Asheville City Council meetings normally start at 5:00 and stretch toward 11:00pm. Not only do the elected representatives like to talk for the cameras, they have very important things to do – like make proclamations.

A few weeks ago, the Western North Carolina Aids Project was recognized for the AIDS awareness walk they will be hosting this Saturday. WNCAP’s Women and Youth Education Coordinator Emmaleigh Argonauta was on the radio today talking about the need to raise awareness about AIDS testing. Even though Asheville is in the Bible belt, it is just assumed that everybody here disregards the Seventh Commandment and has the morals of a cat. If you haven’t contracted the virus from one of your myriad partners, then it’s likely your cheatin’ spouse has.

On a lighter note, October 20 has two reasons to celebrate. One is that it will be Make a Difference Day. This is reminiscent of the bumper stickers that say, “School’s In, Drive Carefully.” We can be nice October 20, and then go back to our wanton lifestyles until government proclaims us to be good again. I’m sorry, but warm and fuzzy government goes over with me like warm and fuzzy bathroom mold that has grown to the point it’s starting to say, “Feed me!”

Lastly, October 20 will be Conscious Movement Day. I wonder what the four police officers stationed to protect members of city council (rather than the people in the gang-infested low-income neighborhoods [sic.]) would do if I got up to weave patterns of positive energy in the aether for the duration of the meeting.