No Sex for 6 Weeks / Vaginal Tightening

About a year ago, my wife came home a little concerned about something she felt down there. It happened right after a workout, so she thought maybe all that exercise had shifted things around. After a visit to her primary care doctor, we got the verdict: a prolapse. The doctor recommended strengthening exercises and even mentioned that a little, uh, physical activity could help nudge things back in place—don’t have to tell me twice!

But let’s be real—my wife isn’t exactly a fan of workouts, especially when it comes to pelvic exercises, and let’s just say her enthusiasm for bedroom cardio isn’t quite what it was when we first met. Fast forward to this past month, she started noticing it more and decided it was time for a specialist. So, off we went to the gynecologist.

There I was, holding her hand while she was half-naked on the exam table, thinking, Damn, I love this woman. After the check-up, the doctor sat us down and explained that her cervix had prolapsed. He laid out three options, one of which involved surgery to reinforce the vaginal wall—a procedure called sacrospinous fixation.

Then came the crucial part: recovery time. “Six weeks, no sex,” the doctor said. Naturally, I had to protest. “Six weeks is a long time, doc.”

My wife, ever the practical one, asked for details. The doctor explained that he’d cut and stitch things up to provide better support. And then, almost as an afterthought, he mentioned that this process would also tighten the vaginal wall.

And just like that, my horny middle-aged brain wasn't that much bothered with six weeks of no sex. 

Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso

Music Appreciation

Sabrina Carpenter’s journey from Disney star to pop powerhouse has been a steady climb, marked by her ability to evolve and adapt to the music industry’s trends while keeping her own style intact. 

With "Espresso," the lead single from her sixth album, Short n' Sweet, Carpenter has firmly established herself as a confident, self-assured artist. Released on April 11, 2024, "Espresso" skyrocketed Carpenter to new heights, as she snagged her first top ten spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one on the Billboard Global 200. This breakthrough track has resonated worldwide, dominating charts in countries across Europe, Asia, and beyond.

"Espresso" was co-written by Carpenter alongside songwriting heavyweights Amy Allen, Steph Jones, and Julian Bunetta, who also produced the track. Recorded in France, the song reflects Carpenter’s self-assured persona and celebrates femininity as a superpower. The upbeat, synth-pop and disco-infused sound, layered with funk elements, mirrors Carpenter's playful yet assertive lyrics, such as the catchy line, “That’s that me espresso.” The song's energy is driven by a guitar riff and drum loop from a popular sample pack, grounding its confidence in a beat that’s as infectious as the lyrics.

The critical acclaim surrounding "Espresso" highlights its catchy hook and the cleverness of Carpenter’s songwriting. Reviewers from Rolling Stone to Vulture lauded the track’s earworm qualities and Carpenter’s distinctive lyrical flair. Critics praised the song’s whimsical, upbeat vibe, seeing it as a defining moment in her career. Carpenter's choice to embrace an '80s-inspired disco sound fused with modern pop has set her apart, appealing to fans and new listeners alike who appreciate her evolution as a songwriter and performer.

Directed by Dave Meyers, the “Espresso” music video brings Carpenter’s playful spirit to life with a sun-drenched, beachy vibe. Filmed at Castaic Lake in California, the video follows Carpenter's character on a day of mischievous fun, from a quick boat ride to dancing on a surfboard held by an entourage, then being arrested. Meyers' vibrant, retro-modern visuals complement the song’s lighthearted tone, adding a cinematic flair to Carpenter’s story of confidence and empowerment.

Source:

Wikipedia

Kenneth Noland

Art Appreciation

Kenneth Noland, born on April 10, 1924, in Asheville, North Carolina, was an influential American painter known for his contributions to Color Field painting. After serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, Noland utilized the G.I. Bill to study at Black Mountain College from 1946 to 1948. There, he was mentored by artists such as Ilya Bolotowsky and Josef Albers, who introduced him to European modernism and theories on color interaction. ​

Noland's career was marked by his exploration of geometric abstraction and color relationships. In the late 1940s, he studied in Paris under sculptor Ossip Zadkine and held his first solo exhibition in 1949. 

Upon returning to the United States, he taught in Washington, D.C., where he met fellow artist Morris Louis. Both were influenced by Helen Frankenthaler's "soak-stain" technique, leading Noland to develop his signature styles featuring concentric circles, chevrons, and stripes. These works emphasized pure color and flatness, aligning with the principles of Color Field painting. ​

Among Noland's notable works is "Beginning" (1958), part of his concentric circle series. This painting showcases his use of unmodulated color and simple geometric forms to create a sense of spatial harmony without relying on traditional figure-ground relationships. The interplay of vibrant hues and symmetrical patterns exemplifies Noland's commitment to exploring the emotional and optical effects of color. ​

Beginning, 1958

Untitled

Circle II, 1978

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.artnet.com/artists/kenneth-noland/

https://www.phillipscollection.org/collection/cycle

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kenneth-Noland

https://www.artsy.net/artist/kenneth-noland

https://www.theartstory.org/artist/noland-kenneth/

https://www.christies.com/en/artists/kenneth-noland?lotavailability=All&sortby=relevance

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: "Stellar Evolutions" Book Cover by MD Jackson

by MD Jackson (2020)

 

Alexei Navalny

A few months ago, I read a compelling memoir in The New Yorker about Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader and anticorruption activist who was poisoned and later jailed upon his return to Russia on January 17, 2021.

Navalny’s Prison Diaries chronicles his final years in captivity, offering a deeply personal and political reflection on his fight against Vladimir Putin’s regime. He recounts his near-fatal poisoning in 2020, his decision to return despite the certainty of arrest, and the fabricated charges that led to his imprisonment. Despite brutal conditions—solitary confinement, staged trials, and psychological torture—he remains defiant, seeing prison as the cost of his commitment to truth and democracy. His writings capture the mental toll of confinement, his resilience, and his belief that Russia will one day reclaim its freedom.

More than just a memoir, Navalny’s diaries serve as a call to action. He warns against complacency, stressing that authoritarian regimes don’t collapse on their own and that truth is the most powerful weapon against tyranny. Aware he may never be freed, he urges continued resistance, reaffirming his love for his family and country. 

Tragically, he died in prison on February 16, 2024, but his words endure as a testament to his courage and unwavering fight for justice.

by Owen Smith (@owensmithartist)

Source: 

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/10/21/alexei-navalny-patriot-memoir

Album Cover: Stabbing Westward - Darkest Days

Album Cover

Album: Stabbing Westward - Darkest Days

Released: April 7, 1998

Cover Art Work: Dave McKean

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.discogs.com/release/2765211-Stabbing-Westward-Darkest-Days
 

Alfredo Protti

Art Appreciation

Born on April 26, 1882, in Bologna, Italy, Alfredo Protti emerged from modest beginnings—his father managed a small staging workshop. Despite finding formal education unfruitful, Protti's passion for art led him to frequent local galleries, nurturing his self-taught talent. He later attended the Institute of Fine Arts in Bologna, studying under Domenico Ferri, which honed his artistic skills.

Protti's artistic journey was marked by his participation in numerous exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale and the Roman Secession. His technique evolved over time, reflecting influences from various art movements and his personal experiences. Protti's works often depicted intimate scenes of domestic life, capturing the elegance and melancholy of his subjects. His brushwork and composition demonstrated a keen understanding of light and form, contributing to the development of Bologna's modern artistic identity. 

Among Protti's notable artworks is "The Treasure Chest (Allo scrigno)," an oil on canvas that exemplifies his focus on domestic intimacy and the nuanced portrayal of women in middle-class settings. This piece has been exhibited in several retrospectives, including those held at Bologna's Museo Civico. 

The Treasure Chest

Study of Cats

At Her Toilet

Resting Between the Lace

The Flapper Girl

Sources:

https://conchigliadivenere.wordpress.com/2014/03/09/alfredo-protti-1882-1949-italian/
http://www.storiaememoriadibologna.it/protti-alfredo-515238-persona
https://www.berardiarte.com/artists/alfredo-protti/

https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/8995898/?utm_source=chatgpt.com