On Monday I went for two interviews regarding volunteer opportunities that really piqued my interest. I need these outlets; I've been too isolated for far too long.

One of the positions was with ArtsHamilton, where I'll be doing their window dressing, helping unpack boxes, arranging the gallery shop space, possibly writing for the newsletter, and whatever else I feel like doing or they ask me to do. This is an amazingly excellent opportunity, and it blows my noodle that no one else jumped on it before now. It's something creative and fun, useful, and it's a great way to make contacts of various kinds in the artistic community.

The other position is doing archiving with the AIDS Network. They've got 21 years worth of pamphlets, photographs, and other material that needs sorting and cataloguing and put into a useful format for the use of others. One of the first things that struck me when I walked in the door, was how cozy the place is: nice furniture, carpets on the floor, walls painted green. There is nothing antiseptic about it at all, purposefully. By the time people come here, they've been waiting-roomed and white-coated to death, and don't need more of it. This place is meant to be comfortable, like a living-room, and they've succeeded very well.

I don't have hang-ups about being there, but to say I'm completely free of concerns would be a lie. Of course I'm concerned; it's a very concentrated environment of something very unpleasant. But, you can't become infected by saying hello, cooking someone a meal, or being kind.

During the interview I had with the volunteer coordinator, she mentioned the sorts of things that people might assume about me when I walk through the door: I'm a slut; I'm in the sex trade; I'm gay; I'm a drug user; et cetera. I remember a guy at university who tried to tell me I was a lesbian because I had short hair and didn't wear makeup. I'm a grossly monogamous straight who doesn't really give a crap about sex and hates needles. So, I don't think I'll be shooting up and selling my fat, white ass on the street anytime soon, to either a man or a woman; I wouldn't enjoy it.