Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer

Music Appreciation

I was ten years old when I first saw a man with a dazzling smile, frizzy hair, and a leather-clad presence soar across the stage like a rock ‘n’ roll superhero. Watching Bon Jovi in action was nothing short of mesmerizing, and for this confused kid, it sparked a lot of unexpected feelings—part admiration, part awe, and maybe even a little bit of a crush. Whatever it was, one thing was certain: Bon Jovi had a way of making an impression.

"Livin’ on a Prayer" is one of Bon Jovi’s most legendary songs, co-written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child. Released on October 31, 1986, as the second single from their third studio album, Slippery When Wet, the song quickly became an anthem of perseverance and resilience. It tells the story of Tommy and Gina, a working-class couple doing their best to push through hard times while clinging to their dreams. With lyrics that spoke to the blue-collar struggles of the 1980s, the song struck a chord with fans, rocketing to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and cementing Bon Jovi’s status as a rock powerhouse.

Musically, "Livin’ on a Prayer" is the perfect storm of hard rock and pop energy. It opens with Richie Sambora’s signature talk box riff, an instantly recognizable sound that sets the stage for Jon Bon Jovi’s soaring vocals. The song builds dynamically, starting with a steady verse before bursting into a fist-pumping, sing-along chorus that feels like pure adrenaline. That final key change? A moment of rock magic that turns any crowd into an arena of die-hard fans belting their hearts out.

The music video, directed by Wayne Isham, captures that same high-octane energy. It starts in black and white, showing the band rehearsing in an empty venue, before exploding into full color as they take the stage for a full-throttle performance. With dramatic lighting, aerial shots, and Bon Jovi’s signature onstage theatrics, the video perfectly encapsulates the band’s electrifying presence. A mainstay on MTV, the video only added to the song’s legendary status, making millions of fans feel like they were right there in the front row, screaming every word.

Sources:

Wikipedia

IMDb

https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/06/20/story-behind-song-livin-prayer/11103409/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: Megan Thee Stallion - Choso (Jujutsu Kaisen)

via Stallion Stats  and TINA SNOW

Portugal. The Man - Live in the Moment

Music Appreciation

Portugal. The Man’s “Live in the Moment” was written by the band’s core members—John Gourley, Zach Carothers, Kyle O’Quin, and Jason Sechrist—and released as a single on October 30, 2017 from their eighth studio album, Woodstock (2017). This upbeat track marked another creative chapter for the band, blending their signature style with a refreshing call to seize the day.

Musically, “Live in the Moment” marries buoyant rock energy with pop and subtle psychedelic hints, resulting in a catchy groove that invites listeners to let go of their worries. The lyrics encourage embracing the present, a theme that resonates with the band’s playful yet thoughtful approach. The composition’s vibrant rhythms and engaging hooks perfectly echo the carefree spirit of living in the moment.

The music video, directed by Aaron Brown and produced by the creative agency Wieden+Kennedy, brings this philosophy to life in a delightfully unconventional way. It features a surreal police chase starring a giant puppet skateboarding atop a car—a whimsical narrative that captures the band’s offbeat humor. Filmed in Portland, Oregon, the video was well-received for its inventive concept and light-hearted execution, further cementing the song’s fun, irreverent vibe.

Sources:

Wikipedia

Niki de Saint Phalle

Art Appreciation

Niki de Saint Phalle, born October 29, 1930, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris, led a colorful and unconventional early life. Raised between France and the U.S., she initially pursued a career in fashion modeling, even gracing the cover of Vogue. However, a nervous breakdown in her early 20s shifted her focus to art as a form of self-expression and healing. She never received formal art training but was largely self-taught, exploring her creativity in a variety of mediums that would later make her a central figure in the world of modern art.

One of her most famous early works is her Tirs series, which translates to "shooting paintings." These pieces were created by embedding bags of paint in plaster reliefs, then dramatically shooting at them with a rifle, allowing the paint to splatter in unpredictable patterns. It was part performance, part sculpture, and a bold commentary on violence and destruction. Perhaps even more iconic are her Nanas, large, colorful sculptures of exuberant, curvaceous women. The Nanas became a symbol of feminine strength and joy, breaking traditional representations of the female form in art. Their vibrant, playful designs captured a sense of liberation and empowerment.

Arguably her magnum opus, the Tarot Garden is a monumental sculpture park located in Tuscany, Italy. Inspired by the Tarot cards, she created 22 enormous sculptures representing the major arcana. The park is a surreal, dreamlike space filled with bright colors, flowing mosaics, and whimsical shapes, making it a deeply personal and immersive environment. The Tarot Garden reflects her vision of art as a spiritual and communal experience, blending mysticism with playful creativity.

In her later years, Niki de Saint Phalle continued to create, though her health began to suffer due to exposure to toxic chemicals from her work with polyester. Despite this, she remained prolific, leaving behind an impressive body of work that defied conventions. She passed away in 2002, but her legacy endures, celebrated for her unapologetic approach to art, her advocacy for women, and her vibrant, larger-than-life creations that continue to inspire joy and introspection.

Pirodactyl over New York (1962)

Blue Nana (2000) photo by hh oldman

Tarot Garden (1998) photo by DustyLosAngeles

Source:

Wikipedia

https://nikidesaintphalle.org/

https://ilgiardinodeitarocchi.it/en/

https://youtu.be/fLcmyExFqdM 

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/12/16/in-pictures-or-niki-de-saint-phalle-in-the-1960s

Alexandra Smelova

Modeling Appreciation 

Alexandra Smelova, born in Moscow, Russia, in October 1998, captivates with her natural beauty. Standing at 5'5", her slim physique and fair hair complement her striking blue eyes. These features have garnered her a significant following.

Alexandra's journey into modeling began around the age of 19. Her flirtatious nature and the allure of excellent compensation drew her to the profession. She started her nude modeling career in 2018, quickly gaining recognition for her natural charm and professionalism.

Her career includes collaborations with platforms like Playboy Plus, StasyQ, Best-Ladies, and Hegre-Art Video. Notably, Alexandra has appeared in over 17 covers, 14 photosets, and 3 videos, showcasing her versatility and appeal in the modeling industry.

Beyond modeling, Alexandra leads a fulfilling personal life. She has a deep love for animals, having rescued animals from shelters. A passionate football enthusiast, Alexandra ardently supports Spartak Moscow, rarely missing a game. She maintains close friendships that provide her with balance and support. 

Sources:

https://www.babepedia.com/babe/Alexandra_Smelova

https://www.erocurves.com/

https://www.thenude.com/Aleksandra%20Smelova_44296.htm

https://www.indexxx.com/m/aleksandra-smelova

https://www.eroticbeauties.net/model/aleksandra-smelova/

https://onlyfans.com/smelovandmila

https://en.girlstop.info/psto.php?id=188118

https://tour.playboyplus.com/model/gallery/Aleksandra-Smelova?nats=MzY3NjY2LjYuMTAyMy4xMDY5LjEzMjIuODAyMjU3NC4wLjAuMA

https://babesrater.com/person/81500/alexandra-smelova

https://vk.com/id670602249

Indigo White Builds a Pumpkin Patch in The Sims 4 while Reading You Creepypastas

via Indigo White 

Dance: TroyBoi - What You Know

Choreography: Jus Dance Projects

Performers: Ducktape Utrecht

via Ducktape Utrecht & Tie-Wrap Dancecrew 

Spinners: Fatboy Slim - Elevator Music

via Elevator Music 

Cosplay is an Art: LA ComicCon 2025

via Justin Cosplay 

MODELING: Serena Mamasita - "I Miss You Backstage"

Model: Serena Mamasita

Photographer: Viacheslav Eshmakov

Song: "I Miss You So" by Salami Rose Joe Louis

via Владимир Дроздовский. Видео

A Breast Day Ever! Part 2

We were up early Monday morning for a procedure my wife had long considered: breast augmentation. After years of feeling out of proportion, especially as she approached midlife, she decided it was time. She went in a B and came out... well, let’s just say the letter skipped C and doubled. A dream scenario for many men, right? But let me tell you — the recovery is no walk in the park.

We prepared thoroughly. My wife read every blog, post, and TikTok confession from women who’d been through it. Knowing what to expect helped, but nothing quite prepares you for navigating Oxycodone side effects (constipation, we see you). Still, that little pill has been a relief.

Oddly enough, surgeries like this — and her cervical prolapse procedure months earlier — brought us closer. Not in the bedroom sense, but in the quiet, caring, sensual way. I showered her, dried her, even washed her long hair. That last part was a test of focus — my hands doing one thing, my mind... trying very hard to behave. My wife caught my hard-on once pointing right at her face. Classy, huh.  

As she healed, our recently established routine return back to normal. I still "supervise" her showers and towel her off. Breaking that habit? Not going to be easy. 

Funniest moment? A trip to the pharmacy. I’m on a first-name basis with the staff now. One evening, I confidently told the pharmacist, “Yes, the cream for her vagina.” The pharmacist blinked, then gestured to her cheek, “This one’s for her face.” Turns out Missy had also ordered a Tretinoin night cream. Talk about losing face — and gaining a new nickname, I’m sure.

 

AI generated

Yael Naim - New Soul

Music Appreciation

"New Soul" is a song by French-Israeli singer Yael Naïm from her self-titled second album Yael Naïm, which was released on October 22, 2007. It explores the perspective of someone who considers themselves a “new soul”—arriving in the world to learn how to “give and take,” encountering joy and fear, mistakes and misunderstandings, and coming to terms with life’s ambiguity.

On the composition side, “New Soul” is built on a light folk-pop / indie-folk framework with simple instrumentation, clear melody, and that memorable “la la la la” hook that helps make it catchy. Its popularity in the U.S. surged when Apple used the song in the debut commercial for the MacBook Air in early 2008. That exposure drove digital sales and radio play, helping it reach No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her biggest U.S. hit.

The music video complements the song’s theme with a whimsical, somewhat surreal concept. It starts with Naïm moving into an empty apartment, covering the walls with forest/lake wallpaper, unpacking furniture and photos. The people in the photos appear in those settings in real life; then the walls peel away, the floor becomes a raft floating on a lake, the furnishings travel with her, and others join her by boat. 

Sources:

Wikipedia 

https://momentmag.com/yael-naim-a-new-soul-comes-of-age/?srsltid=AfmBOoqv0UvqrB1in008_CGaFGpN4nre7yKLcr9Pf2BaFGV_s2r9gals

https://music.apple.com/us/song/new-soul/652880801

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: The Sleeping Beauty Problem

via Veritasium

Claire Waldoff

Acting Appreciation

Claire Waldoff (born Clara Wortmann, October 21, 1884 in Gelsenkirchen, Westphalia) was the eleventh of sixteen children in a family that ran a tavern. She attended school in Hanover and aspired to become a doctor, but after her parents divorced, financial constraints forced her to abandon that path. Instead she trained as an actress, adopting the stage name Claire Waldoff. 

Waldoff’s career on stage began around 1903 with minor roles in provincial and travelling theater companies, including in Bad Pyrmont and Katowice (then in Upper Silesia).  In 1906 she moved to Berlin, where her breakthrough came when Rudolf Nelson engaged her at the cabaret “Roland von Berlin.” Her style—bold, comical, ironic, often using the Berlin dialect—quickly won her wide popularity. She was known for songs that critiqued social norms (“Ach Jott, wat sind die Männer dumm” – “Oh God, how stupid men are,” for example), for using staging and clothing (such as wearing male‐style attire) to challenge conventional gender expectations, and for developing a repertoire of some 300 songs. 

Over time, Waldoff became a celebrated figure of Berlin’s Weimar‐era cabaret culture. She performed in major varieté theatres such as the Scala and Wintergarten, appeared on radio and records, and associated with intellectuals and artists including Kurt Tucholsky. 

However, with the rise of Nazism in 1933, her career was increasingly restricted. Many of her songs, her collaborators, and friends were Jewish; her open lifestyle (including her long‐term relationship with Olga “Olly” von Roeder) and her refusal to conform to Nazi gender and moral norms put her under suspicion. 

She continued some performances during the war, but never regained her former prominence. Waldoff died in 1957.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.fembio.org/english/biography.php/woman/biography/claire-waldoff

https://www.advocate.com/women/2017/3/22/women-who-paved-way-cabaret-singer-claire-waldoff

Body Art: Missy Magalie - Bodypaint and SFX Makeup

Meghan of Missy Maggley Cosplay provides beginner-friendly recommendations for getting started in SFX makeup, breaking it down into three areas: body paint (water-based, alcohol-based, and cream), setting and removal products (like powders, sprays, adhesives, and solvents), and special effects (like contact lenses and bald caps). She emphasizes product performance, safety (especially for contacts and adhesives), and the importance of skin care during and after intense makeup application.

via MissyMagalieCosplay 

Spinners: Karla Tortilla - Funky House & Nu Disco Mix

via The Good Witchez 

Album Cover: Bowie – Pinups

Album Cover

Album:  Bowie – Pinups

Released: October 19, 1973

Cover Photographer: Justin de Villeneuve

Models: David Bowie and Twiggy

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.discogs.com/master/22208-Bowie-Pinups

Spinners: Gin - Melodic Techno and Indie Dance

via The Good Witchez 

Cosplay is an Art: ChaiBee as Inori Yuzuriha (Guilty Crown)

Film: Richard Rolland (@sojubeats)

Photography: Darien Delfin

via ChaiBee 

Kerry James Marshall

Art Appreciation

Kerry James Marshall was born on October 17, 1955, in Birmingham, Alabama, and moved with his family to Los Angeles in 1963, settling in the Watts neighborhood. Growing up during a period marked by social unrest and the rise of the civil rights and Black Power movements, Marshall developed a strong awareness of representation and history. 

His childhood, shaped by both upheaval and artistic discovery, informed his later work. He studied at Los Angeles City College before earning his B.F.A. from Otis Art Institute in 1978. This foundation in both practice and theory laid the groundwork for a career rooted in mastery of medium and narrative complexity.

Marshall’s art centers on Black life, presented in large-scale, richly rendered paintings that employ deep, literal black pigments. His early work, such as A Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self (1980), set the tone for a career steeped in narrative, history, and irony. 

Peter Schjeldahl’s review of Marshall’s 2016 retrospective Mastry at the Met Breuer emphasized that rather than making a political appeal, the exhibition affirmed the cultural and artistic gains of African Americans. His paintings celebrate everyday experiences—beauty salons, public housing, intimate domesticity—without reducing them to cliché or victimhood. Works like School of Beauty, School of Culture (2012) embody this approach, presenting confident Black women and children in a salon.

Marshall draws influence from both African-American and Western traditions, often positioning himself in dialogue with artists like Romare Bearden and Charles White alongside old masters such as Ingres and Seurat. This deliberate inclusion, described by Schjeldahl as a “show within the show,” highlights Marshall as a conservative aesthete compared to more concept-driven peers like Kara Walker or David Hammons. 

Notable works such as Great America (1994) and The Lost Boys series (1993–1995) demonstrate his ability to merge social commentary with technical brilliance. His retrospective underscored a career committed to reframing the Black experience as central to American cultural life. Schjeldahl argued that Marshall’s technical skill and emotional range suggest a new standard in contemporary art—an affirmation that Black presence is not marginal but integral to the story of America.

Bang (1994)

Past Times (1997)

When Frustration Threatens Desire (1990)

A Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self (1980)

School of Beauty, School of Culture (2012)

Great America (1994)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/11/07/kerry-james-marshalls-america

https://www.artsy.net/artwork/kerry-james-marshall-great-america

https://www.artsy.net/artwork/kerry-james-marshall-school-of-beauty-school-of-culture

https://www.artsy.net/artwork/kerry-james-marshall-a-portrait-of-the-artist-as-a-shadow-of-his-former-self

https://figuringhistory.site.seattleartmuseum.org/kerry-james-marshall/

https://art21.org/artist/kerry-james-marshall/

https://www.theartstory.org/artist/marshall-kerry-james/

https://www.otis.edu/alumni/featured-alumni/kerry-james-marshall.html

https://www.nga.gov/artists/35534-kerry-james-marshall

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kerry-James-Marshall

https://www.studiomuseum.org/artists/kerry-james-marshall

https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/kerry-james-marshall-39

Album Cover: Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland

Album Cover

Album: Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland

Released: October 16, 1968

Cover Photographer: David Montgomery

Models: 19 unknown ladies

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.discogs.com/master/24535-The-Jimi-Hendrix-Experience-Electric-Ladyland

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Superman Joke

via imitationalismAI 

Max Frost - Adderall

Music Appreciation

Matthew Alexander "Max" Frost (born 1992) is an American singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist from Austin, Texas. He began playing drums around age four, and guitar by age eight, growing in a musical environment that blended vintage soul/R&B, blues, and hip-hop influences. 

Over the years, he has released EPs such as Low High and Intoxication, signed with Atlantic Records, and become known for writing and producing much of his material himself.

One catchy song in his catalog is Adderall, which came out in October 14, 2016 as a single. Adderall uses the metaphor of the drug to explore themes of anxiety, pressure to perform, sleeplessness, and the highs and lows that come with trying to stay "on" in creative and academic life. Frost has said that the song draws on his own experience using Adderall during high school/college, where it helped alleviate procrastination but also led to unrest, imbalance, and what he described as a "worn out" state. 

Musically, the song blends pop-structure with indie/hip-hop-tinged production, a driving beat, vocal hooks, and Frost's characteristic merging of vintage tonal textures with modern rhythm. The song builds a tension between urgency (in lyrics and delivery) and moments that feel like crash and withdrawal.

The Adderall music video was directed by Tough Town. It was filmed largely in an ice cream truck driving around the streets of Los Angeles. The visual concept leans into contrast: Frost wanted something that avoided being "too dark" but still captured both sides of what the song is about -- the energy, the heightened state, the crash. The ice cream truck serves as a surreal, perhaps ironic vehicle -- it's cheerful and whimsical, juxtaposed with the song's darker internal reality.

Sources:

Wikipedia

maxfrost.net

https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/interview-max-frost-discusses-new-music-video-for-adderall/article/481303

https://wolfinasuit.com/2016/12/20/music-video-recommendation-adderall-max-frost

https://insertsonghere.wordpress.com/2017/04/27/adderall-max-frost

Spinners: DJ Kseniia Prokhorva - Coffee Music

via Live DJ Streams 

Carolee Schneemann

Art Appreciation

Carolee Schneemann, born on October 12, 1939, in Fox Chase, Pennsylvania, was an American visual experimental artist renowned for her provocative works that explored themes of the body, sexuality, and gender. She pursued her passion for art by studying at Bard College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in poetry and philosophy. Schneemann further honed her artistic skills by obtaining a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois. 

In the early stages of her career, Schneemann was influenced by the Abstract Expressionist movement, initially focusing on painting. However, she soon became intrigued by the possibilities of performance and multimedia art, seeking to break traditional boundaries and challenge societal norms. Her early works often incorporated her own body, emphasizing the physicality of art and the role of the artist as both creator and subject. 

One of Schneemann's most controversial and groundbreaking performances was "Interior Scroll," first presented in 1975 at the Women Here and Now exhibition in East Hampton, New York. During this performance, she stood naked on a table, painted her body with dark paint, and slowly extracted a scroll from her vagina, reading its contents aloud to the audience. The text was a critique of the male-dominated art world and a bold statement on female sexuality and autonomy. 

"Interior Scroll" exemplified Schneemann's commitment to using her body as a medium to confront and challenge societal taboos. Her fearless exploration of the intersections between art, gender, and sexuality has left an indelible mark on the art world, inspiring generations of artists to push the boundaries of creative expression. 

Personae: JT and Three Kitch's, 1957

Untitled Collage, 2018

Terminal Velocity, 2001

Interior Scroll, 1975

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.schneemannfoundation.org/

https://www.moma.org/artists/7712

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carolee-Schneemann?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/art-renaissance-to-modern-times/carolee-schneemanns-interior-scroll

https://sites.barbican.org.uk/carolee-schneemann-biography/index.html

https://zielinski.photography/unveiling-the-power-of-professional-visual-documentation-the-case-of-carolee-schneemanns-interior-scroll/

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/schneemann-interior-scroll-p13282

https://www.artbasel.com/catalog/artwork/53501/Carolee-Schneemann-Interior-Scroll

https://www.eai.org/artists/carolee-schneemann/biography

https://www.ppowgallery.com/artists/estate-of-carolee-schneemann#tab:thumbnails

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1467-8365.12529

https://foundation.generali.at/en/collection/carolee-schneemann/

https://artincontext.org/carolee-schneemann/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.actipedia.org/project/carolee-schneemann-interior-scroll-1975

https://anushka94nair.wixsite.com/performanceartblog/post/seeing-carolee-schneeman-interior-scroll-1975

https://culturacolectiva.com/en/art/carolee-schneemann-masterpiece-interior-scroll/

https://fineartmultiple.com/blog/carolee-schneemann-interior-scroll-masterpiece

https://www.deprivedmagazine.com/a-review-of-carolee-schneemanns-interior-scroll

Spinners: DJ Tabea - House Music

via Dj Tabea 

Michelle Trachtenberg

Acting Appreciation

Michelle Trachtenberg, born on October 11, 1985, in New York City, was the youngest daughter of Lana, a bank manager, and Michael Trachtenberg, a fiber-optics engineer. Raised in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn alongside her older sister, Irene, Michelle's early life was steeped in the rich cultural tapestry of her Russian and German Jewish heritage. Her grandparents resided in Israel, further enriching her multicultural upbringing. 

From a tender age, Michelle exhibited a flair for performance, leading her to the world of acting. Michelle's acting journey started at just three years old, featuring in over 100 commercials. Her first credited role came in the Nickelodeon series "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" (1994–1996), portraying the quirky Nona F. Mecklenberg. She gained further recognition as Lily Montgomery on the soap opera "All My Children." However, it was her role as Dawn Summers, Buffy's younger sister in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (2000–2003), that catapulted her to fame. Her portrayal of Dawn resonated with audiences, earning her critical acclaim and a Young Artist Award. ​

Following her success on "Buffy," Michelle continued to shine in the entertainment industry. She starred in films such as "EuroTrip" (2004) and "Ice Princess" (2005), showcasing her versatility. Her role as the cunning Georgina Sparks in the hit series "Gossip Girl" (2008–2012) became one of her most memorable performances, adding a layer of intrigue and drama to the show. 

Beyond her acting career, Michelle was known for her philanthropic endeavors, often participating in charitable events and supporting various causes. Tragically, on February 26, 2025, Michelle passed away at the age of 39 in her Manhattan apartment. She had undergone a liver transplant within the last year, and it is believed that complications from the surgery may have contributed to her untimely death. 

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://nypost.com/2025/02/26/entertainment/michelle-trachtenberg-dead-at-39-former-gossip-girl-harriet-the-spy-star-shared-troubling-posts/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/26/michelle-trachtenberg-dead?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://people.com/michelle-trachtenberg-death-celebrity-reactions-11687001?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://oaklandpostonline.com/53193/obituaries/michelle-trachtenberg-dead-at-39-a-timeless-legacy/

https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/michelle-trachtenberg-1985-2025-actress-in-buffy-gossip-girl/

Album Cover: Radiohead – In Rainbows

Album Cover

Album: Radiohead – In Rainbows

Released: October 10, 2007

Artwork: Stanley Donwood and Thomas Edward Yorke

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.discogs.com/release/1174296-Radiohead-In-Rainbows 

https://www.nme.com/news/music/radiohead-544-1348050

Gaming: Eduardo Saucedo (@sauceddie) - Silent Still 2

via special edd 

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Power Girl (2023 DC) #6F

Cover Art: Dan Panosian

Tim Conlon

Art Appreciation

Tim Conlon was born on October 7, 1974, in Alexandria, Virginia, and grew up in nearby Washington, D.C. Immersed in the vibrant urban culture of the 1980s and '90s, Conlon was drawn to graffiti at an early age. He began documenting and painting freight trains in the early 1990s, often "benching" -- waiting by tracks for trains to pass -- to study styles from across regions and build his visual vocabulary.

Conlon's career bridges street practice and fine art. By 2008, his work was included in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery's Recognize! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture exhibit -- the first modern graffiti displayed in the Smithsonian. HE later curated the G-scale train section of LA MOCA's Art in the Streets in 2011. His pieces have appeared in major venues including the Corcoran Gallery, Sotheby's first Hip Hop Auction in 2020, and exhibitions across New York, London, Paris, and Shanghai. He also produced Rolling Like Thunder (2021), a documentary on freight train graffiti.

Conlon is best known for his Blank Canvas series: large-scale, hyper-realistic renditions of freight car surfaces. Using spray paint, paint markers, and acrylics, he recreated cladding, rust, stencils, logos, and graffiti tags with trompe-l'oeil precision. Often based on specific railcar reporting marks (e.g., "Blank Canvas #132 -- WPRR"), these works zoom in on texture and typography, isolating elements that usually traverse the country unseen. 

In parallel, he customizes G-scale model trains -- 3D sculptures that marry folk-style realism and pop-culture lore. Together, these works pay homage to the layered culture of freight-train graffiti and America's industrial landscape. 

Black Canvas #84 - UP, 2017

Blank Canvas #132 - WPRR, 2023

CNW #9, 2024

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.timconlon.com/

https://www.instagram.com/conoperative/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/conoperative/

https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/magazine/features/tim-conlon-the-freight-painter

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/hip-hop/tim-conlon-blank-canvas-85-cirr-2017

https://www.widewalls.ch/artists/tim-conlon

https://beyondthestreets.com/collections/products-by-tim-conlon

Body Art: Amit Bar - Red & Blue

Model: Helene

via AmitBarArt 

Dance: Kelis - Milkshake

Choreography: Robbie Blue for Gap's denim campaign

Directed: Bethany Vargas

Dancers: Madison Alvarado, Jaiden Anthony, Hezekiah Anthony, Kyndall Ash, Fatou Bah, Natalie Bebko, Dario Boatner, Dexter Carr, Nicole Cardona, Guero Charles, Athena Cruz, Lucas Debiasi, Charlize Glass, Kebahb Glanville, Selena Hamilton, Kaelynn Harris, Maija Knapp, Pearl Leary, Kaiven Lin, Nico Lonetree, Yuli Maldonado, Alex Mateo, Peyton Matthias, Misha Metelkov, Stephanie Mincone, Gavin Morales, Daniel Santiago, Madelyn Spang, Tacir Roberson, Byron Tittle

via Gap

Spinners: Laura van Dam - Capture Radio 050

via Laura van Dam 

The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag by Sasha Velour

About eighteen months ago, I heard Sasha Velour on a Vulture podcast interview, and I was so struck by her ideas that I immediately added The Big Reveal to my audiobook library (long before I even made time to listen). The delay turned out to be worthwhile: The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag is not simply a memoir — it’s a richly layered exploration of drag’s history, theory, and the personal journey of one of its most lucid voices.

Velour traces drag’s roots across time and cultures, from shamans’ rituals to ballroom houses, and frames drag as a poetic force of resistance and reinvention. She interleaves her own journey — a child who experimented with gender expression, the drag artist she became, and the challenges she has faced — with scholarly research, archival finds, and vibrant illustration. She dissects the definition of “drag,” considers its colonial and transgressive contours, and asks: What does it mean to perform gender? How has drag historically been censored, embraced, or co-opted?

She resolves that if she made a quilt of drag, it would include pieces from "a stretched hide from a shaman’s tent, silk from Gladys Bentley's tuxedo, sequins from Divine’s wiggle dress, hair from RuPaul’s wig. Each of us is just a small fragment of a larger picture, whether we admit it or not.”

And the core revelation: “Sasha Velour was made like a quilt … it took community to finish me up, weave me together, see me as whole, and push me out into the world.”

Velour’s view of drag is expansive: inclusive, messy, and always part of a larger conversation about queerness and art. Her prose is incisive without being academic, accessible without flattening complexity.

BookTrib calls it “a quilt, piecing together memoir, history, and theory into a living portrait of an artist and an art.” The L.A. Review of Books notes its timeliness in a moment of rising political attacks on drag culture. 

As a parent of a trans woman, the book enriched my understanding — not by preaching, but by opening new frames of reference through historical depth and personal honesty. After I listened, I bought a copy for my daughter immediately. 

My verdict: The Big Reveal is worth your time — part manifesto, part archive, part love letter — and, for anyone wondering how drag fits into queer history, it functions as a kind of essential textbook.

Sources:

https://www.vulture.com/2023/04/sasha-velour-on-drag-bans-rupauls-drag-race-predictions.html

https://booktrib.com/2023/04/06/the-big-reveal-sasha-velour/

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/among-the-rose-petals-queer-possibility-on-sasha-velours-the-big-reveal/

Harry Styles - Music For a Sushi Restaurant

Music Appreciation

“Music for a Sushi Restaurant” is a track by English singer-songwriter Harry Styles from his third studio album Harry’s House. Written by Harry Styles, Thomas Hull (aka Kid Harpoon), Tyler Johnson, and Mitch Rowland, the song was officially released to hot adult contemporary radio in the U.S. as the third single from Harry’s House on October 3, 2022. 

Harry Styles has said that the idea for the song came while he was in a sushi restaurant in Los Angeles. He and his collaborators thought about how “strange music for a sushi restaurant” felt, and it became a fun starting point for writing a song meant to capture that contrast in mood and setting. 

Musically, the song leans funk-pop with playful touches: flat brass, energetic rhythm, falsetto vocals, a bit of scatting, and free associative lyrics. The lyrics mix food imagery and cooking metaphors with relational desire and admiration.

The music video was directed by Aube Perrie and released on October 27, 2022. In the video, Styles is first found washed up on a beach as a half-human, half-squid creature. He is transported by fishermen to a restaurant called Gill’s Lounge, intended to be served as sushi. As the video proceeds, Styles unveils his voice, takes over the restaurant, turning it from a sushi restaurant into a lounge and performing in it. But during the performance he loses his voice; the video shifts as the owners drag him away and eventually transform him into sushi. 

Sources:

Wikipedia 

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a40059341/harry-styles-music-for-a-sushi-restaurant-lyrics

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/harry-styles-harrys-house/

https://storyofsong.com/story/music-for-a-sushi-restaurant/

https://www.hercampus.com/culture/music-for-a-sushi-restaurant-meaning-harry-styles/

https://lbbonline.com/news/harry-styles-stars-as-a-sushi-restaurants-singing-squid-merman-in-latest-music-video

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Dior Spring-Summer 2026 Paris Fashion Week

Creative Director: Jonathan Anderson

via Christian Dior 

Sofi Tukker - Drinkee

Music Appreciation

"Drinkee," released on October 2, 2015, marks the impressive debut of the American musical duo Sofi Tukker. Drawing inspiration from the Brazilian poet Chacal's poem "Relógio," this track stands out not just for its infectious beat but also for its poetic depth. 

The duo's ability to blend Portuguese lyrics with an engaging rhythm creates a unique sound that resonates with a wide audience. It's a song that invites you to move, think, and feel all at once, showcasing Sofi Tukker's innovative approach to music.

The impact of "Drinkee" was significant, earning Sofi Tukker a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording in 2017. This recognition was well-deserved, as the song embodies the essence of dance music while incorporating elements of literary art. 

The music video for "Drinkee," directed by Sam Mason and Matt Daniels, further enhances the song's allure. The visuals are as captivating as the music itself, featuring dynamic and surreal elements that complement the track's energetic vibe. Featuring Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern, the music video brings the song to life in a vivid, visually stimulating way, making it not just a song to listen to but an experience to watch. 

Source: 

Wikipedia

Album Cover: Kylie Minogue - Fever

Album Cover

Album: Kylie Minogue - Fever

Released: October 1, 2001

Cover Photographer: Vincent Peters

Graphic Designer: Tony Hung

Model: Kylie Minogue 

Source: 

Wikipedia

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Seattle's Spite House

via Giant House Giant Journey