Must Watch TV: Pedro on MTV
March 30, 2009
MTV to Air Biopic on Pedro Zamora
I was excited to read in Poz Magazine about a made-for-TV movie about Pedro Zamora, entitled “Pedro”, which will air at 8 pm this Wednesday. In case you’re not familiar, Pedro was the HIV-positive young man who appeared on MTV’s Real World San Francisco in 1994.
He’s someone I’ll never forget.
At the time that he was on the show, I’d just graduated from high school and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I never thought that I’d share my personal experiences with HIV with my peers, or use any of the medical realities I’d encountered as a means to educate others.
Pedro changed all of that.
Today, I’m very outspoken about my status, but in 1994? No way. Yet, I was so interested in Pedro’s life. I loved that he was on there doing his thing. It planted a seed in my mind that took another two years to grow.
I was deeply saddened in the fall of 1994 when Pedro
passed to spirit, just months after I got to “know him” through the show. A year and a half later, I was still unsure as to what my future held. I started to feel like I was going to survive HIV, yet the fear of having to fill an entire life with purpose of any sort was paralyzing.
At 20, during a Real World Reunion special, I was moved when Pedro’s roommate, Judd Winick, called on audience members to honor Pedro’s spirit. “Do something,” he said, not once but twice, choking up with emotion.
The words hit me like a ton of bricks. I was reminded of Pedro’s impact, thanks to someone who really did get to know him, Judd.
A couple of months later I launched my first web site, My Pet Virus, and never looked back. If you remember Pedro Zamora with the same fondness that I do, be sure to tune in to MTV this Wednesday at 8 pm (EST).
Also, do yourself a favor and order Judd Winick’s comic-style homage to his friend, “Pedro & Me”. It’s as touching a tribute as you’ll ever read. Have your crying hanky on hand. And remember, if you’re ever thinking you don’t fit in or don’t matter, just think real hard… surround yourself with people who love you.
And then do something. Funny story about my encounter with Pedro’s volatile Real World roommate, Puck, in the next blog.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Still taking questions for the My Pet Virus web site. Please email me some more!
If you want to read a Poz column I wrote in 2001 about Pedro, and my own attempts to weasel my way onto The Real World to carry his positoid torch, click here.
MyPetVirus.com Relaunch… Questions?
March 27, 2009
So I had a cold for about a week, which blew. But from that agony (it wasn’t that bad) good things happened- I missed a terrible movie that I didn’t want to see in The Knowing, and ate a lot of soup.
I was trapped inside my home, body and mind. Which meant I was able to complete a Synthetic Division remix. Basically, that meant a lot of nerdy noodling on the computer that I call making music. I’ll post the remixed cover of Tori Amos’ “Raspberry Swirl” soon…
In the meantime, I need your help. In my weakened state, I also did a redesign for my book site My Pet Virus. There’s a Frequently Asked Questions section that is blank. I wanted to see if you’d be so kind as to email me a question, and I’ll take the most frequently asked and answer them.
Or the ones that inspire the most witty retort. Something golden that will wear down someone who happens upon the site, and they will be powerless to resist the urge to buy my book.
That would be awesome. So think of something obvious or less obvious and fire away. I want to reward one person for the time and effort, everyone else will just have to be altruistic in their motivation to help out.
So, if your question makes the cut and you’re the chosen one, I’ll send you either a copy of my CD, Get With the Programs, or a copy of My Pet Virus. Blood relatives are not eligible for this give away, or movie review partners. Inductees into Shawn’s Tool Academy are also disqualified.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Send questions this weekend, I’ll announce the winner on Monday’s blog and post the winners on the FAQ page on mypetvirus.com
Hemo2Homo Connection: The Knowing Review
March 25, 2009
Hemo: Pesky little cold. Sorry I couldn’t make it to a movie this weekend. But I did make this killer movie poster…
Homo: Nice work!
And that’s OK- I’ll entertain you by telling you about what I saw. Nic Cage’s deliciously bad new movie might be as bad as the last M. Night movie. In fact, I’m going to tell you the entire movie so that I can save you those two and a half hours of your precious life.
Hemo: Please, I just have a cold. Enough friends already thinking I’m dying of AIDS here… It’s just a cold, dammit!
Homo: … or is it?
Hemo: Seriously, you were saying something about a movie? Nic Cage- let me guess, he has a peculiar expression on his face throughout most of the film?
Hemo: … I just got a little bit hard.
Homo: Not that kind of shrieking, thinblood. This shrieking isn’t for any good reason; it’s a generic “helpless
female” role designed to make Nic Cage look even more butch than he
already thinks he is — and boy does he get butch as an astrophysicist.
Hemo: Wasn’t he one of those in that last thing he did? International Treasurer? He hasn’t branched out since Valley Girl, my fave Cage flick of all time.
Homo: National Treasure, bleeder. But Nic’s really tough in this one. He hits a tree with a baseball bat to keep a roving pack of
Gothic Sting lookalikes away from his kid.
Hemo: Makes sense- gothic kids hate baseball.
Homo: As excruciating as it was, its basic concept and execution are so far off the edge of kookoo that I’m starting to like it in retrospect. Before I go any further… CAUTION TO READERS: I will reveal everything about this movie. Do not read this if you don’t want to know the plot and/or ending of this movie.
Hemo: They already stopped reading. So tell me more about the goth kids- you know I have a small goth following?
Homo: They’re just waiting for you to die. In this movie, these skinny, black-clad male models mysteriously hang out in the woods. They turn out to be aliens on a gay planet filled with Sting look-alikes. I think I rented that once already, only it was in one of those dark book stores your mama warns you about and it cost 25 cents per minute.
Hemo: The true sign of being old is having ever paid for porn.
Homo: Nic Cage is getting up there. But he retains his youth by jumping onto a speeding subway and protecting a woman from getting crushed in a big CGI crash sequence by just crouching over her. I guess this was to protest the fact that he didn’t get to play Superman?
Hemo: Why did you see this thing? I was unknowing of Knowing; never heard a thing about it.
Homo: I never miss a macho physicist movie. The plot, such as it is, is about the End of All There Is. There’s a page of numbers, which turn out to contain Big Spooky Movie Secrets that have Hidden Mysterious Meanings.
Hemo: *sleeping*
Homo: Oh, dear. And I haven’t even gotten to the stupid parts. It has one of the most asinine out of left field endings ever, complete with little kids holding bunny rabbits for some inexplicable reason… Hemo? You know what? I’ll spare you all the ending. You might be up late some night and if nothing else is on…
The Hemo2Homo Connection are Shawn Decker and Steve Schalchlin.
The creators met online in 1996, and
posted their first movie review in 1998. Both have been living with HIV
for over twenty years, and have annoyed their friends and loved ones
for longer than that.
Steve Schalchlin resides in Los Angeles, CA. He is an award-winning musician, singer and songwriter. Shawn Decker lives in Charlottesville, VA. He is an HIV/AIDS educator and the author of My Pet Virus.
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Catching Up With Color Theory
March 22, 2009
I don’t spend too much time on MySpace these days. Seems to be either a haven for call girls or bad bands. But recently I got an Add Request from the very cool synth project of Brian Hazard, who goes by Color Theory.
There’s an interesting tie-in to my favorite band, Depeche Mode. Back when Napster ruled the internet, fans of Depeche Mode mistakenly thought that one of Color Theory’s originals was a leaked Mode song. (Brian’s vocal style is reminiscent of Martin Gore of Depeche Mode.) And while Color Theory’s covers of Mode songs are impeccable, the originals more than hold their own, as evidenced by the recent win for Best Electronic Song in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
Now Color Theory is up for another award. I sat down at my computer recently and emailed Brian some questions. He sat down at his in California and emailed me some answers. Enjoy!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
——————————————
Q: Firstly, I love that you cover the lesser known Depeche Mode songs, like “Here Is The House”. When did you first hear the music of the greatest band of all time?
It was back in 1983, before I really started getting into music. I had a grand total of one cassette: The Eagles “Hotel California.” My best friend played me Some Great Reward, and I was hooked. I typed out the lyrics to “Somebody” on his typewriter and hid them in my room like a love letter.
Ah, lyrics from “Somebody” are on the inside of my wedding ring. Favorite Mode album?
In my opinion, Violator is their all-around best, but Ultra, which doesn’t get a whole lot of love from DM fans, is the best produced. The one that had the most impact on me is arguably their worst: A Broken Frame. I’d listen to it over and over, and fall asleep to it every night. If I wasn’t completely out before “Shouldn’t Have Done That” came on, I’d have nightmares… that song still creeps me out!
Definitely their creepiest work. What was the inspiration behind your Lennon Contest-winner, “If It’s My Time To Go”?
The song started as a collaboration with my friend Caesar Filori of Wideband Network. I gave him a piano sketch, and he sent back a demo that was dense, rich, and very dark. The mood of that demo inspired the title, which I built the rest of the lyrics around. Though the subject matter is bleak, the tone is courageously optimistic.
The topic of death/loss is always a good one.
I can’t say that I’m personally that comfortable with death, but if I ever have to look it in the face, I hope I can be that clear-sighted about it. (The original mix of the song appears on Color Theory’s upcoming EP, Second Thoughts.)
I think the song is beautiful, and conveys the emotions of love and loss brilliantly. Best of luck in the next phase of voting, Brian. You’ve done your idols, Depeche Mode, very proud with Color Theory.
That’s very kind of you. Thanks for taking the time to chat with me.
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Download the song, “If It’s My Time To Go”, for free. If you’d like to vote for Color Theory in Phase 2 of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, go to colortheory.com/. Hear Color Theory’s Depeche Mode covers here!
Shawn’s Tool Academy: The Pope
March 20, 2009
Last month I debuted a new feature on my blog, Shawn’s Tool Academy, in which I honor those I deem tools. Who could forget the first dishonoree, Mr. I-Want-Babies-To-Get-AIDS, Dave Schultheis (T)?
There was mild concern that the term “tool” was too light for Schultheis’ (T) vile comments. But when people say something so profoundly wrong or asinine, I think it’s best to label them a tool and move on with life. That written, I know my second pick could cause more controversy, but I gotta call ‘em the way I see ‘em.
On his current trip to Africa, the Pope discussed condoms and AIDS. Here’s the damning quote that has earned him his rightful spot in the Tool Academy: “(AIDS) a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be
overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the
problems.”
This is Pope Benedict XVI (T)’s first trip to Africa since 1987, the year I found out that I had HIV. That condoms would be a part of my life if I ever wanted to get some. Or have a sexual relationship with a loving partner. Needless to say, the condom is my friend. And I really hate when people talk trash on condoms. It’s very toolish behaviour.
It was tool-like of my former president Bush- a suspected poonhound throughout his 20’s and 30’s- when he ignored his own sexual history and buried sexual health education for teens under federally funded abstinence-only education. Or when he took a successful HIV prevention model that used abstinence, faithfulness (Be Faithful) and condom (ABC) use in Uganda and removed that troubling little “C”, causing Uganda’s infection rates to increase for the first time in years.
The Pope can have his opinion on condoms and sex. But to say that jimmyhats aggravate the AIDS epidemic? That is reckless. It aggravates me when those who wield power and influence choose to talk trash on condoms. From my viewpoint, they are sacrificing lives by doing so.
HIV is deadly, particularly in Africa where access to decent healthcare is harder to come by. It is also preventable- unlike toolish comments, which inevitably pour forth from the mouths of tools.
But what do I know? The highest chosen/elected position I’ve ever held was Homecoming King.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Miss Virginia… Shaves Head?
March 19, 2009
No, this isn’t a Britney Spears head-shaving incident: Tara Wheeler (Miss Virginia) is literally putting her hair on the line. If she raises $500,000 before April 11, the lovely locks go bye-bye for a great cause.
It’s all for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a very cool organization that raises funds for kids with cancer by getting people to shave their heads. When they contacted Miss Virginia to be a part of an event, they had no idea that she’d offer to shave her own head for the cause.
Badass!
Tara has a very steep hill to climb in $500,000, but she is doing all she can to get the word out. Yesterday, she flew to NYC to be on Good Morning America and Fox News. You can see her GMA segment here.
I can’t think of a better way- post green beers- to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than to donate to St. Baldrick’s. Cheers to you, Miss Virginia!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Join the Facebook group, “Help Miss Virginia Go Bald to Cure Kids Cancer!”.
It’s Official: Erin Weed Joins My Gang
March 18, 2009
Everyone thought I was kidding with the whole Swatchmen thing. That the idea of starting a gang the day after they discover a cure for hemophilia was merely another flight of fancy on a blog that’s been plagued by flights of fancy- or, even better- fantasy.
Well, I’m just planning for my future, that’s all. And when self defense speaker Erin Weed was presenting life-saving tips at a nearby college, I traveled to present her with an opportunity to be the first to join the Swatchmen…
Innocently enough, I pose with my friend. No agenda, just friends catching up… her guard down, I casually mention the Swatchmen thing, and laughingly ask if she’d join up.
“Sure, sounds fun!” She said. Then I asked if she’d shake on it.
At first Erin looked worried. Then, as I started to explain all of the asses that have gone unkicked in my life due to the physical risks of taking the low road, she began to understand. See, people think I’m a nice guy for being level-headed, but there’s a warrior inside… yearning for combat. And, once I’m cured of hemophilia, that warrior will be turned loose on an unsuspecting world!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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On Facebook? Protect yourself from Future Thickblooded Shawn by joining the Swatchmen group.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
March 17, 2009
“Don’t even THINK about pinching me, sucka.”
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Love,
Shawn and Gwenn
Click here to hear an interview we did on a local radio station yesterday!
Share the Blog. Not the Virus. Facebook AIDS Lawsuit
March 16, 2009
A high school student is suing fellow classmates and Facebook for $3 million for defamation of character after falsely being accused of having AIDS, being sexually promiscuous and engaging in bestiality.
You can read the story here.
It got me thinking: what would be the worst lie someone could say about me on Facebook? What would be worthy of a multi-million dollar lawsuit? Then I figured it out.
I am offering any reader $15 (not really) to start a group on Facebook claiming that I don’t have AIDS. With my writing and speaking and schtick as a happy-go-lucky positoid, being accused of not having AIDS would be the worst thing for me in these trying financial times. After we win, we can split the winnings right down the middle.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Share the Blog. Not the Virus. HIV Co-Discoverer Fighting for Cure
March 13, 2009
The co-discoverer of HIV is locked in some legal wrangling over a potential cure for HIV, one that uses “a process that would pinpoint illnesses by their electromagnetic
signature and potentially block or neutralize them with an opposing
signal…”
You can read the rest of the story here.
There are two scientists involved- Luc Montagnier and Bruno Robert- and there can only be one winner in this case: me! Once it goes to court, I’m going to immediately contact the loser, who will be feeling pretty desperate. In a lab room in an undisclosed location, I’ll get that electromagnetic shock therapy…
“More!” “More!” “More!”
That’s how I’ll get my superpowers! Not only will I be cured of HIV, I’ll be pissing lightening bolts. If I go this route, I might not even need a gang for back-up.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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