
Earlier posts mentioned the eeriness of coincidences, and they never seem to be far away. Saturday morning I took the U (public trans) to Registration again, intending to meet Brad there later in the day so he could register. I was also aware that the Rainbow Run, held every Gay Games to commemorate those in the community who have died of AIDS (and recently added: breast cancer), was set to begin, although I thought I had missed the start. As I got to Koelnmesse, I heard them still reading the names prior to the run. Just as I reached the ceremony I heard 'Tim Turley.' I lost it immediately. Tim was a good friend of mine in Denver, and actually lived with Jeff and me for a time. I hadn't thought about him in several years, and hearing his name was a sudden jolt. We (and me in particular) have so much to be thankful for, waking up each morning. Only those who lived through those terrifying days when your friends and acquaintances were dying weekly, sometimes daily, know the emotions something like this can evoke. I'm constantly taken aback when I talk to people who don't know anyone who is living with HIV, let alone someone who died, or witnessed the destruction the disease causes. After a good sob around the corner, I returned to the Run starting point and snapped this shot of Matthew Mitcham, the Beijing Olympic gold medal diver (openly gay), who led the race.

The Australian and New Zealand team had their own shuttle van, which I thought was brilliant. The first time I have seen that at the Games.

This is a shot of Wiener Platz, where my hotel is located. They often have a market in the middle of the square.
Wow! What an amazing moment to hear Tim's name called out. I often think of the people we've lost and how BLESSED I am that you were not one of them.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm blessed to have the most phenomenal woman on the planet as my bestest friend...
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