Errands...

Part of the shuffling I've been talking about is happening today.  So we have some outings to handle.  It's not going to leave me a lot of time to blog today.  I'll handle what I can now.  

• Allergies  suck
• Barking dogs suck
• Nosebleeds from allergy meds suck

That's part of my morning so far.  

It's time to say goodbye to September.  You were a weird month.  Nothing terrible happened, but you still weren't a pleasant 30 days.  

Hello October.  Nice to see you again Bringer of Candy, even if you do usher in the other holidays.  It's time to be Fall now, not fake Summer or early Winter.

Cya... 

Spent Again...

I'm very glad I cleaned the car yesterday.   It's doubtful I could've today.  We went shopping this morning & it was hellish.  The store was a mess, under stocked & very busy for a Thursday morning.

I was in the store forever & we didn't get home until late.  I'm glad I grabbed something off the deli or else we wouldn't have eaten breakfast until after noon.  I'm tired.

I'm so spent, my hands are making typing very challenging.  We have stuff to do tomorrow.  I hope it's less taxing.

Cya...

Should'nt Have Done That...

I was feeling a little better this morning.  We're in the process of shuffling some things around.  Due to this, the process is keeping us busy.  Because of this, I needed to clean out the little car.  I felt up to it & didn't know if I would tomorrow.  

That car is as clean as it's getting by me.  Now, I feel like crap again.  That car was a sty.  It even had a couple of mud dauber nests.    Then again, around here, those things get everywhere.   Even in the house on occasion.  At least they eat spiders,  

Oh well, I'm spent again, but the car is cleaner.  Still a pit, but a cleaner pit. Poor old car.

Cya...

Not Fun Night...

I went to bed a little early for me last night.  I wasn't feeling well.  All this allergy & brush cutting crap has taken it's toll on me.  I didn't sleep well last night.  I kept waking to hot/cold shifts in my temp as well as coughing fits.  At some point I got feverish & really hot.  I woke this morning feeling poorly & dehydrated.  No one in the house is faring any better, human or feline.  I really hope this ends soon.  I'm pretty exhausted.

Cya...

Service Interrupted...

The tree cutters from the electric company are back & this morning they gave us a surprise.   They knocked out our electricity.   They let something touch the lines that wasn't supposed to.  You'd think if your job was to clear limbs/brush away from power lines, you'd know not to let them touch.   Oh & BTW, they were doing all this while it was raining.   Someone could've & probably should've won a Darwin Award.

I got next to nothing done this morning, so I'm running behind.  I'll post tomorrow.

Cya...

Better...

I'm starting to feel a little better.  I wasn't this morning.  I woke feeling groggy & dehydrated.   I guzzled down a lot of liquids, took a shower & some ibuprofen.  That took the edge off of the morning yuck.  With any luck, this will last throughout the day.  I'm tired of feeling like crap.   

There wasn't anything for to me cover int he articles today.  I'll look again tomorrow. 

Cya...

Recovering Maybe...

I thought I was getting over being sick on last Monday.  But, I woke feeling awful yesterday.   I didn't really improve any until later last night.  I'm feeling a little better this morning, still not great.  I think this allergy season & brush cutting in our area just overwhelmed my system.   I have all the allergy symptoms, my limbs feel heavy & I'm exhausted.  It feels like a mild flu without a fever.

So far, my internet has worked all day.  That could change at any moment.  Suddenlink is like internet roulette. 

That's about as much as I feel up to today. More tomorrow.

Cya...

Short, While I Can...

Just a quick blip before Suddenlink craps out again.   The net's been gone all day & it's still cutting out.   I have no idea how long it'll stay up.  More tomorrow.

Cya...

Mabon, Lammas, Equinox....

It's here.  Mabon, Lammas, Equinox, call it what you want, but Summer has left for the year & Autumn is here.   Can't tell it by the 90+ temps were still having, but the trees are changing already.  Most to darker, drier greens, but soon to yellows, oranges, reds & browns.  

Summer 2016, you weren't the worst, but you weren't entirely pleasant either.  You stayed just cool & wet enough to keep the grass/bugs growing & to make us mostly a hot, steamy mess. So, until next year.

Hello Fall, let's try to actually be a season & not just impersonate Summer & then drop quickly into Winter.   I'd like a solid Autumn this time.  It's been years, since Fall actually felt like should & lasted any time.   It's time for sunshine, but crisp air.

Hope your 1st day of the season goes well.

Cya...

Another Small 1....

This article talks about a county of less than 40K in North Carolina.  Scotland County has joined the top 10 for HIV cases.  It's a small county & it's doubtful their coffers are overflowing.  Repeatedly these small areas are being hit with booms in HIV numbers.  I won't be surprised to find out this area has a serious IV drug problem.  It fits the pattern.   

These small places aren't ready or capable of dealing with this level of HIV.  They're not  really capable of with HIV at all.  Most of they lack the funds, know-how, man power or an attitude capable of dealing with this in an appropriate manner.   Another interesting thing about these counties,  is that they're all predominately Conservative Republican.   Chew on that GOP.

So same story, different town.  I doubt this is going to end any time soon.

Cya...

Little Better...

I'm feeling a little better than yesterday, still not great.  It doesn't help pollen levels have soared.  The temps have risen back into the 90's F.   Oh, the electric company is back with more hacking, chipping & spraying.  I hate this time of the year.  Until Halloween, there's nothing good about it.  At least then there'll be candy.  There's at least that to look forward to.  

Cya...

Not Good Morning...

My allergies, people's mowing, the weather, etc... all tag-teamed to make last night miserable for me.   I could barely breath before I went to bed & that was after taking allergy meds.  I woke in the middle of the night several times having trouble breathing & swallowing.  Nasal drip irritated my throat so much it had swollen.   Drinking water was hard.

I'm up & feel like crap.  I've eaten & gargled with salt water.  I feel a little better than this morning.  I'll gargle more throughout the day.  It's about the only thing I can do for my throat.   This sucks & I'm exhausted.

I didn't see anything new in the news, so no articles to cover.  I hope I feel better tomorrow.  I'll post more then.

Cya...

UK Choices,,,

During the last few months I've made some posts over the UK's NHS possibly being required to provide PrEP.   The NHS has said providing this medication will cut into their funds to treat people who are actually ill.  This snippet of an  article is just 1 of those around about how the NHS is cutting services to sick & dying people, so people who are too lazy to use condoms can have their PrEP.  

People with with medical issues in the here & now are going to lose treatment due to an avoidance tactic.   I wish seriously bad things on the people who pushed for PrEP to the point others will lose potentially life saving treatments.  The people who pushed PReP to this extent are selfish & indulgent.  They're being propelled forward by Gilead, so the pharm corp can line it's coffers even deeper.  There is nothing good to say on this matter.

Cya...

Ethnic, Poor, Drugs...

This article is about HIV rates in Saskatchewan, Canada.  They are higher than the national average.  Many of the + people are poor & indigenous.  Many are also IV drug users.   This is a good read.  It shows again how being fringe can increase your odds of contracting HIV.  It stresses the need for communication, testing & education.  Treatment only works if people know they need it & can access it.  

Cya...

10 Years Of Regular Testing...

This article is about what has happened in the last decade concerning the CDC's recommendations for regular testing for those with or at risk for HIV.  It's hard to believe this recommendation is only a decade old, but at least it's there & it seems to having an impact on matters.  The number of people who know their HIV status is far greater than it was back then.  It's an interesting read, give it a go.

Cya...

Different Perspective...

I'm not going to talk much about this article.  This article deals with being 20ish, black, female & hetero & HIV+.    I"m only 1 of those things, so this is different viewpoint.  This article isn't in depth, but still a good read.  It's interesting to see even though we're different, our experiences are similar.

Cya...

Rush Job...

Let's start with, I'm not an Arquette fan, any of them.    That's not a statement against them as people or actors.  I'm just not typically fond of their work.   Especially Alexis', it just wasn't what I like.  Now, that's out of the way.

Alexis Arquette has passed.  The media has swarmed in on this trans actor's death.  I don't typically use the word actress, so I won't now.  The media is gushing over how she absolutely passed from AIDS-related complications.   To the best of my knowledge, no official word has been made on the issue.   It won't matter, the vultures have seized on their tidbit & they're never letting go.  Even if they are wrong.

Was Alexis +?  I don't know.  What I know is a person died & all the media can do is wallow in the mess like dogs in crap.   Even allegedly reputable cites are talking about her death with certainty.  Without an M.E.'s report, I don't see how that's possible.

Even with a death, people love to revel in exploitation.  They're thrilled to point out the stigma.  For most it's just another horrible car wreck on the roadside they can't stop staring at. Nasty vermin.

Cya...

Not So Hot Tuesday...

For over a week, the electric company has been trimming branches in the neighborhood.   It's to keep them from breaking power lines this Winter.  The cutting, spraying, & chipping has filled the air with an immense amount of debris.  It's made the air almost palpable.  Combine that with the already high levels of ragweed & other pollen & breathing becomes very difficult.  

My roomie, the cats & myself are all being affected by this mess.  Screwed up, draining eyes, congested ears, stuffy nose/head, coughing, wheezing, etc...  I''ll so glad when this crap passes.

Even with allergy meds, I'm having a difficult time.  My eyes are so fuzzed & watering it's  hard to see what I'm typing on the screen.   I'm ending for now, maybe tomorrow will be better.

Cya...

Nuisance Morning...

I"m never been a morning person, but this A.M. was especially annoying.   The neighborhood was fulled with racket.   The electric company was out cutting limbs & throwing them into a chipper.  The neighbors were having their yard sprayed for bugs.   The guy spraying had a truck with a really loud pump.    The the same neighbor had to idle his damn motorcycle forever.  It's the crappiest sounding bike.  Then there were morning children screams & bird racket.

It was a loud, irritating morning.  This all happened before going shopping.  It actually made Walmart look decent.  Well, there's that.

Cya...

Quiet Day...

It's quiet here today.  My roomie went to Tulsa with her friend to see the 30th anniversary of Labyrinth.   I could've gone, but I've not been feeling all that great lately.  My allergies have been acting up a lot & my legs/feet have been hating on the weather.   I wouldn't have been driving, so I'd been in the backseat for several hours with little leg room.   That wouldn't have been fun.  

When you're chronically ill, sometimes things like this happen.  You have to balance what you want to do with what you can manage.  Not only what you can pull off, but what you can without significant consequence.  Like being worn out for days after whatever it was you did.  It would've been nice to see the movie, but not worth what I wouldn't paid for it later.

I hope she enjoys her trip.

Cya...

A Little Rain...

We had significant weather warnings last night.  Apparently, it did get windy & rain a little.  Not enough to wake me though.  I'm thankful for it.  I slept through most of the night & the weather helped a lot.   You never really realize how much you need good sleep until after a night of getting it.  

Not much going on today.  Have a good day everyone.

Cya...

Oh Industry...

Among the problems in this world is Industry.  Yes, I capitalized it.  Industry isn't just an economic thing or a sphere of employment & production.  It's a mode of being & for many the only 1 worth talking about.  Can we industrialize this thing?  Can it make us money?  Will it make us richer?   Will we be able to buy another diamond studded, toilet brush to replace the others?

This is 1 of the biggest problems with HIV.  Everyone has their hand out for their share of the pie.  There are direct medical supplies like tests, equipment & meds.   There are also all the other things; research papers, HIV/AIDS merchandise, magazines, films, care packets, blankets, clothing, etc... 

Sure, I write a blog about my life with HIV.  But, I'm not profiting from it.   Many have advanced their careers, reputations, even stations in life on the backs of those with HIV.  35 years later we have some meds, better lifespans & PrEP.  But, will we ever really get a cure or a vaccine?  

Not likely.  HIV is a difficult puzzle to solve.  But even more so, HIV is just to valuable for industry to give up.  Curing HIV is about as close as curing diabetes.

Cya..

Gut Bacteria II...

This is post is a continuation of the original Gut Bacteria post 2 days ago.  I'm not going much into this, but this article continues with the subject.  It promotes the use of probiotics as a means of aiding treatment & recovery for those people living with HIV.   It'll be interesting to see where this research takes the matter.

Cya...

1st September Trash Day...

Another Wednesday, another trip to the curb.  Hey, at least it's out of the house.  It's still warm & looks to be that way for a few more days.  I'm just a little off due to being on allergy meds for over a week.  I don't know how some people take these everyday.  

There's not much going on in the articles today.  Some talk about how huge of an HIV problem Russia is facing, or not facing.  Gilead does well as they talk about reformulations & pushing PrEP. Yippie.

I guess that's about all for today.  Stay well.

Cya...

Gut Bacteria...

In the last few years there've been a lot of studies over the biome &/or gut bacteria.   This article gives information on Spanish research over the correlation between gut bacteria & immune recovery in HIV patients.   The article isn't as thorough as I'd like, but it's newer research.  It's an interesting read.  Goes to show, the body has be viewed as a whole if we hope to push medicine forward.

Cya....

Allergy Meds & Lighter Fluid...

This morning I had my 1st serious nosebleed in a while.  It took a bit to get it under control.  I'm not surprised.  I've been prone to them with my allergies & meds for some time.  But allergy meds actually make nosebleeds far more common for me.   I can handle a few days on them & then the wheel starts spinning, eventually it's bound to land on nosebleed.

All the mowing lately hasn't helped.  Neither has the brush cutting/burning.  I think the worst culprit is the stench of lighter fluid my neighbors use to get their charcoal going.  It kills my throat & nose.  These people can't start a grill without a gallon of lighter fluid.

Other than that, things are going well here.  Shopping was no fun this morning, but when is it?  Labor Day weekend is wrapping up.

Cya...

I See A Worn Door...

I didn't paint the door black.  Nope, just white again.  The back door was looking pretty rough.  It got a couple new coats of paint.  The 1st coat just sank in & dried in no time.  The door was really porous.   

Not much else going on here this Labor Day weekend.   There's some laundry to get to, but that's about it.  The weather's pleasant, if only the ragweed would blow on out of here.

Hope you're having a good weekend.

Cya...

Allergy Meds...

I used to take my allergy meds a lot more frequently, but they started causing me a lot of issues.  The foremost being that they significantly increase my chances for a nosebleed.  The longer I take them, the more apt it is to happen.  

I can avoid taking them most of the year.  Not during ragweed season.  Unfortunately, today is the 6th straight day I've had to take them.  I'm sure I'll have a nosebleed soon.  

Allergy meds are a good example of trading 1 bad thing for another.  Taking the meds mean I don't have to deal with most of the allergy issues, like not seeing clearly.  But they also bring nosebleeds, slight swelling, overly dry sinuses & extra sinus drainage that irritates my stomach.  I normally opt just to deal with allergies, but right now I need the meds.  It comes down to choosing the bad thing you can deal with best.

Cya...

Friday & Shopping..

Went shopping  this morning.  The store was busy.  I guess everyone was getting their stuff for Labor Day weekend.  You know the time when they kill hamburgers  by grilling them outdoors marinated in lighter fluid.   

Other than that, nothing much is going on today.  I'm fine with that.  I'm doing my best just to deal with allergies.   I didn't see anything in the articles.  So, I'll end this for now.

Have a great weekend.

Cya...

BD Take 50...

Hello September, we meet again.  OK, let's try not to suck.  Hopefully the weather will be good & nothing too dramatic will happen.  

It's my birthday again, oh joy.  The 40's have left the building.   I'm surprised to still be hear.  Back in 2000 they were still only giving  people with HIV/AIDS 5 - 10 years.   They way I felt, I figured maybe 3 or 4. 

I could post some sarcastic things or even a pic of birthday cake.  Or maybe some video of Happy Birthday.  Up until last year, my dentist office would leave a message on your voicemail of them singing the song to you.  I was a corny, but nice.  I know it was just a computer program, but still they made an effort.

So Happy Birthday to all those born today.  Like Yvonne De Carlo sang, I'm Still Here,,,  

Cya...