What Color IS My Parachute?

"What Do You Do?" + "What Don't I Do?"

After a series of setbacks, a dear friend officially began a new chapter yesterday.

For nearly a decade, I’ve cheered him on while listening and watching his life evolve and unfold. In the process, I’ve done plenty of doodling and noodling about both his and my own work-in-progress lives—and the memoirs we might one day write.

If there’s anything I’ve learned over my 50+ years, it’s that life is anything but linear. Anything and everything can happen—at any time, with or without notice.

I’ve personally “started over” more times than I can count. Sometimes by choice, sometimes not. I’ve learned the hard way the best approach—for me—is to roll with the punches and make it work—by any means necessary. Whenever possible.

Even as a kid, when someone would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, I could never settle on just one answer. Some called me fickle. I considered myself curious.

Over the years, I’ve been gifted—and regifted—What Color Is My Parachute? more times than I care to admit. The book might work for some, but my rainbow parachute has always had to find its own way—mostly through real-life trials and errors.

Long story short, I’ve had many, many gigs, jobs, and projects. Some were definitely more fun—and more memorable—than others. But looking back, every moment—the good, the bad, and the ughly—helped shape the man I’ve become and the work I’m doing. For better or worse, each experience was a pitstop on the bumpy, winding road to becoming a creator-curator.

Yes, “creator-curator” is how I’m describe myself now. It’s a short, simple answer for those who ask “What do you do?” Distilling it to two words took time, but it seems to cover the bases…and basics.

Over the years, I’ve become a Swiss Army knife of skills and talents. I may not always be the sharpest blade in your pocket, but I can—and will—get most jobs done.

So, what color is my parachute?
Some days, it’s rainbow-bright.
Other days, it’s tie-dye.

Either way, I’m here, queer, and doing my best to defy gravity.
I’m making the best of this bumpy, winding road we call Life.

Wishing you, me, and everyone we know whatever color parachute provides the best views and the smoothest landings.

Thanks for reading—keep flying, and keep trying!
Clint 🌈✌️

P.S. For those interested, the book and knife are linked using Amazon affiliate codes. If you choose to buy, I’ll earn a small commission.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

• Over Half of Gen Z Want UK to Be a Dictatorship… (The Standard) 🚨

• Departing The New York Times (Paul Krugman/The Contrarian) 📰

• I Told You I'd Watch This Trash (penguinz0) 📺

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ON THIS DAY = JANUARY 29

BIRTHDAYS

• 1737 = Thomas Paine = English-American activist, philosopher, and revolutionary

• 1749 = Christian VII = King of Denmark and Norway 🌈

• 1858 = Edward Irenaeus Prime-Stevenson = American writer 🌈

• 1860 = Anton Chekhov = Russian playwright and short story writer

• 1874 = John D. Rockefeller Jr. = American businessman and philanthropist

• 1880 = W. C. Fields = American actor, comedian, and screenwriter

• 1892 = Ernst Lubitsch = German American filmmaker and actor

• 1917 = John Raitt = American actor and singer

• 1918 = John Forsythe = American actor

• 1923 = Paddy Chayefsky = American author and screenwriter

• 1940 = Katharine Ross = American actor and author

• 1945 = Tom Selleck = American actor

• 1948 = Marc Singer = Canadian-American actor

• 1953 = Charlie Wilson = American singer-songwriter

• 1954 = Oprah Winfrey = American talk show host, actor, and producer

• 1960 = Gia Carangi = American model 🌈

• 1960 = Greg Louganis = American Olympic diver and author 🌈

• 1962 = Nicholas Turturro = American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter

• 1968 = Edward Burns = American actor and filmmaker

• 1969 = Sam Trammell = American actor

• 1970 = Heather Graham = American actor

• 1975 = Sara Gilbert = American actor and talk show co-host 🌈

• 1977 = Justin Hartley = American actor

• 1979 = Andrew Keegan = American actor

• 1982 = Adam Lambert = American singer-songwriter and actor 🌈

EVENTS

• 1595 = William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is though—by some—to have been first performed. Officially published early 1597.

• 1845 = "The Raven" is published in The Evening Mirror in New York, the first publication with the name of the author, Edgar Allan Poe.

• 1886 = Karl Benz patents the first successful gasoline-driven automobile.

• 1892 = The Coca-Cola Company is incorporated in Atlanta, Georgia

• 1959 = Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty is released in theaters.

• 1964 = Dr. Strangelove is released in theaters.

HOLIDAYS + OBSERVANCES

• Chinese New Year

• National Puzzle Day
  Threadless = Art + Photo Jigsaw Puzzles 🧩

QUOTES OF THE DAY

“Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
Anton Chekhov

“Never underestimate your ability to make someone else's life better—even if you never know it.”
Greg Louganis

NEW + FEATURED

• Substack = NSFW + Pioneers + Pride + SFW

• YouTube = Playlists + Streams + Videos

MORE FROM COLLIDE PRESS
Bluesky + Ko-Fi + Linktree + Shop
+ Storefront + Threadless + YouTube