Confessions of a Nerd

I joined the modern music age today -- I bought some songs on Napster.

I suppose it is typical of me to take so long to purchase music on-line. I mean, I was still buying cassette tapes three years after CD players came out. And when I finally bought a CD player, it had a single tray.

Oh well, better late than never, I suppose. I just hope they don't change the technology on me.

Is It Too Late to Bah Humbug?

I am in the midst of doing Christmas cards right now and I am beginning to wish that I emulated Ebenezer Scrooge. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything major against the whole Christmas card thing -- its just that I can no longer see the wood of my kitchen table because it is hidden under a mountain of cards and envelopes.

The Opposite of Today in Toronto

Mtumbwi on the beach, Kendwa, Zanzibar Island, Tanzania

The Best Christmas Ever

It is only the 2nd of December and it already feels as if I have been barraged with Christmas for weeks. Two weeks ago, I was put hold by someone at work and I heard Christmas carols as the hold music. Last Tuesday, I watched an episode of Bones in which Santa Claus and Christmas trees played prominent roles. Friday I went to the mall to get some jeans and I was already lost in a sea of Christmas shoppers. I am not even prepared to discuss the November release of the Fred Claus movie.

Judging by comments I have heard, a lot of people are trying to figure out what presents to buy people who already seem to have everything. If you are lucky enough to fall into this category, permit me to make a suggestion: why not help educate an AIDS orphan in Africa?

Having spent two months living at the Olof Palme Orphan Education Centre just outside of Dar Es Salaam, I can tell you that even a small amount of money goes a long way in Africa. $40 is enough to pay for one child's school books for a year. $75 is enough to pay a teacher's salary for a week. $80 will buy school supplies for one class. Even a gift of $10 will help feed the children.

If you are interested in making a donation, simply click on this link: http://vad.aidmatrix.org/vadxml.cfm?driveid=2096. The site accepts donations by Visa, MasterCard, Discovery, Diners Club, or American Express.

You just might make it the best Christmas ever for some very special young ladies.

An Unhappy Anniversary

Today is World AIDS Day. In the19 years since it was first observed, people have continued to get infected with HIV. People have continued to die. Some estimates say that as many as 25 million people have died of the disease. I know that most, if not all, of the girls at Bethsaida had lost close family members to the disease.

I know there has been progress since 1988, but the number of infected people is still growing (as is the number of people claimed by this killer). Maybe one day we will observe World AIDS Day to commemorate its eradication. I just don't know how long it will take.