And the hits just keep coming...

[next2u]

well qt, i hope something comes up for you soon.

one of my friends used her vehicle to pick up people from airports and drop them off places. i don't know if she used craigslist to advertise her services, but nothing bad ever happened to her.

i also got my last roommate from craigslist, big mistake. he was a lil weird, but he paid his bills ontime.

haha, guess im no real help : ) -- but i do hope this works out for you. how much will it cost to get from point a to point b? since you are getting paid that day, is there any way you can borrow funds for a week or so? maybe one of those usury pay day advances or something similar? what about wired money? what abour rescheduling? im sorry if you posted answers to these responses elsewhere, i apologize in advance if that is the case.

best,
d

[emeraldize]

Having succeeded in causing utter amazement with my admitting I would actually ride with someone who advertised ridesharing on Craigslist, and making it quite clear I would determine if that person was someone with whom I would travel, I thought I'd do a little more research to see if I'm unusual in this regard. Am I crazy? I'd better find out!

So, I Googled Craigslist and rideshare and carpooling and it seems I have lots of company in the land of daredevils gone wild. For the skittish or glazed-eyed, Craigslist publishes the following on their site which jibes perfectly with what I would do IF I were shopping for a ride, or moving into a new apartment, or dating --none of which I'm doing. To clarify, again, I noted I would contact a poster to learn firsthand how the interaction can go and what their experience has been, too. I've already sent two e-mails and await their replies.

Personal Safety Tips       Avoiding Scams & Fraud       craigslist help forum

The overwhelming majority of craigslist users are trustworthy and well-intentioned.

With billions of human interactions facilitated through craigslist, the incidence of violent crime has been extremely low.

Nevertheless, it's very important to take the same precautions online as you would offline.

When meeting someone for the first time, please remember to:

Insist on a public meeting place like a cafe

Tell a friend or family member where you're going

Take your cell phone along if you have one

Consider having a friend accompany you

Trust your instincts

Taking these simple precautions helps make craigslist safer for everyone.

For more information about personal safety online, check out these resources:

http://getsafeonline.org

http://wiredsafety.org

I've ridden in commercial planes, private planes, buses, cabs, usually with a complete stranger at the controls. I'm trusting they haven't had a drink; that their licenses are current; their cardiac profile is good; that there's not a terrorist on board or some other lunatic to throw in a variable of danger; and that the vehicle or aircraft has been inspected (Ha! these days given the tightness of the FAA and airlines) and is in good running condition---but they've got a customer service desk, so I should trust 'em. If I ride in a car with a family member or friend, I'm trusting they aren't gonna have a seizure or embolism; I'm trusting there won't be some drunk driver out that night or a deer beating a path to a stream or away from hunters on the move. And, if I opted to use Craigslist, or the Yellow Pages list, I'd do it with an amount of caution that would get me to the point where I'd know if it was a go or a no go. But, at no point did I write nor imply a complete stranger would pull up to my house and I'd jump into the car. I have more sense than that although it might not seem so given a protracted and gently ridiculed attempt to assist, but I do.

This exercise has made me aware of how much trust we place in "complete strangers" every day and that many of them treat us better than family members and alleged friends. Whether they're cops, firemen, ER nurses and docs, lineworkers, cable installers,train conductors, pilots, or cabbies---bottomline, they're complete strangers. Oh yes, and I further trust that the chef hasn't dipped his hair in my soup, the waitress hasn't fingered everything I'm going to eat or drink from with filthy hands, and that the bus boy hasn't wiped his snotty nose before depositing my glass. Enter the complete stranger...who can give me Hepatitis, a nasty cold, food poisoning or worse. All of these complete strangers I let into my life, every day. I should know better by now. It's sometimes an unfortunate part of trying to get from point A to B that I must let them in. From being hungry to sated, bleeding profusely to stitched, from breathless screaming to 911 there's a guy breaking into my house now to thank you officer, I'll be okay and on and on.

And, with a note of clarification...there isn't a person who signs on to this site, oversees this site, lurks this site or doesn't know they're headed to this site who doesn't have struggles of some sort. It is an integral part of life! Whether it's Sharon who was stricken with polio in the 50's and HIV in the 90's, or Tendai whose life is affected dramatically by politics---we all get a ration of crap for varying periods of time--some seem to get an entire lifetime's worth. Even Kennedy clansman, Ted, winds up with a glioblastoma, oh yes, after he's buried parents, brothers, Mary Jo and nephews and also been buried alive by media over time. Struggles are part of everyone's life and hopefully everyone gets some measure of joy or comfort to counterbalance.

This brings to  mind that age-old concept of if everyone were to put their troubles and woes in the center of the table along with everyone else's, they would soon, almost happily take their lot right back seeing what others must awaken to each day.

[Queen Tokelove]

You are right about everyone having their own lot of troubles, not sure if that was a jibe at me or not. And certainly there are some, Tendai was the perfect example by the way but I can only comment on mine. Sorry, I do not agree with those so -called dare devils of Craig's list. If you wish, you can blame it on the countless horror movies I have seen...ie Texas Chainsaw or how about CSI, that would probably be more credible to you.

And I assume that you will be lining up rides from here on out from those dare devils on Craig's list. You have my addy, send me some post cards so I know where you have been. You, know since Craig's list recommends letting someone know where you are.

[Queen Tokelove]

Just another update. I am going to my appointment to see the specialist in Pittsburgh tomorrow. My gay friend is driving me and I am paying for the gas...Good deal and right on time. He had his car checked at the garage today so everything should be a GO.

Since I haven't been out of town in a long while. I figured I would take my trusty little cam and take pictures. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

[AlanBama]

I'm so glad you found a way to travel honey!   Best of luck with the trip, and with the medical visit, keep us posted....

hugs,

Alan   

[BT65]

My dear Queen, you know I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.  And waiting to hear what happens.

[Peter Staley]

Since I haven't been out of town in a long while. I figured I would take my trusty little cam and take pictures. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Sounds like a great blog posting in the works.

This is great news, Queen.  Fingers crossed that the specialist can figure everything out quickly.

Peter

[Snowangel]

Glad your friend came through.  Good Luck tomorrow, I will be thinking of you!
Snow

[sharkdiver]

You'll be on my mind and in my heart Sweet Stuff.

hugs,
Sharkie

[Queen Tokelove]

Sounds like a great blog posting in the works.

This is great news, Queen.  Fingers crossed that the specialist can figure everything out quickly.

I figured I bitched long enough about how I was going to get there, now that I am going, I plan to have some fun along the way. And you know it about the blog, I will put something up tonight before bed and post some pics and blog some more when I get back.

My dear Queen, you know I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.  And waiting to hear what happens.

Thanks Betty, Snow, Sharkie and Alan. I will carry those good thoughts with me. I will post the outcome here,in the Women's thread and do a blog. Well, if I am not too tired when I get back. On the way back, we have to stop at the Grove City Mall because my gay friend's dog, Ginger only eats the dog bones from there. What a bitch, she would eat what I gave her....

[next2u]

yea for a solution! can't wait to see the pics. u better be in some of them!!!
good luck tomorrow, can't wait to hear about your journey.

[Queen Tokelove]

It turned out to be an interesting trip, we got lost trying to find the hospital but finally ended up getting directions. By the time I got there, I just knew they were going to reschedule me, I was 30 minutes late and they didn't.

What I did find out is that I have a fever of 100, not sure what that is about because other than being tired from the trip, I feel fine. What was weird to me was the specialist asking me why I was there. I said,"Uh, because the local specialist did the MRI, not sure what he saw but I was asked to see YOU." The specialist went on to say that though there is scaring as he called it which could be caused by the meds I am taking, it is nothing to worry about, he said. He also went on to assure me that I did not have cancer but said it could possibly be the beginning stages of liver disease but did not want to say it for sure until I get more blood work done. If the blood work gives him reason for concern then he would do a biopsy. And he just kept saying he didn't know why they sent me down there.

So once again after going through hysterics, everything seems to be fine. Irritated that I had to go into a frenzy to see a specialist I really didn't need to see but also feels relieved at the same time.

----Insert Jeopardy theme----- I'll take, "My local specialist played me for a 1000 Alex"

I am due to go back to Pittsburgh on August 5th.

[Snowangel]

Queen- That must have been a huge relief although it must have been totally frustrating at the same time.  Does your local guy usually deal with poz people?  I am glad everything turned out alright.  I have to rob Peter to pay Paul every month what can you do, you definately made the right choice.  Get some rest. 
Snow

[Iggy]

Queen,

I'm sincerely sorry to be so late to say anything on this thread, but I am sorry that you have gone through so much lately.

Mark

[Queen Tokelove]

Queen,

I'm sincerely sorry to be so late to say anything on this thread, but I am sorry that you have gone through so much lately.

Mark

Iggy---

No worries Her Majesty is doing well and still has everyone under my purple haze, or should I say my purple reign.

[next2u]

yea for you qt. you appear to almost be out of the woods for now. 2 out of 3 concerns have been taken care of, congratulations! now, how did the last situation turn out?

[Queen Tokelove]

yea for you qt. you appear to almost be out of the woods for now. 2 out of 3 concerns have been taken care of, congratulations! now, how did the last situation turn out?

Ok, refresh my memory here, last situation? My son? Still locked up and still hoping for a hail mary to get him out the mess he got himself into. My colonoscopy has been pushed back to August 1. Meeting a therapist on the 11th....*scratching head and wondering what you are talking about* But hell, I am tired so I am not thinking straight at the moment.

[lucas clay]

yea for you qt. you appear to almost be out of the woods for now. 2 out of 3 concerns have been taken care of,

congratulations on the good news.
I hate when one hand does not know what the other is doing, seems like it happens a lot with doctors and referrals
Good luck on Aug 1

                                            Lucas

[bear60]

Hi QT
Hey thats good news! Its just what the doctor ordered so to speak. Now, if the Dr in Pittsburgh could talk to your Dr in Erie by phone or fax or cell or whatever they do these days...YOU wouldnt have to go to Pittsburgh.  Just a thought.
Have a good one
Joel

[Queen Tokelove]

*enters the room, walks up to the mic and starts singing Pat Benatar's Hit me with your best shot*

Well I called when I got up to see what my new cd4 and viral load was since I haven't been 100 % adherant with my hiv meds. At one point I stopped for about a week and then got back on. But then I had stopped one and kept taking the other, not to worry I went back on the other last night after the news from Pittsburgh. My cd4 is now at 775 from 705 and still undetectable. So, hell yeah, I am on cloud 9 and these are the best kinds of shots to get....the good ones.

Hi QT
Hey thats good news! Its just what the doctor ordered so to speak. Now, if the Dr in Pittsburgh could talk to your Dr in Erie by phone or fax or cell or whatever they do these days...YOU wouldnt have to go to Pittsburgh.  Just a thought.
Have a good one
Joel

You would think they would pick up their cells and talk. But I need someone to talk to me after or if they ever talk.

[BT65]

Wow, Queen.  Mucho congratulations on your new #'s!  That's great news.

[Iggy]

I'm really glad to read of such good news. 

I'm glad things are going in good direction.

[Assurbanipal]

Great numbers!  Hope things keep getting better.

[Longislander]

I'm glad some of this is getting sorted out. Congrats on the great #'s!!! 

Paul


(and of course no one needs to tell you 'no more adherance issues' !! )

[Queen Tokelove]

I'm glad some of this is getting sorted out. Congrats on the great #'s!!! 

Paul


(and of course no one needs to tell you 'no more adherance issues' !! )

Right you are about the adherance issues, Paul. I took my Atripla gladly like a good Queen.

[next2u]

yea to you queenie! i love pat benatar too!!!!