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#pun pun is very interesting so far just read 10 pages but my night light just died
713-4th-ward-g · 3 years
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littleshrimpcat · 5 years
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                          The Stranger Beside Me - Anne Rule 
My hands are shaking.
It’s 10:30 at night, I have a book in front of me and I am alone at home. It’s half read, but I think I’m done. Actually, who am I kidding? I will finish this book. It speaks of things that every woman has feared and hoped to avoid. It’s the bogeyman young girls were raised to fear. Except, this bogeyman was real, and he had a name: Ted Bundy.
The book I’m referring to is The Stranger Beside Me – an autobiographical true crime book by Ann Rule. What makes it so different? Well, Ann Rule knew Ted Bundy. They were friends and colleagues who worked side by side at Suicide crisis centre, often handling calls together. Rule was witness to Ted Bundy’s charm, insecurities, drive and empathy. Could this man have really killed and raped more than 30 women (the number could be closer to 100)? It’s the kind of insight that true crime writers would kill for (ugh, obvious pun problem) and one that essentially tore Ann Rule apart.
This conflict is central to the book and makes for an interesting read. As a reader today, we know Ted Bundy did terrible things. The brutal nature of the murders, the sheer audacity of them had me shaken. And yet, Rule is so persuasive in her belief of his goodness (despite growing doubts) that she (and by extension Bundy) almost convince you to hope that it isn’t him. That a smart, handsome and ambitious man, with his eye on a legal / political career, who charmed numerous women wouldn’t be capable of what he was accused of. And yet, it is a startling realisation that the man next to her was more stranger, than friend.
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(A few of Ted Bundy’s victims)
The book is a train wreck – bloody and brutal and you can’t look away. Ann chronicles the day each girl was murdered - who they were, what they looked like (Bundy had a very specific type) and what her mental or emotional state was. These small stories add up in your mind, painting a picture of a very specific type of woman that Bundy was raping and killing again and again and again. It also gives insight into a killer who preyed on the kindness of women and exploited his famously good-looking face. Bundy would often be seen on campus or at a park, bronzed and attractive, either wearing a crutch or with a cast on his foot. He would approach his victims, armed with a charming smile and a request – could they help him carry his briefcase? Would they help by stowing away a sailboat? Each time the woman complied she was never to be seen again.
His attacks varied from the carefully thought out like Donna Manson, Susan Rancourt or Roberta Kathleen Parks to the impulsive, like Carol DaRonch (who escaped by jumping out of his car). He posed as a police officer, wore a fake moustache and had an odd chameleon-like quality which helped him elude capture for many years.
Each murder was sickening and terrifying to read. As Bundy delivered his blows with an iron crowbar, broke into homes to abduct and rape women and lured them away from crowded parks where families were sunning, he stole any sort of reassurance from my mind. There are no safe spaces. A locked door, a busy street, a crowded hotel – none of them foiled him. As the manhunt for him grew larger and more intense, his crimes became even more brazen.
Take for instance, the murder of Georgeann Hawkins, a UW student who vanished while walking down an alley. It was a walk of a few minutes – between her boyfriend’s fraternity house and hers. So close together, you’d never imagine that you’d be in danger for those few minutes. Where was Ted? In a dark shadow in the alley? Hiding in the bushes? In a matter of seconds, Georgeann Hawkins went missing and was never seen again.
What about the first murders mentioned in the books? Where young women were killed or seriously injured and raped in their basement rooms. Ted Bundy took away so many spaces that we consider ours - even our cosiest, smallest sanctuaries. I left the light on in my room, blinking myself awake every few hours to see if anyone was there.
I’m only halfway through the book - it’s 1975, and Bundy is in prison. Rationally, he’s locked behind bars (and he was later executed in 1989) and yet I am still scared. Because Ted Bundy is just one of many. He existed before he was born, and he continues to live on after he died. He is bigger than his legend and far more common than people assume. And that scares me no end. I still have about 200 pages to read, but the Stranger Beside Me has shattered any fragile sense of safety I had as a woman living alone in a city. Like I said, I am scared and the lights in my room will stay on for a while.
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womanlalaboy · 5 years
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Touchdown Talisayen: Womanlalaboy’s Travel Guide to Talisayen Cove, Zambales
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SUMMARY
Type of Travel: DIY + Travel Package Date of Travel: December 2018 Duration: 2D 1N Budget: P1, 500 - P2, 000 Where we stayed at: Tents by the beach provided in the tour package we availed
Changes are hard to deal with especially when handling the unknown isn't really your best suit. Things have been really challenging in my workplace and all I did for the past few weeks was anticipate the impact, dread the days and sulk in loss. I never thought that I would successfully adjust to the new ways of my work and my new colleagues, but the change was actually good. And how do we usually celebrate growth? We eat out, we party, we announce it on social media, or we reward ourselves by splurging. To celebrate, I shifted from the usual and planned a getaway for me and my new workmates. We ended up choosing a package to Talisayen, Zambales and the experience we had is by far unlike any other.
We figured that we can use this time to get to know each other so we chose a place that won't be able to divide us with nightlife and other distractions. We stayed at a cove on a Monday so we literally have the beach for ourselves with a few locals running the place and guiding us. Planning ahead was really beneficial for this trip. I was able to negotiate things with our travel coordinator and of course, confirm exactly what we are to expect.
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The only crucial thing with trips like this is that you can't simply go YOLO. Everything has to be considered - schedule, budget, food, and drinks, people to contact and so on and so forth. Having open communication with the group is essential to having a successful trip. Even with clear instructions, a member may run late so it's better to have at least one of your ever-present members to have a list of your contact information. Since we knew that this may be a problem, we allotted 30 minutes for the meet-up and had us picked up really really early since we're from Cavite and we have to endure so many traffic problems along the way. Had we tried commuting instead of renting a van, it must have taken us way longer than it should to arrive at Talisayen. Below is the simplified sample of our itinerary.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY 1
2:00 AM - 2:30 AM - Meet-up 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM - ETA at Pundaquit Beach, San Antonio 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Camara Island 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM - Capones Island 10:20 AM - ETA at Talisayen Cove 12:00 PM - Lunch 6:30 PM - Dinner 7:30 PM - Bonfire
DAY 2
5:00 AM - Wake up 7:00 AM - Breakfast 12:00 PM - Lunch 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - ETA at Pundaquit Beach 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM - ETA at Bacoor Cavite
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It's a lot easier to budget your travel when you're ridin' solo because you only have yourself to think about. That is not the case with group trips. Since there may be people backing out and adding up days before the actual trip, your budget has to be flexible and you should pinpoint what to prioritize- which items have to be adjusted and which items have to be fixed. In this trip, only the allotted money for food and beverage is adjustable since that will have to depend on the number of members.
SAMPLE BUDGET
(for 13 pax)
8, 450 - Travel Package (650/head) 3, 550 - Food, beverage and eco fee 7, 500 - Van rental ________________________________ 19, 500 - 1, 500/pax
We chose the cheapest package they have so we can bring specific food that we will surely enjoy, but if you'd like to do nothing but relax and sample the activities offered, you can always negotiate with your contact and have everything arranged. We spent P3, 550 for food and beverages plus the Eco fee. Your food and beverage expenditures would depend on how much you guys eat and drink. The Eco fee is fixed to P20/head unless the local government changes the fee. It will have to be paid before entering Pundaquit beach. The van transportation would cost around P7, 500 depending on who you hire, what type of van you will need, your route and other travel agreements with the driver like the pick-up point, toll fees, and parking fee, but you can also ask your contact if they can coordinate a van rental.
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HOW TO GET THERE
Public Transportation: Victory Liner Bus Terminal Cubao/Pasay/Monumento > drop off at San Antonio public market > tricycle to Pundaquit
Private Transportation via SCTEX: NLEX nothbound > exit SCTEX > Subic > Exit SBMA > Pundaquit
Private Transportation via Pampanga: NLEX nothbound > exit San fernando > Dinalupihan, Bataan > SCTEX to Subic > exit SBMA > Pundaquit
WHERE TO STAY
There are a few privately owned concrete cottages at the far end of the cove, but we're not sure if those are for rent as well. We had tents included in the availed package and we were able to use as many open cottages available since there were no other travelers.
We're really lucky to have Kuya Jess as our travel coordinator. I found about his page on Facebook and inquired via messenger and eventually via phone call everything we need to do to avail the package. He's very accommodating and considerate. He'll ask for your target budget and will give you several options to lessen your expenses. He'll also walk you through the process of booking the tour and will never leave you hanging.
Contact person: Jesus Bansales III Website: https://www.facebook.com/pg/alphajhess/about/?ref=page_internal Messenger: m.me/alphajhess Contact #: +63 977 321 7900
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Package: 650/head (min. of 10 pax)
Inclusions:
Island Hopping (to Camara, Capones and Anawangin Cove)
Boat ride and Entrance to the cove
Tents for sharing 
Cottage
Cooking utensils (ladle, cooking pan and cooking pot)
Bundle of wood for bonfire
Charcoal to use 
Ice cooler w/ice
Water to drink (2 Containers)
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POINTS OF INTEREST
We spent 2 days and 1 night relaxing by the beach and living as if we're island people by doing everything the old school way. We tried getting our own firewood for cooking, we pumped artesian well to get water and enjoyed the days with minimal use of technology.
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Island and Cove Hopping Depending on your agreement with your travel coordinator, you can schedule when to do some activities offered. We had Island hopping to Camara and Capones before we arrive at Talisayen Beach. We were supposed to visit Anawangin on our way back to Pundaquit, but opted to stay longer in Talisayen and go straight back to Pundaquit afterward.
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Trekking Our coordinator also offered a few trekking activities: trekking to the hilltop and trekking to falls which was excluded in the package and would have cost 100/pax/activity. We were too consumed by the beauty of the cove alone and just stayed by the beach playing cards, drinking beer and goofing around that we didn't have enough energy and time to do all the other activities.
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Stargazing This might not be the most exciting activity to do, but the view of the stars, the bright Milky Way seen by our naked eyes is the highlight of this trip. The tent I was going to sleep in happen to break before the day ends so we had to use the tent instead as a cover where we can lay our backs and sleep the night away. Before sleeping, we just stared at the sky for a good 1 hour and count how many falling stars we'll be able to see. Moments like this are needed to take everything in. Moments like this count the most. I wish we could show you how beautiful that night was, but I wasn't able to bring my DSLR (again) and our phone simply sucks at low-light photography, but y'all should see it for yourself!
THINGS TO BRING
Medicine (Bonamin, mefenamic acid, meds for allergies if there is any)
Sunblock
Blanket
Portable pillow
Flashlight
Swimwear
Towel
Health Card and your company ID (always bring this)
Charger
Mosquito repellent
Cameras and charger
Personal hygiene kit (soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc.)
Aloe Gel or calming creams (for treating sunburn)
Eco bag for your used clothes
Lighter
Extra food
Extra Money
Extension cable
Pocket knife
Scissors
NOTES
Contact a legitimate and trusted local travel coordinator that actually cares!
Ask questions. It's always better to ask questions than assume things especially when you are coordinating a trip with someone else.
If you'd like to experience the simplicity of living in Talisayen, cook the old school way. Ditch the butane stove.
Bring something you can play with (no pun intended) like a beach volleyball, playing cards, board games, etc.
The cove lacks electricity. They use vehicle motor and generators run by fuel. So if you have a solar-powered charger, bring that thing! They charge 200 pesos if you need to use the generator to charge your phone, though everyone in your group will be able to charge their phones as they can run the generator until 12 MN from 6 PM.
When fishermen visit the cove with freshly caught fishes and other seafood, sample them. 
Bring easy to prepare food. We brought marinated meats for grilling, cooked Adobo and salted eggs with tomatoes. Foods that can be easily fried, but don't easily get spoilt would be great too, like dilis, daing, kikiam, and fishballs.
Talk to the locals and hear their stories.
Be kind to everyone just because.
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MORE...
Also read: Liwaliw sa Liwliwa: Womanlalaboy's Travel Guide To Liwliwa, Zambales Also see:Touchdown Talisayen photo sets
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nttrophypls · 7 years
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The Ten Most Romantic Spots in Neopia
It’s no secret that Neopia is a beautiful place. From the tallest peaks of Terror Mountain, to the fiery depths of Moltara, there’s stunning views and diverse environments everywhere you go! But when you’re looking to impress that special someone, a simple trip to the Money Tree might not be the grand gesture you’re looking for. So, gathered in this article are our top 10 most romantic spots in Neopia! These locations also double as great places to bring friends, or just to treat yourself with a night out, so even the anti-Valentine’s Day crowd might just find their new favourite spot in this list. ;)
1. [b]Terror Mountain[/b]
Bori, it’s cold outside. The jagged cliffs which loom over Happy Valley may not seem like the most romantic destination, but don’t give it the cold shoulder just yet! The high peaks give a beautiful view of Neopia, and if you’ve still got your Taelia Style Coat from the Y7 Advent Calendar, the icy air won’t be a problem. The ski lift to the top of the mountain is also a great way to just sit back, admire the view, and maybe get to know whoever joins you on the lift.
There’s also lots of activities atop the mountain. There’s lots of fun games to play, such as Snow Wars 2 or Terror Mountain Tilt (though we don’t recommend Dar-BLAT!!! if you don’t want to get frustrated on your fun trip!). Tarla’s Shop of Mystery gives an extra feeling of adventure, so why not each pick up a Mystery Item? The perfect ending to the day is sitting indoors next to a roaring fire, and opening up your Mystery Items, either celebrating your luck or laughing at your misfortune, while the storm blows outside.
2. [b]Kelp Restaurant[/b]
Kelp is Neopia’s most exclusive restaurant, only occasionally accepting customers, but a reservation made well in advance will get you in on Valentine’s Day. We highly recommend the Aged Tchea Juice or Kelp Gazpacho, though it’s hard to go wrong… as long as you don’t have a shellfish allergy.
The price is high, but it’s well worth it, and the rarity of the occasion will make it a Valentine’s Day you won’t forget. You may even get to bring home leftovers, if you’re lucky, and there’s nothing quite like exploring the old ruins of Maraqua while snacking on leftover Octopi Souffle.
3. [b]Island Market[/b]
It’s like going to the beach and hunting for treasure, all in one! You can walk along the thousands of shops with sand under your feet, the warm sun over your head, and the ocean breeze blowing through your hair. The Shop Wizard’s hut resides in the centre of the market if you’re looking for something specific, but the authors of this article are strong believers in the magic of adventure. Instead, we recommend checking out all the different huts, then perusing through the shops you find inside. There may not be the best deals, but you’re guaranteed to find something unexpected!
An extra way to make the day fun is to each set a low budget for yourself, and try to find the other person (or people, or yourself!) a gift in the maze of shops. Just something small and silly that you can keep to commemorate your day.
4. [b]Kreludor[/b]
It’s been said that looking up at the Moon at night can be romantic, but what about looking up at Neopia [i]from[/i] the Moon? Sure, the air is sometimes not breathable, and you run the risk of falling into abandoned mines (or, even worse, non-abandoned mines run by the nefarious Kreludan Mining Corp.), but it sets you up for a world of romantic puns—or, should we say, a moon of romantic puns? Feel free to use that one. “You take my breath away,” and “You make me feel like I’m falling,” are both highly relevant on Kreludor.
At the end of the day, though, Kreludor offers you a view that just can’t be beat. All of Neopia to one side of you, all of the vast expanses of space on the other side. It’s extremely romantic, and, best of all, you could say, “I can show you the world,” while gesturing to Neopia in the sky. We’re telling you, great place for puns.
5. [b]Hall of Heroes[/b]
For those who enjoy museums, Hall of Heroes is your perfect destination. Located at the centre of scenic Altador, the stunning building is surrounded by gardens and local architecture, perfect for romantic strolls. But step inside the massive stone archways, and discover the greatest structure Altador has to offer. Your experience inside will be different, depending on your personal history with Altador. If this is your first visit, you may find the lights dimmed (romantic!), and all statues intact. The statues are excellently carved and adorned with plaques that give you historic insight into Altador’s exciting history.
If you’ve been to Altador often enough to have experienced a plot or something, you’ll find the room well lit, and access to two additional rooms. On your left will be a staircase which brings you to a telescope where you can gaze up at the stars. If flying up to Kreludor is too far or too lacking in oxygen for you, this small observatory offers a great way to view the stars. To your right is entrance to the Council Chamber, where the heroes of Altador (depicted by their statues in the main hall) meet. Who knows, King Altador may even be there with a Valentine’s Day gift!
6. [b]Jelly Wor[/b]—wait, uh, no, we mean [b]Chocolate Factory[/b]!
Sugary sweets are a hallmark of Valentine’s Day, so why not head to the Chocolate Factory for a delicious tour? Yes, we said Chocolate Factory, I think you might be confused. Sure, a more mysterious location with sugary sweets could also be a very romantic spot, but since no such place exists, the Chocolate Factory is just as good!
Factory tours are usually reserved for those with an interest in the technical side of things, which is not something everyone universally shares. There is, however, one interest we all share, and that’s chocolate. You’ll be surrounded by chocolates and candies of all kinds, and you can easily pick up a Box of Chocolate Chias or Heart Lollipop for that special someone.
7. [b]Pick Your Own[/b]
Grab a basket, grab their hand, and go! Pick Your Own is easily one of our favourite romantic spots, which may come as another surprise. For those who aren’t familiar, for 400np, you receive a basket, and access to a berry farm, then walk around picking berries until your basket is full. Sure, you sometimes end up with more dung than berries, but it’s the experience that counts!
It’s a quaint kind of romance, which may not be for everyone, but we encourage giving it a shot. You can explore the Meridell countryside, digging through the bushes in hopes of finding one of the rare berries, like a Dorkleberry. It’s inexpensive and adventurous, as long as you aren’t too bothered by strange smells.
8. [b]Outskirts of Faerie City[/b]
Most places on our list tend to have beautiful views, because they add a lot to the atmosphere (except on Kreludor, since they don’t have an atmosphere! Look at that, more puns for you!). Faerieland is no exception, with pristine forests and crystal clear rivers, it’s a beautiful spot. In addition to the stunning visuals, there’s lots of fun activities to make the land outside Faerie City a romantic destination. You can explore the Faerie Caverns or swim in the Healing Springs (you can swim in the Rainbow Fountain as well, but you might not leave the same). You can also watch the Poogle Races (go Poogle Two, we believe in you!) or maybe pay a visit to the Discarded Magical Blue Grundo Plushie of Prosperity, mysteriously coming across a Faerie Kacheek Kite as you leave.
All in all, the gardens and wilderness just outside of Faerie City is a magical place, sure to make your Valentine’s Day a magical day as well.
9. [b]Caves of Moltara[/b]
Grab yourself an Obsidian Rock Candy from Moltern Morsels, then head deep down into the caverns. Look, we’re the romance experts here, so just trust us on this. It’s a dangerous descent, but Valentine’s Day is all about taking risks, and this one is worth it. The caverns are warmed by the magma, which casts a romantic red glow onto yourself and everything around you. Much like Kreludor, the main appeal of the Caves of Moltara is the ambiance, but if the previous list items have given you a taste for romantic adventure, Moltara has it’s fair share of excitement. You can pick up an empty lantern from Lampwyck’s Lights Fantastic, then spend the evening hunting for worms (which is more romantic than it sounds). Once your empty lantern is filled with worms (again, better than it sounds), you can explore the Dark Cave, located next to The Gilded Page. If you’re lucky, you might be able to gather up the ingredients needed to make a petpet at Tangor’s Workshop to give as a gift, or keep, to commemorate the day.
10. [b]Roo Island[/b]
Our final romantic spot is the cheery and colourful Roo Island. This bustling town is filled with fun things to do, all in a dreamy colourful palette. You can play Dice-A-Roo, pick something up from the Souvenir shop, play at the Games Room, go on the Merry Go Round together (guaranteed to brighten up any mood!), learn to draw, read some poetry, see some art, get some coffee… the activities are endless, all things you can do together. And the signature blumaroo footprint is famously heart-shaped, meaning the ground and some other decorations can be interpreted as Valentine’s Day themed!
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