1st of December - one day, many meanings

I can't believe that today is the first of December, already!  Where has the year gone?  It feels like I've just got used to writing the date as 09, and now I've just got 30 short days of that left.  Arghhhh...  Scary stuff.

Today is "special" for many reasons.  The first, is that it's World AIDS Day. And of course, in this day and age it's so incredibly important to be aware of this and the global impact it has.  Whilst it may not always affect us as individuals, we have a social responsiblity and obligation to not forget.  Maybe it's because I'm a medic, maybe it's because I grew up in a country where it was so prevelant, maybe it's the nugget of social conscious that I have, but for me, AIDS is a huge issue.  Going on my elective last year to South Africa, to a rural(ish) hospital where HIV was the cause of a huge proportion of the work load, it was such an eye opener to the problems it causes.  And this isn't just the health issues, there's the stigma, the financial and the social aspects to the disease too.  The fight for getting anti-retrovirals to those who need them most is one of the biggest issues facing healthcare in the modern world.  And with their help, we can really help people fulfill the the catchphrase - Living with HIV.  And how people are HIV-positive in the truest sense, i.e. it's not an automatic negative thing.  And on top of getting meds to those who need it, we need to get education to those who need it, which is basically everyone!  So on this one day of the year, remember.  Remember the 80 000 people living with HIV in the UK alone, and the millions more who have lost thier lives due to this evil disease. 




And then the second significance to this day is that it is the start of Advent.  Well, that is according to Advent calenders.  This is something I don't usually do, probably because I never remember to get a calender in on time.  Of course, true Advent would have started on Sunday, being four Sundays before Christmas day.  There's a certain elegance and grace about lighting those four candles in preparation and contemplation for the day that is so special and significant to Christians everywhere.  So happy Advent everyone, regardless of it's meaning to you!

Anyhows, about my day.  I didn't have to productive day that I was originally aiming for.  Mainly because I seem to have come down with a bit of a cold, so I've had the whole sore, scratchy throat, sneezy, headachy, achy feeling going on.  Not dreadfully bad, just felt very lethargic.  So went into my teaching (bit of a waste of time, was boring as hell!) and then came straight home, bemoaning the short walk from the bus stop, as my limbs felt like they weighed a tonne!  So, aiming for a lovely early night, and hopefully get a good night sleep, following drugging myself up!