The economic crunch has finally hit Mr. Dave--well, kind of. I haven’t been working since June of 2004, when I went on disability for liver disease?stroke?mental disorder?et al. Loosing my job, at what I considered the height of my career, I almost had to be dragged kicking and screaming away from my design desk, it was devastating. I substituted getting a liver transplant for designing a new bag collection, THIS was my new project . The stroke, quite literally, threw everything out of whack. It wasn?t until I started interning at POZ, a little after 4 years of NOT working, that I feel like I was actually contributing something to the world. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it wasn’t another man purse!!!





A friend of mine, he?s also HIV positive, just lost his job, it?s all about the economy (as they say.) We?ve been friends for over 10 years, and I?ve always known him to be very passionate about his work. Optimistically, the lost of his job may only be a temporary thing, he may be hired back or possibility be a consultant. The US, and now the global economy, has made us think outside of the box. Forcing us to rethink and reinvent ourselves, even if it the most painful thing. Who would have thought that I would be interning for POZ Magazine at this stage in my life, instead of designing the latest newsboy cap? Loosing my career was probably the most overwhelming thing that happen during my illness, worse than the breakup with my boyfriend. There were many tragic days, and I still have trouble thinking about myself as an AIDS advocate. But maybe it just another added bonus for my resume?

Glass Half Full,
Dplus