CURRENT MISSION

I have decided to "Embrace the Adventure" and see where the universe leads me. I've lived well and in many areas, not that the kids are grown (mostly) and I've done some traveling - I want to do much more and meet amazing people!

ABOUT ME

Been a single-dad for almost 14 years now. Waaay over involved when the kiddos were little. (ScoutMaster, coach, classroom volunteer, etc ...)
Life has tossed me in many directions and most recently (and through kid-stuff) I have found myself running summer camps. Profit, non-profit, christian, boy scout, etc ..., which makes for a very unorthodox work / life schedule.

I publish an international magazine for geocachers and I do it from my laptop wherever I am so I don't need to be rooted on any one place.

I've decided that my life is just meant to be an outside-the-box experience so here I go embracing it.

PHILOSOPHY

The number ONE cause of death, worldwide is LIFE! ~ Get out there and LIVE it!

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Haven't yet (as of this writing in Feb 2012) but am planning a geocaching, couch-surfing experimental tour soon!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Only unofficial via networking in other communities, geocaching, scouting, disc-golfing.

兴趣

Geocahing, disc-golf, scouting, cooking, wine, live music and the beach!

• culture
• writing
• performing arts
• education
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• running
• coach
• traveling
• music
• live music
• camping
• surfing
• boxing
• golf
• teaching
• volunteering
• beaches

音乐、电影和书籍

Michael Crichton & Jimmy Buffett

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

Recently I traveled to South Africa to (yep) work at a summer camp for HIV / AIDS kids and unofficially couch-surfed by meeting a wonderful group of local geocachers there.

教，学，和分享

I write a lot and sometimes on topics that fire people up. Yes, sometimes I do that on purpose just to see the reactions. My most recent piece is from my experiences in South Africa this past December, (2011);

The cure for HIV ~ Change the template
Michael Jacobus - February 2012

I have heard the word EDUCATION tossed around for years as the answer for the HIV / AIDS problem in the world today. Interesting word, education. The dictionary defines it as; "the act or process of imparting or acquiring particular knowledge or skills". What a great idea. Seems simple enough, makes sense. Makes me think of the same argument against smoking. Smoking introduces poison into your body that will eventually cause your death. You'd think only a complete idiot would smoke. Same holds true for willingly not protecting yourself during sexual relations. Do you really want to introduce a poison into your body, (or someone else's), that will lead to death? Who'd do such a thing?

Holy crap was I UNEDUCATED about what's really going on!

I spent a few weeks in South Africa last year, working at a summer camp for kids affected by HIV. The sheer weight and magnitude of the HIV situation there is almost impossible to grasp.

In a culture where rape and sexual assault is a daily part of life, where many believe condoms are only meant to prevent the spread of the black population and where tribal lore still insists that the CURE for HIV, (for males), is to have sex with a virgin, it's hard to imagine any form of traditional education making a difference. These were the "you gotta be kidding" moments that stand out most in my memory.


Rape & Sexual Assault
Here in America, I know a few women who have been raped and/or sexually assaulted. Many incidents involved alcohol, occurred during their college-years or have been otherwise categorized in ways, not so much to excuse the event, but to allow some mental distance with regard to circumstance. It's always a horrible, if not defining moment in these women's lives, that's caused deep emotional and spiritual shifts.

Now consider the young women of South Africa, where for many, rape and sexual assault happens on a near DAILY basis and continues for YEARS. This abuse is often paired with physical beatings, forced restraint and threats of additional violence. There just isn't a nice or pleasant or ever neutral way of describing beatings so bad you can't walk for a week, being tied to a bed for days with a sock stuffed in your mouth so you'll learn to keep quiet or being forced to perform / submit sex acts for food … daily.


Condoms & Virgins
It isn't a matter of availability, knowledge of how to use them, embarrassment or anything like that. This is not where the education is needed. The solution lies in changing the truth of the past. Truth in this case being the lack of or false education and teachings of prior generations. HIV is a curse. It's caused by witchcraft. If you have it, it's because you deserve it … if you're female.

If you have HIV and you're male, no problem. Have sex with a virgin and you'll be cured. If you aren't cured, it's witchcraft and your neighbors have placed a curse on you. It's hard to imagine using a condom to fight a curse.


So where does that leave the situation? I must confess I left South Africa with a feeling of uselessness. Not even a drop in the bucket of change. Which is not to say it was a horrible experience. Rarely have I encountered such friendly, joyful people, who live each day for today, because tomorrow may never come.

Not to in any way discount the efforts to empower women, traditionally educate the masses, and provide health services, but the only real solution I see is to somehow reach the young South African male. The 6 - 10 year olds. The pre-sexual assault age boys., (which I realized is a very loose and wide term). And to a greater extent, the young male WORLDWIDE.

The solution is to change the template. This is going to sound corny and naive, but I believe the cure is chivalry. And not just in South Africa, but everywhere!

Women are to be cherished, loved, kept-safe and protected. All women. Your mom, your sister, your daughter and your neighbor. They are not a source for sexual control and domination, a place to vent your anger and frustration nor a piece of property to be owned, sold, traded and used. As long as young boys grow-up believing and being taught otherwise, nothing is going to change.
~

我游览过的国家

Canada, Mexico, South Africa, United States

我居住过的国家

United States