending all of my online classes and excelling at them but I felt empty, I felt like I had been contributing to everything I hated the most in this society. At the same time I was just too afraid to change my major because I felt like I had to do something impressive to the outside world, something that would make people respect me.

Just another night of endless tossing and turning, tears streaming down my face, wondering if life does ever get better than this. I couldn’t take it anymore. I got up, took a few steps towards the light switch in the corner of my one room apartment and pressed it. The cheap yellow light bulb lit up the room. The floor next to my mattress was covered in books I was trying to study from and my notes covered in smudged ink. I had a bad habit of crying while studying, sleeping, listening to music and showering, every activity that demanded me to be alone in my little space that had never really felt like home at all. Not much else was in that room apart from a small refrigerator, a microwave oven, my mattress, a closet and a wooden bookshelf. I also had a tiny bathroom that always smelled a bit moldy if I forgot to spray the air freshener three times a day.

I decided to go for a walk along the river as it became clear I wasn’t getting a second of sleep in that night. I hastily put on my black leggings and a hoodie with my high school’s logo on it. I desperately needed to get away from my own thoughts so I grabbed my phone and my earphones that were tied into little knots as always. I couldn’t afford the wireless ones because my scholarship was kept safe in my bank account where I was saving every last cent just in case I decided to drop out and go move to...run away to a foreign country where my name sounds like a whisper of the distant wind. As I was locking my door I heard one of the neighbors flush their toilets. Most of them were students like me or people living on part-time jobs, I never really met any of them, they were just familiar faces I would probably forget in a year after moving out.

The streets were quiet, only the sounds of air conditioners and an occasional motorbike or a car passing by me. I checked my phone to see the time, the picture of my favourite singer’s face lighting up my screen: 3.30am. Of course other parts of the city were probably very much alive at this time of the night but my area was populated only by grocery stores, cafes and libraries, not a single club in sight. The only lights I could see where streetlights and some LED signs. I headed towards the river trying to untie my headphones. I put them in my ears and decided to lose myself in the beats of one of those hyped-up rap songs. I put the volume up just so it was a bit uncomfortable and let my ears adjust to the blasting music.

I finally reached the riverside and started walking along the flow of the water. I couldn’t hear it but it still resonated with my mind better than the rustling sound of the city. There was a road along the river that ended somewhere within the green forest because the are was populated with some important bird species that I could never remember the name of. I sat on the bench at the beginning of that forest, my mind still dissolved in the loud beats coming out of my earphones. Even though my ears were covered with a thick layer of my long brown hair I was sure the music could be heard by anyone standing within a 1 meter ratio. I didn't mind, it was 4 am, people were either asleep or sloppily making out in a club somewhere far away. Thinking about the things I was missing out on started to become louder than the music and I let my tears fall. I was overworked, overwhelmed and empty, I couldn't keep it in. Not that I ever tried. I had never been good at hiding my emotions.

Looking at the night view of the city on the other side reflecting on the surface of the river, getting lost in my thoughts, I felt the bench move ever so slightly under my body. I looked to the side and almost fainted at the sight of a dark shadow sitting beside me. My heart started beating and I stood up to leave in case it was a stranger trying to talk to me in the middle of the night. As I took my first step away from the bench the person lightly touched the fabric of my sleeve. I looked back at him. I was certain it was a man judging by his broad shoulders and a black cap on his head. I removed my headphones, my heart still beating as if I had been running for the last 3 hours. "Excuse me. I wasn't trying to bother you or anything. I just like to look at the city at night when my head gets all crowded and I can't think straight. Don't go just because of me." His voice was deep and raspy but had an elegant tone to it, it felt  calm but distant as if he had been lost in thought. He was looking at me and the lights of the city were playfully jumping around in his eyes but his expression was the complete opposite. He seemed broken. I couldn’t let myself leave him, partly because he seemed significantly depressed and partly because he was astonishingly beautiful. My feet were unable to move, I stood there for a moment contemplating my options but my gut feeling sat me down next to him.

As we were sitting, each on one side of the bench, looking at the sparkly surface of the river my heart calmed down and minutes passed, none of us speaking, just the sound of the river mixed with my music flowing through the night air. "You were crying." He stated with a regretful tone, almost whispering. My cheeks flushed with warmth, I looked at his profile, him still staring at the waves. "I just thought I was alo-" "Don't. Feelings aren't something to be ashamed of. They're just as much a part of you as your legs and arms are. If people feel burdened it's usually their problem because they've never been faced by their own emotions. They just don't know how to act and feel uncomfortable." He talked slowly and didn't bother looking at me. It felt like his words were directed at the universe or at himself just at the general direction he was speaking, he looked so lost. I didn't notice I was staring until he looked at my eyes and smiled. It was one of those crooked smiles, filled with a certain type of worry I couldn't identify. "You can tell me why you were crying. I probably won't remember tomorrow anyway. I can lend you my ears for tonight, maybe I'll forget all about my own problems." His gaze moved back to the view as he sat back and crossed his arms on his chest. At that moment I felt like telling him every little thing about my life. It had been so long since I had anyone who would just listen without the constant urge to solve my problems but just LISTEN. I stopped myself. "I won't let you get off the hook that easy. I have a feeling that you're the one not facing your own problems. Why don't you lean on someone for a change?" I said, determined to make him speak. He looked at me from the side and his head slowly followed his gaze, his eyebrows furrowing just so much I could notice. The anticipation of hearing his raspy voice that felt so familiar and kind made me turn off my music. This man that sat next to me just a moment ago suddenly awakened my curiosity. It took a while for him to speak as we were maintaining a really intense eye contact for what felt as hours. I was able to inspect every milimeter of his dark cat-like eyes. "You're good at reading people, I'll give you that." He smiled and turned back to face the view. "I'm just under a lot of pressure. People expect a lot from me, that's all...and sometimes it can get really frustrating when I can't really reach those expectations. Sometimes it feels like there are so many people doing my thing better than me, it scares me." He put his hands in the pockets of his black sweater still staring at something in the distance. I wasn't sure what to say but he also didn't expect me to say anything. He needed someone to listen and I was there to supply. I asked: "And what would your 'thing' be exactly?" in an effort to get to know more about this mysterious creature in front of me. "Music. I make music for a living." His eyes now focused on his shoes while he bit his lips in an effort not to smile. I finally realized why his voice sounded so familiar, it was freaking Kwon Minsik, Sik-k, Korea's best rapper, sitting next to me staring at the Han river. My hand automatically covered my mouth as I inhaled. I was trying to calm myself down. He probably heard my playlist which was full of his songs and it made me feel so embarrassed, my cheeks flushing with heat again. He tried really hard to hide his cocky smile as he turned his face away from me, looking into the woods on the other side. After a few minutes he asked: "So now are you going to tell me why you were crying?" He was facing me, looking at my eyes attentively like a little boy waiting for instructions from his teacher. I was still to shy to maintain eye contact so I looked at my hands on my lap. I told him my story about how lost and useless I felt in life. I told him about feeling lonely and scared about my future. I told him everything.

Before I knew it tears started to emerge from my eyes again and I tried really hard not to look at Minsik who was still facing me, one of his arms resting on the back of the bench. I cracked. I cracked in front of a man I respected the most. It was embarrassing but also liberating, I was done trying to impress the world. I dropped my head, defeated. Next thing I felt was his warm hand on my cheek, gently wiping the trail of my tears. I froze for a bit, my eyes widening at the sudden proximity of his body. I didn't even notice him getting closer before he put his hand on my face. He was sitting right next to me, the sides of our thighs touching ever so slightly. I could hear my heart rate getting faster and louder. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t control it. I looked at him and he removed his hand, still looking at me with his furrowed eyebrows, a concerned expression drawing on his face. "I'm sorry. You probably think I'm just being childish, crying at something as trivial as my major." I said with a shaky voice. "Don't ever say sorry for your feelings ever again, you hear me? And besides, I don't think it's stupid, I think it's just very important to you. You want to set goals for yourself but you're too afraid that you're not going to reach them so you just let them go. I would obviously tell you to go for what feels right and figure it out but that won't make you feel secure and I bet a lot of other people in your life told you this before." He replied with his deep raspy voice that I loved so much. He was so close. I could feel every breath on the surface of my cheek, his left arm was lying behind me on the back of the bench, it was almost like a hug. I couldn’t think straight anymore, my thoughts were intertwined with the smell of his cologne and the heat of his body so close to mine. He didn't feel like a stranger, he felt like someone who'd known me for years. I buried my face into my hands so I wouldn't make any thoughtless mistakes. Suddenly, he moved away from me, I couldn’t feel the proximity of his body anymore, the cold night air embracing my whole being. I peeked up from my palms. He was still looking at me with concern in his eyes, saying: "Sorry, I probably got too close for comfort, I'm not used to this kind of emotional thing, you know?" I felt a desperate need for physical touch, maybe it was the cold air, the anxiety or his perfect stature or maybe it was a mix of both but I straightened my back and looked directly into his eyes. It was so unlike me to be this bold but my body automatically moved closer to his.

He didn't move even when my face was only ten centimeters away from his. His expression changed, his forehead relaxing, his eyelids closing halfway when I suddenly felt his hand on my thigh. He grabbed onto it like he was holding on for his dear life and it made me want him more. I stopped, looking down at his lips when he pulled himself closer. His smooth lips crashing into mine made me lean back but he was only getting closer until he pinned me to the wooden bench beneath us. It was a passionate kiss, his hands didn't limit themselves to my thighs but discovered the hot surface of my skin under my hoodie. I felt a certain kind of euphoria, the kind you only get to experience when you do something completely out of character for you but turns out to be the best thing you could have possibly done.

As our kiss was getting more heated and his hands were groping my breasts for a couple of minutes the heat between my legs was getting unbearable. I could feel one of his hands roam down to my thigh and up to my ass where he got the grip to grind against me. Our lips and tounges still inseparable, I played along and grinded my heat against his growing buldge until I heard his raspy growls which sent shivers down my spine. As our tempo aligned we started breathing heavily and his lips left mine but relocated to my neck, definitely leaving more than just the incredibly pleasing pain. There was only a couple of pieces of clothing seperating us but the longing was excruciating. I started tugging on the collar of his black hoodie, trying to stop him as his lips attacked my collarbone. "Stop...I can'...I can't take it." I said with a soft voice in between my moans. His hips stopped moving immediately and he pushed himself above me so we were looking face to face, his body still on top of me. The loss of friction left me feeling needy. "Are you okay? I didn't mean to be this fast, I just thought-" I got up and laid a small kiss on his lips mid-sentence. "Come to my place." I whispered in his ear. I hadn't gotten to know this part of me before but that night felt different. Maybe it was the stream of emotions I had just shared with this stranger on top of me or the tone of his voice or the feeling of the cold night breeze but I didn't want to spend this morning alone.

When we finally arrived at my door he was standing so close to me I almost held my breath trying to get myself to collect my thoughts. I swear I could hear his heartbeat like it was my own, his lips suddenly tracing the curve of my neck as I was trying to insert the right passcode. I couldn’t even focus in my own hands as his were holding me around the waist so it took me a few moments to find the right digits. When the holy sound of the door lock unlocking echoed in the hallway he already pressed the knob in a hurry and pushed me inside. Because my one room apartment was so small it only took our intertwined bodies a solid 30 seconds to hit the mattress. He was planting sloppy kisses down my collar bone as I was tugging at his hoodie, trying to set him free of it. He stopped for a moment only to get up and remove it. The moonlight from outside my small window caressing his elegant body, lighting him up from the back like he was some beastly creature of the night taking advantage of my sadness. I couldn’t move, he was sitting on top of me, his face was covered in darkness but I knew he was watching me. "Do you have any idea how freaking beautiful you look in this light?" His raspy whisper made me quiver. I smiled and looked away while my body was hungry for his touch. I wasn't ready to show it.

He slowly got up with his hands trailing the shape of my thighs until he was holding me behind the knees, still looking at me. I felt his hands pull my leggings of as if it was the easiest thing in the whole entire world. He then proceeded to playfully pull at my panties, rubbed my knot and lowered his face to blow at my growing heat, my legs almost immediately trying to close at the sudden pleasure. He held them open while licking my folds twice, trying to see my reaction. I couldn’t hold in my moans and my spine curved in-synch with my breathing. It was something I haven't felt in forever, not like this, not this strong. I grabbed onto his hair and he seemed to read the ques as he got rid of the piece of fabric. His tounge was doing circles around my clit making me see fireworks and probably tugging at his hair with both hands so much that his scalp was in pain. He got me shaking in a matter of minutes and it was the best high I've ever experienced, sending all kinds of shivers down my skin, leaving me panting. He was far from done though.

"You taste so good, baby girl," he said unknowing of the affect it had on me. I got up to unzip his pants (which he more than willingly helped me with). I traced my fingers down his perfect abs to the hem of his boxers and lower, tracing his hard member while inspecting his face. As soon as I grabbed it through the fabric with my whole hand his eyelids shut closed and his head fell back in pleasure. I pulled him to the mattress and got on top of him trying to grind at his boxers, making them soaking wet. Then I got up to remove the rest of his clothing. I proceeded to trace my tounge along his shaft and sucking on his member, enjoying his growls. His hands were grabbing the sheets and the veins on his forearms and neck were starting to protrude. Every now and then a soft "fuck~" escaped his mouth, motivating me to keep going. Then he suddenly stopped me, saying: "I need to come inside of you, grab my wallet." Instead, I got up to open one of my drawers where I was saving a pack of condoms, praying they would fit him. I handed one to him and he was so quick about it, it got me thinking just how many girls he gets to play around with like this every night. The thought escaped my mind when he stood up to hold me around the waist, slowly pulling me back to bed with him. He undressed me, pulling my hoodie over my head only to discover I wasn't wearing a bra underneath. His dark eyes glowed with passion as he greabbed one of my nipples, tugging at it while kissing me sloppily. He threw me on the mattress and got on top of me. My body was heated up completely, I couldn’t even feel the night breeze coming from the opened window. He licked my sensitive nipples a few more times before aligning himself with my entrance and pushing inside of me. The fireworks from before were nothing compared to the utter pleasure I felt at that exact moment, Sik-k filling me up perfectly. My head fell back in moans and my back curved up again. I could have sworn I saw stars playing in the darkness of my eyelids. All I heard him say was: "Fuck..." He took his time waiting for me to adjust and started to quicken his pace while adjusting the angle. One of his hands was stroking my stomach and the other was holding onto my ass. I tried to mimic his movements, increasing the fraction of our bodies. The moans escaping our mouths felt so unholy they made it even more passionate. "I'm going to- I'm close!" I squealed throught the moans which made him go even harder and faster. My whole body tensed up and I grabbed onto the bedsheets pulling them off. His dick was starting to twitch inside of me, hitting all the right spots and I knew he was trying his best to make me come first which was a rare experience. I opened my eyes seeing him focused on me with his furrowed eyebrows, sweat dripping down the side of his jawline. My body was caught up in a wave of shivers, the walls of my pussy tightening so much it got him shaking as well. We were both just trying to ride out our highs with the last strenght we had. It was sweaty and suffocating but liberating at the same time, all of our thoughts disappearing for these unthinkable moments of pleasure. His hot body collapsed on top of me, both of us trying to catch our breaths again. "This was amazing." I told him in between breaths. He rolled over me to remove the condom and, to my surprise, came right back to lie beside me, his arms hugging me from behind. He kissed my neck and whispered in my ear: "See you in my dreams, stranger."

[tomasorban]

Supernatural Stories of the Aboriginal People: An Interview with Steven Strong

Steven Strong (and his co-researcher/author Evan Strong) are no strangers to New Dawn readers. They are best known for their articles, interviews and publications on the controversial theory that Australia was the cradle of civilisation – the home of an Original humanity that branched out into other parts of the world to seed culture and a more advanced way of being.

Steven’s knowledge is steeped in secret Aboriginal lore and rituals that for obvious reasons cannot be divulged to the general public. His – and Evan’s – mission is informing the wider Australian community on the forgotten heritage of the Original people and the metaphysical changes happening right now in this country.

Recently Steven was interviewed by Jeffery Pritchett & Wahabah Hadia Al Mu’id (WHAM) for their online radio show. The interview covered the Strong’s work about Australia as the cradle of civilisation but Steven also shed light on personal encounters with the mysterious and supernatural. He speaks of an Original way of being foreign to the vast majority of Australians, but lived and practiced by members of indigenous communities, especially the Clever Fellas and Elders.

The following is an edited extract from Steven’s spoken interview with Jeffery & WHAM in April.

Jeffery Pritchett (JP): I’ve heard the Aboriginal people are connected in some way to the Pleiadians [ancient extraterrestrials from the star system of the Pleiades that have an interest in Earth]?

Steven Strong (SS): Way back at the start when I was given a very strong ceremony by the Ramindjeri [Aboriginal people of Kangaroo Island, South Australia], I sat down at the finish and they told us about circumnavigating the world in a figure 8 in ancient times. And one of the elders turned to me and said, “You do realise in the old days, there were other ways we travelled this earth?” I knew what he was talking about, he was talking about moving through the air.

They are absolutely obsessed with the Pleiadians. In fact, I’ve had elders who will finish their conversation by repeating the same thing time after time. They tell me the Pleiadians are their countrymen, they are part of them. Quite recently a genetic study has come out to confirm this. What we’ve now found is the Original people have a genetic strand that no one has ever seen before. And the scary part for the mainstream is they don’t know where it’s from. They cannot associate it with any hominid, semi-hominid, or other Homo sapiens on the planet. It’s only found in Australia with the Original people.

I know it’s the Pleiadian gene they’ve found. And the reason why they can’t find it anywhere on this planet is because they have their eyes permanently fixed down, they should be looking up. In fact, this is why we talk about this now, not because I had a chance but because I promised we would tell their story. I don’t meet an elder who will not talk about the Pleiadians. We are pushed into a story that I remember on one occasion I said we’d never touch. In fact our first three books, published by University Press in America, never mentioned it. We never mention this story. We’re coming into this story simply because we don’t have a choice. And the Original elders have made it clear, we must talk about this part of the story now. That’s what we’re doing, we’re only doing what we’re told.

JP: When it comes to the Pleiadians and the Aboriginals, what is the creation story?

SS: I’ve got two rocks, two marked rocks, and the elders have told me the full story with those two rocks. And they’ve shown me the rocks and they’ve shown me how it’s put together. Those two rocks are called Ros’ rock 1 and 2. My main elder is a Clever Fella and can do things you shouldn’t be able to do in any science book today, and I’ve seen him do it. He told me one day, after knowing I had this rock [Ros rock 1] for a couple of years. (I’ve got to tell you something about Original elders – when you’re working with them, don’t ask them a question because they’ll never answer it. They’ll ask another question you can’t answer and they’ll answer that question a year later.)

A year and a half passed when Karno told me the full story of that rock, and it’s basically the beginning. What he said was that way back in the Dreaming, at the very beginning, the Pleiadians came in the totem of the Goanna, which is the one that gives wisdom. When they came to this country (Australia), they asked permission. They didn’t barge in – they asked permission to come. They came here looking for the best that was on this planet and they found the Original people, but they said no. The story goes that the eagle and the crow fought against the Goanna, the Pleiadians. The eagle and the crow are the Original people. And they couldn’t come, they could not come. But one day, according to the elders, the crow saw the wisdom of the Pleiadians and changed sides. And then what happened was the fight continued and the crow and the Goanna defeated the eagle. And they came and landed on this country. Then what they did, because they’d won the battle, is the Goanna asked the eagle for some totem or memento of his victory, and he was given the claws of the eagle, and the laws of the Pleiadians were scratched into this rock we have now. The Original story is we were given this information from the Pleiadians, and the second rock talks about the Original people and their contribution.

They look upon this as a unification of two different species. The Pleiadians did not come to this planet to subjugate, or to mine, or anything like that. They came here to find a body to incarnate into. What we have according to these people is the best of both worlds. From this planet, the Original people, and from outside, the Pleiadians. Together they created a set of genes. I look upon something like the walkabout genes, where you go off and find your own salvation and your own wisdom. The Original people were told to spread around the world, and therefore every human on this planet has within them the Original and Pleiadian genes. And yes I know, some of us may have those Assyrian genes [a reference to the Anunnaki slave race creation], very much more compliant.

What we have today in our genetic bank is an absolute dog’s breakfast of genes from all over this planet. We’ve got Denisovan and Neanderthal genes within us, and genes from outside. The story goes that the day would come when each person would be demanded and asked to look for their Pleiadian genes and to strike out and find the truth. That’s why they seeded the whole of this planet with their genes – they had a long term plan. The story I’m told is it’s now time for every human being on this planet to access their Pleiadian-Original genes and find the wisdom and truth. Because if they rely on the other ones, they’ll end up on the wrong side of the equation when the cutoff line appears.

There is a long, long story about the Pleiadians being part of this particular continent. I can’t speak on behalf of Africa and places where other mobs came, that’s not our issue here. We just talk about what happened here. Now the Original people are telling us the time for the Pleiadian-Original genes to come to fruition, to give us wisdom and an alternative to what we have today, which is appalling, is now upon us. Original history and archaeology doesn’t run in a straight line – it runs in a circle. And the circle, ladies and gentlemen, has been completed.

JP: When it comes to the Dreamtime, I’m wondering your perception on it? When I was 17 I went through testicular cancer and chemo. And then a year later my dad died, and I started to attract UFO activity. Multiple witnesses have seen all kinds of stuff with me. And I’ve seen some different types of beings. I’ve seen beings made out of energy, what I call a luminous being or beings made out of light. And I’ve kind of come to the conclusion through talking to other shamans that they’re us without our bodies on some levels. I’m kind of curious, what is the Dreamtime?

SS: If I was to give a fairly reasonable description of the Dreaming it would probably finish in about three hours. But I think we’re going to have to go the 101 because it’s so difficult. Look, the Dreaming is about connecting with the Spirit and about connecting with our reality, but it’s a lot more than that. It’s not a religion. Original people don’t have churches, they don’t have steeples and they don’t have altars. How can I best put it? It runs something like this…

A young man or woman around 14 or 15 or 16, when it’s determined they become adults, goes through some very severe cuts and a lot of pain, because most Original learning comes through pain. What’ll happen is once the boy has been cut and he’s taken on site, he goes out into the bush on his own. Then the uncle will watch him from a distance, but won’t have a thing to do with him. He’ll be on his own for three or four months. During that period he makes his own connection with the Dreaming. Original people believe every human being has magic within them, they think it’s like breathing. Everyone of us has it. What that person then does is finds their own magic, finds their own way of communicating with the spirits.

You’ve got to remember, in our society the spirits are in the land, they’re in the trees, they’re in a blade of grass, they’re everywhere and they watch us eternally. I’ll give you a very good example of what happened to us when we offended the spirits and the Dreaming acted upon us. We went to a site. Our elder that takes us in, Auntie Beve [Darkinoong Elder], was unwell at the time and couldn’t smoke us, and we always get ceremonied before we go on site. I had another ceremony given to me by Uncle Jerry, six of us did it, and we walked into this place. It was full of orbs and we filmed them. As we came in a brown owl flew out and left a feather. We thought that was a good sign. Oh my god, it wasn’t. Anyways, we did our business for the day, filmed what we saw, and it was quite amazing. We did some work on the carvings and engravings and paintings there.

I went back that night to Gosford [New South Wales] and we sat around talking about what we saw that day, and I got a phone call from my elder. My elder lives in Kangaroo Island, that’s 3,500 kilometres away. We’d left that site five hours ago, and he rang me. I knew I was in trouble. Normally what happens is when the elder speaks, someone else rings you and tells you to ring them. They don’t approach you, you must approach them. This time he was approaching me. And I’ve had that a couple of times and it means I’m getting growled at. This time was huge. This is how the conversation went. He said, “You’ve been on country today.” I said, “Yes, but Karno it’s not your country.” He said, “I know that, but did you smoke yourself today?” I said, “Well no.” He said, “I have a red kangaroo here, and that red kangaroo is telling me the whole story of what happened. You did another ceremony, didn’t you?” I said, “Yes, I did.” He said, “Well that was just accepted but they’re not happy.” And he told me, “If you ever go on site again without smoking yourself, they will kill you. That is your last warning.” And then he hung up.

Now my question is, I never told him about this. How did he know 3,500 km away I was walking on country and had broken a law? That owl flew out and told someone else, who told another animal and went across and told Karno. I’ve figured that message travelled 700 kilometres per hour to get to him. How he got that message was through the animals. In the Dreaming, if you really are locked in with the Dreaming, you can communicate with animals, you can communicate with everything.

I’ll go to another story. This same guy [Karno], when [British author] Graham Hancock and I sat round a campfire, he disappeared completely. We all know that. He smiled as he did it, and then reappeared about three seconds later, about 50 metres behind someone else. We asked his wife how did he do this. She said, “I don’t know, I’ve never seen that one before.” He told me later, “The disappearing is nothing. I come from this place and we all do. The only difference is I know it and you’re not sure. Once you know it, everything is possible.” What is the Dreaming? It’s us finding our true powers, our true reality and our true purpose in life.

JP: Do the Aboriginals ever say anything about Yowies or Sasquatch?

SS: Yes they speak about them. I’ve been to Yowie country, and I’ve met the keeper of the Yowies. I won’t write about it, because you get smashed. I get smashed enough as it is. I just can’t afford another punch in the face for that one. Do I know they exist? Absolutely. In fact, on one occasion we went into country, and the elders made it clear because they’d been finding all these kangaroos and wallabies with their heads ripped off, because the Yowie is incredibly powerful. They made it clear that if we went on to that country, we had to sing the song of the Yowies before we could get there. He said don’t go in there without that song or they will attack you. There were six of us, and we all sung. None of us questioned for one second what they told us. So yes, it is very much a part of Australia.

We also had big robust people with massive skulls, 1540 cc, and they stood about 6 foot 6, but they’re not Yowies. We had tiny people that were 3 foot high, I’ve got pictures of them, a whole tribe of 150 people smaller than pygmies. Then there are other groups they talk about. My understanding is there’s at least four different types of Original people in Australia still existing to this day. It’s a very common story about the Yowies. But finding them is bloody hard because these guys are masters of deception and camouflage, and they will show themselves when they want to be shown. That’s the only way you’ll see one.

JP: What other stories of the supernatural can you share?

SS: Four days ago an elder rang me up, 4,000 km away. I’d been waiting four weeks for the phone call. I’d just set my 150 rocks into two formations. She rang me up and said, “Been waiting four weeks to ring you, I’m ringing you now because now’s the time to ring.” She said: “You’ve got those rocks in formation right now, haven’t you?” I said, “Yes.” She said, “You’ve got someone sitting inside there haven’t you?” I said, “Yes.” “He’s a good man, he can stay there, pass that on.” And then she hung the phone up. 4,000 km away. How did she know I just took the rocks out an hour before and put them in two circles and joined them up? That, ladies and gentlemen, is what we could do, all of us. I didn’t know that, I can’t do it, and I probably never will because I’m not as wise as they are. My job is to be pragmatic and try to convince people through logic and science it’s true. But I can tell you this now, I swear on a stack of bibles, what I’m telling you is true. That woman rang us up and said, “You’ve got your rocks in formation.” How did she know? She was 4,000 km away. This is what we could be.

Instead what we get is phones where we press buttons and play games. I remember recently I was in a train in Melbourne. I was with a friend and we were lost in the city and we didn’t know where we were going. There were about 80 people in four carriages and no one was talking, not one of them. All they were doing is sitting there pressing buttons, wasting their lives, and going to work and coming back the next day and then going back again. They don’t think they’re slaves, and they don’t think they’re trapped. They are, because they’ve been sucked into this system that’s wrong.

We’re trying to wake people up to the truth of what Original people know. Remember this, I’m not only talking about the Original people [in Australia], there are many people that have this story. We have to look to all our indigenous people because they are the only ones that can save us now. We go down this path [of materialism and technology obsession] and we are done for. We really are. And it’s time for the Original, and they are coming out, believe me, they are coming out.

Aboriginal painting of Baiame, a creator Spirit of the Dreaming, Baiame Cave, Milbrodale, New South Wales.

>read full article<

[elleselanguitsansfin]

Things to do in quarantine you might not have thought of

- Clean/polish your shoes, takes up to five minutes max - Go through any craft kits you might have lying around  - Learn to press flowers, takes about a week  - Write short/long stories from online writing prompts - Learn a song in a different language - If there is an instrument in your house you don’t know how to play, teach yourself a song (or make up your own!) - Draw out plans for your dream home - Purge your closet, desk, anywhere you keep things - Write letters to people of things you’d never say and then never send them - Try listening to new artists - Make food from a foreign country you’ve never tried before - Name all your plants (mine are Sylvester, Chloë, Tiffany, Jelli, Jenny, Jessie and Juniper) - Organize your files on your computer/laptop and Google Drive (if any) - Learn a foreign alphabet, for example Korean, Russian or Greek - Get in contact with a family member you haven’t talked to in a while - Become pen friends with someone in a foreign country using an app like HelloTalk - Learn pointless words (I am a sesquipedalian logophile who uses words like pneumonoultramiscroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis to torment those with hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia) - Eat a variety of cheese like Gruyere, Camembert and Gouda and drink wine (or grape juice if you’re underage like me) while pretending you’re in Paris or Rome - Draw on your face with eyeliner - Replace that one light bulb that you haven’t gotten round to yet - Learn about a religion you’re not part of (we’ve been looking at Islam, Judaism and Christianity in my history class at the moment and as a Christian I am finding this VERY interesting) - Go through Goodreads or something and make a list of books to read - Browse through your old exercise books (if you keep them) and make fun of your old self - Pick a random household product, for example dish wash liquid. Figure out how to make it better - Paint a friend via video chat or have them paint you - Use a video editor and edit a kids TV show for fun - Make a plant book containing information about all the different plants in your garden (their names, scientific names, soil/water/lighting preferences, etc) - Invent a new species of animal (on pen and paper) - Make your school notes ~pretty~ - Learn to name all the countries, capitals and flags of the world Short intermission in the middle of this post to let you know I just finished eating lunch and I ate way too much and now I feel sick - Make a wishlist - Dress up everyday even though you’re not going anywhere - Organize your cleaning supplies - Learn how something works (for example, a motherboard. That stuff baffles me) - Replenish tape dispensers and staplers throughout your house - Change the letters on the signboard in your room (if you have one) - Pick out new profile pictures, wallpapers, etc - Go through your candles and burn some you haven’t before Intermission 2.0 because I’m trying to join my History class meeting and it’s not working, are you kidding me- never mind it’s working now - Make jewelry - Become a master photo editor/photoshopper - Watch ice skating (I like Evgenia Medvedeva! Her Sailor Moon performance was so cute!) - If you’re into k-pop, stan a new group (I’d like to get more into MAMAMOO or ATEEZ) - Donate online, there are plenty of organizations that need your help (for example, the Red Cross for Lebanon is providing aid after the devastating explosion in Beirut). Remember to be careful about where you send your money, however, there are some organizations that use the money for themselves - Support writers online - Play Just Dance (let me know if you beat my high score, it’s 12,808 for Con Altura!) - Romanticize things

[wheresthetylenol]

Here we go..

1: 6 of the songs you listen to most?

Dilip - Geek, NoMBe - Miss Mirage, Starfucker - Kahlil Gibran, Icarus Moth - Needles, Skrillex - Would You Ever, and Duumu - Love Spells just to name a few. 

2: If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be? Julian Casablancas

3: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad “He died of a heart attack on August 3, 1924, at the age of 66, and was buried near his home in a Roman Catholic cemetery in Canterbury.

4: What do you think about most? What’s really in it for me?

5: What does your latest text message from someone else say? I love you too baby. See you tomorrow!

6: Do you sleep with or without clothes on? With.

7: What’s your strangest talent? I can whistle 4 different ways. 

8: Girls… (); Boys… () Lame question imo.

9: Ever had a poem or song written about you? No but there have been many many diary entries.

10: When is the last time you played the air guitar? Probably when I was a kid haha

11: Do you have any strange phobias? I fucking hate moths.

12: Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose? Don’t think so.

13: What’s your religion? I haven’t decided.

14: If you are outside, what are you most likely doing? Leaving my house.

15: Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it? In front!

16: Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band? The Strokes

17: What was the last lie you told? I hope you guys have a good night!

18: Do you believe in karma? Yes, very much so.

19: What does your URL mean? It’s from Christmas Vacation.

20: What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength? Pizza, and my personal hygiene 

21: Who is your celebrity crush? Mary Elizabeth Winstead

22: Have you ever gone skinny dipping? Yeah I sure have!

23: How do you vent your anger? Spending more time on hobbies or just going for a walk.

24: Do you have a collection of anything? I collect e-juice bottles I guess

25: Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online? Neither really, but talking on the phone

26: Are you happy with the person you’ve become? Not yet, but I feel very close

27: What’s a sound you hate; sound you love? Other people eating, and hit markers in Overwatch 

28: What’s your biggest “what if”? What if when you die the light at the end of the tunnel is you being born again?

29: Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens? I don’t believe in ghosts but there are definitely a countless number of alien species out there

30: Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? Do the same with your left arm. My mouse, and a coaster on my desk

31: Smell the air. What do you smell? Home!

32: What’s the worst place you have ever been to? Hillyard haha

33: Choose: East Coast or West Coast? West Coast any day

34: Most attractive singer of your opposite gender? Tay Swifty

35: To you, what is the meaning of life? To fall in love and be very comfortable.

36: Define Art. Anything where someone is using creativity, and people who observe that believe it as such

37: Do you believe in luck? I used to

38: What’s the weather like right now? Cloudy, I think it’ll rain tomorrow

39: What time is it? 3:34 AM

40: Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed? Nope

41: What was the last book you read? H20 - Virginia Bergin 

42: Do you like the smell of gasoline? Not really, it’s too strong.

43: Do you have any nicknames? Jordy

44: What was the last film you saw? Bohemian Rhapsody, it was fantastic!

45: What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had? Just a big gash on my forehead when I was a kid

46: Have you ever caught a butterfly? I’ve never tried

47: Do you have any obsessions right now? Girls!

48: What’s your sexual orientation? Straight 

49: Ever had a rumour spread about you? Yes, plenty and still to this day 

50: Do you believe in magic? No

51: Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong? Not for long!

52: What is your astrological sign? I’m a Libra

53: Do you save money or spend it? Spend, but I really want to save. 

54: What’s the last thing you purchased? Vodka :)

55: Love or lust? Love

56: In a relationship? Yes

57: How many relationships have you had? 11 or 12?

58: Can you touch your nose with your tongue? Yep

59: Where were you yesterday? I was at a basketball game

60: Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? Nope

61: Are you wearing socks right now? Yes

62: What’s your favourite animal? Dogs :)

63: What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you? Charisma, and good energy

64: Where is your best friend? He’s at his place 

65: Give me your top 5 favourite blogs on Tumblr. lucidforests, showerthoughts, tattoosideas, archatlas, and bestfoodpictures

66: What is your heritage? I dont have one

67: What were you doing last night at 12AM? Netflix and chill

68: What do you think is Satan’s last name? Satan is a title

69: Be honest. Ever gotten yourself off? Of course i have

70: Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as a friend? Yeah, I talk to myself just as much as anyone else

71: You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do? I would get fired in a heartbeat! 

72: You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid? a.) Yes, I would have to as tragic as it would be.. b.) Party like it’s 1999! c.) No, I think I would be ready

73: You can only have one of these things; trust or love. That’s a really tough one.. I think I could manage with just love.

74: What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it? Zelliack - Call Me Old Fashioned

75: What are the last four digits in your cell phone number? 0720

76: In your opinion, what makes a great relationship? Great sex!

77: How can I win your heart? Show me yours

78: Can insanity bring on more creativity? No boredom is way better

79: What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far? I chose music

80: What size shoes do you wear? 10.5

81: What would you want to be written on your tombstone? Enemy double kill xD

82: What is your favourite word? Fuck, Ass, Bitch

83: Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart. Love

84: What is a saying you say a lot? Fuck me, dude.

85: What’s the last song you listened to? Miami Horror - Sometimes

86: Basic question; what’s your favourite colour/colours? Blue 

87: What is your current desktop picture? I’ll post it

88: If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be? I don’t know really haha

89: What would be a question you’d be afraid to tell the truth on? Question 88

90: One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren’t really doing anything, they’re just standing around your bed. What do you do? Freak the hell out!

91: You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What is that power? I would love to be able to get $1,000 every time I reach into my pockets

92: You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again? My early teens, I loved all the good times me and my friends had back in the day!

93: You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? Getting caught trying to steal money from my older sister

94: You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be? Tove Lo

95: You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go? Perth, Australia

96: Do you have any relatives in jail? Not for a very very long time

97: Have you ever thrown up in the car? No thank god haha

98: Ever been on a plane? Yes, we went to Disneyland

99: If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say? I would tell everyone about my dream to be a professional producer, open an awesome record label, start a dope XM radio station and make bank!

Wow, I can’t believe I made it through this, if you read most of it, shoot me a PM. I would love to chat haha

[zairehyun-blog]

can you do all of the ask things? 🙈

OH GOD 

1: 6 of the songs you listen to most?

mic drop - btstraining wheels - melanie martinez drive - halseydo i wanna know - arctic monkeysnicotine - panic! at the disco ready for it - taylor swift 

bonus: forever - exo, earned it - the weeknd, & cherry bomb - nct 127

2: If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?

fhgjfkjhgf maybe my mom

3: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17.

answered

4: What do you think about most?

answered

5: What does your latest text message from someone else say?

from my twin and it says “I FUCKING SWEAR SQUISHY YAWNED”

6: Do you sleep with or without clothes on?

ok it depends here. it depends on how cold it is and if my boyfriend is willing to share his shirt but normally no

7: What’s your strangest talent?

i’m like really flexible for no reason??? 

8: Girls… (finish the sentence); Boys… (finish the sentence)

answered 

9: Ever had a poem or song written about you?

i’ve had my sister’s stalker write a poem abt me akfjdhskl 

10: When is the last time you played the air guitar?

answered

11: Do you have any strange phobias?

no lol 

12: Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?

Wh- who does that-

13: What’s your religion?

answered

14: If you are outside, what are you most likely doing?

trying to go back inside no but probably taking pictures of the sky to show my dad lmao

15: Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?

answered

16: Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?

fdhsfjk between exo or bts

17: What was the last lie you told?

i told my dads that my sister was the one who broke a lamp ASFJSD

18: Do you believe in karma?

answered

19: What does your URL mean?

answered

20: What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength?

i talk abt my twin a lot but, being away from her literally drains me of my energy, and i’m not sure abt my greatest strength lmao

21: Who is your celebrity crush?

this mAN

22: Have you ever gone skinny dipping?

answered

23: How do you vent your anger?

i write it down or i tell someone im really close too

24: Do you have a collection of anything?

of very long sweaters lol

25: Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online?

it depends,,, im a really talkative person so i guess both

26: Are you happy with the person you’ve become?

Kinda, I’m still learning who I am, so I can’t answer this yet. 

27: What’s a sound you hate; sound you love?

answered

28: What’s your biggest “what if”?

answered

29: Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens?

tHIS HOUSE IS FUCKiNg haunted no one tell me otherwise and, i do because how can we be the only species in the entire galaxy?? it doesn’t make sense

30: Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? Do the same with your left arm.

I touch my boyfriend and he looked at me like “what the fuck are you doing” asghsjf i also touched a pillow

31: Smell the air. What do you smell?

answered (still cologne) 

32: What’s the worst place you have ever been to?

fcuckIng school

33: Choose: East Coast or West Coast?

I love both :(((

34: Most attractive singer of your opposite gender?

fdhjfkdfh i don’t know lmao

35: To you, what is the meaning of life?

mansae - matthew 2k17

36: Define Art.

the way he looks at me

37: Do you believe in luck?

Yeah

38: What’s the weather like right now?

Perfect tbqh

39: What time is it?

8:40 pm

40: Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed?

Yes and no

41: What was the last book you read?

Alice in wonderland

42: Do you like the smell of gasoline?

ADJFHSDjfk i don’t like it but i also don’t hate it

43: Do you have any nicknames?

Zaza, Z & then my korean name (which I won’t state.)

44: What was the last film you saw?

“IT”

45: What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had?

I broke my pinky and now it can bend in weird ways

46: Have you ever caught a butterfly?

YeS GHJDSKF

47: Do you have any obsessions right now?

I’ve been getting into more animes and I’m getting back into cosplay lmao

48: What’s your sexual orientation?

answered

49: Ever had a rumour spread about you?

answered

50: Do you believe in magic?

yes i am a magical little bean

51: Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong?

it depends on how wrong the thing they did was lmao

52: What is your astrological sign?

Pisces

53: Do you save money or spend it?

I save it and then I spend it on other people HAHA

54: What’s the last thing you purchased?

i bought myself a promise ring (for smth personal agfhkjsf)

55: Love or lust?

love

56: In a relationship?

to my lovely baby (’:

57: How many relationships have you had?

2 but if you count this one then 3

58: Can you touch your nose with your tongue?

no

59: Where were you yesterday?

at school & i went out to dinner C:

60: Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

yes 

61: Are you wearing socks right now?

no

62: What’s your favourite animal?

🦄

63: What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you?

tbh my hair or my charm lmAo

64: Where is your best friend?

She’s in Seoul >:c

65: Give me your top 5 favourite blogs on Tumblr.

answered

66: What is your heritage?

Korean, Japanese & Arabian

67: What were you doing last night at 12AM?

eating

68: What do you think is Satan’s last name?

Satan is his last name his first name is Lucifer

69: Be honest. Ever gotten yourself off?

answered

70: Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as a friend?

Yes, honestly. That’s what I aspired to be, to be what my younger self needed.

71: You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do?

ILL SAVE THAT FUCKING DOG LIKE IM ABOUT TO DIE FUCK MY JOB. IM NOT LETTING A DOG DIE

72: You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid?

I’m not sure if I answer all of these so I will

A, I would but I wouldn’t because I wouldn’t want anyone hurt but I know that they would be hurt even more if I didn’t say anything so ??? 

B, I would spend it with people I love 

C, Yes. 

73: You can only have one of these things; trust or love.

ASFJHDS love.

74: What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it?

DIAMOND BY EXO AKSFDSJK

75: What are the last four digits in your cell phone number?

answered

76: In your opinion, what makes a great relationship?

trust & communication

77: How can I win your heart?

^^

78: Can insanity bring on more creativity?

We’re all a little mad.

79: What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far?

saying i love you

80: What size shoes do you wear?

11

81: What would you want to be written on your tombstone?

“we’ll love again we’ll laugh again and it’s better off this way”

82: What is your favourite word?

adventure idk why

83: Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart.

well i think of andi but i also think abt him.

84: What is a saying you say a lot?

“FATHER SUE HIM/HER/THEM”

85: What’s the last song you listened to?

mic drop

86: Basic question; what’s your favourite colour/colours?

pastel colours & black and purple

87: What is your current desktop picture?

my twin, her fiance, my nephew, my boyfriend, my parents & myself lol

88: If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be?

my sister’s stalker

89: What would be a question you’d be afraid to tell the truth on?

I’m not sure lmao

90: One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren’t really doing anything, they’re just standing around your bed. What do you do?

I’d would be like “how thE FUCK DID YOU GET HERE, and u can stay if u want just don’t be a dick.” then i’d let them stay and i’d be the real mummy of the groUP IM SORRY

91: You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What is that power?

FLYING/TELEPORTATION

92: You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again?

When I said i love you

93: You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?

what she did to me that night akfjhgjfdks

94: You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?

,,,baekhyun,,,,

95: You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?

BACK TO OSAKA TO SEE MY FAMILY 

96: Do you have any relatives in jail?

my uncle

97: Have you ever thrown up in the car?

no

98: Ever been on a plane?

yes

99: If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say?

answered but that i still love my boyfriend 🌷

[konnl]

ABE

There are plenty of beliefs in the world. The Galactic Believers are no different, at least that is what everyone thought. Their preaches of the coming Galactica Array are no myth. It is real, and each member of humanity must agree to ABE’s terms before the planetary absorption.

ABE is May’s flash fiction that brings readers into an occult horror showcasing the next phase of Earth’s purpose in the universe. Enjoy the story in written word, audio, artwork and soundscape.

ABE

Contact

The Alberta planes are supposed to be a simple place for growing up. My folks have always said, “Alberta was a wonderful place when I was a child, things sure have changed.” I understand why my folks would say this since they were raised before the Galactic Believers formed. At first, no one thought that the Galactic Believers were a problem. We would hear about them on the radio, the TV, and online. It seemed like a goofy hoax, or some sort of new age spiritual awakening. To me, religious beliefs are naïve. Not everyone agrees with that. Most people did agree that the Galactic Believers were off their rocker. Everyone loved to make fun of the Galactic Believers. As time went by, the jokes started to dwindle as the seriousness of the situation escalated.

I can recall the day when they first started to show up. It had to be about five years ago. Summertime was coming to an end, which meant it got darker much sooner. I was still going to school and working on the farm with my dad and uncle Fred. Mom was making dinner. I had just finished up for the day and finished showering. There is a knock on the door. We never got knocks on the door. My dad and uncle Fred were still out working, something to do with the tractor not working. Mom was too busy with prepping dinner, so I did the responsible thing to see who was at the door. This was when I met the Galactic Believers. It had to be just past six when I went to answer the newcomers.

After pulling the front door open, I saw three men. Each one was well-dressed, all in black, and had cold, expressionless faces. At the time, I didn’t know who they were. I had heard about the Galactic Believers on the news but had never seen them face-to-face. My gut told me they were not normal men. Strait-laced, well-dressed, people don’t come out to the farm very often unless they have bad news to share. I asked them what they wanted, and they simply clutched their leather-bound books tighter.

The one in the middle spoke, saying, “we are visiting each resident on the outside of the city. Do you have a moment to discuss your future in the planetary absorption to come?”

After he asked the question, I knew they were the Galactic Believers. The three of them wanted to tell me about their extraterrestrial worshiping. The whole concept was a crackpot idea, and I told the men that we didn’t want anything to do with what they had an offer. Without giving them the chance to talk, I began to close the door. The man in the middle made one more remark saying, “your terms within the Galactica Array must be decided soon.”

My mom did not even bother to ask who was at the door, cooking distracted her. Uncle Fred and dad came home that evening, and everything preceded is normal. Several weeks went by before the Galactic Believers arrived again. This time they visited early in the morning. So early that it was still dark, the sun was just beginning to rise. My dad answered the door, and I could hear them asking him about his future in the planetary absorption. My dad could not help but laugh, he’s black-and-white kind of a guy. The New Age beliefs don’t mean anything to him. If it wasn’t something he could see or touch, it wasn’t real to him. The Galactic Believers continued to talk, explaining to him that the earth has been selected by the ABE and we will be joining a Galactica Array. My dad snickered again and closed the door on them. Life continued as normal.

Persistence

For the first couple of years, the Galactic Believers did not come back. It wasn’t until the third year on the day from the first visit that they started to show up again. The Galactic Believers’ visits became more and more frequent. With each knock at the door, they would share more information about the Galactica Array and Earth’s part in it. They explained about the All-Being Entity known as ABE, who rules over this planetary merging. My dad began to think of the visits as harassment. He would tell them to leave and even threatened to shoot them. Of course, that has no ground in Canada. The empty threats were of no use. The Galactic Believers continued to visit multiple times a day. We even called the RCMP, and they said they were getting reports similar to ours all around the province. On the television, the news stated these visits weren’t just provincial or across the country. The Galactic Believers were contacting people across the globe. No one knew where their origins were from. We only knew that their numbers continued to grow. Even people I knew were becoming members.

Space

Coincidentally enough, as the Galactic Believers visits became more frequent, NASA made a public announcement of an astronomical object coming towards our galaxy. The size of this object was equal, if not more massive than the Milky Way. It appeared to come out of nowhere, and much closer than the Andromeda galaxy which is presumed to collide with the Milky Way well beyond our lifetime. NASA’s sudden announcement was met with criticism. People thought they were incompetent for lack of foresight. NASA responded that they were working diligently on understanding the nature and speed of this unknown object.

The announcement only stirred up more confusion and fear to everyone. People began to wonder if it was related to the Galactic Believers. Plenty of people expressed their opinions on the news, online, and on the streets. Doomsday was a collective agreement. The arrival of this new object heading for the Milky Way was enough to convince plenty of people to become Galactic Believers. To these converted, the space object was proof that the Galactic Believers were speaking only the truth and wanted to help humanity. I wasn’t so convinced. There have been plenty of cases throughout human history, where people were sure doomsday was here. It never is. People enjoy fantasizing about the end of the world. My opinion didn’t matter, though, people still became Galactic Believers.

Visions

Anyone who becomes a Galactic Believer is sworn to an oath of secrecy to ‘the bigger picture.’ One of my high school buddies, Ron, even tried to get me to join the organization, or religion, or whatever you want to call it. He told me that the All-Being Entity, ABE, was accepting of everyone. His wisdom and powers are beyond human comprehension. Ron said ABE is willing to talk to you through a mental link into your consciousness. ABE shares visions, feelings, and sensations that cannot be expressed through simple words or through our limited forms. Perhaps bliss is the best way to describe what the ABE shares with you. The reason I am saying this is because ABE visited me.

At first, I thought it was merely a dream, stress from having to take care of my folks in their older age and the constant harassment from the Galactic Believers. The dreams continued to happen over and over again. These visions projected me beyond earth, flying well beyond our solar system. I was taken out of the Milky Way galaxy and to a foreign astral realm where I could see unexplainable swirls of colour. Some of them took the shape of humanoid shapes and watched as I soared through this plane. All of these colours and abstract beings were unified under a large triangular object. The first time I was brought to this foreign space, I was shot back to the real world far too soon to see anymore. As the dreams continue to happen, I saw more and more of this astral realm. I learned that the triangle was not a spaceship, nor pyramid, but a two-dimensional shape that always stared directly at me. It didn’t matter what angle I approached it from, it had no depth. It was the same bright white triangle.

ABE

These dreams gave me a sense of warmth, wonder, and fear. I was not in control of the motion. I was simply a passenger experiencing unity with these swirls of colour under the watchful white triangle. Upon the fifth dream, ABE revealed himself to me. His voice was strident, welcoming, and soothing. In the dream, the voice projected from this triangle. It made me realize that the triangle was ABE. ABE said to me, “your planet has many wonders. Your people are a young spark in this old galaxy. We welcome you to the Galactica Array, the next evolutionary step in your species.”

I was confused and unsure of what to say. This was everything Ron had told me about in his streams, and regarding his initiation process with the Galactic Believers. How could this be? Was there truth to what the Galactic Believers have to say? Was I being drugged? Or was I simply stressed out? I didn’t have an answer, I simply stared into the white triangle.

ABE continued, “I am sure you are confused. Do not be. Your consciousness is bound to this three-dimensional plane, and you are not capable of understanding what non-carbon-based life is capable of. There is more to existence than the simple dimensions that your life-cell constricts you in. I can bring you to greater heights. Embrace me. Accept me. For I am the beginning and the end of this dimension.”

I wanted to ask ABE what did he want? Before I could, I woke up to a loud bang. I sprang from my bed in sweat, trying to figure out where the noise came from. It was close.

Confrontation

Hurrying out of my bedroom, I saw uncle Fred and my mother looking through the window where a ring of men with torches stood outside of our home. My dad was at the doorway, holding a shotgun, staring at the men. He shouted at them, telling them to leave and that we wanted nothing to do with their bullshit beliefs. The men didn’t respond. The men only stared at our home, torches burning. I asked mom if she called the RCMP, and she said the lines were not working. I hurried to the television to turn it on, only static grains showed up on the screen. Next was the radio. It worked. Most of it was static noise, but a Countrywide warning was played on repeat. The sound cut out, making it difficult to understand what they were saying. The gist of it was that this was the state of emergency.

One of the Galactic Believers stepped forward in a calm, relaxed manner. His palms open. In a wide smile, he said, “The All Being Entity is near.” He pointed to the sky, and the other Galactic Believers looked upwards. My father, myself, my uncle, and mother also looked up to the stars to see a large black triangle, darker than the night itself, was directly above us.

The Galactic Believer said, “it is not too late for you to agree to the terms of ABE. He is all loving. He is all-knowing. Earth will be absorbed into the Galactica Array. We want to take you with us.”

My father fired his shotgun in the air again and shouted, “leave now or will fire at you!”

The Galactic Believer continued, “those that do not willfully accept ABE into their soul will never join the Galactica Array. There is no room for the disbelievers of ABE and his power. We carbon-based creatures cannot understand the greatness that he has to offer. He is old, wise, and his consciousness spans well beyond the fabric of reality.”

Another blaring sound erupted from my father shotgun. Smoke went into the air as the Galactic Believer was launched from the ground for a split moment before colliding into the dirt. My mother screamed. My uncle swore and hurried over to my father, who pointed his shotgun directly where the Galactic Believer stood, smoke rising from the gun’s chamber. My uncle started to yell at my dad, asking him what the hell did he do. My mother began to cry, and I comforted her as the black triangle in the sky continued to grow larger.

Arrival

Another shot erupted. My uncle shouted, trying to snag the gun as my dad attempted to reload it. The bullet missed the Galactic believers. They did not move or flinch. They extended their hands outward, torches and hand.

“What the-“ my dad said.

My mother and I looked to the front walkway to see what my dad was looking at.

“My God,” uncle Fred said.

The Galactic believer my father shot rose up from the ground. It was as if an invisible force lifted him up. He did not use his limbs. His face was motionless, eyes had rolled back, leaving only the sclera visible in each eye socket. Once the Galactic believer was fully vertical, his mouth opened and a voice projected from within saying, “the galactic absorption has come.”

Instantly I recognized the voice of ABE, the All-Being Entity. He had arrived. The Galactic believers warned us. Earth’s absorption into the greater had finally come.

“Those that are willing to embrace humanity’s next phase will be embraced, accepted, and loved within the Galactica Array. Those that refuse are simply part of the natural process of evolution. This is how life progressed on earth. Removal of the unfit is the next progression. All life that embraces the Galactica Array, and myself, the All-Being Entity, will see beyond the space-time limitations found within this realm. Those that except me will be brought to new heights of dimensional exploration. Those that do not will cease to be.”

Absorption

My uncle wrestled with my father as he attempted to shoot the Galactic Believer projecting ABE’s voice. Before either one could get the upper hand on the other, a bright white light shot from the black triangle in the sky. The light was so bright, it blinded everything in view for several seconds. Once the light vanished, my mother – who I still held – disintegrated in my arms. Following her, the walls, furniture, and the entire house began to dissolve as if it were being eaten by acid. My uncle and father were too busy wrestling with the gun to even realize that they were absorbed by this dissolving entity. They also ceased to exist. The grass, the dirt, and everything around earth began to dissolve. The Galactic Believers remained. I remained. Not for much longer though, for the Galactic Believers and myself began to disintegrate. Our particles levitated upwards along with other millions of other particles – or atoms –from around the world. We were being absorbed into the triangle in the sky. I did not feel pain or agony. It was a sense of coming home.

ABE had spoken to me through dream-form. The All Being Entity was the way, and I wish my relatives had seen the same truth I had. Whether they know it or not, they have been absorbed into the Galactica Array where their atoms live on. As do I, except with my consciousness intact, for I now join the other Galactic Believers who are under ABE’s eternal watchful eye.

[thecatnapextraordinaire]

1-99

1) Sexuality? Not too sure tbh. I'd say bi probably.2) If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be? Hmmm idk 3) Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17. "Some trace elements, such as iron (Fe), are needed by all forms of life; others are required only by certain species."4) What do you think about most? Everything :p5) What does your latest text message from someone else say? "Oh I mean a bit :p" 6) Do you sleep with or without clothes on? Yeah7) What's your strangest talent? I can mess up almost anything 8) Girls.... (finish the sentence); Boys.... (finish the sentence) girls are cool; boys are sometimes cool9) Ever had a poem or song written about you? Yeah but I don't think it was in a good context 10) When is the last time you played the air guitar? Idk haha11) Do you have any strange phobias? Bees12) Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?When i was like 2 13) What's your religion? Agnostic 14) If you are outside, what are you most likely doing? Looking at the sky or animals15) Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it? Behind16) Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band? Hmmm probably fall out boy17) What was the last lie you told? I'll be there in about 2 minutes 18) Do you believe in karma? Yeah19) What does your URL mean? It's literal 20) What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength? Weakness is probably that I don't have very good judgment. Strength is probably that I don't give up easily.21) Who is your celebrity crush? Dave Franco and Bruno Mars22) Have you ever gone skinny dipping? No23) How do you vent your anger? I tend to be passive aggressive :/ but I'm trying to be more confrontational 24) Do you have a collection of anything? I used to collect rocks 25) Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online? I like video chatting but I haven't done it in years 26) Are you happy with the person you've become? Eh 27) What's a sound you hate; sound you love?I hate the sound of bugs flying. I love hearing water. 28) What's your biggest "what if"? What I never amount to anything29) Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens? Yeah30) Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? Do the same with your left arm.Tissues. Car door. 31) Smell the air. What do you smell? My air freshener so it's flowery32) What's the worst place you have ever been to? Hmmm idk, I remember going to this one super gross dive bar to see my ex and it was terrible so I guess that place. 33) Choose East Coast or West Coast? West coast 34) Most attractive singer of your opposite gender? Bruno Mars35) To you, what is the meaning of life? To experience it 36) Define Art. Expressions that are interpreted differently by everyone 37) Do you believe in luck? Eh 38) What's the weather like right now? Cloudy but sunny and not cold but not hot39) What time is it? 1:4240) Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed? Once I hit a guy from behind cause I sneezed and he slammed on his brakes while I had my eyes closed. But there was no damage to either of our cars so that was cool.41) What was the last book you read? My biology text book42) Do you like the smell of gasoline? No it makes me sneeze43) Do you have any nicknames? Mari44) What was the last movie you saw? Mmm my dad was watching Rocky so probably that one 45) What's the worst injury you've ever had?I fractured my ankle once and broke my finger. 46) Have you ever caught a butterfly? No I don't really like butterflies 47) Do you have any obsessions right now?Mmm not really 48) What's your sexual orientation? Already answered49) Ever had a rumor spread about you? Yeah50) Do you believe in magic? Nah51) Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong? Sometimes it depends52) What is your astrological sign? Capricorn53) Do you save money or spend it? Spend :(54) What's the last thing you purchased? Food55) Love or lust? Love 56) In a relationship? Yes :) 57) How many relationships have you had? 558) Can you touch your nose with your tongue? No59) Where were you yesterday? School, Wal-Mart, and my house 60) Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? A highlighter 61) Are you wearing socks right now? Si62) What's your favorite animal? Probably cats 63) What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you? Idk I typically assume guys don't like me 64) Where is your best friend? He's at home probably doing homework or watching tv 65) Spit or swallow?(; swallow, less mess 66) What is your heritage? Hispanic 67) What were you doing last night at 12 AM?Homework 68) What do you think is Satan's last name?Hmm de jesus 69) Be honest. Ever gotten yourself off? Who hasn't tbh70) Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as a friend? Idk I tend to kinda disappear sometimes 71) You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do? Save the puppy no questions asked 72) You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid? I'd probably tell my family and Nick. I'd get all my tattoos somehow, go travel as much as I could and probably spend as much time with Nick as I could. I'd be sorta scared just cause idk what happens after you die. 73) You can only have one of these things; trust or love. I feel like you can't have one without the other 74) What's a song that always makes you happy when you hear it? Pretty much anything by Beyonce 75) What are the last four digits in your cell phone number? 058876) In your opinion, what makes a great relationship? Trust, honesty, sincerity, compromise, kindness, being able to lean on each other, spontaneity 77) How can I win your heart? Idk, be cool I guess. Whatever Nick does works :p 78) Can insanity bring on more creativity? It depends on how they channel their "insanity" 79) What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far? To not kill myself 80) What size shoes do you wear? 8 1/2 81) What would you want to be written on your tombstone? "My cats are here too" 82) What is your favorite word? Idk probably idk tbh haha 83) Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart. Aorta84) What is a saying you say a lot? You know?85) What's the last song you listened to? The Weeknd- feel it coming86) Basic question; what's your favorite color/colors? Lavender, pink, navy blue, green 87) What is your current desktop picture? The Pvris mirror from their album 88) If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be? Literal asshole mouthed donald trump 89) What would be a question you'd be afraid to tell the truth on? What's your bio grade90) One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren't really doing anything, they're just standing around your bed. What do you do?Probably see if I get out of bed if they'll attack me and if they don't I'd leave and runaway 91) You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what's even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What is that power? Invisibility 92) You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again? Nick and I's first date 93) You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? Spring break 201394) You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be? I wouldn't 95) You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go? Bora bora 96) Do you have any relatives in jail? Not anymore97) Have you ever thrown up in the car? Yeah98) Ever been on a plane? Yeah 99) If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say? Stop being little shits and help each other out instead of being determined to wipe each other out.

[skanecanyon]

Trouble In Paradise

          As this dream opens, I find myself in a tropical paradise. I am very happy. My dad is still alive. My mom is there, and we are either vacationing or living in a very tropical resort type of setting. Lots of foliage and flowers. Tropical birds in the trees. I get the impression that we have moved and that this is going to be my new life. There is an outdoor patio area located in the woods not too far away from where we are living. It has a floor comprised of patio bricks, contains a table and some outdoor furnishings, and is surrounded by lots of foliage and tiki torches. I can't wait to kick back and relax with a book and a drink and take some selfies to post online for all my friends back in cold, miserable Minnesota to see.

           In order to get to this outdoor patio area, you have to walk for a ways down this dirt road that cuts through a wooded area. As my mom and I walk down this road, we come across this woman who seems to be a botanist. She's deaf and she speaks like you would expect a deaf person to speak. She's telling us about this kind of flower that she has developed, which is growing there alongside the road. It kind of looks like a hydrangea, but it is much redder and contains these "special flowers" that have hairy tendrils emanating from them. She tells us that you can cut these special flowers off and use them to start new plants. She was in the process of doing this as we encountered her. As I look alongside the road, I can see where she has planted many different types of wildflowers, some of which I can identify. I see some Royal Catchfly and some Purple Prairie Clover. These are both species that are native to Minnesota. In real life, I have spent the last couple of years turning my backyard into a pollinator haven and I planted quite a few of both of these, as well as many others.  

           Suddenly my mom is no longer with me, but I continue down the dirt road until it opens up into a beach area. The surroundings are beautiful. Blue sky, white sand, waves lapping upon the shore. I look across the bay and I can see architecture that resembles what might be found in Greece. White washed buildings, lots of domes. I have my phone with me and I'm trying to take pictures that I can post online, but my camera is having a hard time auto-focusing for some reason and I'm disappointed that I can't get a good shot. All the people around me are dressed in ancient garb comprised of flowing robes, tunics, sandals, and head dresses. I get the feeling as though I have stepped through a portal into another place and time. There is a market place across the bay. I can see people conducting business in front of the gates of what appears to be an ancient city. It almost seems like I've been cast back into biblical times. There appears to be a priest or some other high official dressed in particularly fancy clothing, announcing to everyone around him that they must now start worshiping a new god, who goes by the name Aliya (not to be confused with the  Alia Atreides, sister of Paul Atreides, from the Dune series by Frank Herbert, which is, of course, the best story ever written), and as a result, everyone must start wearing the new ceremonial head dress, which is maroon and gold (oddly enough the same colors as my old alma mater), similar to what you might see someone wearing in Cecil B. DeMille's Ten Commandments.  

           Next thing I know, I'm back at our house and I'm screwing a bunch of silver wear utensils to a wooden board. I'm experimenting with different ways to orient the metal knives, spoons and forks that I'm attaching to this board. Each one is held in place with one screw through the middle of the handle, so that the individual utensil can spin like a propeller. My dad asks me what I'm doing. I tell him that I'm building a solar power array. For some reason, I'm thinking that if I leave this board with all the silver wear sitting in the sun all day, the silver wear will get hot and I can use that heat to generate electricity. A few years ago, in real life, I experimented with building a passive solar heater that was made out of aluminum tubes that I had painted black. I patterned it after something I saw on YouTube. It actually worked, but it was incredibly heavy and awkward to use, so I dismantled it. It would have worked much better as a permanent construction project that was physically built into the house. Anyway, I digress. I'm not sure how this fits into the rest of the dream, because next thing I know, I'm back on that beach.

           This time as I exit the dirt road onto the beach, I am approached by a small boy of Middle Eastern or Mediterranean descent. He is standing in front of me, looking up at me and singing a song in a foreign language. I get the feeling that he wants money or something. I stop and listen for a few minutes, then I realize that I know the song and I sing the last few words along with him in this foreign language. I can't tell you what song it is, or what language it's in. I only know that I'm somehow familiar with it. As soon as I join in, the boy loses interest, turns and walks away. Apparently, I had ruined his gig.

          The scene on the beach is exactly like it was before, but it is now later in the day. I look across the bay at the structures I had noticed before. The shadows are now longer. The market place is still bustling with activity though. I walk along the beach to the other side of the bay, where the priests were making their proclamation in front of the city gates earlier. I notice that I am now dressed pretty much the same as everyone else. I'm wearing a desert style robe and a rather Western bandanna (I frequently wear a bandanna in real life, as I am a bald man). I'm also wearing a primitive necklace with leather strapping and a decorative stone with a strange symbol carved into it. It doesn't strike me as strange though in the dream. It's like my birth sign or something.

           As I walk up to the city gates, which is very much like a Roman era city gate, I am suddenly grabbed by a very large muscular thug type who is wearing clothing similar to what a Roman soldier would wear. He grips my arms from behind me and completely immobilizes me. I struggle to break free from his grip, but it is useless. Then this other regular sized guy approaches me from the front. I recognize him as the priest who was declaring the new official religion earlier in the dream. He's looking at my bandanna and is very angry. He rips it from my head and waves it in front of me demanding, "What is this? Why aren't you wearing the official Aliya head dress? This is blasphemy, punishable by death!" Then he looks at the stone necklace I'm wearing. It further infuriates him and he rips it from around my neck and throws it to the ground. I explain to him, "Look, you just made this proclamation earlier today. You can't expect everyone to be prepared for the changes yet. I was just on my way to buy one of the new head dresses. You have to believe me." He steps back and thinks about it and decides to spare me my life. He confiscates my bandanna and necklace and gives me a maroon and gold head dress to wear. "Don't let me catch you again without it," he warns, and he lets me pass into the city.

           Shortly after entering the city, I run into a friend of mine who is dressed normally. Modern day Western wear comprised of jeans and a T-shirt. No head dress or anything. As I walk with him, I'm complaining about the new mandatory religion. I'm telling him how bullshit I think it is. At no point do I question why he is not dressed like everyone else. Now for some reason I am suddenly holding an old West revolver in each hand and I'm using them to point at things. As we pass other people, I point at one woman who is just dressed in peasant clothing. "Why isn't she wearing the religious head dress?" I demand. The we pass another gentleman who is also dressed in peasant garb. I point at him with one of the revolvers and ask, "Why doesn't he have to wear the religious head piece?" My friend has no answers for me. Also, I seem to be talking in a British accent and I'm not sure why.

           We make our way back towards the city gates where I had entered. I'm good and pissed now because I seem to have been singled out to wear this ridiculous headpiece. I'm noticing that some of the objects in my dream are now modern again. For example, I can see a glass top table surrounded my upholstered office chairs on wheels in an otherwise Roman Antiquity setting. As we are leaving the city, we are once again stopped by the religious police. Same guy as before. This time I am not restrained by the big thug, he’s not even there this time, but the priest guy demands to see my gun. I hand it to him (I only appear to have one gun now. I don’t know what happened to the other one). He looks at it in amazement, having never seen a gun before. Then he grabs it by the hand grip and points the barrel right at my face. "Hey, whoa, be careful there!" I say to him. That's not a toy. I'm holding my hands up as I talk calmly to him. Then I pull a lightning fast judo move on him that gets me my gun back. Suddenly it is I who am pointing the gun at him. As he stands there with a shocked look on his face, I sense a presence sneaking up behind me. I spin around quickly to discover I am now pointing the gun at....wait for it....Gene fucking Wilder dressed in character as Willy Wonka. How the fuck my brain came up with this, I don't know. He's standing right in front of me and giving me a very sinister look, as if to say, there's no way you can escape. I shove the barrel of my revolver in his mouth and threaten to blow his head off, but this doesn't faze him. With my gun in his mouth he says, "Go ahead, kill me, it won't make a difference." So I pull the gun out of his mouth and point it at his feet instead. I say to him, "Okay, well how about I wound you instead," and I threaten to shoot his feet. This causes him to become very concerned. He does NOT want me to shoot his feet, and he lets us pass.

           We exit the city gate, but now it's like we're in a modern day shopping mall. There are walkways, escalators, kiosks and glass store fronts. People are milling about all around us, now dressed in modern day clothes. I am the only one who is still dressed like a Roman civilian from Antiquity. As we walk further into the mall, I exasperatingly ask my friend, "Are we outside of the Goddamn city yet?!" Then I grab the stupid religious headpiece from my head and angrily throw it to the ground. My friend laughs and says to me, "Ha ha ha, I guess you've finished the book then, eh?" I'm not sure what this means. I think he might be talking about a religious text. As we continue to walk, we pass a doctor who is dressed in a white lab coat. He is talking to a female about something. The female seems very concerned. I try to hear what they're talking about, but I can't make it out. My friend asks me, "Well, where should we go now?" I tell him that I'd like to see the fountains. For some reason I think there are some interactive fountains somewhere in the mall that we need to find. I think this might come from a shopping center that I visited in real life in Honolulu a long time ago that actually did have an interactive fountain in it. You could press buttons to make it do different things. Why I'm thinking about it now, I don't know. Anyway, then I suggest to my friend that we should try the upper level, as we haven't been there yet, and we head up an escalator.

           I must have awakened shortly thereafter, because this is all I remember. Normally, I can attribute a lot of the things I see in my dreams to things I have just seen or experienced in real life. This dream had a lot of weird stuff in it though. There is some stuff in there that I can account for, but it's stuff that I haven't thought about, seen, or experienced for many years. So my brain must be really reaching back into the recesses for content in this one.  

[charllieeldridge]

Hiking El Cajas National Park: Ecuador’s Undiscovered Gem

Many people come to Ecuador for the Mitad Del Mundo (the Equatorial line), the volcanoes, or the world-famous Amazon jungle, but not many know of Ecuador’s best-kept secret: El Cajas National Park.

Located a mere 30km (18.5 miles) from the beautiful city of Cuenca, this southwestern national park is a fantastically unique place for so many reasons. Those of you who have been traveling South America for a while may recognize the bone-dry altiplano or the chilly glacial Andes Mountainscape, but El Cajas National Park is unlike anything you’ve seen yet.

Formed thousands of years ago from tectonic activity and glacial erosion, El Cajas National Park is comprised of miles upon miles of sloping beige hills, deep blue lagoons, and a genuinely stunning array of plant life that showcases the regions unique altitude.

The word “Cajas” in fact comes from the word “cassa,” which is Quechua for “Gateway to the Snowy Mountains,” likely because El Cajas is located right at the base of the Andes, separating the imposing mountains from the surrounding lowlands.

I went to El Cajas National Park on a whim with some travel buddies, and needless to say, what began as an unplanned excursion quickly turned into a major highlight of my entire South American trip.

Quinoa forests, misty mountains, and spectacular views studded the path every step of the way, one giving way to the other along the trail. El Cajas National Park is a genuine must-see to all you nature nerds out there. In this guide, I’ll share how to get there, what to expect, what to pack and more.

How to Get to Cajas National Park

You have several options when it comes to transportation to and from Cajas National Park, all of which are doable, and all of which are cheap. All modes of transport take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, making the trip really simple and quite fast.

Bus

Getting to Cajas National Park by bus is quite simple and arguably the cheapest option. All you need to do is head to Cuenca’s Terrestre Bus Terminal and hop on the Occidental bus toward Guayanquil via Cajas.

Be sure to ask an information desk for the bus to Cajas National Park, though, as there will be some buses that won’t stop there on their way to Guayaquil, and the last thing you want to do is overshoot and end up in an entirely different city.

Buses run in the mornings at 7:00, 8:00 and 9:15, and tickets should cost you $2 each, with a measly platform fee of $0.10. Buses run back to Cuenca from Cajas National Park visitor center and you just need to flag one down. Since times change frequently, it’s best to ask at the bus station when you purchase your ticket and plan your hike around the bus schedule.

☞ SEE ALSO: 12 Things To Do in Quito, Ecuador — a Guide For Travellers

Taxi or Car Hire

This is the option I opted for, and I’d say it’s the most convenient one as you don’t have to work around a bus schedule. Simply talk to the front desk at your hostel or hotel and mention you’re looking for a taxi or car hire for Cajas National Park.

They’ll contact a driver and you’ll agree on a price beforehand. You can easily just opt for a taxi, but a car hire provides you with much more security to know that you have a ride home. You’ll just have to pay more since the driver will be spending the whole day waiting for you while you’re hiking.

A one-way trip cost me $20 USD, which is pricey, but not so much when split with four other travelers who are keen on going as well. This is definitely a comfortable, yet more expensive option.

Hitchhike

This is obviously the most cost-effective option.

Being from New York, I was always told growing up to never, ever, under any circumstances, hitchhike. But hitchhiking in Ecuador is actually quite common and usually very safe.

Many people who are passing through Cajas National Park on their way elsewhere really don’t mind driving you or having you sit in the back of their pickup. If you’re feeling brave or have a small group to travel with, this is a budget transportation option.

Note: There are dangers associated with hitchhiking anywhere in the world. Do so at your own risk.

Hiking El Cajas National Park

You have several options when it comes to actually hiking Cajas National Park — you can either book a tour with a company or go it on your own. I personally grabbed a few travel buddies and a map and set out on my own, but I fully understand the comfort of going with a group.

Using a Tour Company

If you decide to book a tour, you can do so in Cuenca, or online. Talk to your hostel or hotel information desk to find out the best and cheapest local tour companies, or check online to see which ones have good reviews.

You could also check around town for tour companies or information centers that may have cheaper prices or amenities that others don’t. In all likelihood, a tour would include transport to and from the park, a skilled guide, and lunch provided, but it varies among companies.

Going it Alone

If you decide to go it alone, you shouldn’t have any problems at all. Just make sure you have a map, plenty of water, a fully charged phone with GPS, warm clothing and a decent sense of direction.

Luckily, the park’s hiking paths are clearly marked and easy to find, but there are a few different trail options to choose from ranging from an hour to several days, so you’ll want to plan accordingly and stay on track. I personally much preferred going on my own because it gave me a comfortable timeframe to explore at my own pace without having to keep up with a hasty tour group.

☞ Planning to do some other hiking in Ecuador? The Quilotoa Loop is an exciting adventure you don’t want to miss! Learn more about that trek, here.

El Cajas National Park Visitor Center

Regardless of your mode of transport, you’ll likely be dropped off at the Cajas National Park Visitor Center. The Park has no entrance fee unless you want to camp out (foreigners pay $4 USD and locals pay $2 USD). It’s open from 8:00AM to 4:00 PM, and you’ll have to register with them before setting off.

Registering at the visitor center is not only a way to get your bearings and an extra map, but it’s a way for the park staff to account for all the daily hikers, ensuring no one goes missing or ends up stranded when they close in the evening.

The Landscape of El Cajas National Park

What made El Cajas National Park so unique to me was its landscape. Barren and open in some parts, and densely vegetated in others, this place has all sorts of ecosystems wrapped up in one region.

The reason for Cajas’ storybook landscape is its unique altitude. Because it was shaped from glacial activity, Cajas has an interesting blend of both lower and higher altitudes, with marshes and lakes in the dips between them.

Below the 3,500m mark, the park is comprised of evergreens and vibrant trees, usually taller in stature than those higher up.

At 3,500m and above, however, the landscape is known as a páramo, or a high-altitude grassland. This area consists of short, durable plants and grasses, and makes up the more expansive, open portions of the park. They’re known for a more prickly, firm and stubby structure, as they’ve evolved ways to sap the moisture from the mist at an otherwise moistureless altitude.

What I personally found awesome about Cajas National Park was that the views look so incredibly different up close and far away.

☞ SEE ALSO: Mindo, Ecuador – The Complete Travel Guide

From the tops of the hills and viewpoints, the landscape looks beige, soft and pillowy, with dark wells dotting the ground where the lakes and marshes are. But from up close, the plants are sharp, brittle and almost-dry looking. 

It’s really quite fascinating to see the individual plants that make up the páramo landscape of Cajas. I’ve never seen anything like them in my life.

It’s also worth noting that the water that comprises the lakes and marshes is freshwater, and is so fresh in fact that it makes up the majority of the drinking water that supplies the city of Cuenca.

This is the major reason that tap water in Cuenca is generally safe to drink — because it comes from El Cajas. Would I recommend filling up your bottle with marsh water? Not exactly…but it is nice to be able to drink from the tap for a change!

Flora & Fauna

This park has a wide array of plants and animals, only adding to the already stunning landscapes here. 

Flora

If there’s any plant that El Cajas National Park is famous for it’s the Polylepis tree, or “Paper Tree.” This sort of tree is tall, evergreen, and very dense. You’ll recognize it right away from it’s short and stubby leaves and what looks like dead branches (I don’t believe they actually are). Be careful because you can get a nasty scrape from these guys if you get too close.

Another major highlight of Cajas National Park’s flora is the Quinoa Forest. These beautifully weird trees have largely barren branches but are known for their warped and windy tree trunks. They swoop and contort in really cool ways. Walking through them felt like being in a Lord of the Rings novel, and was easily my favorite part of trekking through Cajas.

Other than these two iconic plants, there are tons of shrubs, ferns and almost cactus-looking plants to be seen in the páramo. Keep a sharp eye out, as well, as many of these smaller plants will have beautiful and colorful mushrooms growing on them.

Fauna

I was actually so stunned by the variety of plant life in Cajas National Park that I hardly paid any attention to the local wildlife.

I’m told that there are some beautiful bird species that live in the park, especially the critically endangered condor. In general, it seems that El Cajas National Park is widely known for its bird watching, but it is also known to have some mammals like weasels, pumas, and rabbits, most of which I wouldn’t think you’d see on a hike.

I did bump into some handsome llamas on my way back to the visitor’s center, but I don’t think they’re endemic to the region. Regardless, llamas are always fun to see.

☞ SEE ALSO: Otavalo, Ecuador – The Ultimate Guide for Travellers

The Climate

Because of the altitude in Cajas National Park, you’d be hard-pressed to find a truly dry day to visit, but there are seasons to work around.

August through January is typically the drier and sunnier season, while February through July is wetter. The temperature averages around 13�� C (55° F), with a low of -10° C (14° F) at night, and up to 20° C (68° F) during sunny days.

Having said that, the weather here is very variable and can change on a dime, so it’s best to just accept that you’ll likely get wet. When I started my hike around 10:00AM it was sunny and warm, but by 11:00 the clouds rolled in and everything was draped in mist.

The next thing I knew, I was cold and wet. In short, rain and fog are much more common here than sunshine is.

Altitude at Cajas National Park

As with most other places in Ecuador and the Andes, altitude is a huge factor at Cajas National Park. The visitor’s center and starting point begin at 3,979m above sea level, and can go up to 4,450m at the park’s highest point.

For those of you who have been traveling South America for a while, that’s comparable to the altitude of La Paz, and higher than that of Cusco.

I personally didn’t have any major issues with the altitude, other than shortness of breath and getting winded easily. However, whenever you’re dealing with altitude it’s always important to take it easy and see how your body adjusts to the lack of oxygen. Altitude sickness begins at 2,500m above sea level, so this is well within that range.

If you have altitude sickness pills, this would be a good place to utilize them. Make sure to drink plenty of water and don’t overexert yourself. Be in tune with your body — if it’s saying you need a break, you probably do. Take it easy up there, there are no heroes when it comes to altitude.

What to Pack for a Day of Hiking 

If you’re making El Cajas National Park a day trip, then packing should be fairly straightforward. I’d suggest dressing warmly, but with the ability to remove layers and stow them in your daypack as easily as possible.

The day will start out cold and will likely heat up around noon, not to mention you’ll start warming up as you hike. But as soon as you sit down and take a break, the cold can sink right back in.

I recommend packing an extra T-shirt — if you sweat through your shirt and the weather changes, you will be very uncomfortable and cold. Keeping warm is a delicate balancing act, so it’s best to prepare yourself as much as possible.

You will almost definitely get wet at Cajas National Park, even if you go on a sunny day. Why? Because there are many creeks, rivers, and marshes along the path that could swallow up an ankle or a foot along the way (I’m speaking from very, very muddy experience).

Pack extra socks and wear your most waterproof hiking shoes to avoid this as best you can. No one likes sloshing around in wet shoes, especially when you have hours of hiking to do. It’ll likely rain or get misty, so you’ll want to stay dry with a light raincoat or poncho as well.

Depending on how long of a hike you’re planning, you may want to pack lunch. There are definitely no stands to buy food out in the park, so if you think you’ll get hungry during your hike, it’s best to bring it with you. Two full water bottles, a snack and a sandwich is a solid bet if you plan on doing a 4-hour hike. Any longer and I’d consider more water and snacks.

Final Thoughts

El Cajas National Park is genuinely an undiscovered gem in an under-discovered part of Ecuador. Whether you check it out for a few hours or decide to go camping, I can guarantee that you’ll find some genuinely thrilling viewpoints, plants, and animals in this conveniently located park.

In fact, I visited El Cajas National Park on the same trip as I visited Machu Picchu, the Uyuni Salt Flats and the Amazon, and even with those iconic sights, this stood out as a major highlight of the trip. So grab a travel buddy, a few water bottles, and a raincoat, and make a day of it!

Nick and Dariece, founders of Goats On The Road, spent 2 months travelling around Ecuador and Peru. Check out their thoughts, reflections, and highlights on travelling in this part of the world, here, and have a look at the video:

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[tamboradventure]

Rediscovering the Lost Art of Travel

Posted: 5/16/2019 | May 16th, 2019

Seth Kugel is the former Frugal Traveler columnist for the New York Times and author of the new Rediscovering Travel: A Guide for the Globally Curious, from which this is adapted. I’ve known him for years and our travel philosophy dovetails a lot. I read his book last year and thought “If I were ever to write a book on the state of the travel industry, this is the book I would write!” It’s a great book and today, Seth excerpted part of the book for us!

Stenciled in white block letters on a dreary cement wall in Mezöberény, a tidy but fraying town of twelve thousand in the hyperbolically named Great Hungarian Plain, appeared the word:

SZESZFÖZDE

Hours earlier, in the overcast predawn hours of a nippy January day, I had stumbled off the Bucharest-to-Budapest train to see what it would be like to spend the weekend in the opposite of a tourist destination. Mezöberény was not just absent from guidebooks — it did not have a single restaurant, hotel, or activity listed on TripAdvisor, something that cannot be said for Mbabara, Uganda, or Dalanzadgad, Mongolia. I did have some info on the town, though, thanks to its municipal website: resident József Halász had recently celebrated his ninetieth birthday.

Or that’s what Google Translate told me. Hungarian is a Uralic language, more closely related to the output you might get falling asleep on a keyboard than to English or German or French. That makes even basic comprehension a challenge, as I found as soon as I rushed from the train to the station’s restrooms and faced the urgent need to choose between two doors: FÉRFI and NÖI. The authorities had apparently saved a few forints by not splurging on stick-figure signs.

The day had been born cold and gray and stayed that way as I walked through the town, slowly getting my bearings, intrigued by the pre-war, pre-Communist homes and the more than occasional bike rider — there were almost more bikes than cars — who waved hello. But then a winter drizzle took up, causing an abrupt decline in the number of cyclists even as the number of wandering American visitors held steady at one. To me, a travel day that turns rainy is like a piece of chocolate I’ve dropped on the floor: it’s significantly less appealing, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to throw it away.

It was in the first minutes of rain that I came across that stenciled sign on an otherwise residential street. Beyond the wall, down a cracking, now puddle-pocked driveway, were a dozen or so plastic barrels lined up like nuclear-waste drums. Beyond them, maybe a hundred feet from where I stood, was a one-story L-shaped building. What was this place? Well, SZESZFÖZDE, apparently. But what was that?

In the old days (say, 2009), I would have pulled out an English-Hungarian phrase book or pocket dictionary, but instead, I activated international roaming on my phone, carefully spelled out S-Z-E-S- Z-F-O-Z-D-E, and tapped Go.

The less-than-lightning speed of Great Hungarian Plain mobile service provided a dramatic pause. And then came my answer:

DISTILLERY.

You don’t say.

I would have guessed PRIVATE PROPERTY maybe, or DANGER—STAY OUT, or MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS, YOU MEDDLING FOREIGNER! But a distillery? A wave of adrenaline washed down my torso as my lips curled into a dumb-luck smile.

Two rather gruff-looking men emerged from the door, the older one smoking a cigarette and wearing a sweater and work-stained trousers that suggested Warsaw Pact 1986 more than modern-day European Union. I waved to them, pointed to the bulky Canon 7D hanging from my neck, and then to the building. Old-school Google Translate.

They waved me in and gave me a tour.

Inside the ancient but fully functioning distillery, the men let me take pictures as they gave me a vaguely intelligible lesson via pointing, expressive looks, and smartphone-translated Hungarian, on how pálinka — Hungarian fruit brandy — was made.

Those barrels I had seen outside, it turned out, were full of fermenting pear and grape and apple juices. Inside, it was distilled somehow through a looping and tangled system of pipes running out of tin tanks up and along the walls. It looked like the laboratory of a mad scientist with a penchant for tacky linoleum flooring.

As they led me around, I engaged in that most intrinsic of travel activities: trying to see the world from the vantage point of someone utterly different from me. What was their life like? Had they traveled? Who were their parents and grandparents? The language barrier that did not allow them to answer did not stop me from wondering.

After soaking in every rusty detail and every glint of pride in the men’s tired eyes, I typed, “Come visit me in New York” into Google Translate — laughs all around — then headed back onto the drizzly streets of Mezöberény, utterly elated.

What was so great about this moment? Sure, the szeszfözde was a neat little story for friends, and in my case, worth a few paragraphs in the newspaper. But wasn’t it just a grimy business making local hooch in a town that even most Hungarians would classify as the middle of nowhere?

It was a great moment because I discovered it. Not an earth-shattering discovery in the sense of a cure for AIDS or a previously unknown species of poison-spitting neon frog the size of a pinky nail. But it was 100 percent unexpected, 100 percent real, and 100 percent mine.

Discovery used to be the lifeblood of travel, at least for those of us who shun tour-bus groups and all-inclusive resorts. We used to leave home knowing relatively little about our destination — perhaps with some highlighted guidebook pages denoting major attractions and local tipping etiquette, a list of tips culled from well-traveled friends, or articles copied and pasted into a Word document. For the ambitious, maybe a notional feel for the local history or culture gleaned pre-trip from a historical novel.

Beyond that, we were on our own.

Paper guidebooks frozen in time helped us along, as did pamphlets and paper maps from tourist information booths and tips from a hotel concierge. Earlier this century, Google searches in internet cafés also lent a hand. But otherwise, there was no choice: You decided what to do with your own eyes and ears, by wandering, by initiating human-to-human contact. Tips came from hearing fellow travelers’ stories over hostel or (non-Air) B&B breakfasts, entering a shop to ask directions and ending up in a conversation with the owner, or catching a whiff of fresh bread or sizzling chilies and following your nose.

Of course, all that still happens today — but only if you really go out of your way to make it happen. Not only is nearly every place in the world documented to within an inch of its life but that documentation — which comes dressed as both fact and opinion — is overwhelmingly and immediately available, thanks to pervasive technology. That’s great for many things in life — medical information, how-to videos, shorter commutes. But don’t we travel to break our routine? To experience the unexpected? To let the world delight us?

If we do, we have a funny way of showing it. We pore over online reviews for weeks, plan days down to the half hour, and then let GPS and the collected wisdom of the unwise lead us blindly. We mean well — no one wants to have a romantic dinner go wrong or to get lost and miss out on a “must-see attraction” or to risk chaos by failing to keep the kids entertained for three minutes.

But isn’t that just a digital version of the old-fashioned group tour? Well, almost, except that on the bus tour, you actually get to meet the person whose advice you’re taking.

One of my most ironclad rules of travel is this: the number of visitors a place receives is inversely related to how nice locals are to those visitors. Mezöberény, as far as I knew, had received precisely no foreign tourists ever. It was the anti-Paris, and this distillery the anti-Louvre.

People who inhabit the still-plentiful tourist-free swaths of the planet tend to be not only just nicer but more curious. They say a bear in the wild is just as scared of you as you are of it. I say people in places where outsiders rarely go are just as curious about visitors as visitors are about them. The question is not why the distillery workers invited me — a camera-toting, gibberish-talking stranger — in for a tour, it’s why wouldn’t they? If it were me, I’d be thinking: “What is this odd foreigner doing outside our szeszfözde with a camera? Wait till I tell the kids! And by the way, isn’t it about time we took a break?”

More importantly, is it possible that stumbling upon a dank distillery might be just as thrilling as a tour of one of the world’s great monuments? Did the surge of emotion I felt when the word distillery popped onto my screen match what I felt when I first glanced up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?

Probably not, although I remember the distillery moment quite precisely and barely recall what I felt at the Sistine Chapel. Why? Because although Michelangelo’s prophets and sibyls and biblical re-creations are several trillion times lovelier than rusty pipes in a concrete building reeking of fermented fruit, I had seen them before in photos, heard professors talk about them, and read other travelers’ accounts as I sought the best times to avoid crowds.

That’s why I believe it is time we rediscover travel and recognize the value of what an overdocumented world has taken away: the delight of making things happen on your own.

***

Seth is the former Frugal Traveler columnist for the New York Times and author of the new Rediscovering Travel: A Guide for the Globally Curious, from which this is adapted.

In this book, Kugel challenges the modern travel industry with a determination to reignite humanity’s age-old sense of adventure that has virtually been vanquished in this spontaneity-obliterating digital age. You can purchase the book at Amazon and give it a read.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and that will save you time and money too!

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New Post has been published on https://shovelnews.com/funny-useful-interesting-twitter-accounts-you-should-follow/

Funny, Useful & Interesting Twitter Accounts You Should Follow

unplugged

By Mark O’Neill

Last Updated on October 20, 2018

Twitter is not only for political flame wars and pointless trolling. In fact there are many funny and interesting Twitter accounts too. Here are some of them.

Twitter is not just for political flame wars and sports trash talk, believe it or not. There are a great deal many other interesting Twitter accounts which entertain and educate on a daily basis. Today we are going to look at some of them.

Obviously “funny” and “interesting” are objective. What I find funny and interesting may not be your cup of tea. So if you know of anything better to follow on Twitter, please do let us know in the comments.

Funny, Useful & Interesting Twitter Accounts You Should Follow

We’ll start off with funny accounts, because who doesn’t need a laugh these days, with the state of the world?

Funny

@dog_rates

This is Pugsley. He lost control of his rubber duck. Happens to the best of us. 13/10 my thoughts are with him pic.twitter.com/hmC80YVDcf

— WeRateDogs™ (@dog_rates) September 5, 2018

This is actually a very cool startup business success story. Matthew Nelson started up the Twitter account, Dog Rates, where dog pictures and videos are rated by him. The whole thing skyrockets and he realizes he has a big thing on his hands. So he drops out of college, monetizes the business, and now he gets 6,000 submissions EVERY DAY.

If you love dogs, you will love Dog Rates. I have submitted my dog several times but no bites yet (no pun intended).

@VancityReynolds

You’re welcome! I went through puberty at 26 yrs old. Good things happen to those who wait. https://t.co/ikPiFXPGjv

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) June 18, 2018

In my opinion, Ryan Reynolds is one of the funniest actors ever. His Deadpool character is enough to reduce me to tears of uncontrollable laughter. So when Reynolds gets onto Twitter, you can be sure of a good laugh or ten.

@FakeAPStylebook

If you abbreviate the character name to “Dr. Who,” nerds will get upset. But are nerds ever NOT upset?

— Fake AP Stylebook (@FakeAPStylebook) February 10, 2011

This one will appeal to all the writers out there, as well as English teachers, grammar nerds, and book lovers. AP Style is a style of writing demanded by some employers and editors, but FakeAPStylebook cranks the humour up to 15 by coming up with all kinds of hilarious grammar rules.

I have the book as well and I laughed like crazy for days afterwards. We writers are a weird bunch I guess. This Twitter account is not updated often but when they do add something, it is worth it. But don’t read it if you are easily offended.

Interesting and Educational Twitter Accounts

Let’s now take a look at some interesting and educational Twitter accounts.

Atlas Obscura

Devoted fans pay thousands for bricks of this fermented tea. https://t.co/VOad3m5pXy

— Atlas Obscura (@atlasobscura) October 10, 2018

If you like to read about weird and interesting places in the world, as well as quirky trivia, then Atlas Obscura is for you. You are guaranteed to find something here to pique your interest. It does a nice feature on abandoned ghostly properties.

Long Reads

Physiognomy is a discarded 19th-century pseudoscience. Why can’t we stop practicing it? https://t.co/OdTdwvlBQU @adriandaub pic.twitter.com/vLku3NW5cO

— Longreads (@Longreads) October 10, 2018

I particularly like Long Reads and recommend it to as many people as possible. These days, thanks to the Internet, people skim articles rather than reading them properly. Long Reads tries to bring back the love of long story telling by linking to online articles that take more than 5 minutes to read.

NASA

There it goes! 13 photos assembled in sequence show the @Space_Station pass in front of our view of the Sun while orbiting Earth at a speed of roughly 5 miles per second on Sun, Oct 7.

See more: https://t.co/06Rmsx6JZT Learn when you can #SpotTheStation: https://t.co/IV6AZcoGh3 pic.twitter.com/4Kdzwf0MBj

— NASA (@NASA) October 10, 2018

If there is one government agency that has wholeheartedly embraced the Internet, it is NASA. What they have put online is just breathtaking, and their website is a treasure trove for anyone with even a remote interest in space. Their high-definition photos taken by satellites and spacecraft make wonderful photos and desktop wallpaper.

National Geographic

Guided by ex-FARC rebels, scientists discovered a wealth of rare species in the remote rainforest of Colombia https://t.co/jYAxY5dzQu

— National Geographic (@NatGeo) October 9, 2018

National Geographic has been around for the past 130 years, so most likely you know someone with a subscription to the magazine. Like all other media publications however, National Geographic has made full use of the Internet to widen its coverage of the natural world, especially with the use of videos and other interactive content.

BBC World

China Uighurs: Xinjiang ‘legalises’ Muslim internment camps https://t.co/Za8jqWM9mW

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) October 10, 2018

Finally, I can’t finish the article without providing a shoutout to my native country’s national broadcaster. The BBC has been around since 1922 and was a beacon of hope to everyone in Nazi-occupied Europe during the war, who wanted “real news”.

So if you are tired of the CNN/Fox News combo, and are looking for a foreign broadcaster with a reputation for impartiality, try the BBC. It drove Joseph Goebbels wild with rage. That should count for something.

Conclusion

As I said at the beginning, funny and interesting mean different things to different people. So if you know of anything that you think is funnier and more interesting, let us know about them in the comments below.

Source: https://www.groovypost.com/hero/funny-useful-twitter-accounts-you-should-follow/

[keenperfectiondaze-blog]

Internet dating. Write only if you are serious! Maria. Age 20 My new photos and sexy videos here >>>

Name: Maria Age: 20 Country: Ukraine City: Zaporozhye Marital status: single Children: none Height: 5'3" - 160 cm Weight: 97 lb - 44 kg Eye color: brown Hair color: dark brown Religion: Christian Smoke: no Drink: no English level: basic

Maria Internet dating

Not wanting to encourage repeated behavior by the children, the wife became fearful of showing her husband affection both publically and privately. Their company not only makes the online dating and interaction quite enjoyable and fun but also allows men to gain a deeper understanding in one of the oldest cultures in the world. It's like the cheapest hairspray you could possibly find, something that has that old fashioned laquer feel that leaves it feeling coated. They also have events for men and women our age and can be a great opportunity to meet new people, whether you are looking for love or not. For example, the dating game shows The Dating Game first aired in 1965, while more modern shows in that genre include The Manhattan Dating Project (US Movie about Dating in New York City), Blind Date, The 5th Wheel, and The Bachelor and its spinoff series, in which a high degree of support and aids are provided to individuals seeking dates. What is SuperSwipe? SuperSwipe is a premium feature that lets you tell a potential match you’re confidently interested in them. He has helped dozens of self-proclaimed “helpless” women find love within weeks (not months) and has also coached some of the most powerful and successful women on this planet (foreign and national government officials, fashion experts, corporate executives, etc.). He’s an author and film producer, but quite honestly, he’s just a regular dude who’s truly found his passion.He enjoys riding his Harley-Davidson every day that the sun shines, dedicates his time to Crossfit, yoga, golf, traveling and is very close with his parents (Ann and Michael) and his brother (and best friend), Marc. Before purchasing a song, you are able to try the song first to see whether or not it appeals to you.

Using this subtle question, daters can deal with the elephant in the room without invoking controversial topics. Thinking of you cuz just drank some whisky.” (I never drank until he bought me my first drink, he drinks all the time). The effect on my hair does last a decent amount of time too, I'm often finding the waves remain for a couple of days, if not more, right until my next wash. A sexual relationship with a vulnerable client has been specifically held to constitute conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, ( Oklahoma Bar Association v. I can provide you Dating Website exactly same like given all Samples Site(exact same replica of it ). I give a short summary of the app and I walk you through on how to use bumble, the dating app that gives women the power. I’d suggest you put up a picture of yourself doing something you love to do, something you’re good at.

Member Structure Members 690,000 from Australia Members activity 690 active weekly Gender Proportion 50 % 50 % Over 900,000 visits per month worldwide 31,000 visits from Australia per month As a dating app that puts women in control, it's a surprise that the male to female ratio on the site is an even 50-50. If it doesn’t happen by your one year anniversary, I’d say it’s time to “go on now go, walk out the door”. Also, keep an eye out for the Joan of Arc statue, the only equestrian statue of a woman in the city. Stolen funds are then transferred from the managed fund accounts to an alternate account where the crime groups withdraw cash at a branch. I’m the one that takes them to school and picks them up, i have found that after 10 years of step siblings dating illegal and jealously I decided that i was tired of feeling that way all the time when I knew I had to be around her. She wants an extravagant and chic wedding that bursts the seams of the classic classic wedding ceremony.

Internet dating

Steer toward adult or even senior leagues and you'll get to meet not only your new teammates, but also an entire league of opponents. Next time you feel awkward in front of the camera, simply try sitting down and holding onto something. As an adjective, it’s a physical compliment, but as an adverb (as in, “I’m pretty good at sports.”) it’s is just another word. Richards was drafted in the third round, 64th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and has previously played for the Lightning, New York Rangers and Dallas Stars. The thesis, controversial and widely criticized by anthropologists and evolutionary biologists, didn’t keep the book from being an international best-seller; it seemed to be something people were ready to hear. “I think the spectrum of human sexuality appears to be getting more colorful and broader, and very rapidly,” Ryan says. “You have an acceptance of gay relationships, of transgender people; young kids are redefining themselves as queer and other gender identities. “I think a lot of people are still interested in having long-term, stable, deep connections to one or a few other people,�� he says. “We as a species value intimacy and authenticity very highly.

If you are interested in something in the athletic realm, you could look into joining a bowling or tennis table league where there is physical activity, but it is not too intense. Ariel And Eric Summer Fun Play Ariel And Eric Summer Fun and enjoy some really funny pranks by the Little Mermaid and her beloved prince. After growing up surrounded by older siblings, I have learned to be genuine, responsible, and yes, a little feisty. Know thoroughly a person first, and if possible, ask him or herself will show through a web cam and then gradually move on to talking through phones. My Partner Of 6 Years Suddenly Left With No Explanation And Has Completely Shut Me And My Kids Out- Elise. Would you like to. Sofia the First Picnic Sofia decides to go for a lovely picnic, but she needs a outfit to wear. Romantic Florence Take a stylish stroll with your chic beau through beautiful, romantic Florence Italy.

Dialog dating

All Girl Games Privacy Policy Terms of Use Copyright Policy Feedback Free Girl Games for Webmasters Welcome to Girl Games, the largest free game site made just for girl gamers. It is vital for the first meeting, but after that it will be more fun and unpredictable if you do not have your other meetings planned out far in advance. I would love to date him and form a r'ship, but i don't understand if the texting game is same for 2 lads. How better to find someone you can really be interested in than sitting on your couch, browsing photos and profiles and being able to have a conversation without loud music club or the voices of other clients in the restaurant. Composed of 50 states, 5 major states and a federal district, America has the world's largest economy.

News на русском

During one such event where liquor flowed freely, Flash and Dr. Crony argued over what, to Crony, seemed a trivial political disagreement. Apparently, during the creation week and possibly during the year of the global flood, radioactive decay rates were much faster than they are today. The site also is the only one of these sites that offers content in Spanish as CatolicosSolteros.com. I liked being able to block people because I would block all of my ex-boyfriends or guys that I went out with because I didn’t want them to see my profile and know that I am back on Bumble. Analyst Geoffrey Gorer described dating as an American idiosyncrasy focusing on youth of college age and expressed in activities such as American proms. Just tell them what you really enjoy in life, what gets you excited and what you want to leap out of bed to pursue.

Teens dating

Thus the term 'dibo'olin' (passive) means being the receptive partner in anal intercourse, while 'ngebo'olin' (active) means being the penetrative partner. Well we all know that life just isn't like that, and that sometimes, beautiful things come in big packages. The least amount of time spent on Bumble is on Friday — hopefully because everyone is out meeting up with their matches. She was kind, compassionate, attractive, well-educated, a great listener, extremely generous, and very outgoing. For your enjoyment, here are some of the weirdest, funniest, craziest, and most awful messages I have ever received. From the standpoint of anthropology and sociology, dating is linked with other institutions such as marriage and the family which have also been changing rapidly and which have been subject to many forces, including advances in technology and medicine.

[angelwithoutleave-moving-blog]

Not a Doctor | Castiel & Sam

Pulling my thread with thexboyxking over here from the archived blog~ My next response will be reblogged directly from your blog to this new one!

To say Sam Winchester was miffed would have been an understatement.

Of course that wasn’t to say he didn’t like what he was doing for the Morningstar Law firm he was interning at but he didn’t like THIS part of it. He didn’t like that he was stuck on research duty. Scratch that. Sam LOVED research. It was a passion of his and why he got stuck with the job more often than not. What he didn’t like was that he was stuck researching THIS.

The fact was, try as he might, medical terms just weren’t his thing. When it came to medicine, dosages, side effects, or even just medical law terms Sam always blanked. He’d even tried to explain that to Ava and Jess but they’d both just shrugged and told him they all had to do their fair share of work…which was their way of saying they hated this case too and didn’t want to have to spend hours looking through medical crap.

Heaving a sigh Sam closed the book he was going through and rubbed at his eyes. The issue with the case was that the incident happened ten years ago and the research done hadn’t made it past a few medical journals here and there, none of which had been posted online. It meant a lot of books, a lot of notes, and Sam was still coming up empty.

Getting up he grabbed the copy of the journal he’d just finished skimming through and made his way back down to the medical section of the library, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders. He’d find something soon and then he could go home and pass out, that’s the mantra he fed himself anyways as he walked the now familiar path.

                    “Excuse me, sorry. I just need to put this back.”

He offered what he hoped was a friendly enough smile to the man in the row of shelves with him but he doubted it looked anything more than an exhausted rehearsed attempt at politeness.

Spending long nights nestled between the shelves of the school library was par for the course for Castiel Novak. Even when he was an undergrad, he could be found among rows of books more often than in his own dorm. It wasn’t that he had so much more work than the average medical student – though the program for neurosurgery was particularly rigorous – but more Castiel’s own habitual research tendencies that kept him immersed in large reference volumes until one of the librarians shook him awake.

A few of the professors who found his lengthy essays either intriguing or bothersome mislabeled it “overachieving.” Really, it was just insatiable curiosity. He couldn’t seem to shake an obscene addiction to footnotes, no matter what the topic was. If he hadn’t taught himself to speed-read a very long time ago, his reading list would be unmanageable – it nearly was already, seeing as it was never-ending.

He knew he was already collecting information he couldn’t use. His paper was on the effects of malaria on the brain, and he’d somehow ended up skimming a chapter on the life-cycles of trans-organism parasites. His internal clock told him that it was already late, and it had an unfortunate tendency to underestimate.

The shadow caught his attention first, suddenly casting the fluorescent-lit page into darkness. He’s barely looked up before the tall man was pardoning his passing, and Castiel nodded with an accommodating step back. He watched as his fellow student replaced a book on a shelf and stared at it under thick eyelids. He looked like someone trying to read a foreign language through a haze of exhaustion.

Hesitantly, Castiel cleared his throat. “What are you looking for?” he asked. He didn’t work here, but he probably knew the medical section better than anyone who did.

Sam tore his eyes away from the books in front of him and looked at the man offering to help. From the looks of it he was a fellow student but not one bearing a name tag indicating he worked here in particular. What Sam did notice though was the fact that he was not only in the medical section but was reading a book on it too so maybe at the very least he could point Sam in the direction he should be going.

“Umm well, I don't know really.”

He heaved a sigh and dug the palms of his hands into his eyes rubbing away a combination of frustration and sleep.

“I’m looking for a medical journal written by Dr. Robert Calvin. It never made it past his journals but the research is on a radical sleeping pill he’d developed and tested on a small group of volunteers with insomnia. It’s just…it didn’t pan out so there’s not much written about it but I need that journal for a…”

A case.

Already he’d said too much more than he should have been.Their library had the journal, at least it had Calvin’s full collection and he really needed the notes from that particular study and some of the subject’s names in particular. The problem was there were ten journals and no one seemed to know which one it would be in.

“I guess unless you've read these you probably can’t but hey, thanks for the offer.”

It wasn’t often anyone around here offered to help anyone else. Most people, Sam included, were too weighed down with their own work and studies to do much more than utter a quick apology when bumping in to someone else.

Castiel had already ascertained that this wasn’t a medical student, and that was precisely why he offered to help. These texts looked like Greek even to undergraduates in his degree program, let alone people who had never read a diagnostic manual – and who clearly belonged in a bed rather than a library.

He stepped just a little closer to hear the man’s explanation, his brow furrowed with concentration. As soon as he mentioned the name, Castiel’s expression eased, and he straightened, waving off the student’s dismissal.

“Insomnia studies are indeed found in this section, but Dr. Robert Calvin was a psychologist. He was observing the effects of sleep deprivation on mental health, specifically anxiety disorders. His experiments were ahead of his time, though, and unfortunately, he lacked the proper equipment to find the results he was looking for.”

He paused, realizing that his nearly encyclopedic knowledge of anything pertaining to the brain might sound… pompous. Clearing his throat, he finished, “He never found a correlation between insomnia and neuropsychology, so those journals weren’t published independently. The collection of his journals is in the psychology section, though. Three rows that way.” He pointed to indicate.

Dropping his hand, he averted his eyes and stepped back. “At least, I hope that helps.”

Sam wasn’t sure if those studies would be of particular use or not but he was willing to look through them and see if there was any information on the medication their client insisted had made her ill. It there wasn't anything in the ones he was being directed to then they could very well lose their case on unfounded basis and Sam didn’t want that to happen,especially not because of any leads he left unturned.

                     “You seem to know a lot about this stuff.”

He grinned and put back the journal he had started pulling out.

                     “I know you probably have your own stuff                      to be getting to so thanks for the help. I’m                      Sam by the way, Sam Winchester.”

It wasn’t always exactly easy to make connections around here unless of course it was with the other student interns helping around the office. Usually in the library he would keep to himself but this guy had been nice enough to each out and say something to him first which made him a nice person in Sam’s mind.

                     “I should go find those journals.”

Castiel was trying to make it seem like he was more interested in the book he still had open in his hands, but it was difficult to keep his eyes off of the handsome stranger. He felt anxiety lurch in his stomach at the comment. “You seem to know a lot” wasn’t usually a compliment, in his experience. But when the man flashed him a smile, Castiel was surprised, and he tried to return it a moment after that window of socially appropriate response time had closed.

“I’m… Castiel,” he answered the introduction, trying to catch up. “Castiel Novak. I’m a medical student in the neurology–” He stopped himself before he kept Sam up talking about himself, like so many of his classmates had an unbearable tendency to do. “Anyway, I read here a lot.” Once he said that, it didn’t sound like a sentence. “Good luck,” he added with a nod, “finding what you’re looking for.”

He went back to staring at words on the page in front of him, though not reading them. Social interactions never really came naturally to him, but being complimented by someone attractive reminded him that he really wasn’t completely certain he belonged to this species.

It was about two hours later that Sam had finally found what he was looking for. It was at least enough to swing their case in the right direction and he’d only found that because of the other student. As he was packing up his books about to leave he’d considered swinging by to say another thanks and see if maybe Castiel wanted to hang out sometime. When he didn’t see him in the same section Sam gave up and decided to just leave instead. He still had some work to do at home before their meeting tomorrow morning with the client.

Later when he looked back at the situation he’d blame the lack of coffee and the over tired rundown feeling of needing a good night's sleep for not seeing the dog. Besides who kept a dog on campus anyways?

He’d barely hit the thing but Sam knew from its whining it was hurt and he knew from picking up a stray two weeks ago that there wasn’t a decent vet within half an hour of the campus which all bus sucked. Pulling off his over shirt he wrapped it around the dog lifting it into his arms and debating what the hell to do.

Maybe someone in medical…he didn’t have a lot of friends though. Castiel…the kid from inside had mentioned something about being medical though. Something about neurology but still…that was something at least.

Setting the dog in the passengers seat he turned and headed back to the parking lot throwing the car in park before dashing into the library.

             “Cas?? Castiel? Hey,has anyone seen a medical student              named Castiel?”

He was being too loud, hollering for Cas and earning looks everyone trying to get work done and god if it was reversed he knew he would be heated but he had to find Castiel again if he was in there.

If nothing else, his run-in with Sam reminded Castiel that the book he had been reading was barely even tangentially related to his research. When he tried to go back to it, he couldn’t remember what footnote in which manual had gotten him to the chemical effects of bactrim in the first place. He put the book back in the pathology section and returned to the small table, tucked in a corner between the anthropology and environmental sciences sections, that he may as well call his desk.

He had to reread his progress and, after trying in vain to find follow-up studies to support his hypothesis, came to the unfortunate conclusion that he needed to restart his paper with a different one. By the Time he finished the outline, his eyes were puffy and heavy. It was only more disappointing to know that this outline, which seemed rough and sloppy now, would probably look like complete nonsense in the morning.

He was just collecting his things when shouting from the main lobby made his brow furrow. People sometimes failed to contain their outbursts even within the sacred walls of the library, but not usually at this time of night. Immediately after irritation flared in his blood, concern crept up Castiel’s spin right behind it.

And… those syllables sounded familiar. But why would anyone be calling for him?

Abandoning his belongings at his tucked away table, Castiel strode to the stairs and reached the top of them in time to confirm that someone was indeed shouting his name. By the time he reached the first landing, he registered the very new voice.

“Sam?” he asked, quickly crossing the open room as soon as he reached the bottom stair. “What’s wrong?” He was almost surprised by the degree of calm control in his own voice. Adrenaline was flooding his veins, and Castiel was now wide awake.

[otmaromanovas]

those asks??? do em all buddy go nuts

ask and ye shall recieve

1: 6 of the songs you listen to most?When You Believe, You Will Be Found, Danse Macarbe, 96000, Africa, and Hey Jude2: If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?Queen Elizabeth. She’s an absolute legend, and I’m going to be devastated when she dies. 3: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17.Maria Eva Duarte de Peron had in large quantities many of the qualities needed to lift her from obscurity to fame4: What do you think about most?What the hell I’m going to do with my life5: What does your latest text message from someone else say?“You up for DTBD tonight??”6: Do you sleep with or without clothes on?Depends on the season. In autumn and winter I do, but sometimes summer can be way too warm (even at night)7: What’s your strangest talent?I can sightread sheet music perfectly8: Girls… (finish the sentence); Boys… (finish the sentence)Girls will be girls. Boys need to grow the hell up.9: Ever had a poem or song written about you?Not explicitly, no. 10: When is the last time you played the air guitar?I honestly can’t remember11: Do you have any strange phobias?No12: Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?I had a piece of lego up there when I was a little kid13: What’s your religion?I’m Roman Catholic14: If you are outside, what are you most likely doing?Tanning, taking photos or reading in the shade15: Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?Behind it.16: Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?I don’t think I have one. I fluctuate between favourite songs, and bands are even harder17: What was the last lie you told?I claimed having to work so I could be designated driver so I didn’t have to drink18: Do you believe in karma?I do. I try to do good things so good things happen to me. 19: What does your URL mean?I’ve loved Elizabeth Schuyler since I was an actual child, and her familial nicknames were Liza and Betsey20: What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength?I’m so awkward around people I don’t know. I like to think I am the most supportive person you will ever knoe21: Who is your celebrity crush?Gal Gadot22: Have you ever gone skinny dipping?No!23: How do you vent your anger?Throwing pillows around and screaming24: Do you have a collection of anything?I’m working on a playbill collection of shows helmed by women. I started collecting shells from every beach I visit when I was a kid, and I still do that now. 

25: Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online?Video chatting- I love seeing peoples faces when I talk to them26: Are you happy with the person you’ve become?I’m content. I wouldn’t say happy yet, but I’m getting there27: What’s a sound you hate; sound you love?Microphone feedback is literally the worst. Orchestras warming up is the greatest sound you will ever hear28: What’s your biggest “what if”?What if I dropped out of my degree and moved down to Canberra now, rather than in two years?29: Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens?I think ghosts are just the memory of people who have lived. I do believe people see them. I absolutely refuse to think that humans are the only sentient species in the entire universe. 30: Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? Do the same with your left arm.A mug of tea. A potted plant31: Smell the air. What do you smell?Freshly cut grass and cold air32: What’s the worst place you have ever been to?A B&B in Sydney that boiled the sausages for breakfast33: Choose: East Coast or West Coast?I live on an east coast, so I’m biased34: Most attractive singer of your opposite gender?If I had to choose, probably Calvin Harris35: To you, what is the meaning of life?Living to the best of your ability36: Define Art.Subjective37: Do you believe in luck?Yes38: What’s the weather like right now?Windy and kind of chilly. But not cold yet.39: What time is it?10:25am40: Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed?I do! No (knock on wood). I’ve been in the car when it has crashed, but I’ve never caused it.41: What was the last book you read?The Book of the Dead by the New York Times. It’s a collection of the obituaries they’ve published since they were founded. It’s grim, but so interesting42: Do you like the smell of gasoline?A little, yes43: Do you have any nicknames?So many! My favourite is Goldilocks (I used to have really long, blonde, curly hair) 44: What was the last film you saw?Moana. I was babysitting my neighbours daughters and they suggested it. 

45: What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had?Okay so I was a water polo player for years, and had some major beef with this girl. We played against each other in an interschool competition. It was a REALLY violent game. I ended up giving her a black eyes and I loosened some of her teeth- she gave me a concussion, a cracked rib, and managed to nearly dislocate my knee. Oh yeah, and I nearly drowned. Great times. We aren’t allowed to play on opposing teams anymore.

46: Have you ever caught a butterfly?I almost always have a bouquet of flowers with me, and they like to land on me, but I’ve never caught one47: Do you have any obsessions right now?Vinyl records48: What’s your sexual orientation?Cis-straight49: Ever had a rumour spread about you?That I had sex with four people in a tent on the one night. Yeah, nope. This girl doesn’t have sex in tents. This girl doesn’t even camp.50: Do you believe in magic?Not the fairy magic, but yes51: Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong?Oh my god yes52: What is your astrological sign?Aries53: Do you save money or spend it?I try to save, but usually end up spending it all.54: What’s the last thing you purchased?A pair of Rosie the Riveter-style overalls for a 1940′s themed costume party55: Love or lust?Love. It’ll last longer56: In a relationship?Not right now57: How many relationships have you had?Two. Maybe three, but we never defined what it was58: Can you touch your nose with your tongue?No.59: Where were you yesterday?I was at work60: Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?My headphones, mouse pad and fingernails61: Are you wearing socks right now?No62: What’s your favourite animal?Quokkas. Literally the cutest things I have ever seen63: What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you?64: Where is your best friend?In Sydney (I only see her once a year, which is just not good enough for me)65: Give me your top 5 favourite blogs on Tumblr.lucreziaborgia, runawayforthesummer, and that’s literally it. 66: What is your heritage?My dad is Italian, my mother is Australian. His family are Italian, her family are Irish and English67: What were you doing last night at 12AM?Drinking the university bar dry68: What do you think is Satan’s last name?Smith or Jones. Lucifer Smith sounds terrifying, does it not?69: Biggest turn ons?Neck kisses, a well-tailored suit, button up shirts with the sleeve pushed up over the elbow, a uniform (especially army), just a little bit of scruff70: Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as a friend?I think so, yes.71: You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do?Save the dog. I’m the boss at work, so if I get fired, everything collapses.72: You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid?I’d tell my family and close friends. I’d spend all my money on travel- see more shows, roadtrip, party. I wouldn’t be afraid.73: You can only have one of these things; trust or love.Trust.74: What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it?The Cha Cha Slide. so many good memories attached to that song, and it’s impossible not to smile when you’re dancing to it.75: What are the last four digits in your cell phone number?346276: In your opinion, what makes a great relationship?Trust and openness 77: How can I win your heart?Flowers, a new edition of a classic book, and a love of music and theatre78: Can insanity bring on more creativity?Yes. It gives you a perspective that not a lot of other people have79: What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far?Dumping my last boyfriend. That little shit was going nowhere in life. 80: What size shoes do you wear?I’m an 1181: What would you want to be written on your tombstone?“You still owe me money”82: What is your favourite word?Fuck. or serendipity because it’s so fun to say83: Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart.Warm84: What is a saying you say a lot?“I’m just putting it out there”85: What’s the last song you listened to?Hello Hurricane by Switchfoot86: Basic question; what’s your favourite colour/colours?Rose pink, mint green and sky blue87: What is your current desktop picture?My best friend and dabbing on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

88: If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be?Donald Trump

89: What would be a question you’d be afraid to tell the truth on?Have you ever gotten pregnant?90: Turn offs?Not showering, sexism/racism, cargo pants, CROCS91: You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What is that power?Invisibility92: where are your parents from? Dad is from Tully, mum is from Longreach93: You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?First boyfriend cheating on me. 94: You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?I dont’ know.95: You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?New York City96: Do you have any relatives in jail?Not that I know of97: Have you ever thrown up in the car?Nope. I’ve been driving when someone has thrown up, but never done it myself98: Ever been on a plane?All the time!99: If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say?Y’all have got to fucking chill