Recently there have been 2 threads that started trying to be positive but ended up moving into a lot more complex history of HIV. I'd like everyone to just tell us of something positive that has happened in their life since dx, particularly if related to HIV.
Dot points appreciated. You don't have to explain it. It can be light hearted or something more profound. There are 1000's of people out there living happy, healthy lives. I'm sure some positively amazing things have happened to them that they can share, particularly with he newly dx.
- I got a free flu shot because of because of my immune system 'status'... and here I was thinking I'd have to wait till I was 65 to get a freebe.
- I'm closer to my mother then ever. We hugged for the first time in 15+ years.
- I respect myself.
Heart-shaped sugar cookies with pink 7-minute frosting on top (pictures available upon request).
Recently there have been 2 threads that started trying to be positive but ended up moving into a lot more complex history of HIV. I'd like everyone to just tell us of something positive that has happened in their life since dx, particularly if related to HIV.
This is like swimming with sharks and chumming the water. I mean you really should've seen this coming, prince.
I find it disheartening when folks insist on HIV having some mystical power, as if it could compel you to do anything. If you want to talk about positive changes in your life or outlook, those changes came from you and not any virus. This is all some of us are saying. HIV is simply a virus, nothing more. It does not think, reason or feel, however we, as human beings do. I am the first to celebrate when the newly infected become more secure in their view of the world, but HIV had nothing to do with those changes. Those changes came about, because of the person involved and to me, that is what is worth celebrating.
Exactly how is your comment meant to contribute to this thread? Please keep your flamebaiting to yourself.
Joe, I'm not sure what your problem with me is, but get over it. The guy asked if anything positive has happened in people's lives and people posted snarky sarcastic things instead of the intended purpose of the thread. I personally didn't need to be clairvoyant to know that was coming.
As for your PERSONAL feeling that being infected with a virus has 0 positive impact in people's lives you are entitled to your opinion. However, some people become very reflective on the way they are living their lives and begin to live with a new intensity and purpose as their mortality is driven home by their diagnosis. If you don't like it so be it, but stop trying to be the authority on what other people think and feel as a result of their diagnosis.
Joe, I'm not sure what your problem with me is, but get over it. The guy asked if anything positive has happened in people's lives and people posted snarky sarcastic things instead of the intended purpose of the thread. I personally didn't need to be clairvoyant to know that was coming.
As for your PERSONAL feeling that being infected with a virus has 0 positive impact in people's lives you are entitled to your opinion. However, some people become very reflective on the way they are living their lives and begin to live with a new intensity and purpose as their mortality is driven home by their diagnosis. If you don't like it so be it, but stop trying to be the authority on what other people think and feel as a result of their diagnosis.
You chastising others for making snarky comments is just too precious, darling. People who live in glass houses should fist fuck in the basement. Unless exhibitionism is their thing in which case I suppose it's alright . . . .
Fark! Which self-help brochure do you copy this shit from? ::)
MtD
@jkinatl2...Wow! You done?
"Do not come to AIDSMEDS looking to enjoy your virus, or be grateful for it. Come here for honest, truthful, sincere experiences from people who seriously know their shit, both scientifically and otherwise."
I have not mistaken people seeing upsides with enjoying this virus, it's clear you have. The prism of "truth" that you see the virus through is NOT the same prism everyone else see's it through. This disease is personal for everyone who has it. WE HAVE IT TOO! You are not the lone wolf and your way is not THE ONLY WAY to see this and thank God it's not!
.....Would I be a different person without HIV? Absolutely. A better person? Someone hop into the parallel universes and let me know, because I have no way of doing that, at least not on purpose.
But all that I am, all that I have constructively become as a direct result of having HIV, I would like to think I would have become without it.......
.....HIV does not singularly define me, nor do I give it the power to "change" me against my will or perceived destiny into another person. I change because I change, I grow because I grow. I love and laugh because I do.
I do. ....
Joe, I'm not sure what your problem with me is, but get over it. The guy asked if anything positive has happened in people's lives and people posted snarky sarcastic things instead of the intended purpose of the thread. I personally didn't need to be clairvoyant to know that was coming.
As for your PERSONAL feeling that being infected with a virus has 0 positive impact in people's lives you are entitled to your opinion. However, some people become very reflective on the way they are living their lives and begin to live with a new intensity and purpose as their mortality is driven home by their diagnosis. If you don't like it so be it, but stop trying to be the authority on what other people think and feel as a result of their diagnosis.
I never claimed to be innocent of it myself, but it just seemed like the way the other 2 threads had already been derailed he was practically asking for it. Sure enough it didn't take any time for people to chime in with the same sorts of commentary.
It's not a brochure, it's just the way I feel. Has my life changed for the better? Not really, but I definitely cleaned up my act post diagnosis. I was personally kind of meandering and instead of blissfully ignoring the remaining years of my life however numerous they may be I'm putting a lot more energy into actually enjoying them. Trying to argue someone down who was just asking if anyone had had any sort of positive impact in their life since diagnosis is just...well it's kind of mean.
This is something that we are all forced to now live with, simply giving up in defeat that nothing has changed except my sero-status and my eventual health complications is just not the way I function. Y'all can freely commiserate, but it's just not my schtick.
@jkinatl2...Wow! You done?
"Do not come to AIDSMEDS looking to enjoy your virus, or be grateful for it. Come here for honest, truthful, sincere experiences from people who seriously know their shit, both scientifically and otherwise."
I have not mistaken people seeing upsides with enjoying this virus, it's clear you have. The prism of "truth" that you see the virus through is NOT the same prism everyone else see's it through. This disease is personal for everyone who has it. WE HAVE IT TOO! You are not the lone wolf and your way is not THE ONLY WAY to see this and thank God it's not!
FF is nice though...
Just finished one of those AIDS Council volunteer facilitator courses have we? Good for you son. :)Hey, what did I do? And, I was just making flight arrangements to come crash on your couch for a month. And, for you to teach me the ways of the force.
Now let's see, some positive things what have happened to me since my diagnosis . . .Joined this forum, that was pretty good. Whenever I feel a bit down I pop in here and see what's going on with Teddy and suddenly I feel a lot better because things could be so much fucking worse really, couldn't they?
/edit: tyop/
Wow, we almost got there people. Then some had to go and take a big dump right in the middle of the thread.
Wow, we almost got there people. Then some had to go and take a big dump right in the middle of the thread.
- I got a free flu shot because of because of my immune system 'status'... and here I was thinking I'd have to wait till I was 65 to get a freebe.
- I'm closer to my mother then ever. We hugged for the first time in 15+ years.
- I respect myself.
so then don't do it.
MY point is that the diagnosis of HIV sparks a paradigm shift. Some see the good that comes from bad. Some only see bad.
I don't remember who it was, but someone's signature really struck a note with me, and I pose the question to you...
"Is your status the only thing about you that is still positive?"
@jkinatl2 I am still reading and re-reading what you have said and no matter how many times I decipher it, it always comes across the same. Your post is mean and bitter and you come across as all-knowing. Maybe you are but your presentation is likely welcomed by those afraid to take you on but derided by those of us who aren't living in life's gutter.
Instead of coming across as an LTS know it all (which is how you sound) why don't you listen.
You said, "you have shown no evidence that the organic manifestation of HIV does any more to bring positivity into someone's life than any other tragedy." Who, exactly, said it did? Where did you read this?
And then you said, "you have come across a forum of grownups. Life is hard. Life is also joyous. We make the joy worth the pain each day, until it no longer does. HIV has not dictated ONE SINGLE POSITIVE THING in my life.
Point made over and over again. Not everyone is in agreement. That doesn't make them wrong and you, being human, hardly have all the answers. Your tone is apparent, no clarification needed.
so then don't do it.
MY point is that the diagnosis of HIV sparks a paradigm shift. Some see the good that comes from bad. Some only see bad.
I don't remember who it was, but someone's signature really struck a note with me, and I pose the question to you...
"Is your status the only thing about you that is still positive?"
@jkinatl2 I am still reading and re-reading what you have said and no matter how many times I decipher it, it always comes across the same. Your post is mean and bitter and you come across as all-knowing. Maybe you are but your presentation is likely welcomed by those afraid to take you on but derided by those of us who aren't living in life's gutter.
Instead of coming across as an LTS know it all (which is how you sound) why don't you listen.
You said, "you have shown no evidence that the organic manifestation of HIV does any more to bring positivity into someone's life than any other tragedy." Who, exactly, said it did? Where did you read this?
And then you said, "you have come across a forum of grownups. Life is hard. Life is also joyous. We make the joy worth the pain each day, until it no longer does. HIV has not dictated ONE SINGLE POSITIVE THING in my life.
Point made over and over again. Not everyone is in agreement. That doesn't make them wrong and you, being human, hardly have all the answers. Your tone is apparent, no clarification needed.
Its all in the way you want to see it I suppose . I see JK post as a sensitive and insightful one .
Point made over and over again. Not everyone is in agreement.
I agree for the most part, except that he called the people who agreed with him grown ups, which implies that those who disagree with him are juvenile.
@jkinatl2 I am still reading and re-reading what you have said and no matter how many times I decipher it, it always comes across the same. Your post is mean and bitter and you come across as all-knowing. Maybe you are but your presentation is likely welcomed by those afraid to take you on but derided by those of us who aren't living in life's gutter.
Instead of coming across as an LTS know it all (which is how you sound) why don't you listen.
You said, "you have shown no evidence that the organic manifestation of HIV does any more to bring positivity into someone's life than any other tragedy." Who, exactly, said it did? Where did you read this?
And then you said, "you have come across a forum of grownups. Life is hard. Life is also joyous. We make the joy worth the pain each day, until it no longer does. HIV has not dictated ONE SINGLE POSITIVE THING in my life.
Point made over and over again. Not everyone is in agreement. That doesn't make them wrong and you, being human, hardly have all the answers. Your tone is apparent, no clarification needed.
Alright last post to this thread. The difference is, Drew and Kelly aren't saying you're wrong only that they disagree. The rest of ya are saying "No no it can't be the way you say it is, you are completely and totally wrong" and refusing to see the reason of their arguments. Take that for what it's worth. I'm out.
Alright last post to this thread. The difference is, Drew and Kelly aren't saying you're wrong only that they disagree. The rest of ya are saying "No no it can't be the way you say it is, you are completely and totally wrong" and refusing to see the reason of their arguments. Take that for what it's worth. I'm out.
No, it makes them fucking dangerous. It makes people spread this virus. It makes people ignore it. It makes people (sorry to be mean here) like yourself remain totally ignorant of it until you have it, and even then make the already steep learning curve more difficult than it has to be because you seem convinced that you know it all, until the very next speed bump. And from your posts, they seem to be coming up at a pace fast enough to question your efforts to understand the thing inside you, the thing that will indeed kill you if it gets the upper hand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Herein lies the problem. You are the know it all. I don't have the answers or even all the questions but your assumptions about me are way off mark. Not surprising though, you haven't LISTENED yet. Yeah, my posts do come fast because I am firm in what I believe and you are simply repeating, ad-nauseaum, the same things over and over.
You think I don't know this virus will kill me? Really? That's your take because I refuse to crawl down into your hole and wallow in your misery? I am currently on one hell of a rebound thanks to Atripla and an aggressive TEAM of doctors who grabbed this bitch by the throat and helped to reverse some horrid numbers. But since I don't walk around with a skull and cross-bones tatooed on my forehead preaching gloom and doom, I am the enemy? You are delusional.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whatever, you guys hold hands and sing prevention efforts into oblivion. HIV is nothing. Its a pill, given for free, and no one needs to fear it or prevent it or protect against it. If I seem mean and bitter, it is because people like you guys are indirectly responsible for the spread of this thing.
You really believe that? And you base this on positive life experiences, being hopeful, taking advantage of what life we have? Really??????
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Report my posts if they seem disruptive. Get me canned if they seem destructive. I certainly find these rose-colored viewpoints destructive IN THIS FORUM, TO this forum.
No doubt about that. You find life destructive unless it fits in your end of the world mantra.
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Also, I don't know it all. I only know what I know. And even that, I leave open to new information. Sad, because we could have been friends. At any rate, I hope you do not ignore the voices that could save your halth and your life.
Just a couple of thoughts. You come across as a know it all.What you know could probably be beneficialNo, it couldn't because you cannot listen to another opinion without horrendous accusations, blame and nonsense and belittling others. Your assumptions about me are proof that you think you have a grasp on me. YOU DON'T...AT ALL. You're observations are not even close but rather than listen and make your points in a less accusatory, blame leveling, way you come across as a jerk. FYI the voices that can save my life were a team of doctors and my current ID doc that can talk to me about the upsides and downsides without coming across as a jerk.
No, it makes them fucking dangerous. It makes people spread this virus. It makes people ignore it. It makes people (sorry to be mean here) like yourself remain totally ignorant of it until you have it, and even then make the already steep learning curve more difficult than it has to be because you seem convinced that you know it all, until the very next speed bump. And from your posts, they seem to be coming up at a pace fast enough to question your efforts to understand the thing inside you, the thing that will indeed kill you if it gets the upper hand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Herein lies the problem. You are the know it all. I don't have the answers or even all the questions but your assumptions about me are way off mark. Not surprising though, you haven't LISTENED yet. Yeah, my posts do come fast because I am firm in what I believe and you are simply repeating, ad-nauseaum, the same things over and over.
You think I don't know this virus will kill me? Really? That's your take because I refuse to crawl down into your hole and wallow in your misery? I am currently on one hell of a rebound thanks to Atripla and an aggressive TEAM of doctors who grabbed this bitch by the throat and helped to reverse some horrid numbers. But since I don't walk around with a skull and cross-bones tatooed on my forehead preaching gloom and doom, I am the enemy? You are delusional.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whatever, you guys hold hands and sing prevention efforts into oblivion. HIV is nothing. Its a pill, given for free, and no one needs to fear it or prevent it or protect against it. If I seem mean and bitter, it is because people like you guys are indirectly responsible for the spread of this thing.
You really believe that? And you base this on positive life experiences, being hopeful, taking advantage of what life we have? Really??????
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Report my posts if they seem disruptive. Get me canned if they seem destructive. I certainly find these rose-colored viewpoints destructive IN THIS FORUM, TO this forum.
No doubt about that. You find life destructive unless it fits in your end of the world mantra.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Also, I don't know it all. I only know what I know. And even that, I leave open to new information. Sad, because we could have been friends. At any rate, I hope you do not ignore the voices that could save your halth and your life.
Just a couple of thoughts. You come across as a know it all.What you know could probably be beneficialNo, it couldn't because you cannot listen to another opinion without horrendous accusations, blame and nonsense and belittling others. Your assumptions about me are proof that you think you have a grasp on me. YOU DON'T...AT ALL. You're observations are not even close but rather than listen and make your points in a less accusatory, blame leveling, way you come across as a jerk. FYI the voices that can save my life were a team of doctors and my current ID doc that can talk to me about the upsides and downsides without coming across as a jerk.
Why can't you do it or couldn't you have done it WITHOUT it?
Well, we will never be able to do it without it so we preach about doing it with it.. Perhaps for some it was the driving force to do it now rather than later. What's so hard to understand? ::)
I'm still mystified about the topic of arguement here... So, if you're happy and you know it shut the fuck up?? Am I reading it right?
you are simply repeating, ad-nauseaum, the same things over and over.
I refuse to crawl down into your hole and wallow in your misery?
I am managing HIV/AIDS, it is NOT managing me
I am HAPPY AND HEALTHY AND AT THE MOMENT, IT'S NO BIG DEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"In with anger, out with love." ::)
I purposely have avoided posting because I couldn't contribute anything constructive without derailing the post. If this sort of post brings positivity and mental strength, then we LTS need to allow that communication to exist.
6.) I AM NOT SURE THE BITCH FIGHT ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING, IT CERTAINLY DID NOT HELP ME ALTHOUGH IT DID OPEN MY EYES AS TO SPECIFIC ALLIANCES AND IT CERTAINLY QUANTIFIED SOME OF WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT POSITIONING ON DIFFERENT ISSUES.
@killfoile - "A final thought. Some of the posters here, need to step back and see how mean and hurtful your comments were. Some of you owe apologies to other posters, who were only trying to help."
I'll do one better. I'm out of here. This is not what I came her for. If I wanted to engage in a bitch fight I would go into Montrose and seek out some GaGa queens or go face down Fred Phelps. If I have questions about my health, I will ask my doctor and if I have mental health issues, I will call my shrink.
All this has done is made me jaded and I am not a jaded person normally.
Ciao
And if you don't like it, tough fucking shit.
MtD
I'll do one better. I'm out of here. This is not what I came her for. If I wanted to engage in a bitch fight I would go into Montrose and seek out some GaGa queens or go face down Fred Phelps. If I have questions about my health, I will ask my doctor and if I have mental health issues, I will call my shrink.
I don't think Drew owes anyone an apology. He's just as entitled to voice his views as anyone else.
I was going to say, that in a thread, that contains some truly heart-rendering comments, as well as some vicious attacks, that there was some consensus on the OP. That we all essentially are saying the same thing, even if we use different words. As I read the later comments, I know that most of you get what is being said. The idea that we are subject to HIV, but we refuse it give it more than it absolutely demands. That we all possess the potential for personal growth and we can and will, live meaningful productive lives, HIV be damned. I felt hopeful, that maybe this "divide" between the newly infected and LTS was not real and then I read the above.
Drewn, I am at a loss for words. You have no idea how hurtful your words are. If you honestly believe that the posts from LTS, are based on some alliance, I do not know what to say. If, by alliance, you mean that some members share a certain history with HIV and that we insist on everyone sharing the views, shaped by that history, you are very wrong. We share our experiences, because life with HIV has shown us that they work. We have this conversation regularly in the forums and some of us, always respond, because we know that what matters in living with HIV is belief in yourself, not some virus.
Most hurtful however, is your last comment suggesting that you have been told, that certain topics have a predefined position and I have absolutely no reply for that thought. The implications of what you are saying are very disheartening and have confirmed my worst fears, regarding some members of this forum. I will now be very careful about replying to certain posts, because I realize that for some members, my thoughts have already been discounted, without my saying a word.
A final thought. Some of the posters here, need to step back and see how mean and hurtful your comments were. Some of you owe apologies to other posters, who were only trying to help.
A final thought. Some of the posters here, need to step back and see how mean and hurtful your comments were. Some of you owe apologies to other posters, who were only trying to help.
I cannot for the life of me understand how it is empowering to manufacture positive thoughts about a virus whose costs and stigma continue to stagger the mind. I really don't.
This is as insulting as asking if there was an upside to my Dad's death. I got through it, if not exactly past, but Christ. Is there an upside to a miscarriage? Is there an upside to poverty? Rape?
And Hellraiser, the humor you see from folks on this thread, unless I am mistaken, is because they have the same reaction as I did. We get through by our dark humor, but the serious reaction - and the understandable one - is to simply be aghast at the notion that having HIV can in any way be construed as being a good thing.
And for the folks who talk about it making them seize the day, better themselves, treat their bodies and spirits and friends better, I raise an eyebrow. You mean all that was impossible without HIV? You mean that without this virus actively aging your mitochondrial DNA you would have never grown, personally?
Seriously?
Either that is bullshit or everything you have become post-infection is predicated on a terrible lie.
Recently there have been 2 threads that started trying to be positive but ended up moving into a lot more complex history of HIV. I'd like everyone to just tell us of something positive that has happened in their life since dx, particularly if related to HIV.
I don't think I've ever read a thread where so many long-term members have shown their asses as badly as they have here.
How truly sad, for many reasons.
I don't think I've ever read a thread where so many long-term members have shown their asses as badly as they have here.
If you can't add something constructive to a thread or have relevant comments, it'd be a good time to hit the 'back' button in your browser and move on; that thread likely doesn't pertain to you.
This is what chaps my ass. Look how you started your post and then look how you finish.
However when I tell my experience-- that there is nothing good about HIV, that HIV didn't give me any special insights, that my life is not split into before and after HIV— I run the risk of being labeled as negative.
Again -- it is completely counter-productive to demean someone else life experience.
" I am not sure if this is worth the grief, trying to honestly help and then getting lampooned for doing so."
Funny, I feel the same way.
Is this what you think I did? It was never my intention to demean anyone and I do not believe I did so. However, some of the blanket statements here, cast a shadow on every post in this thread. I am not sure if this is worth the grief, trying to honestly help and then getting lampooned for doing so.
Joe,
I respect you tremendously, but really, not everything written on here is about your personally. My comments were general -- and while they probably could be about a number of posters in this thread, I had no one particular in mind when I wrote them. All I was attempting to do was remind everyone that each person's experiences are their own and are valid.
And quite frankly, you can take what you said in the quoted posted here and apply it to what you seem to be doing to me. I am trying to help, but first, you took a general message very personally and then moved on to accusing me of "lampooning" your attempts at helping. I'm not sure why you are playing the victim here -- you've met me, do I seem like the type that would do this to you?
Mike
I was asking if I was contributing to the thread or not. A simple question and it does not matter, as this is not about me. I know you are trying to help and I apologize in that some of my wording should have made my thoughts clearer.
Yeah, Hal, I was adding something relevant and possibly constructive.
I actually think you could have if you would have deleted the first sentence.
Often, the whole reason for thread gets lost into so many back-and-forths between members.
Recently there have been 2 threads that started trying to be positive but ended up moving into a lot more complex history of HIV. I'd like everyone to just tell us of something positive that has happened in their life since dx, particularly if related to HIV.
Dot points appreciated. You don't have to explain it. It can be light hearted or something more profound. There are 1000's of people out there living happy, healthy lives. I'm sure some positively amazing things have happened to them that they can share, particularly with he newly dx.
- I got a free flu shot because of because of my immune system 'status'... and here I was thinking I'd have to wait till I was 65 to get a freebe.
- I'm closer to my mother then ever. We hugged for the first time in 15+ years.
- I respect myself.
2) I've become a more caring person overall.
I used to be a wretched little monster.
I hadn't seen this thread since it first got started, and I just finished reading the entire thing.
I am slap wore out.
New people, please just understand that we carry a lot of pain around with us every day. Physical, emotional, and psychological pain. It does shitty stuff to you.
Alan
New people, please just understand that we carry a lot of pain around with us every day. Physical, emotional, and psychological pain. It does shitty stuff to you.
Alan
Of course, and I am sure it is (or ought to be) appreciated that among some people new to this forum and indeed comparatively new to being poz (seven years is nothing I'm sure), might well have an awful lot of pain they are carrying around too: physical, emotional and psychological pain around the friends they've cared for and seen suffer and die.
Making assumptions about who has that baggage, who doesn't and who has 'more' of it is sometimes just so easy to do.
Of course, and I am sure it is (or ought to be) appreciated that among some people new to this forum and indeed comparatively new to being poz (seven years is nothing I'm sure), might well have an awful lot of pain they are carrying around too: physical, emotional and psychological pain around the friends they've cared for and seen suffer and die.
Making assumptions about who has that baggage, who doesn't and who has 'more' of it is sometimes just so easy to do.
@Mike > I just re-read that post and take it a little different. I am not reading offense into it, rather a statement of his feelings perhaps. It's easy to take things here out of context. I am guilty of it myself. I have not walked in your shoes and you have not walked in mine. The same can be said for everyone here. Sometimes it's hard to see the forest for the trees. There have been some eloquent things posted in this thread and some of them have come from what looked like a bitter fight that now, upon reflection, was a very eye and mind opening experience for me.
It's easy to make baggage assumptions just like it's easy to feel attacked sometime. Perception can be reality. I feel like I am rambling...I hope this makes sense.
Of course, and I am sure it is (or ought to be) appreciated that among some people new to this forum and indeed comparatively new to being poz (seven years is nothing I'm sure), might well have an awful lot of pain they are carrying around too: physical, emotional and psychological pain around the friends they've cared for and seen suffer and die.So Matt, THAT is the meaning you took from my post? That I think I have more 'baggage' than others here? Give me a break. I know I am not a 'skilled writer', but it seems that some of y'all are just gunning for something to be P.O.'d about. Why is that?
Making assumptions about who has that baggage, who doesn't and who has 'more' of it is sometimes just so easy to do.
So Matt, THAT is the meaning you took from my post? That I think I have more 'baggage' than others here? Give me a break. I know I am not a 'skilled writer', but it seems that some of y'all are just gunning for something to be P.O.'d about. Why is that?
Of course, and I am sure it is (or ought to be) appreciated that among some people new to this forum and indeed comparatively new to being poz (seven years is nothing I'm sure), might well have an awful lot of pain they are carrying around too: physical, emotional and psychological pain around the friends they've cared for and seen suffer and die.
Making assumptions about who has that baggage, who doesn't and who has 'more' of it is sometimes just so easy to do.
So Matt, how you could construe the above statement from what Alan said is beyond me.
If you knew Alan, you would know he is without doubt the kindest, most loving and most gentlemanly man you will ever meet.
I don't doubt you have luggage you are toting around, in fact, I would place money on it. Nobody is denigrating your experience, or lack thereof.
This isn't a competition.
But, if you have been positive for seven years, you could not share the same history as those who have been at it for 20 or 30 years.
Also, I don't know your age, but unless you are in your late 40s or older, it would be unrealistic to believe you have shared in the overwhelming loss of the first decade of AIDS.
This isn't a denigration or judgement, it is simple logic, because if you are any younger than that, you would have been a child at the time.
Your arguments have rapidly descended to the level of childishness that is unbecoming.
But to suggest I can't understand what it is like to have been poz for 25 years+ is the kind of assumption that should simply not be made. I was first caring for someone just under 27 years ago, not the last, and I have friends who are similar age to you and similar, though not unique, experiences as yours.
Again, you see why I mostly stick to the LTS forum. This is one of the wildest things I have ever read posted in Living With....
Again, you see why I mostly stick to the LTS forum. This is one of the wildest things I have ever read posted in Living With....
Alan we all know what it's about. Don't worry it will pass, like a fart in a wind storm. :-*I agree - but in the meantime, we are left smelling that foul smell >:(
Drewm --
I want to suggest that if personification of HIV is something that makes it easier for you to deal, could you refrain from making the virus a female and referring to it/her as a bitch? and that she fucks with your head? and that she is nasty? If you have to personify it, why not make it a dude, a bastard, a twink, a top that topped you, a bottom that sucked you in, a sheister, a con man, a motherfucker, a super shit, a cocksucker, a brainsucker, a life parasite. Or better yet, how about calling HIV a python, a scorpion, a tsnunami, an earthquake, an earth-size meteorite, or any one of a hundred alternates? Or you could put it in the purple-top tube it deserves labelled as HIV, a virus with no malice aforethought---just a virus.
Thank you.
Em
Thanks very much Drewm!
Alan we all know what it's about. Don't worry it will pass, like a fart in a wind storm. :-*
I agree - but in the meantime, we are left smelling that foul smell >:(.
Alan, Dachs is right...Matt39 is not worth worrying about, don't waste your time with him, it's been 8 years for me and already some things are not quite right, but I know the one's I will be relying on for support and advise..and Matt39 is not one of them.
Citation from reputable research for the above statement please - otherwise, it is just opinion and we all know the saying about opinions.
Negative energy, vexatious attitude - two things 'HIV' loves, if only you knew it.
Drewm --
I want to suggest that if personification of HIV is something that makes it easier for you to deal, could you refrain from making the virus a female and referring to it/her as a bitch? and that she fucks with your head? and that she is nasty? If you have to personify it, why not make it a dude, a bastard, a twink, a top that topped you, a bottom that sucked you in, a sheister, a con man, a motherfucker, a super shit, a cocksucker, a brainsucker, a life parasite. Or better yet, how about calling HIV a python, a scorpion, a tsnunami, an earthquake, an earth-size meteorite, or any one of a hundred alternates? Or you could put it in the purple-top tube it deserves labelled as HIV, a virus with no malice aforethought---just a virus.
Thank you.
Em
Negative energy, vexatious attitude - two things 'HIV' loves, if only you knew it.
None of your comments apply to anything I have posted so you are pissing in the wind as far as my contributions are concerned.