backpacking rules

got this from rerunaround, reposting it here.
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This list probably exists in several places and versions all over the interwebs, but whatever. Before you or your mom go off on some backpacking cavalcade, memorize these rules. There’s a whopping 20 of them, so I put most of them after the clicky.

1. (I’m saving the #1 spot in case I think of something that’s actually important.)

2. If it has wheels, it is too big. Leave it at home.

3. Top bunk makes the rules.

4. Rickshaw drivers are not a reliable source of condoms.

5. In many countries you are a spoiled rich twat, so stand up and let that tired local have your bus seat.

6. No whining. Seriously. Everyone universally hates a whiner.

7. If it tries to bite you, bite it first. Or run like a bitch. Your call.

8. Various hand signals mean different things in different places, but a genuine smile is universal.

9. Everyone poops. Some just more predictably than others.

10. If someone yells, “Bust a move!” while you are clinging to the side of a moving bus, you are excused from said move busting. This does not however apply to, “Strike a pose!” or “Shake your babymaker!”

11. It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again. Seriously, sunburns are so not cool. Lube up, Catherine.

12. Learn these words in the local language: hello, goodbye, please, thank you, yes, no, sorry. If you’re gunning for the honour roll, then add these: toilet, how much?, what the fuck?!, numbers 1 – 10.

13. A van is only half full at 13 passengers.

14. Don’t feel like you have to go faster, slower, better, or travel like people tell you to. You don’t have to love the Museum of Income Tax Forms just because that drunk European couple said it was the tits.

15. Be polite and offer to hold a fellow bus passenger’s chicken while she breastfeeds two kids. Whether they are her kids or not.

16. Don’t eat anything that is larger than your own head. Remember, it inevitably has to fit out the other end too.

17. Thou shalt not turn on yonder hostel dorm light after people are asleep.

18. A backpacker that has acquired a car of their own is no longer a backpacker. They are now backpacking aristocracy, and you had bloody well better buy them a beer if you hope to ever escape the chicken buses.

19. Be nice. Do unto others as you would have them do unto your own mother. Remember, you’re essentially a smelly, impoverished ambassador for your country.

20. Don’t leave home without a towel. Douglas Adams wasn’t just trying to sell an astronomical number of books when he advised that the one thing you need is a good towel…

“A towel, it says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapors; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy River Moth; wet it for use in hand-to-hand-combat; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (such a mind-boggingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can’t see it, it can’t see you); you can wave your towel in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough.” – Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Alright kiddies, thems the rules. Don’t say I never told it to you straight.

change

taking a career quiz as i've gotten the feeling that i want to shift careers. in this quiz, one is asked to tick a sentence which one feels most or least attracted to do. in one number, i've chosen to plan a birthday party for children over parachuting from an airplane. five years ago, i'd choose the latter over the former.
i think i've changed.

lines..

..i try to stand by.

faves from i dunno where

love

by peacelovelaugh101

horse forecast in 2010

from astrology.com
The Horse will experience a more favorable year than the other signs, the only exception being the Dog. The year's ruling element, Metal, is not one of your best and will likely temper what would otherwise be an outstanding year, to just a very good year on all fronts. You are poised to achieve gains in many areas of your life and have a great time doing it. The Horse is forecast to have an entire year without even one unfavorable month in 2010, a very uncommon phenomenon. This is not a time to hold back or sit on the sidelines. Rather, you should proceed through the year at a gallop. You may not win every race, but there will be many times you do reach the finish line first. Keep in mind the Tiger's influence tends to be a bit reckless. Occasionally tighten up on the reins and be more careful.

Career
The Horse is well positioned for a year of marked progress in reaching professional goals. The Tiger will be ushering in change and uncertainty. For a typical Horse, your love of variety and diversity already gives you a natural advantage over your competitors. If you are in a in a career you enjoy, the unpredictable challenges should be exhilarating. If you don't love your industry, seek new employment as early as possible, and you'll likely make a quick, rewarding transition. Horse sign people are often blessed with a deeply held, personal confidence that they will succeed. This belief in yourself will also benefit you, but don't think you have failed if you don't accomplish every goal you set for 2010. The year is about being proactive and setting the stage for ultimate achievements. You can expect to see more of those next year.

Relationships
The Horse's interactions this year should be very rewarding. You may find yourself highly in-demand with friends and acquaintances, and your social calendar is bound to conflict at some point with your responsibilities. As a Horse sign person, you know how to enjoy a raucous time, but in the end you are not likely to risk your true objectives. Don't let the impetuous Tiger lure you too far down the path of temptation. In your personal life, you may find yourself attending more than usual to domestic matters or family obligations, and actually enjoying it. This year should be more conducive to romance than recent years, and 2010 is an auspicious year for engagement or marriage. If you have been single or lonely, you are almost sure to find someone to feel passionate about, especially during the spring and summer months.

Health
Horses often get away with neglecting their health for long periods without experiencing negative consequences. While this may seem like a blessing, it can actually be a disadvantage because you learn to take your body for granted. As strong and resilient as you might be, you cannot endure continuous abuse without paying a price. Furthermore, those life-enhancing habits like regular exercise and nutritious foods only get harder to adopt with with time. In such a busy and active year as this one, it is almost certain your brain will be getting all the exercise it can handle. It will actually improve your performance in all areas of your life if you treat your body as well as you treat your mind.

Wealth
Finances could be the weakest area for Horses this year. You may be deluded by illusions of grandeur when you receive a raise, or a large sum of money. The Tiger may influence you to spend it, but excessive luxury purchases are not advised. You are likely to face unexpected expenses, and your security will be improved if you set aside as much of your money as possible in savings and secure investments so you can cover the additional outflows without worry. You will fare well by making a habit of living below your means. Needless to say, it is not a good time for gambling or risk; don't trust your luck where money is concerned.

favorite character - Q

fave tv series

it is momentary discussions like these that made me make star trek TNG my favorite tv series.

tv themes i love

pikon

laro ba to?!?! laro ba to?!?!
leche. bwiset.
ayaw mo di wag. kala mo sinong pinipilit.
nyeta.

2-in-1: children's school cum military camp

Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT)
22-A Libertad Street, Brgy. Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Telefax: (02) 7173262

PRESS STATEMENT
December 11, 2009
Reference: Fidel Fababier, Secretary General - ASSERT (0922 982 3417/ 0917 832 4239)

Protect Our Right to Education, Save the Teachers
Yesterday, as the world celebrated International Human Rights, a group of CAFGUs or civilian volunteer organizations kidnapped seventy-four individuals including teachers and school children in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur and on the same day, the Vice-President of Basilan State University in Isabela, Basilan was snatched by armed groups believed to be the Abu Sayyaf.
Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers or ASSERT, a national teachers organization made up of various public school teachers´ federations is condemning such acts of violence as they not only endanger the lives of teachers but draw irreparable damage to school children.
We denounce in the strongest terms these groups who have transformed our schools into war zones. This is not the first time teachers are made to play the `sacrificial lamb´ or `human shield´ but in almost all instances, the perpetrators are not brought to justice.
By preying on teachers assigned to remote areas, it puts the right to education at risk. In fact, what they are holding hostage is our ability to teach, to mold the future of the country. And no teacher can prod learning from thousands of children mired in strife, fear and war.
Likewise, we believe that militarizing our school grounds such as the case of the public schools in Maguindanao which are now make-shift military camps by the AFP only compounds the problem rather than solves it.
We caution the Arroyo regime in using such incidents to justify repressive measures such as imposing Martial Law or worse. To do so would serve no one´s interest but her own.
We demand that the Arroyo regime to be true to the letter of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers and make available to teachers the social protection that is due to them, enshrined in its 34 provisions.

mabuhay ka, kaibigan!

since i'm currently in between jobs, i was able to listen to Padaca's interview over the AM radio (more of radio than a TV person). sad. it was then followed by Armida Siguion-Reyna reading a poem (are they usually playing this on the radio?)
found the poem from Atticus' site. hope she doesn't mind me reposting the poem here.

TAGUBILIN AT HABILIN
Sinulat ni Jose F. Lacaba
Binigkas ni Armida Siguion-Reyna
Musika ni Ryan Cayabyab


Mabuhay ka, kaibigan!

Iyan ang una’t huli kong
Tagubilin at habilin: Mabuhay ka!

Sa edad kong ito, marami akong maibibigay na payo.
Mayaman ako sa payo.
Maghugas ka ng kamay bago kumain.
Maghugas ka ng kamay pagkatapos kumain.
Pero huwag kang maghuhugas ng kamay para lang makaiwas sa sisi.
Huwag kang maghuhugas ng kamay kung may inaapi
Na kaya mong tulungan.

Paupuin sa bus ang matatanda at ang mga may kalong na sanggol.
Magpasalamat sa nagmamagandang-loob.
Matuto sa karanasan ng matatanda
Pero huwag magpatali sa kaisipang makaluma.

Huwag piliting matulog kung ayaw kang dalawin ng antok.
Huwag pag-aksayahan ng panahon ang walang utang na loob.
Huwag makipagtalo sa bobo at baka ka mapagkamalang bobo.
Huwag bubulong-bulong sa mga panahong kailangang sumigaw.

Huwag kang manalig sa bulung-bulungan.
Huwag kang papatay-patay sa ilalim ng pabitin.
Huwag kang tutulog-tulog sa pansitan.

Umawit ka kung nag-iisa sa banyo.
Umawit ka sa piling ng barkada.
Umawit ka kung nalulungkot.
Umawit ka kung masaya.

Ingat lang.

Huwag kang aawit ng “My Way” sa videoke bar at baka ka mabaril.
Huwag kang magsindi ng sigarilyo sa gasolinahan.
Dahan-dahan sa matatarik na landas.
Dahan-dahan sa malulubak na daan.

Higit sa lahat, inuulit ko: Mabuhay ka!

Maraming bagay sa mundo na nakakadismaya.
Mabuhay ka.
Maraming problema ang mundo na wala na yatang lunas.
Mabuhay ka.

Sa hirap ng panahon, sa harap ng kabiguan,
Kung minsan ay gusto mo nang mamatay.
Gusto mong maglaslas ng pulso kung sawi sa pag-ibig.
Gusto mong uminom ng lason kung wala nang makain.
Gusto mong magbigti kung napakabigat ng mga pasanin.
Gusto mong pasabugin ang bungo mo kung maraming gumugulo sa utak.

Huwag kang patatalo. Huwag kang susuko.

Narinig mo ang sinasabi ng awitin:
“Gising at magbangon sa pagkagupiling,
Sa pagkakatulog na lubhang mahimbing.”
Gumising ka kung hinaharana ka ng pag-ibig.
Bumangon ka kung nananawagan ang kapuspalad.

Ang sabi ng iba: “Ang matapang ay walang-takot lumaban.”
Ang sabi ko naman: Ang tunay na matapang ay lumalaban
Kahit natatakot.

Lumaban ka kung inginungodngod ang nguso mo sa putik.
Bumalikwas ka kung tinatapak-tapakan ka.
Buong-tapang mong ipaglaban ang iyong mga prinsipyo
Kahit hindi ka sigurado na agad-agad kang mananalo.

Mabuhay ka, kaibigan. Mabuhay ka.