When the AIDS epidemic began I was working in the medical field. I migrated from the Emergency Room to a wholistic clinic on the West coast where indeed, those ravages were much more evident and the procedures and requirements of work increasingly stringent.

One of those ideas batted around which stayed with me over the years was the notion that the epidemic had struck down a disproportionately large number from the arts community. In LA this was much more of a tragedy because a lot of persons living there worked in the arts ... as well as frequenting bath houses and engaging in anonymous unprotected sex.

Thus began the impetus of Day Without Art in 1989 under the auspices of one Robert Atkins who was a writer and art critic as well as three curators named Gary Garrels, Thomas Sokolowski, and William Olander. It is observed each December 1 which appropriately coincides with World AIDS Day.

The day is one of remembrance and mourning with closed places of business, dimmed lights, shrouded works of art and posters about AIDS, screening of documentary films, and memorials to those lost from 'the plague'.

I used to joke and laugh about the AIDS epidemic. Then I found myself thrust within it at witnessed it's victims first hand. It is less a humorous idea these days and more a sad notion in my mind.

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When I was a navy brat we moved all over. Consequently, in school I was always the 'fat new kid with acne' and suffered those consequences. My daddy thought it was the least I could do.

Today is Anti-Obesity Day.

It happens each November 26 annually since 2001 under the asupices of Indian wellness brand VLCC . The aim of the day is to highlight obesity and that public health hazard it presents. Seeing how I had childhood obesity before it became a national tragedy I got a handle on obesity earlier than most do today.

I did not require bariatric surgery and was pretty much thin by the time I was 24 years old.

So while others flail and founder with the problem of obesity I have had a handle on it a long time now. I believe those with a strong background in anatomy and physiology will have a better time with it.

Also the food companies, which are mostly responsible for the dismal choices of refined foods they offer should be taken to task as should Harvard lying ass University which sold research to order to the food manufacturers also contributing to the problem.

Boo refined foods.
Boo Harvard University.
Happy Anti Obesity Day you big fat blivet.