Orlando- I love reading what you have to share and appreciate your candor and vulnerability. As a first time commenter (long time follower) I feel deeply a lot of the things that you've mentioned, specifically around 2019 being a great year and then the last few years being so tough. I went from being unfairly let go, to being laid off, to figuring out a new industry and a new career. Going from a job that pays six figures to a hourly
job has been of course hard financially, but more than that a real bruise to the ego. It's been humbling to say the least.
But I love goals and New Year Resolutions and I do want to make some "happy" goals for 2024 that focus on adding more joy to my life. I'm not sure what they are yet, but I'll keep you posted. (My goal for 2023 was reading 100 books, which I did accomplish, but I won't be doing that again, lol).
I always try to remember that the body I'm complaining about now I'll be wishing for in 10-20 years. It's hard, but worth trying? I'm loving how out you are, in all ways!
I'm still trying to stay safe from Covid, so that makes it hard to have resolutions, cuz I'd love to get out there and make some friends (what is that). Home repairs are the major goal. I've thought about doing a flat rate design thing: $XXX and I'll just tell you what you need to do, but not help you do it? Like for staging.
Unsolicited advice here - sorry but I feel like I need to say something. Too many plans! You need focus. Pick at most two (plus dancing + music). You said that you have always been good on the creative side but not on the financial side - and that is the one that trips you. You are far too talented and skilled to live paycheck to paycheck. So first, do something about that. Nothing in your resolutions addresses this issue. Lots and lots of people are financially stable without help from family so this shouldn't even be a factor. Get yourself a trustworthy business manager/financial planner.
If you want to continue your design business (and this is what I think you should do as this is what you do best and there are fewer externalities here that will be out of your control), what you need is a project manager, not a supporting designer. A project manager (who have construction management experience that knows the order of things that need to be done and knows quality control) that will make sure that things are done within scope and out of scope things need change orders (no freebies). Get out of the influencer business (gradually, if this will affect your income) - I don't think this is good for anybody's mental health. Use social media to share your design work but don't rely on sponsorships. I believe that a successful design career will naturally lead you to other opportunities such as shows/series and books.
Another great piece - thank you for your honesty! Like you, I have just come out of a 3-year renovation which has been financially horrible as well as emotionally and physically challenging for my husband who did all the work and for me who did some of the work and then had to watch helplessly when he was completely exhausted. We finally got the sign-off on Dec 23 and now have paying guests in there. Seeing some dollars come into the bank account (not much, but some) instead of flowing out at a great rate has been good. I would lie awake at night doing sums in my head and it was awful. I too took the approach of "don't worry about it" because it was really too big. Anyway...
And I know this probably isn't on your agenda for this year but if you'd like to dance, come to Sydney for Mardi Gras and then make a side trip to Hobart, Tasmania where I'd love to host you at my property - www.braithwaitehobart.com You can be restored at a big gay dance party then relax in the natural beauty of Tasmania.
No resolution as such, but I'm certainly hoping 2024 is better than 2020-2023.
Orlando, for resolutions, yours are really interesting and nourishing (mostly - dunmo @ the "shitless" one though. It seems a bit self-defeating.)
Rajiv Surinder had a similar situation where ge couldn't do the production, management and everything by himself - he did a gofundme which set him up with a small production crew and they now work together to produce for his youtube channel. Consequently, hecan now focus on cbeing creative and sharing his good stuff instead of juggling it all and not covering everything sufficiently.
Also known as: dealing with core productivity (stuff YOU are hood at).
When emotionally 'drowning', my go-to is:
I AM HERE AND IT IS NOW.
Like, I'm alive and the world hasn't ended, yet.😜
"Hair hole"!🤣
I had dead straight, thick hair tgat was oh, so easy.
Afterchemo, I ended up with (permanent-last cgemo was 2021) ringlety, thin hair. This has taken a fast learning curve.
YES to more writing. I didn't know you at all from TV and I don't know how I found you except that it was Instagram and it was before you bought Londo. You and Drawbertson gave me LIFE every time I visited the site. And yeah I admire your gifts w/your design work (my stupid house we bought in the pandemic needed so much remodeling we are 3.5 years in and still not done - I bow to you). But what I LOVE about you is your sharing and your humor and your truth telling. You became a top favorite internet guy and I'm rooting for you so hard and think your hair is going to look amazing. I can't wait to read your books and see your ideas come to fruition, whenever they do.
I'm resolving to rest for real. I'm resolving to see all of me and love all of m and shed things I thought were me but I know now are not. Sending big love to everyone here and especially you, Orlando. Especially you. If you need a sober friend with loving mom vibes, I'm out here. Rooting for you.
sooo grateful for this essay! I should take up not giving a fuck as a hobby! It is not easy. But I hope you dance and write and expand. Also I haven't had a proper haircut in years and it's pretty liberating - oh look, turns out I already don't give a fuck about one thing! My word for 2024 is intention. It was also my 2023 word and I failed so I'm giving it another go. Maybe my 2026 word will be Yosemite.
I'm totally out of money at this time. Is my life materially different than yesterday? No. But my mind is not at ease. But I can change my mind. Besides, you're right, money is made up!
I love all these resolutions! I feel like it's not about how to improve yourself - it's intentions for how you want to live your life going forward. A couple thoughts - KCRW puts out newsletters/emails, and one a week is five songs to listen to that week. Not sure that's the vibe you're looking for, but it's new music and often really good (also shameless plug my stepson is in Nymphlord which is just starting to take off - they're on spotify). Re screenwriting: I'm taking a novel writing course later this month (from a friend, lol) through Writing Pad (here are the tv ones, I think they're all virtual: https://writingpad.com/classes/?genre=TV%20Writing) and a lot of these teachers are online (ig, whatever) and maybe you can find a screenwriter through them if you're not interested/don't have time in learning to do that. Writing Pad does a ton of promotions, so my 1 day class was about half off. I hope your payments come through ASAP. Thank you for doing this newsletter - it's really something I look forward to.
Two of my kids have worked in Yosemite for the summer. Well, the first one went for the summer and stayed for a year or so. The second one left at the end of this past summer but he's already planning to go back next summer. Even before we would go to visit them, my husband and I loved it there. It's so magical. Anyway, our history there made me especially interested to follow along as you renovated your cabin. I meant to send a picture of you to the one who was there this past summer. Once on Instagram I saw that you were on the back patio of the Ahwahnee and he was most likely a few feet away at the bike stand! He wouldn't know how cool that was. Anyway, all this to say that my husband is threatening that we're going to all live in Yosemite next summer (which doesn't threaten me because I'm like, okay, let's go) but our thirteen year old isn't thrilled, so it would be a great time to read your stories of growing up there. So, write them!
I love the new directions you are heading in, and think this will develop into a better year for you! Asking for what you need is so important --- I heard some advice from successful people and my favorite part, the part that stayed with me, was "Your success is directly proportional to your willingness to ask for help." ---- you are sure to see results from that resolution!
The people on your show asked for help, and they got it!
A young artist I have heard recently and liked is Lola Young (probably influenced by Amy Winehouse, Billie Eilish and Adele). Check her out. College radio stations sometimes play cool bands that are not widely known, so you might look into that.
If you haven’t already, check out Ryan Beatty 2023 album Calico. It’s a completely brilliant and sonically gorgeous of contemporary California life from a gay perspective. I suspect it will speak to you. He certainly speaks to me.
Orlando- I love reading what you have to share and appreciate your candor and vulnerability. As a first time commenter (long time follower) I feel deeply a lot of the things that you've mentioned, specifically around 2019 being a great year and then the last few years being so tough. I went from being unfairly let go, to being laid off, to figuring out a new industry and a new career. Going from a job that pays six figures to a hourly
job has been of course hard financially, but more than that a real bruise to the ego. It's been humbling to say the least.
But I love goals and New Year Resolutions and I do want to make some "happy" goals for 2024 that focus on adding more joy to my life. I'm not sure what they are yet, but I'll keep you posted. (My goal for 2023 was reading 100 books, which I did accomplish, but I won't be doing that again, lol).
Again- thanks for sharing on here ❤️
“Politics and money are made up. Humanity and connection aren’t.” 📣👏👏👏👏
Can you and Kelly partner on the screenplay? I'd watch anything either of you do. Together?! That could be magic.
We are thinking about it! But she's about to get REALLY busy with another project so it would have to be later in the year. Great suggestion!
I have a producer in mind. Hold tight!
Dance Shitless!! Dance like everyone is shitless!! ❤️❤️❤️
Actually 'being' and being 'like' are two entirely different things, with two entirely different outcomes. Ya know?
I always try to remember that the body I'm complaining about now I'll be wishing for in 10-20 years. It's hard, but worth trying? I'm loving how out you are, in all ways!
I'm still trying to stay safe from Covid, so that makes it hard to have resolutions, cuz I'd love to get out there and make some friends (what is that). Home repairs are the major goal. I've thought about doing a flat rate design thing: $XXX and I'll just tell you what you need to do, but not help you do it? Like for staging.
Unsolicited advice here - sorry but I feel like I need to say something. Too many plans! You need focus. Pick at most two (plus dancing + music). You said that you have always been good on the creative side but not on the financial side - and that is the one that trips you. You are far too talented and skilled to live paycheck to paycheck. So first, do something about that. Nothing in your resolutions addresses this issue. Lots and lots of people are financially stable without help from family so this shouldn't even be a factor. Get yourself a trustworthy business manager/financial planner.
If you want to continue your design business (and this is what I think you should do as this is what you do best and there are fewer externalities here that will be out of your control), what you need is a project manager, not a supporting designer. A project manager (who have construction management experience that knows the order of things that need to be done and knows quality control) that will make sure that things are done within scope and out of scope things need change orders (no freebies). Get out of the influencer business (gradually, if this will affect your income) - I don't think this is good for anybody's mental health. Use social media to share your design work but don't rely on sponsorships. I believe that a successful design career will naturally lead you to other opportunities such as shows/series and books.
Another great piece - thank you for your honesty! Like you, I have just come out of a 3-year renovation which has been financially horrible as well as emotionally and physically challenging for my husband who did all the work and for me who did some of the work and then had to watch helplessly when he was completely exhausted. We finally got the sign-off on Dec 23 and now have paying guests in there. Seeing some dollars come into the bank account (not much, but some) instead of flowing out at a great rate has been good. I would lie awake at night doing sums in my head and it was awful. I too took the approach of "don't worry about it" because it was really too big. Anyway...
And I know this probably isn't on your agenda for this year but if you'd like to dance, come to Sydney for Mardi Gras and then make a side trip to Hobart, Tasmania where I'd love to host you at my property - www.braithwaitehobart.com You can be restored at a big gay dance party then relax in the natural beauty of Tasmania.
No resolution as such, but I'm certainly hoping 2024 is better than 2020-2023.
Orlando could likely get some guest designer gigs ehile he's here (in Aussie), too!!!
Think openly and laterally, Orlando!
Orlando, for resolutions, yours are really interesting and nourishing (mostly - dunmo @ the "shitless" one though. It seems a bit self-defeating.)
Rajiv Surinder had a similar situation where ge couldn't do the production, management and everything by himself - he did a gofundme which set him up with a small production crew and they now work together to produce for his youtube channel. Consequently, hecan now focus on cbeing creative and sharing his good stuff instead of juggling it all and not covering everything sufficiently.
Also known as: dealing with core productivity (stuff YOU are hood at).
When emotionally 'drowning', my go-to is:
I AM HERE AND IT IS NOW.
Like, I'm alive and the world hasn't ended, yet.😜
"Hair hole"!🤣
I had dead straight, thick hair tgat was oh, so easy.
Afterchemo, I ended up with (permanent-last cgemo was 2021) ringlety, thin hair. This has taken a fast learning curve.
Hair reborn!
And so, here we are in 2024.🥰
YES to more writing. I didn't know you at all from TV and I don't know how I found you except that it was Instagram and it was before you bought Londo. You and Drawbertson gave me LIFE every time I visited the site. And yeah I admire your gifts w/your design work (my stupid house we bought in the pandemic needed so much remodeling we are 3.5 years in and still not done - I bow to you). But what I LOVE about you is your sharing and your humor and your truth telling. You became a top favorite internet guy and I'm rooting for you so hard and think your hair is going to look amazing. I can't wait to read your books and see your ideas come to fruition, whenever they do.
I'm resolving to rest for real. I'm resolving to see all of me and love all of m and shed things I thought were me but I know now are not. Sending big love to everyone here and especially you, Orlando. Especially you. If you need a sober friend with loving mom vibes, I'm out here. Rooting for you.
sooo grateful for this essay! I should take up not giving a fuck as a hobby! It is not easy. But I hope you dance and write and expand. Also I haven't had a proper haircut in years and it's pretty liberating - oh look, turns out I already don't give a fuck about one thing! My word for 2024 is intention. It was also my 2023 word and I failed so I'm giving it another go. Maybe my 2026 word will be Yosemite.
I'm totally out of money at this time. Is my life materially different than yesterday? No. But my mind is not at ease. But I can change my mind. Besides, you're right, money is made up!
Heidi (hickchic)
Orlando this was beautiful. I haven't seen anything like this in a while & I'm so glad I finally started reading this!
I love all these resolutions! I feel like it's not about how to improve yourself - it's intentions for how you want to live your life going forward. A couple thoughts - KCRW puts out newsletters/emails, and one a week is five songs to listen to that week. Not sure that's the vibe you're looking for, but it's new music and often really good (also shameless plug my stepson is in Nymphlord which is just starting to take off - they're on spotify). Re screenwriting: I'm taking a novel writing course later this month (from a friend, lol) through Writing Pad (here are the tv ones, I think they're all virtual: https://writingpad.com/classes/?genre=TV%20Writing) and a lot of these teachers are online (ig, whatever) and maybe you can find a screenwriter through them if you're not interested/don't have time in learning to do that. Writing Pad does a ton of promotions, so my 1 day class was about half off. I hope your payments come through ASAP. Thank you for doing this newsletter - it's really something I look forward to.
Two of my kids have worked in Yosemite for the summer. Well, the first one went for the summer and stayed for a year or so. The second one left at the end of this past summer but he's already planning to go back next summer. Even before we would go to visit them, my husband and I loved it there. It's so magical. Anyway, our history there made me especially interested to follow along as you renovated your cabin. I meant to send a picture of you to the one who was there this past summer. Once on Instagram I saw that you were on the back patio of the Ahwahnee and he was most likely a few feet away at the bike stand! He wouldn't know how cool that was. Anyway, all this to say that my husband is threatening that we're going to all live in Yosemite next summer (which doesn't threaten me because I'm like, okay, let's go) but our thirteen year old isn't thrilled, so it would be a great time to read your stories of growing up there. So, write them!
I love the new directions you are heading in, and think this will develop into a better year for you! Asking for what you need is so important --- I heard some advice from successful people and my favorite part, the part that stayed with me, was "Your success is directly proportional to your willingness to ask for help." ---- you are sure to see results from that resolution!
The people on your show asked for help, and they got it!
A young artist I have heard recently and liked is Lola Young (probably influenced by Amy Winehouse, Billie Eilish and Adele). Check her out. College radio stations sometimes play cool bands that are not widely known, so you might look into that.
If you haven’t already, check out Ryan Beatty 2023 album Calico. It’s a completely brilliant and sonically gorgeous of contemporary California life from a gay perspective. I suspect it will speak to you. He certainly speaks to me.
YASSS to all of this energy in 2024. HNY!!!