Blog Posts + Articles + Happenings
Keep On Coughin’ On
Didn't mean for that last blog post to linger on for so long, thanks to everyone who had nice things to say about the work that Gwenn and I do. Meant to write that sooner, but last Thursday I woke up with a tickle in my throat, which I knew would turn into a little...
Back in the AIDS Closet With Me?
For the last decade-plus, Gwenn and I have educated together as a couple dealing with HIV and, as far as I know, we're the only hetero couple doing this on a national level. Which seems absolutely crazy anytime I stop and think about it. Speaking about HIV in...
Two and a Half Men: Did Charlie Harper Have HIV?
I'm not a big Two And A Half Men fan- in fact I've never watched an entire episode until last night. Morbid curiosity drew me in, as I was wondering how they would kill off the womanizing, drug-usin', freerollin' Charlie Sheen's character, the womanizing, drug-usin',...
MOCHA MADNESS: The Official HD Movie Embed
Alright, short and sweet. This is a 22-minute Blair Witch Project-esque movie that Josh and I made while on the road. Had fun doing it! It has a shocking ending, but one shocking aspect I noticed when editing the footage is that I never once state my HIV status.Maybe...
Synthetic Division’s Mocha Madness Film Premiere
While on the road last month for a few Synthetic Division shows, Josh and I took a video camera along to document the experience. It's one of those rare things when you have a good idea and you actually follow through with it... well, it's rare for me.Anyway, I'm...
Make It Grow: Tweet Chat Next Friday @ 2pm
I recently received an email about a great new campaign called "Make It Grow". It's not Extenze or any other kind of penis enlargement pill. It's way more important than that, because Make It Grow focuses on the desperate need for everyone to get involved in the...
Happy Birthday to Degen Pener
There have been lots of birthday celebrations as of late- from Freddie Mercury to my mother to my goddaughter to my good friends who just welcomed a second child on the same day they welcomed their first two years ago... will that make birthday parties easier or...
Locals: Orzo HIV/AIDS Benefit Dinner on Monday
I've been back from my Synthetic Division road trip for a bit now, and bid farewell to Josh last weekend as he flew back to California. So great to spend two full weeks with one of my best friends on this mortal journey we're all undertaking. I'd write more about our...
Tonight’s Show Cancelled (Charlotte)
The club cancelled the show. Maybe they hate people with AIDS, I don't know. But I found out just before leaving town that it was off. Will post about the tour soon! Hope this finds you all well. Positively Yours, Shawn
NYC Show is Still On
Check out Synthetic Division, Inertia and Bella Morte on Monday night (August 29) at The Delancey in the East Village in NYC. 7:30 pm doors, we start the show at 8 pm sharp. No cover, 21+!We picked a fine time to tour the northeast coast, didn't we? This week...
Wall of HIV-positive Needles
While on tour, I mark one of my merch bags with "Pens, Needles, HIV Meds". It's intended to make the bag undesirable to any passerby. It's also intended to humor myself. But a doctor in Brazil has taken the notion of the AIDS cup and the merch bag to a...
Show Details for August 26- 31 (RI, NH, MA, NY, NC)
Here are the final details for the Synthetic Division shows on the Bella Morte tour. Hope to see some of you on the road! Will try to blog some updates while traveling, but will likely be spending the next few days getting ready before I leave town. Positively Yours,...
Driving the Point Home About Condom Use
Over on Twitter I saw a post from One Condoms about a roadside hacking incident. I know it's not legal, but I find the thought of seeing "Zombies Ahead!" flashing on a traffic alert sign very funny. It would make my month if that ever happened. The hacked sign...
NYC Folks: FREE Show at The Delancey (Mon. Aug 29)
In two weeks I'll be in NYC playing a show in the lower East Village at The Delancey. Synthetic Division goes on at 8 pm, followed by Inertia at 9 pm and Bella Morte at 10 pm. It's an early show, and a great way for you NYC peeps to start your week. Plus,...
DC… No Show, But Got a Sponsor! Plus Final Tour Dates
So I got a very exciting email from Carrie Meyd- that the DC show was mocha sponsored. Thanks Carrie and Jackie for the mocha love! Then I got another email that there is no DC show in August... well, it was tentative all along, and now it's solidly in the Not...
August 28 Boston Mocha Sponsor Secured: Thanks, Ben
My good buddy Ben was the first to step up to the donation plate. Boston-bound himself, my putt putt rival found it in his heart to sponsor an old pal heading out on the road. I look forward to toasting him, and perhaps sharing a personal story of our friendship in a...
Sponsor Synthetic Division’s Mocha Habit
A lot of bands have far worse habits than mine, such as drugs, booze, loose women/men and spandex. But for Synthetic Division, the thing that fuels us are iced mochas. (Well, Josh prefers a hot drink, but he is forgiven.) With the tour coming up soon, I'm trying to...
iCondom Free App (courtesy of MTV Staying Alive)
My good buddies at MTV Staying Alive have released a new, free app for the iPhone called iCondom. It helps users locate their local condom distributors, and invites users to list ones in their neighborhood to help users of the app. iCondom from mtv staying alive...
Locals: Blood Drive Tomorrow Morning
Virginia Blood Services is having a blood drive from 8 am until noon tomorrow. Thanks to my buddy, Tristan, for giving up three pints of his precious plasma in my honor. I really appreciate it, as does the thinblooded (bleeding disorders) community and everyone else...
My Heart Will Go On
Who can forget Celine Dion's Titanic theme, "My Heart Will Go On"? Well, if you did achieve the miracle of forgetting this song, then sadly I am here to remind you. Bella Morte played their cover of this song about a decade ago... this year they finally...
Synthetic Division Tour Dates for August!
One of the highlights of last year was putting out A Symptom of Life and hitting the road with my friends to play some music. Synthetic Division opened for Bella Morte, and we laid down some synthpop, drank some iced mochas and gave out some Synthetic Division ONE...
One Guy With AIDS. One Cup.
All of my friends know my HIV status. And when I make new friends, I'm pretty open about it because it's hard to explain any aspect of my past and present existence without disclosing my status. Over the last ten years, I've been shooting pool in a local 8-Ball...
HIV Stops With Me
Late last year I was approached by HIV Stops With Me, a campaign that utilizes those already infected with HIV as soldiers on the frontlines in the attempt to stem new infections. I love the concept, it's empowering and allows for the discussion of the reality that-...
The Last American Virgin (1982)
So I was browsing Netflix, and thought of an old movie I saw as a kid, The Last American Virgin. Even though my parents weren't too tight with enforcing the R-rating, I doubt I saw this one in the theater in 1982 since I was 7 when it came out. I'm thinking I watched...
Winner of the Labtest Contest V!
It was a hotly contested Labtest Contest. The votes poured in from all over the cyberverse... but in the end there could only be one T-Cell Champion... and that man's name is Justin Starkenburg. His name is added to a list of incredible champions, but now only he sits...
Labtest Contest UPDATE: Deadline Extended Until Monday!
Yesterday I went in for my doctor's appointment- Dr. Greg was amused when I told him about my Labtest Contest. "Relatives are not allowed to vote, but it says nothing about my physicians..." When I explained the free drink up to a $5 value his interest was piqued. I'm...
Labtest Contest V: The Return of the Living T-Cells
Yes, it's that time again- another doctor's appointment for me on Thursday, which means I'll be getting blood drawn. Which means that I'll be getting my t-cells checked. Which means it's time for you to guess the results for a chance to win a prize... Speaking...
Kid Meets First Gay Couple. Then Plays Ping Pong.
A couple of weeks ago, New York state legalized gay marriage... here's my belated congratulations to humanity! It's so twisted, but whenever I hear good news like that I never get too excited, because I feel like the system is set up so that it could be struck down at...
Much Better Now
Thankfully Gwenn has been feeling much better the last week. It's time to enjoy July together. And the weekend. And especially Friday. Here's a funny YouTube clip I found a couple of weeks ago, when Rebecca Black's "Friday" video was pulled from...
Being “The Healthy One”
In my educational efforts with Gwenn, I fully understand my role as the positoid- I'm there to answer questions about what it's been like living with HIV for well over two decades. Often the topic of my AIDS diagnosis in 1999 (12 years after my HIV diagnosis and...