33.2 million is a lot of people

Last week, The Economist reported that, according to WHO and UNAIDS, the number of people infected with HIV worldwide fell from 39.5m to 33.2m over the course of this past year. And while that sounds like an awesome statistic (and it is, in many respects), the "drop" is actually due to a change in the statistical methods used by the aforementioned organizations. If you use the revised models with last year's data, last year's HIV total would have been 32.7m; in other words, there are 500,000 more cases this year versus last year.

But that is not necessarily a bad thing. Most people attribute the larger number to two things. First, more people are living longer with HIV and AIDS due to the availability of new treatments, and second, the number of new infections seems to be going down. In any case, there are a number of other statistics in the article that give cause for hope towards the ability for humankind to manage the disease (much like it manages other chronic afflictions like diabetes). Read the full article for more details:

WHO's counting?
by The Economist
November 22nd 2007

Still, the current treatments aren't perfect (nevermind a cure), and they don't work for everyone. So, research (for treatments) and education (for prevention) must continue. In fact, I was reminded of this earlier today by my mom, who mentioned that yesterday was World AIDS Day; it seems my sister (who works for the Peace Corps in western Kenya) had helped put on an educational event in her community for the occasion.

World AIDS Day has been observed every year since 1988 on December 1st. In some respects, this post is a day late.. but, as I mentioned, it is important that we're reminded of the issue once in a while, regardless of an "official", um, holiday. But beyond World AIDS Day, the US Department of Health and Human Services sponsors several "Awareness Days" throughout the year, each aimed at a different population; if you're interested, check out their full schedule of events.

Hopefully, the repercussions of HIV and AIDS aren't too close to home for you personally, but chances are, someone you know *is* affected on some level; 33.2 million is a lot of people. And in the global scheme of things, a scourge on such a large scale has secondary and tertiary effects that certainly affect our economy, our scientific research priorities, and, perhaps most sadly of all, our sense of personal "freedom".

With all of this in mind earlier today, I did what any American consumer would do: I bought a tshirt (with part of the proceeds going to AIDS research). Who's "doing their part" now? Oh man.. haha.

The mullet that never was

Apparently, I've let the "let it be" experiment on my head go on a little too long. According to one of my bros here in NYC - and I'm paraphrasing more poetically than his initial observation would have it - I've let my hair extend far away from a trim central control and have arrived at a precipice overlooking mulletdom.

Well, if that is the case (let me assure you that the jury is still out), then let me say that the view from such a place, well, sucks. You see, I'm not a huge fan of the hairstyle on anyone, clueless hillbilly or not, but especially do not want to cross paths with it personally, given the fact it is a hairstyle that had been appropriated by hipsters circa 2000 or so. In other words, to be associated with the, um, tail end of a hipster trend is an unfashionable fate that I do not wish to endure (ever). And I don't care if it still cool in Spain or Eastern Europe (forever and ever) or wherever.

I know that on some level I shouldn't care one way or other - since I do not *actually* have a mullet - but, well, I do (care). haha. And, so, I have resolved to get a proper haircut once I get back to SF. More immediately, I received a few key snips around the nape of my neck from a friend last night; errant hair fell to the battered hardwood floor to be swept up later, though a few strands of it, I'm sure, escaped to mill about clandestinely - no stopping it now.

Well, my running self sure would like me to cut my hair to something approaching a military buzz, but I won't go down that route (again - though it's been awhile). Yeah, I'm sure we can balance that sort of practicality with something a bit more flattering. What to do? I'll just leave it in the hands of my barber; the fashion haven of a 16th and Mission barbershop awaits; $9 is not too much to pay to have a fine mane crafted upon my crown. hahahaha.

I can tie a tie

I got a little duded up Saturday night and in doing so, had pulled out a bunch of my fancy pants, dressy jackets, and ties-so-nice to try on; one of 'dem fabulous Kitsune Maison compilations played in the background. In the end, though, I, of course, only wore one of each; the rest would be left for another night. So, on Sunday I looked at the mess of fabrics draped around my room (floor included), and dreaded the small chore of putting everything back on hangers, buttoned and pressed, for the next decadent outing.

And I did what anyone would do: I delayed the inevitable.

You see, I put on a nice Yves Saint Laurent shirt - one of the also-rans from the night before - and buttoned it straight to the top; a Countess Wara NY tie was pulled around my neck and knotted in a very standard Windsor knot. And it was cool enough outside to warrant the wearing of a Thierry Mugler 3-button jacket; and I did so - to stave off the chillies. The jacket is cut slim, with its arms at a nice length relative to my arms; such a ratio allows me to show off a nice silver-colored bracelet (which I had applied) or a French-cuffed shirt (which I had not).

In short, I was waaaay overdressed for going downtown and running a few errands (including one at the "new" mall). haha. Actually, I have been "dressing up" a little more lately - relatively speaking - for no real reason beyond just going out of the house. It's more than appropriate; I mean, the second-hand stores have been generous to me over the years (did you really think I was buying YSL new?), so why not put their, née, my, bounty of clothes to good use? I even had a touch of eyeliner on from the night before (that persevered through a post-Sunday-bikeride shower); how could I waste that fashion foundation? ;)

All that said, I love me some rolled up 514's, a cool tshirt and a no-logo hoodie; you're still more likely find me in that SF uniform more often than not. But it's nice to know I'm capable of other modes of presentation, right? See you on the runway..

ps. I cleaned up my room today; the clothes are back in the closet and waiting for the next time I do something exciting - like return a DVD at the library. haha.

Jeans, make thyself a quilt

Not quite a quilt, but my jeans sure do need a patching. Too many times a phone or flask found tucked into the once-tight and faded-blue fabric has worn the stitching beyond softly and into the realm of shredded non-existence. The wind, or another so bold, could reach through, so wily, to my defenseless front right pocket and further to my front right thigh. The tempting opportunity is seemingly presented forevermore - blue jeans don't heal themselves, as entropy is the way of the world - until, that is, my jeans make like a quilt, transformed on their own, or, more likely, with help; they sure do need a patching.

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So if you come across any cool fabric patches, let me know. I got the thread and a bit of the know-how, but will always submit to good advice..