RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Kenton Nelson "Early Morning" for The New Yorker

Source: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2025-11-24

"It's $50 to blow out the old year, and $150 to start the New Year with a bang."

 

Phil Interlandi, PLAYBOY (January 1996)

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Vespa by Franco Matticchio

by Franco Matticchio

Sex and Videotape

There may be a video sex tape in my possession of me and my ex. I just don't remember. 

Were we daring back then? I know I had video cameras. I recorded a lot of her and us, but don't recall if I captured us having sex. 

Of course, the secret is somewhat safe, in that videotape players, let alone 8mm ones, are quite rare.

Leo Garel, PLAYBOY (November 1995)

 

Cop a feel

As we come close to adult entertainment award ceremony season, we all should remember to respect our stars. Although they do porn and maybe portray a character that enjoys certain sexual acts, they are private individuals with the same rights that you and I enjoy. So, no cop a feel. 

Marty Murphy, PLAYBOY (November 1995)

Mother Goose and New Year's Eve Party

 

Buck Brown, PLAYBOY (January 1996)

Happy Columbus Indigenous People's Day

Buck Brown, PLAYBOY (November 1995)

Finding Mr. Right During Cuffing Season

P.S.A. Cuffing season has begun. This is a period of time when single people look for short term relationship to help get through the colder months. 

Joseph Farris, PLAYBOY (August 1994)

 

Faxing on a Wedding Night

The first night as newlyweds holds the most indelible memories. I recall my own night, twenty years back, though it left a lasting mark for entirely different reasons. 

As is customary for just-wed couples, we arrived at our hotel room shortly after pledging our vows. Filled with mutual affection, encompassed by kisses and laughter, we recognized the limited window to shed our wedding attire before the reception. 

Thankfully, my newlywed wife had chosen an overskirt wedding gown. With the removal of the overskirt, I spontaneously knelt, elevated her dress, and proceeded to assist with her undergarments. Yet, her pause gave rise to a different discourse.

"Uh... There's something I need to tell you," she said confided uneasily detaining my eager hands, "Something is wrong down there. It smells." 

My response must have conveyed reassurance, as we found ourselves laying on the floor, my weight atop hers. Unzipping my tuxedo pants, I adjusted her position, and our intimacy deepened. Something did feel a little odd as I penetrated into her, arousing my curiosity. Withdrawing, I investigated, and discovered a piece of toilet paper entwined along one side of me. 

It turned out that before our wedding, my bride had used toilet paper as a temporary solution until she found a tampon. 

Phil Interlandi, PLAYBOY (August 1994)

Don't Disturb, Unless for Sex

Amidst the COVID lockdown in Spring 2020, my girlfriend and I conducted our work activities from my condo. This arrangement proved to be incredibly rewarding, as it granted me the opportunity to indulge in afternoon pleasures without any hindrance to my work responsibilities. On certain occasions, a mere call to her and a suggestion of intimacy would promptly lead us to the bedroom.

Don Orehek, PLAYBOY (August 1994)

Wouldn't mind this Elvis Impersonator

First of all, Doug Sneyd draws some beautiful breast. Secondly, I wouldn't mind watching this Elvis Impersonator perform. Especially if the impersonator has breast like that.

Doug Sneyd, PLAYBOY (February 1995)

Hooking Up

Back in August 1994, when I was just 18 years old, I stumbled upon a cartoon in the pages of PLAYBOY that left a lasting impression on me. In that moment, I saw myself as the romantic depicted in the cartoon, holding flowers like a caveman, valuing genuine connections and meaningful courtship. On the other hand, I couldn't help but disdain the players who seemed to have "weekend girlfriends" or changed partners as frequently as the "flavor of the week." To me, dating and courtship were about more than just casual hookups; they were about building something deeper and more substantial.

However, as time raced forward, now three decades later, I find myself looking at things from a different perspective. The dating landscape seems to have evolved, and the norm appears to be "hook up first" to test the waters and then see if there's any chemistry worth pursuing further. It's intriguing how societal norms and attitudes can shift over time, shaping our perspectives and altering our views on matters as personal as relationships and romance.

Bill Woodman, PLAYBOY (August 1994)

 

Fancy Feet

When I was a teenager, I worked in shoe sales. Back then, I was very green in life experience, but I knew when I was being hit on. Mostly cougars, 20 years older, would flirt with me. 

There was one lady, a regular customer, in particular, who asked me to pull off her boots. As I obliged, she gave me a sly grin. 

In hindsight, I should have been bold and flirted back. I could have probably had a very different story to share.

Doug Sneyd, PLAYBOY 

A bad time to have "Old Milwaukee" theme in the head

 

Buck Brown, PLAYBOY (August 1994)

Online Porn Can't Wait Until Tomorrow

The internet made porn more accessible -- unfortunately, a little too accessible. Sometimes to the point where your everyday activities are diminished because of porn. 

It's hard to set aside time to a hobby that can consume one's energy. If not careful, one can lose a whole day.

What's worse is online porn, if not controlled, can affect relationships with spouses, significant others, friends, and family. 

Whereas online porn can provide new ideas to try in the bedroom, a little too much porn can become emotionally numbing in real sexual intercourse.

I type this acknowledging that I do enjoy porn. I've been enjoying it since I was a teenager. At times, I did find myself consumed by internet porn to the point where I had to disconnect cold turkey to reset. 

If you find yourself in this circumstance, it is okay to say "I have a problem." Disconnect. Reset. If you need to, get professional help. It's okay. 

Rip Matteson, PLAYBOY (November 1995)

"The World's Worst Lover"

Fortunately, I have never been told I was the worst lover. 

The worst thing said was by an old girlfriend who commented how bad sex was but acknowledged it was our first time. Which was a true response. Our sex life was amazing; unfortunately, she was mentally unstable. Brings to mind when Trump once speculated about Lindsay Lohan, "deeply troubled" women are "great in bed." There's an ounce of truth in that, I think.

Alden Erikson, PLAYBOY (November 1995)

What happens when reading Maitland Ward's Rated X

Leo Garel, PLAYBOY (August 1994) 

Istvan Banyai

Art Appreciation

Istvan Banyai is a Hungarian illustrator and animator best known for his unique and thought-provoking artwork. 

Born in February 27, 1949, he began showing his artistic abilities at a young age. He attended the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Budapest where he was trained in architecture, graphic design, and illustrative drawing. After receiving his bachelors of fine arts, he began his career as a graphic designer before transitioning to illustration. 

After moving to France to work with Jean "Moebius" Giraud, he gained exposure after his illustration was featured in Le Monde magazine in 1981.

A year later, he relocated to the United States where began working in illustration and animation as a freelance artist.

Banyai's illustrations often feature simple, clean lines and bold colors, with a focus on symbolism and storytelling. One of his famous illustration is Zoom, a wordless children's book series which received praise for its ability to tell a story through a single image. He also authored Rezoom and The Other Side.

He continues to produce commercial illustrations for numerous publications like The New Yorker, Playboy, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic Monthly, and O, The Oprah Magazine.

Marilyn Monroe, The New York Times (2012)

Green! Shanghai Hemisphere Magazine (2009) 

Zoom (1995)

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.illustrationhistory.org/artists/istvan-banyai

http://encantamentosdaliteratura.blogspot.com/2009/05/zoom-istvan-banyai.html

whf c. ai (30%)

Ted Cruz Fighting for Texas "Each and Every day!" But What About Snowflake

Pardon the Interruption

Recently, Senator Ted Cruz posted a video tweet with text that read, "It is the honor of my life to fight for Texas each and every day!" Of course, I was quick to remember how he left Texas during the Texas Snowmageddon in 2021. In fact, he left Snowflake, the family pet dog, behind during the whole ordeal. 

Barry Britt, The New Yorker, February 24, 2021

"On New Year's Eve we don't wear harem pants"

Erich Sokol, PLAYBOY (January 1996)