getting to zero.

today is World AIDS Day.
beginning in 2011 the World AIDS Campaign & the United Nations theme is "Getting to Zero", an effort to move towards eliminating AIDS related deaths.

think that's not possible? well it is. HIV/AIDS is a completely preventable disease, but because it is so closely related to "taboo" behaviors we don't speak openly about it and let it continue to spread.

we can all stop it.

don't think you're at risk? it's probably not true.

never been tested? go and get it done. unless you've delivered a baby in the US since the mid-nineties, you have not been tested without explicitly consenting to it, which means you signed a form. HIV testing is not part of routine medical exams.

most of all, be aware, be compassionate and be informed.

seriously. find it. watch it.

adam and i watched the human experience last night; which i can honestly say is the most humbling documentary i have seen in a long time. or maybe the most humbling film i have ever seen. it was hard to keep it together through certain portions of the film. it's heartbreaking and overwhelmingly inspiring at the same time.
just when you think you can choke back tears, the soundtrack rips you apart.
please...find it & watch it.

a pause.

in the last few weeks i have been assaulted with the feeling that i should be doing something all the time; that not a moment can be wasted. i work a full time human services job and come home to my art work, the gym, dinner, wedding planning and assorted other adult-type tasks. it's easy to get caught up in looking towards the future, even if only a few hours ahead, rather than focusing on the current moment.
but now each time i open my web browser or turn on the television i am briskly reminded that all of the small worries of day to day life are trivial. across the ocean is country of people who are dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake, followed by a tsunami and now a pending nuclear crisis. these noble people are not concerned with thoughts and plans outside of the "right now", it is merely survival and grief and uncertainty.
it seems as good a time as any to look around, recognize what is truly essential, appreciate what you have and discard of frivolous concerns...and perhaps to lend a hand to our japanese brothers and sisters.