Good Bye 2015...

This always feel like sort of a rip.  People talk about the year ending & poor December gets passed over again.   Both are virtually out the door  & I'm still feeling a bit weird about it this year.   Last year, I wanted 2014 gone already.  

I don't know what it is, but over the past few years, I really feel like things have changed.  Maybe not in a physical way so much, but some how.  I just don't really feel like myself much. I'm not sure who I do feel like though.  I'm not sure I like this new thing.

Maybe 2016 will be a good year, but still this time I'm anxious.  Not like I have a choice.  So, hello 2016, let's try to make this work.   Good bye 2015, you treated me fairly well & it was appreciated.  Maybe it's just the good byes I'm tired of. 

Have a safe & happy New Year's Eve...

Cya...

Treatment Adherence...

According to this article, life insurance companies are starting to insure people living with HIV again.   That's because their life expectancy is going back up closer to normal.  However, this is mostly only true of  a certain population; affluent, white males.   

There are at least 1.2 million cases of HIV in the USA.  Less than a third are being treated or maintaining a regimen.  Let the shock & awe begin.

There are numerous factors as to why a person may not adhere to their regimen.  This article refers to them as social determinants.  These affect the person's environment, health, resources & emotional/mental well being.  Some are:

• Cultural pressures & stigma
• Economic resources
• Lack of any resources; food, shelter, etc..
• Lack of support
• Being an addict
• Being in an abusive situation
• Mental illness

These things hit those living on the fringe the hardest.  The poor, some populations of color or ethnicity or just those not in a position to speak for themselves.

There's only 1 real reason to adhere to the meds & regimens,  The person wants to continue living.  For an extremely ill person with little or no resources or support, why would they want to endure that?  What are they fighting for?  Believe me, living with HIV is a fight.  Everyday can be trying in the best of circumstances.  For those in the worst situations, HIV must be utterly overwhelming.  Without support, then why should they bother?  Just to continue existing?  That could really only be said by someone whose never been in a truly awful situation.

For those that don't adhere, they are endangering their own lives & possibly those of others.  But don't shame, chide or ridicule them.  If you care so much, try to help them.  But don't open that can of worms unless you can really handle it.  Stepping into that will be a world most people will never glimpse & will wish they never had.

Cya...

3.. 2... 1...

2015 is almost over, there are just 3 days remaining.  This time last year I was ready for 2014 to be out the door.  I'm not in that place now.   This has been an odd year & I've been all over the place, but it hasn't been a bad year.  There were some upsets, but nothing insurmountable. 

The theme of the articles I've been reading the last few days has been shame.   I hasn't mattered if the article was dealing with being + or something else,: fat, sexually active, politically inactive, etc...  There's always a push for people to try to make others feel less about themselves.  It's stupid, but that's what some people do to build themselves up.  

It doesn't matter the reason, but whenever someone is trying to shame you, they're actually trying to tear you down.  Only those beneath you would try to tear you down.  Only those fearful for their own position in life would go on the attack over such matters as being +.

I finally got around to watching The Normal Heart.  It was gut wrenching.   I hate it how they tried to destroy the character Ned Weeks.   Ned was everything they needed & asked for, but couldn't handle.  The people the characters Ned & Tommy were based off were the only 1's worth mentioning in that sad group.  Their actions were what got things to happen, not those other closet cases.  If you haven't seen the play or the film, you should.

The final rain totals for my area are ranging from a conservative 9 to a high of 12".  That's a lot of rain.   A lot of roads in my area are closed.  Hopefully, the water will recede soon.

Stay dry.

Cya...

Post Storm Yuck...

The rains came in hard & lasted all day yesterday.   The totals vary where you look, but the rain was between 6 - 11".   I think 1 end of town got the low end & the far side got the high number.   It seems to be over with for now.  There's no more in the immediate forecast.  For that, I'm very happy.

This weather has left me feeling cold  & achy.   It's supposed to be under freezing every night for the next week.   More seasonal temperatures are finally here.  Maybe all the bugs will finally die off.   this weird December weather caused a flea outbreak. May they die soon.

My head is seriously fuzzy & congested.  I feel a bit flu-ish, but it's just the big weather shifts.  I hope everyone is safe & dry.

Cya...

Need A Boat...

In a little over the last 12 hours, we've had almost 6" of rain.  It's supposed to keep up like this all day & possibly through tomorrow.  We'd already passed our monthly rain averages & the ground was saturated.   The local rivers were already above their banks.  There's going to be some serious flooding.

I'm really surprised the net hasn't dropped.  It was iffy this morning.  Hopefully, it'll hold up.  Same goes for the power.  

They had forecast over 10" for the 3 day period.  At this rate we could meet those expectations.  That could be really bad.

Stay safe & dry.

Cya...

Rainy Day After...

The holidays have passed & we survived fairly well.  We had a good time yesterday.   After seeing the new Star Wars, we went to a friends for lunch.  I'm glad it's passed though.  It was a little tiring.  The holidays are okay, but I don't like the disruption they cause in everything.

I'm not going to post much today.  I'm just glad I can post.  The net blipped out earlier due to the weather.  It's likely to happen again.  We are having some serious rain.  They say the rain totals could range from 3 - 10".  That's a lot of rain in a few days.  I really hope we lean towards the low end.  We're already halfway flooded around here.  No snow for the south this year, just heavy rains, thunderstorms & tornadoes.   Yippie!

I hope your holidays went well.  Now gear up for New Years.

Cya...

Busy Christmas...

We've got things to do, shopping to do, movies to watch & people to see.  Shortly we'll be on the road.  So, no time for a long post today.  

These are my Holiday wishes for you:

• Be healthy
• Be happy
• Be safe

I hope those 3 things find you this day & for the rest of the 2015.  Take care & be kind.

Cya..