I have been searching for a new bike to replace my old one that was stolen in the Fall. It has been very frustrating because I am not finding what I want and it makes me realize even more how awesome my old bike was. I'm looking for a used bike, something that is high quality but something that is not too flashy. I'm hesitant to have a bike that looks expensive. I went to Rick's to look at his used bikes and there were only two my size and they were way too heavy for what he was asking. I'm also looking on ebay. Actually, every time somebody posts a Raleigh Technium I get an email alert. I usually get one about every other day but most of them turn out to be not what I'm looking for. I'm not really sure where else to look for a used bike. (e:mike) and I are going to Rochester today for my Dad's birthday...I wonder if they have any place that sells them?

IF I get a new bike, I want a Raleigh Grand Sport. I have been noticing this guy in the neighborhood with one and it always catches my eye. I can just barely afford it and would have to put half of it on credit. My main concern with this really is that I really like riding around on the West side and I don't want to be mugged. With my old bike I blended in but with this new one I feel like I would stick out a bit. Anyways, the nicer the weather gets the more anxiety I have about not having a bike.

Today I participated on being on a diversity panel for a local middle school. I got up on a stage and told a school full of 7th graders what it was like to be gay and have to hide it. It felt like I was giving myself advice on how to deal with being gay. The main message that we all got across was that it was not okay to hurt other people, that it causes real suffering. One of the panelists was John Steven from American Idol. He talked about being bullied in that very same school and how it affected him. John is a very good person, it must have been great for people who are being bullied to think that they can be successful like him too.

The kids were so great and respectful to me and to all of us. Reggie from Roswell was there, he is the Diversity Director at the hospital. Also, Cheryl, a mother of someone who was picked on at the school, and my friend Frances, a Latina who was able to achieve despite expectations. I was so happy to be able to talk to them and thought it was so great that the principal at the school has permitted this time be taken from instruction. It did not end or begin at the assembly. The kids have been prepped long before and were to use the rest of the afternoon to discuss what was bought up in the auditorium. My friend Cristina, a teacher at the school, along with a guidance counselor, Kim were the ones who started Diversity Day and the ones responsible for making it happen. The Wellness Committee, students at the school, welcomed us in at the door and showed us to the auditorium. It was so awesome.

I am on my way home from Charlotte and am writing this thanks to the free wi-fi access Airtran is offering this week. I left last minute to go stay with my Aunt who I wrote about previously who is sick with Lyme disease. It was nice being there since this was her first week back to work after two weeks of being bed-ridden. We really had a nice time together and I love Charlotte. I drove her to work everyday so I got to get a better feel for the city.

Her flight was most unfortunately canceled to DC to see her doctor. She got as far as Atlanta before finding out she had to go all the way back home. Now instead of seeing the doctor she has to pay $350 out of pocket to talk to him over the phone. There aren't many doctors who treat chronic Lyme. It is very complicated but her doctor lost his ability to practice in NC because he does treat Lyme patients. People travel from all over to see him and it is a shame he can't practice in Charlotte anymore. There are some in the medical field who think Lyme is all in the head, that the people who suffer it are just hypochondriacs. That is what happened to my Aunt and why she wasn't treated soon enough. When you don't get treated early enough it becomes very very difficult to get it out of your system.

If my Aunt becomes this sick again this year she fears she will be forced on to disability. It has been 13 years she has lived with this. Everyday she is sick but when she has a flare up it is like having the flu but worse. My grandparents will be there to help her in two weeks. They are going to stay for two weeks with her which is good. My Aunt's best friend and roommate died 6 years ago. Despite everything she really doesn't ever complain.

While I was there there was a news release about how researchers have found that papaya leaf extract may be able to reverse cancer and tumors because of the affect it has on the immune system. She might ask her MD about it. Interestingly, papaya leaf extract is also used to fight malaria and my Aunt is taking anit-malaria drugs as part of her treatment for Lyme.

The South has this fast food chain called Chick-fill-a. It is so funny because it isn't pronounced with a soft A but like fillet as in chicken fillet. I cooked every night and froze the left overs so she has plenty to eat until my grandparents get there. She just doesn't have the energy to do much by the time she gets home from work. It kind of perpetuates the illness because then she isn't eating healthy and it is harder for her to get better.

My Aunt is sick with Lyme Disease. It has been so many years and she has suffered so greatly from this horrible sickness. It is almost as if she has AIDS and it often becomes debilitating. I wish that I could do something to help her but she lives alone in the South and I can't do much except pray. She is going to DC to see an MD tomorrow. As sick as she is she is going to get on a plane by herself and see if this MD can help her. I hate how much she suffers, she really does not deserve it, she has been a great aunt and a great person. She is a principal at a school for children with learning disabilities.

Happy Anniversary Mikey!

Thanks for coming over to "see my Cuba pictures". It has been 4 years that we have been together (minus a short hiatus) but even longer since we first met at Coffee &. I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. We have both come such a long way.

Tonight (e:mike) surprised me and came to my house to cook me dinner and clean my dirty kitchen and give some loving to my rabbit! I left the house at 8am and didn't return until 9pm so it was so nice to have Cinderella come and spread her magic while I was away. I was so tired and thinking about my dirty dishes and how I didn't want to cook myself any food. I love (e:mike)!