Monthly Virtual Gathering

[Jim Allen]

I am starting a new thread for the Monthly Virtual Gathering. Previous threads:
2022 https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=76315.0
2023 https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=76748.0

Purpose/Scope:
The Monthly Virtual Gathering is a social meeting open to anyone with HIV. Although we also talk about serious topics, including Living with HIV, this is primarily a social meeting, a chance to meet others living with HIV, catch up, talk about life, relax, joke and laugh.

Frequency:
This social meeting is held monthly and on Saturdays. The date of the upcoming meeting is posted in the thread below.

Meeting time: 
07:00 PDT
08:00 MDT
09:00 CDT 
10:00 EDT 
15:00 Ireland 
16:00 CEST 
16:00 CAT (Central Africa Time) 
19:30 IST 
00:00 ACT

Facilitator: Jim Allen & Leatherman

How to join?
Sign up by sending a (PM) private message to Jim. Once you have signed up, you will be sent email invites to the upcoming meetings. Video conferencing is through Google Meets; sharing your video feed is optional. 

There is also a bi-weekly peer support call: https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=77329.0

[Jim Allen]

The next Monthly Virtual Gathering will be on Saturday, the 23rd of Sept.

[Jim Allen]

An email with the invite for Saturday's meeting will be sent out later today. Let me know if you have not signed up but do want to join.

[Jim Allen]

So an email invite has been sent out, I am looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.

POZ Virtual gathering, Saturday 23rd of Sept 2023

Meeting time: 
07:00 PDT
08:00 MDT
09:00 CDT 
10:00 EDT 
15:00 Ireland 
16:00 CEST 
16:00 CAT (Central Africa Time) 
19:30 IST 
00:00 ACT (Australia, Sunday, 24th Sept)

[Jim Allen]

See you all in a few hours 

[Jim Allen]

Really good call today and I'll post some notes later on

[leatherman]

a whole lot of peer support.
-ugh. health care in America sucks.....and that's when you have access to it. and mental health care is bad too...even when you have limited access to it.

some American politics and European culture
-a lot of racism and a lot of tribalism going on these days.

a mix of LTS chat and discussions about simply living with HIV for a long time.
-thank goodness, the old days are the "OLD" days, amirite?

laughs and good times all around, like usual.   

[Jim Allen]

a whole lot of peer support.
-ugh. health care in America sucks.....and that's when you have access to it. and mental health care is bad too...even when you have limited access to it.

some American politics and European culture
-a lot of racism and a lot of tribalism going on these days.

a mix of LTS chat and discussions about simply living with HIV for a long time.
-thank goodness, the old days are the "OLD" days, amirite?

laughs and good times all around, like usual.   

 

- Englishman in New York, HIV Stigma & studies study under healthcare providers outcome, Mindfulness, Mental health care, Homelessness, Spiders. 

[leatherman]

HIV Stigma & studies study under healthcare providers outcome

I know I commented about this report in the other thread; but thanks for sharing that. The whole thing was really interesting. Quite frankly, I think the reason I trusted the results and liked it so much was because of some of the "bad" responses. If the results had been that everyone was hunky-dory with all things HIV, I'd have known the study didn't ask the right questions, didn't question enough people, or wasn't confidential enough that people could honestly answer. The results though show what PLHIV know: outside of HIV clinics, healthcare professional aren't very knowledgeable about HIV; some healthcare personnel are under-educated in general about cleanliness and precautions much less HIV; and some are just bigoted jerks.

Spiders.

Ick. ick. ick.
Our property backs up to some woods with a small creek running along the side. I run into spiders and webs all the damn time! After we left our call today, the doggos wanted out and I wanted to smoke. Stepping on the deck by the pool, I ran through a spiderweb - and the large writing spider I knocked loose ran across my head. But, no bites and only one manly scream as I thrashed about to knock the spider off. No neighbors were around (and I'll leave the screaming part out when I tell this story to Larry. LOL) so it was all good.

[Jim Allen]

I know I commented about this report in the other thread; but thanks for sharing that. The whole thing was really interesting. Quite frankly, I think the reason I trusted the results and liked it so much was because of some of the "bad" responses. If the results had been that everyone was hunky-dory with all things HIV, I'd have known the study didn't ask the right questions, didn't question enough people, or wasn't confidential enough that people could honestly answer. The results though show what PLHIV know: outside of HIV clinics, healthcare professional aren't very knowledgeable about HIV; some healthcare personnel are under-educated in general about cleanliness and precautions much less HIV; and some are just bigoted jerks.

https://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=76570.msg

Indeed. I also thought it was very interesting and that it confirmed the experiences PLHIV have flagged for years when dealing with non-HIV specific healthcare providers, some of them are horribly outdated although somewhat understandable and at the end of the day healthcare providers are just people, and some people are just assholes.

[Matty the Damned]

Do these things still happen?

MtD

[numbersguy82]

Do these things still happen?

MtD

They do, and we even added a bi-weekly peer support meeting as well. Talk about a blast from the past- how have you been???

[Jim Allen]

Do these things still happen?

MtD

Absolutely., the next Monthly meeting is Saturday the 21st of October. You're welcome to join.


 

[Jim Allen]

An email with the invite for Saturday's meeting will be sent out later today. Let me know if you have not signed up but do want to join.

[Jim Allen]

Invite has been emailed out, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

POZ Monthly Virtual gathering, Saturday 21st Oct.

Meeting time: 
07:00 PDT
08:00 MDT
09:00 CDT 
10:00 EDT 
15:00 Ireland 
16:00 CEST 
16:00 CAT (Central Africa Time) 
19:30 IST 
01:00 AEDT (Australia, Sunday, 22nd Oct)

[leatherman]

I always look forward to talking with y'all. I <3 my peeps!

[numbersguy82]

I always look forward to talking with y'all. I <3 my peeps!

Amen to that! I feel like it’s been too long

[kentfrat1783]

See you soon.   

I always enjoy our chats and what we will talk about.

[Jim Allen]

See you soon.   

I always enjoy our chats and what we will talk about.

Same here. Looking forward to the meeting.

[Jim Allen]

It was great seeing everyone again, and a good call. Lots of laughs.

Next to catching up here are some of the topics discussed: Sex, Dating, STIs & HIV, HIV meds, Halloween, and Travel.

[Jim Allen]

Oh, and I nearly forgot "Uber" was a deeply discussed topic as well.

[numbersguy82]

Oh, and I nearly forgot "Uber" was a deeply discussed topic as well.

Very VERY deep… 🤣

[leatherman]

And Xena, Warrior Princess
"In a time of ancient gods, warlords and kings, a land in turmoil cried out for a hero. She was Xena, a mighty princess forged in the heat of battle. The power, the passion, the danger. Her courage will change the world!"

So you've seen my Xena a few times (blk/wht border collie/spaniel mix); but this is the old gang (my second pack of cockers). That's Gabrielle, Joxer (OMG, the doggo was a doofus but super sweet), Zeus and Aries.

That's me at the pool in Ohio back in the early-00s, barely not dying of AIDS with my dyed-red hair. lolz
and Joxer, Aries, Zeus and Gabby way back in the back not caring about whatever the boyz are doing. LOL

[Jim Allen]

The next monthly meeting is this Saturday, the 18th.

Details and email to be sent out later this week, and just let me know if you have not signed up already but wish to join. Best Jim.

[Jim Allen]

An email with the invite has been sent out, and I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday. Just let me know if you have not signed up yet but still wish to join.

POZ Monthly Virtual gathering, Sat 18th Nov.
Meeting time:

07:00 PST
08:00 MST
09:00 CST
10:00 EST
15:00 Ireland
16:00 CET
20:30 IST
02:00 AEDT (Australia, Sunday, 19th Nov)

[numbersguy82]

Cannot wait to see everyone… Jim, I feel like it’s been forever since we last spoke! See you Saturday!

[Jim Allen]

Cannot wait to see everyone… Jim, I feel like it’s been forever since we last spoke! See you Saturday!

Yeah, it's been a while. Plenty going on, including that I had my balls fondled by a stranger last week. Anyhow, will tell you all about it on the call. Hope you are all doing okay as well.

[numbersguy82]

Yeah, it's been a while. Plenty going on, including that I had my balls fondled by a stranger last week. Anyhow, will tell you all about it on the call. Hope you are all doing okay as well.

Strangers fondling my balls is never a bad thing 😅 can’t wait to hear the juicy details !

[Jim Allen]

Trust me it's worse than you can imagine

[numbersguy82]

Trust me it's worse than you can imagine

Um worse than the Fokkens sisters ?

[Jim Allen]

Yes...

[Tonny2]

         ojo.            Hi Jim, thanks for the invitation but this time I’m not going to be able to participate, I am I am on vacation in Dallas Texas. I will see you next month. Have a good meeting…hugs

[Jim Allen]

Enjoy the vacation and hope to see you next month.

[Jim Allen]

Thanks, everyone for attending, really enjoyed this meeting.

2-hour call and topics discussed included. Male health and testicles, Films, Aging, Mental Health, Cats and dogs, Peter Falk, Thanksgiving, Sinterklaas, Food and cooking, and the Labyrinth (1986).

https://youtu.be/Zbp5UuCz2kk

[numbersguy82]

Thanks, everyone for attending, really enjoyed this meeting.

2-hour call and topics discussed included. Male health and testicles, Films, Aging, Mental Health, Cats and dogs, Peter Falk, Thanksgiving, Sinterklaas, Food and cooking, and the Labyrinth (1986).

https://youtu.be/Zbp5UuCz2kk

GLASS EYES!!!!!   

I may never watch Columbo the same again! Thanks for the wonderful meetup, as usual.

[kentfrat1783]

Yes, another great meetup and never knowling where the conversation will go.  Always a pleasure and fun to meet. 

[Jim Allen]

Hi All.

The next meeting will be Sunday the 17th of Dec, instead of Saturday, and we have updated the meeting time. The email invite will go out tomorrow.

POZ Monthly Virtual gathering, Sunday 17th Dec.
Meeting time:

08:00 PST
09:00 MST
10:00 CST
11:00 EST
16:00 Ireland
17:00 CET
21:30 IST
03:00 AEDT (Australia, Monday, 20th Dec)

[kentfrat1783]

Hey Jim,

Don't forgot to send me the invite.  There is a good possiblity I won't be able to go to NYC now since that C word has finally caught me. 

I hope your day went as well as it could be. 

Kent

[Jim Allen]

Hey Jim,

Don't forgot to send me the invite.  There is a good possiblity I won't be able to go to NYC now since that C word has finally caught me. 

I hope your day went as well as it could be. 

Kent

I'm sorry to hear that, I hope you are not feeling too bad and have you on the invite list.

[Jim Allen]

The email with the invite has been sent out, and I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday. Just let me know if you have not signed up yet but still wish to join.

[Jim Allen]

Hi All.

The next meeting will be Sunday the 17th of Dec, instead of Saturday, and we have updated the meeting time. The email invite will go out tomorrow.

POZ Monthly Virtual gathering, Sunday 17th Dec.
Meeting time:

08:00 PST
09:00 MST
10:00 CST
11:00 EST
16:00 Ireland
17:00 CET
21:30 IST
03:00 AEDT (Australia, Monday, 20th Dec)

It looks like we're going to have a good few people joining on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing you all, and if you want to join but have not yet signed up, please let me know so I can add you to the invite.

[Jim Allen]

Really looking forward to upcoming Sundays meeting and can't wait to see you all

I think between the monthly meetings and the more recent topic focused bi weekly sessions have been great and seeing you face to face has enormously beneficial for me at least and I hope for you as well.

[leatherman]

seeing you face to face has enormously beneficial for me at least and I hope for you as well.

I've enjoyed these calls a lot too!

And after missing the last call, it seems like I haven't seen y'all in forever, so I'm really looking forward to Sunday

[kentfrat1783]

And think I was going to miss Sunday's call and I always look forward to our chats, but I can now make it.  We are just now family and want to be with each other. 

[Jim Allen]

And think I was going to miss Sunday's call and I always look forward to our chats, but I can now make it.  We are just now family and want to be with each other.

Cool, I'm looking forward to seeing you later today.

[Jim Allen]

It was great seeing everyone again and a good call.

Some of the topics discussed: Sexuality and Dating, Safer Sex, The Holidays, Emigrating & HIV, Death, World peace and Global warming.

[numbersguy82]

It was great seeing everyone again and a good call.

Some of the topics discussed: Sexuality and Dating, Safer Sex, The Holidays, Emigrating & HIV, Death, World peace and Global warming.

... and a partridge in a pear tree... great call!

[Jim Allen]

... and a partridge in a pear tree... great call!

That reminds me to start playing the classics: https://youtu.be/1p0ptkrc844

[Tonny2]

            ojo.         Hi there!!…I’m sorry missing another call, specially you guys talk about dating because I’m looking for a date.
Unfortunately, my 96 years old uncle fell down and ended up in the hospital with six broken ribs and this morning my mother (her brother) and I went to see him. Fortunately, he is doing fine just with some pain as you guys can imagine. I hope that’s for the next call, I cross my fingers, I will be able to make it.
.. on my first call I just got to meet Jim and Mike I hope and I can meet some more members of this community…hugs

Ps. I wonder if in those calls that are speaking Spanish members

[Tonny2]

        ojo.          Hi again!… hi Fred on this thread, I don’t remember if he was Kent or Jim talking about my sisters cancer, thanks for asking, fortunately she’s doing pretty good so good that she is right now in Cancun on vacation. Now after her radiation treatment, the next step is the reconstruction of her breast. He got to be so traumatic for her to see herself mutilated, but like I said, she’s very strong and following doctors instructions. Thanks again.