Summer Cold Blues

Pushing Plans + Taking Naps

Last night, I was downright giddy about having a wide-open weekend. No obligations. No plans. Nothing I had to do.

I thought I might put my membership at the Norton Simon Museum to good use. Maybe invite a friend or two to join me for a beverage and a bite. And if the universe was feeling especially frisky and generous, perhaps even find a friend with benefits who’d be up for a cuddle session.

A guy can dream, riiight?

Alas, my best-laid plans for art, grub, and cuddles have all been postponed until further notice. I woke up with the summer cold that's apparently making the rounds.

Joy, joy, joy...down in my heart. Ugh.

I have seasonal allergies, so waking up congested isn't exactly unusual. Every night, like clockwork, my sinuses stage a little protest. But yesterday evening they started acting up earlier than usual. And a whole lot more aggressively. That should've been my first clue something else was brewing.

In hindsight, I probably should've taken something stronger than my usual allergy meds before crawling into bed. Instead, I woke up with a sore throat and that unmistakable full-body fatigue that says, “Yep...I’m sick!”

The strange thing is, I don't feel awful. I also don't feel particularly good. I'm in that weird middle ground where I feel well enough to leave the house but sick enough to know I probably shouldn't. So, out of an abundance of caution, I'm staying home today. Maybe tomorrow too.

As tempting as it is to wander through an air-conditioned museum, share a meal with a friend, or recharge with a cuddle session, I'd rather not pass along whatever little viral souvenir I've picked up. Nobody wants that kind of gift.

Besides, it's supposed to be nearly 100 degrees today, so staying inside with ice-cold air conditioning feels less like missing out and more like practicing good self-care.

The museum isn't going anywhere. Meals with friends can always be scheduled. And with any luck, the cuddles will still be there once I'm no longer contagious.

CUDDLE BUDDIES ARE THE BEST

Instead, today's agenda consists of drinking plenty of fluids, binge-watching something delightfully mindless, and hopefully enjoying a long afternoon nap.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is admit your body has other plans. The to-do list can wait. The people who care about you would much rather you rest than try to power through. And every now and then, doing absolutely nothing is exactly what needs doing.

Here's hoping I'll be back on my feet soon.

Until then, if you're lucky enough to be healthy this weekend, get out there and enjoy it. Visit a museum. Grab a meal with a friend. Maybe even squeeze in a cuddle or two.

And if you're under the weather like me, stay cool, take care of yourself, and give your body the grace to heal.

The museum, the adventures, and whatever else the universe has in store will all be waiting on the other side of this summer cold.

Keep calm and stay healthy!
Clint 🌈✌️

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

NSFW MONTAGES = On Substack
SFW MONTAGES = On YouTube

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BORN THIS WAY ON THIS DAY

• 08-01 = Charlie Carver (1988- ) = American actor 🌈

• 08-01 = Herman Melville (1819-1891) = American writer 🌈

• 08-01 = James St. James (1966- ) = American club promoter and author 🌈

• 08-01 = Jimmie Daniels (1908-1984) = American actor and nightclub owner 🌈

• 08-01 = Max Carver (1988- ) = American actor 🌈

• 08-01 = Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008) = Algerian-French fashion designer 🌈

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MAN CRUSH OF THE DAY

YVES SAINT LAURENT

“I just tried to be an artist in my own metier.”
Yves Saint Laurent