NEWEST STRIPS

HIVarmony I know there's plenty of online dating sites that do allow same sex match-ups, some specifically for those with HIV. Still, the "granddaddy" of those sites, eHarmony still bans gay/lesbian matching with the excuse same sex marriages are not allowed in all parts of the US. No exceptions even in you live in one of the more progressive states.

Doctor! Doctor! Between the time I finished this strip and showed it to a few friends, I got more than a handful of suggestion of other doctors to include. Of course in finding a doctor, it's important to find one familiar with general practice as well as HIV/AIDS, one you can be honest with, and one who wants to work with you as a team. Then we can discuss which doctors should be in the sequel to this strip.

Chickens for Check-Ups Just for the record, Sue Lowden (the blonde in the first panel) got defeated in her primary run to someone apparently even less in touch with reality than "Barterin' Sue." And for those who love to look for in-jokes, yes, the fifth panel is from a classic comedy routine from the best comedy troupe ever. "Tired out from a long squall," indeed.

HIVarmony I know there's plenty of online dating sites that do allow same sex match-ups, some specifically for those with HIV. Still, the "granddaddy" of those sites, eHarmony still bans gay/lesbian matching with the excuse same sex marriages are not allowed in all parts of the US. No exceptions even in you live in one of the more progressive states.

Entry Inhibitors A bit of info on a new class of HIV medications. I started on a clinical trial on one of the entry inhibitors in development. This is not a legal endorsement or medical advisory, but it did knock my viral load down to undetectable in about 6 weeks. And after participating in some disappointing clinical trials, let's just say fourth time's the charm.

Celebrity Condoms When was the last time you actually looked at the condom packet? Yeah, that's what I thought. Suppose condoms were designed to become collectibles (remembering they're only good for 5 years), you'd be more likely to have more than enough on hand. I started with Zac Efrom, but by the inking stage, I decided to go with Taylor Lautner. (No room for abs.) Times change quickly. Now it would be Justin Bieber.

HIV+ Action Figures Having once treasured my GI Joes as much as my comic books as a kid, you could bang the hell out of them (they were the original 12" size) and they didn't show much for the wear and tear. I wish my nephew was into them the way I was, I'd have a much easier time spoiling him rotten.

RECENT STRIPS

Match Game Readers of this strip know what a fan I am of TV game shows, and Match Game reruns from the 70s on Game Show Network are a staple in my household. It was really a matter of which celebs to include, especially for seat #6, but I have a feeling I might use either Marcia Wallace or Betty White for something in the future.

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go Sometimes you want to tackle a topical story that has no apparent ties to HIV/AIDS. Governor Rod Blagojevich seemed to spark such comedy though, it almost makes me ashamed to have been born in Illinois. Almost.

The Getaway Car Being an artistic sort, the lack of imagination in the color of HIV meds really gets to me, with so many nearly matching in color. I know these meds come from different companies who don't consult, but it probably cheer us up if we opened our pillbox and it looked more like Skittles or M&Ms waiting for us.

Giving Blood at the San Diego Comic-Con I was invited to be a guest at the annual San Diego Comic-Con, by far the largest comic book convention in the country (about 150,000 attendees). The Red Cross traditionally holds a blood drive at these things, and I did feel a little sad about not being able to donate blood, but the rules aren't as thorough as they should be.

Microbicides No, there's no microbicides out on the market yet, but as there are several in studies, hopefully there will be some out soon. With my degree and background in advertising, I thought I'd peek in on how an ad department would tackle it.

Joe Greenwood It always hurts when someone you're close to passes away, and I could certainly do years worth of strips just on those alone, but it was Joe Greenwood's passing which I think deserves a little more attention here.

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This I first found out about this "tip" about four years ago from a drug company rep, didn't know until a year later that it was suggested by my friend Guy Pujol. Guy is the director of Atlanta's AIDS Alliance for Faith and Health. I've never been on Sustiva, I'd be resistant to it, 'cause you can bet I'd find just the perfect video...

Mac vs. PC Yeah, a take-off of those ads. And I get to be in Justin Long's body.

The Stimulus Checks For this strip, I posted the question on an HIV+ message board what people were planning on doing with their soon-to-arrive stimulus checks. The proportion of those who made a comment about paying for gasoline was actually higher than what the strip indicates. Thanks to those who gave me some funny bits... and some I was NOT about to draw!

Spitzer Swallows The scandal involving New York's governor was certainly prime for jokes, but when your strip is supposed to be about HIV, I thought I'd have to give it a pass. But when I was reminded of the big condom giveaway in Manhattan in 2007 and then, the "Girl Gone Wild" said he refused to wear a rubber, bingo.

Ft. Lauderdale... or Urinetown? I had taken a much needed break from the strip... but this news story got me back in action. I'm sure Lauderdale has bigger problems than what Mayor Jim Naugle's obsession with gay sex and public restrooms. And to use the spread of HIV as his reasoning? It's even more absurd than the premise of the wonderful Broadway musical Urinetown...

Topkatz the Naltorian Getting the actual number of possible, feasible HIV combos was a task far more difficult than visiting a carnival fortune teller. It seemed the major AIDS organizations in the country had a number 3 or 4 years old, but with newer meds introduced (and reformulated) I turned to my buddy Talbot Katz who is a whiz at math and serves unlimited champagne at his wedding.

I've Looked at Clouds from Both Sides Now Some of you might remember an old "Peanuts" cartoon in which Lucy, Schroeder and Charlie Brown all lie on the grass seeing shapes in the clouds. This is along those lines, but I decided I would see more than a "horsey" and a "ducky."

The Donut Hole OK, goofy cartoon this time out, but no more goofy that the Medicare D plan which supposedly covers drug coverage except for the "donut hole" that won't cover ANY costs for about $1500 after you've hit certain points, depending on your plan. This for folks on limited incomes? Good going, Congress...

Dental Care I must have been planning on doing a strip about dental care for years, but just never got motivated enough. Then a series of many dental visits (couple of crowns, stopped counting the cavities/fillings) and my dentist wanting to see a copy of my strip finally prompted me to get one on page.