tragedy – The Actorvist

Hello Gentle Reader!

If you are in the US, do you find you are being overwhelmed with all the political commercials?

Particularly the presidential ones? I already know that I am voting for change because rolling back the country to a less equal land is NOT ACCEPTABLE.

I just watched a video by the Jagged Little Pill cast and thought how timely the lyrics to the song “All I Really Want” are. The show itself is highly relevant as well dealing with pain/traumas, healing, and empowering ones self and others.

As I struggled to watch the fiasco that was the first presidential debate of the election, I find that political theatre is just as dramatic and comedic as regular theatre. The only difference is that there is a real and tangible affect on the citizens. Not to say that the Arts don’t make a difference or an impact on people. I just mean that Jagged Little Pill isn’t going to give you universal healthcare and such.

Dear Reader, as I write this I am pained by the effects this pandemic has unleashed on people in its various stages; loss, medical bills, traumatic impressions and the other various other things that go with it.

With so much as stake in this election, I can’t understand how this is even a true contest. There is someone who has proven through their actions that they clearly don’t know how to present themselves as an intelligent well spoken adult capable of making well-informed decisions. This is the comedy of our current political theatre. The drama is the impact that he is leaving on the rights of the people. Or better yet, the lack of rights he is imposing.

One thing I want to stress is something that my dear friend Laura Benitez (who is a brilliant musician BTW) posted: don’t be demoralized by the fear mongering and diversionary tactics that the White House is using. Don’t let the idea of the perfect candidate be the reason we are left with someone that clearly isn’t capable. That was just a paraphrase. She used names, but like Voldemorte, I refuse to give the White House any more power or recognition that is doesn’t deserve so I don’t name.

Even his taxes, agree. With that track record of failings, what will America lose? I don’t know.

Trying to maintain a positive mindset has been difficult to be sure, but focusing on my love for the Arts has been so soothing for my soul. I have been revisiting the PBS show Art in the 21st Century. The artists stories are inspiring and moving as well as informative. It is a wonderful look at contemporary Art if you are missing museums right about now. So far my favorite episode this season has been the Beijing one. ❤️

I had mentioned a few posts ago that I am having a bit of an ear issue so singing has been a frustratingly missed past time. Although, I have finally got an appointment and have been on antibiotics for the last eight days. Sadly it isn’t helping much so I might have actual damage to that ear now. We’ll see. On the positive side, I have found that I MIGHT be getting used to listening with one good ear. 😂😂

I have also been trying to improve my sewing skills. They are a 5/10 and I would love to be able to design my own stuff. Definitely had my practice with face masks! 😳 They never seem to be big enough for my giant face! 🤬

By the end of Jagged Little Pill, the musical, the characters are empowered to do what is the right thing for their individual situations. Now that we are at the end of this post, Kind Reader, I would like to empower you! You are kind and good hearted. Our lives are probably not similar in many ways, but if you read these ramblings regularly, I have to assume that you at least are a kind and good hearted person. You are not alone. Believe that we are the majority all over the planet. Believe that your heart is leaving a beautiful mark in the world and continue to shine as gloriously as you do. Shine for your families. Shine for your friends. Shine for your neighbors. Shine for you.

Until next time, stay safe and alert. All the love to you!❤️❤️❤️

As we enter into the 4th decade of the AIDS epidemic, I wonder if this thing is ever going to be cured.

Today, the drug cocktails are so strong that they can greatly reduce the HIV levels in those infected, but they never really cure the disease. Of course diet and exercise play an important role, as I am sure positivity does as well. A while back Magic Johnson’s doctors proclaimed that his levels were so low that they were undetectable. They never said he was cured but that the levels were so low that his immune system appeared nearly perfect.

Even with that said, the virus is still contagious.

I used to know a guy named Marty. He was a great guy. Full of energy, and quite chatty. We talked almost once a week at a cafe that I used to go to after school. We hung out at the cafe and we talked about all kinds of random things. Then one day he told me he was HIV positive. I was so sad. This guy who was so full of life may have it cut short? How can that be fair? Of course this was in the 90’s, so the advances that we have now weren’t the same. During summer break, I think it was all of August, I didn’t make it to the cafe. When I went back in September, he wasn’t there. I don’t know if he moved or if he just got tired of talking to a dumb kid. Hell, he may have even passed away. I don’t know. I just kept thinking that it was such a waste that someone with that kind of spirit had to move on sooner than one would expect.

In the 80’s when the world first learned about HIV/AIDS, there were all these crazy things being said, like you can catch it by using the same bathroom and stuff. Luckily, some schools were quick to put into place a “task force” as it were, of students to act as educators to other students. I don’t know why but this particular disease always bothered me the most. Actually, no, that’s a bit of a lie. I was thinking I would edit that out, but I feel like when moments like this happen, it’s best to leave what’s written alone. Sorry, I just had a brief conversation with myself.

Anyway, I just said I didn’t know why AIDS struck me so profoundly, but I DO know why. It’s because of all the hate that I saw. Everyone was saying that it’s a curse for the gays and that only fags can get it. That it was what we deserved for following our hearts and loving another person that just happens to have the chromosomes that we do (XX or XY). I know that being in middle school and knowing that I was a big ‘mo, may seem unlikely, but I assure you, I’ve known since kindergarten. But that’s another story. Being a gay male, did this mean that AIDS was supposed to be meant for me as well? I saw the pictures of the lesions and the end result of the people who passed away. They looked so thin and gaunt. Like they’ve used the last bit of their life force to fight off the virus only to be defeated.

So I joined that student task force. I attended the meetings. I talked about “safer” sex to everyone that would listen. They called it safer, because no sexual act is without it’s dangers. The condom could break or maybe a bite accidentally draws blood. I would try my best to dispel the myths about how one can contract the virus. Unlike the rhinovirus, and lucky for us, HIV has not mutated to the point where it is an airborne threat.

Hopefully, I get the word soon that I will be joining the AIDS LifeCycle this coming summer. I’ll be hitting you all up for donations. hahaha. I guess I better hop on my bike!

So on this World AIDS Day, I wish you all health and vitality. Take care of yourselves, and your bodies as well as your spirit.

Do you know your status? Here’s a site that has resources on every level, so no matter where you are, there is some thing for you to guide you in the right direction.