Two More Vlogs
May 29, 2010
These music vlogs have no HIV educational merit whatsoever- they are really just goofy but give a sense of how much fun I had on the road with Synthetic Division and Bella Morte. A couple more vlogs are forthcoming- I’ve had a lazy week outside of a few talks at Charlottesville High School (what’s up, Ms. V’s English class?).
Recharging the batteries, back at home, back on my HIV meds.
Oh, if you only have the patience to watch one video, watch the top one. Much like Clown Porn, I’m not sure if it’s enjoyable to anyone who isn’t in it.
This one is me and Josh in a car bored out of our skulls.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
CNN Article on Gay Blood Ban
May 26, 2010
Federal ban on gay men’s blood donation to be reconsidered
By Madison Park, CNN
May 26, 2010
I weighed in at the end in support of lifting the ban, not surprising if you read the blog entry from two days ago.
From the article:
“Potential
donors should be screened based on risky behaviors such as unprotected
sex or intravenous drug use, not sexual orientation,” he said. Decker
said he was looking forward to a time when “those very allies and
friends” in the gay community “are allowed to pony up and give the
blood that is used to create my treatments for hemophilia.”
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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McMochas
May 26, 2010
Josh and I had so much coffee on tour- if there was any excess it was definitely limited to our caffeine intake, which helped fuel us on the road. During one leg of our trip, we happened upon a McDonald’s, who have added iced mochas to their menu in recent months…
They ain’t half bad. Not a standard go-to for me, but in some parts of the U.S. ol’ McD’s is all you’re gonna get, so you better learn to like it. I filled up the car with gas and sent Josh inside the golden arches with his marching orders to get me a tall cold one. About 10 minutes later, he came back to the car with a look of defeat.
“What do they call them here?” He asked.
“Shit- I think they call them Iced Mochas,” I said. “I’m sure they do.”
“Okay,” Josh said reluctantly, returning to finish his discussion with the teenaged employee who stared blankly at him when he ordered a drink using the phrase “iced mocha”. When Josh returned a few minutes later, he had a blended iced Frappe in his hand. I said it’s not an iced mocha, but was down to try the treat- it wasn’t bad. He apologized and recounted his ordeal- one thing about Josh is that he has the mutant ability to find himself involved in daily exchanges with absolute morons.
Every day, Josh- bless his heart- will have five minutes of his day locked in a conversation, trying to reason with a complete and utter dumbass who is usually in a position of power over him.
On the way out of the parking lot, Josh pointed at a sign. “Look!” He jumped out of the car. I put the hazard lights on so I could get this picture, immortalizing his indignation.
More magical moments from tour are to come, including the next vlog entry. And, by the way, that big mocha is definitely going to be my Halloween costume this year- gonna have to go steal one from my local McDonald’s and cut arm holes and a face hole in it.
They owe me for denying me a mocha in a moment of need.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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On Logos and Blood Bans
May 25, 2010
My good buddy Bob Geise posted this article on my Facebook Wall about how Seattle’s Best Coffee and their new logo have rubbed some folks the wrong way. Why? Well, take a look at the before on the left and new After logo on the right…
A lot of folks seem to think the new logo would fit more naturally for, say, a blood donation center. Don’t think so? Well, take a look at the logo of my friends at the National Hemophilia Foundation… (click on it to pay them a visit) Wouldn’t both logos look good on a Blood Drive poster where, say, they were offering a free iced mocha to donate?
Now, of course, I wouldn’t be allowed to donate blood for obvious reasons. And on a serious note, it looks like there is some movement at attempting to overturn the ban on gay men to donate blood, something I support. To clarify, I support a gay man’s choice to (marry, run for public office, etc) donate blood- because all blood should be properly screened regardless of the donor source. Risky behavior is risky behavior, period. Here’s a great article on Gay Rights that explains how I feel much better than I can articulate at 4 am. Another viewpoint is articulated by Laurie Kelley on the HemaBlog on why some are reluctant to change the current donor policy.
This blog entry is making me jones for an iced mocha, so I better go to bed now. Here’s to hoping that all of my friends will soon be able to donate the blood of which the clotting factor is drawn to make up my hemophilia medication.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Tour Done- Now What?
May 24, 2010
The last show was on Saturday here in Charlottesville, and I gotta thank my good friends in Bella Morte for their part in making this happen. A huge part of the new release A Symptom of Life was being able to record it with Andy Deane’s help and also having a years-long standing offer to hit the road with them as a supporting act.
Part of doing this was to integrate my HIV education work with my music- and doing so really motivated me to finally take the music of the road, which was (thankfully) well-received. A huge thanks goes out to one of my best friends since high school, Josh D’Elia, who came in from Los Angeles to do the tour with me as a member of Synthetic Division.
I haven’t hung out with Josh for two straight weeks since my pre-HIV speaking days, I was probably 19. For me, the greatest joy of doing this tour was being surrounded by friends on the road- from everyone in Bella Morte (including Marshall Camden, who helped keep Synthetic Division going in 2007 by joining up) to everyone who came out to a show or a coffee meet up.
I got some more photos and vlogs from the road to share this week, and a lot of sleep to catch up on too… am starting back on my HIV meds, and will slowly figure out what other adventures await this summer. As I said quite a few times on tour mid-set, right around the time I disclosed my status and informed everyone of the free condoms by the merch table: “I hope everyone is enjoying their life as much as I am mine.”
It is so true. I am loved. I am alive. And I’m HIV positive. The fates have smiled on me in so many ways, and the way I show my appreciation is by showing the love I feel to loved ones as I try to protect strangers from the virus I am living with while also giving hope and a few laughs to those who are already in the same boat as I am.
And I’ll keep on doing it.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Big thanks also go out to my tour sponsors, Poz Magazine, MTV Staying Alive and One Condoms- thank you all for helping to make this tour rock so safely.
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Radio Interview About Tonight’s Show
May 22, 2010
Tonight is the final night of the Symptom of Life tour. After shows in Brooklyn, NYC and Lynchburg, Synthetic Division is reuniting with Bella Morte for a homecoming show at the Southern.
Yesterday I was interviewed by Brad Savage of 106.1 The Corner, just click on us to hear it. Afterward, Josh was amazed that local radio stations like the The Corner and 91.9 would take the time and effort to support local, independent musicians- that’s the difference between Los Angeles (where Josh lives) and C’ville.
I love my hometown and the support I get here, not just for the music but for my educational work as well.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend. One of the best things about this tour was being able to see so many friendly faces along the way- here’s to hoping some hometown ones turn up at tonight’s show.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Interview on the Nervous Breakdown
May 21, 2010
I spoke with Jeffrey Pillow of the Nervous Breakdown site about the tour, here’s a little of the Q&A, click here to read the entire discussion.
JWP: What makes this tour so significant — other
than living the dream of a rock ‘n roll tour with fellow friends Bella
Morte?
STD: Bella Morte have been such an influence. When I
moved to Charlottesville from my hometown of Waynesboro in 1998, I
really wanted to pursue my music. They booked my first show in which I’d
be singing live.JWP: Any butterflies in the ole stomach?
STD: Ha, yeah. I was nervous as hell, but had been
pouring out intimate details about living with HIV for a few years, so I
used that as foundation on which to build up the courage to get on
stage.For quite a few years there’s been an open invitation to go on tour
with them. It just happened that this was the right moment and time for
me to take them up on the offer. I love the guys in Bella Morte. They
are an incredible band and just good people.Also, for this tour, one of my best friends that I’ve known since
high school, Josh D’Elia, is playing these shows with me as a member of
Synthetic Division. The whole thing is just awesome. I’m surrounded by
friends, playing shows and giving out free condoms along the way.photo by Michael Bx
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Happy Birthday, Gwenn
May 19, 2010
It’s an honor to walk through this life by your side.
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
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