AWFL 2009

... A bad acronym for something good. 

Beth had asked me if it was political.  The AIDS Walk for Life?  No, it was a happy romp with people walking and talking, drag queens on stage, and a big celebration at the end.  It's a fun event.  Some things though, did change this year - The entire set had been moved out to Churchill Square.  Also, the volunteer coordinator didn't know what to do with me.  She ended up putting me here, there, and everywhere... which may have been fun, but turned out be a bit disappointing, I wasn't near much of the action, I didn't get to walk (as I did every year before), and she wasn't interested in my photos.

I arrived early-ish morning and began decorating the float (a new item).  I climb underneath to secure the "throne" and potted plants with twine.  I hit my head more than once. 

Later, I'm at the registration desk.  Another woman and I have been assigned to hand out materials, but specifically for people who had reached high pledge status.  Both she and I immediately forgot the special title for these people... so, we improvised.  As these high achieving fundraisers came to the desk, we blew on noisemakers, gave them a crown, announced we had another "Mile High Club" member. 

The MHC members far and few between, so this woman and I get to talking.  She's a recent graduate from the Public Health program from the University.  She was interested in working with people on AIDS prevention.  She is candid and relaxed, and I feel no discomfort in talking to her about sex and condoms.  She recommends I read "Wisdom of Whores", a book written by a woman who had gone into the field and interviewed sex workers in Asia, in attempts to stop the spread of HIV. 

Registration ends as people head out from Churchill Square to do the 5K walk.  I stay behind, answer questions, and collect last minute pledges.  The sun starts shining, people come arrive back from the walk and I hand out buttons.  Everyone enjoys drinks and pizza and the free samples from the sponsors (including the homeless). 

All in all it would have been a fairly mundane volunteer experience - I wasn't feeling terribly inspired (possibly because I'm feeling the oncomings of a cold), and I wasn't sure if they really needed me - But while cleaning up, a man came up to us, and yelled at us that people got what deserved and his son was going to die and he deserved it.  Then he stormed away. 

I thought about Beth's question, and was reminded of Adam... there is still a lot more work to do. 

99+ Red Balloons

When the last bag of kettle corn was put away, and the last of the red balloons had found homes - HIV Edmonton's AIDS Walk for Life 2008 - was officially over. I think we did pretty well.

The morning started off way too early (in my mind) with volunteers showing up to prepare balloons and set up / train to register walkers. I was snapping pictures as soon as I got there, and our security people (right) were also ready for action.

(Left: In the Green room - Ingredients for fabulousness).

People came to register (Ali was among them), and the main

program started. Yoko (right) performed two numbers, followed by singing trio Bella Rouge. After some more introductions and speeches, the Walk began.

What a showing! Definitely more impressive than our test walk a couple of days ago: Five people, one dog, and a sign - all jokingly nodding and waving at cars and pedestrians, lightly chanting "All babies want to get borned", and "Yes, this is the AIDS Walk. Whooo!"

We made it to the Legistlature and there was minor confusion. Where were the other photographers? Misty (volunteer coordinator) confirmed: One had shown up without a camera(!) and Dave didn't know he was the official main photographer! We figured things out though, and made our way back. On this leg Adam came out of Audrey's Books to greet us.

At the finish line, pins were handed out and people were encouraged to eat and chat. More photos here.

It felt like hours later when we finally got things packed up. But really, wasn't that long. And when we were done, the sun had broken through the clouds.

Joe met me in front of City Hall. I could only imagine what it must have looked like - there was barely a handful group of people there (a UN demonstration with the Raging Grannies), and the only evidence of something unusual were the balloons tied to my backpack - nothing like our huge Walk.

Anyway, we went for the last minutes of the library booksale and he found some videos. On the way to his house to watch one of them, The Young Poisioner's Handbook, I heard strange noises. I ran down the sidewalk to reach a clearing where orange and yellow leaves no longer blocked the sky: Geese flying south in the V-formation. Another reminder that winter was coming, but still, it was a good day.

"Is that a tattoo?!" I imagine my mom's eyes bulging out cartoon-like, but I'm only half paying attention, devoting my energy to moving the flowers, balloon, books... etc. into the house. What a surprising weekend.

While taking me home from Friday Feast, Chris fills my head with "Nine Million Bicycles". I don't think I dreamed of them, but feel so worn out that I wonder what had been playing through my head. Thought about skipping technique class... but I go. Practice rumba, samba, and my barbering (hacking) skills... and then head over to Lidia's. The deal: I peel the apples; We bake. By the end of the night I had earned "Apple-peeling machine" status with 2 apple crisps (mushes), and an apple pie cooling on the tile counter. It was all so relaxing. Unless you were watching Lidia. She moved like a whirlwind, all at once making pie dough, peeling potatoes, frying fish for dinner, and talking on my cell to a rep at Shaw about getting her phone fixed - a blur! She prepares Yerba Mate for me and I sleep well (though it might not be related).

Wake up the next morning to a sky blue and clear for the HIV Edmonton Walk for Life. At City Hall, I am "Tattoo Girl" *cue theme music*. Armed with a water spray bottle, fueled on Cookies by George, with the special powers of being there. Offered to put one on a gentleman who was sitting on the steps waiting like me. Felt tiny when he said, "No, thank you. I already have one." and showed me his inner forearm. In simple black and red: HIV+

Ask myself over and over again: What am I doing here? They didn't need another photographer. There were cameras left, right, and centre. I was getting gear envy. I'm short. I'm not good at climbing things. And I have shaky hands... I have no business in taking action shots. But all that didn't stop me from taking lots of pictures anyway. Sat in rapture listening to the Japanese drummers in the opening ceremonies. Started talking to "The Balloon Guy". And the plans for the rest of the day flew out the window.

Eventually made it to Anne's Housewarming Tea with "Balloon-Guy-Florist-First-born-Metrosexual-Overachiever" Chris in tow, and a crazy story from the Roost (or more accurately from the parking lot of). Anne graciously greets us - thankyou for "party karma". Her place looks great! People laugh as I'm a bit "dim" at putting the lamp together. We listen to Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen, entertain the theory that the Queen is a lizard (and something about Free Masons?), and drink tea and disguised tea-looking substances. There were still lots of goodies from Anne's efforts (tea sandwiches, scones and blueberries... yum). Had to laugh at the "How to Tea" book from...? Good thing Anne didn't buy flowers - as the book suggested, the ladies might have fainted :D Did anyone notice there was Queen Anne china in the collection? With most of the dishes washed, the food finished, and minimal furniture broken, it was time to go. A trip to Sherwood park turned out to be very fruitful - or flowerful...

What a weekend.