The Definitive Years of Mark Occhilupo

Celebrating it's 50 years in surf wear, Billabong highlighted Australian professional surfer Mark "Occy" Occhilupo. 

via Billabong

Cosplay is an Art: Comic Con Brussels 2024

via  Cosplay Cinematics (by Sevenblade Media) 

OneRepublic - Counting Stars

Music Appreciation

"Counting Stars," a song by the American pop rock band OneRepublic, is a standout track from their third studio album, Native, released on June 14, 2013. Written by the band's lead singer Ryan Tedder and produced by Tedder and Noel Zancanella, the song's infectious melody and reflective lyrics propelled it to the top of the charts in numerous countries.

The song's accompanying music video, directed by James Lees, enhances its popularity with compelling visuals. Filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana, the video features OneRepublic performing on the dimly lit ground floor of a building, interspersed with scenes of a religious revival service on the upper floor.

The congregation begins dancing, seemingly in sync with the song's tempo. Symbolizing the powerful and unpredictable nature of the song's theme, the floor collapses, causing one of the congregation members to fall through the floor and into the room where the band is performing.

Sources:

Wikipedia 

Send Nudes

In my forties, I ventured into the territory of asking a woman to send nudes for the first time. As our relationship progressed over a few months, our playful banter reached a new level. During a late-night texting session, we found ourselves sharing glimpses of our bodies, inevitably leading to a more daring exchange. Excited to receive a boob pic, I grabbed my phone, pulled my pants down, and snapped a photo of my penis. 

Eagerly anticipating a response to a risqué photo I sent, I grew anxious during the wait. Doubt crept in as I questioned if I had mistakenly sent it to the wrong person. Reassured that everything seemed fine on my end, I couldn't shake the fear that she might not have appreciated the image. An hour later, a text finally arrived—a simple smiley emoji.

Puzzled, I pondered its meaning without ever seeking clarification. Although our relationship continued for a few more months and eventually progressed intimately, the ambiguity of that smiley emoji lingered, leaving me wondering about its meaning.

 

By Adam Ellis @adamtots

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: DC Comics Super Heroes - Wonder Woman (TOY BIZ)

 

Gustave Courbet

Art Appreciation 

Born on June 10, 1819, in Ornans, France, Jean Désiré Gustave Courbet was a pioneering French realist painter and a leading figure in the Realist movement, challenging the conventions of Romanticism and Academic art.

Courbet believed that art should reflect society's true nature rather than idealize or romanticize it. His work often provoked controversy for its unflinching portrayal of everyday people and situations, making powerful statements about class, labor, and social justice.

One of Courbet’s most notable works, "The Stone Breakers" (1849), exemplifies his dedication to depicting life's harsh realities. This painting shows two laborers, a young boy and an old man, breaking stones by the roadside. The figures are presented in a naturalistic style, with painstaking attention to detail that highlights their worn, tattered clothes and the backbreaking nature of their work. By choosing such an unglamorous subject, Courbet drew attention to the plight of the working class and challenged the viewer’s perception of what was worthy of artistic representation.

Another significant example of Courbet’s social commentary is his masterpiece "A Burial at Ornans" (1849-1850). This monumental painting captures a funeral in Courbet’s hometown, featuring over fifty life-sized figures from various social strata, including mourners, priests, and townspeople. The composition and scale were revolutionary, as such grand treatment was typically reserved for historical or religious subjects. Instead, Courbet elevated a provincial event to epic proportions, emphasizing the universality and dignity of ordinary life. "A Burial at Ornans" confronted the social hierarchies of the time, asserting that the experiences of common people were as important and deserving of recognition as those of the elite.

Courbet’s determination to make bold social statements through his art extended beyond his choice of subject matter. He was deeply involved in the political and social upheavals of his time, particularly during the 1871 Paris Commune, where he played an active role in the revolutionary government. His artistic and political activities often intertwined, reflecting his belief that art should be a force for social change. Despite facing criticism and censorship, Courbet remained resolute in his mission to depict the world as he saw it, laying the groundwork for future generations of artists to explore and express the complexities of contemporary life without compromise.

The Stonebreakers (1849)

A Burial at Ornans (1849-1850)

Nude Woman with a Dog (1861–62)

The Source (1868)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://smarthistory.org/courbet-the-stonebreakers/

"Gustave Courbet: A Biography" by Laurence P. Sherwood

The Art Story Foundation: Gustave Courbet

The Art Story: Gustave Courbet

"The Realist Vision" by Peter Brooks

Louvre Museum: The Stone Breakers by Gustave Courbet

Musée d'Orsay: A Burial at Ornans by Gustave Courbet

"Courbet and the Modern Landscape" by Kathryn Calley Galitz

Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History: Gustave Courbet

Miriam Weeks (a.k.a. Belle Knox)

Acting Appreciation

If you are my age and into adult entertainment, you probably remember the headlines about Miriam Weeks, also known as Belle Knox. A freshman at Duke University, her secret persona was revealed by a fellow student. In response, she embraced her new reality and highlighted the double standards sex workers face from those who seek their services.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, on June 9, 1995, Miriam Weeks grew up as an Army brat and excelled in high school, participating in the debate club. The 5'4" half-Canadian, half-Punjabi Indian American was accepted to Duke University, where she majored in women's studies and sociology. Although she took a break from her studies after her side job was exposed, she returned and graduated from Duke, debt-free, in 2016.

Her career in adult entertainment included work with sites such as Bang Bros, Naughty Midwest Girls, and Passion HD. In 2015, she was awarded an XBIZ Award for Marketing Campaign of the Year.

Sources:

wikipedia

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

https://www.freeones.com/belle-knox/feed

https://www.indexxx.com/m/belle-knox

https://www.thenude.com/_28342.htm

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/duke-porn-star-no-longer-wants-to-be-associated-with-adult-entertainment-industry