MY PET VIRUS Released
September 21, 2006
Five and a half years ago I started writing this book. And today, it’s finally out there. Pretty surreal…
And last night, at my first reading, the place was packed. So many familar faces, too many to even keep up with. Gwenn told me my doctor was there, but I didn’t see him. And a few other people she spoke with. The area set aside for the reading at Barnes & Noble seated 50… and 150 people showed up. There were more sign-ups for book orders than books on hand, which sold out in about fifteen minutes, just after I was done reading.
But I didn’t lose my breath. A friend afterwards told me that my face turned red when I started reading… it was embarrassing, and humbling, and so fucking amazing to see friends from childhood, poker night, goth night, relatives young and old, former co-workers of Gwenn at the local AIDS Service Organization, the pageant family… anyone who could make it did.
It really was the best send off for my upcoming book tour that I could have asked for. As I’m on the road, I’ll be posting here. I’m sure some funny stories will come up. If you stumble upon my book, I hope you enjoy it and can get a laugh at some of my misfortunes. All the misfortunes in the world was worth the feeling my friends and family gave me last night.
I am today, and always have been, a lucky bastard.
Positively,
Shawn
The Whirlwind Book Tour Begins
September 19, 2006
Tonight I’m doing my first book reading. I’ve heard that, if you’re not David Sedaris, you shouldn’t even do an actual reading because you’ll bore the audience to tears. But tonight?
I’m braving it.
Also, this is a local reading, which means that a ton of family and friends will be there. Which means I could be getting heckled from the audience, either by my mother or the lead singer of Bella Morte. I’ll need to be on toes. Oh, and to read slowly. I practiced for Gwenn the other night, and I read so fast that I was out of breath by the end of the first paragraph. It was pitiful.
This weekend, I head out for a two-week book tour. The locals are giving me a great send off, and this past weekend I was interviewed for a local radio station. (you can listen here.
One local I’m gunning for? Negatoid John Grisham, whom I challenged to a book reading at a Charlottesville location of his choosing. As of yet, no word from his camp. I’ll keep you updated.
Positively,
Shawn
USA Today Reviews My Book!
September 14, 2006
Holy shit.
Yes, MY PET VIRUS is reviewed in USA Today… today. In the actual paper, there’s even a little photo of the cover. It really is too cool.
Gwenn and I read USA Today all the time when we’re on the road, staying at hotels. Now I’m in the thing. Wowser. If you want, you can go read the review HERE! Or pick up a copy on the newsstand today!
The local newspaper, The Hook, came out today as well, and it features a cover story on MY PET VIRUS. Go pay them a visit and give it a read!
There’s a funny quote in there from the guy who was the superintendent when I was kicked out of school in the sixth grade (the day after they learned of my HIV status). He claims I was never excluded from anything. Oh, and that my hometown of Waynesboro were leaders in advocating for the rights of students with HIV. He conveniently forgets, however, that they were dragged to the brink of a lawsuit, a result of my expulsion, to do so.
I understand the attempt to turn me into some kind of James Frey with AIDS. The whole episode must be very embarrassing to look back on these days. But hey, it was 1987, the whole country was in a panic, not just Waynesboro.
Back when all that went down, I was a kid who had no idea what was going on as all of the smalltown politics unfolded around me. But now, as an adult, I will defend myself in real time. The misguided people who were responsible for ignoring the advice of doctors, teachers and everyone else who stood up for me can tell themselves that it never happened, and they can and will continue to take potshots at me.
My advice to them? Grow up. If I could do it against all odds, then so can they.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
9/11 and Viral Load Results
September 11, 2006
The best result I could ask for came in today with my labs… an undetectable viral load! That means, for the time being, I’m good to go as far as staying with the Week On/Week Off meds plan.
I have to say, I thought there would be something happening with the viral load. But no, the meds are still kicking the virus’s ass the same way they did before, only now I’m giving the meds less of an opportunity to kick my ass as well.
Of course, I’ll keep updating on here, but I don’t even go back in for labs until December, which is nice. And I wouldn’t be an American if I didn’t mention today’s anniversary of 9/11. I was fortunate enough that I didn’t lose anyone in the attacks but, like everyone else, I will never forget where I was when everything went down that day.
Gwenn and I had a talk scheduled for that evening. Fortunately, we didn’t have plane tickets, it was just a simple four-hour drive away. We had our suitcases packed, and just as we were about to leave Gwenn’s mom called, “Where are you guys???”
We turned on the TV. I’m not sure if they second tower had been hit, but everything was still being reported as a potential error. I was in a haze, even when the twin towers fell. I’d never witnessed anything like that before in real time.
Gwenn and I didn’t leave the house for three days, watching all the updates as they came on. Everything else seemed pretty inconsequential at the time, and it was.
Our talk was cancelled, of course, and for some reason I thought it prudent to call the bed & breakfast place that we were planning to stay at after our campus gig that night. The guy who owned the b&b was surprisingly indignant. “Well, no one else has cancelled for this evening!” Nobody else probably remembered to call.
A couple of weeks later, the b&b bill appeared on our bank statement. “What a dick.” I thought.
To get some information on the place to contest the bill, I went to the B&B web site, and there the owner was, smiling in front of his business. Though there was one slight change: he was now proudly posing in front of an American flag. “What a dick,” I said once again, understanding that he probably didn’t lose anyone in the attacks, either.
Shawn
Lab Results
September 9, 2006
I got lab work done this week to see how the Week On/Week Off (Wax on, wax off?) treatment plan is going with my meds. The T Cell count dipped slightly, from about 440 to 370-ish, but the more important Cd4 percentage stayed the same at 23. Which is good.
Now I just wait until Monday for the main event: the viral load test results. When I got labs done, I’d been back on meds for one day after a Week Off cycle. So if there’s been any significant viral rebound, it should show up.
Of course, I’m not a doctor. Just a young positoid trying to figure out the best to live a long and happy life on HIV meds. I guess when you were supposed to be dead (according to doctors’ projections) by 1989, that doesn’t seem like such a far-fetched idea.
Shawn
The Real Vanity Fair Cover!
September 7, 2006
In the world of Hollywood things aren’t always as they appear. Much was made of this week’s unveiling of Suri Cruise on the cover of Vanity Fair, but I have obtained the unaltered photo from the session that day and, in a world exclusive, I am posting it here.
*Shortly after reading Shawn’s book, Tom Cruise denounced scientology, declaring himself a “negatoid” instead. More details to come!
life in photos
I am frightened by ceilings. A terrible phobia to have.
Today's assortment of treats: tea for Gwenn, a mocha for me and a cookie to share.
My buddy Sharanya preparing my mocha with just an extra dash of love.
Hanging on wall in our guest bedroom. Couldn't agree more!
Speaking About Sexual Health
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