Is it time to say, "We have to stop meeting this way. People will talk!" The idea tickles me! Another LOL. Thanks for the warm words about our communicatons here. When I was going through 12 years of dementia care for my husband, many people desserted the sinking ship. It hurt but I understood their "why's". Michael
Transitions and grief aren’t for everyone. Even though they will both come for everyone at one point or another. When I was 16, I lost my dad and quickly realized few people had the time or patience for a grieving teenage. Oh well…their loss. I rebuilt myself and found better friends. Not out of spite, but definitely out of necessity. Life goes on. For better and sometimes worse. Cheers!
Clint, am I missing posts? I know you're scaling back, but it's been over a week without your august presence in my in-box, so to speak. I hope all is well.
Hi Fred, a belated reply: I think you’re getting my “scaled-back” posts. Been dealing with some medical stuff, so forgive the reduced output. Getting back in the swing of things for 2026…not daily but 2-3 times a week. Cheers!
Darlin', I know whereof you speak. I got involved with AIDS work as a professional in 1984 - then it was basically 'on-call' in both work and friendship until 1991 when I took over the medical clinic for the Homeless. Definitely less personal but still emotionally intense. Finally, after a diagnosis of Hep-B and 3 months of IM daily shots of alpha interferon I decided I needed to STOP. I'm not telling you that's what's good for you now but, as a concept, STOPPING is always an option. That's when I NEEDED to stop and 'heal myself'!! That's when the year long motorcycle trip was the option I needed. A year and 11 days letting the world take care of itself until I could jump back in with new energy and direction. Hopefully, your dilemma is less overwhelming and 'life' can be refreshed in a shorter period. That said, you are still in a building of a project that needs attention not only for continuation but survival. So, your solution needs to consider that. Your cruise seemed like a fantastic solution - especially since you did it on your own........that's the key - total immersion in ............ "something else" for long enough so your main course doesn't falter with you absence but it's not the prime focus. Your daily mental meanderings were great, reflecting on your personal experiences. You might consider taking your meanderings more regularly and/or more frequently. My experience was back in the 1990s; it was a very different world. Writing on the road worked great for my soul but I didn't have an access to an audience like you do. I'd send you a copy if you'd like to see it. Meanwhile, take it as it comes; you're a fascinating guy.
Dennis, I would be honored to peruse your personal journey. I can’t promise I’ll respond quickly—I’m a slooooooow reader—but I am determined to read more in 2026. As for stopping, my body basically didn’t give me a choice for much of the month. With just one day left, I’m finally feeling like myself again. My stamina is still off but getting stronger. Hope you’ve found a balance that works for you. Thank you for all you did for AIDS/HIV and those facing homelessness. Cheers!
Thanks, my balance trick these days is hauling ass outa bed before 10 and then sitting still at my computer the rest of the day!!! Sorta anyway. I'm 82 and still climbing the big elm tree in our backyard with my sawsall every Fall to trim out the deadwood. But mostly just cooking and cleaning and entertaining the folks in this little (900 or so) town with my husband. I think you should be able to read the first couple chapters on my substack. That's all I put on there and really couldn't get into figuring out what I needed to do to keep it up. Let me know if it works and you can actually access it. I could either send a pdf or something if you can't see it. If you CAN and want the rest of it I'll figure something out.
🏳🌈🎹❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤍🤎🖤📷🎵🎸🌈 Thanks Clint, Sia, Jose, and Gustave 🌈🎸🎵📷🖤🤎🤍💜💙💚💛🧡❤🎹🏳🌈 I found a cure for insomnia years ago when Russell Crowe was in Gladiator and Master and Commander. Either of those dvds would put me to sleep pretty quickly. I'm just saying.
Ooof. I felt this one hard-core. With and for you...I, too, have been struggling with burnout and digestive debacles. I sense so much genuine care in your content, and I strive to put that into mine, too. And/but I'm coming to see that just because I genuinely care, from the deepest depths of my very squishy heart doesn't mean I don't need breaks from doing it. Sending you solidarity and...yep...care. ❤️🩹💞
A belated thank you, Keith. I’ve been taking so much time off, I finally feel almost ready to dive back into the deep end. Though I plan to swim for shorter sprints going forward. Balance…so much harder than it looks. Cheers!
Your post brought to mind this excellent quote from a campy source, the film Auntie Mame: the hunky progressive teacher, Acacius Page (played by Henry Brandon), tells young Patrick, "Know thyself!" Seeing the film for the first time as a child, there was "something" about the hot actor and what he said that stayed. You go, Clint.
Also, the new sorting of birthdays is PERFECT! Let us celebrate our own, as it were.
A belated thank you, Fred. I’m still working on knowing myself. Like most of us, I ebb and flow, start and stop. Glad you’re enjoying the new bday focus. Cheers!
Beautiful and painful awareness... and a question, now that you know when your last full day off was... When is the next full day of doing nothing? Fingers crossed you'll make it happen in 2025 🤗
A belated thank you, Diana. I’ve had many, many full days off since this post. So many I’m just now replying to the lovely comments. Cheers to you and yours…and a Happy Early New Year too!
Welcome home (from high seas to sea level). To quote Dickens: "there's still time!" to have your new and intentional Christmas. And Bessel Van Der Kolk: The Body Keeps the Score. As in the Mind (Spirit) and Brain (Computer/Archive) are nearly always at work, but it is Body that keeps the lifetime score (every breath we take, every toxin, every tonic). I have been fascinated to join those who ponder if our brain is even part of who we are as individuals, which has surprised me to require my mind/spirit to wander and wonder. All of us who respect, support and cherish you want nothing more for you than to find your imperfectly perfect balance. Your creativity has been nothing but a gift so far -- you doing less will really give us more.
I hate when I start a comment then forget to save or send and have to begin again. Just wanted to make myself feel better and be more careful in the future.
Regarding burning your candle at both ends: Did you ask for my advice? Did I hear you say no? I will give it anyway 🥰. Change is always painful. Discovering new things about oneself that one is not pleased about, is always painful. Admitting that self perceptions have not been accurate thus necessitatig change, is always paindful. I feel for your pain. But that pain is the first step in awareness and becomming new, rediscovering who one was and who one wants to be. I can imagine that quite a few new lessons were learned while at sea has cause you to “feel at sea”.
I understand burnout but at 80, I also understand balance, rest, time to play vs time to work, self-motivation vs self-chastisement. I find that if I do not create for several hours each day, if I do not write for several hours each day, I feel empty! But I also relish my naps, my good meals, my family and friends. I also enjoy my solitude and I never feel alone because I always have me to be with. Balance in all things.
Congratulations on beginning new beginnings. Congratulations on taking new trips to new destinations. Congratulations to being more Clint (or whatever your name is 🥰) than Clint.
I love getting to know who you are, who you may have been, and who you might become. Keep up the good work.
I love when I hear from you, Michael. So many friendly reminders and words of wisdom. Thank you. It’s been a painful year, realizing how my mental health stole three-plus years of my life and how some of my former dears and nears have chosen not to reconnect. Oh well, maybe somewhere down the road. Or not. Life goes on. That’s the one thing I know for sure. That and there are lovely people like yourself everywhere I choose to look and appreciate. Cheers!
Is it time to say, "We have to stop meeting this way. People will talk!" The idea tickles me! Another LOL. Thanks for the warm words about our communicatons here. When I was going through 12 years of dementia care for my husband, many people desserted the sinking ship. It hurt but I understood their "why's". Michael
Transitions and grief aren’t for everyone. Even though they will both come for everyone at one point or another. When I was 16, I lost my dad and quickly realized few people had the time or patience for a grieving teenage. Oh well…their loss. I rebuilt myself and found better friends. Not out of spite, but definitely out of necessity. Life goes on. For better and sometimes worse. Cheers!
Clint, am I missing posts? I know you're scaling back, but it's been over a week without your august presence in my in-box, so to speak. I hope all is well.
Hi Fred, a belated reply: I think you’re getting my “scaled-back” posts. Been dealing with some medical stuff, so forgive the reduced output. Getting back in the swing of things for 2026…not daily but 2-3 times a week. Cheers!
Darlin', I know whereof you speak. I got involved with AIDS work as a professional in 1984 - then it was basically 'on-call' in both work and friendship until 1991 when I took over the medical clinic for the Homeless. Definitely less personal but still emotionally intense. Finally, after a diagnosis of Hep-B and 3 months of IM daily shots of alpha interferon I decided I needed to STOP. I'm not telling you that's what's good for you now but, as a concept, STOPPING is always an option. That's when I NEEDED to stop and 'heal myself'!! That's when the year long motorcycle trip was the option I needed. A year and 11 days letting the world take care of itself until I could jump back in with new energy and direction. Hopefully, your dilemma is less overwhelming and 'life' can be refreshed in a shorter period. That said, you are still in a building of a project that needs attention not only for continuation but survival. So, your solution needs to consider that. Your cruise seemed like a fantastic solution - especially since you did it on your own........that's the key - total immersion in ............ "something else" for long enough so your main course doesn't falter with you absence but it's not the prime focus. Your daily mental meanderings were great, reflecting on your personal experiences. You might consider taking your meanderings more regularly and/or more frequently. My experience was back in the 1990s; it was a very different world. Writing on the road worked great for my soul but I didn't have an access to an audience like you do. I'd send you a copy if you'd like to see it. Meanwhile, take it as it comes; you're a fascinating guy.
Dennis, I would be honored to peruse your personal journey. I can’t promise I’ll respond quickly—I’m a slooooooow reader—but I am determined to read more in 2026. As for stopping, my body basically didn’t give me a choice for much of the month. With just one day left, I’m finally feeling like myself again. My stamina is still off but getting stronger. Hope you’ve found a balance that works for you. Thank you for all you did for AIDS/HIV and those facing homelessness. Cheers!
Thanks, my balance trick these days is hauling ass outa bed before 10 and then sitting still at my computer the rest of the day!!! Sorta anyway. I'm 82 and still climbing the big elm tree in our backyard with my sawsall every Fall to trim out the deadwood. But mostly just cooking and cleaning and entertaining the folks in this little (900 or so) town with my husband. I think you should be able to read the first couple chapters on my substack. That's all I put on there and really couldn't get into figuring out what I needed to do to keep it up. Let me know if it works and you can actually access it. I could either send a pdf or something if you can't see it. If you CAN and want the rest of it I'll figure something out.
Awh, hang in there! You'll find your balance. Keep healthy, etc. Thanks Clint and Best Wishes!!!
A belated thank you, Larry. Feeling much better. A little more balanced even. Cheers!
🏳🌈🎹❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤍🤎🖤📷🎵🎸🌈 Thanks Clint, Sia, Jose, and Gustave 🌈🎸🎵📷🖤🤎🤍💜💙💚💛🧡❤🎹🏳🌈 I found a cure for insomnia years ago when Russell Crowe was in Gladiator and Master and Commander. Either of those dvds would put me to sleep pretty quickly. I'm just saying.
I like your approach to insomnia, Steve. Cheers!
Ooof. I felt this one hard-core. With and for you...I, too, have been struggling with burnout and digestive debacles. I sense so much genuine care in your content, and I strive to put that into mine, too. And/but I'm coming to see that just because I genuinely care, from the deepest depths of my very squishy heart doesn't mean I don't need breaks from doing it. Sending you solidarity and...yep...care. ❤️🩹💞
A belated thank you, Keith. I’ve been taking so much time off, I finally feel almost ready to dive back into the deep end. Though I plan to swim for shorter sprints going forward. Balance…so much harder than it looks. Cheers!
So glad to know you’re feeling better, Clint. And please swim at the pace that aligns for you. Most important!
Your post brought to mind this excellent quote from a campy source, the film Auntie Mame: the hunky progressive teacher, Acacius Page (played by Henry Brandon), tells young Patrick, "Know thyself!" Seeing the film for the first time as a child, there was "something" about the hot actor and what he said that stayed. You go, Clint.
Also, the new sorting of birthdays is PERFECT! Let us celebrate our own, as it were.
Cheers to you, we're here for you.
A belated thank you, Fred. I’m still working on knowing myself. Like most of us, I ebb and flow, start and stop. Glad you’re enjoying the new bday focus. Cheers!
Beautiful and painful awareness... and a question, now that you know when your last full day off was... When is the next full day of doing nothing? Fingers crossed you'll make it happen in 2025 🤗
A belated thank you, Diana. I’ve had many, many full days off since this post. So many I’m just now replying to the lovely comments. Cheers to you and yours…and a Happy Early New Year too!
Welcome home (from high seas to sea level). To quote Dickens: "there's still time!" to have your new and intentional Christmas. And Bessel Van Der Kolk: The Body Keeps the Score. As in the Mind (Spirit) and Brain (Computer/Archive) are nearly always at work, but it is Body that keeps the lifetime score (every breath we take, every toxin, every tonic). I have been fascinated to join those who ponder if our brain is even part of who we are as individuals, which has surprised me to require my mind/spirit to wander and wonder. All of us who respect, support and cherish you want nothing more for you than to find your imperfectly perfect balance. Your creativity has been nothing but a gift so far -- you doing less will really give us more.
Oh, VKB, what a joy you are…sending you and yours the best for a happy, healthy New Year ahead. Cheers!
Clint, your room, your way, we'll be here with you whatever. 🫂🫂 Cheers DougT 🇫🇴🇬🇧
Doug, I hope you know how much your continued kindness brightens my day. Cheers, my friend!
Awwww bless
I hate when I start a comment then forget to save or send and have to begin again. Just wanted to make myself feel better and be more careful in the future.
Regarding burning your candle at both ends: Did you ask for my advice? Did I hear you say no? I will give it anyway 🥰. Change is always painful. Discovering new things about oneself that one is not pleased about, is always painful. Admitting that self perceptions have not been accurate thus necessitatig change, is always paindful. I feel for your pain. But that pain is the first step in awareness and becomming new, rediscovering who one was and who one wants to be. I can imagine that quite a few new lessons were learned while at sea has cause you to “feel at sea”.
I understand burnout but at 80, I also understand balance, rest, time to play vs time to work, self-motivation vs self-chastisement. I find that if I do not create for several hours each day, if I do not write for several hours each day, I feel empty! But I also relish my naps, my good meals, my family and friends. I also enjoy my solitude and I never feel alone because I always have me to be with. Balance in all things.
Congratulations on beginning new beginnings. Congratulations on taking new trips to new destinations. Congratulations to being more Clint (or whatever your name is 🥰) than Clint.
I love getting to know who you are, who you may have been, and who you might become. Keep up the good work.
Fondly, Michael
I love when I hear from you, Michael. So many friendly reminders and words of wisdom. Thank you. It’s been a painful year, realizing how my mental health stole three-plus years of my life and how some of my former dears and nears have chosen not to reconnect. Oh well, maybe somewhere down the road. Or not. Life goes on. That’s the one thing I know for sure. That and there are lovely people like yourself everywhere I choose to look and appreciate. Cheers!