Annoying AM...

Went to bed last night just wanting to get a good night's sleep.   What I got was a lot of neighbor noise for a while. Then about 5:30 there was a massive cat fight (actual kitties) outside.  That was an off & on again bout for about 20 minutes.  Then when I'm just about asleep again, the carbon monoxide/smoke alarm starts chirping. 

Mind you, it's dark & I'm mostly asleep, so the 1st couple of ear-blitzing chirps weren't really recognized.  Finally, I drag my butt out of bed & have to get a step stool to get to the damn alarm.  I'm thinking it needs  its batteries changed.  I replaced them & as I was going to return the alarm to its roost, it starts chirping again.  

I turn the thing over & read that a chirp every 30 seconds doesn't mean the batteries are dying.  It means the alarm, itself, is dying.  I sat the thing down & went back to bed.

I get up.  Its a shopping morning, but I did manage to get my morning crunch routine done.  Then the internet starts giving me hell.  I'm having to load every page like 3 times just to get it to work properly.  I wind up leaving later than I wanted to go shopping.

I get there & find out that the alarm is like $35.  WTF?  Smoke alarms are like $10, but add on the carbon monoxide & you get a huge jump.  I leave it, thinking I'll go price these things online.  

I get home & unload groceries.  Then I hear a crash in the kitchen.  A back off of a chair broke & dumped my roomie on the floor.  Luckily, it looks like she's just banged up & no major problems.   Then we see the bills have come.  I also find out the Wally World price on the alarm is about par for the course.  

Out we go again.  I pay the utilities bills, buy the alarm & head home.  By this time, it's nearly 11:00.  We're both tired, hungry & just want to be home.  We picked up Chinese on the way from a new place. It was OK.  The soup was really good.

Over all my morning has sort of sucked.  I've replaced the alarm. I've taken my shower & I'm going to look at my online stuff & that is all for today.

Cya...

Continued Modifications...

Both my roomie & I are exercising.  Her perhaps more regularly than me these last weeks.  The thing we're both noticing during this endeavor is the continual need for modification.  We're both constantly tweaking our  routines.  To make them have more impact or simply to get them to fit into our day better.  

I've recently been having issues with my morning steps again.  The light is still a problem for me waking up.  It'll get better once the days start lengthening out again.  For now, I've decided to move my main steps to the midday & move my midday crunches & the like to the morning.  My butt is on the floor when I'm doing crunches.   No need to worry about tripping off of a step that way because I'm still half asleep.

The point is simple, most everything in our lives is a work in progress.  It'll need to be reevaluated & changed  periodically.  Regarding to a physical routine, some exercises may be abandoned altogether & others introduced.  

It doesn't mean you've done anything wrong or that you're failing.  It means you've recognized something isn't working or working as well as it should for you.  You acknowledged the problem & took a proactive stance in correcting it.  Life is about evolution through adaptation, practice & endeavor.  If you want to get nowhere, do nothing.

Cya...

Young Americans...

No, not the song, according to this article, some Americans are just not getting about HIV & their transmission rates are rising.  These people are between 13 -24 & just don't get it for some reason.

These people aren't only not paying attention to info on HIV, they're not getting tested.  Their chances of having HIV are higher & the odds of them knowing they're + are lower.  

The same fringe arguments can be presented here.  The further away from the mainstream, the more apt these kids are to catch HIV.  These are people that just don't know & may not care whether or not they have HIV.  They either think their lives are too screwed up to care about or that current medical treatments will make everything just hunky dory.  

This is just another reason why treatment alone is not a good answer.  Education is still a vital part in fighting HIV.  These young people are ignorant of their situation & this virus.   Education must be part of the war on HIV.

Cya...

Testing For Reasons....

Even though the CDC suggested routine HIV testing since 2006, the idea didn't really fly until now.  According to this article there are a couple of significant reasons behind that.  $ & criteria nearly halted the move for commonplace testing.

Until the US Preventative Services Task Force upped the score of HIV testing to an "A" (whatever that means), doctors found it difficult or impossible to get reimbursed for screening their patients.  There was also the idea of who was at high-risk.  It's become apparent health providers & patients are remarkably bad gauges of person's risk value.

The Task Force's new recognition of HIV screening & applying it to everyone makes it much more likely people will be tested.  This won't leave it up to people to fathom what their risk levels are.  It won't leave physicians wondering whether or not they'll be paid for screening.

It's just damned disgusting that it took this long for a health agency to make it so HIV testing was more available to everyone.  This should've been done during the 1990's, not a decade or 2 later. At least it's moving forward now.  This could have amazing impact.

Cya...

A Non-Manic Monday...

Today's been good so far.  Since I opted to shop later in the week, I didn't need to go the store this morning. That was nice.  I slept well, got up, did exercise & got around.  No muss, no fuss.  It's really good to have days when most of your need-to-be-done's are over before noon.   There's still more stuff to be done in the day, but nothing that has to be done at this very moment.

Too many people don't know how to allow themselves to have actual down time.  Or haven't figured out how to fit it in their schedule.  Downtime is a necessary thing for destressing.  It allows you to unwind & recharge.  I'm fond of the days when we have little to do & aren't feeling like we should be doing something. Days like this are really good for my health.  I get rested & my head cleared.  There'll be time for cluttered thoughts & stress tomorrow.

Cya...

Just Another Day...

Not much going on today.  I've been dealing with sinus issues for a bit.  I should've taken ibuprofen thi morning but for some reason I didn't.  This shifting weather from chilly to warm is being a problem.  It isn't so much the temperature, as the humidity levels & pressure fronts.  Not to mention all this shifting weather is being pushed by changing winds.  The wind has been going for days now, blowing debris.

I keep waking up dehydrated & stuffy.  I drink everything I can when I get up in the morning just to feel human.  For a while I feel like a dried out  sponge with sinus issues. It doesn't make exercise easy by any means.  It's problematic for my sense of balance & it makes me prone to throbbing, head rushes if I lower my head.  As the weather chills this will settle down, but for now this is no fun.  

Cya...

Postponed Shopping Day...

I normally go shopping on Fridays so I can avoid crowds & children.   However, yesterday was Black Friday, so I opted to go today.  It was still very busy & filled with a lot of other people who didn't go shopping yesterday.   

A lot of them were doing there regular shopping.  Some were still searching for deals & stalling lines down the aisles.  Others were obviously not the primary shoppers in their family.  Shopping is for pro's, amateurs please stay home or at least remember which side of the aisle to stay on.

Past the crowds.  Past the inconvenience of Wal-Mart.  Even past the children.  I have a major problem with rude shoppers & there were plenty of them today.  Please remember, most of us don't want to be there anymore than you do, so be nice or go the hell home.

I'm a good shopper, but I don't like it.  I hate the erratic nature of the stores around me.  I can't stand the rudeness of the people who think they're the only ones in the world shopping.  I really can't stand people's screaming children.  Let's just say that shopping is not good for my nerves. At least it's over for now.

Cya...

The Day After...

Thanksgiving has come & gone.  Today there are a lot of people busy with Black Friday.  Some are shopping.   Some are working.  Others are griping that buyers are consuming.  Others gripe that workers are laboring.  

The thanks didn't last long.  Some points on Black Friday.  The idea has been around for decades.  Many people have to work on this day & the days surrounding it.  Working on holidays is nothing new.  The sales on Black Friday may the only way some people make it through the holidays, consumers & businesses alike.   Finally, at least those people who are complaining about having to work on Black Friday actually have a job.

We have formally entered the Winter holiday season, whatever that may be for you.  Santa arrived at the end of the Thanksgiving Parade & now the mad dash is on to get the presents bought, the tree up & holiday memories made.  

This all sounds like a lot of rather unpleasant work.  I think I'd rather just stick to Thanksgiving & the turkey or even go back to Halloween & the jack o'lanterns.   Holidays shouldn't be this much fuss.  If you get stressed out over of the event, then how are you supposed to enjoy it?  Luckily, my roomie & I keep our holiday plans simple.  We'll probably have a very similar repeat of the Thanksgiving routine on Christmas & go see the Hobbit movie when it hits the theaters.  

Best wishes for your Black Friday & the holiday season.

Cya...

Another One...

This article is taking the push for screening even further than the last 1.  The U.S. Preventative Task Force is moving for HIV testing to become an annual event, part of the most common aspects of a check-up. 

As the article notes, it only takes 1 infected person to spread the virus.  People who don't know they're + are far more apt to transmit the illness.  Even if you can account for every aspect of your behavior, you can't for you partners'.  

A + diagnosis is no longer a death sentence.  It will most certainly change your life, but it doesn't mean certain demise.   With all the access to testing these days there is no reason not get tested.  You can know your status & take steps to either remain virus-free or keep from promoting the illness any further.

Cya...

Pre T-Day...

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving (US). There is a fair amount to cook, but not too much.  I'll get some done today,  so my roomie can take it tomorrow to her family's get together.  We've got the trash out, laundry done & possibly will get to some dishes later.  That'll leave only cooking & getting around tomorrow.  

I think you should stop from time to time & realize what you have in your life.  Take stock of the good & the bad.  Be thankful for the good & acknowledge it.  Do your best to limit or get rid of the bad.   There are things in my life right I'm not overly fond of, but I realize things could be far worse.

For those of you celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, I hope you have a great celebration.  For everyone else, have a great Thursday.  

Cya...

Get Tested...

This article & many others online today are discussing the push for people 15 - 65 to get tested for HIV at least once.  This would make more people aware of their status & aid in getting treatment for those infected. It would also help limit further transmission of the virus.  

The push is due to people's inability to accurately gauge their own risk levels regarding HIV.  They certainly can't speak for those of their partners.  The idea of a single test is for those not involved with any risk behaviors or women who are pregnant.  People who are engaging in risky behaviors &/or could be pregnant should get tested more often.

Medical professionals would like for HIV testing to become as common as checking cholesterol levels.  Depending on your health & the medications your on, you could check your cholesterol annually of every 5 years.   The point is to make this screening as standard as breast exams & routine blood work.  

The short of it is easy;  get tested, know your status, get treatment if needed.

Cya...

+ Navy...

This article discusses how a new policy in the Navy & US Marines will allow HIV + corps members to serve on foreign soil & on some ships.  This is the 1st big change in the how these corps handle + people since the 1980's.  Before this, most people would be fortunate if they were allowed to serve at all once being diagnosed as +.   If these people weren't immediately removed from service, they were not allowed on ships or foreign soil.

The new terms do require regular medical reviews & treatment.  That would be a given to remain healthy anyway.  This is a huge step forward for the Navy.  I agree with the decision, but I must say I'm a little surprised it came about.  This is a military that just recently allowed gay people to openly serve.  Allowing  + people to serve in this manner is acknowledging the changing reality of HIV.  I wonder if the Army & Air Force do now or will have soon similar allowances made for HIV + people.  

Cya...

Frustration & Grogginess...

Suddenlink struck again last night & it's still  not behaving well.  As if my internet ever behaves well.  It went out a little after 8 last night & wasn't back on before I went to bed.  Admittedly, I was annoyed with the situation & opted just to go to bed instead of waiting for the possibility the net might return.  

There is such a thing as too much sleep & I got it last night.  I went to bed irritated with the internet & woke up very groggy & fuzzy.  It was a definite shift in my schedule.  I wound up not exercising this morning.  I was just a little too out of it to trust myself doing steps.  

I get upset when things interfere with my schedule.   Especially things that I pay for, like my net service.  It should just work.  I hate talking to those idiots at Suddenlink.  1st you get some generalized grunt who knows nothing, but still wastes 15 minutes of your time before sending you up the ladder to a level 2 stooge.  The stooge puts you through some hoops but really doesn't know any more than a monkey with a script.  Finally, you get sent all the way to the wizard or least an assistant.  At level 3, they finally deign to tell you that there's an outage in your area & they're working on it as fast as they can.  There went an hour of your life & a little bit of your soul sucked through the phone.

Hopefully, today will be better.

Cya...

Undesired Change...

My roomie is dealing with a change in her routine.  An online service she frequents has announced it will be closing it's virtual doors.  This was something she used often & meant a lot to her.  To the best of our knowledge there isn't anything else out there like it.  Understandably, she's upset.

When you're a person living via restricted means for whatever reason, having order in your life is very important.  It lets you feel like there's some rhyme & reason in your life.  Once that order is threatened, you begin to feel like a leaf in a tornado.  

We're both on disability & not at the peak of health.   Our options & access is greatly limited.  When we do find something that suits our needs, it's a huge boon.  When something takes 1 of them away it's a very bad thing for us that easily ripples through our lives.  Sure, we'll get through it, but for a time it's very depressing.  

When you're ill, you have to make the best of things & anything that doesn't go along with that is a detriment.    Being on disability is both a blessing & an issue.  It allows for enough to stay afloat, but just barely.  Any change that happens in our lives winds up impacting every other part.  

Soon, this service will be gone & she'll be left without a suitable replacement.  This wasn't a change she expected, nor requested.  It was situation created by things beyond her control. When things like this happen in our lives, it's very important to accept what this meant to us & how it will impact us.  Recognition & acknowledgement are greatly important in our lives.  Even if it is to an online service.  

Cya...

Shifting Seasonal Concerns...

We're getting into the cooler part of the year.  Fall's nice warm days are growing brisk.  I haven't been taking my allergy meds for a while, but I'm having sniffles & sinus issues all the same.  Different seasons bring different health issues.  

I'm having to use lip balm now & lotion heavily after my showers to keep from drying out & chaffing.  I'm going to have to make sure my feet stay warm, so I don't develop any chillblains.   My dry skin is prone to developing eczema patches.  There cough fits when I exercise or after I come in from the cold.  

Luckily the light levels have changed after the end of Day Light Saving time.  This has made a huge improvement to my mornings.  Now, I just don't want to get out of bed because it's chilly. 

The point here is, every season has it's quirks for your health.  You need to be aware of them & do your best to avoid them or at least deal with them as soon as possible.  This is especially true if you're someone with a chronic illness.  

Here's hoping to a good Winter.

Cya...

Short Post...

OK, another short post, but this 1 is Suddenlink's fault again.  We're having crappy connection issues yet again.  They made an appointment with a 4 hour window.  I'm not sure when they'll show up.  Hopefully this gets fixed, but I doubt it.

Cya...

Wednesdays Back...

I've already said Wednesdays can be especially busy for me.  There's things I need to catch with on TV, online, household stuff, bath, exercise, trash & more.  Recently I've decided to edit my to-do list for the day so I'm not so overwhelmed.  None of it was hard, it was just taking too much time to get through it all. 

Today's gone's fairly smoothly.  I've gotten through a lot of what I needed to do already.  I've still have some slightly larger dishes to cook.  

It's sort of amazing, we're only 8 days from thanksgiving (US) &  40 until Christmas.  There are only 47 days left in 2012.  That gives me just 50 days until this blog turns 3 years old. Time certainly is flying this year. 

Cya...

Busy Day...

'Today was the 1st serious cold snap day for us.  It's been chilly, but there hadn't been ice in the outdoor cat water bowl until today.  We'll probably hit 60 F, but this morning was a wee bit nippy.

It's been a bit of a busy day.  I got my exercise done .  Then my roomie's appointment got cancelled, so we opted to drive over to Fort Smith.  It was a fairly successful trip, no major traffic issues.   We managed to get most, if not all, the holiday shopping.  Now, there's just wrapping & cards to send.  I still have to get a couple of last minute things for Thanksgiving & then my holiday spending will be done.  Woohoo.

I have a policy for buying gifts for people I'm not that involved with on a day to day basis.  Most people have way to much stuff in their homes & don't really want anymore junk taking up space. So, I tend to buy temporary things.  I buy seasonal candies, project toys, bath items or specialty food stuffs.  All things that are useful (or at least delicious) & soon to be gone.

Don't think you're being cheap if you buy these things.  Most people won't buy themselves the specialty goods they enjoy, so it's something you're fairly certain they won't have on hand.  Even if they do, who doesn't want more candy?   If they really hate it, they can always regift it.  I especially like project toys/crafts & cheap dollar toys for kids.  They'll probably get a bunch of bigger stuff, but these cheap things let them just play & if it breaks, so what?  It was only a buck or so.

I've got other stuff to get done, so I'll write more tomorrow.

Cya...

So Much For That Storm...

I kept it brief yesterday because we were supposed to have some huge storms.  Other people in my area might have, but all we got was a fair amount of wind & about 1/4" of rain. Oh, it huffed & puffed, but it failed to deliver much moisture.  

The best thing about yesterday was that it made it a bit cooler & darker.  I went to bed fairly early & got rested up.  Even though shopping was annoying today, it wasn't that bad because I was well rested.  I don't know why so many adults refuse to see the importance of getting good sleep.  When we don't, most of us end up acting like little cranky children.  

The best thing about sleep for me is that it's a good destressor.  If I hadn't gotten as much rest as I had last night the shopping trip to Wal-Mart would've seriously aggravated me.  Sleep, it's a good thing.

Cya...

Sky Grumbling...

I'm not sure how well my net will stay connected today.  It looks like we may be in for quite a storm here.  It's the 1st of the season.  There are major warnings everywhere from thunderstorms to tornadoes.   When I was a kid tornadoes were mostly a spring thing.  Now, they're whenever, wherever.  Strange.  I'm sure it has nothing to do with global warning.  Snark.

I hope it rains some.  Everything's been dry for far to long here & we're still have fire warnings.  I'd appreciate it if the pressure from the storm system would move on.  It's been intense & giving me headaches.   

I'm going to wrap this up before my net drops out.

Cya...

Born That Way...

This article isn't about a GaGa song.  It's about kids born with HIV.  It states 20% of those children born with HIV are unaware of their status at the time of their 1st sexual encounter.  Of those aware, many reported not telling their partner of their status at the time of the experience.  Nor did most of them employ condoms.  

For those unaware of their status, the parents/guardians are at fault.  However, for those that knew, they are at least partly to blame.  It's obvious there was a failure somewhere to teach these kids their responsibility not to infect others.  The problem here is these kids act like other kids.  They don't want to use condoms.  They don't want to risk alienation by telling their partners they're +.

Too many people are treating these young people with the proverbial kid gloves.  They're so worried about the mental health of these kids, they're not conveying the importance of taking their meds, discourse & safer sexual practices.  In many places what these teens are doing is considered criminal & punishable.  These + kids are assaulting their partners.  Their behavior is fraudulent. 

Their partners bear some responsibility as well for not insisting on condoms.  However, the parents & other adults around these kids have to be held responsible for failing to not inform these kids not only of their status, but of the health risk they pose to others.  If past that point, these teens still choice to have sex with others without informing them of their status or using condoms, then in my opinion, their behavior is criminal.

Cya...

50, Straight & +...

This British article states for the 1st time in the history of HIV, that heterosexuals are the leading population being diagnosed +.   

And this year for the first time, 70% of new cases were caught through heterosexual sex with 30% involving over 50's, mainly men.

There is still this idea HIV is the gay plague.  That it's something young people catch.  These 50 year old men still think they have no need to engage in safer sexual practices.  

Between this statistic & the sheer aging of the + population, HIV is rapidly becoming a serious geriatric issue.  Between ignorance, stigma & fear many people just don't know or even want to know if they are +.  England is not free of HIV stigma.  Many + people report discrimination & assaults due to their status being known.  

I have to say I don't personally have much patience with this 50+ crowd.  They were in their 20's when HIV really hit the scene.  They've had 30+ years to get with the program & they have chosen not to for whatever reason.  Due to that choice many of them are now finding themselves +.  

We ask kids to take better care of themselves & to be careful in whatever they do.  Why should they?  Why would they bother when they see their parents & grandparents being even riskier than they are?  If we want HIV stopped, everyone has to step up & be responsible.  It's well past time to learn about HIV & how to prevent it.

Cya...

Silver Bullet...

This article talks about a new approach to condoms.  It may not be a bullet, but it is silver.  They are talking about adding silver nanoparticles to condoms to fight against HIV & Herpes.  Currently there is a failure with  condoms preventing HIV, just as with pregnancy.  That's why they started using additives like Nonoxynol-9.  The additive was supposed to be a spermicide with the added benefit of fighting STD's.  It didn't exactly go as planned.  Not only is Nonoxynol-9 not good at preventing HIV, it can cause swelling & lesions in the genitals.  So, it can actually increase the likelihood of transmitting HIV.

The idea here is these nanoparticles of silver can somehow inhibit the spread of these STD's.  The article wasn't clear on the how of the matter.  The only thing I can say is that is bound to raise the price of condoms.  Still, any break through is a worth noting.

Cya...

Evolved...

This article talks about HIV in India & how that particular strain is evolving.   These sites talk about about strains & subtypes. (1, 2)   There's a lot of info on these sites about HIV & it's various forms.    The point of the original article is that HIV is adapting.   It's changing to better do what it does: replicate & spread.  

They've spotted at least 3 new strains.  This is immense.  The newer strains are better at promoting copies of themselves within the body.  We've allowed HIV to continue for so long that it has had enough time to adapt & become more deadly.  The longer HIV has to spread & the more environmental factors it's exposed to, the more it will evolve.

This could be a huge potential threat to disease management.  Any of these mutations could result in the virus becoming more or totally resistant to current medical regimens.  This is all the more reason to support education, prevention, testing & treatment.  It's the only way to stop HIV.

Cya...

Almost Done...

There aren't many articles today, except those dealing with the election (USA).  I'm avoiding that topic for a bit.  Quite frankly, I'm sick of hearing about it.  I'll know who won tomorrow.  I'm not sure how much of difference it'll make no matter which one wins .  The current one made too many promises he couldn't keep & bit off more than he could chew.  The would-be one gives me the creeps, same for his creepy little sidekick.  I think it's all that preacher hair.   

Do I choose the disappointing one or the one I find creepy & untrustable?  Tomorrow will know who won & we'll start to see how things are going to lay out for a while.  Until then, I hope you all have a great day.

Cya...

Another Day...

It's within reach, tomorrow is election day in the USA.  The major hyping will be over.   There will still be plenty of hoopla about the matter, but maybe the electoral BS will go away.  I hate this time.  You can't trust anyone.  A lot of people get very fowl during this process.  Candidates make promises no one could keep.  

There's a lot at stake here, but I'm not sure who will really do what.  I'll just be glad when it's done.  I'm sick of the BS on Facebook.  The abundance of emails & unsolicited phone calls.  I'm to the point that I think people should vote for the person who bothered them the least.  The one who's party made the least unwanted calls, sent the least amount of junk mail/spam or the party that made the fewest asinine comments about the issues.

Oh well, by Wednesday morning we'll know who was elected.   Then both sides can scream foul.  Just think, in a measly 30 months or so, the whole nasty process will start all over again.  Joy.

Cya...

It Arrived...

The 1st morning of no Daylight Saving Time crap was today & it was wonderful.  It was the 1st time in quite a while I woke up feeling rested & alert.  I got my extra hour of sleep.  The sunshine came peeping through my window at a decent time & let me acclimate to the morning.  My awakening this morning was slow & peaceful, instead quick & jarring as it has been for the past few weeks.

It's midday & I've gotten through most my exercise.  I haven't been rushed.  So far the day has gone very smoothly.  For this I am very grateful.  We had to worm the cats this morning.  I wasn't expecting to have to do this.  Any day last week, this would've frustrated me & the process would've left me very irritated.  Today, a well rested roomie & me grabbed the cats, dosed them & went on with our mornings, no big deal.

There might have been articles today, but I didn't look.  I wanted to write about how amazingly different I feel today in comparison to yesterday.  Morning light does wonders for me.  I can't believe I'm the one saying that.  I'm not a morning person.  However, if I have to get up, then I really do need the process to be slow & well lit.

For all of those of you who have to deal with Daylight Saving Time, I hope you're all enjoying the extra hour & morning light.

Cya...

Tonight's The Night...

I know I've been going on about this, but tonight is the night the clocks fall back an hour.  I'm not so much interested in the hour, itself, but the morning light it'll offer.  This last week has been really hard on me in the mornings.  I haven't gotten much done & I've been dragging.  

My internal clock needs that morning light to start the wake up process.  It's probably going to take a few days to get past the lag I'm in right now.  This morning was the worst of it.  I just did stretches this morning. I woke up feeling out of it & like I had a hang over.  This hopefully will lessen as the light changes.

None of this would be a problem if I didn't have meds that demanded to be taken at certain times & with or without food.  I get up when I do so I can take 2 meds that need to be taken on an empty stomach.  Then I have to wait an hour before I can eat.  Even if I get up when I want, get around & take my meds, by the time I get breakfast ready it's somewhere around 9:30 or a little later.  I don't want to have to push things by getting up earlier.  

We'll see what tomorrow's like.

Cya...

The Month of Thanks...

Thanksgiving (USA) is coming up soon.  It's one of the few independently made-up holidays I don't mind.  I think a lot of people, including myself, need an occasional reminder to be thankful for what we have.  Here are a few  things I'm grateful for at the moment.

• Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday
• Election crap is drawing to an end
• Autumn's being a nice season
• Our electric bill went down a bit  

Those are just a few things.  I think it's wise to be thankful for the little things in life.  Sometimes they're all you have.

Cya...

Criminalization...

This article is about a Canadian man found guilty of attempted murder for knowingly exposing his partners to HIV without their knowledge.   He didn't give them a chance to make an informed decision on whether or not to have sex a + person.  I'm not saying he was totally responsible, they choose to engage in risky sexual activity.  Still, he knew he was + & that makes him responsible for not willingly infecting others.

A lot of HIV activists oppose this type of judicial decision. I understand they're afraid this is a slippery slope & people could be charged for simply being + & not getting tested.  However, this man knowingly infected people.  He's an HIV + man not a brain-craving zombie.  He had reason & knew better, but still his desire to have sex superseded his partners' safety.

As the article points out, there are much better meds & treatments today.  So HIV is not usually the near automatic death sentence it used to be.  However, it's still far from living a normal life, you are dependent on meds & people do still die of HIV.  They compared this to being shot.  We have much better medical means to handle someone with a gunshot wound than a century ago, but you still got shot. 

This man may not have killed his partners.  However, their lives have been irrevocably altered.  These people will face difficulties & challenges they never would have faced if they weren't +.  

In my opinion, when a person knowingly infects someone with a deadly virus, rapes someone, or physical traumatizes them, that person has killed part of their victim.  This other person may still have a pulse, but they will never be the person they were before the event ever again.  I find that as bad & in some case worse, than attempted murder.

I do get why activists against criminalization are worried, but on this matter I disagree.  This man destroyed these people's lives so he could have sex.  His utter disregard for them makes him a diseased beast & in my book you shoot rabid dogs.  This man should be put down, before he infects more people in prison or gets out & starts all over again.

Cya...