tasksource/blog_authorship_corpus · Datasets at Hugging Face

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3,572,381	male	40	indUnk	Virgo	07,June,2004	I mentioned a few of my good points in my last blog, so before anyone complains I will try to actually take a hard look at my bad points. I am self absorbed. I guess admitting to being being self absorbed is kinda redundant seeing as I am bothering to write this stuff in a blog for the world to see but there it is... I am lazy. If I had my say I would sleep 23 hours a day. My dreams seemed to have shattered My way of escaping reality is Zzzzz. Legal and free. The other hour I would be surrounded by people hanging on my every word and worshipping me. I am judgemental. I tend to judge people on the way they talk and the company they keep. Is that wrong? I am a megalomanic. I think on some level I am not better than anyone else, but uniquely gifted. I feel shortchanged. I live in a world where people are starving, beaten, and homeless, yet I feel shortchanged for not having a wife that looks like Jennifer Aniston and living on the beach in Malibu. I don't think of other's feelings like I should. I need to work on exercising the golden rule in my life. I'm sure there is more, that's all for now.
3,572,381	male	40	indUnk	Virgo	07,June,2004	I suppose I should dedicate this to all the women that have broken my heart. From my earliest days of puberty I have been rejected by the women/girls I have truely loved. I know that sounds 'oh poor me' but that is how I see it. I should start off by saying I was very naive (and still am to a certain degree) when it comes to relating to women. I somehow got it into my head when I was young that I was unattractive to the opposite sex and was very withdrawn and shy. Upon reflection I realize this was not true at all. It probably is true now because I have not taken care of myself and am 280 pounds of blubber. Yet I still have a cute face. To all you women that say all men want is sex, I want to tell you it is not true. For a time I wanted and pursued meaningless sex that made me feel empty inside. I only pursued it because the women I loved and respected rejected me. I got some satisfaction from it emotionally on the conquering aspect of it. 'I talked a women into taking off her clothes and spreading her legs whoo hoo!' I crossed a line in my mind that I wouldn't only have sex with someone I loved, that I would have sex for it's own sake. The night Jennifer told me she wanted to be 'just friends' I called this woman around the block that had been pursuing me and released all my pent up sexual frustration on her. The sad thing is this other woman really loved me, and I just used her as a sperm receptacle. Sperm that was meant for Jennifer, the one I loved with every fiber of my being. Jennifer, when I professed my love for her, told me it was impossible to love someone you haven't slept with. Not to say Jennifer was my first love, she was only the icing on the cake. My experience with Jennifer was what drove me to meaningless sexual relationships. I think my first love was Laura. I was 13 or so. When you are so young the slightest sideways glance can crush your heart. I somehow from the deepest reserves of my being summoned up the courage to ask her to skate with me at the roller rink. Me: Would you like to skate with me? Laura (goddess): no. That single word so casually spoken crushed months of longing and admiration and masturbation dedicated to her. That single word was spoken by her as if I had asked to take a shit on her forehead. Anyway I have actually loved very few women and the ones I did rejected me. I would like to take this moment to apologise to all the women I used for sex. It seems a few of the ones I didn't love really did love me.
3,572,381	male	40	indUnk	Virgo	07,June,2004	Yes, I say follower of Christ instead of Christian or 'born again'. Unfortunately there are many who claim to be Christians but aren't walking the walk, or a least trying to. Some have gone wayward on this path. Some just say they are on it, but aren't. It is easy actually to tell if you are on the right path, we have a guidebook. When we do something wrong against God it is called sin. If you are doing something that the book says is a no-no, you are sinning, it's that simple If this seems strange in the context of my previous discussions of loveless sex and other things I have done it is easily explainable. Before my decision to follow Christ I did things that were clearly against the teachings of Christ. The difference is that I now do not do those things, and if I slip up and do them I ask for forgiveness. You can't fool God. He goes by your heart. He knows your thoughts. If you have done something wrong against God and are sorry for it, all you need to do is ask Him to forgive you and He will! I think the thing that turns off many non-Christians is the concept that they will be held accountable for their actions. NOBODY LIKES TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO! Even if it's in their best interests. Another thing I think turns off non-Christians is the belief that Christians think they are better or more pious than non-Christians. The true follower of Christ thinks he is better than no one. I can best demonstrate my thoughts on this with an analogy. Let's say we are all in an AA meeting. Some of us are recovering alcoholics, some of us are thinking we may have a problem and still others are in denial that they have a problem. The true Christian is like the recovering alcoholic in as much as he realizes he has a problem, and he is trying to live a sin-free (alcohol free) life. Just as the alcoholic is never 'cured' of wanting a drink, the Christian is never cured of his desire to sin. Sorry if I got a little 'preachy' there. I just wanted to clearly present a few of my thoughts on Christianity.
3,572,381	male	40	indUnk	Virgo	07,June,2004	In my family, the truth was always carefully hidden. Not overtly snobbish, but a subtle snide remark or a glance that was a little too long betrays the superior attitude that lies beneath. My brother is a drug addict. I don't mean he smokes a little pot, I mean he sticks needles into his arm, steals anything from anyone etc. He was homeless for a time. He is now in prison for the second time (that I know of). My brother's 'condition' is a family secret. I have never seen my dad cry until the last few years. At this point the story can take several paths. I can tell you some horrible stories, tell you how we are dealing (or not dealing) with this family crisis etc. I think I will tell you how my brother got on this path. To me there is a line that we cross in our mind when we make a decision to do something. Also I believe we are born with tendencies to certain types of behavior. A thought crosses our mind, and we either act on it or don't. Sometimes these thoughts can be rather bizzare, at least to some people. One day my brother somehow got it into his mind to smoke pot. Now I know there are plenty of people that 'cross that line' and never go any farther. My brother crossed the line into drug use. Once there he continued to cross lines, but I think the biggest leap was into drugs or altering his reality. I believe once you have decided that altering your reality using chemicals is OK jumping to a different chemical is a small step. That is why I believe that pot is a gateway drug. To phrase it differently, how many of you have gone from being totally straight to say smoking crack or shooting heroin? Anyway he started on pot and ended up on heroin.
3,572,381	male	40	indUnk	Virgo	07,June,2004	Did that get your attention? Good. I have a question for the dozen or so people that may read this. Let's imagine I have just won a fantastic amount of money in the lottery. You find out about it thru one of the many full page ads I have taken out in every major American newspaper. It reads something like this: --------------------------------------------------------------------- 'I have decided that I have no real need for this much money, and I would like to spend $20,000,000 of my winnings on something that will benefit mankind. Therefore I am now accepting plans for the dispersement of these funds to a deserving cause.' 'The person or persons that I decide have the best suggestion for the cause this money should be dispursed to may choose to either accept a one million dollar award, or forfeit the award in which case I will donate $25,000,000 to their chosen cause.' --------------------------------------------------------------------- Two part question: 1) What would you want the money to be spent on? 2) Would you turn down the one million dollars to see an extra 5 million go to your chosen cause?
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	07,June,2004	Adonde vas proxima vez? No se todavia. Quien vas? No se todavia. Cuando sales? No se todavia. Por quanto tiempo? Siempre!
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	30,September,2004	Gracias por su visita a este blog. Thanks for visiting this blog. Ciao hasta el proximo vez. Ciao until the next episode. Hugs, Anita
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	31,October,2004	Puno. I think I had an allergic reaction to this town. Well, my stomach did anyway. It felt a little claustrophobic (although you can't tell from this picture). Perhaps the sheep want to flee as well? urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	30,October,2004	Here we are - 20 gringos with no idea that we are about to spend seven hours on this boat going to and from the floating islands. Alas, the pan flautist! urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	29,October,2004	Thirty families live in Uros. urlLink Some of the reed huts have solar panels and TVs.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	28,October,2004	This special reed is the life blood of Uros. Each four months the island sinks a bit and these reeds are used to prop it up. The islanders eat the reed and build huts and boats with it too. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	27,October,2004	urlLink '28th April'.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	26,October,2004	Reed sisters urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	25,October,2004	Sun Gate urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	24,October,2004	Looks like they're late for school. Other kids take up a life as a postcard pusher. urlLink Mikey had a funny incident where a 10yr old girl popped a chocolate bar in his pocket and asked him to pay. When he politely declined, she locked herself around his knees and cried. This time when Mikey declined, she punched him.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	23,October,2004	She looks a wee bit tired, no?  urlLink urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	22,October,2004	Pachacutec is the ninth Inca king - the one with 1500 wives who is believed to have commissioned the construction of Machu Picchu. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	21,October,2004	This is a sacred ruin close to Cusco. It's pronounced as 'Sexy Woman' urlLink '2nd May'.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	20,October,2004	urlLink At Sacsayhuaman.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	19,October,2004	After four days of sickness in Cusco, I succumbed and sought help. Oscar assured me I didn't have malaria, just the usual cocktail of traveller's illnesses. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	18,October,2004	urlLink The place for rafting. '3rd May'.  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	17,October,2004	urlLink 'Si senor!'  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	16,October,2004	Mikey, Magnus and I did some grade 4+ white-water rafting.  urlLink urlLink It was exhilarating. (It isn't us in the photo..but we looked ditto)
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	16,October,2004	urlLink And then it was over..  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	15,October,2004	urlLink Ciudades de Oro (Cities of Gold) was thought to be Machu Picchu. Archaeologists now think that Villacabamba is the real place, not MP.  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	14,October,2004	urlLink   urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	12,October,2004	A large terrace farm used to produce the food for the inhabitants of Machu Picchu. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	11,October,2004	urlLink On the final morning, we got up around 4:00am to start the final leg to Machu Picchu. '7th May'.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	11,October,2004	urlLink Sun Gate was covered in clouds. Most of us waited a few hours before we gave up for the fog to pass so we could see the postcard view.  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	10,October,2004	Welcome to Machu Picchu urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	09,October,2004	urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	08,October,2004	urlLink Speculation continues on the true purpose of MP  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	07,October,2004	It is thought that Pachacutec's wives lived in these terraces urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	06,October,2004	urlLink Each stone took one week to carve in such a way that it could adjoin the others without any adhesive substances  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	05,October,2004	Cloudy MP urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	04,October,2004	urlLink   urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	03,October,2004	...is Huayna Picchu (Young Peak) urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	02,October,2004	That's Machu Picchu in the background. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	01,October,2004	urlLink Inca Tour Group down in Aguas Calientes at the foot of MP after the hike.  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	30,November,2004	I thought the cloud on the top made this volcano look quite holy urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	28,November,2004	Via Fatima bustles 4000 metres above sea level. urlLink '20th April'.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	27,November,2004	Students protest peacefully through the main street urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	26,November,2004	Couldn't have picked a better time and place to meet my La Pazian friend, Mae. 'See you at Plaza Estudiante at 1pm'. Hmmm, that was exactly the time and place that the police decided to fend off the masses of students with tear gas. That stuff is dreadfully potent! urlLink '23rd April'.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	25,November,2004	Called 'The World's Most Dangerous Road' because 100 people die here each year. urlLink Gravity assisted bike riders in front of me dare to brave the wet, the cold and the treacherous curves, but apparently they are 'safer' than bus travellers (like me!). I was in the front seat of a minivan that bumped along for 4hrs. My driver kissed his holy cross and prayed emphatically before we started. Yep, I gulped and crossed my fingers. It must have worked - apart from a punctured tyre, he got us to Coroico safe and sound.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	25,November,2004	Coroico. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	24,November,2004	urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	23,November,2004	Gony, a local tour guide who referred to himself as 'Rambo' took me on a devastatingly beautiful trek through Coroico's mountains. He was good spirited and excellent for Spanish practice as he spoke zero English, apart from the word 'Rambo'. urlLink '22nd April'.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	22,November,2004	urlLink A private farm in Coroico  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	21,November,2004	urlLink Coffee beans
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	20,November,2004	There are many orchids - about 30 types in Coroico. urlLink I thought it was the Ghost Orchid...
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	19,November,2004	Behind the fuscia orchid lies a Coca Farm urlLink Coca is widely used by South Americans to ease the effects of altitude and pain.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	19,November,2004	Locals chew the leaves all day long. They smell like socks and taste like eucalyptus. At 2 pesos a bag, it doesn't break the bank. But once it's converted to cocaine, it does. urlLink Note: Superheroes wear sneakers too !
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	18,November,2004	Nope! Not coca leaves. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	17,November,2004	Muchachos! James, myself and Chris at Hostal Esmerelda in Coroico urlLink '22nd April'.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	16,November,2004	So where am I? At Sol y Luna, a tropical resort in Coroico, the 'Bolivian Eden' urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	15,November,2004	...my eyes are closed. Breathy and disjointed sounds Escape from my lips as I sing Love ballads in a raspy tone. Exhausted for the sake of being exhausted. One melody blends into another. Through a pattern of leaves Above me, I stare at the dimming sky. It's now verging on evening. My hands have found a cosy home Tucked under my bottom as I recline And soak In an open-air Hot Bath Near my cottage.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	14,November,2004	urlLink See the blue curtain by the bamboo enclosure? It is the outdoor shower for the cottage - When I peek over the top, the Andes smile back. Misty peaks of lush, sub-tropical rainforest. Out there, beneath me, all around is a layer of cushion cloud, hugging the Andes. Priceless.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	13,November,2004	Sol y Luna's Maria was my Venus of Willendorf. She was the most cuddly sounding board and hearty cook a traveller could dream of having. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	12,November,2004	'Donde estan nuestra muchillas??' urlLink On the way to Copacabana, our white minivan had to make a river crossing at Tiquina. All the passengers jumped out for a break. Mikey and I were chatting to the locals for what seemed like five minutes, but when we turned around, we saw our van making the river crossing without us! (See the little white thing in the photo?) We enlisted another boatman to take us across and found our minivan driver on the other side, simply laughing casually...I guess this happens all the time.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	11,November,2004	urlLink This picturesque town called Copacabana is on the shores of Lake Titicaca. '25th April'.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	10,November,2004	urlLink The view from Copacabana.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	09,November,2004	urlLink Time for another silly pose in Copacabana.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	08,November,2004	My friend Mikey from Denver at 'Sun Island' in Lake Titicaca urlLink '26th April'.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	07,November,2004	Once a year at this Sacred Rock , a virgin was slayed in Inca times. It was an honour to be chosen! urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	06,November,2004	Llamas were also sacrificed in Inca times. Although this one looks very alive! urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	05,November,2004	Mikey and I walked up the hill at Isla del Sol to find a place to stay. Half way up, a cute local boy greeted us with a warm smile as he guided us further up the hill. He said: Me llamo Armin. Soy tengo catorce anos. Venga conmigo a mi hostal - 'Templo del Sol'. Esta es muy bonita! My name is Armin. I am 14 years old. Come with me to my hostal - 'Sun Temple'. It's very pretty. Mikey and I replied: Gracias Armin. Sin embargo nosotros quisieramos continuar buscando. Thankyou Armin. However, we would like to continue looking. He frowned and said: Por que? Yo soy el mejor guio! Tienen que pagar mi cinco pesos! Why? I am the best guide! You must pay me 5 pesos!
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	04,November,2004	Mikey and I thought we were fit enough to escape the effects of altitude: headaches; fever; shivers; diarrhea and flu. Here is Mikey starting to feel it. When he got better, I started to feel it. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	03,November,2004	Blue Lagoon at Isla del Sol urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	02,November,2004	We almost missed another boat here at Isla del Sol! I was trying to 'disappear' Mikey's headache and meanwhile, our boat to Copa drifted away...until we cried 'Esperar por favor!' (Wait please!) urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	01,November,2004	Finally in Peru. Mikey and Magnus at Dinner in Puno..probably discussing pisco sour and pan flutes urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	31,December,2004	urlLink Please ignore the dates, they are purely fictitious...'cept the ones in quotes.  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	30,December,2004	So I started at the bottom of this map and made it almost to the top... urlLink What a stunning part of the world. I felt criminal being there only five weeks.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	30,December,2004	Majestic peaks between Santiago and Buenos Aires. Was it worth the 40hr journey? Definitely! urlLink Skulkingly, I agreed to skip Patagonia so that I could meet a friend in Buenos Aires. '7th April'  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	29,December,2004	A week in BA with charming Evelyn was enough to change my mind about this place. To say I loved it would be an understatement...
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	28,December,2004	The incredible herstory of Argentina is here on the railway station mosaic. From riches to rags, in short... urlLink '8th April'  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	27,December,2004	Naturally, people have lost faith in the Government and are deeply angry that their beloved Argentina has only memories to show for her past prosperity urlLink (did you read the fine print?)  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	26,December,2004	One of the things Argentina is very proud of is Tango urlLink '12th April'. Ellos son con el muy famoso 'Tango Sexteto' de BA  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	25,December,2004	urlLink She was the Queen of Tango with a voice like caramel. Simply hypnotic.  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	24,December,2004	urlLink Locals say that the sailors splashed their surplus paint on the facades of these terraces  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	23,December,2004	urlLink Evelyn just can't stop dancing! Here in La Boca, Tango is a religion. The professionals can feel it in their blood and do it with their eyes closed.   urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	23,December,2004	Apart from yummy medialunes (lil croissants), Argies adore their Dulce de Leche or 'sweet of milk' (caramel). I, however, was hooked on their creamy mayonnaise... urlLink '9th April'. Proud purveyor at La Ferria  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	23,December,2004	MALBA Gallery is cutting edge by any standards urlLink Evelyn, Mariana and I are tangled in an installation outside the Gallery  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	22,December,2004	Nightlife in BA starts at 2am and rages on well beyond midday. urlLink Evelyn and I in wild anticipation before a night out.'9th April'   urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	21,December,2004	urlLink Time for another silly pose   urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	20,December,2004	urlLink And this man had a 'small' group!  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	20,December,2004	I lurve Buenos Aires urlLink I'm swaying in delight at La Ferria (the markets).'11th April'  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	20,December,2004	I felt like I was stepping into a childhood fantasy. Jungle, palm trees, giant butterflies, squawking birds and thick white curtains of water everywhere. urlLink '13th April'.  urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	19,December,2004	urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	18,December,2004	Three countries meet at the Iguacu falls: Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. A staggering 90% of the falls lie in Argentina although the Brazilians like to claim that they have the best view. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	17,December,2004	urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	16,December,2004	Seven years ago on this jungle trail (Sendero Macucu), a jaguar killed a boy. Carlos and Alexandra look a wee-bit nervy. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	15,December,2004	The reward for getting to the end of Sendero Macucu was this divine, intimate little w o c k p o o l. A lot easier than a swim in an Argentinian public pool where you sign in, get a ticket, have a shower, get tested for Athlete's Foot, pop on some goggles and a daggy swimming cap and then (phew!) have a splash. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	14,December,2004	He seemed to have magical powers and wowed us with his intuition. 'Pick a two digit number, any two digit number...' he said. Sadly, we discovered he was a shonky shaman wanting to flog some potions and talismen urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	14,December,2004	...on a bus from Iguacu to Salta. Thank God for Magnus. urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	13,December,2004	Magnus urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	13,December,2004	urlLink '14th April'
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	13,December,2004	Lunch in Salta... urlLink ...with a random fugitive posing as a waiter
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	13,December,2004	Salta by Night urlLink
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	13,December,2004	Yep, buses are safer than...... base jumping . urlLink Especially when it's a Brand spanking new Double-decker monster. 3am. Blackness. CRUNCH. Somewhere near Bolivia. The bus zigzags for a bit and then stops. Que paso? (What had happened?) Our driver Took a snooze At the wheel And Hit a tree! While the front windscreen Was smashed, Noone was hurt. Not physically anyway. (The bus in the photo is just symbolic) '15th April'.
3,416,361	female	25	Publishing	Virgo	13,December,2004	urlLink Women's fashion is phenomenal! This woman has all the trademarks: > A colourful, stripey bag which probably carries her bubba > Two plaits with woollen extensions > A daggy cardy (although an alpaca wool shawl is just as common) > A falda gordo (fat skirt) with 5 layers! > A suede bowler's hat (tilted for singles and flat for the rest) Given that they wear this day in, day out, you can imagine the curious aroma that wafts about at Tupiza bus station!

3,572,381

male

40

indUnk

Virgo

07,June,2004

I mentioned a few of my good points in my last blog, so before anyone complains I will try to actually take a hard look at my bad points. I am self absorbed. I guess admitting to being being self absorbed is kinda redundant seeing as I am bothering to write this stuff in a blog for the world to see but there it is... I am lazy. If I had my say I would sleep 23 hours a day. My dreams seemed to have shattered My way of escaping reality is Zzzzz. Legal and free. The other hour I would be surrounded by people hanging on my every word and worshipping me. I am judgemental. I tend to judge people on the way they talk and the company they keep. Is that wrong? I am a megalomanic. I think on some level I am not better than anyone else, but uniquely gifted. I feel shortchanged. I live in a world where people are starving, beaten, and homeless, yet I feel shortchanged for not having a wife that looks like Jennifer Aniston and living on the beach in Malibu. I don't think of other's feelings like I should. I need to work on exercising the golden rule in my life. I'm sure there is more, that's all for now.

3,572,381

male

40

indUnk

Virgo

07,June,2004

I suppose I should dedicate this to all the women that have broken my heart. From my earliest days of puberty I have been rejected by the women/girls I have truely loved. I know that sounds 'oh poor me' but that is how I see it. I should start off by saying I was very naive (and still am to a certain degree) when it comes to relating to women. I somehow got it into my head when I was young that I was unattractive to the opposite sex and was very withdrawn and shy. Upon reflection I realize this was not true at all. It probably is true now because I have not taken care of myself and am 280 pounds of blubber. Yet I still have a cute face. To all you women that say all men want is sex, I want to tell you it is not true. For a time I wanted and pursued meaningless sex that made me feel empty inside. I only pursued it because the women I loved and respected rejected me. I got some satisfaction from it emotionally on the conquering aspect of it. 'I talked a women into taking off her clothes and spreading her legs whoo hoo!' I crossed a line in my mind that I wouldn't only have sex with someone I loved, that I would have sex for it's own sake. The night Jennifer told me she wanted to be 'just friends' I called this woman around the block that had been pursuing me and released all my pent up sexual frustration on her. The sad thing is this other woman really loved me, and I just used her as a sperm receptacle. Sperm that was meant for Jennifer, the one I loved with every fiber of my being. Jennifer, when I professed my love for her, told me it was impossible to love someone you haven't slept with. Not to say Jennifer was my first love, she was only the icing on the cake. My experience with Jennifer was what drove me to meaningless sexual relationships. I think my first love was Laura. I was 13 or so. When you are so young the slightest sideways glance can crush your heart. I somehow from the deepest reserves of my being summoned up the courage to ask her to skate with me at the roller rink. Me: Would you like to skate with me? Laura (goddess): no. That single word so casually spoken crushed months of longing and admiration and masturbation dedicated to her. That single word was spoken by her as if I had asked to take a shit on her forehead. Anyway I have actually loved very few women and the ones I did rejected me. I would like to take this moment to apologise to all the women I used for sex. It seems a few of the ones I didn't love really did love me.

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indUnk

Virgo

07,June,2004

Yes, I say follower of Christ instead of Christian or 'born again'. Unfortunately there are many who claim to be Christians but aren't walking the walk, or a least trying to. Some have gone wayward on this path. Some just say they are on it, but aren't. It is easy actually to tell if you are on the right path, we have a guidebook. When we do something wrong against God it is called sin. If you are doing something that the book says is a no-no, you are sinning, it's that simple If this seems strange in the context of my previous discussions of loveless sex and other things I have done it is easily explainable. Before my decision to follow Christ I did things that were clearly against the teachings of Christ. The difference is that I now do not do those things, and if I slip up and do them I ask for forgiveness. You can't fool God. He goes by your heart. He knows your thoughts. If you have done something wrong against God and are sorry for it, all you need to do is ask Him to forgive you and He will! I think the thing that turns off many non-Christians is the concept that they will be held accountable for their actions. NOBODY LIKES TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO! Even if it's in their best interests. Another thing I think turns off non-Christians is the belief that Christians think they are better or more pious than non-Christians. The true follower of Christ thinks he is better than no one. I can best demonstrate my thoughts on this with an analogy. Let's say we are all in an AA meeting. Some of us are recovering alcoholics, some of us are thinking we may have a problem and still others are in denial that they have a problem. The true Christian is like the recovering alcoholic in as much as he realizes he has a problem, and he is trying to live a sin-free (alcohol free) life. Just as the alcoholic is never 'cured' of wanting a drink, the Christian is never cured of his desire to sin. Sorry if I got a little 'preachy' there. I just wanted to clearly present a few of my thoughts on Christianity.

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indUnk

Virgo

07,June,2004

In my family, the truth was always carefully hidden. Not overtly snobbish, but a subtle snide remark or a glance that was a little too long betrays the superior attitude that lies beneath. My brother is a drug addict. I don't mean he smokes a little pot, I mean he sticks needles into his arm, steals anything from anyone etc. He was homeless for a time. He is now in prison for the second time (that I know of). My brother's 'condition' is a family secret. I have never seen my dad cry until the last few years. At this point the story can take several paths. I can tell you some horrible stories, tell you how we are dealing (or not dealing) with this family crisis etc. I think I will tell you how my brother got on this path. To me there is a line that we cross in our mind when we make a decision to do something. Also I believe we are born with tendencies to certain types of behavior. A thought crosses our mind, and we either act on it or don't. Sometimes these thoughts can be rather bizzare, at least to some people. One day my brother somehow got it into his mind to smoke pot. Now I know there are plenty of people that 'cross that line' and never go any farther. My brother crossed the line into drug use. Once there he continued to cross lines, but I think the biggest leap was into drugs or altering his reality. I believe once you have decided that altering your reality using chemicals is OK jumping to a different chemical is a small step. That is why I believe that pot is a gateway drug. To phrase it differently, how many of you have gone from being totally straight to say smoking crack or shooting heroin? Anyway he started on pot and ended up on heroin.

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indUnk

Virgo

07,June,2004

Did that get your attention? Good. I have a question for the dozen or so people that may read this. Let's imagine I have just won a fantastic amount of money in the lottery. You find out about it thru one of the many full page ads I have taken out in every major American newspaper. It reads something like this: --------------------------------------------------------------------- 'I have decided that I have no real need for this much money, and I would like to spend $20,000,000 of my winnings on something that will benefit mankind. Therefore I am now accepting plans for the dispersement of these funds to a deserving cause.' 'The person or persons that I decide have the best suggestion for the cause this money should be dispursed to may choose to either accept a one million dollar award, or forfeit the award in which case I will donate $25,000,000 to their chosen cause.' --------------------------------------------------------------------- Two part question: 1) What would you want the money to be spent on? 2) Would you turn down the one million dollars to see an extra 5 million go to your chosen cause?

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Virgo

07,June,2004

Adonde vas proxima vez? No se todavia. Quien vas? No se todavia. Cuando sales? No se todavia. Por quanto tiempo? Siempre!

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Virgo

30,September,2004

Gracias por su visita a este blog. Thanks for visiting this blog. Ciao hasta el proximo vez. Ciao until the next episode. Hugs, Anita

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31,October,2004

Puno. I think I had an allergic reaction to this town. Well, my stomach did anyway. It felt a little claustrophobic (although you can't tell from this picture). Perhaps the sheep want to flee as well? urlLink

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Virgo

30,October,2004

Here we are - 20 gringos with no idea that we are about to spend seven hours on this boat going to and from the floating islands. Alas, the pan flautist! urlLink

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Virgo

29,October,2004

Thirty families live in Uros. urlLink Some of the reed huts have solar panels and TVs.

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Virgo

28,October,2004

This special reed is the life blood of Uros. Each four months the island sinks a bit and these reeds are used to prop it up. The islanders eat the reed and build huts and boats with it too. urlLink

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27,October,2004

urlLink '28th April'.

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26,October,2004

Reed sisters urlLink

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25,October,2004

Sun Gate urlLink

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24,October,2004

Looks like they're late for school. Other kids take up a life as a postcard pusher. urlLink Mikey had a funny incident where a 10yr old girl popped a chocolate bar in his pocket and asked him to pay. When he politely declined, she locked herself around his knees and cried. This time when Mikey declined, she punched him.

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23,October,2004

She looks a wee bit tired, no?  urlLink urlLink

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22,October,2004

Pachacutec is the ninth Inca king - the one with 1500 wives who is believed to have commissioned the construction of Machu Picchu. urlLink

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21,October,2004

This is a sacred ruin close to Cusco. It's pronounced as 'Sexy Woman' urlLink '2nd May'.

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20,October,2004

urlLink At Sacsayhuaman.

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19,October,2004

After four days of sickness in Cusco, I succumbed and sought help. Oscar assured me I didn't have malaria, just the usual cocktail of traveller's illnesses. urlLink

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18,October,2004

urlLink The place for rafting. '3rd May'.  urlLink

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Virgo

17,October,2004

urlLink 'Si senor!'  urlLink

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16,October,2004

Mikey, Magnus and I did some grade 4+ white-water rafting.  urlLink urlLink It was exhilarating. (It isn't us in the photo..but we looked ditto)

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16,October,2004

urlLink And then it was over..  urlLink

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15,October,2004

urlLink Ciudades de Oro (Cities of Gold) was thought to be Machu Picchu. Archaeologists now think that Villacabamba is the real place, not MP.  urlLink

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14,October,2004

urlLink   urlLink

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Virgo

12,October,2004

A large terrace farm used to produce the food for the inhabitants of Machu Picchu. urlLink

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Virgo

11,October,2004

urlLink On the final morning, we got up around 4:00am to start the final leg to Machu Picchu. '7th May'.

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Virgo

11,October,2004

urlLink Sun Gate was covered in clouds. Most of us waited a few hours before we gave up for the fog to pass so we could see the postcard view.  urlLink

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10,October,2004

Welcome to Machu Picchu urlLink

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09,October,2004

urlLink

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08,October,2004

urlLink Speculation continues on the true purpose of MP  urlLink

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Virgo

07,October,2004

It is thought that Pachacutec's wives lived in these terraces urlLink

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06,October,2004

urlLink Each stone took one week to carve in such a way that it could adjoin the others without any adhesive substances  urlLink

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05,October,2004

Cloudy MP urlLink

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04,October,2004

urlLink   urlLink

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03,October,2004

...is Huayna Picchu (Young Peak) urlLink

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02,October,2004

That's Machu Picchu in the background. urlLink

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01,October,2004

urlLink Inca Tour Group down in Aguas Calientes at the foot of MP after the hike.  urlLink

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Virgo

30,November,2004

I thought the cloud on the top made this volcano look quite holy urlLink

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Virgo

28,November,2004

Via Fatima bustles 4000 metres above sea level. urlLink '20th April'.

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Virgo

27,November,2004

Students protest peacefully through the main street urlLink

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Virgo

26,November,2004

Couldn't have picked a better time and place to meet my La Pazian friend, Mae. 'See you at Plaza Estudiante at 1pm'. Hmmm, that was exactly the time and place that the police decided to fend off the masses of students with tear gas. That stuff is dreadfully potent! urlLink '23rd April'.

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25,November,2004

Called 'The World's Most Dangerous Road' because 100 people die here each year. urlLink Gravity assisted bike riders in front of me dare to brave the wet, the cold and the treacherous curves, but apparently they are 'safer' than bus travellers (like me!). I was in the front seat of a minivan that bumped along for 4hrs. My driver kissed his holy cross and prayed emphatically before we started. Yep, I gulped and crossed my fingers. It must have worked - apart from a punctured tyre, he got us to Coroico safe and sound.

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25,November,2004

Coroico. urlLink

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24,November,2004

urlLink

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23,November,2004

Gony, a local tour guide who referred to himself as 'Rambo' took me on a devastatingly beautiful trek through Coroico's mountains. He was good spirited and excellent for Spanish practice as he spoke zero English, apart from the word 'Rambo'. urlLink '22nd April'.

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22,November,2004

urlLink A private farm in Coroico  urlLink

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21,November,2004

urlLink Coffee beans

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20,November,2004

There are many orchids - about 30 types in Coroico. urlLink I thought it was the Ghost Orchid...

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19,November,2004

Behind the fuscia orchid lies a Coca Farm urlLink Coca is widely used by South Americans to ease the effects of altitude and pain.

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19,November,2004

Locals chew the leaves all day long. They smell like socks and taste like eucalyptus. At 2 pesos a bag, it doesn't break the bank. But once it's converted to cocaine, it does. urlLink Note: Superheroes wear sneakers too !

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18,November,2004

Nope! Not coca leaves. urlLink

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17,November,2004

Muchachos! James, myself and Chris at Hostal Esmerelda in Coroico urlLink '22nd April'.

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Virgo

16,November,2004

So where am I? At Sol y Luna, a tropical resort in Coroico, the 'Bolivian Eden' urlLink

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15,November,2004

...my eyes are closed. Breathy and disjointed sounds Escape from my lips as I sing Love ballads in a raspy tone. Exhausted for the sake of being exhausted. One melody blends into another. Through a pattern of leaves Above me, I stare at the dimming sky. It's now verging on evening. My hands have found a cosy home Tucked under my bottom as I recline And soak In an open-air Hot Bath Near my cottage.

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14,November,2004

urlLink See the blue curtain by the bamboo enclosure? It is the outdoor shower for the cottage - When I peek over the top, the Andes smile back. Misty peaks of lush, sub-tropical rainforest. Out there, beneath me, all around is a layer of cushion cloud, hugging the Andes. Priceless.

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13,November,2004

Sol y Luna's Maria was my Venus of Willendorf. She was the most cuddly sounding board and hearty cook a traveller could dream of having. urlLink

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12,November,2004

'Donde estan nuestra muchillas??' urlLink On the way to Copacabana, our white minivan had to make a river crossing at Tiquina. All the passengers jumped out for a break. Mikey and I were chatting to the locals for what seemed like five minutes, but when we turned around, we saw our van making the river crossing without us! (See the little white thing in the photo?) We enlisted another boatman to take us across and found our minivan driver on the other side, simply laughing casually...I guess this happens all the time.

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11,November,2004

urlLink This picturesque town called Copacabana is on the shores of Lake Titicaca. '25th April'.

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10,November,2004

urlLink The view from Copacabana.

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09,November,2004

urlLink Time for another silly pose in Copacabana.

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08,November,2004

My friend Mikey from Denver at 'Sun Island' in Lake Titicaca urlLink '26th April'.

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07,November,2004

Once a year at this Sacred Rock , a virgin was slayed in Inca times. It was an honour to be chosen! urlLink

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06,November,2004

Llamas were also sacrificed in Inca times. Although this one looks very alive! urlLink

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05,November,2004

Mikey and I walked up the hill at Isla del Sol to find a place to stay. Half way up, a cute local boy greeted us with a warm smile as he guided us further up the hill. He said: Me llamo Armin. Soy tengo catorce anos. Venga conmigo a mi hostal - 'Templo del Sol'. Esta es muy bonita! My name is Armin. I am 14 years old. Come with me to my hostal - 'Sun Temple'. It's very pretty. Mikey and I replied: Gracias Armin. Sin embargo nosotros quisieramos continuar buscando. Thankyou Armin. However, we would like to continue looking. He frowned and said: Por que? Yo soy el mejor guio! Tienen que pagar mi cinco pesos! Why? I am the best guide! You must pay me 5 pesos!

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04,November,2004

Mikey and I thought we were fit enough to escape the effects of altitude: headaches; fever; shivers; diarrhea and flu. Here is Mikey starting to feel it. When he got better, I started to feel it. urlLink

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03,November,2004

Blue Lagoon at Isla del Sol urlLink

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02,November,2004

We almost missed another boat here at Isla del Sol! I was trying to 'disappear' Mikey's headache and meanwhile, our boat to Copa drifted away...until we cried 'Esperar por favor!' (Wait please!) urlLink

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01,November,2004

Finally in Peru. Mikey and Magnus at Dinner in Puno..probably discussing pisco sour and pan flutes urlLink

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31,December,2004

urlLink Please ignore the dates, they are purely fictitious...'cept the ones in quotes.  urlLink

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30,December,2004

So I started at the bottom of this map and made it almost to the top... urlLink What a stunning part of the world. I felt criminal being there only five weeks.

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30,December,2004

Majestic peaks between Santiago and Buenos Aires. Was it worth the 40hr journey? Definitely! urlLink Skulkingly, I agreed to skip Patagonia so that I could meet a friend in Buenos Aires. '7th April'  urlLink

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29,December,2004

A week in BA with charming Evelyn was enough to change my mind about this place. To say I loved it would be an understatement...

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28,December,2004

The incredible herstory of Argentina is here on the railway station mosaic. From riches to rags, in short... urlLink '8th April'  urlLink

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27,December,2004

Naturally, people have lost faith in the Government and are deeply angry that their beloved Argentina has only memories to show for her past prosperity urlLink (did you read the fine print?)  urlLink

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26,December,2004

One of the things Argentina is very proud of is Tango urlLink '12th April'. Ellos son con el muy famoso 'Tango Sexteto' de BA  urlLink

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25,December,2004

urlLink She was the Queen of Tango with a voice like caramel. Simply hypnotic.  urlLink

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24,December,2004

urlLink Locals say that the sailors splashed their surplus paint on the facades of these terraces  urlLink

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23,December,2004

urlLink Evelyn just can't stop dancing! Here in La Boca, Tango is a religion. The professionals can feel it in their blood and do it with their eyes closed.   urlLink

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23,December,2004

Apart from yummy medialunes (lil croissants), Argies adore their Dulce de Leche or 'sweet of milk' (caramel). I, however, was hooked on their creamy mayonnaise... urlLink '9th April'. Proud purveyor at La Ferria  urlLink

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23,December,2004

MALBA Gallery is cutting edge by any standards urlLink Evelyn, Mariana and I are tangled in an installation outside the Gallery  urlLink

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22,December,2004

Nightlife in BA starts at 2am and rages on well beyond midday. urlLink Evelyn and I in wild anticipation before a night out.'9th April'   urlLink

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21,December,2004

urlLink Time for another silly pose   urlLink

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20,December,2004

urlLink And this man had a 'small' group!  urlLink

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20,December,2004

I lurve Buenos Aires urlLink I'm swaying in delight at La Ferria (the markets).'11th April'  urlLink

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20,December,2004

I felt like I was stepping into a childhood fantasy. Jungle, palm trees, giant butterflies, squawking birds and thick white curtains of water everywhere. urlLink '13th April'.  urlLink

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19,December,2004

urlLink

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18,December,2004

Three countries meet at the Iguacu falls: Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. A staggering 90% of the falls lie in Argentina although the Brazilians like to claim that they have the best view. urlLink

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17,December,2004

urlLink

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16,December,2004

Seven years ago on this jungle trail (Sendero Macucu), a jaguar killed a boy. Carlos and Alexandra look a wee-bit nervy. urlLink

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15,December,2004

The reward for getting to the end of Sendero Macucu was this divine, intimate little w o c k p o o l. A lot easier than a swim in an Argentinian public pool where you sign in, get a ticket, have a shower, get tested for Athlete's Foot, pop on some goggles and a daggy swimming cap and then (phew!) have a splash. urlLink

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14,December,2004

He seemed to have magical powers and wowed us with his intuition. 'Pick a two digit number, any two digit number...' he said. Sadly, we discovered he was a shonky shaman wanting to flog some potions and talismen urlLink

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14,December,2004

...on a bus from Iguacu to Salta. Thank God for Magnus. urlLink

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13,December,2004

Magnus urlLink

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13,December,2004

urlLink '14th April'

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13,December,2004

Lunch in Salta... urlLink ...with a random fugitive posing as a waiter

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13,December,2004

Salta by Night urlLink

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13,December,2004

Yep, buses are safer than...... base jumping . urlLink Especially when it's a Brand spanking new Double-decker monster. 3am. Blackness. CRUNCH. Somewhere near Bolivia. The bus zigzags for a bit and then stops. Que paso? (What had happened?) Our driver Took a snooze At the wheel And Hit a tree! While the front windscreen Was smashed, Noone was hurt. Not physically anyway. (The bus in the photo is just symbolic) '15th April'.

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13,December,2004

urlLink Women's fashion is phenomenal! This woman has all the trademarks: > A colourful, stripey bag which probably carries her bubba > Two plaits with woollen extensions > A daggy cardy (although an alpaca wool shawl is just as common) > A falda gordo (fat skirt) with 5 layers! > A suede bowler's hat (tilted for singles and flat for the rest) Given that they wear this day in, day out, you can imagine the curious aroma that wafts about at Tupiza bus station!