LemonAIDS
November 14, 2008
How does the joke go? When God gives you AIDS, take lemon shots?
Well, God may not have given me AIDS, but he sure saddled me down with whatever gunk is going around. The coughing, the just feeling blah. In an effort to turn the tide today, I did three lemon shots.
What sucks about the timing is that I’ve had trouble writing this week. After a couple of days of trying, I found that my body needed to just chill out, and my mind was starting to turn on me a bit. So, instead of screwing up things, I figured I’d kick back and give myself the best chance of getting better.
What’s good about the timing is that Gwenn and I aren’t traveling for another week and a half. So I can veg out, even if I miss my Twilight deadline… All I can say now is Thank God for TiVo. I’ve been watching some ER from April- seriously backlogued there- and my new favorite show of all-time, Scare Tactics. If you haven’t seen this, you have to check out this clip from one of VH1’s myriad of countdown shows…
Aside from lemon shots and practical jokes, I’m ingesting a lot of stories about HIV. Like the guy in Germany who had a bone marrow transplant, which has apparently cured him of HIV. Here’s a story that says it’s too grueling and expensive a procedure to be considered as a “cure all”. The link above claims that bone marrow transplants are a last stage effort that kills 30% of cancer patients who undergo the procedure, but the hope is that there’s a scientific clue, something there to be exploited and pursued further.
For now, I’m pretty sure that lemon shots don’t kill people with colds/gunk. Day two of the tangy treatment begins tomorrow. I hope to report back.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Legally Bond, CT Greenlights Same-Sex Marriage
November 13, 2008
Connecticut has determined that gay marriage is legal, squarely kicking Proposition H8 in the ol’ wedding favors.
The other night I was watching Countdown With Keith Olbermann. On November 10, his Special Comment, the rant that ends his show as masterfully lampooned by Ben Affleck on Saturday Night Live, was about Proposition 8. I couldn’t write it better than he says it here.
The odds of me living a full life are great. It was the gay community that fought to have the AIDS issue brought into the light in the 1980’s, to make sure treatments were being developed so more friends wouldn’t have to be buried. To ensure that politicians would acknowledge what was happening in their communities. To get condoms distributed and information in hands.
When I was a scared kid, afraid to tell my best friends I was positive, the gay community was fighting on the streets. On my behalf.
So as long as I’m living this full life, I will do everything to stand up and fight for this issue. I strongly believe that History will look back on this for what it is, another sorry example of discrimination. I also think it is important that we all say something about this, and reveal the push to ban gay marriage for what it truly is- an act of ignorance, cruelty and hate.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Power to the Positoids
November 11, 2008
I recently wrote about how cool it would be for Sean Strub, founder of Poz Magazine, to be appointed as the AIDS Czar by the Obama Administration.
The New York Times has already endorsed Sean. Not for AIDS Czar, but for having a cool home and being one of the best ambassador’s us positoids have. In the article, Sean says, “One only needs to look at the invisibility of AIDS in this year’s presidential contest to see how our political muscle has atrophied.”
And that’s why we need him. Badly.
The good news about Obama and the AIDS epidemic is that he has already endorsed condom use as a means to prevent HIV transmission. And when he recently spoke about getting his girls a First Dog, Obama mentioned the possibility of rescuing one from the shelter. Just like Sean Strub did. Hmmmm….
If President Elect Obama doesn’t see it my way, I live two-hours from D.C. and have a closet full of foam board and markers. I will drive there and picket if I have to. We need people living with AIDS in positions of political and social influence, and having a knowledgeable, compassionate positoid as the AIDS Czar would be incredibly inspiring.
Yes we can.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
HIV in High School
November 10, 2008
As we all await teenage vampire drama on the big screen, some real high school drama is unfolding in Missouri, where just last month it was reported that as many as 50 students may have been exposed to HIV.
HIV tests were offered to all students, and 97% of the 1,300 took the test. Here’s to hoping that they pass. The New York Times reports that students will get the results this week. Thus far, one person has been confirmed as positive, and a health official there said, “We don’t feel like we can release anything that would indicate who it was. We don’t want witch hunts going on.”
Amen to that.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Vampires
November 10, 2008
I said I wouldn’t write about writing again. I lied.
Currently, I am finishing my second book, which is a vampire story. I’ve touched on this a little, not giving too many details, as not to spoil the book or get anyone excited before I even have a greenlight on getting it published.
I can say, as I close in on another self-imposed deadline, that I am very happy with how it is going. It’s my first attempt at writing fiction, and I’ve drawn inspiration from my own experiences as a teenager, as well as things that have clicked for me in the genre. If you want a taste of the vibe, watch “Fright Night”, one of my favorite vampire movies.
Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot about Twilight, the most popular of the recent vampire books. The first movie is hitting theatres on November 21, the date of my deadline. I can’t say whether or not my book will be anything like that, since I haven’t read any of the Twilight series. (My sister-in-law loves it, but I’ve heard some haters voice their opinions as well.)
Here’s the trailer for that movie:
So why November 21st for a deadline? Because Thanksgiving soon follows, as does World AIDS Day, which is on December 1st. Every year, that means a lot of traveling for me and Gwenn, then it’s home for the Christmas rush. Basically, when I go to sleep on November 21, I’m going to find myself waking up on January 2, 2009. Quite possibly with a hangover.
And I don’t want my new year’s resolution to be to finish the book.
Am I exploiting my ties to the thinblooded community by writing a vampire book? Absolutely. Am I hoping to have this sucker published before the film versions of the Twilight series suck the life out of the genre for another decade or so?
You betcha.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
With Teeth: The Barney Story
November 7, 2008
One of the most influential musicians for me was Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.
In high school, when I got my first copy of his first album, Pretty Hate Machine, I couldn’t believe that one person, and one person alone was responsible for the music. It was the first time that it clicked in my head that I could make music for myself, and not have to rely on other musicians when I had my own “machines” at my disposal.
Of course, it took years and some tutoring from other synth enthusiasts to figure the damn things out. It also took speaking out about my HIV status at 20 to get the nerve to sing in public, but not acknowledging Trent’s influence would be a major oversight.
I haven’t been a loyal NIN’er over the last decade or so, though I did buy his latest album, the one he was giving away for free. I know too many poor musicians to take him up on the offer, plus, I had to pay for being an absentee fan for so long.
Also, when I heard that his was coming to Charlottesville, the day after the election, I figured I’d buy the Rage Insurance, just in case things didn’t go the way I hoped it would.
Here’s an example of what Trent gave, those offended by curse words should not view. (It’s “Closer”, the “I want to *$#@ you like an animal” song)
That’s not me yelling like a fool, by the way, I just found this clip on YouTube. No way I’d go on the floor, I am fragile. Oh, speaking of fragile, I’ve gotten many messages asking about my well-being, seems that people heard that a Decker was bitten by Barney.
That was Jon Decker, not Shawn Decker. Also, it was Barney, the First Dog, and not Barney the big purple dinosaur. Here’s the video of a reporter who got too close to the action.
Man, I’d be so rich if Barney the Dinosaur bit me. Can you imagine? The question is, would a thinblood survive the attack to cash in with the lawsuit? I, for one, wouldn’t want to take that chance.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
The New President, and a New AIDS Czar
November 5, 2008
Obama won handily and currently holds 348 electoral votes to McCain’s 173 finish: Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States.
In his last Mavericky move, McCain quietly submits his write-in vote for “Daffy Duck”.
My homestate of Virginia went a bit Daffy Duck, going blue for Obama. I wasn’t entirely surprised only because I had the opportunity to drive around rural Virginia with Gwenn, reminding “sporadic Democrats” to vote. There were more Obama/Biden signs out in yards in the sticks than I was expecting to see, which was refreshing, especially since I live in the liberal-minded Charlottesville.
McCain’s concession speech was very gracious and, coming down the stretch, he was able to show signs of why he was so well-liked back in the 2000 race, in oddball ways like his hilarious visit to Saturday Night Live. (I think he was “reverse Gored”, in the same way Al Gore was handcuffed by his Democractic advisors in 2000.) During Obama’s acceptance speech, he made it clear he’s going to do his best to accomodate the more than 50 million voters who supported McCain. I remember Bush saying the same thing in 2000 and, being anti-Bush, I felt like I needed to not be a dick and take the man at his word.
Then, a couple of days after he was sworn in, I was walking through the Charlotte airport with Gwenn, on the way to one of our talks, and we passed a newstand. USA Today had a headline, “Bush to Close White House Office on AIDS”, the story lhad been eaked to the press.
The AIDS community went nuts. Bush retracted the statement, then silently killed the office by placing incompetents and condom-doubters in high positions of influence and power. I was free to be as much of a dick as I wanted in terms of how I viewed the new president.
Now, we have the highest voter turnout since 1908. People will be watching and, hopefully, letting their voices be heard as we all do our parts to support this country that we love- AIDS, warts, and all.
I have a lot of hope as to how Barack Obama will handle the domestic AIDS crisis. If nothing changes, his young daughters, in twenty years time, will be in a demographic where HIV is the leading cause of death. It’s time to get real about the epidemic, and utilize people who get it.
Which leads me back to the White House Office on AIDS and, ultimately, the AIDS Czar. I know who would make a perfect one: Sean Strub, founder of Poz Magazine.
He’s from Iowa, a rural guy who moved to the big city of New York and started an AIDS magazine in the 90’s, which gave information to rural positoids in doctor’s office all across the country, empowering people to get knowledgeable about their own health. Sean knows the AIDS community inside and out, is politically active and aware and has a unique combination that Obama shares: an inspiring mix of intelligence and heart.
Oh, and he’s a gay man. And after the passage of the anti-gay Proposition 8 in California, as well as in other states, the gay community needs to be elevated into as many positions of influence and power. I was very happy to hear Obama include the gay community in his acceptance speech.
Sean Strub’s rise to the position of AIDS Czar will come to be known as Proposition AIDS. By putting someone with over twenty years of experience living with HIV in there, we’d have a real voice looking out for the concerns of those living with HIV, while doing everything possible to prevent the spread of the virus.
Please join me as I wholeheartedly support Sean Strub for AIDS Czar.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Vote Tomorrow, Or Not
November 3, 2008
Tomorrow is the election- vote. It’s kind of a big deal.
If you are undecided, never mind what I just wrote. If you don’t know by now you won’t figure it out, and it’s not something you can re-do the next day if you feel like you got it wrong. My advice is to sit this one out, and hope there are two candidates that are a bit more distinguishable from one another the next time around.
Plus, it’s not fair to someone who has been jazzed about McCain or Obama for months now.
If you have HIV, you should know that Obama is already focusing on thedomestic AIDS issue, and supports the funding of the Ryan White CARE Act.
I live in a state that could go either way- Virginia, which means there’s been some nasty business here. Reverend Wright commercials are playing around the clock, and some have even distributed flyers informing prospective Democrats to vote on Wednesday to avoid the rush… (Republicans, of course, are advised to vote on Tuesday.) There have also been reports of robo-calling in Florida, incredibly up for grabs as well, telling people they can vote by phone.
A lot of polls seem to be indicating that it will be Obama who prevails on Tuesday. But me? I’m still not convinced. Truth be told, I’m scared. So scared, in fact, I am refusing to take off my make-up from my Halloween costume, Frankenstein’s monster, until this whole thing is over.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
“ArrrrrARGhhhGH!”
(Translation: “I am Joe the Plumber.”)
Scary Real-Life Halloween Story
October 31, 2008
From the Canadian Press: Saskatchewan investigating after hospital found to be reusing syringes.
It’s a terrifying article, but don’t make the mistake I did when first reading this. I thought it said “Sasquatch investigating after hospital”. Come to think of it, any hospital that reuses syringes should have to answer to this guy.
Positively Yours,
ArrrrAAARGHAGH!
Happy Halloween
October 31, 2008
It’s Halloween! One of my favorite times of the year! That’s why I’m turning off my brain, and turning the blog over- for the very first time-, to a special guest: Frankenstein…
But, before I do so, I want to post a couple of funny videos. Here are some not-so-scary outtakes from the Dark Shadows TV series, which, upon first glance, should have been called “The Fly”.
Alright, have fun tonight and eat lots of candy. I am off to scare children in my Frankenstein costume- that’s how I get my free candy.
Positively Yours,