Last night, while compiling the “On This Day” portion of this very email, I blacked out. Total lights-out. No warning. Full system reboot. One minute I was upright at my desk, typing away. The next, I came to on the floor of my office—nose first, mouth bloodied, dazed and confused, like I’d just gone a few rounds with a ghost.
I managed to get off the ground and made it to the bathroom, where I observed the damage: Swollen nose. Split lip. Blood on my shirt.
Not exactly what I had in mind for Saturday night.
My roommate was due home from work in a few minutes, so I sent him a quick text:
“Hey, don’t freak out, but I had an accident and need urgent care.”
He walked in, took one look at me, and immediately sprang into action—no questions, no judgment. Just calm, capable kindness. That alone nearly made me cry.
Long story short: We ended up at a nearby ER, where the staff was thorough, fast, and, in some cases, distractingly handsome. There were tests. There were stitches. And some laughter too—especially when my roommate and I started “fighting” over who got first dibs on the dreamboat of a medical tech tending to my face.
My personal weakness for ginger cubs with bright blue eyes confirmed what I needed to know: I was definitely going to survive. What a bedside manner… swoon! Especially for a straight boy. When he was in the room, I probably blushed more than I bled.
The whole thing was—and still is—surreal. One minute I was working. The next, I was in the ER, trying to remember my Social Security number while making sure I didn’t bleed on my shoes.
I still don’t know exactly what caused the fall—dehydration? exhaustion? dumb luck?—but I’m following up with my doctor, hydrating like hell, and taking it as a very loud, very bloody reminder to slow down.
Also: I’m officially pushing my move out by a week to give my face (and my nervous system) time to heal. Boxes can wait. Noses, not so much.
Today, I’m counting my lucky stars:
I’m lucky I didn’t knock out a tooth.
I’m lucky to have a roommate who jumps into action without hesitation.
I’m lucky to live in a city with a competent and kind ER staff.
And I’m lucky to be here, writing this, face a little puffy but very much intact.
This week, there will be bruises. There will be swelling.
There will be naps. And there will be new montages too.
Stay tuned.
Thank you for being a friend!
Clint 🌈✌️
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ON THIS DAY = JULY 27
BIRTHDAYS
1916 = Keenan Wynn = American actor
1922 = Norman Lear = American screenwriter and producer
1924 = Vincent Canby = American historian and critic
1927 = Mel Hunter = American illustrator
1929 = Harvey Fuqua = American singer-songwriter and producer
1931 = Jerry Van Dyke = American actor
1938 = Gary Gygax = American game designer and Dungeons & Dragons co-creator
1939 = William Eggleston = American photographer and academic
1940 = Troy Perry = American cleric and MCC founder 🌈
1946 = Stephen Donaldson = American activist 🌈
1947 = Betty Thomas = American actor, director, and producer
1952 = Roxanne Hart = American actor
1953 = Yahoo Serious = Australian actor and filmmaker
1956 = Carol Leifer = American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer
1957 = Bill Engvall = American comedian, actor, and producer
1967 = Juliana Hatfield = American singer-songwriter
1970 = Nikolaj Coster-Waldau = Danish actor and producer
1972 = Maya Rudolph = American actor
1977 = Jonathan Rhys Meyers = Irish actor
1981 = Dash Snow = American painter and photographer
1984 – Taylor Schilling = American actor
EVENTS
1789 = US Congress establishes the Department of Foreign Affairs, now referred to as the US Department of State.
1866 = The first permanent transatlantic telegraph cable is completed, stretching from Valentia Island, Ireland, to Heart's Content, Newfoundland.
1940 = The animated short A Wild Hare is released, introducing Bugs Bunny.
1965 = Mattachine Midwest, a gay rights organization in Chicago, held its first meeting.
1967 = Britain decriminalizes homosexuality between consenting adults in private, except for those in the military and police forces. The new law makes the age of consent 21 years old.
1979 = AC/DC’s Highway to Hell is released.
HOLIDAYS + OBSERVANCES
PORTRAIT + QUOTES OF THE DAY
“When younger, I was thin as a rail. As I've grown older, I've put on weight. I have continued to love myself in all those roles. Part of my spirituality, I always tell people, is to accept yourself for who you are.”
Troy Perry
“The Lord is my Shepherd and he knows I'm gay.”
Troy Perry
There will be naps! Words of wisdom. Candles are only to be burned at one end, dammit, and then only when we need the light. Take care of yourself, I believe we're all saying. You have become family somehow. Even if you hadn't, we'd care.
Take care of yourself young man. I think that your body needs a break. I hope you get better soon x