This week's assignment was to watch the videos about HIV and AIDS. I watched 4 of them, but the one that stuck with me the most was "Silverlake Life." I think what made it so memorable was the fact that it was documented as it was actually happening. Instead of someone telling a story or acting it out, it was real. Plus, it was so graphic it really stuck with me. It actually gave me nightmares. I dreamed that I was dying and I was just going to as somebody said in 1 of the movies "cease to exist." It kind of messed me up for a few days, I had this feeling of like a fear of dying and kind of a feeling of doom. Luckily, I believe in Heaven and I calmed myself down but that movie really got to me. But I'm still glad that I watched it. It wasn't pleasant watching someone die but it really made the issue of HIV and AIDS a more real one.
Did you Know - Well my topic is HIV and women so this isn't specific to my topic but it can relate so I found out about a website called positivepersonals.com which is a dating website for people who have HIV and AIDS. I made an account so I could see what it was like. It's pretty much the same as any other website except people fill out how long they have been positive and information about any other STD's. What is crazy is that I did a search for HIV positive straight people in my area and I found someone who I had been talking to from another dating website. This was someone who I would have never expected to have HIV and he has been positive since 2000. I never met him but I was planning to at one point. I just think it's so crazy how you can judge people and think "oh they could never have HIV" but they can.
Tom Joslin and Peter Friedman. (Producers & Directors.) (1993.) Silverlake Life: The View From Here. [Film.] New Video.
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Hi Holly. I, too, watched Silverlake Life and it gave me some bad dreams. It was not my favorite movie but I am a sissy when it comes to movies. I know the movie had some shock value to it. Also, I didn't even think about an HIV positive dating service. What a great idea. Thanks for the tidbit.
ReplyDeleteWow, that must have been an eye opener for you. I wonder if that person would have told you about their status. Perhaps, if you are still in the dating game you should check out all potential dates on that website. Not that if they are not there, they can't have HIV, but it would be a start. Kinda like checking the websites for convicted felons to see if your 'date' has a record.
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