December 2005 Archives

There are close to 6.5 billion people on the planet. I think most people realize what a miracle it is to meet someone that you love, but I think it’s even a miracle to meet any one particular person. Think about it: out of billions of people, the probability of connecting with any one individual is slim. And precious. Well, at least in theory. I’m sure there’s lots of people that I don’t want to meet - maybe even billions … *chuckle* but I want to be open to the possibilities of that singularity where the probabilities of time and life collide and offer an arena for personal connection.

I rode Greyhound yesterday out of New York to Washington D.C. to visit family. You could imagine how crazy it was a couple of days before Christmas; the bus was packed. The seat next to me was one of the few vacancies, so a man with a large leather-bound Bible (complete with zipper) sat next to me. Although I had on headphones, he was intent on making a connection. I could see where this was going a mile away …

I had a great conversation last night with my buddy Darrell last night about giving gifts. We both believe that a fantastic gift doesn’t have to break the bank, especially if it’s a gift for someone you know. It is truly the thought that counts; thinking about what the recepient might like or need based on what you know can be the foundation of a wonderful gift at any price point. Infuse that with style and good taste and it could be FIERCE!

I love giving gifts, but I usually don’t get caught up in the whole Obligatory Gift-Giving Marathon that occurs every year around this time, regardless of whether or not I actually have the money to spend. I just imagine so many more Black dollars leaving Harlem at Christmas, never to return. I don’t want to participate in that … but still, I love to give gifts when I can that let my loved ones know that I appreciate their presence in my life.

So, stay tuned gentle reader. I have a special gift in store for you!

I recently went to The Obligatory Corporate Holiday Party; we exchanged gifts that cost about $20 each. I contributed a gift of two CDs (Bettye Lavette’s I’ve Got My Own Hell To Raise and Meshell Ndegeocello’s Dance Of The Infidel) and received Homedics Sound Spa. I ducked out of the party early before anyone could reclaim my gift. Plus I had other business that required my attention. Let’s just say that the Sound Spa works equally as well at home and in hotel rooms … *wink!*

It really is quite soothing. At first I found myself trying to listen for the obvious signs of sampling, but eventually my imagination won that over. My favorite setting is “Rain” - it’s just rain hitting a window or a roof; no rainforest animals or extraness found in the other settings (one of which is a mother’s heartbeat *blink*). It’s been on nonstop since I brought it home.

And of course I’m going to extend the metaphor below the fold …

I have been HIV positive for ten years. I’ve spent many moments in those years asking myself questions like “Who am I now?” and “What does this mean?” - perhaps even becoming lost in the search many times more than I care to mention. Today I’m not really sure how to relate this feeling because I understand that we exist in so many different ways. That’s why I’m choosing to direct this entry to other people who are positive, to converse with a newer generation of those of us infected by this virus. I’ll say “newer” in an attempt not to assume that all new cases are indicated by youth.