Reclaiming My Space + My Time

Turn Down 'Da Noise + Turn Off 'Da Funk

BRING IN 'DA NOISE BRING IN 'DA FUNK POSTERS BY PAULA SCHER (1995)

I was “yesterday year old” when I realized I could truly personalize my Gmail.

I know it may sound silly, but in my defense, I’ve never been one to dive too deep into the settings. Sure, I’d made a few tweaks in the past, but it wasn’t until recently—after weeks of discovering important emails in the wrong folders—that I decided to disable all of Google’s auto-sorting filters.

Then, I spent the evening cleaning up my inbox and getting it down to almost zero.
(For the record, my archive remains a total mess.)

So what prompted this digital spring cleaning on a chilly winter’s night?

First, Google kindly notified me that I was almost out of free space, and I didn’t want to pay them for more. They get enough of my money via YouTube Premium. Second, after a week of ridiculous comments from a small but vocal group of "disappointed" followers, I decided to disable my email notifications.

I’m finally starting to understand why some content creators are reluctant to respond to comments. Personally, I love engaging with kind, thoughtful feedback. It’s one of my favorite parts of being a content creator-curator. But condescending rude-dude comments tend to work my last good nerve.

I’m all for constructive criticism, but some of the (over)reactions to what I see as a shift in creative direction aren’t productive or reasonable.

A few friendly reminders:

1. Please be kind…or kindly rewind elsewhere.

2. I’m a content creator and curator. Not a dick dealer.

3. I got nothing against dicks, but credit card companies do.

4. Being a dickhead won’t help anyone…and it may get you blocked and reported.

My nerves are more than a little frazzled, so I’m doing my best to turn down ‘da noise and turn off ‘da funk. I’m reclaiming my space and my time—because, frankly, I need them to show up for me, myself, and I. And for all who like and support my work. With or without the full monty.

To everyone else who’s been so patient, supportive, and understanding—especially this week—thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Not only do you “get me,” but you make my online space a better place every day.

Thanks for reading and subscribing!
Clint

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FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

JOURNALIST WHO SPARKED ‘HOLDING SPACE’ WICKED MEME RESPONDS TO HER NEW-FOUND INTERNET FAME

• Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo’s ‘Holding Space’ Meme, Explained (Forbes)

• The Origins of “Reclaiming My Time” (NMAAHC)

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ON THIS DAY = JANUARY 4

BIRTHDAYS = HIGHLIGHTS

• 1877 = Marsden Hartley = American painter and poet 🌈

• 1960 = Michael Stipe = American singer-songwriter 🌈

• 1964 = Dot-Marie Jones = American actor and arm wrestler 🌈

HOLIDAYS + OBSERVANCES = HIGHLIGHTS

• National Fruitcake Toss Day

• World Braille Day

EVENTS = HIGHLIGHTS

• 1936 = Billboard magazine publishes its first music hit parade.

• 1982 = Gay Men’s Health Crisis is formed in New York by Edmund White, Larry Kramer, Lawrence D. Mass, Nathan Fain, Paul Popham, and Paul Rapoport.

• 1986 = Christopher Isherwood dies in Santa Monica. CA, at the age of 81. Survived by his partner of 32 years, artist Don Bachardy.

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PHOTO + QUOTE OF THE DAY

“There are people that very strongly identify themselves as gay and then lesbian, and then I think there are a lot of people who are kind of some percentage or some version of that.”
Michael Stipe

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