Collaborators + Colleagues

Even "Honey Badgers" Get The "Team Spirit"

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

As I continue reconnecting with my nears, dears, and/or queers, I'm constantly being reminded of how connected and interconnected we all really are.

If my world is anything like most, the lines between my personal and professional relationships are just as blurry as the lines between my "in real life" and "online" relationships.

Case in point, my best friend—since circa 1995—and I met in one of AOL’s M4M chat rooms…because we shared the same birthday a year apart and found a kindred spirit to share our respective coming out adventures (and misadventures…for never a dull moment).

When we met, we didn’t even live in the same part of the country, but since I moved to Southern California a few years later, we’ve spent the past 25+ years within a short drive from each other.

Speaking for myself, my world is better for it. And while I suspect he feels similarly, I wouldn’t think of putting words into his mouth…cuz that’s not what friends are for.

Second case in point, I have several colleagues I met in the mid-2000s and continue to cross paths with and have a blast telling "war stories" whenever we do manage to get together. The effort is always well worth it.

Like most only children, I didn't grow up naturally wanting to share my toys or work with others. I grew up wanting to be as self-sufficient as possible—fewer chances of disappointment or heartbreak. But as a single guy, I also know that self-sufficiency can be limiting and lonely.

We humans are designed to be together.
And always seem to find a way to find at least parts of our tribe.

Collaboration, when done with people you love, respect, and trust, is magical.

Sure, a few bad apples will do their best to ruin the fun and good vibes, but I have been called a honey badger by more than one person….because I have no patience for bad apples or their bad attitudes. And I do my very best to protect myself and those I care about and love from all their mess.

Over the years, for better and worse, I have developed a reputation for popping off at asshats, with little to no regard to their power, title, or wealth.

Please note: While this is my way, I cannot recommended it to anyone working in the corporate world. HR tends to frown upon popping off at the powers that be. Which is one of the many reasons I became a content creator.

At the end of the day, even as an independent freelancer, I know life is way better when it’s shared with others. Whether it's creative, familial, personal, professional, and/or romantic, relationships that blur the lines between work and play make me stronger, sharper, and more inspired.

The world can be a messy, frustrating place, but the right team makes it all worthwhile.

Thanks for being part of the crew, boo!
Clint 🌈✌️

P.S. More than one former colleague has considered my stances against asshat bosses too rigid. Oh. Well. Anyone else enjoy singing “Defying Gravity” LOUDLY?

COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS?
Hit me with your best—but kind—shot!

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ON THIS DAY = MARCH 26

BIRTHDAYS

• 1633 = Mary Beale = British artist

• 1874 = Robert Frost = American poet and playwright

• 1881 = Guccio Gucci = Italian fashion designer and Gucci founder

• 1904 = Joseph Campbell = American mythologist and author

• 1905 = Viktor Frankl = Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist

• 1911 = Tennessee Williams = American playwright 🌈

• 1917 = Rufus Thomas = American R&B singer-songwriter

• 1929 = Edward Sorel = American illustrator and caricaturist

• 1930 = Gregory Corso = American poet

• 1931 = Leonard Nimoy = American actor

• 1934 = Alan Arkin = American actor

• 1940 = James Caan = American actor and singer

• 1942 = Erica Jong = American novelist and poet

• 1943 = Bob Woodward = American journalist and author

• 1944 = Diana Ross = American singer-songwriter and actor

• 1946 = Johnny Crawford = American actor and singer

• 1948 = Steven Tyler = American singer-songwriter and actor

• 1949 = Vicki Lawrence = American actor, comedian, talk show host, and singer

• 1950 = Martin Short = Canadian-American actor and screenwriter

• 1950 = Teddy Pendergrass = American singer-songwriter

• 1957 = Leeza Gibbons = American talk show host and tv personality

• 1960 = Jennifer Grey = American actor and dancer

• 1962 = Eric Allan Kramer = American actor

• 1966 = Michael Imperioli = American actor and screenwriter

• 1972 = Leslie Mann = American actor

• 1973 = Larry Page = American computer scientist and Google co-founder

• 1973 = T. R. Knight = American actor 🌈

• 1985 = Keira Knightley = English actor

• 1985 = Jonathan Groff = American actor and singer 🌈

EVENTS

• 1812 = A political cartoon in the Boston-Gazette coins the term "gerrymander" to describe oddly shaped electoral districts designed to help incumbents win reelection.

• 1931 = Swissair is founded as the national airline of Switzerland.

• 1972 = The Young and the Restless premieres on CBS.

• 1973 = The first formal meeting of PFLAG took place on 26 March at the Metropolitan-Duane Methodist Church in Greenwich Village. Approximately 20 people attended, including founder Jeanne Manford, her husband Jules, son Morty, Dick and Amy Ashworth, MCC founder Reverend Troy Perry, and more.

• 1975 = After the local district attorney’s office rules that there are no county laws preventing two people of the same-sex from getting married, Boulder, Colorado county clerk Clela Rorex issues a marriage license to two gay men, Dave McCord and Dave Zamora. It is the first same-sex marriage license issued in the United States. She says in a statement, “I don’t profess to be knowledgeable about homosexuality or even understand it, but it’s not my business why people get married. No minority should be discriminated against.”

• 1989 = Quantum Leap premieres on NBC.

• 1990 = Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt wins the Academy Award for Best Feature-Length Documentary. It is the second Oscar for gay filmmaker Rob Epstein who received the first one six years earlier for The Times of Harvey Milk.

HOLIDAYS + OBSERVANCES

• Epilepsy Awareness Day

• Manatee Appreciation Day

• National Spinach Day

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PORTRAIT + QUOTE OF THE DAY

JONATHAN GROFF + RUSSELL TOVEY

“Make sure that you always follow your heart and your gut, and let yourself be who you want to be, and who you know you are. And don't let anyone steal your joy.”
Jonathan Groff

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