The suicide of an ex-girlfriend, a close friend, taught Clif the importance of finding and embracing the positive aspects of life and to let go of doubts and negative feelings. In short, enjoy each day to its fullest. As a result of that hard lesson, this self-described ''military brat'' and 27-year-old Maryland native likes to stay active by hiking, playing soccer, biking and catching up with the latest horror or action movie. While he doesn't drink, Clif will go out to bars or clubs with his friends, although you're more likely to catch him tearing up the dance floor instead of pressed up against the wall. His venues of choice include JR.'s and Town.
What's on your nightstand?ASL flash cards, a Clean Linen candle and a treasure chest with condoms and lube in it.
Coverboy: Clif
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
What's in your nightstand drawer?Sunflower seeds, Nutella and a hammer. As well as some random items like cards and headphones.
What are your television favorites?The Walking Dead, American Horror Story and Dexter.
What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?Transformers: Generation 1, G.I. Joe and Jem. I used to watch TV with my little sister, and she had to sit through Transformers and G.I. Joe, so I had to watch Jem with her.
What superhero would you be?Venom, the black Spider-Man.
Who's your greatest influence?A friend of mine who passed away. She was my ex-girlfriend, actually. She committed suicide, and it really affected me a lot. It taught me the importance of keeping happy and trying not to let things keep me down.
What's your greatest fear?Being at the bottom of the ocean.
Coverboy: Clif
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
Pick three people, living or dead, who you think would make the most fascinating dinner guests imaginable.Janis Joplin, Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix.
What would you serve?Whiskey. Anything over 80 proof. I don't think they'd be into eating.
How would you describe your dream guy?Someone who's as into me as much as I'm into him. Confident. Willing to accept flaws.
Define good in bed.When you don't always make it to the bed. Bad in bed is if you don't last as long and I'm not ready to stop.
Who should star in a movie about your life?Lil Wayne. I think that'd be funny.
Who was your first celebrity crush?Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Who gets on your nerves?Self-proclaimed hotties, prima donnas, name droppers and condescending people.
If your home was burning, what's the first thing you'd grab while leaving?The bottle of Single Barrel Jack I got for my birthday last year.
What's your biggest turn-on?I love blonds. I like nice guys, though. Honest, too.
What's your biggest turn-off?Someone insecure, or anyone obsessed with status.
Coverboy: Clif
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
What's something you've always wanted to do but haven't yet tried?Deep-sea diving.
What's something you've tried that you never want to do again?I ate wings with ''911'' sauce from Cluck-U Chicken and I couldn't taste anything for a week.
Boxers, briefs or other?Boxer-briefs.
Who's your favorite musical artist?Sublime.
What's your favorite website?Amazon.
What's the most unusual place you've had sex?A lifeguard stand in Atlantic City, on the beach.
What position do you play in the big baseball game of life?I play soccer.
What's your favorite retail store?I like thrift stores. You can get the neatest things, and they're cheap.
What's the most you'll spend on a haircut?$120.
What about on shoes?$300.
Coverboy: Clif
(Photo by Julian Vankim)
What's your favorite food to splurge with?Crabs.
What's your favorite season?Summer. It's when my birthday is – Aug. 24 – and you can do a lot more in the summer. Plus, I like being tan.
What kind of animal would you be?A phoenix.
What kind of plant would you be?A Venus flytrap.
What kind of car would you be?A monster truck. You get to run over other cars.
What are you most grateful for?Meeting my biological father when I was 24.
What's something you want more of?More good friends.
State your life philosophy in 10 words or less.Je vois la vie en rose.
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