Oprah Comes Calling: A Video Blog by Mark S. King

Mark S. King
November 10, 2008

Oprah Comes Calling
A Video Blog

Subscribe to Mark's Blog or learn about blog subscriptions

5:43 p.m.

Greetings, all my viral and not-so-viral friends! Yes, I do get flip from time to time, but blame it on my extremely good mood. Because this month my video blog features an actual, for-real phone call from the folks at the Oprah Show. Yes, the Mother of All Gab Fests turned to yours truly for ... what, exactly? Watch the blog and find out!

Meanwhile I remain the luckiest damn fool alive; my recent doctor appointment showed no viral load and more T cells than one man deserves (800+). I'd like to chalk it up to cigarettes and double chocolate brownies made from scratch (why oh why am I single with such talents?), but the name of the game, my sweet infected friends, is compliance. I take those damn pills rain or shine, keep the refills coming and treat my mental and emotional health as seriously as I treat this rockin' bod. OK, now I'm just giddy.

This month's video blog also features reminiscences on Louise Hay and her Hayrides in the 1980s (you might have read an interview with me about it on TheBody), and my gay brother Dick's visit with me in Atlanta (yes, I have a gay brother and his name is Dick King. Insert your own joke here.).

Episode Three: Oprah Comes Calling

I'd also like to say a huge "thank you!" to those of you who take the time to write and leave comments below my blog posts. Trust me, I read all of them (the nice ones repeatedly, and then I read them over the phone to Mom!) and I appreciate the support. We should start a suggestion box of things you'd like to see on my video blog (now just stop your dirty minds right there, you dreadful things!) or have me write about. I'm all about satisfying my readers!

Next month's blog may take a far different tone, I'm afraid, since I'm currently in Grand Rapids, Mich., helping my oldest brother (a straight one, with the perfectly straight name of Harold) get through final rounds of chemotherapy. It hasn't been easy, since I know no one here and he requires a fairly constant watchful eye. But the trees are turning and it is beautiful. Expect fall colors in my next video blog, and hopefully better news to share.

Meanwhile, please be well!

Mark

To contact Mark, click here.

Reader Comments:

Add Your Comment

Comment by: gary (ireland) Wed., May. 20, 2009 at 6:48 pm EDT
To all you people living with HIV you are very very brave. I don't have HIV. I hope they find a cure for hiv soon. Science hasn't caught up with it yet. 1000s of scientists are working to find cure for HIV. It is only a matter of time. God bless you Mark, God bless ye all. Gary.

Comment by: kim krause (south africa) Sat., Apr. 25, 2009 at 5:12 am EDT
mmmmm...chocolate brownies and cigarettes!!! a man after my own heart.....love the blogs mark

Comment by: David Morris MD (Atlanta, GA) Wed., Jan. 21, 2009 at 6:31 pm EST
Thanks Mark, I enjoyed the Blog video. You are one smart and very funny guy. Clever Blog! Keep of the good work. I hope Oprah calls you back.

Comment by: Conor (dpxRNMH) Wed., Dec. 17, 2008 at 12:11 pm EST
hur-ray!

Comment by: Marcos (Brazil) Tue., Nov. 18, 2008 at 4:34 pm EST
You are, like many others, such an inspiration for us. Thank you! And you're very handsome! Nice mustache!

Comment by: Jay (Denver) Tue., Nov. 18, 2008 at 2:06 pm EST
Mark: I've just discovered your blog and video diary on thebody.com, and enjoyed it very much! Is there any chance this video feed can be close captioned for the hearing-impaired? Not sure if this technology is available for internet video feeds, as I've never seen it, only on TV. Thanks.

Comment by: Ben (Ft. Lauderdale) Sat., Nov. 15, 2008 at 1:24 pm EST
Good point at the end about everyone aging and having to be concerned about general health issues like cholesterol and blood pressure and ekg's and so forth. Segment w/ the doc very good. Mustache looks great, and the blog is keeping its nice lighthearted feel.

Comment by: john (spain) Sat., Nov. 15, 2008 at 9:54 am EST
BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR LATEST BLOG, AND HAVE ENJOYED IT A LOT. IT'S GOOD TO READ OTHERS COMMENTS. THANK YOU, REGARDS J

Comment by: Ron (Orlando, FL) Sat., Nov. 15, 2008 at 8:32 am EST
Hi, Mark! I'm a friend of the viral variety. :-) Thanks for another uplifting installation. Wow - Louise Hay - a blast from my "Friends of Bill W." past of 20 years ago! On top of the disease, things are getting scary. My supervisor and close friend had her job cut this week. I'm trying to keep a positive outlook. You show me how it's done. You are my hero! Bless you, Mark!

Comment by: Pierre (Bangkok, Thailand) Fri., Nov. 14, 2008 at 10:25 pm EST
Hi Mark, Thanks very much for those excellent video blog sessions. I am HIV positive for already 2 years after being infected here in Thailand. The situation among Gay men is really out of control with more the 30% of Gay men infected with HIV. I am regularly consulting "The Body" website for information...this web site is so great! I am now waiting to see other of your video blogs. Love your sense of humor. Keep going...Ciao, Pierre

Comment by: Ken Monteith (Montréal (Québec)) Fri., Nov. 14, 2008 at 7:50 pm EST
The name of my game is not compliance, but adherence: I am not following orders, but doing something I have actively chosen to do. I, too, vote for the 70s porn mustache! ;-)

Comment by: Rob (Raleigh, NC) Fri., Nov. 14, 2008 at 7:46 pm EST
Mark, Thank you so much for giving me (and everyone else who follows your blog) so much H-O-P-E for the future and living well with this disease. God speed!

Comment by: Randy Boyd (California) Thu., Nov. 13, 2008 at 10:41 pm EST
I went to the Hay Rides. Sing it with me, I love myself the way I am, there's nothing I need to change ... Randy randyboydsblocks.com

Comment by: Linda (Orlando) Thu., Nov. 13, 2008 at 8:48 pm EST
Mark, Thanks for the nice video. I was very compliant for the past 4 years. However, this July 08 I had to stop my meds. I could not afford them. Although, I was getting help with the co-pay, my insurance changed and now the cost is like $1000 per month....way out of my range. So, I'm living with a good attitude, low stress, and eating right and lots of hope. So, go luck to you and God bless.

Comment by: RICARDO (Caracas, Venezuela.) Thu., Nov. 13, 2008 at 7:30 pm EST
Great mustache. You should wear facial hair all the time, it looks great on you. I'm happy about your blood work results. Keep posting and doing good.

Comment by: SID (OKLAHOMA CITY, OK) Thu., Nov. 13, 2008 at 4:15 pm EST
HI MARK! MAY YOU ALWAYS POSSESS THE THE ART OF INVITING HAPPINESS INTO YOUR LIFE AND EVERYONE ELSES; ALWAYS WITH GRATITUDE. I'VE BEEN POZ FOR 23 YEARS (MARCH 1985). I RECENTLY MOVED TO OKLAHOMA REALIZING A WHILE BACK, AND AT 51, THAT A PLACE IS IN ONES STATE OF MIND, NOT ANY SPECIFIC LOCATION. THAT IF YOU ARE CONSCIOUSLY AWARE OF WHO YOU ARE AND CAN BECOME ALWAYS, YOU CAN OVERCOME ANYTHING. IT IS A REMINDER OF LOUISE HAY'S BELIEF SYSTEM... HAVING BEEN HIV POSITIVE FOR SO LONG HAS GIVEN ME A DEEPER CONSCIOUS AWARENESS OF LIFE...HAVING BEEN THROUGH MOST OF THE AIDS EPIDEMIC ...(LIVED IN NYC & SAN FRANCISCO FOR MOST OF MY LIFE) I AM GRATEFUL, LIKE YOU TO ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF IT ALL... BEST TO YOU AND YOUR BROTHERS SID

Comment by: David (Raleigh, NC) Thu., Nov. 13, 2008 at 3:36 pm EST
The 70s mustache works for me!

Comment by: Phil (Panama City, Fl) Thu., Nov. 13, 2008 at 2:27 pm EST
Keep up the good work. I am a 62 year old HIV male and have been positive since 1985. I lived in Atlanta for a number of years and then moved to Houston, Tx., and then to Fla.. I have alway adhered to my meds and been faithful to obey all instructions from my Dr.. My only sadness is this horrible weight gain I have now. I would love to lose about 20 pounds. What should I do?

Comment by: Tom (Washington, DC) Thu., Nov. 13, 2008 at 2:19 pm EST
Hi Mark--wanted to say congrats on the vlog and so glad that you're doing well. I've almost forgiven you for standing me up...almost.

Comment by: steven (new albany,in.) Thu., Nov. 13, 2008 at 1:21 pm EST
Hey mark,just wanted to say the hay's books and tapes i think really saved me back in the 90's. They gave me a lot of hope and still here after finding out in 1990 that i had aids. Feel the same as you, we have to take the meds. I am here to prove that,they have got me as healthly as i have ever been............thanks

Comment by: CJ (NEw York) Thu., Nov. 13, 2008 at 11:21 am EST
Hi Mark! As someone who has been recently diagnosed it adds to my positive take on living long and continuing a normal happy life when beautiful souls like you allow others a glimpse of your journey with HIV. I am very thankful for your continued support and encouragement. Although we have never formally met and live many miles away i feel and embrace the love and healing balm radiating from your open heart and i send it back. Please keep loving us, and making us laugh too. CJ

Comment by: Melissa (Burlington, ON) Thu., Nov. 13, 2008 at 11:13 am EST
You are giddy and it puts me in a great mood just reading about your daily journeys... which is ironic because you're talking about some really difficult stuff here (I helped my sister through Chemo).It reminds me that with humour and dignity (among other things!) we're alot better equipped to handle what life throws our way. I feel better, you rock.

Comment by: Roy (Miami, FL) Thu., Nov. 13, 2008 at 10:54 am EST
Hi Mark Stay and be well, nice blog.

Add Your Comment:

(Please note: Your name and comment will be public, and may even show up in
Google search results. Be careful when providing personal information!)

VIDEO BLOG:
My Fabulous Disease

Mark S. King

Mark S. King has been an active AIDS activist, writer and community organization leader since the early 1980s in Los Angeles. He has been an outspoken advocate for prevention education and for issues important to those living with HIV.

Diagnosed in 1985, Mark has held positions with the Los Angeles Shanti Foundation, AID Atlanta and AIDS Survival Project, and is an award-winning writer. He continues his volunteer work as an AIDS educator and speaker for conferences and events.

Speaking Engagements

Mark King is now available to speak to groups. Click here to contact him.

More About Mark:
Profile

Subscribe to Mark's Blog

Subscribe to Mark's Blog

Learn About Blog Subscriptions