A Bit Earlier Today...

Well, despite being super busy again at work today, I thought I'd start my blog a bit earlier than usual. Mostly because there's so much interesting happening in the news, and I felt obligated to share... To start my morning, I was pleasantly surprised to a hot breakfast of 4 eggs and toast after hopping out of the shower. Perhaps that's why I'm in such a good mood today. I feel so loved. Also, it seems my ulcerated tonsil is finally starting to heal. I didn't have much pain at all this morning. And, my lymphs in my throat finally seem like their deflating a bit, though they are still a source of tenderness. So, life is going well...

Horoscope today reads Despite the work that's accumulated over the past few days, you're ready for a break. Can you take one? Is there someone you can call on to fill in for you? Bet you have more than one IOU out there. Seems appropriate. I was just complaining to our secretary that it's been over a year since I had a real vacation. Mind you, the last vacation I took was probably the most memorable of my life, but it's still been far too long. Dear Mike... Wonder how he's doing anyway. I promised, and renigged on my promise to visit him in Montreal before the summer was out. I don't think I've even called him to give him my new phone number. I really feel terrible, and yet, I feel like there has been enough happening in my own life lately, I haven't really had a chance to even consider those not in my immediate circle. How very disrespectful of me... Well, at least I got around to calling my dad finally and wishing him a happy birthday. Lame of me not to think of it sooner.

The world is abuzz with news today. It seems that everything is being turned on its head. The French finally figure out their deficit situation, while the US seems content to build a bigger deficit under the current administration. So much for democratic spending theories. It's really scary to see the national debt. And while no one seems to want to help with Iraq, even Lebanon feels compelled to help arrest Al-Qaeda members. While the US is pushing for longer work days and less overtime pay, the European Union is making it more difficult for it's members to opt out of the 48 hour maximum work-week law. Meanwhile, Germany, Brazil, Japan, and India make a bid for permanant seats on the UN security council. I can only see steps toward a world nation as good for peace, in the end. I know I'm not the only one who shares this idea, even if it is an unrealistic, idealistic vision as possible to achive in the next 10,000 years without some major uniting event. Although, if September 11th is any indication, the western world can be united, if only momentarily. I digress. Back in reality, more than 100 foreigners have been abducted in Iraq over the past 17 months, as part of efforts to destabilise the US-backed interim government and to drive out foreign troops. I don't know about anyone else, but I can only recount about 5 of them. The nature off the killings is so brutal. Beheading is a violent act, as is any death, but the anger that must be present when it is necessary to saw the heads of victims for nearly a minute has got to send a pretty clear message that we're not exactly welcome. Perhaps if it were Bush's daughters, he might reconsider our presense there. The death toll in Haiti from Tropical Storm Jeanne is up to 700 now, today, with over a thousand still missing.

Why is it the Canadian's seem more concerned about privacy of American's than American journalists? This article was talked about on Air America yesterday, but was no where to be found on CNN. John Ashcroft's Transportation Security Administration has asked airlines to hand over passenger records, which include the date & time of flight, the destination & departure cities, how the flight was paid for, and what you ate on the flight which might help determine your ethnic origin. Secure Flight replaces a previous plan that would have checked passenger names against commercial databases and assigned a risk level to each. That plan, which cost $103-million (U.S.), was abandoned because of privacy concerns and technological issues. The system isn't likely to do anything, aside from invading your security, and making flights more difficult, as experienced by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., who were stopped at airports because people with their names appeared on watch lists. Kennedy said it took him three weeks and several calls to federal officials to clear up the confusion. Apparently, they even think Cat Stevens, the 1970s recording artist, is a threat. Since I'm not a senator or famous musician, I'd hate to see how much trouble I would have clearing my name from such a list. Speaking of flying, it seems we finally might get our wish for flying cars, according to this article. Ever wish you'd won the lotto? It didn't help this man, who's home was burglarized, only to find the winner dead inside already. Doh!

Welp, that's it for today's edition. See yall tomorrow!

Day Two..

I'm sure by now, most everyone has given up on the possibility of me actually sticking with a blog a day, but as promised, I couldn't let everyone go without an update. :-) Today was a crazy day at work. With two new hires, and a desk move of my own today, I kept busy trying to make the three of us happy. Not getting a chance to post a blog, I did manage, however to chitchat to my best friend, Joe, over email about his upcoming move into this house. I definately wish the best for he and his wife, and while not the property they'd originally hoped for, this will probably fit better with their lives as well.

Right after work this evening, I rushed out of the office to fight traffic with a 1.5 hour commute to the east side of town to play bingo with Jamie and his mom. Of course, we didn't win, but it was fun none the less. Jamie's mom truely is a wonderful person, and I'm happy to have my better half's family actually accept me, unlike my previous boyfriend's parents. So, I'm sitting at home right now, writing my blog, probably sounding long winded, but it really was a pretty uneventful day, even if it was an enjoyable end.

It occurs to me that I have yet to with my father a happy birthday, despite his birthday being yesterday. Hopefully I'll remember to send him a belated greetings tomorrow. Add that to forgetful list of things that I should have done today. Other things I blew off tonight included a board meeting with Friend's Alliance, but I didn't feel bad, since in a very short amount of time, Friends Alliance probably won't be in existance, and it really is a conflict of interest for me to be on the board when in fact I'm the named vice president (interim position) at Wings until they can get things sorted out and on their feet with an official set of bylaws. I need to call Simon and find out what's going on with all that anyway...

My horoscope for today.. not nearly as fun as yesterday's: September 21, 2004 - Keep one thing in mind now, no matter what happens: Nature abhors a vacuum. So if something leaves your life, all you have to do is prepare for what comes next. Sure it sounds easy -- it is.

I dunno what I'm supposed to be losing, but I'll keep in mind that if something *does* get lost, I'll be sure to remember that something will quickly take its place. Oh well.

In the news today, long awaited, the Star Wars Trilogy was finally released today. Thanks to my friend Victor, I could be getting a copy shipped for roughly $37 off amazon.com. Not too shabby! Also, I was pleased to see Nintendo finally set a confirmed date for it's upcoming Gameboy DS system of November 21st. The new unit looks pretty good, but pales in comparison to Sony's upcoming PlayStation Portable device. I'll probably buy one just for the exclusive Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children exclusive movie title. What can I say, I'm a sucker for all things Squaresoft.

More seriously in the news, a second US hostage was killed today. Meanwhile, Bush defended his policies in Iraq to the UN, while he should really spend more time explaining them to his public. A man's personal fight to legalize funds for stem-cell research surfaced today on CNN. More proof that religion should not get in the way of good life-saving science or sense in the sake of political "morality," whatever that's supposed to mean. In HIV news today, health experts are calling for testing of Africans for TB and HIV at the same time, which could save over 500,000 lives. Meanwhile, India is counting its list, and checking it twice, with the second largest HIV infected population worldwide behind South Africa. In a recently released report, while half of infected people in India are aged 10-25, only 59% actually knew what a condom was, much less how to use one, however. It could spell bad news for the world's most populated nation. Meanwhile, it's rumored Britney Spears finally got married this past weekend during the Emmy's. Good for Britney, even if it was a white trash wedding that doesn't stand a chance of survival.

Anyhow, hope all enjoyed today's info. Hope to see ya'll in tomorrow edition. Take care!

First Blog...

So, today is the premier of my Web Log, or "Blog" for newbies. After some consideration regarding recent questions about my health, and the latest happenings in my life, I've decided to create a place where people can go to see a copy of my labs online, know exactly what's going on in my life, or find more about me in general. I promise to add at least one entry daily, so feel free to check this site often for updates.

Since the primary part of this is to relay information about my health, for those of you who don't already know, I've recently started taking two drugs to manage my HIV. They are called Sustiva and Truvada. I've had little side effects from the combo drug therapy, Truvada, which was approved recently. The Sustiva has been a bit harder to take, with the nastiest side-effect being diziness. Day 4 on the medication, however, and the side effects seem to have minimalized already. I can only hope this is a sign of good things to come. I'm still awaiting my genotype testing to come back, but I'm hoping this is a regime I'll be able to stick with for the next 5 years or so... It's pretty simple. Two pills, once daily. I can live with that.

The AIDS walk yesterday seemed to be a success, however my mom was disappointed to report that we collected 10% fewer funds this year. Odd, considering most I talked to more than doubled what they'd collected. I was incredibly proud of my Aunt Verna who, in spite of recent knee replacement surgery marched on to the bitter end of that 5K walk. It's nice to know some people would push themselves to the bitter edge to collect every last dime from jerks who wanted her to walk instead of just collect money. I felt very loved.

On to the fun stuff... So, my horoscope for today from Astrology.com is as follows: After days of brooding, you're ready for some fun -- some excessive fun. You won't want to spend your time with anyone who isn't feeling equally extravagant. Invite someone over who's willing to cooperate. Sounds good by me. I've had enough seriousness for one year, and by golly, I'm ready to let my hair down and relax a bit. Anyone up for skydiving? ;-)

News related, anyone else feel nervous about the goverment just "losing" a nuclear bomb? How scary is that? Meanwhile, Europe gets smart about AIDS prevention programs. (Why have we banned the use of federal money for needle exchange programs? DUH!) The US claims invading Iraq was legal, despite UN allegations otherwise... Meanwhile, Tony Blair continues to be Bush's bitch, despite an overwhelming majority of UK citizens that disapprove of his actions. Meanwhile, Bush claims Iraq situation is improving overall, while the media seems content on hiding the truth. Stop the insanity... Tropical Storm Jeane picks up steam while leaving 90 dead in Haiti. Thank god my friend Mike is home.

Nothing special planned for tonight. Working out, group.. The usual Monday stuff. Hopefully Derek and Romaine will have something fun for me on my drive home.

Hope all is well with everyone!