A Rocktree New Year Greeting
December 31, 2010
Earlier this year- in what many found to be a peculiar blog post- I shared the story of the legendary Rocktree Brothers, an alt-country duo from the early 1970′s who have been said to influence the sound of modern day bands such as the Kings of Leon, who are rumored to be the only people in the United States to own a playable Rocktree Brothers record.
The rest of have only one promotional photograph of Mills and Olan Rocktree, and the hope that someday their music will see the light of day and the world will realize how ahead of the times these guys were based on more than just word-of-mouth, rumor or hearsay. Well, since I posted about them back in February, I must have drawn some attention to my knowledge of the band, because I received the following email which I initially thought to be of the spam variety, like millions of dollars from Nigeria or the promise of a larger penis from people who can’t seem to be able to spell “viagra” correctly.
Considering the nature of the image attached below, I thought it would be perfect to pass along this gem to you with the sentiment that the Rocktree Brothers had some 30-odd years ago when this gem was made.
Here’s looking at 2011!
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Goodbye 2010, New Year’s Resolution
December 30, 2010
It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to 2010 because it was a pretty good year to me. In reflecting on the year, I realize that the health I enjoyed made it one of my faves.
Why? I got to tour with one of my best friends, Josh, and play shows with my friends in Bella Morte, including my Synthetic Division bandmate Marshall (who also plays bass for Bella). That’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and hope to do again in the new year. With Marshall and Josh, I played a total of 16 Synthetic Division shows, more than all of the previous 9 years of playing out combined. The inspiration to do it was simple- I survived my dying wish to meet Depeche Mode in 1990, and this was a 20-year anniversary present. Of course, the real gift is just being here to have the opportunity to launch a crazy plan or two.
Really, what inspired doing a new CD and going on tour was more than wanting to commemorate a milestone, it was a feeling a vulnerability. At the end of last year, when I landed in the hospital due to a side effect of one of my hemophilia medications, I really thought- for the first time in my life- that I was going to die. I woke up that morning and my heart was racing, I felt so unstable and out of my mind in the hospital. I’ve never feared the passing of this life into whatever awaits, if anything, but that experience spooked me because I didn’t want to leave Gwenn behind.
When I came out of the hospital I had a different perspective on entering the new year. I enjoyed our first talk of the semester when we flew to Seattle and spent an extra two days, just tooling around. Each trip was fulfilling, not just because of the work we do in educating about HIV and sexual health, but also on a personal level; it sounds silly, but I was just giddy to be alive. And I was open to doing things I’d put off, like focus on music and finally putting together that love with my HIV education work. (One Condoms supplied my band with over a thousand condoms, which we gave out at all of the shows.)
I also got to see my goddaughter grow up. There are few things I love more than hearing her call for me, or having her trust to teach her things like how to high-five correctly. This year, Gwenn and I got to go with her and her mommy (one of our best friends) to London. It was a wonderful trip, and looking back I am so thankful that I had the energy to enjoy it.
In terms of writing, I didn’t make much progress on my second book, which I have claimed victory over more times than I care to admit, but I did do some of my best writing for Poz Magazine when I wrote a piece on Ryan White. I also got to speak with Bad Blood director Marilyn Ness about her documentary on hemophilia, and how HIV has affected the bleeding disorders community.
So what does 2011 hold in store? Aside from my usual routine, I have no idea. Just take it one month at a time, which leads me to my New Year’s resolution to blog every day in January. Why? Because that will give me the rest of the year to gain weight and procrastinate. Now, I understand that there is a risk in blogging every day; it could thin out my readership, leaving only the diehards (relatives) to read my every musing. But that’s okay- it’s a challenge, especially based on my low output as of late.
So, wish me luck. And, as always, thanks for reading. Here’s to a great new year for you!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
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Vote Synthetic Division, Interim T-Cell Champion
December 22, 2010
Subculture Shock on 91.9 WNRN has been a long-time supporter of my synth music, AKA Synthetic Division. The radio program is doing an end-of-the-year best singles of 2010 as voted on by their listeners. A Synthetic Division song, “A Symptom of Life”, has made the list.
I’ve had a player up on this blog since I released the CD back in May. If you haven’t had a chance to listen, give it a whirl. If you like the song, I’d appreciate a vote at this site.
I’m hoping the new year brings more new music and another chance to go on a mini-tour. Commemorating the 20-year anniversary of my dying wish to meet Depeche Mode with a release that I am very proud of was definitely a highlight of my year.
In other news, I decided that the year couldn’t close out with a vacated title for my T-Cell Champion. So the closest vote to Satan is now the interim champion until the next labtests crown an undisputed champion. The person who came the closest? Rachel Oliff. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Charles Oliff became the first Labtest Contest Champion last year. The Oliffs are really building a dynasty here on the Labtest Contest!
Hope everyone is having a good week, and a good holiday season.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
PS… happy birthday wishes to Marshall Camden (picture here from last year as a disgruntled elf). He has been playing keyboards with me in Synthetic Division since 2007. Hope you’re had a rockin’ one!
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The Winner of the Third Labtest Contest…
December 20, 2010
Before I announce the results of my Labtest Contest, I have to admit that I wasn’t thrilled with my decision to give away my sweet hat. I even took to my Facebook page, urging friends to vote so that- should they win- they could then turn around and hand my the hat as a Christmas gift.
As it turns out, that isn’t necessary! I am keeping the hat.
Any other time, this would be the good news of this particular blog post, but that is overshadowed by the surprisingly vital number of t-cells from last month’s doctor’s visit: 662! That is the highest they’ve ever been since my HIV diagnosis in 1987. It really is a great cap to a year that, health-wise, was light years ahead of last year, which saw some medical tomfoolery that included weeks of colds on and off, and a holiday hospital stay due to an adverse reaction to hemophilia medication.
“Hey Shawn, that’s great and all, but why do you get to keep the fucking hat?”
Great question, collective subconscious.
Well, the closest guess was from an unlikely source in the form of an anonymous Commenter (“Anonymous Coward”, but they signed in under the email “devil@devil.com”) that posted:
“666! *devil horns*
TAKE THAT, JESUS HAT.“
This act of cyberterrorism makes any of the Wiki-Leaks antics pale in comparison, because in winning the Labtest Contest, thus giving me the excuse to keep the hat, Satan has thrown a trusted competition into turmoil. I’m not sure if anyone will step forward to guess next time, knowing that a promised prize can be snatched away so easily. I’m sure there are many that are wondering whether I posted that, having known the results before I announced the contest..
No way, that totally wasn’t me. For real. I did laugh when the post came in, and the reason why I was begging for guesses on Facebook was in the hopes that Satan would be taken down. It wasn’t until no one came close that I realized that, in winning the Jesus hat, Satan himself was giving me the greatest Christmas present of all… my own hat, and the cover to claim it.
Actually, good health is the best present of all. I’m really thankful for all these t-cells, which give me the energy I need to go out and educate with Gwenn and just enjoy life. I really do get a kick out of all of you guessing on my t-cells- in my youth, as a newly diagnosed kid and then teenager with HIV, I feared those test results like you wouldn’t believe, and hated nothing more than getting labwork done. I joke around a lot, but I don’t lose sight of the journey it’s taken to get here.
And I really love here.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!
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Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell… Repealed!
December 19, 2010
Yesterday the Senate voted to be able to vote for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which they did. It’s been a confusing ride for non-politicos such as myself, but I’m happy to see that this campaign promise of Barack Obama has come to fruition.
Of the 65 votes in the Senate to repeal DADT, 8 were Republicans. That should be noted in bold print. Hopefully the knuckles of the (R) party will start to scrape less on the ground as they begin to slowly walk upright and join the majority of Americans who get that this “issue” is not an issue at all. I also hope everyone who has been fired over this bogusness gets there job back real quick like.
On the fictional side, maybe now Rambo finally gets the courage to come out of the closet.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
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Last Day to Guess T-Cells, Holiday Goodies List
December 17, 2010
This is the last day to vote on the Labtest Contest and win this awesome hat! Competition is fierce, but it’s nothing compared to how fierce you’ll look in this hat, which complements all seasons and sexes.
If you’re like me this holiday season, then you’ve probably slacked on buying presents. Well, fortunately other folks are thinking of good things to buy if you’re in a buyin’ mood. The little elves who tap away at the Poz office keyboards when staffers have long since left the office for the day have compiled a holiday list of goodies that benefit good people… check it out! Also, my pal, Robert Breining, also made a list of must-have stocking stuffers for the positoids in your life.
Neither list, of course, has this sweet sweet hat! Don’t forget to refresh on the rules (it’s easy, one guess between 400-700 t-cells, posted on my Poz blog Comments section), and good luck!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com
Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!
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Labtest Contest III: Guess My T-Cells, Win Hat
December 15, 2010
Last March and July, I held a “Labtest Contest”, giving readers of this blog a chance to win something cool simply by guessing how many t-cells I have when I get my labs drawn. Well, it’s that time again, so put on your thinking caps because the prize for the closest guess (see rules below) gets… my AIDS Walk 2010 hat.
Yes, I’m parting ways with this beauty. For whatever reason, when I wore this the people closest to me didn’t like the guy I became, so it’s time to do what must be done and say goodbye…
Here’s a refresher on the rules (subject to change, just like my t-cells):
Official Rules
1. You have to post your guess (between 400 and 700 t-cells) on my Poz blog Comments section
2. Relatives are disqualified (only because that makes this seem official)
3. Closest guess wins- no Price is Right logic applies.
4. One vote per person.
5. Deadline is Friday, December 17, 2010 at 11:59 EST.
Roll call of champions:
March-July 2010: Charles Oliff (guess: 567 actual count: 565)
July 2010-present: Aimee Lee (guess: 516 actual: 511)
The debut Labtest Contest was fierce last March, and when the dust settled the ultimate winner was Charles Oliff. The graceful champion looked to defend his title in July, but recent fatherhood presented a distraction and up-and-coming challenger, Aimee, took advantage. Can she be the first to defend? Will Charles return to form? Or will you shock the world and claim the most coveted title in all of HIV lab work and that sweet, sweet hat?
I can’t guess because I already got the results. No clues, sorry!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
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Website: ShawnandGwenn.com Also check out
the lovely Gwenn’s
Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!
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Happy Holidays from Shawn & Gwenn
December 13, 2010
Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Love,
Shawn & Gwenn
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Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
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LIFE IN PHOTOS
Shit got whack at da coffee shop today.
One of my #Halo friends is a vicious monster who will attack the moment you turn your back to him. Every Team Slayer match is basically 3 on 5 with him involved. The game should have trials for war crimes as a game mode.
Yesterday the neighbor's cat paid us a visit. His name is Hobbes, and it was our first meeting. He is very friendly.
I know what you all want, and it isn't pasty European Heavyweight champions... it's me drinking iced mochas. Behold.
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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It will be the funniest book you've ever read about someone having AIDS... guaranteed!