LivingLife

My inner strength is powered by friends, extended family, others I have met and will meet, the beauty of Life around us. These are a few photos celebrating a few people I know and from my travels. I have an extensive collection of photos and my run maps on my old personal web archives at www.thedingoman.com - my blogs and current pics are at www.pozville.com

"Having fully recovered from HIV/AIDS related illnesses that started in 1997, and after embarking on an Internet search from 1998-2000 to find my soul mate without success, I decided to leave Austin and travel to various areas to visit people I had met on the Internet. During the years of 1998- 2000 I started letting go of material wealth and real estate I owned - this was all done without 2nd thought and with no new goals put into place at that time. I virtually became homeless after I sold my home in 1998 to extended family and started living with friends. During the summer of 2001 I quickly realized that I just needed to "let go" of everything and leave Austin.

So on Labor Day weekend 2001, I abruptly left Austin, telling only two people I was leaving.

My motorcycle was packed with the bare essentials. A small tent, sleeping bag, two tarps, camera, fleece vest, tool pouches, camelback canteen, cell phone, laptop, rain gear, extra leather jacket, chaps, jeans, a few dew rags, socks, boxers, music, the essential meds, my Book of Common Prayer and some audio CDs. The WalkMan was buried beneath my 2nd skins, playing my favorite Grateful Dead songs.

The main goals of this ride were to find a partner AND just ride aimlessly without any preplanned routes - the other goals were to regain personal freedom and break down barriers of fear. My journey immediately took on new elements and purposes as I discovered the importance of truly experiencing Life and breaking down those barriers to regain the personal freedom I had "lost" in the 80's and early 90's.

The paths travelled and explored led to many new discoveries. I overcame fear. I became more enlightened in understanding & accepting of others and myself. I went deep into my soul, examining it right down to its core. I saw things most people don't ever see, went where many dare not go.

I allowed myself to become vulnerable. To the elements, strangers and by sharing some of my most intimate and darkest secrets that I had never shared before. More often than not I slept out in the elements, at times in parks, off dirt roads, picnic areas, truck stops, rest areas, by streams, rivers, lakes - usually in the most remote areas. Off the road and even onto unpaved areas, places many wouldn't want to take their bikes. I have many old riding buddies and friends scattered across this country. A few days here & there with buddies and friends, sometimes a few weeks, usually not longer than a week or so since I wanted to pursue my quest for finding my partner. So off I rode....."

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• hiv poz
• life experience