Blog Posts + Articles + Happenings
A Royal Decree on Anger
I posted this on Facebook earlier this afternoon. It felt like the best way that I could contribute as an American on the eve of Election Day: Anger is insidious. My mental health has only been able to improve this year because I turned down the volume on...
It’s Alive! A Recent Trip and a Trip Down Memory Lane
The return of the living blog! Sort of. I tried to get some #HorrorFeast action going on here, but some travel plans disrupted the writing flow and my collection of real life horror stories and fantasy fiction was unrealized. I even packed the laptop away for the four...
From Reactive to Proactive (new article for RareDisease.Net)
“I am minimizing the scope of what is a minor risk, physically, and what is not. And it’s been revolutionary.”
Monster Squad Goals
One of my favorite movies is the 1987 cult classic, The Monster Squad. On Monday at the Alamo in Charlottesville, I’ll be seeing it on the big screen for the third time. Squad stars André Gower and Ryan Lambert will be there, too, answering questions about the not...
Do Not or Donut? Not As Easy As You Think…
Over the last year and a half I've been able to write about living with hemophilia for Rare Disease dot net. Starting the once-a-week prophy treatments has certainly given me more to write about. I'm actually having to temper my reaction to how good it's been. One...
Patience Zero Problemo
I had the horrific thought last night that my Octoberfeast series might be short-lived, like the first victim in the horror movie that says, "We'll cover more ground if we split up." In keeping with my overall, in-house wellness policy of leaning into fear as opposed...
Octoberfeast Your Eyes On… OCTOBERFEAST
October is here! The Spooky Season has always had a special kind of magic. The cool kick-off to the Fall line-up of spectacular classics. Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas. When I was a baby being baptized on Halloween, my brain hadn't grown to the required size...
What Song Will You Sing Today?
Yesterday I had a routine appointment with my hematologist. A follow-up appointment, if I'm really going to dial this in for you. You see, on July 4th I declared my independence from absurdly low amounts of clotting factor by beginning a once-a-week self infusion via...
A Day With HIV
Diagnosed at age 11, I've lived many of my days with HIV... At 49 I am thankful for the advancements in HIV treatment that have allowed me to far outlive my prognosis. I wear my AIDS Memorial t-shirt to let the spirits know- and their loved ones- that they are not...
I’m a One Stick Wonder
My dream as a musician is to, someday, be a one-hit wonder. I'm on a bit of a hiatus on the local music scene right now because, well, all of that shit is too exhausting. The brand-enhancing and public-facing escapism required to cloak what is a very vulnerable craft...
The Privilege, And Price, of Aging With HIV
Another National HIV/AIDS Aging Awareness Day (September 18, officially) is here and, alas, I am one year closer to age 50. These days my overall health is on the front burner in a way that it hasn’t been since I started on HIV medications at age 23. It’s not that my...
Absurd Bleeds Related To Living With Hemophilia
My latest musings on Rare Disease about some of the unforgettable bumps and bruises that have occurred as a result of hemophilia. I really love that there is an illustration for each of the three horror/humor stories! https://raredisease.net/living/absurd-mishaps...
Brain Drain, ADHD And HIV
For a long time one of my biggest fears about living with HIV has been the effects on the brain. Several years ago I leaned into that, which unexpectedly led to a diagnosis of ADHD after some testing. It's understandable how something like Attention Deficit Disorder...
The Back-To-School Special About Disclosure
With school starting up again, I decided to take the opportunity to discuss one of the biggest hurdles for people living with HIV: disclosure. For many years, I never thought I'd even openly discuss HIV. I'm thankful that, when I was ready, I was in a safe space to do...
Dedicated To Garth McMurray
Had a ton of fun writing my recent article for Rare Disease, inspired by the What If series of Marvel comics. https://raredisease.net/living/what-if I'm retroactively dedicating this one to Garth McMurray. Garth was avid comic book fan and artist that we recently...
Some Of My Life Essentials As A HIV Longterm Survivor
There are a lot of factors as to why I'm able to live the life I am today. Part of being a longterm survivor, for me, is gratitude and understanding of the safety nets I had (supportive family, safe roof over my head, etc) growing up. I was fortunate that, by the time...
My Top 5 POZ Magazine Blog Posts of 2022
I have had very active blogging fingers. The last year certainly gave me a lot to write about. Most significantly, the passing of my mom... and her messages to me from beyond the grave (which I'm still, and will always be, receiving). I also gave some flowers to one...
My Rare Disease Journey With Hemophilia
Most of my "medical resume" musings from the patient perspective have been about living with HIV. That's why I am excited to be contributing to RareDisease.Net, where I'll be sharing thoughts on a lifetime of lessons living with a bleeding disorder (Hemophilia A). My...
Traveling During COVID
This month I got on a plane for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started. In the twenty-four years since we've been together, this is the longest stretch that Gwenn and I have been "grounded". And I was okay with it. Okay with being grounded for a bit. Okay...
A Loving Look Back On Our Wedding Day
It’s been 18 years since Gwenn and I got married. We’ve now spent half our lives together. I’m so thankful for her love and my entire, beautiful journey.
Roadtrip Down Memory Lane
I’ve been curious about trying to find the first home I remember living in. Went to a guy to see if he was interested in joining me: my Dad.
Long-Term Survivin’ and Thrivin’
Mark S. King caught up with Tez Anderson, founder of Let’s Kick ASS (AIDS Survival Syndrome), at the International AIDS Conference in Montreal and it’s a conversation worth reading. Any longterm survivor can relate to the wear and tear of HIV and the side effects that...
Messages from Mom and the Great Beyond
Our loved ones spirits remain with us and, if you listen closely, I think you can hear them from time to time.
Goodbye For Now, Mom (Pam Decker 1950-2022)
On the last day of June my mom continued her sleep, no longer bound by a body that had betrayed her. Her pain, in every way this life can deliver it, is over. Your work here is done, Mom. Thank you for your love and for fighting for me… See you again on the other...
The Importance of HIV/STD Testing
A lot of times when people delay getting tested for HIV and STDs, it is because of the stigma. Or simply not wanting to know the actual answer to a question that your brain cannot seem to turn off. But the reasons for knowing your status should trump your fears,...
That’s The Spirit: A Tribute to Fletch (Depeche Mode) and a Love Letter to Music
I had what I thought was the perfect set. Two days before my last show as Synthetic Division I woke up, put on my vintage Depeche Mode t-shirt and headed to the Infectious Disease Clinic for my bi-annual appointment with my HIV doc. I didn't eat before I went, like...
March 26, 1987: My Diagnosis Date With Destiny
When I tested positive for HIV at age 11 I'd already lived my "kid life", as I call it, around medical conditions. I had a good decade without this virus, a stable home and the bleeding disorder, hemophilia, that I'd been born with didn't prevent me from playing farm...
50. Pedro Zamora Would Have Turned 50-Years Old Today.
Today Pedro Zamora would have turned 50. Last December, I blogged about what would have been Ryan White's 50th birthday. I never really knew that they were the same age until now, partly because it seems like people we lose are forever frozen at the age that they...
HIV… What’s Love Got to Do With It? Everything.
Valentine's Day is here again! I remember signing valentine's day cards for my classmates when I was a little dunderhead. Someone's stock would go way up if they got you a comic book character valentine. Or a hard piece of gum that never spoils. Then god knows when...
Is Kanye West Telling Friends That Pete Davidson Has AIDS?
I was all set to chill out and play some video games, and then a gossip site ran a story suggesting that Kanye West is telling people that Pete Davidson has AIDS. I know, that's a lot to take in. Just focus on the someone using AIDS as an attempt at slander. I'll...