20 Comments
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Alanys Gazapo's avatar

Hope you are taking the solo time to reflect and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We are all wishing you a great adventure on the open seas.

Clint Collide's avatar

Mucho appreciado, Alejandro! It was a great getaway. Next time, I want to do a longer cruise. Maybe MUCH longer. And solo too. Hope you’re well!

Fred's avatar

Thank you for honoring Terrence McNally, my favorite American playwright. I had the honor of directing productions of The Lisbon Traviata and Love! Valour! Compassion! in regional theatres. His loss is still felt.

Clint Collide's avatar

Wow…what an honor to take on that text and those characters. I’m sure the productions were wonderful. Wish I could have enjoyed them. Cheers!

sixes's avatar

Thanks Clint. Happy sailing, relaxing, and recharging 🌊🌈🏳‍🌈❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤

Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you, dear Steve!

Clarke Fountain's avatar

I'm a big fan of voluntary solitude, too. Intruding vs. participating? It's a fine line I've never really learned the boundaries of, except in classes. I'm good at classes.

As for your Terence McNally quote, I only wish the powers that be of whatever persuasion (oligarchs, legislators, international figures, etc.) really took this to heart. The opposite seems to be the theme of the day. I'm hoping the cheaters will run out of steam while the rest of us carry on living honorably. Probably foolishly. Still, one persists.

Clint Collide's avatar

Thanks, Clarke. For me, the fine line depends on who I’m with it seems. I’ve known the folks I travelled with at least 16 years (cuz that’s how old she is). The rest up to 24 years. “Newer” people in my life tend to get more intrusion from me. lol

Hopefully the election results helped shore up your hope a bit. Cheers!

Dennis Dunnum's avatar

Boy Howdy, you got it. I think I've mentioned I took myself on a 376 day motorcycle trip - BY MYSELF!! Visited old friends but camped mostly and often wandered the campground usually finding someone interesting to invite to dinner as it was so difficult to shop for a single meal and couldn't carry many 'groceries' on the bike. ( although I did have a pretty cool 'kitchen' setup) It was soooo empowering - lots of time for reflection and interesting company almost any time I wanted to be open to it. Total cost (in 1995 dollars) $8K (including a set of tires). So $8/day all inclusive!!! I think you'll find yourself very good company while you're by yourself!! I did.

Clint Collide's avatar

Wow, Dennis! Sounds like you had quite an adventure. Ever considered writing a book about it? Sounds like my kind of story. My cruise was nice and relaxing. I’m looking forward to doing another one sooner than later. Cheers!

Dennis Dunnum's avatar

Thanks, Clint. I have actually written a "book" about that trip. I've also written shorter pieces about various other trips I've taken - India, Thailand. I used to write a lot. I learned how to make it interesting after I got frustrated when none of my staff was reading my memos when I was director of the medical clinic for HealthCare for the Homeless in Albuquerque. Last year I 'accidentally' got myself a substack page and thought I'd serialize the bike trip. But it got too complicated and finally abandoned it. I think it's still out there but I don't know how to even access it anymore.

Clint Collide's avatar

Doh! If you find the URL, please share it with me. Cheers, Mr. Dunnum!

Clint Collide's avatar

Yay! Bookmarked to read this afternoon. Cheers, Dennis.

Dennis Dunnum's avatar

Great, I'll be interested in your reaction.

Larry LeBlanc's avatar

It sounds and seems like it is turning into a successful trip! Relax and enjoy! You're "set adrift" creating "memory bliss"!

Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you, dear Larry. It was indeed a good cruise to relax on. Cheers!

Doug Thompson's avatar

**On a ship full of thousands, there’s an odd comfort in realizing solitude isn’t the same as loneliness****Your so correct on that Clint. It's one of my mantras. It annoys the F outa others around me, but heck it suits me just fine. To hell with the Barbra Streisand melody 🎶 People who need people are the luckiest people of all🎶 It's the need bit, forget it. Viva the Ivory Tower. Cheers DougT 🇫🇴 🇬🇧

Clint Collide's avatar

You’re killing me softly, dear Doug. I laughed out loud to the “to hell with” line. I enjoy others, but bristle at the “need” part. Though there are times when I definitely do need them, I don’t like to admit it. Cheers you and your homestead!

Doug Thompson's avatar

👍