Picture of the Day - 54

"The Edge of Uncertainty" Photography by Tempest Rosca

If you wish to see more of Tempest's photography, please visit her Flickr photostream here.

Picture of the Day - 53

"sunflowers" Photography by Josie Elderslie

If you wish to see more of Josie's photography, please visit her Flickr Photostream here.

This picture was coincidentally also chosen as the SecondLife picture of the day as well. Congratulations, Josie!

Picture of the Day - 52

"He Will Do Just Fine" Photography by Parker Droverson

If you wish to see more of Parker's photography, please visit his Flickr photostream here.

Today is also the blogoversary of his blog Parker's Laundry Basket, which is a great men's fashion blog, so head on over there to congratulate him.

Interrogatory Tea

On Friday evening Guyke, Prince of Paradijs, and his suitor Garrett Smith received an invitation for tea with the laird and his royal consort at their summer palace.

As the Crown Prince of Southern Charm, Guyke of course understood that the "invitation" was nothing less than a lairdal command. His beautiful face turned ashen and he gasped for breath as his hands shook slightly while he made it crystal clear to Garrett that the plans they had for the evening must be cancelled.

When the young men arrived at the summer palace they were greeted by Tomais and Bock. Tomais was his usual exuberant charming self and immediately put Garrett at ease with his friendliness. The laird was more withdrawn and claimed to have some important state duties to take care of while Tomais showed Garrett the palace and the grounds.

The lairds urgent business was in fact to receive the latest updates on a dossier about Garrett Smith and his life, in first life, SecondLife and all his other Internet activities during the last 15 years that had been assembled by the Southern Charm Secret Service (SCSS) and its affiliates (the American NSA, CSI and FBI, the British Secret Service, MI 5 and MI 6 and the Israeli Mossad). The dossier was now more than twelve inches thick, nothing the man had ever done had escaped scrutiny.

As the laird could not be expected to memorize it all he was supplied with an earphone connected to one of his aides who would supply him with information throughout the "interview" with the unsuspecting Garrett.

After the tour was over, the four of them sat down at the kitchen table for some tea, scones, pleasant conversation and a meticulously veiled interrogation.

Garrett did and said everything right, there was nothing underhanded or dishonest in his answers to the questions that the laird posed to him. The relief that the laird felt on the outcome of the interview was noticeable both on his face and in his demeanor.

Everyone was able to relax and enjoy the rest a very pleasant evening, part of it dancing as mermen.

However the laird was somewhat confused about why his stepson started blushing and frantically giggling every time Garrett mentioned his possession of a Texas longhorn. Why would the ownership of cattle get the boy in such a tizzy?

Picture of the Day - 51

"Connections" Photography by VenusPetrov

If you wish to see more of Venus's photography, please visit her Flickr photostream here.

Tom of Finland Stamps

Image: Itella Posti Oy

The Finnish postal service Itella is to release a set of stamps commemorating Tom of Finland. Itella says it wants to celebrate the iconic artist’s ‘proud homoeroticism’.

Artist Touko "Tom of Finland" Laaksonen's (1920-1991) erotic art is of great importance for the modern gay culture. His themes usually represent leather clad bikers or sailors, often involved in sexual acts. 

The three stamps motifs are based on two drawings by Tom of Finland, and represent the artist's characteristic muscular male figures. The motifs were selected by graphic designer Timo Berry.

"The sheet (of three stamps) portrays a sensual life force and being proud of oneself. There is never too much of that in this northern country," said Berry in an Itella press release.

The stamps are to be released in September and will be available for purchase at the Finnish postal service's online shop.

Source: Itella Oy webpage