Still here!

[MarcoPoz]

17th 'anniversary' of being pos has come and gone (actually forgot it until a month later).  Not always 'compliant' about seeing my ID doc as often as they say I should.  They want be there 3-4 times per year.  I seem to make it twice a year with a few fly-by's lately because of some odd things putting me in the ER (sports injuries and TIA's)

I just started my 14th year working in HIV.  One might think I'd be burnt out by now.  Living with HIV and working in the field, running an advocacy group and trying to 'teach' physicians etc should be enough for one pozzie, eh? ;-)

I think I'm still here because anger and my hunger for social justice can be soul-food.

Maybe it's that I'm bouyed over some of the peaks and valleys by the memories I have of all the beautiful friends I've lost.

Maybe its simply dumb luck because I decided to wait and see when the first meds came out.


Could be that I'm surround by people who openly tell me they love and respect me.

Could also be that I can't think about dying while there are SOOOO many idiots spouting trash about this disease and I've decided that its my roll to initiate their public spankings ;-)

Maybe it's because I could give a rat's ass about (my own) stigma anymore--I mean what can someone do to me--give me AIDS?

Could be that I take only a few things very seriously anymore.  They are:  Good food, good friends, good wine/beer, good sex and a good grounding in mother nature.

Yeah--somedays it all gets to be too much and I spin around with the winds of drama--but mostly--living longer has made me realize that living BETTER is the whole enchillada.

All the above is JUST my opinion--your mileage may vary.

[Peter Staley]

Happy 17th, Marco!  Great post, and great attitude towards life -- always enjoy reading your updates.

Peter

[Lisa]

Good  see you around old friend. Also good to see that you are still plugging away.
Go get'em kiddo!  Your post uplifted me today.