AIDSphobic

It was a pretty good day until I stumbled on this article about a very appalling incident in Bangkok:

HIV activist Nicholas Snow catches abusive Bangkok neighbour on video
by Sylvia Tan

Nicholas Snow, who came out publicly about being HIV-positive last year, captures and shares his traumatic experience of being verbally accosted by a neighbour about the former's HIV status last night on video.

Nicholas Snow, a Bangkok-based journalist who publicly disclosed his HIV-positive status in an exclusive interview with Fridae in October last year, was verbally accosted by his neighbour at his Bangkok apartment on the evening of Aug 24.

In a four and a half minute video uploaded on Youtube, the unnamed neighbour - a young Thai man - was seen picking up a knife and attempting to throw several objects at Snow as he yelled across the hallway about Snow's self-disclosure of his HIV status in a “book” (magazine) and on a gay personals web site.

Snow, who is gay, said his neighbour began verbally abusing him just as he was returning home. As the tirade did not stop after Snow had closed his door to his apartment, he picked up his video camera from inside his apartment and opened the door to film his neighbour.

The exchange went:

“I will not be harassed because I have HIV. You are not allowed to treat your neigbhours this way.”

“I don’t want friendly with people with HIV,” said the neighbour when Snow said that he's only being friendly when he greets him or others in the building.

When Snow warned his neighbour that the video would be posted on the Internet, he was told: “I don’t care. You can put it in the newspaper.”

As the tirade went on, Snow retreated into his apartment and revealed that he believes that his neigbour had come to know of his HIV-positive status from his profile on a gay personals website. On the same day, someone has sent him a message asking him to “die” or “go back to (his) own country.” The sender had also correctly identified the name of his apartment building. Snow added that he recognised the apartment, in which the photos on the profile were taken, to be similar to his own apartment.

He further explained that the will post the video on the Internet as an “example of stigma and discrimination that exist around HIV and AIDS.”

“I sorta invited stigma and discrimination to come my way because I wanted to stand up against it.”

Last year, Snow founded ActionEqualsLife.com, a social networking web site created to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, champion "human rights for all" and support equality for all LGBT people.

He also wants to stress that the “behaviour of the individual in no way represents the majority of loving, accepting, hospitable Thai citizens and expats who live in Thailand. However, HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination is prevalent throughout Asia and beyond.”





I guess I will never really feel the gravity of living with HIV/AIDS until I'm actually on the receiving end of such attacks. I dunno the circumstances that led to this incident but I know for sure that this is an unacceptable way of dealing with the issue at hand. Who knows, maybe the Thai guy had a thing with Nicholas and his world crumbled upon learning of his predicament. Or maybe he's just a slob who doesn't have anything productive to do than make people's lives miserable.

Oh well, life goes on...and ignorant people continue to dwell...

Here are some stats for those who are interested:

People living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 33.0 million
Adults living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 30.8 million
Women living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 15.5 million
Children living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 2.0 million
People newly infected with HIV in 2007 2.7 million
Children newly infected with HIV in 2007 0.37 million
AIDS deaths in 2007 2.0 million
Child AIDS deaths in 2007 0.27 million

More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.

Africa has 11.6 million AIDS orphans.

At the end of 2007, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 59% in sub-Saharan Africa.

Young people (under 25 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide.

In developing and transitional countries, 9.7 million people are in immediate need of life-saving AIDS drugs; of these, only 2.99 million (31%) are receiving the drugs.


GTGL8RZ!

Wonder Woman Tattoo

wonder woman tats
Originally uploaded by shutternewbie 

Met up with friends at the Old Nick pub last night and one of them was smiling from ear to ear. He got Lynda Carter to sign his leg over an existing Wonder Woman emblem tattoo. And, of course, as a true fan would do, he had it tattooed.

I guess it was only a matter of the stars' alignment. It was meant to happen. I would do the same thing...but I would go the extra mile and insure my tattooed limb.












GTGL8RZ!

RIP

She seemed restless as portrayed on TV.


I hope her family finds peace.


RIP Alexis Cohen.


For the story on what happened, CLICK HERE.



Found this tribute for her, uploaded after her rant on AI:





GTGL8RZ!

What the "TOOT"?

I find it amusing that a group of researchers have actually spent time studying "swearing" as a factor that could reduce physical pain. It is pretty obvious that it is part of the fight-or-flight response and I don't think swearing would do any good if you actually cut your finger off compared to just submerging it in ice water.

Here's the actual abstract of the research:











































Here's one of the researchers trying to explain the results of the study:





Now, just for pure amusement...here's Christian Bale and Napoleon Dynamite in a heated discussion...




GTGL8RZ!

Can't Stop, Won't Stop: Toronto Pride Celebration 2009

IMG_7088_pride_2009
Originally uploaded by shutternewbie 

How do you take great pictures in an event if you don't have a press pass? Well, you don't.

It's hard enough to focus on moving subjects, and when I had to stay outside the barriers during the pride parade, it made it even more of a challenge. But I managed to take some quick snaps in between a puffy mane of a shemale and a seven-footer princess.
















It was, mostly, a wet celebration but spirits were high as always. Each year, a large number of people come to share with the fun but I do hope all the bright lights and deafening music won't make us forget of why there's even such a celebration.

To see more pics...CLICK HERE

GTGL8RZ!

yellow cabs everywhere...

Yellow cabs all over..
Originally uploaded by shutternewbie 

It's so nice to have some change of air once in a while. It's not always cheap but it's worth every penny.

I spent a few days in big old NYC. Thanks to a very accommodating buddy, I didn't have to pay for a warm bed and pillow. I played the tourist role and went around Manhattan with my backpack and SLR. The web of rail and bus lines there is overwhelming compared to the simple loops in Toronto. I'm so frugal that there's no chance that I'd take a yellow cab to do my sight-seeing. With the help of hopstop, I completed my itinerary in no time. The nice weather helped me maximize the limited time I have to get some decent shots of the city as well.



There's just one thing though that I couldn't help but notice during this trip. The trash was just everywhere...and, I mean, everywhere. I guess it makes for good urban decay shots. But I never got to do any of that. I was either too busy dodging cars at crosswalks or trying to look local in Brooklyn (I don't even know what I mean by that...but anyway...).




I need to go back and stay longer.

GTGL8RZ!

Sabong

Sabong
Originally uploaded by shutternewbie 

Sabong

A pile of cock cages (not the ones you can buy in sex shops) greeted me as I turned on the tube a few nights ago and caught on the local news broadcast. They were presumably used to keep black-feathered gladiators before a tournament.

Yes, apparently cockfighting has been going on in rural Ontario. I was not at all surprised of these activities as I grew up where such cruelty is considered a sport, and, in fact, part of the tradition. There are even cock derbies advertised everywhere back in the P.I. I wasn't even surprised that some "kababayans" were part of it. What I was more surprised about is the fact that the people behind the proliferation of an illegal assembly have only been busted now, after probably so many years of doping on chicken carnage. If such obvious unacceptable meetings can go on for so long without ever getting noticed, how else would more proliferative form of illegal gambling be stopped around here?





The most disturbing part of the news is that after seizing the live cocks from the barn, the authorities had them "euthanized." Now, that doesn't sound so far-off from the death sentence of the cockpit. Anyone care for some KFC?

To read more on this, CLICK HERE.

GTGL8RZ!

14 Stations to Number 1

cracks
Originally uploaded by shutternewbie 

I had an almost tragic accident a couple of days ago and it involved the subway and a pair of tight long johns.

One of the very basic training I got from nursery school is to empty my bladder before going on a long trip. That particularly cold day, I deliberately ignored my conscience and went down the TTC rails with a full amber juice bag. As soon as I sat down and the subway doors closed, I felt the sudden force of uncontrollable urge to open the dam. My tight thermals were only good for the cold and now served as compression stockings, squeezing my internal organs in. I was in dire need of help. I concentrated on slowly standing up, hoping that the lighter pressure would slow down the process...and it did.

I ran up the next station hoping to find a room to swat the urge. Unfortunately, I just got lost in the large station and nobody really knew where the washrooms are. So I got on another train hoping to see a sign of salvation in the next stop. To add insult to injury, the coach I was on was traveling at a speed slower than a seniors' parade. We finally reached a stop where I thought I'm more familiar with. I got off, ran up the stairs and frantically looked for any stick figures sign pointing to a panic room. And there was none. So I went out of the station, ignored the red lights and ran towards heaven...the mall. I spent the next few seconds diluting a blue chemsearch block.

There are several "I should've" moments that evening, but someone needs to experience it for others not to emulate, right? Or maybe I'm just too weak to face the fact that I did some stupid decisions, so crucify me if you will.

For really lazy people who wants everything easy, CLICK HERE.


GTGL8RZ!

What is there to do on a freezing weekend?

watching the snowstorm 01
Originally uploaded by shutternewbie 

It's been in the minus teens again for the past couple of days and it's a reminder that I'm still in North America every morning as I try to force my body out of bed. People tell me that I'm never gonna get used to the cold but I can make the whole experience less of a hassle. Of course, I'm not going out to run around the oval just across from here. That's never gonna happen!

There are more fun things to do when it's freezing out without even spending a penny:

1. If you have one of those crappy DVDs that you never really bought coz it came free with a new TV or player, try watching it again with the "Director's Commentary" on. Should be interesting, especially if the director sounds so convinced that a shot was amazing, when in fact, it's just a close up of a butt zit.

2. If you're feeling naughty and have been thinking of getting back at an embarrassing prank an old pal did to you, I have a nasty idea. Download a pic from his facebook then upload and start an ad on craigslist's missed connections that says something like "are you the guy who did not flush the toilet after a big dump in the mall?" That should teach him a lesson, and I'm pretty sure you'll get more than a handful of replies. That should keep u busy in the cold night.

3. Dance, dance, dance...this always keeps me warm. To get you started, here's a vid inspired by a song from Jerry Springer, The Opera:



(vid courtesy of BGDVA)


GTGL8RZ!

Dead Men Walking

I woke up early on a Sunday. I've been anticipating this annual event ever since I missed it last year and the years before that. A bit comfy in my cocoon and high-strung then, plus I never really checked what's going on and when it's going on in the city. Couldn't wait till 3 pm for the Zombie Walk so I spent the hours before that contemplating on whether I should go as an undead Japanese school girl or Liza Minelli on formaldehyde. Wait, Liza is not dead, but she's definitely on formaline. 'Nuff of that crap.



I took the subway to Bathurst and Bloor and walked down to Queen street, just so I won't miss the group as they trek northwards. I was prepared, grande Chai lattè on one hand and my bestfriend B&H on the other. Along the way I met some biohazard control team making sure uninformed people won't get infected, although for sure they got the evil bug before the day ended. I got there right when the zombies were walking out of the Trinity Bellwoods Park. I remember taking my cam out of the bag to shoot the first batches of the undead and then the rest that followed are all now just a blur as I got sprayed by a streaming uncoagulated goo coming out of a jawless zombie. The pictures speak for themselves.


Of course, I was just channelling a diluted version of Harry Mason. It was fun, fun, fun! Being with creative people even for just a few hours, inspires me to do better in what I do, or I think I do. Maybe next year I'll fold and come up with a gory alter ego. But seriously, I was so lucky I got to experience this unique event.









To see more pics, click HERE

GTGL8RZ!

Zombies in Toronto

Found these bunch of gyrating and moaning infected Torontonians during the Nuit Blanche 2008. I got to College Park early that evening and the number getting infected was increasing as the night progressed. I had to quickly get some shots as the stench of the living dead and human carnage was unbelievable.


About a week from now, the annual Zombie Walk will happen, so this is a perfect primer for a bigger convention of crazy and fun people. I have not actually attended since I moved here but I will definitely not miss this one and I'm seriously considering showing up as a bloated and beat-up piñata.



More pics here...

GTGL8RZ!

Inukshook

It's my third time in Ottawa and, as before, I discovered something new about the city.

Just near the lake in Parliament hill is what they call "Inukshook" art exhibit. It's a very unique installation as the stone arts get naturally toppled by the water current, so every year the view changes. I found just one person completing his addition to the exhibit when I went there. It's basically uneven rocks and stones balanced on top of each other. Some of them form recognizable images and some simply form random images that looked great even if I din't know what they represent, although they will all look like phallic symbols if you haven't had sex in a while.



The backdrop of the sun's reflection on moving water looked like flowing gold in blue satin sheets. The lakeview looked a bit like the beaches in Toronto sans the rowdy crowd and the over-enterprising kiosks. The only downer with the place is that a herd of geese controls the area and the droppings were just everywhere. It's not too bad if you don't mind getting poop tokens from Ottawa.


GTGL8RZ!

Where are the rickshaws when you need them?

Had a good cardio workout today courtesy of the TTC.

I was on my regular home route when the choppy PA announced that the subway trip ends in Lawrence, seven stations away from my stop. Oohweeh! I knew right there and then that I would have to go on foot rather than wait in the long line for the buses and bask in post-work stench. So together with hundreds of 9 to 5 people, I trekked the busy Yonge street and spent the next 2 hours dragging my bum and listening to Moby.




Inbetween Davisville and St. Clair, I was wishing rickshaws would show up. Obviously, cabs were all flagged and the full shuttle buses were not even options at that time. But then again, I made it home without even cussing at the subway service, which I should be doing now but, I guess, other people have blogged about it too many times before, plus I'm too preoccupied with Survivor Gabon and Grey's Anatomy season openers.

I'm going to review the alternative routes in the subway system map after primetime TV, which I think is the best way to deal with emergencies like this, especially when there are no other cheap commuter options to go around the city. Or maybe I should buy a lottery ticket and win some bucks for a heli.

GTGL8RZ!

Summer's over....at least for this year

For all the summer-hungry people, it's now officially okay to mourn. Yes, chilly nights are back and flip-flops will be limited to just the laundry room. It's a welcome respite for some, but hell for those with tons of allergies. Breezy and dusky, thats how most days will be, at least, until we see some signs of the inevitable snow.

Although I'm not at all a cold weather-person, I'm looking forward to the change in people interactions. For some reason, folks, or at least the ones in Toronto, shift their people skills into low gear when the weather is cooler. I'm pretty sure it's physiological but I find it amusing that the colors of fall mirror people's dispositions.

Did I mention new coat-hunting is on?

GTGL8RZ!

I Can Breathe Now

The clutches of hatred and apathy
slowly drained my soul.
I almost lost the ability
to see beauty around me;
I almost gave up
on things that make me smile

The shards of broken promises
deeply struck my heart.
I almost choke on dark
memories of years past;
I almost drowned from
the deep abyss that is
my sorrow.

Then I started living each day
as it comes and handed reign
over my life to the angels and fairies
of lost loves.
Furtive whispers, I heard;
Let go, the voices chanted,
to which I humbly obliged.

I stretched my whole being and
threw myself to the dark recesses
of the unknown future and waited
for the big splash.

I felt nothing but a gush of sudden
realization that I am still alive despite
the lethal blows of heartaches.

My body began to gloriously tingle
from the warmth emanating
from within.
I am breathing again;
Calm and without restraint.


_________________________________________

Unified: Toronto Pride March 2008

The noise has come and gone but I'm still feeling the crazy vibe of last Pride's celebrations. In the previous years, I was one of thousands outside the barricades who waited for hours, burnt their skins, and developed stiff necks just to see what the annual Pride festivity was all about.


I am adamant about blind sloganeering. It's like a Jew singing Christmas carols or a diabetic on a diet of Krispy Kremes. The Pride parade is more than just people running around to get noticed. A grand sloganeering march as it may seem, but it's the kind where you really feel that the cause is genuine even when it's bundled with a technicolor dreamcoat. I was fortunate enough to witness this year's parade on a more intimate level. I was running around taking shots of the "flambiest" of the flamboyants but I truly felt the difference in going out and giving support to the "fabulous" community. Yes, anti-homophobia laws are present in Canada. But the struggle for equality doesn't stop there and all these festivities will not reach fruition if the courage to be seen and heard dies down after all the cheers.


I believe that within the gay community itself, a common goal is still wanting. The "Unified" theme this year absolutely captured what people should bear in mind; that a flock of flamencos can trample a giant boar only if they dance to the same tune.



For the complete 2008 Sunday Pride March gallery, CLICK HERE.

GTGL8RZ!

Toronto Dyke March

I just finished uploading the last batch of pics for last weekend's Pride celebrations. It took me a week to sort everything out and do some basic postprocessing. Sometimes I wish I'm doing this full time, instead of my day job. But then again, the day job pays the bills, so I can't complain, at least for now.

This particular SET was taken last Saturday, June 28. I've never actually attended the Dyke March since I moved here in Toronto so it's something new to me, plus the blaring boobies were a little too much to handle. Weather forecast was not so good for that day, but, fortunately, not a drop of sky juice trickled to dampen the excited crowd and marchers. The organizers probably were too concerned about the no-show precipitation that the whole march was actually done in about 40 minutes or less. Barricades were not completely set-up so it's pretty much a free-for-all, feel like a paparazzi, and a crazy click-happy day for everyone. 'Twas generally fun but I found it too quick; almost like sniffing old poppers at a friend's house party.

[Image also appears on NowPublic]



Click HERE for the complete Dyke March gallery.


GTGL8RZ!

Pedicab, Canadian style

An ongoing free pedicab ride program is being offered in the Toronto downtown core to boost a greener lifestyle this summer. It seems like a very noble idea but I think that if one needs to travel for only a few blocks, walking is the better alternative.


[vid from TorontoStarVideo]

One of the perks of living downtown is the convenient proximity to most of the places that one needs to go to everyday. In my opinion, the Eco-Cabs work in terms of instilling awareness amongst the green virgins but, at the same time, are impractical unless your bum is bigger than Kim Kardashian's that it lags for 3 blocks. I'm not sure if these pedicabs are or will be dispatched to the burbs where I think it would best reach its full potential.

Now, these pedicabs are not new to the 3rd world. It's the poorman's savior, especially in the P.I. Just look at these pics:






















[courtesy of www.daylife.com]
















[courtesy of www.daylife.com]

GTGL8RZ!

Chalked out

Saw this pavement chalk artist while basking in Manila weather around downtown Toronto. It's a very decent and, not to mention, very inspiring way to share one's talent and earn some cash. Won't it be great if panhandlers learn a bit of buskering instead of just sitting around and pissing on walls?

This is a video of the same guy doing a Johannes Vermeer, courtesy of wmacphail:



Here's another talented and more well-known pavement artist in the same area: Chalkmaster

GTGL8RZ!

Danielle Chorizo does the nasty

Talk about facing reality. My fave season 2 SYTYCD? finalist does the not so unexpected in tonight's episode. In case you missed it, here's the great technician, Danielle Chorizo:



She's just amazing even in a menstrual red dress!

GTGL8RZ!