December 2010 Archives

Earlier this year- in what many found to be a peculiar blog post- I shared the story of the legendary Rocktree Brothers, an alt-country duo from the early 1970's who have been said to influence the sound of modern day bands such as the Kings of Leon, who are rumored to be the only people in the United States to own a playable Rocktree Brothers record.

The rest of have only one promotional photograph of Mills and Olan Rocktree, and the hope that someday their music will see the light of day and the world will realize how ahead of the times these guys were based on more than just word-of-mouth, rumor or hearsay. Well, since I posted about them back in February, I must have drawn some attention to my knowledge of the band, because I received the following email which I initially thought to be of the spam variety, like millions of dollars from Nigeria or the promise of a larger penis from people who can't seem to be able to spell "viagra" correctly.



Considering the nature of the image attached below, I thought it would be perfect to pass along this gem to you with the sentiment that the Rocktree Brothers had some 30-odd years ago when this gem was made.

Here's looking at 2011!





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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com  Also check out the lovely Gwenn's Fashion/Coffee Blog
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It's bittersweet to say goodbye to 2010 because it was a pretty good year to me.  In reflecting on the year, I realize that the health I enjoyed made it one of my faves.

Why?  I got to tour with one of my best friends, Josh, and play shows with my friends in Bella Morte, including my Synthetic Division bandmate Marshall (who also plays bass for Bella). That's something I've always wanted to do, and hope to do again in the new year.  With Marshall and Josh, I played a total of 16 Synthetic Division shows, more than all of the previous 9 years of playing out combined.  The inspiration to do it was simple- I survived my dying wish to meet Depeche Mode in 1990, and this was a 20-year anniversary present.  Of course, the real gift is just being here to have the opportunity to launch a crazy plan or two.

Really, what inspired doing a new CD and going on tour was more than wanting to commemorate a milestone, it was a feeling a vulnerability.  At the end of last year, when I landed in the hospital due to a side effect of one of my hemophilia medications, I really thought- for the first time in my life- that I was going to die.  I woke up that morning and my heart was racing, I felt so unstable and out of my mind in the hospital.  I've never feared the passing of this life into whatever awaits, if anything, but that experience spooked me because I didn't want to leave Gwenn behind.

When I came out of the hospital I had a different perspective on entering the new year.  I enjoyed our first talk of the semester when we flew to Seattle and spent an extra two days, just tooling around.  Each trip was fulfilling, not just because of the work we do in educating about HIV and sexual health, but also on a personal level; it sounds silly, but I was just giddy to be alive.  And I was open to doing things I'd put off, like focus on music and finally putting together that love with my HIV education work. (One Condoms supplied my band with over a thousand condoms, which we gave out at all of the shows.)

I also got to see my goddaughter grow up.  There are few things I love more than hearing her call for me, or having her trust to teach her things like how to high-five correctly.  This year, Gwenn and I got to go with her and her mommy (one of our best friends) to London.  It was a wonderful trip, and looking back I am so thankful that I had the energy to enjoy it.

In terms of writing, I didn't make much progress on my second book, which I have claimed victory over more times than I care to admit, but I did do some of my best writing for Poz Magazine when I wrote a piece on Ryan White. I also got to speak with Bad Blood director Marilyn Ness about her documentary on hemophilia, and how HIV has affected the bleeding disorders community.

So what does 2011 hold in store?  Aside from my usual routine, I have no idea.  Just take it one month at a time, which leads me to my New Year's resolution to blog every day in January.  Why?  Because that will give me the rest of the year to gain weight and procrastinate.  Now, I understand that there is a risk in blogging every day; it could thin out my readership, leaving only the diehards (relatives) to read my every musing.  But that's okay- it's a challenge, especially based on my low output as of late.

So, wish me luck. And, as always, thanks for reading.  Here's to a great new year for you!

Positively Yours,
Shawn




Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter  
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com  Also check out the lovely Gwenn's Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!

SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.

Subculture Shock on 91.9 WNRN has been a long-time supporter of my synth music, AKA Synthetic Division. The radio program is doing an end-of-the-year best singles of 2010 as voted on by their listeners. A Synthetic Division song, "A Symptom of Life", has made the list.

I've had a player up on this blog since I released the CD back in May. If you haven't had a chance to listen, give it a whirl. If you like the song, I'd appreciate a vote at this site.
I'm hoping the new year brings more new music and another chance to go on a mini-tour. Commemorating the 20-year anniversary of my dying wish to meet Depeche Mode with a release that I am very proud of was definitely a highlight of my year.

In other news, I decided that the year couldn't close out with a vacated title for my T-Cell Champion.  So the closest vote to Satan is now the interim champion until the next labtests crown an undisputed champion.  The person who came the closest?  Rachel Oliff.  If the name sounds familiar, it's because Charles Oliff became the first Labtest Contest Champion last year.  The Oliffs are really building a dynasty here on the Labtest Contest!

Hope everyone is having a good week, and a good holiday season.

Positively Yours,
Shawn

PS... happy birthday wishes to Marshall Camden (picture here from last year as a disgruntled elf).  He has been playing keyboards with me in Synthetic Division since 2007. Hope you're had a rockin' one!

Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter  
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com  Also check out the lovely Gwenn's Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!

SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.


 

 

 

Before I announce the results of my Labtest Contest, I have to admit that I wasn't thrilled with my decision to give away my sweet hat.  I even took to my Facebook page, urging friends to vote so that- should they win- they could then turn around and hand my the hat as a Christmas gift.

As it turns out, that isn't necessary!  I am keeping the hat. 

Any other time, this would be the good news of this particular blog post, but that is overshadowed by the surprisingly vital number of t-cells from last month's doctor's visit: 662!  That is the highest they've ever been since my HIV diagnosis in 1987.  It really is a great cap to a year that, health-wise, was light years ahead of last year, which saw some medical tomfoolery that included weeks of colds on and off, and a holiday hospital stay due to an adverse reaction to hemophilia medication.

"Hey Shawn, that's great and all, but why do you get to keep the fucking hat?"

Great question, collective subconscious.

Well, the closest guess was from an unlikely source in the form of an anonymous Commenter ("Anonymous Coward", but they signed in under the email "devil@devil.com") that posted:  

Yesterday the Senate voted to be able to vote for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which they did. It's been a confusing ride for non-politicos such as myself, but I'm happy to see that this campaign promise of Barack Obama has come to fruition.

Of the 65 votes in the Senate to repeal DADT, 8 were Republicans. That should be noted in bold print. Hopefully the knuckles of the (R) party will start to scrape less on the ground as they begin to slowly walk upright and join the majority of Americans who get that this "issue" is not an issue at all. I also hope everyone who has been fired over this bogusness gets there job back real quick like. 

On the fictional side, maybe now Rambo finally gets the courage to come out of the closet.

Positively Yours,
Shawn
 Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter  
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com  Also check out the lovely Gwenn's Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!

SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.


 

 

This is the last day to vote on the Labtest Contest and win this awesome hat! Competition is fierce, but it's nothing compared to how fierce you'll look in this hat, which complements all seasons and sexes.

 If you're like me this holiday season, then you've probably slacked on buying presents. Well, fortunately other folks are thinking of good things to buy if you're in a buyin' mood. The little elves who tap away at the Poz office keyboards when staffers have long since left the office for the day have compiled a holiday list of goodies that benefit good people... check it out!  Also, my pal, Robert Breining, also made a list of must-have stocking stuffers for the positoids in your life.

Neither list, of course, has this sweet sweet hat!  Don't forget to refresh on the rules (it's easy, one guess between 400-700 t-cells, posted on my Poz blog Comments section), and good luck!

Positively Yours,
Shawn

 

 

Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter  
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com  Also check out the lovely Gwenn's Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!

SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.


 

 

Last March and July, I held a "Labtest Contest", giving readers of this blog a chance to win something cool simply by guessing how many t-cells I have when I get my labs drawn.  Well, it's that time again, so put on your thinking caps because the prize for the closest guess (see rules below) gets... my AIDS Walk 2010 hat.

Yes, I'm parting ways with this beauty.  For whatever reason, when I wore this the people closest to me didn't like the guy I became, so it's time to do what must be done and say goodbye...


Here's a refresher on the rules (subject to change, just like my t-cells):
Official Rules
1. You have to post your guess (between 400 and 700 t-cells) on my Poz blog Comments section
2. Relatives are disqualified (only because that makes this seem official)
3. Closest guess wins- no Price is Right logic applies.
4. One vote per person.
5. Deadline is Friday, December 17, 2010 at 11:59 EST.

Roll call of champions:
March-July 2010: Charles Oliff (guess: 567 actual count: 565)
July 2010-present: Aimee Lee (guess: 516 actual: 511)

The debut Labtest Contest was fierce last March, and when the dust settled the ultimate winner was Charles Oliff.  The graceful champion looked to defend his title in July, but recent fatherhood presented a distraction and up-and-coming challenger, Aimee, took advantage. Can she be the first to defend?  Will Charles return to form?  Or will you shock the world and claim the most coveted title in all of HIV lab work and that sweet, sweet hat?

I can't guess because I already got the results.  No clues, sorry!

Positively Yours,
Shawn

 

 

Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter  
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com  Also check out the lovely Gwenn's Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!

SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.


 

 

The Red Ribbon Army has called attention to a group on Facebook called "From HIV Positive to HIV Negative" in the hopes of having it removed from the social networking site.  In order to help do so, click on the group's page, scroll down to the bottom left and click "Report Group". Check the "Scam" box.

Why draw attention to this?  Why pick on a bunch of self-starters just trying to make it in the world?  Isn't it their right in a soon-to-be capitalistic world to offer an alternative to big pharma?  Well, it's all in the packaging.  I have no problems with alternative therapy or thinking, but when you claim to cure HIV, that is an issue. 

Make no mistake- these claims are very dangerous. It's snake oil. It's preying on the desperate. To defend this group, as some have, is asinine. People who go for this juice and believe in it are less likely to seek out actual medical care. There's a big difference. And telling someone who is HIV positive that there are HIV negative makes it way less likely that person will use protection when they engage in sexual activity.  HIV is preventable- not curable at this particular moment in time.  Anything that takes away our power to pursue the former is a problem with me, and I'm not open to discussion about the merits of idiots and thieves who claim they can cure HIV with a juice box. They are in it for money, not to help people.

And they can go to hell as far as I'm concerned.

To help shut down this group, re-read the beginning of this post and follow the instructions.

Positively Yours,
Shawn

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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com 
Also check out the lovely Gwenn's Fashion/Coffee Blog

SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.


 

I'm back home safely after a weeks' worth of travels for World AIDS Week. A big thank you to the following universities and colleges for inviting me and Gwenn (and HIV prevention!) to campus: Illinois State University, Kent State-Stark, University of Mount Union, Baldwin-Wallace College and Arcadia University.

This year marked a decade of traveling the United States during this time of year to educate about HIV/AIDS.  I love doing this with Gwenn, and answering questions about how she remains HIV negative in our relationship (thanks, proper condom usage!) and also how that information can be utilized in others lives to keep them HIV free.  I probably take the most pride in presenting a healthy relationship to the public that involves me and my pet virus.  Aside from HIV/STD prevention, a main goal of mine is to show that you can- despite living with an incurable STD, have a loving, sexual relationship.

During one of our talks, I was asked what we hoped people gained from our message.  It's pretty simple- just view HIV as something that is what it is- part of your community.  This virus has a funny way of hiding in our bodies, and in our neighborhoods.  It thrives on silence, and the most vulnerable parts of our human pysche- doubt, the fear of rejection, the fear of even a test result... all of these things combined keep this problem in motion. 

HIV isn't just a medical condition; it attaches to our weaknesses the way a snowflake can stick to our windshield in the winter.  If we don't switch on the wipers and shake things clear, then our visibility and our ability to navigate our lives becomes impossible.

Okay, I'm satisfied with that analogy.  It's the perfect transition from World AIDS Week to the holiday season, just like replacing the red ribbon with a holiday sweater vest.  For those of you like me, who continue to carry the reality of HIV infection with you past the allotted and accepted time set aside to speak about all of these issues, I wish you a very healthy and happy end of the year.  Actually, that wish doesn't just go out to my fellow positoids- I extend my best to everyone who is kind of enough to check in on me via this blog. 

I hope this moment finds you feeling loved and comfortable in your own skin.

Positively Yours,

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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com 
Also check out the lovely Gwenn's Fashion/Coffee Blog

SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.