My Poz.Com Exclusive Article, “Adventures in Baby-Making”
April 8, 2013
I had the pleasure of talking with Mark Zatyrka about he and his wife’s decision to have children using sperm washing. (Mark’s been HIV positive since childhood, his partner, Sasha, is HIV negative.)
Read it on Poz.com here:
Adventures in Baby-Making
Positively Yours,
Shawn
VLOG: Draw My Life
February 26, 2013
Here’s our latest video- it’s a Draw My Life video. A lot of YouTube Vloggers are doing them, and Gwenn thought my life would work well in the context. And I do like to draw, so I gave it a shot, thinking that a Draw My Life with a little story about HIV floating around out there might educate some folks… plus, it was fun to do. A lot of work, but totally worth it.
Regarding our last video and the subject of How To Survive A Plague… was bummed that they didn’t win for Best Documentary. I haven’t seen the others that were nominated, but I’m glad we have the time capsule that is this very powerful movie.
Hope your week has started off on the right track.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
VLOG: Truthloader Interview, Win a Book!
January 15, 2013
Our second video of the new year? It’s mainly an interview we did with Truthloader, a new YouTube Channel dedicated to providing the truth on a vast array of topics, HIV included. Gwenn and I were honored to be selected as their featured vloggers this week!
Also, watch our video to find out how you can win an autographed copy of my book, My Pet Virus. Hope everyone is doing well!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Interview w/ Books and Booze Podcast
September 13, 2012
I’ve been a bit quiet here in the blogosphere lately, mainly because I’ve been hard at work on new music and a screenplay for My Pet Virus. Last week I came out of my cave and spoke with the good folks at the Books and Booze podcast. You can hear the interview below!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Contest Is Over… Now What?
March 21, 2011
So the next installment of the Labtest Contest isn’t until July, when my labs are drawn two days before I spend a week celebrating my 36th birthday. But I can’t fall into the trap of looking forward to mid-summer excitement, which is four months away… so what does a positoid do to entertain himself?
I haven’t posted too much about finishing my second book, because I think I’ve posted in the past about “finishing” my second book. To be honest, I haven’t put the finishing touches on it to the point of where I’m willing to submit it to my agent. One of the reasons why I haven’t obsessed over it recently is because writing takes away quality time with Gwenn.
Awwwwwwww….
I know, I’m being mushy. But after the last go around with tweaking, writing, printing and reading my next book, I realized that the hours a day I was spending on it wasn’t worth the frustration it was causing. And the doubt. All the usual “writer crap”. With My Pet Virus, I had natural writing spells followed by lulls that inspired the next batch of writing spells. It was organic. With the second book, I set aside time, put in the hours, and in a tangible sense I don’t have anything to show for it at this point….
By the way, the next book is a vampire book and I’m not embarrassed to divulge this. I started a while back, before the first Twilight movie hit the theaters. My reasoning for writing a vampire story was to do something different and indulge my love of horror: horror with a sense of humor. When the moon is full or the mood strikes again, I’ll get back to it. One of the problems with reasonably decent health (for me) is that I don’t feel like there’s a clock ticking. If there was, finishing this book wouldn’t really be at the top of my priorities list.
In terms of time and energy, something that is far less consuming is music. I’m planning to write some new songs this year, with hopes of releasing another Synthetic Division CD next year. The appeal of doing music is that it’s instant. I can write a song and share it with people in a very short period of time. With writing a book, it’s different. I accomplished a decade-long goal when My Pet Virus was published in 2006, and the messages I continue to get from people who are discovering the book today makes me feel like I’m contributing something to the planet even though I spend a lot of time drinking iced mochas and napping.
The next book will not have the personal impact that Pet did, because it’s a made-up story about made-up people, even though some real life problems do creep in. That could be another reason why I’m having a hard time dedicating more time to it than I already have. That, and sometimes when I read what I write I feel like I’m not very sharp. Music trumps fiction writing because I’m a happier guy when I’m working on music. So setting aside some time over the next few months for that is going to be my plan.
And we’ll just have to see if synthpop can help get those t-cells back up to the 600 mark.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!
SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.
My Pet Virus “Book Club” on Facebook
January 20, 2011
When my humorous memoir about growing up with HIV was published in 2006, I was doing a lot of self-promo for the book on MySpace. I hardly ever log into that account these days, because it’s a Spam Hole.
Even though Facebook slinks closer and closer to the same fate as MySpace, I figured it would be smart to create a page for the book there and move over some of the pictures I received from people who were enjoying the book. If you like the book and are on Facebook, join (Like) the group, I’ll be sharing more pictures and little knick knacks about the book, such as the following pearl of wisdom and insight:
“At first cats think the book is about actual pets… but once they get over that, they seem to really warm up to the content of My Pet Virus.“
Yes, I just quoted myself. Join the group already!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com
Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
My CD, Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, is on iTunes!
SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.
Chicken Soup… For the Positoid Soul?
September 13, 2010
I submitted a story for the Chicken Soup series a while back, detailing my journey with HIV and how I coped and survived pre-meds. Some of it was luck, some of it was an innate idea and the teachings of my parents that being down would only harm my immune system’s attempts to protect me.
Well, the book is being published on September 28! It’s called Chicken Soup for Soul: Think Positive. My story kicks off the Health section, and is entitled “I’m Positive… Really.”
With the distribution of this series, I’m happy to know that this story will reach some newly diagnosed people who might need a pick-me-up, one I am honored to provide. I also hope that by being included in such an omnipresent series, my take on life with HIV will open some minds as to the struggles (social, not medical) that some of us encounter.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
The Chicken Soup folks sent me a handful of copies. The next person to donate $50 or more to my participation in the AIDS Walk Washington next month gets a copy!
CLICK on ME AND GWENN TO DONATE to AIDS WALK WASHINGTON!
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
Website: ShawnandGwenn.com
Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.
New Issue of Poz, My Article Ryan White Article
August 20, 2010
The new issue of Poz magazine is out, and there’s an incredible article on the role that homophobia plays in the spread of HIV. I contributed to the issue as well, writing about the importance of remembering Ryan White 20 years after his passing.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Watch, Friend and Follow me on:YouTube, Facebook and Twitter Website: ShawnandGwenn.com Also check out the lovely Gwenn’s Fashion/Coffee Blog
Like what you’ve read? Then buy me an iced mocha or check out my new CD: Synthetic Division, A Symptom of Life, which is now on iTunes!
SHARE THE BLOG. NOT THE VIRUS.
LIFE IN PHOTOS
Our new YouTube video is a fun one. Check out our #HIV and sex ed channel at: http://YouTube.com/shawnandgwenn
Lucky to call this guy "Dad".
Here's what a #syntheticdivision will get ya on Instagram- band stuff/math stuff. Band stuff by @andydeane @miscreation @wvawser thnx!
Bella Morte, Lauren Hoffman and Synthetic Division @cvillejefferson on 8/3/13. Tix on sale tomorrow- Thnx @myblacksdontmatch for taking the pic!
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.
Check out Shawn's music and buy his book, My Pet Virus, which is now available on Kindle!
It will be the funniest book you've ever read about someone having AIDS... guaranteed!