Well over a month ago, I made plans to attend a queer artist convention today with an old friend of mine.
Unfortunately, my friend has been going through some stuff lately. The kind of stuff that makes a person retreat from the world for a while. Texts go unanswered. Calls go to voicemail. Radio silence.
He does this every now and then.
What he doesn't usually do is disappear when we already have plans on the books.
After a week of hearing nothing, I decided to make other plans with a new friend.
What started as a simple trip to the museum has gradually evolved into a full day out: brunch at one of my favorite spots, followed by a visit to my favorite museum with one of my new favorite people. It’s the perfect excuse to eat well, cuss and discuss whatever comes to mind, and wander through the galleries, getting my art fix.
Not a bad consolation prize.
The whole experience has reminded me that life rarely unfolds according to the script we write in our heads. Plans change. People change. Circumstances change. Sometimes through no fault of our own.
The older I get, the more I realize flexibility isn't just a useful skill. It's a survival skill.
Years ago, a canceled plan might have ruined my entire day. Maybe even my entire weekend. These days, I try to look for alternatives instead. If one door closes, I go looking for another one. Preferably one that leads to art, good food, and good company.
I'm also learning not to take these things too personally. Slowly but surely.
That can be easier said than done.
After nearly thirty years in Los Angeles, I’ve developed trust issues when it comes to making plans with other people. Experience has taught me to be cautiously optimistic, even when someone agrees to a specific time and place. Around here, plans are more like suggestions than commitments.
Even really good friends have a tendency to flake in the City of Angels.
It's one of my least favorite aspects of living here. The traffic is still public enemy number one, but the flakiness isn't far behind.
Still, I've discovered that disappointment and opportunity often arrive together. When one plan falls apart, another has room to take shape. Sometimes the new plan turns out to be even better than the original. Sometimes it doesn't.
Either way, there will be art.
And there will always be another silver lining waiting to be found, or made.
Keep calm and get your art on!
Clint 🌈✌️
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BORN THIS WAY ON THIS DAY
06-20 = Allan Bell (1947- ) = Manx politician 🌈
06-20 = David France (1959- ) = American filmmaker and journalist 🌈
06-20 = Donald Vining (1917-1998) = American diarist 🌈
06-20 = E. Lynn Harris (1955-2009) = American author 🌈
06-20 = Edie Windsor (1929-2007) = American activist and tech manager 🌈
06-20 = Errol Flynn (1909-1959) = Australian-American actor 🌈
06-20 = John Beresford Fowler (1906-1977) = English interior designer 🌈
06-20 = John Mahoney (1940-2018) = English-American actor 🌈
06-20 = Vikram Seth (1952- ) = Indian novelist and poet 🌈
MAN CRUSH OF THE DAY
“It isn’t what they say about you, it’s what they whisper.”
Errol Flynn“The public has always expected me to be a playboy, and a decent chap never lets his public down.”
Errol Flynn
Brian, commiserations on your friends present issues, I hope it will soon be resolved for him. 🫂 for you as well. Now I'm going to have to delve into your post about Born this way Manx Politician Allen Bell. I assume the Manx is the self governing Crown Dependency, The Tynwald, island state set in the Irish Sea(I better not tread on any SS Manx followers toes🥴) The Tynwald Government were the last to pass any 🌈 legislation and Decriminalisation of Homosexuaity in 1992 in the British Isles. The Tynwald economy is set by the Manx government (a lot lower than the UK's level....so basically an offshore tax haven 😎) At present the Tynwald is trying to get a bill for Assisted Dying through their parliament to present to King Charles and the British Parliament to become law. A very controversial subject matter. The island is home to the biggest(?) motorcycle road race event every year. The circuit is closed off island roads and not a constructed race ring. The island state is only accessible via boat ferries, airplanes or various sea travel. I'm a lexicon of abstract knowledge 😎😉😝 Cheers DougT 🏴 🇬🇧
Cheers Ted for the 👍like DougT