This year Friday the 13th and Valentine’s Day ended up back-to-back. Which, considering how masochistic the emotion of love can be, seems quite appropriate. But, without love, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be here. I’m going to write a list of a few of my Loves and, if mine inspires, then take a moment to reflect on your own.

In some particular order....

MUSIC
From meeting Depeche Mode through the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 1990, to learning how to write my own songs as Synthetic Division, music has been a pillar in my life. Last year, I started playing keyboards for my friend, Alethea, in her band Ships in the Night. Most recently, I had the chance to sing on Friday the 13th, when my friends in Bella Morte and The Secret Storm played a show. The opening band, A University of Whales, invited me up to sing “Close to Me” by The Cure. “Until there’s a cure... there’s The Cure!” (Garth McMurray’s brilliant phrasing.)
 

Sweets 
I’ve always had a sweet tooth. These days it manifests in my daily iced mocha, but the love has been there as long as I can remember. I get the argument that sugar is a drug and we consume far too much of it, even unknowingly. I’m more conscious of that the older I get. And I’m not certain, but before HIV meds were an option, I’m pretty sure that massive Slurpee consumption helped stave off my pet virus...

Videogames
I still remember my first system, the Atari 2600. And my first game, Berkerk. And I still play to this day. A few years ago, me and my friends even designed little red ribbons for emblems on World AIDS Day.... before going into Halo and mock-killing everything in our path. But it was the thought that counts. And I think about videogames a lot.

Pro Wrestling
They call it sports entertainment. But it’s pro wrestling, and it has been my soap opera for a long time. These days I lament that I’m not writing the storylines. It’s an imaginative world, and when it’s fun, there’s nothing like it. Now that I’m older, I do worry about the head trauma and future health of the performers... at times that does take away a bit of the fun. Ah, why does the real world have to invade our fantasy realms? (Read my POZ column about interviewing my all-time fave, Ric Flair.)

Ex-Girlfriends
I’ve been fortunate- I haven’t had a relationship end badly. Well, in high school it’s the only way they can end sometimes. But I’ve never had any real lingering resentment for someone who I’ve had a relationship with. Now, I’m glad for every step along the way, from the first peck on the lips in the 6th on... you grow with each experience, and learn a lot about yourself through the eyes of someone who loves you.

Family
My family has always been supportive. I know a lot of people don’t have the luxury of this, and how heavy that can weigh... my medical experiences (and smartass attitude) really put my mom, dad and brother to the test. And they’ve always passed with flying colors.

Gwenn
I’m lucky to have such a loving partner. We’ve been together 16 years, and in that time we’ve dealt with a lot of highs and lows. But the lows are just the things that life throws at you- and it’s so much easier to deal with that when you have someone to lean on. And a shoulder to offer in return.

Of course, there are many more things that I consider loves- but I hope you enjoyed this little peek into some of things that make me tick.

Positively Yours,
Shawn