A World Away

Many years ago there was an HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States. It is no longer at such dramatic proportions in the US, but it is still an Epidemic for many other parts of the world. Especially portions of Africa.

Yesterday (Dec. 1st) was World AIDS Day and former US President, Bill Clinton, did an episode of Sesame Street in South Africa to teach young children about HIV/AIDS. This was a beautiful video and I'm not going to lie, I cried. A lot. Because I can't even imagine how terrifying it must be to have this infection in your body and to not even be hugged because people are so ignorant. Especially for a child, who desperately needs hugs and love and kisses to feel better.

HIV/AIDS is not a "world away." It is not a fairy tale that exists somewhere else. It is happening to people, to children, all over the world.

For the Love of Tennis

Arthur Ashe



Arthur Ashe was a renowned tennis player during the 60's and 70's.



Some Interesting Facts
* Ashe was the first African-American player to be picked for the United States Davis Cup team.

* Was the first African-American man to win a Grand Slam Tournament.

* He retired in 1979 due to a heart attack, which required a quadruple bypass surgery.

* After his retirement Ashe wrote for Time Magazine, the Washington Post and Tennis Magazine.

* Ashe was arrested during a protest in front of the South African Embassy in Washington DC. The protest was for Anti-Apartheid in South Africa.

* He was diagnosed with HIV in 1983, after a blood transfusion.

Some Quotes from Arthur Ashe
- "Racism is not an excuse to not do the best you can."

- "Success is a journey, not a destination."

- "I believe I was destined to do more than hit tennis balls"

- "I respected the way they stood tall against the sky and insisted on being heard in matters other than Track and Field -- on matters of Civil Rights and social responsibility. I couldn't help but admire them."

- "You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy."

- "True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost."

Arthur Ashe does the Alphabet on Sesame Street

Hari Krishna Loves You

Apparently there is a lot of Penis in the news today. O.O I don't quite know what to do about this. So I'll just give it to you hard... I mean STRAIGHT! Agh! The penis is going to my head!

Two articles on Penises:
First a guy gets his penis stuck in a metal pipe.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/808171-mans-penis-freed-from-metal-pipe-with-industrial-grinder

Iguana Penis Saga. I didn't know that an Iguana could have a Penis Saga?!
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/35595-happy-end-to-iguana-penis-saga

And now on to other, slightly less awkward articles. Well, less awkward than penis articles. Right?

This guard with INSANE ideas was fired. I wonder why? You have to read this to believe it.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/031610dnmetjailguard.3d93cdf.html

Eating Bananas might help prevent HIV.
http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/health/stories/bananas-prevent-hiv-infection

A 13 year old boy was stabbed in a library. Several other articles are in this one.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/nypd_blotter/nypd_daily_blotter_ZIDMBpp2YzWnJh01OsJIgM

The Dowager Duchess of St. Albans had a VERY colorful past. A VERY interesting article nonetheless.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/7450767/The-Dowager-Duchess-of-St-Albans.html

Two men were killed in a freak accident whilst moving a windmill.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/two-men-killed-after-windmill-they-were-moving-hit-powerlines/story-e6frf7jo-1225841401952

Your song for the day is "Good Day" by TallyHall. I really, really like this song.