Allow me to explain the “inspiring” title is not referencing any passionate encounter or a wild orgy with unlimited partner availability. Now, for many, those types of opportunities are indeed inspirational they are, at this time, not related to the content of this post entry here today. The subject for today relates to the themes of compassionate and uplifting. A rejuvenation of our humanity in an often inhuman world.
Perfect Timing:
While anxiously and desperately seeking topics to share while Aaron, my spouse, and I have been summoned home to Greece by my mother, the following two posts were miraculously published within days of each other. “Perfect timing” by the authors of two blogs that I have followed for years.
Both authors are SGL (same gender loving) and are remarkable composers – each in their own exceptional and unique manner. In this instance, the “inspiring” theme is the common thread that links the two otherwise unrelated posts in a shared message: do good!
The links to the particular post entries I am referencing are provided below. I strongly encourage everyone to visit both sites and to read:
If you like what you read, I urge you to explore more and follow the site.
Too often in today’s world, decency, goodness and kindness is degraded and ignored as a weakness. In order to be a success one must be egocentric (self-focused), condemning, judgmental, selfish and uncaring. Nothing else matters anymore.
Yes, it is almost impossible to ignore the world that we live in. For far too long we all did exactly that – ignore the world and those residing therein – and now we must contend with the situation that we helped create. We all share guilt in this matter.
The two blogsite postings represent two steps, separately taken by two different people, to offer a good deed without any personal gain or reward. Two actions undertaken in kindness. A priceless gem in today’s materialistic dungeon of corruption and greed.
A respect of life (canine and/or human) that is a light of hope for all of our world.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, November 17, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Bare Celebrity Role Models #3: In Memoriam!”
One of my summer pleasures is skinny-dipping (swimming naked). One of my favorite pastimes while enjoying the aquatic environment is reading. Using the spare moments to enjoy the books that often I failed to read while my university is in full session throughout the year. Strictly pleasure reading (fiction) for my excursions to outdoor bodies of water (natural or a pool). The subjects aren’t as intense or serious as professional reading or for research!
My surprise discovery!
David Baldacci is one among my favourite contemporary authors and I was very shocked to discover that he had a novel published earlier this summer that I knew nothing about. Several local booksellers that I subscribe to always alert me whenever my designated authors have a release to enable me to order. I had received no information on Baldacci’s newest, Strangers in Time!
It was never featured in my local bookseller (part of a national franchise) that has always promoted this particular author. When I stopped one of the management team as Aaron, my spouse, and I were in the location, they researched the title and were equally unaware of the publishing.
I was very fortunate and lucky to have discovered a copy of this book. Published in April 2025, Baldacci’s latest novel takes place in London, UK, in 1944 during the final days of the Blitz (German bombing). It is the documentation of the friendship that grows between 14-year-old Charlie Matters, orphaned by the bombings of the city and the ravages of World War II, and Molly Wakefield, a 15-year-old evacuee from London in 1939 who is returning to the unrecognizable city from which she fled.
They encounter Ignatius Oliver, a widowed bookseller attempting to heal from his recent loss of his wife. The three join together in friendship, dependence, and support in a dangerous and perilous time. Disaster and doom strike, yet they somehow manage to survive until the peace approaches, when fatality falls upon them.
A World War II historical fiction novel unlike any written by the author previously and presents a very impressionable and memorable story that is captivating, entertaining and refreshing as to the rewards of life.
When I first began university, my major area of study was history. David Baldacci’s Stranger in Time closely aligns fiction, history and suspense into a true work of an inspired mind!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, August 15, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Tenth Anniversary Today!”
Up until this post entry here on ReNude Pride, our encouragement has been to continue posing alone. The purpose of this recommendation/suggestion was to gain and increase awareness of a) what an individual is able to accomplish in front of a camera lens and b) what poses (angles, locations, positions, etc.) look and work best for oneself, personally. It also increases our experience being the actual subject in a photograph.
Online time simultaneously!
Now, it is reasonable to assume we have someone special (close friend, bromantic interest, partner, etc.) that we trust explicitly and confide this project and our involvement and… our selfies! If there is perhaps an additional friend to include, that increases the chance for “fun” and success of this phase of the project. Remember the adage: “the more, the merrier?” Those words prove to be accurate and true!
My friends, Kalvin (left) and Darren (right)!
Myself and Kalvin posing!
My friends, Darren and Kalvin, join with me in posing while Aaron, my spouse, operates the camera. All of us posing and with a camera potentially leads to trouble! Selfie images remain appropriate, so a separate photographer isn’t an absolute essential but it is a beneficial option and resource. That person can either be the photographer or join in with all for posing! One thought of advice, keep the number of persons involved in the project manageable. Too many participating and the focus and purpose become obscured!
The increasing of at least one additional person affords us a larger range of considerations and ideas for activities to engage and a selection of poses. It presents an opportunity for us to interact and to react and to lose the “statue” effect that solo posing sometimes conveys.
An outdoor mixed message!
Advice: Inviting others to join with us in posing does present us with the need for a careful review of our pictures. Some poses may be misinterpreted as being more provocative or more suggestive than others. This caution advice is offered to eliminate a potentially embarrassing moment! Better safe now than sorry later!
The bottoms-up! poses, shown above and below, illustrate the advice caution offered in the previous paragraph. For some, the above picture implies or hints of a possible intimate (sexual) interaction whereas the image below this paragraph is of buttocks in a more casual and neutral pose depicting simply buttocks!
Buttocks: an urban view!
For many persons, professional models to amateurs who are adjusting to posing bare (such as we are doing here), posing one’s buttocks is less stressful than facing the camera lens directly. Buttocks are a common anatomical feature for both genders although they do vary from person to person. The majority of people are basically comfortable posing their buttocks rather than their personal genitalia.
Our spokes-model, Phoenix Fellington!
ReNude Pride’s very own celebrity unofficial official spokes-model, Phoenix Fellington, shares with us an observation on posing bare. A reminder that Phoenix is not quoted here attempting to recruit future porn performers,he is offering insightful inspiration on the advantages of posing bare!
“Posing naked is an ideal way to strengthen your body self-image and to impress others with your confidence and poise.” ~ Phoenix Fellington ~ openly gay pornography actor ReNude Pride spokes-model
Hands joining them together!
The trio pictured here have no problems with being photographed with others of different ethnicities/races nor are they uncomfortable revealing their genitalia on camera. Even today, in the 21st century, there remain persons who have issues with those conditions. It is unfortunately more common than one would expect.
A person’s body language can and often does convey messages to viewers. In the trio, their hands join them together and all three have jovial smiles on their faces. The information shared may or may not be understood by the individuals posing. Many times, a person with a prejudice against another fails to recognize this aspect about themselves. Awareness of this trait in others helps us to prepare for any situation that may arise.
Anticipating potential concerns when inviting others to participate in posing projects enables us to have different options available as possible solutions.
Engrossed in reading!
The sibling duo above are too “busy” or engrossed in their reading. Their being naked becomes a secondary consideration for them both and to those looking at the picture. The primary thought for many is: “What is so important/interesting?” Again, the action shown (reading) detracts from the plainly visible nudity. An item as simple as a book attracts and captures the attention of others!
The more common, everyday and routine nude posing becomes, the less sensational it seems to be. It begins to lose the uniqueness many want to award it!
Author’s Notation: There may be a “Posing Bare: Part 4” supplement posting. I have a draft for the posting I just need more possible content.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, February 14, 2025,and the proposed topic is: “Cupidity!”
Today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride is the title of the most recent novel from Virginia-native author, David Baldacci. The first edition of ACalamityofSouls was published by Grand Central Publishing in April, 2024. For more than two decades, David Baldacci has been among my favourite contemporary authors. Up until Papa’s death in 2018, whenever a new hardback by Baldacci was released, I always purchased two copies: one for me and the other for Papa. Baldacci, like Aaron and myself, still resides in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Background on ACalamityofSouls:
In my twenty years of reading David Baldacci’s books, I was aware of his Virginia birth and residency but was totally clueless that he grew up in the City of Richmond during the 1960s and 1970s. When my parents and oldest brother emigrated from Greece in the early 1970s, they purchased our family home in the Stonewall neighborhood, located in south Richmond between Semmes Avenue and the James River. The neighborhood where we grew up in was a primarily African-American area and one of the few in Richmond that accepted arriving emigrants. In ACalamityofSouls Baldacci acknowledges that with a “foreign” surname (Italian), Richmond was not a very welcoming municipality. We share that similarity. Same city. Different timeframe.
Richmond, Virginia, has the distinction of being the capital city of the failed Confederacy during the American Civil War over the future of slavery. Up until the arrival of the 21st Century, this fact was blatantly obvious. The undertones of racial inequality and and segregation based on skin colour were broadcast rather than hidden. The inability of the Virginia lawyer, Jack Lee, in ACalamityofSouls to comprehend the extent of the bigotry and hatred evident in 1968 in understood through the experienced eyes of the author, David Baldacci, and through his personal life experiences.
Synopsis:
Set in the tumultuous year of 1968 in southern Virginia, a racially charged murder case sets a duo of Black and White lawyers against a deeply unfair legal system as they work to defend their wrongfully accused Black defendants in this courtroom drama. The two are professionally joined by chance without any prior legal connection.
Jack Lee is a White attorney from Freeman County, Virginia (fictional), who has never done anything to push back against racism until he decides to represent Jerome Washington, a Black man charged with brutally killing an elderly and wealthy White couple. Doubting his decision, Lee fears that his professional skills may not be enough to prevail in a case where the odds are already piling up against both himself and his client. He soon recognizes that he is far removed not only from his expertise but also from his obligation to best portray his client as innocent from the verdict in a murder trial.
Desiree DuBose is a Black attorney from Chicago, Illinois, who has dedicated her professional focus in advancing the causes of equality and justice for everyone, no matter their gender and/or race. She comes to Freeman County in rural southwest Virginia and joins with Jack Lee in a fractious and unwieldly partnership in an escalating legal conflict with the best and popular prosecutor in the Commonwealth of Virginia: the duly elected Attorney General. DuBose is cognizant of the reality that powerful archconservative alliances outside the state are uniting to counter the achievements and progress attained by the civil rights movement.
Lee and DuBose are practically exact opposites. Neither one of them alone can halt the official prosecutorial direction towards a guilty verdict and the death penalty. Yet combining together they forge forth towards a balanced and fair trial with the ultimate goal of true justice.
One of my Hellenic (Greek) comrades, a noted NewYorkTimes bestselling author himself, offered this comment on Baldacci’s ACalamityofSouls: “An instant classic. Not just a great American crime story this is a great American novel.” ~ Alex Michaelides ~
I’ve read the entire book – twice; as has Aaron, my spouse. The second reading brought forth details not captured in the initial exploration of the book. Aaron insists that I add here that the ending of the novel is absolutely not the ending anticipated or expected!
One of the aspects of Baldacci’s writing that is very impressive is his use of the interactions of the two attorneys, Jack Lee and Desiree DuBose, to illustrate the subtle use of conversation and the two different views of racism inferred from the same dialogue. Bias and racism are based upon personal experience. Thus, the situation will present different connotations and meanings to all the individuals involved.
Summary:A fitting irony
In his opening Author’s Note, Baldacci writes briefly of Richmond’s infamous Monument Avenue where Confederate celebrities were featured statues. When Richmond native international tennis legend Arthur Ashe, an African-American, died from an AIDS transfusion, a major controversy erupted when plans were announced to erect a statue in his memory along Monument Avenue. The conflict focused that Monument Avenue memorials featured White Confederate images. Ashe was Black even though he was actually born and grew up inside of the City of Richmond! Evidently, he was too “coloured” for the Confederacy!
Following the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in early 2020, the City removed all the Confederate statuary. Today, Arthur Ashe’s statue is the only remaining one an all of Monument Avenue. A commitment to justice served! Obviously, the others were too White to be featured in the city!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Saturday,August31, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! August, 2024!”
We’ve now progressed to the third month of the new year, 2024. In my post entries here on ReNude Pride, in particular regarding new year’s resolutions, I’ve consistently focused on the poor timing for such life changes. The level of commitment to maintain the adjustment simply isn’t at the optimal level during the frenzy of the winter holiday season.
Reduced resolve:
The weather isn’t always conducive to the fluctuation of our daily routine. From seasonal temperatures to frigid temperatures and then to uncertain temperatures while adapting to all the other issues confronting us is not always in our best interests. Additionally, the realities of ice and snow, on a daily basis, often erases any resolve we may have.
Both my spouse, Aaron, and I have observed these result during our visits – jointly and separately – at our local fitness facility. Our job schedules don’t coincide so we visit the center at early mornings (me) or early afternoons (Aaron). The new year begins annually and the workout attendance soars. Everyone starts the new year driven to become fit and toned before the summer season is upon us.
As the weeks pass, the numbers of gym attendees starts to drop. Suddenly, the “fresh faces” at every workout station are gone and the only ones around us are the dedicated few who have been visiting the same exercise facility for as long as ourselves. The usage of the influx of new members noticeably begins to decline by the beginning of February. This year, the decrease in attendance is only now becoming apparent. Delayed!
Exercise!
Yet another example of the futility of the new year’s resolutions debacle. Why attempt to introduce positive improvements when the environment is so unproductive? That’s the reason Aaron and I both advocate Spring Resolutions instead of New Year’s Resolutions.
The arrival of Spring itself mystically promises a successful future. The rebirth and return of a new season of both growth and hope enriches most of us to physically undertake something new. The reappearance of warmer weather and the extension of the hour of natural daylight available daily offer us all encouragement.
Treadmill for health!
Improving our lifestyle and quality of life now seems easier and not as overwhelming. The mindset: I can do this! now becomes reality and not a figment of our imagination. Plus, for some mysterious and strange reason, the ice and the snow just suddenly melt away!
Stripping off his pants for Springtime!
Subtle Reminder: Spring, 2024, begins this month: March!
Consider creating a personal list (brief) of Spring Resolutions!
Keeping our resolutions list concise and simple increases our chances for a successful completion! Instead of over-burdening ourselves, focusing on a limited number of improvements enables us to consolidate our energies and to reduce distractions. Two or three successes are better than a dozen failures and guarantee an increase and a stronger self-confidence! A positive attitude empowers productivity and self-growth!
Fitness bar!
The majority of us lack the financial resources for a bare practitioner-accepting and friendly exercise/fitness accommodation. The result is that we have to contend with a textile (clothed) workout. Hopefully, the .gifs offered below provide us with some sort of inspirational incentive to strive for our very best; whether we are bare or wearing athletic gear!
Treadmill preparation!
Treadmill engagement!
Of course, our fitness-seeker (above) is wearing the minimal amount of gear as we all know that his personal preference is for complete nakedness! No matter how enticing our “treadmill-man” may think his exercise uniform appears, our bare practitioner instincts usually always focus on the examples perceived as being in common with our own: nudity!
Confused!
Confused?
Don’t suffer confusion! We’ve already survived leap year day (29 February, 2024), for this calendar year. Now is the time for us to return to an extrahour of daylight daily! Prepare yourselves and plan in advance. This annual phenomenon is now upon us!
Your watch timepiece!
Daylight Savings Time (DST) begins at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, 10 March, 2024!
Officially, this means that at 2:00 a.m., (local time) physically adjust your time-piece (cock, watch, etc.) to 3:00 a.m. Simple? Hopefully! Please remember to adjust the clock in your automobile! Remember: we are bare practitioners! We don’t have the luxury of unzipping your partner’s pants with the intention of “adjusting” his time! As bare practitioners, none of us should be wearing anything!
Friday footnote!
Friday Footnote: Book Recommendation!
TheGuardians is a fiction novel by John Grisham published in 2019. It is based on an actual legal case of an innocent man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Diligent and thoughtful, it brings emphasis to the serious lack of honesty, integrity and justice in our vulnerable judiciary system.
S scenario that a probable majority of us hopes never happens; no matter our personal feelings on the legitimacy of capital punishment. A recommended read to evaluate and explore!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, March 11, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Maschalagnia II!”
The late same gender loving author, E. Lynn Harris
My BRAT-buddy and current best friend, Jay, and I first met one another at a bare practitioner social gathering on Saturday, January 3, 2009. Within minutes after introducing ourselves, we discovered a shared addiction: we’re both E. Lynn Harris dedicated! Perhaps obsessed would be a better description. In just a couple of hours, our introduction became an acquaintanceship that immediately evolved into a friendship that has remained “fast and solid” ever since.
BRAT represents “barely recognized as textile.” An affectionate yet sarcastic invention of Jay’s partner, Raheem, to summarize our unique relationship in today’s extraordinary world. Click the link: BRAT! to read more.
E. Lynn Harris (pictured above) was a noteworthy and popular male same gender loving author who first published in the 1990’s and tragically died in July, 2009. He was the respected talent who opened the door to the Black gay experience for millions no matter their racial heritage, gender or sexual orientation.
Avatar: Jay and Roger meeting!
Jay and I read and discuss books throughout the year – along with our our interests. For the past several years, I have featured some of those titles here. I try to do a post entry in honour of E. Lynn Harris every year during the early summer so to commemorate his birthdate (June 20, 1955) and the date of his death (July 23, 2009). I think he would appreciate this style of recognition as a justified tribute to his devotion to writing and to the reading of books..
The situation is different for this year’s reading. An acquaintance of mine, Rodney Lofton, died earlier this year. We had co-presented sessions on HIV/AIDS prevention education for the Red Cross and he was a novel author in his work. To learn more, click the link:Our Paths Crossed. Please read for more information.
I had not read Rodney’s novel since it was published in 2009. Aaron, my spouse, Jay and Raheem had never read the book at all. So our “reading group” expanded this year to include not only Jay and myself but our “significant others” as well.
Jointly reading naturally!
Jay had read Rodney’s autobiographical work, The Day I Stopped Being Pretty, A Memoir when I sent to him a copy after sharing with him my acquaintance with the recently deceased man. It was after he finished that we agreed to read Lofton’s next novel in honour of E. Lynn Harris. We both believed that Harris would be comfortable in being remembered by the work of a fellow same gender loving African-American male.
Rodney Lofton posing beside his portrait!
A likeness and painting of author and AIDS prevention educator Rodney Lofton is displayed in the lobby of a charity he served. Below is the cover of the book that is the subject of today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride.
Today’s feature cover!
No More Tomorrows is a moving and poignant love story of two men – one, Mark Jones, is HIV positive; the other, Kevin Williams, is HIV negative. It is also the story of same gender loving men living and loving in the era of HIV/AIDS. Author Rodney Lofton, himself diagnosed as HIV+ in the early 1990’s, composed this – his first fiction novel – with both insight and wisdom. This book was published on June 30, 2009.
No More Tomorrows begins at the end. Mark Jones awakes from, another restless and sleepless night that he has endured for weeks. It is when he if fully awake that he realizes that this day is his very last day of life. Twenty years after being diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Mark spends his morning reflecting on his life and love of Kevin Williams.
Facing a life of living with HIV, Mark opts to get busy living instead of the direction to get busy dying. Whereas tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us, de decides to host his own “celebration of life” party where he meets Kevin, who becomes the love of his life. Kevin, learning that Mark is living with HIV faces his own dilemma – pursuing his attraction to Mark and “going the distance” with him or avoiding the situation altogether and safely keeping himself uninvolved.
Mark and Kevin: in love!
The subtitle of No More Tomorrows is aptly “Two Lives, Two Stories, One Love.” Kevin and Mark not only commit to a relationship together; they also develop a deep and sincere love for one another. This novel shares their bromance from beginning to end – and beyond.
Throughout the book, Kevin and Mark give their individual perspectives on their relationship and the strong bond and devotion that engulfs them. Lofton’s story is both positive and promising, even as Mark confronts his final day and dedicates a legacy for his love.
No More Tomorrows concludes with Kevin on the first anniversary of Mark’s death. This brief epilogue brings a moment of profound sadness into a celebration of love and smiles – and a tear of joy!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, July 25, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Tan-Lines: Tell-Tale Signs!”
It was exactly one year ago today, February 20, 2021, that one of my all-time favorite adult actors, Ta’Leon Goffney (performance name: Teyon Goffney) – may he rest in peace – dies after being briefly diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic colon cancer. He would be 40 years old if he had lived until this year.
The Goffney Twins: Teyon (left) and Keyon (right)!
The Goffney Twins, pictured above an arms-length apart were rarely filmed with that distance between them. Ta’Leon and Keyontyli Goffney (stage name Keyon or Kyle) were born in Camden, New Jersey on April 8, 1982. They were raised by their mother as their father disappeared just before their birth.
They both began appearing in gay pornography in the late teen years. As youth full twins, it didn’t take long for them to gain national attention and fame. In their third year of gay porn-star success, they appeared with muscular gay film icon, Marc Williams, in a full-length feature. The film (on VHS) was an instant bestseller and was soon re-released to the public repeatedly.
The Goffney twins admiring Marc William’s chest!
Shortly after the twin’s astronomical rise to their status as film stars, gossip and rumours alleging an incestuous relationship between the twin duo soon began appearing in the national press. Both Ta’Leon and Keyontyli vehemently denied the allegations and the result was the collapse of their gay porn careers. Keyontyli always openly acknowledged his gay orientation whereas Ta’Leon always claimed to be “straight” (heterosexual).
Ta’Leon (left) and Keyontyli (right)!
In 2002, Ta’leon was caught, arrested and charged with breaking and entering a commercial business in Pennsylvania. In a plea deal, he admitted guilt and was sentenced to confinement. He was released early on “good behaviour” status. After his release, he publicly admitted to a bisexual orientation.
In 2014, under the pen name, Kent T. Jackson, he published his autobiography, “On My Search For A Better Life, This Is How I Became…Infamous!” In 2017, he authored, “Life After Infamy: The Sequel.”
Ta’Leon is survived by his two sons, Elias Paul Goffney and Noah Prince Goffney as well as his twin, Keyontyli, his mother and two younger brothers. His funeral and burial took place on March 1, 2021.
*************************
I had the good fortune of personally meeting Ta’Leon Goffney at a promotional event of his autobiography in November, 2019. My spouse, Aaron, interpreted for our conversation. He was able to share with me a few memories of his experiences working with film legend Marc Williams. Aaron and I both laugh over this reality even today.
Rest in peace, Ta’Leon!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next posting entry here is planned for Monday, February 21, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “S’Naked Virgin.”
One of my favorite personal past-times of the summertime is always the freedom to read whatever I want in my most comfortable position: bare! It is an activity that can be enjoyed whether alone or in a group of others. It is something that requires very little aside from a book or magazine and a pair of glasses. Of course, sunscreen and a thermos of beverage is necessary and that’s all.
Naked hugs! Yesterday, January 3, 2019, was a very special day for my friend, Jay, and myself. It was the tenth anniversary of the day that we met and for the both of us it seems as though we were the best of friends from the first moment that we met. For those reading here, I’ve written several posts on the circumstances surrounding our first meeting and its aftermath that were posted here last year. In case you missed those posts, I’m offering those links below.
December is one of those rare months during the calendar year that offers a profusion of holidays. So much for “hot fun in the summertime” as here in the Northern Hemisphere, usually the opposite is true. However, our same gender loving (gay) and bisexual brothers in the Southern Hemisphere have the opportunity to enjoy both the festivities and the warm weather simultaneously! “Go for the gold, Down Under!” You now are responsible for enjoying the season for all the rest of us!
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 