The “Pull Out” Concert Method
July 29, 2009
Last night I saw my favorite band, Depeche Mode, in concert. And after the first encore, Gwenn and I left (missing out on “Personal Jesus” and “Waiting for the Night”) so we could be beat the traffic. It’s called the “Pull Out Concert Method”.
It wasn’t because the show was bad, we just wanted to get our kicks on Route 29 for the 1 1/2 hour drive home. Yes, Gwenn and I are getting old. Or smart. You decide.
Missing out on the bumper-to-bumper traffic was awesome, and so was the show, of course. As it always does at a DM show, it hit me that I’m still here to see my favorite band 19 years after that Make-A-Wish encounter. It’s not that I think I won’t make it to the next tour, it’s just that this band’s music is so interconnected with those early years of my diagnosis, a bond that was sealed when they were my “dying wish”. Now, it was a bit different.
I’m not surprised so much at my own survival as I am at theirs. They are still here, in an industry that is dying, a synthpop act from Basildon can still draw 15,000 people. And it was lead singer Dave Gahan’s health problems over the last few months that would have prevented me from seeing them in concert, not my own “pets”.
I’ve vowed that as long as they are touring, and I am breathing, I will be there when Depeche Mode hits the road. Even if it means hitting the road prematurely to get back home to the incredible, adult life that I’ve been so fortunate to live to see.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Ethan Zohn Is More Than Surviving
July 27, 2009
One of the HIV/AIDS community’s heroes, Ethan Zohn, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease earlier this Spring. You might know Ethan as the winner of Survivor Africa in 2002- he became famous for having a great attitude and cool hair before he became famous for winning the reality show and a million dollars.
He became a hero to positoids when he used those winnings to start an HIV awareness charity, Grassroot Soccer, that uses to love for soccer in Africa to help educate children about the virus. Basically, in a time when HIV/AIDS wasn’t cool anymore, Ethan Zohn shined a spotlight on the epidemic and discussed why it was still important- and preventable.
In terms of Ethan’s health scare, he’s tackling cancer with the same attitude that helped him win Survivor and countless admirers post-Survivor. In this week’s People (look for that Twilight guy’s hair on the cover, ironically), Ethan shows off his hairless post-chemo head and says: “If I can make cancer a little less scary for people, I think that’s pretty cool.”
Last Saturday night on his Twitter page, he put it this way.
“I just laughed in cancers face, kicked him in the balls, twisted his nipple, pulled out his backhair and gave him a wedgie. Today is great.”
Ethan may have learned some of those moves from his girlfriend, Jenna Morasca, who won Survivor Amazon and recently entered the world of pro wrestling in TNA (Total Nonstop Action wrestling). The Gods of Cool just keep smiling down on Ethan, and even after cancer, he keeps smiling back out at the rest of us. Ethan just finished chemotherapy, and has documented his feelings, triumphs and trials at People.com. Also, be sure to look him up on Facebook, and post some well-wishes to someone who has gone the extra mile in raising money and awareness for HIV/AIDS.
Here he is going the extra extra mile last year, dribbling a soccer
ball from Massachusetts to Washington D.C. from August until December,
tearing his ACL in the process. Keep on kicking those soccer balls, as well as cancer’s testicles, Ethan.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Decker’s Daily Turns 100: Never Gonna Give It Up
July 22, 2009
Yesterday was a huge milestone in my life- Decker’s Daily Coffee did what few other Watch-Me-Drink-Coffee sites have been able to do. It reached 100 episodes! Or 100 pictures, really.
And nearly daily, too!
I’m so excited to read the hundreds and hundreds of comments about what your favorite episode/picture has been thus far. Just remember, all debates that erupt should remain civil. You may think Shawn with the AIDS Bear is the best, while another person may argue that the suspense of Who Killed Shawn? carries the most artistic weight.
Me? My personal favorite has to be Shawn’s Great Grandfather’s Daily. It’s actually me, but the vintage feel of this photo in Episode 18 really raised the bar. 18 photos is usually when most Watch-Me-Drink-Coffee sites start to lose their steam, so it’s especially satisfying to know that this was the moment when Decker’s Daily really hit its stride.
To celebrate, I’m going to let you know about McDonald’s Mocha Mondays. 7 am until 7 pm on Mondays, you can get a free iced mocha. Hurry, this deal ends in August! But don’t forget about your local coffee shops, hit McDonald’s up in addition. Then you can see how much better the good stuff is.
Not into coffee? Then enjoy this YouTube video… yes, I’m going crazy with the videos, but this has to be one of my all-time favorites. I won’t even try to Rickroll you- what you are about to see is a video of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” combined with “Never Gonna Give You Up”.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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YouTube Video of Me and Gwenn
July 21, 2009
Here’s another new YouTube video, this one is of me and Gwenn speaking. Not just, like, speaking to each in the comfort of our own home, but out and about spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS and sexual health.
It’s what we do- check it out!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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YouTube Video from Benefit “Halo” Cover
July 21, 2009
I’m terrible at following up, but the benefit that I did with my band on July 11 was a success- the show went well and we raised $600 for the AIDS Walk Washington DC. Thanks to everyone who came out to support the cause!
Playing the show was a lot of fun. My band did two covers; Tori Amos’ “Raspberry Swirl” and Depeche Mode’s “Halo”, from their 1990 album Violator, which they were touring to support when I met them through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A couple of months before the benefit, Marshall (jamming out on the synth in the vid below) suggested “Halo” as a potential cover and programmed the song to perfection.
Here’s a clip from the benefit show, and our version of “Halo” with me rambling for a few seconds at the beginning… (Thanks, Stephanie, for posting the video!)
For my birthday, Gwenn got us tickets to go see Depeche Mode on their current tour, which is the best present ever. Thanks to Gwenn for being the best partner a person could ask for, and a true Wish come true.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Shawn and Gwenn Has 3 Fans! (And Growing!)
July 20, 2009
If you’re on Facebook check out the newly created Shawn and Gwenn Page. Become a fan, so we has more than 3. See below for the funny grammar, and why I didn’t use “have” instead of “has”.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Dear Dave: Well Wishes From Make-A-Wisher
July 17, 2009
The storied history of my Make-A-Wish Foundation encounter with Depeche Mode at age 14 has been well documented on this blog, yet the picture is too cool not to post every time I reference this proud moment in my life.
That’s me in the white hat- you can’t see it, but it says “Surfin’ USA” on it. Yes, I regret wearing it to meet the Beatles of electronic music.
This meeting was in 1990. By the mid-90′s, lead singer Dave Gahan was battling a massive drug problem, and it looked like I was in danger of outliving my wishee. Since then, I’ve gotten more comfortable with the prospect of outliving Dave, figuring we’ll both kick the bucket from natural causes after living fruitful, happy lives. Another thing I’ve figured is that, every three or four years, Depeche Mode will be touring, and I’ll get to go see them.
On their most recent tour, however, Dave has had some health issues. Nothing drug related- he’s been clean for years now-, just a bombardment of malfunctions that included a bladder tumor and, more, recently a torn calve muscle. Needless to say, it’s been a rough tour cycle for the Depeche Mode frontman.
So it is with much sincerity that I wish Dave a speedy recovery. He was very kind in 1990, and very kind again in 2001 when I was able to get that original photo signed. From a Make-A-Wish kid, I’m sending positive healing vibes your way.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Happy Birthday to Me… and Will Ferrell
July 16, 2009
I woke up earlier than usual this morning, to find age 34 hovering over me at bedside. I said, “Is this how it’s going to be, mid-30′s?” It didn’t answer. “OK, well, if you have any questions, just ask AIDS what it’s like having ol’ Decker kicking your ass.”
I rolled out of bed and didn’t look back. Though I’ve only made it to the kitchen for a glass of water and the computer to type this. 
If you want to follow my birthday journey, pop on over to my Twitter page. I’ve already secured a Decker’s Daily coffee sponsorship (Thanks Scott Kramer!) for myself and Gwenn, so you can see me drink coffee. In true positoid fashion, I have an appointment with Dr. Greg today, just to make sure the long goodbye of my wispy cough isn’t something to be worried about.
But overall, I feel great. I’m so thankful to be officially mid-thirty. I have no hang-up about aging; none whatsoever. The fact that I’m excited that Gwenn and I painted the kitchen- and it looks good!- is nice. Pride in home doesn’t mean just the aesthetics, it’s about everything we’ve been through individually and as a couple that has made this place a home.
I like birthdays that have a round number attached to them. For instance, a friend rang in his 50th two days ago- he’s in great shape, is happy and is one of the kindest people I know. Being HIV positive, and deciding to speak about that at 20, had the great effect of bringing many people of vastly different ages and life experiences into my life. I learned quickly that living with HIV for over a decade was not uncommon, and that being in your 40′s wasn’t “old”.
Not by a long shot.
In my recent column, there was an editorial mistake that mentioned that I’d lived 1/3 of my life as a positoid. This b-day actually pushes me over the 2/3 mark, since my HIV diagnosis was at age 11. On top of that, this birthday is special because it marks 10 years since the AIDS diagnosis; a moment that, in my earlier years, I suspected would be the end.
In reality, that was just the beginning. I’d just moved to Charlottesville, gotten this townhome and met Gwenn. And now I’m up earlier than usual, and I’m hungry, so I’m going to go get something to eat and enjoy this day. In the wideview, I’m thankful to still be living, still be blogging, and that so many people have stopped by on Facebook and Twitter to wish me a happy birthday.
Life is good. And I owe my good fortune to love, friendship, good timing and luck.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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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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