Ink'd up!

angelindiskies:

Have people in your life that, when you make plans with them, they use ink on their calendars and not a pencil.  

Hey, I’m an addict, I have stickin’ thinkin’.  Whenever someone pencils me in I immediately think that if something better comes along they will just do that instead.  It has happened to me before, and I was given to excuses like, “I forgot,” “I thought I told you,” and whatever else.  Some of the excuses may be honest and true.  I get it; life happens.  

When I make plans, that’s the plan I make.  If something terribly exciting comes along I still stick to my plans with whomever and decline any other offers.    That’s just me.  If there is an opportunity to extend an invitation to the person, I have a previous engagement with; bring them all, buy them a ticket, et al.. I will make the suggestion to them, and if they decline (that’s OK), I will stick with our original plan.  

Like I said, life happens.  There are circumstances, at times, out of one’s control, and plans do change.  Maybe for the better.  Time is precious, I would think that one deserves to know where they stand & what’s going on ASAP.  I try and do that and deserve that in return.  

Now it may seem that I am inflexible and premeditated; lacking spontaneity. That is not true.  There are feelings that are kicked up for me when I am ‘penciled in’.  Feelings of less-than, undeserving, fear of abandonment, not being good enough, fear of rejection et al… and that just from being told I was penciled in, or last minute cancellations, or I having to find out myself (I mean, come on! Are we not adults?); I should not have to initiate the conversation for your lack of balls. Totally projecting!  I know. Now imagine if the plans actually do change and I am left out.  Those feelings suddenly become my reality even though the other party’s intent was not to harm me; my feelings are real to me.  Knowing these feelings, I try not to have others feel them too, so I try to respect their time, every time. I am punctual and honest about my availability. Anything else I ‘could’ have do? Oh well, maybe it’s not that deep. I can do things on my own. At least I know what’s on my schedule 

I use pen on my calendar (period!)

johnny-vox:

I Love My Boo campaign features real young men of color loving each other passionately. Rather than sexualizing gay relationships, this campaign models caring, and highlights the importance of us taking care of each other. Featured throughout New York City, I Love My Boo directly challenges homophobia and encourages all who come across it to critically rethink our notion of love.

GMHC is the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. Building on decades of dedication and expertise, we understand the reality of HIV/AIDS and empower a healthy life for all. GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.

I simply cannot express how wonderful this is.

October is National AIDS Awareness Month