Miss America Top Ten Predictions
January 29, 2007
A chapter in my book is dedicated to pageants and, in particular, Gwenn’s quest to become Miss Virginia in 1999. Back then I was stunned by the world in which I’d been thrust. Not since my diagnosis of HIV twelve years prior had I entered such a strange and fascinating new realm.
These days I fancy myself an expert of sorts. For the last two years, I’ve predicted the final two girls at Miss Virginia. Word has gotten around with the locals that Shawn Decker knows his shit. But now, it’s the big leagues… Miss America. This blog could catapult my reputation, or tarnish my crown beyond repair.
But here it is, based upon what I’ve seen and heard. I’ll update this blog later with actual results. If your state has been slighted, feel free to give me hell.
TOP TEN PREDICTIONS:
Miss Virginia Adrianna Sgarlata
Miss Texas
Miss New York
Miss Michigan
Miss Connecticut (leopard-print swimsuit. Enough said!)
Miss Pennsylvania
Miss Tennessee
Miss Georgia (I stole her from Chip Brown)
Miss Alabama
Miss Mississippi
Wild Cards: Talent winners Hawaii and California aren’t on my list. And Miss Arizona could squeek in…
Oh, and if you can’t stand pageants then you’ll just have to wait for my next blog entry. It’s a funny drunken Vegas story. Was bound to happen out here, right?
Positively Sashed,
Shawn
Hardball With Shawn Decker
January 26, 2007
Last night I watched Chris Matthews, of Hardball fame, as he watched an array of 20-somethings parade around in swimsuits…. mere feet from where the political junkie was sitting.
It wasn’t a drunken, social misstep. Chris wasn’t joining the partying ranks of the Brit Pack or anything. He was merely performing his duties as a judge in the Miss America pageant here in Las Vegas, where Gwenn and I are enjoying our vacation.
We are psyched to be out here. Guru, of My Pet Virus fame, is out here, and just the other week he made this observation: “Shawn, you are truly are a renaissance man: you enjoy boxing, wrestling, pageants. You fully embrace everything that the culture of your time has time offer.”
Oh, we’re also going to see O, the Cirque du Solei show where they splash around in a huge pool. I’m not sure if the 51 girls in swimsuits and Chris Matthews in a speedo will be joining the cast. But that would be awesome if they did.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
The State of the Book Address
January 23, 2007
Greeting my fellow readers. It is with great pride that I write to you in high spirits, and even higher hopes. For, in the last twelve months, we have seen My Pet Virus: The True Story of a Rebel Without a Cure, make many tremendous strides.
Yet there is still so far to go.
This is the story of a kid struggling to pass English class in 12th grade, going on to earn a coveted B+ grade, courtesy of Entertainment Weekly. From a starred Kirkus rating to being chosen as one of the Best Nonfiction Books of 2006. And from a guy shamelessly whoring his book-to-be on MySpace before it was even available, to a guy shamelessly whoring his synthpop tunes on MySpace. (New single available for 50 cents for a limited-time offer! Proceeds go towards the purchase of my life-saving HIV medications!)
So much has changed, yet so much still remains the same.
Just the other day I was at the local bookstore, where I was informed that (outside of John Grisham, who has yet to answer my challenge to a reading) my book is one of the best-selling titles by a local author. Then, a half hour later, I was at the bank and another teller chimed in over the intercom, “Hey, have you written a book or something… it’s great!”
Probably the most surreal occurence was an email I received from a 9th grader last week through my publisher. Her Language Arts project is to dress up as an author and answer questions as if she were at a book event. She chose me. I can just see myself sandwiched between Edgar Allen Poe and Mark Twain.
What an incredible ride. It really happened. The book is out there, and people are enjoying it. Not just positoids and thinbloods, but negatoids and thickbloods, too. And other writers. I’ve met so many through this process.
So thanks once again for reading the book and spreading the word. It has just about sold out of it’s first printing, and I have you to thank for that. There are many more chapters to live in my life, and many more books to write as well. I hope that, in the coming years, you decide to stick around for those journeys as well.
Goodnight, my fellow Americans. (Other nationalities: Good morning or good afternoon, depending on where you are reading this blog from.)
Positively,
Shawn
Double click on a song to hear a sample!
The Best Keyman Award Goes To…
January 21, 2007
Last night my electropop duo, Synthetic Division, played at the Dawning, the local goth industrial night here in Charlottesville. Those who have read My Pet Virus will recognize it as the location where I befriended Bella Morte.
It was my first full set with my bandmate, Kyle, and a few days ago it looked as if our glorious night may be undone by illness. Shockingly, it wasn’t my illness- Kyle came down with a nasty ear infection… would I have to go it alone? The answer was a resounding no, as Kyle pulled through like a champ just in time to rock it out. I was so moved by his courage that I presented him with the BMTV Music Award for Best Keyman at the show. (He beat out Micah of Bella Morte and Marshall of In Tenebris for the honors.)
To check out highlights from our show, click the YouTube video below…
Positively Yours,
Shawn
PS.. make sure volume on YouTube display is UP. Way up.
A Visit With Mom
January 15, 2007
I went to see my mom on Sunday, and called about 15 minutes before arriving. Not enough time to for her to organize an overwhelming event, but just enough time for her to put on a pair of pants.
When Gwenn and I arrived, Dad was in his chair and Mom was in the kitchen. Cooking. “What are you doing?” I asked. “I thought you’d want some food,” she said. “Come sit down for God’s sake!” I yelled, though I was pretty psyched about the baked potato.
I’m glad she’s moving around. Not only that, Mom has decided to quit smoking. After 40 years. Over the last several years, my parents have talked a lot about their impending demises, sometimes with a tinge of what I suspected to be wishful thinking. So to see Mom taking care of herself, and seeing a future of health is fairly amazing.
Normally, I’d suspect that Mom was just pretending to be healthier than she is, a trick she probably learned from watching me over the years. But Dad confirmed her progress by saying, “She’s ridin’ my ass about everything. So I know she’s feeling good again!”
Get Well Mom
January 11, 2007
OK, I tried to protect the anonymity of my Mom’s recent health scare. But everything has turned out fine and now I’m blowing the lid off things. Hopefully she won’t sue me for blogging about this.
For quite awhile, Mom, the toughest person I’ve ever known, has had abdominal discomfort. There was a fear of pancreatic cancer, but last week she had an operation to relieve pressure and everything looked better than expected. So the Deckers dodged a medical bullet.
Her recovery has been incredible, she just got home, not even a week after the surgery. Gwenn and I went to see her, and it was like seeing a Moonshine version of Mom. She was telling the same stories, but was slurring her words. I thought if I spoke more than usual, which is very little (hey, I’m a writer!), then she’d save energy. But she nodded off on me a couple of times, even slept through a Ghostriding story on CNN. (FACT: Ghostriding is when people ride on the hoods of their cars with no one driving. Mom nodded her approval when I told her my desire to be a full-time Ghostrider.)
Since the book has come out, so many people have written kind things about Mom. So I thought this would be a good time to send some of that love and admiration her way, when she needs it.
If you’d like to send her a get well email, just drop her a note here: getwellmom@mypetvirus.com (EMAIL NOW DISABLED- thanks for all the kind words, mom LOVED them) I know she’d love to hear from ya. Or you can post a comment here, of course. I’ll keep the email active for a week.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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
Since 2000, Shawn and Gwenn have been speaking about sexual health together, sharing their personal story and empowering others to be safe. If you are interested in having them speak at your event, fill out the Contact Us form.
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