Word association...

You know the old game; "You say Black" and "I say white". Well here's a little list I picked up and had a bit of fun with. Enjoy another strange insight into my life.

1. Cigarette: No
2. Sex: Yes
3. Relationship: Mine
4. Ex: Dead
5. Power: Corrupt
6. Create: New
7. Job: None
8. Food: Like
9. Type: Now
10. Home: Here
11. Care: Need
12. Value: Time
13. Eve: Christmas
14. Jest: Laugh
15. Religion: None
16. Thunder: Cool
17. Fear: Spider
18. Marriage: Okay
19. Back: Sore
20. Spark: Lighter
21. Tear: Rip
22: Trust: Hope
23: Boredom: Always
24. Inside: Out
25: Fire: Warm
26. Game: Play
27: Soft: Hard
28: Ice: Cold
29: Hard: Soft
30: Because: Why
31. Community: Spirit
32. Wood: Timber
33. Theme: Music
34. Love: Hate
35. Hate: Mail
36. Friendship: People
37. Money: Good
38. Heartache: Death
39. Lust: Sex
40. Time: Short
41. Divorce: Twice

Two more for mum...

I cut this rose this morning from the front garden. I have never seen roses so big. I know it looks like I made the flower bigger by taking the picture up close but I swear it is that big (bigger than my two fists combined).

Enjoy mum...

New National Australian Safe Sex Campaign?

The Australian government is considering spending $10 million dollars over the next four years to run a national safe sex campaign to prevent to spread of HIV. The target group for this campaign will be gay men who are still the main population affected by HIV in Australia. Increases in new HIV infections have been seen in almost every state within Australia over the past few years. This money would be useful in the fight against HIV. To read the rest go here.

For my mum....

I know my mum reads this blog. So there is no real reason for this post other than to share this picture with her and you. Once again some flowers from our garden. The garden we don't have to do anything to other than water it and things just keep growing. I'm a lucky man.

Anyway, Hi mum these are for you.

Just for fun

I saw this over at Southern Expressions and just had to get one. I know you just posted it also Brad but it's a slow day here. So, thanks after the fact. Just a bit of self indulgent fun. It's a word cloud taking key words most repeated from this blog. Interesting which words stand out.

You can get one to here.

Happy Australia Day...

Australia Day is a national holiday here in the land of Oz. On this day Australians celebrate the arrival of the First Fleet, under Captain Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove and set up the Colony of New South Wales. I've celebrated many Australia Days but this was my first one as a true blue Ozzie. We didn't do anything special as James had to work but at least he got paid extra. The weekend is upon us starting tomorrow and we are/were planing on working in the garden but if the weather forecast holds true we're in for a wet few days and even though it's summer we are expecting temperatures as low as 7c (44F). Let's hope not. Anyway, have a good weekend....

My fine is $510.10...

I got a giggle out of this meme type entry that I read over at 'Til the Cows Come Home, who got it from Tuna Girl, Anyway, it is a list of fines that you might pay based on certain things you have done in the past or maybe even doing currently??? My fine for offences totalled $510.10.

So, here’s how it works: You don’t have to confess your answers, just add up all of your offences and then tell us how much of a fine you would have to pay. You only have to pay the fine for each thing once. So, if you smoke pot everyday you still only get fined $10. Tally up your score and post it on your blog with the title… ”My Fine Is…”

Smoked pot — $10
Did acid — $5
Ever had sex at church — $25
Woke up in the morning and did not know the person who was next to you — $40
Had sex with someone on MySpace — $25
Had sex for money — $100
Vandalized something — $20
Had sex on your parents’ bed — $10
Beat up someone — $20
Been jumped — $10
Crossed dressed — $10
Given money to stripper — $25
Been in love with a stripper — $20
Kissed some one who’s name you didn’t know — $0.10
Hit on some one of the same sex while at work — $15
Ever drive drunk — $20
Ever got drunk at work, or went to work while still drunk — $50
Used toys while having sex — $30
Got drunk, passed out and don’t remember the night before — $20
Went skinny dipping — $5
Had sex in a pool — $20
Kissed someone of the same sex — $10
Had sex with someone of the same sex — $20
Cheated on your significant other — $10
Masturbated — $10
Cheated on your significant other with their relative or close friend — $20
Done oral — $5
Got oral — $5
Done/got oral in a car while it was moving — $25
Stole something — $10
Had sex with someone in jail — $25
Made a nasty home video — $15
Had a threesome — $50
Had sex in the wild — $20
Been in the same room while someone was having sex — $25
Stole something worth over more than a hundred dollars — $20
Had sex with someone 10 years older — $20
Had sex with someone under 21 and you are over 27 — $25
Been in love with two people or more at the same time — $50
Said you love someone but didn’t mean it — $25
Went streaking — $5
Went streaking in broad daylight — $15
Been arrested — $5
Spent time in jail — $15
Peed in the pool — $0.50
Played spin the bottle — $5
Done something you regret — $20
Had sex with your best friend — $20
Had sex with someone you work with at work — $25
Had anal sex — $80
Lied to your mate — $5
Lied to your mate about the sex being good — $25

How much is your fine?

Happy feet...NOT

I'm sitting here, it is 4:30am. I woke up from a weird dream and my feet were aching really bad. I don't know if it was the weird dream I was having or the pain that woke me. I'm glad I woke from the dream as it was not a good dream but not really a nightmare. I dreamt that I was having my foot pain and the newly acquired hand pain, which we think is a side effect of one of the medications I'm taking to control the foot pain. I can't win!

Anyway, I wasn't able to get anyone to help me with the pain (in the dream). All the doctors kept telling me, is there was nothing they could do about and to get used to it(the pain). The doctors said the pain was a direct result from the length of time that I have been HIV+ (21 years). In other words the disease had been affecting other functions within my system not just my immune system. The funny thing about dream is that they reflect recent events and James and I were at breakfast yesterday morning talking about this very point however not specifically about me but about how people sometimes have a doctor that tell them to get over themselves and just deal with the pain or a side effect of a drug and to be grateful they are alive.

Let me say that I am very grateful to be alive but it is by my sure determination to be so. I put up with the pain, taken all the crappy medications and dealt with all sorts of health problems that this disease has dished up to me over the years and it can be damn depressing. I'm not the only one that has dealt with these issue as I know a lot of other HIV+ people who have similar problems and they have all coped with their issues in the own way. I've written about this before and I'm sure I will again because it is a way for me to cope and it helps me get it out of my system. So, I will inevitably continue to write about how I deal or don't deal with living with HIV and at the same time try to go through life "being normal".

I took my pain medicine a while ago and the ache is easing but under it all I know it's still there and some how I need to keep it from winning... I will.

Don't even ask about the hand pain...

Being Scorpio

A part of being normal is the fact that I am also a Scorpion by birth (8th November), so I figured I needed to find out how much of of Scorpio I was and whether I was a "normal" Scorpio. So without further adieu...

How much of a Scorpio am I?

You are 93% Scorpio

How Scorpio Are You?

Based on the results it seems that I am pretty much a Scorpio through and through whether or not I'm a "normal" one remains a mystery.

The simple life...

When we moved to Tasmania over two years ago we did so for many reasons. One of those reasons was we had enough of all the people in Sydney (over 4 million) compared to the smaller population here in Hobart (approximately 180,000+/-). Most of the year it stays relatively quiet but during the summer we have on average 30 large cruise liners dock in port for a few days on their way from Sydney to New Zealand. The boats bring much needed money to the economy along with those that come in by plane for summer holidays. During thew three months of summer December-February it gets just a little crowded on our little island. I thought I'd share a picture of one of the liners taken from our back yard. we love seeing the boats and thankful for tourist dollar but I can't wait for Fall/Winter so they will all go home!

Still bloomin'...

I've posted many times before about the things that bloom in our garden. Once again I want to share. These Stargazer Lilies are in the garden at the front of the house. I have been waiting since early December for them to start blooming. They decided to show their colours yesterday. Last year we had only three and we got four this year. Hopefully they will continue to multiply So for your viewing enjoyment...

Another list...

I've been borrowing a lot of things/ideas from other bloggers lately but I still have to fill them out and do the post so in a way I am writing something. I know it's lazy but you still get to know something else about my life. Anyway I got this from Brad who borrowed it from someone else. Enjoy....

A- Available or single? Neither, very happily attached
B- Best Friend? My other half James
C- Cake or Pie? My Peanut Butter pie
D- Drink of Choice? Pepsi
E- Essential Item? iPod
F- Favorite Color? Brown
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Neither
H- Hometown? Originally Dallas via New Orleans but I consider Hobart, Tasmania home now
I- Indulgence? Eating breakfast out every morning
J- January or February? Neither as they are both summer months here in the Southern Hemisphere. So prefer June/July being winter here
K. Kids and names? Daughter- Erin, Cat - Molly
L- Life is incomplete without? James
M- Marriage Date? Not allowed to marry
N- Number of Siblings? 1 real brother, 1 half brother and 5 step brothers (Both parents re-married)
O- Oranges or apples? Both
P- Phobias/Fears? I hate snakes
Q- Favorite Quote? "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death. You got to live, live live!" Auntie Mame
R- Reason to Smile? I'm alive and I have James
S- Season? Fall, love the colours
T- Tag three people! I hate doing that, so I agree with Brad, do the list if you want...
U- Unknown Fact About Me? If I told you it wouldn't be unknown....
V-Vegetable you hate? Beetroot (beets to Americans) Australians love it and eat it on everything sandwiches salads etc.
W- Worst habit? Stressing about things I can't control
X- X-Rays you’ve had? Everything from top to bottom at one point or another...
Y- Your favorite food? I like food period!
Z- Zodiac? Scorpio true to nature!

Update: After writing this and showing it to James he said he felt a bit as if he were being stalked. I find that funny seeing that we have lived together for going on nine years. I must be a pretty successful stalker. I realise it looked a little like I was a bit obsessed with him but the reality is that he is the love of my life and I will continue to stalk him to the ends of the earth. (GRIN)

Sounds like me...

You Are An ISFJ

The Nurturer You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal. A good listener, you excell at helping others in practical ways. In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music. You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for. You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.

What's Your Personality Type?

Music to live by...

I borrowed this from here and thought it would be fun. I think I got some interesting results although I'm not sure what they say about me or my life. Although some of them are both scary and funny. Enjoy...

1. Open your music library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...

1. Opening Credits: "Straighten Up and Fly Right" - Robbie Williams
2. Waking Up: "Breathe Again" - Toni Braxton
3. First Day At School: "Shadowland" - K.D. Lang
4. Falling In Love: "Loop-Hole" - Buddha Lounge
5. Fight Song: "Shock the Monkey" - Peter Gabriel
6. Breaking up: "Concert No 8 in G in theatrical style" - Francois Couperin
7. Prom: "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)" - Van Morrison
8. Life: "The Windmills of Your Mind" - Dusty Springfield
9. Mental Breakdown: "Velocity" - Buddha Lounge
10. Driving: "I Can't Make You Love Me" - Bonnie Raitt
11. Flashback: "Escapade" - Janet Jackson
12. Getting back together: "Moonshadow" - Cat Stevens
13. Losing your virginity: "Let The Music Play" - Shannon
14. Wedding: "Full Moon" - Buddha Lounge
15. Birth of Child : "My Love" - Paul McCartney & Wings
16. Final Battle: "Peter Gunn" - Henry Mancini
17. Funeral Song: "Mademoiselle Kitt" - Eartha Kitt
18. End Credits: "All the Way/One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)" - Frank Sinatra & Kenny G

How normal am I?

Since I am always trying to find out what is "normal" I found this test that tells me how normal I am. I did not know it was this easy.

You Are 75% Normal

Otherwise known as the normal amount of normal You're like most people most of the time But you've got those quirks that make you endearing You're unique, yes... but not frighteningly so!

How Normal Are You?

The test was okay but I don't think I look anything like a girl and I've never been to Paris..... HMMMM????

Stop Homophobia looks to Tasmania's past...

In 1994, a Mr. Toonen from Tasmania had been arrested for being in a same-sex relationships. Mr. Toonen took his case to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights and ultimately won his case. The commission said his arrest was a breach of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the right of privacy. French activist Louis-George Tin, founder of the International Day Against Homophobia wants to cite that case and use it as precedent in the hopes that the same jurisprudence will be extended to 75 countries, where being gay or lesbian (being in a same sex-relationship) is still a crime. Read the rest here...

The Dame rules...

James and I hopped on a plane Saturday to head up to Melbourne for a few days. I had bought tickets for his b-day to see Dame Edna way back in September. Being in Melbourne we also got to do a bit of shopping at a few stores we don't have down here in little ol' Tasmania; places like Max Brenner, Haighs and David Jones. Funny I linked to DJ's as they don't do Internet based sales like say Macy's. That type of thing is slow coming here in Australia. Some of the specialty stores like T2, Dusk and my favourite Rodd & Gunn; although they're based in New Zealand, have web site sales but not the big stores like David Jones and Myer's.

Anyway, I digress. We had an uneventful flight up from Hobart although we weren't sure how it was going to go as it was raining cats and dogs in Hobart when we left and it was supposed to be stormy up to Melbourne. It did not eventuate. I'm glad it rained at home though as we really need it. Funny thing, they always say it's raining in Hobart and the reality is it's the second driest place in Australia. Back to my story, we arrived in Melbourne around noon and were allowed to check in at our favourite hotel the Crown Promenade. It was hot 32c (90f) and muggy in Melbourne so we first changed into some shorts before heading out for a bite to eat and a bit of shopping.

After a walk around and really after I couldn't stand the humidity anymore we headed back to the room for a short rest before dinner and a bit of a gamble at the casino. We only play the slot machines and always have a limit of $100.00. James made out good and won around $675.00, which paid for the weekends food and shopping. I at least was able to play enough to loose and win back my original $100.00.

The next day the mugginess had left albeit still overcast. We had a lovely breakfast and strolled around Southbank and Federation Square before the show, which was a matinee. The State Theatre is located on South Bank so we strolled over and went inside to cool off once again as the warmth came back towards the end of the day. We found our seats and waited for the show to begin.



The show was FANTASTIC!. It ran just on 2.5 hours and of course it is a one man show with a few (4) back up singer/dancers and a pianist. All the rest is all Bary Humprhies. The show has played to sold out crowds in New York and was nominated for a Tony. I don't know how much longer he will continue to do live shows considering he is 72, but I tell you what he is a goer! I understand he is planning a new television series for the BBC so maybe that will fill in for the live shows. Either way it was one heck of a night!

We had a late dinner after the show then off to bed before an early flight home. and that was a quick wrap of our weekend. How was yours?

Another view...

It's not my personal view but that of someone else, however my view does not vary from this person's view. I do agree with this person and because he articulates his thoughts much better than I ever could I wanted to share. I support the men and woman serving in Iraq because they are doing their job as they have been directed, but I do not support the people responsible for sending them there...

Be aware that this video is over 10 minutes long but so worth watching...

The Roaring Forties...

Not this roaring forties, I'm talking about the ones associted with the fact that my one and only had his fortieth b-day yesterday and all in all it was a relatively smooth transition for him. He had been having a few issues in the weeks leading up to the day, but a couple of days before the event I had a good long talk with him and we sorted a lot of things out. Most people should be so lucky to be in his/our position; we own our home mortgage free as well as another property in Sydney (also mortgage free). Our car is also completely paid for and only one year old. James only has to work 3 days a week. We have no outstanding credit card debt. We have a bit of money in the bank for a rainy day. He is in perfect health (me so, so) and last but not least we have each other. (GRIN)

Now as I said, there aren't many people that can say the same thing when they hit that milestone of 40, but he can and he understands just how fortunate he is. He worked hard to get where he is but it was all worth the effort. All we have to do now is look forward to the future and the way I see it the future looks pretty darn good.

So Happy Birthday James. I love you!

Happy New Year 2007!

It is January 1 2007 and a new year has officially started here in the land down under. I posted the picture from Sydney even though we now live in Tasmania. Our fireworks weren't as spectacular as the ones in Sydney but none the less they were quite good. We went out with friends last night to a Greek restaurant and had a really good meal with lots of singing, hand clapping and plenty of laughs. We then went out to watch the fireworks. I have to admit we have not gone out to watch fireworks in the past few years especially when we lived in Sydney. I think the last time we went out there was in 2002. It was just such a huge effort to fight through the crowds of thousands and in reality James usually had to work at the hospital. But this year after we decided lets venture out in little Hobart town and we ended up having a great time.

Anyway, I just want to wish every one once more a Happy New Year! I hope that you will be able to start the New Year with a clean slate. Remember as Auntie Mame said "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving. You got to Live, Live Live! James and I plan to do just that...