The North American Housing and HIV/AIDS Research Summit V: Evidence into Action: Housing is HIV Prevention and Care just finished wrapping up.

It was the very kind of occasionto bring contributor Bob Leahy to town. As tawdry as sounds, and I assure you it isn't, we always seem to have our video cameras out.

This time we went on a bit of a little rainy video adventure. Even with my history, be that as it may, I was worried about being self-conscious about standing alone Bloor St. talking to a camera on a tripod.

Without Bob, alone in the rain, I’d be more like a sedentary vision of someone speaking to themselves, but not really with their handy bluetooths or, Blueteeth?

The strategy has always been working on a hope and a prayer. . I picked up a camera about a year-and-a-half ago, and figured out iMovie. It’s a message I want to give out on this site – as Obama – as it does, but yes you can. OK, yes you can more in the way that taking risk is possible. Life can still be an exciting ride.

Today I’m about working with a film production professional who is co-producing what I call “the result of a joke”, The Real Hags of Cabbagetown.

It really has been a great journey so far. I’ve accepted and embraced my weirdness.

We finally got to shoot my intro, which I’m sure will have the flare of a public access show. Next time, when its not raining, I’ll be standing in front of my bike as the roaming cycling reporter – always last at the scene of a crime.

There could be a fake commercial in there.

Everyone Enjoy the weekend.

The one constant is that thing you can count on in life is that it never remains the same. Before I know it, what is, was.

But does it all have to be bad? Often I look at change as guideposts charting the journey of life. There certainly been great journeys, even life changing ones for which I have so much gratitude.

I think of the kids in Africa, or the fellow cleaning my hotel room everyday in Rwanda who I gave twenty dollars to, only to return with a basket he had purchased for me.  The friends who have survived genocide and still are able to smile and experience joy.

Beatrice Cardin (CTAC) Leah Stephenson, and myself

My dear friend Leah took her mothers death of just about a year ago and turned it into an opportunity to carry on her legacy by becoming the president of her mothers organization L.I.F.E. for Health (an NGO helping children go to school in the Philippines and now Rwanda).

Last night I attended the 20^th anniversary, and was inspired by how small projects that do not cost a lot of money have made such dramatic changes in these young lives. Her mother would be proud, and if it weren’t for the sadness of Leah’s loss, this would not be happening – at least not at this point and time.

The problem for me is when change happens and I resist it. Resistance is futile they say, and how true is that. I resisted it, and instead I went on a trip into the Valley of the Dolls for a day, change still marched on forward.

Change for me is also saying “yes” to things. My default position is no, no I don’t feel like attending this, or doing that. If anyone asks me, “What are you doing on Friday night?” I panic as if I’ve been trapped in a trick question where I may be consenting to do something I really really do not want to do.  The question is, “Do I really not want to do it?” as when I go forth, I usually enjoy it.

Change is about taking risks. This entire website has been a venture in risk taking and an elevation back into a world where I do have to make difficult choices and own them. There is no more escaping whilst playing it safe by having placed myself as a follower and not a leader.

It’s scary, but what a wonderful ride. Recently one of PositiveLite.com writers received such a wonderful email that tells me that, yes this is worth the risk.

When change comes your way embrace it. It may mean closing some doors to walk into new ones. The only way to feel the light is to walk through.

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For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.

Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.”

 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes - American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882