Like most people, I don't wake up looking for trouble.
I'd much rather spend my day talking about art, history, tacos, or whatever random rabbit hole my undiagnosed ADHD brain decides to tumble down next. Altercations and conflicts aren't exactly on my to-do list.
Unfortunately, we seem to be living in the Age of Assholes.
Ever since Dick-Tator Chump slithered back into power, it feels like every bigot, blowhard, and bully has been emboldened to act like a fucking fool.
Whether it's politicians punching down, internet trolls desperate for attention, or everyday jackasses trying to intimidate strangers, we're constantly forced to decide how, or if, we'll respond.
Everyone has their own approach. But mine is really simple: I bully bullies back.
Now, before anyone clutches their pearls, let me explain.
I'd much rather be a teddy bear. I'm friendly. Patient. Kind. I'll give almost anyone the benefit of the doubt.
But too many people mistake my kindness for weakness.
Which is a big, big mistake. At least when they do it to me.
Because underneath all this fluff is the gruff of a grizzly bear.
Sunday afternoon, I was in Little Tokyo waiting on a friend when some dude decided to puff up, posture, and try to intimidate me. Like we were back in fucking high school.
Newsflash to all the basic bitches: I graduated a lonnnnnng time ago. And if you want to play bully with me, you'd better come prepared to lose.
Maybe he thought the tall, chubby gay guy would make an easy target. Or maybe he was having a bad day. Or maybe he was just a motherfucking, homophobic asshole.
Whatever the reason, he picked the wrong motherfucker.
Instead of shrinking or pretending nothing was happening, I stood my ground.
Actually, I did a little more than that. I got loud. Really loud.
Like, “Everyone stop eating your ramen!” loud.
Within seconds, hundreds of people were looking our way.
Funny thing about bullies: they love an audience right up until the audience starts turning on them. Amazing how quickly this dude's swagger evaporated once everyone was watching. And starting to point and laugh. And just like that...he ran away with his dick tucked between his legs. Good riddance!
Thankfully, it never became physical.
I'm grateful for that because, despite what action movies would have us believe, getting punched hurts. But once someone decides to hurt me or the people I love, my instinct isn't to curl into a ball. It's to fight the fuck back. By any means necessary.
Not because I enjoy fighting. But because I’ve watched too many assholes, from playground bullies to politicians, rely on intimidation to get what they want. They expect fear. They expect compliance. They expect decent people to stay quiet. I don’t roll over or remain silent. I push back. And I give as good (and as bad) as I get.
Sometimes all it takes to stop a bully is someone who's willing to stand their ground.
Now, I'm not suggesting every disagreement deserves a public shouting match. Most don't. Choosing your battles is still one of life's most underrated skills.
But there are moments when speaking up isn’t just appropriate. It’s necessary.
To me, kindness and courage aren’t opposite ends of the spectrum. In fact, I think real kindness requires courage. It means treating people with respect while refusing to let anyone walk all over you.
So here’s today’s friendly reminders:
Be kind.
Be patient.
Be compassionate.
But don’t ever let anyone take advantage of you, boo.
I don’t go looking for fights. But I also refuse to spend my life making myself smaller so someone else can feel bigger.
Bullies don’t deserve our fear. But they deserve some just deserts.
Keep calm and roar on!
Clint 🌈✌️
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ends 07-15-26
FROM THE ARCHIVES
BORN THIS WAY ON THIS DAY
07-10 = Alec Mapa (1965- ) = American actor, comedian, and writer 🌈
07-10 = Alexandra Hedison (1969- ) = American photographer and actor 🌈
07-10 = Angel Haze (1991- ) = American rapper and singer 🌈
07-10 = Fiona Shaw (1958- ) = Irish actor and director 🌈
07-10 = Jerry Herman (1931-2019) = American composer and lyricist 🌈
07-10 = Marcel Proust (1871-1922) = French novelist 🌈
07-10 = Neil Tennant (1954- ) = English singer-songwriter 🌈
07-10 = Nick Adams (1931-1968) = American actor and screenwriter 🌈
07-10 = Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) = Serbian-American engineer 🌈
07-10 = Zoe Dunning (1963- ) = American naval officer and activist 🌈
MAN CRUSH OF THE DAY
“I have a lot of friends who get up most mornings and go to jobs they absolutely hate. I don’t think that’s what life is about and I’m so fortunate that I actually love what I do.”
Jerry Herman
Clint. You go gurl. Clutching ones pearls is so therapeutic. Fondly Michael