From the lack of any blooms or foliage on the trees, it is obvious this is a day early in the Spring – perhaps even the first day of the season! From our subject’s nudity, it is apparent that the daytime outdoor temperature is moderate and probably quite comfortable.
For this particular posting, I invite each one of you to take a moment and read the following questions. Contemplate your thoughts. If you feel inspired, please use the comments section below to share your ideas with others. Remember the adage: “A picture gives us one thousand words.”
What does he see? What is he thinking? Is he happy that Spring is finally here? Has he lost something? Is he dreaming of the future? Is he recalling a moment from the past? Is he a proud bare practitioner? Does he miss his lover?
Have fun!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Thursday, March 31, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! March, 2022!”
On March 25, 1821, the date of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos (Mother of God) in the Greek Orthodox Church, the Greek people, as one, rose in revolt against their Ottoman Turk oppressors. This uprising marked the beginning of eight years of armed struggle that culminated with the Treaty of Adrianople in 1829 that ended almost 400 years of Turkish occupation with internationally recognized independence for the Kingdom of Greece. Great Britain, France and Imperial Russia signed the Treaty of Adrianople as guarantors in order to discourage any attempt by the Ottoman Turks to reclaim any part of Greece.
Upon proclamation of the Kingdom of Greece, the Greek Orthodox Church was officially sanctioned as the national church. That status remains current today. Greek was established as the language of communication, replacing Turkish. The drachma was adopted as the legal currency until it was withdrawn with the introduction of the euro.
Notation:as a student for my baccalaureate, my European History professor instructed us that the Greek alphabet and Roman numerals were extensively utilized throughout Greece, both then and now. The alphabet was no issue but the numerical claim was totally incorrect. I proved him wrong and years later, when I joined the university faculty, he publicly recalled this incident from my undergraduate days.
Defending Greece!
The conflict that began in 1821 did not involve the Greeks attired as soldiers from the ancient days wearing helmets and little, if anything, else. The pictures here are shown for illustrative purposes only. The historical Greeks did not fight bare. There were organs of the male anatomy, even then as now, that were considered too precious to put at risk for the stroke of a sword. Some of the troops may have fought while clothes free; however, that was based on the situation and not by direction, order or standard procedure.
History legends have certain cadres or regiments of the Greek military consisting solely of same gender loving men. This may have been common practice during that particular time period but it isn’t true in 1821 nor today. In ancient Greece, historians recorded these designated army compositions to reflect the reality of the situation. Men-who-love men identification was not considered a cause of degradation or disgrace. Instead, it was labeled as such as an honour, a distinction and a source of pride.
For the liberation uprising, army units were organized by family and/or village affiliation (local). Same gender loving men may have fought together, as a couple, against the Turks, but this wasn’t the basis for a troop determination.
Greeks used firearms and cannon, where available, for their struggle against the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish army was armed and organized with the latest in military equipment. For the revolt, because the Greeks had no standing army, they whatever weapons were convenient (mostly personal) plus arms supplied by the British, French and Russians. The majority of the Greek guns were decades old and used by their owners to herd and protect goats and sheep. Javelins, knives and swords were primary to ancient Greece and not in 1821.
Warrior at rest!
In ancient Greece, there existed general acceptance and tolerance from the majority of the population towards both public nudity and towards same gender love. Up until recent times, Greek society had officially regressed into one of impatience and judgments in dealing with open public nakedness and same gender love. Greece, being a member of the European Union is now on the path of respect for all persons regardless of their beliefs and practices. The major advocate for resistance to modern day inclusion of GLBTQ+ persons and naturist/nudist participants is the Greek Orthodox Church.
Notation:my paternal great-great-great grandfather fought in the 1821 uprising against the occupation by the Turks. He served as a leader of a local guard of troops on the island of Skyros in the Aegean Sea. My grandfather (father’s father) would repeat some of his exploits as passed along by his grandfather. My father’s father enjoyed embellishing and enriching his tales so we are uncertain as to what is actual truth and to what is “enlightened enrichment!”
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The Greek flag!
The flag of Greece contains the colours of blue and white, symbols of the waters that surround the islands and the peninsula; the Aegean Sea to the east, the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the Ionian Sea to the west. In the upper left-hand corner of the flag contains the white Cross of St. George on a blue field. St. George is the patron saint of Greece. The remainder of the flag consists of alternating equal stripes of blue and white.
The flag’s symbolism!
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Map of Greece!
Modern Greece is located in the southeastern portion of Europe bordered by Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. It is the southernmost area of the Balkan peninsula. The capital city is Athens.
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The objective of this post entry today on ReNude Pride is to offer and share a brief glimpse into the significance of this date in the history of Greece. Both of my parents were born there and I possess dual citizenships. In publishing this post, my purpose is to enlighten with a perspective of my cultural heritage and contemporary Greek experience. Enrichment and knowledge sometimes arrives through the strangest portals!”
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, March 28, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Your Thoughts?”
In order that I pay the proper homage to the eagerly anticipated arrival of Spring, 2022, yesterday, March 20, I’m welcoming the event both yesterday and today! Yesterday as the official commencement and then today in publication of Spring Resolution! As my beloved spouse, Aaron, has so wonderfully observed, “why not have a two-day celebration?”
Indeed! The survival of yet another winter deserves all the happiness and joy that we can give! Hallelujah!
Excited Phoenix Fellington!
Phoenix Fellington joyful movement!
As the new season is currently officially here and underway, we can all join with same gender loving film actor, Phoenix Fellington, in a few blissful rhythmic moves indoors today! Glad tidings know no bounds or limitations! Let the party begin!
A very happy teenager!
Earlier this year, I published New Year’s Resolutions here on ReNude Pride (click post title to link). I endorsed resolutions on the first day of Spring, annually, as opposed to the tradition of New Year’s Day. Aaron and I both appreciate Spring as a time of rebirth and renewal and better suited for change, development and growth. For the both of us, it makes more sense to celebrate a “new nude year” in the Spring as opposed to the dead of winter!
Spring Resolutions, 2022:
Avoid being judgmental.
Better, bolder and braver bare practitioner.
Increase patience, tolerance and understanding of others.
Above, I’ve listed my resolutions for 2022. In keeping with my habit, I don’t have an endless listing of improvements needed. I did learn from my older brothers that a list too long creates more failures than successes. If I accomplish all, it is never to late to add another resolution!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry planned here is for Friday, March 25, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Greece Reborn!“
The Shoneye Twins: Is Darren (left) brave and Daniel (right) modest?
Introduction:
It has been quite a few years since we visited Robert Graves’ poem, The Naked and The Nude. The entire poem is posted here immediately following this introduction. Graves, the poet, paved the pathway that continues to divide the clothes free community today: Are you naked? Are you nude? Which label best identifies you?
Graves understood nude as being without clothes. He felt that naked, although also without clothes, as being similar to “vulnerable.”
Generations of society have interpreted “naked” as being involuntary and “nude” as being voluntary. For example, a communal shower is mandatory following a required physical education class. It is part of the class routine. As a result, while showering, the entire class is naked. It is an involuntary action as the goal is personal hygiene.
A typical Sunday afternoon activity for a group of friends is to go skinny-dipping. While swimming or lounging in the sun afterwards, everyone is nude. After all, it was a voluntary choice to go skinny-dipping with friends. The end result is to have fun and relax together.
The Shoneye Twins: Overly cautious?
The two images of the Shoneye twins above, Daniel and Darren, feature them both without a piece of clothing on their body. The determination of whether they are naked or nude depends to their intent and the interpretation of the person viewing the photograph. Both twins publicly acknowledge being bare practitioners (same gender loving and body and clothes freedom enthusiasts. I am unaware of either of them, privately or publicly, ever disclosing a preference for naked or nude in describing themselves.
The Naked and The Nude
by Robert Graves
(1895 – 1985)
For me, the naked and the nude
(By lexicographers construed
As synonyms that should express
The same deficiency of dress
Or shelter) stand as wide apart
As love from lies, or truth from art.
Lovers without reproach will gaze
On bodies naked and ablaze;
The Hippocratic eye will see
In nakedness, anatomy;
And naked shines the Goddess when
She mounts her lion among men.
The nude are bold, the nude are sly
To hold each treasonable eye.
While draping by a showman’s trick
Their dishabille in rhetoric,
They grin a mock-religious grin
Of scorn at those of naked skin.
The naked, therefore, who compete
Against the nude may know defeat;
Yet when they both together tread
The briary pastures of the dead,
By Gorgons with long whips pursued,
How naked go the sometime nude!
The Shoneye twins: who’s naked and who’s nude?
Summary
Robert Graves poem, The Naked and The Nude, presents to all of us with the reality that within our very own culture of body and clothes freedom the debate over naked and nude is all consuming for many of our people. The same applies to the conflict between those who consider themselves naturist and those who consider themselves nudist.
In the minds of many, the differing labels are practically synonymous – identical. The subtle definitions may evolve over the years but in essence the meaning of each word remains consistent. ReNude Pride utilizes “bare practitioner” as well as “body and clothes freedom” whenever possible in order to distance itself from entanglement with proponents of the different persuasions.
Take care and stay bare!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Sunday, March 13, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “USA Goes DST!”
For many of us who reside in the Northern Hemisphere, the month of March, annually, often qualifies itself as the “the month of chaos and confusion!” Why? Rarely, if ever, do the days follow any natural pattern or sequence. The entire month is notorious for being breezy or windy or whatever choice word one prefers to use to describe the air velocity. It can be calm one day and then chaotic the next – all accompanied by temperature extremes: cold, hot, moderate, warm and or freezing.
Definite chaos. Confirmed confusion. Variable levels of comfort that collectively satisfy very few – if any at all! Inconsistency and instability dominate each day. Precipitation can range from rain to sleet to snow to ice and sometimes all during the same day – then arrogantly repeating itself the following day – although not necessarily in the identical order! Bottom line (basic thought): March is unpredictable!
The jogger featured here today caught my attention after I had already selected the theme for this post entry here on ReNude Pride as March Mayhem. My reasoning for choosing his images is simple: opposites attract one another.
Jogging bare practitioner!
Obviously, he’s a bare practitioner with both confidence and pride! He is also comfortable posing for a video sharing his daily routine and his full body (wearing only shoes on his feet). Absolutely oblivious as to what else is happening in the rural world around him.
No guilt or shame over any aspect of his nudity. No attempt to conceal any part of his anatomy. No embarrassment on having his nakedness broadcast to social media worldwide. A bold bare practitioner encouraging others, by setting the example, to just do the same! A man being himself: reality with no excuses or qualm!
My original title for today’s title was “March Madness.” My spouse, Aaron, upon reading the draft reminded me that this was the former name of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) university basketball tournament. He suggested the change and I’m grateful for his recommendation! He also liked the jogger’s .gif pictures.
Earlier this year (January), I published here New Year’s Resolutions. (Click the title to link to the post). I endorsed the idea of creating resolutions on the first day of spring every year as opposed to the tradition of New Year’s Day. Spring begins on March 20, 2022. Aaron joins with me in urging all of us to resolve now to become better, bolder and braver bare practitioners for at least the remainder of 2022!
“To profit from good advice requires more wisdom than to give it.” ~ John Churton Collins ~
All the while, our jogging friend continues on his task of being true to himself: a committed bare practitioner! Dedicated, dynamic and energetic! Loyally enjoying and pursuing his belief in the ideals of both body and clothes freedoms!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, March 11, 2022, and the proposed topic is: The Naked and The Nude!”
“When attending a clothes free social event and you meet someone you’re unfamiliar with, rather than assessing their “negative” aspects or habits, focus instead on their similarities to yourself. We’re both same gender loving. We both enjoy social nudity. We both enjoy basketball. We both despise cats as pets, etc. The similarities can build a casual acquaintance. The negatives can create a mortal enemy.”
March is now here and the season of Spring, 2022, begins in just a few weeks. Now is the perfect time to implement the suggestion offered in my January post. New Year’s Resolutions. Click the title to visit the post entry. The subtle moral message addressed here today is: “avoid being judgmental!”
Angelic joy!
“Personally, I consider the First Day of Spring every year as the beginning of my ‘nude year!’ It represents the renewal of the joy and pleasures of being natural in nature! An end to the confinement of winter!”
Bare practitioners and flowers bloom in the Springtime!
“Judgment” has somehow become a recurring theme recently – or, at least, it appears to me. I realize that the difference in humanity – political, economic, social, etc. – create mistrust and tension. Intentional or not, that happens throughout history. However, the intensity of these reactions has magnified. It seems that unless “passion” is attached, a difference in opinion or outlook is no longer possible.
Aaron, my spouse, needed to shop at a local bookseller while we were out shopping this past weekend. I accompanied him inside the business and browsed the current magazine offerings as he sought his merchandise. As I paged through a current popular edition, an article caught my attention. It featured pictures of a minor royal family member in amateur scenes completely clothes free.
Familiar with the decades-old images, I began glancing over the text. Heavy in harshness and judgment, the author decorated the content with the words (labels) of naked, nude, nudity, etc. An overuse of terminology that clearly implied indecency, immorality and quite a bit more while totally ignoring the fact that the photographs and the incident itself were years old and the royal subject himself years younger and inexperienced.
Dis this particular author forget to forgive?
The prince who forgot his clothes!
Realistically, the likelihood of this prince ever assuming a crown is almost nonexistent. He’s too far down the line of succession to get close to the throne. In actuality, he also has accomplished a number of positive and productive achievements since the notoriety that far outweigh the body exposure. He may no longer warrant the attention but likewise he no longer deserves the labelling.
The following morning, recalling the moment, I was discomforted by the fact that the words naked, nude, and nudity could be used with such frequency, harshness, judgment and negativity. Whatever became of the concept of the terms being synonymous with implying “a natural state?” Aren’t we all born naked?
The prince without clothes and in uniform!
The prince himself has progressed along the maturity level that far exceeds any made by the author. I wasn’t aware of any severe shortage of current news articles worthy of publication. The prince now is happily married and the father of two children himself.
The prince, his wife and son with the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu!
The fact that this prince’s grandmother, a reigning Queen, is now marking her 70th anniversary of ascending to the throne far surpasses the prince’s mistakes of almost two decades past. Her Majesty wears the crown and her milestone is worthy of honour. Let’s all celebrate royal longevity and forget the misplaced garments!
Congratulations Your Majesty!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Monday, March 7, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “March Mayhem”
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.
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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.”
The subject and title of today’s entry here directly relate to the winter season here in the Northern Hemisphere. The fur references body hair and to that is added the ending of the word controversy – my word-play introduction for today’s theme. In the opening photograph (above), our brother bare practitioner (same gender loving naturist/nudist) and adult film actor, Daymin Voss, appears here again representing the very hirsute endowed. It is quite obvious that a razor hasn’t been held in his hands over a long period of time!
Normally, Daymin – like myself – only shaves his facial and head hair. The remainder of his body hair is all generously natural and profuse and has been that way almost all of his adult life.
A relaxing Daymin Voss!
He acknowledges that he has received criticism and ridicule publicly in the media and from the film studios about his insistence on being as nature intended. “I am proud to be the man that I am,” he retorts to inquiries. His confidence in himself is admirable.
Jason Vario (left), Daymin Voss pose together!
In the above featured image, Daymin Voss (right) poses with his fellow bare practitioner and adult film star, Canadian Jason Vario. They’re both personal and professional friends and very honest and open about their lifestyles. Jason has been in the business longer and actually encourages and guided Daymin into his career. Pictured together, their physical contrast is readily apparent: Jason is taller and Daymin’s hairy profusion as opposed to Jason’s sparse amount of body hair growth. Identical to Daymin, Jason usually only shaves his face and head. Frequently, he is mistakenly perceived as having a totally smooth (hairless) physical appearance. On occasions, he has been critiqued in social media and by film executives for removing his armpit and or pubic growth.
“Bare is a true gauge of equality. Anatomically, all nude men are the same. The significant discrepancy being some have more body hair than others.”
~Roger Poladopoulos~
Jason Vario with face and head stubble!
Publicly, Jason similarly dismisses and/or refutes gossip and rumors that he either shaves or trims his body hair. “It’s not my style” is his standard comment.
The attention and curiosity that both Daymin and Jason generate regarding return us to today’s topic here at ReNude Pride: fur. Specifically, nude or not, is it now an acceptable practice for men within our same gender loving community to have natural body hair?
Frequently and incessantly, debates have raged between the hairies and the smoothies regarding body hair. I could never quite gather the purpose of the dilemma. It isn’t as though we are deciding a mandatory public policy. Convenience are the two determining factors on the body hair issue. Just as dining at home or in a restaurant, body hair or not is a distinctly individual decision. The outlandish conflict between the hairies group and the smoothies group is nothing more than public grandstanding and a complete waste of human effort, nerves and time. Nothing is ever resolved and the subtle feud remains smoldering even today.
Daymin Voss: hirsute!
To fur or not to fur – to be hairy or not – may no longer invoke all the emotional and heated fervor and passions it once delivered.
Sigh of relief over that fact.
However, it does remain simmering just below the surface. Fur-troversy is ever-ready to embroil and inflame us all once again! Whether moderate, profuse or sparse, body hair is a decision each individual makes for themselves. It is an inalienable right based on our own personal preference and health and safety factors. The general public may argue, criticize, debate and lament the matter as much as they feel necessary. However, in the end, each and every one of us is entitled to elect and pattern our own growth development or removal.
My personal philosophy on body fur is “to live and let live!” My preference is in favor of body hair but I do respect each person’s freedom to make their own determination, as does Aaron!
Post-Script:
Aaron, my spouse, insists that I share this true anecdote with all of you!
Aaron once had a colleague who is also a bare practitioner and a very adamant and opinionated smoothie. He practically daily removed all his body hair for what he insinuated were hygiene purposes.
At one bare body function he arrived with a very noticeable and pronounced crop of body hair on his usually smooth physical form. He was in the process of complaining and ranting about being too busy to even think about being overwhelmed. Aaron then reached over, turned him around and inspected his buttocks. He then politely asked: “Does that mean that you haven’t bathed in a long while?”
Only my spouse can dramatically imitate smoothies reaction to his question!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, January 28, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “S’Naked Virgin!”
In January, 2018, ReNude Pride observed a one year anniversary. It began as a “labor of love.” I enjoy composing thoughts, expressing opinions and sharing ideas. Aaron, my legal spouse, my soul-mate – and self-styled “better-half” – enjoys the same. He agreed to wholeheartedly support my efforts here as long as I promised to obey his one rule: not to abdicate my responsibility to him! Thus far, we’re both cool and ReNude Pride continues to evolve and to grow.
Thank you!
A “lip-reading” thank you in gratuitous appreciation for your friendship and support during the publication of ReNude Pride. Hopefully, we can maintain this relationship into the future!
RENUDE PRIDE AT 5!
A Visual Summary!
Basic rule!
Bare is a welcome state of undress and is strongly encouraged and enthusiastically endorsed! Clothing is nothing more than a man-made guilt attempt to convey modesty and shame!
Confidence in being bare!
Pride is our ammunition to combat concealment, deceit, denial and falsehood! Confidence in our nakedness and our same gender love is the protective armour of body positivity! Take care and stay bare!
Aaron and Roger graphic symbol!
Acceptance, love and tolerance are the roots of prosperity and success. It is not the who that we love but the fact that we love that enables us to thrive!
ReNude Pride avatar!
The colorful diversity of the gay, lesbian bisexual, transgender and queer plus (GLBTQ+) community and our nude buttocks combine to make us all one! The Bottoms-Up! series on the last day of the month is inspired by ReNude Pride’s avatar image here!
Skinny-dipping!
Clothes free fun that can be enjoyed by everyone! Be bare, be comfortable and relax natural as often as possible! No shirt, no clothes, no problem!
Stripping off his clothing!
Our continuance to renew (word-play: renude) our preference of being proud bare practitioners. Hence the title of this publication: ReNude Pride!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, January 10, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “A Guy Without Boxers Debut!”
The title is very suggestive of the game of basketball because here in the USA, for many years the very term, March Madness, was used enthusiastically and emphatically by sports fans to denote the month as one of endless collegiate competitions leading to champions in the basketball world. As an obsessive basketball fan myself, I am one to overuse the designation every year regardless of whether or not the topic is basketball.
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 