Favorite Pic of the Day for December 11th

Above:

Phoenix CT by macpics

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Happy Birthday today December 11th

Happy 35th to actor Rider Strong

See more of Rider & today's birthdays HERE:

Below: On stage with Jerry Hall in The Graduate

A Room Without A Roof....

It is a given that musician Pharrell Williams is incredibly talented. I would also say it's a given he is incredibly cute and sexy. Yet... every time I watch the The Voice I am left wondering if he is cool... or slightly creepy. Not sure I am the only one to see it, but sometimes overly earnest people, even if they are truly, just very earnest, come off slightly insincere, even a bit duplicitous. Doesn't mean they are, just means it's wise to have your antenna up.

12 Days: Riley Smith in Christmas in Conway

#7 Riley Smith

I started to watch Christmas in Conway last year when ABC aired the Hallmark Channel movie. I must not have been in the mood for a tear jerker as I don't remember watching more than a few minutes. This year tried again and this time I paid close attention. A tear jerker it still was, but with beautiful performances from Mary-Louise Parker, and especially Andy Garcia I quickly got caught up in the story. Add a fun turn from SLN vet Cheri Oteri (sort of channelling her Rita Delvecchio, on the porch character) and another great turn from actor Riley Smith and I was in.

Sometimes there are actors, who have for acted for years on tv and in movies and they don't for some reason garner too much attention. Sometimes it is because they are in projects that don't allow them to shine. Sometimes however, there are actors that remain under the radar because they are so good they seamlessly inhabit every role they take on. So well in fact, they manage to move almost past becoming big celebrities and simply remain talented actors. Riley Smith is one of those actors.

I think I first remember seeing Riley on television back in 2000 with his recurring role on Freaks & Geeks. He hasn't stopped working since. Riley has appeared in television shows such as Gideon's Crossing, Once & Again, Raising Dad, Joan Of Arcadia, 90210, 24 and the last season of True Blood. Riley has also been successful on film and television movies. You might remember Riley from the Olsen Twin's New York Minute and even appeared in a David DeCoteau flick, Voodoo Academy in 2000.

The Iowa native is also a singer for the aptly titled band, The Life of Riley. Next for Riley, joining his Christmas in Conway co-star Cheri Oteri in the television movie HOA, the horror film The Circle and a supporting role in season 2 of the hit HBO series True Detective.

Riley with the incredible Carrie Preston in True Blood

Presupposition: Phoenix CT by macpics

We all know stereotyping is dangerous, but yet we all sometimes do it, even if just in our minds. When having to slam on the breaks suddenly, seeing the older woman in the car in front the one that didn't signal, has us commenting to ourselves about older drivers. Trying to decipher what is being said on the phone by the computer tec person, has us wondering what nationality, or country is on the other end of the phone.

I certainly have been guilty at times in my writing of summing up the work of some artists due to where they come from. I expect sunny beach images from photographers from Florida, studio and warehouse shots from those working in New York. It seems many in the South East shoot outside, taking advantage of the woods and greenery. When I am featuring a photographer from Australia, I often look for blonde haired models running down the beaches in speedos, or less, on the gold coast.

Having assumptions, usually ends up meaning we're wrong a lot of the time, but being wrong isn't always a bad thing. Melbourne photographer Ian from macpics always surprises me with the men he photographs and spectacular studio imagery created. Ian has certainly shot outside, on those Australian beaches, but most of my favorite shoots are inside, in studio where Ian uses classic poses and minimal distractions in order to keep the focus on the model he is shooting.

Speaking of stereotypes, male models certainly have their share. Zoolander's depiction of the less than brilliant mind of the male model was just the start. Besides being a little dim, male models are also often thought to be overly focused on their bodies, usually spending hours in the guy, working as personal trainers or even performing as a pole dancer. Or course we all know that isn't always the case....

Oh... did I mention Sydney model Phoenix CT has a passion for health and fitness? In 2012 he took the International Natural Bodybuilding Association Brisbane Classic Male Fitness Model Champion title. Phoenix CT is also by the way, a personal trainer and pole dancing performer, competitor and instructor. In 2014, he took the INBA Melbourne Classic male Fitness Model Champion, and has been crowned Mr Pole Dance Australia.

Although health and fitness, working as a personal trainer, not to mention hitting that pole, are all some of Phoenix CT's passions, all have to be juggled with Blue Phoenix Pole & Fitness, his fitness and pole training business. Oh, and I can't forget to share that Phoenix CT is also a doctor in Marine Biology.

Phoenix CT is also smokin in front of Ian's lens, strong, masculine with an incredible physique and intensely beautiful yet almost intimidating hazel eyes. Ian did a superb job of capturing all of CT's hard work with these amazing images which amalgamate muscle and skin through classic poses and exquisite lighting.

macpics on ModelMayhem

Phoenix CT on ModelMayhem

macpics on FH