Happy New Year!

I haven't quite jumped on the Zooey Deschanel bandwagon yet but I do think she and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are adorable in this video. Happy New Year everyone! Have fun and be safe!

Classic Concupiscent: John Payne

I have a confession to make, I have a bit of bias against watching old movies. I like to think I have eclectic tastes with cinema; I love foreign films, independent films, small character driven dramas. I tend to hate big budget special effect driven movies and prefer story over concept. That being said, earlier this year when Elizabeth Taylor died I sort of surprised myself when realized I had never really seen any of her movies start to finish. Seeing so many clips of her big movies over the years on television, I just felt like I had.



Sadly I have never seen Casablanca, Gone With The Wind and many other classics. Although it is one of my goals to rectify that in 2012, what I have seen is a lot of classic Hitchcock and the Christmas classics. For some reason this Christmas I saw a couple of movies I have seen countless times before through new eyes. Maybe it is that I am getting older, but this holiday season watching Dennis Morgan in Christmas in Connecticut and especially John Payne in Miracle on 34th Street were for the first time surprisingly arousing.



Maybe it is that finally I am at an age close to what the actors were when they shot the films. In the past, they were simply older dead actors, but...this year, as I sat with my family watching late Christmas Eve, they seemed very much alive. Not sure if it was the holiday, all the tweed, his overcoat, or Gailey's walk as he entered the courtroom, but Payne's portrayal of Frederick Gailey was incredibly sexy this holiday season... I never really focused on Payne's character but Gailey is both strong and manly as well as sweet and sensitive. I am not sure how it was perceived at the time, but seems quite modern for 1947. (BTW, shame on anyone associated with the 1994 version...some things are not to be touched!).





Below: Payne with actors Ronald Reagan and Johnnie Davis.


Below: Payne with Ronald Reagan.

Favorite Pic of the Day for December 24th

Happy Holidays from FlyFoto

Heading out for Christmas back to posting on Tuesday!

I wrote the following in 2008. Each year when I try to think of something new to say to those who stop by here each day, I alway think this continues to say what I feel about the season.

'I love Christmas! I also know that Christmas has little to do with the way retailers try to shove it down our throats. Christmas to me is like life, a series of moments. Christmas can also be a very difficult time for some, those who are ill, those oversea's in the name of peace, those who have lost loved ones, those struggling with finances, those who are alone.

I hope for you all, as I deal with my dysfunctional, yet strangly loving family, a Christmas moment. Whether it is a day full of moments, or just one small moment, whether your surrounded by family and friends, or alone with the computer. Find a moment, snow falling, a walk outside, a laugh, your favorite Christmas movie, calling a friend, what ever it is, please do find your Christmas moment.'

Birthdays for December 24th & December 25th
FH Does Christmas!

A FlyFoto Christmas

Make the Yuletide gay!


Those Christmas lights light up the street
Down where the sea and city meet
May all your troubles soon be gone
Oh, Christmas lights, keep shinin' on



To see the full collection check out FlyFoto's Images To Inspire blog HERE:








FlyFoto on FH

I should have gotten a cat...

Worst Christmas gifts ever!!!
Above: Jonny B by Ron Reyes

There are literally millions of cats and dogs needing great homes. If your thinking of buying anyone on your list that singing fish or latest shopping network gadget please reconsider and think about whether a pet would fit into their lives.



Below is my list of worst Christmas gifts ever. As the giver of each of these gifts watched the receiver open their present and attempt to cover the spasm's and ticks over taking their facial muscles each of them wish they had just gotten a cat...

Giving this hat to an alcoholic smoker is just cruel.


No words necessary.


Turkey dinner flavored soda...only in America!


No matter how cute you might think you are, in a snuggie...not so much.


Any regular reader of FH knows I despise Dr. Phil. His recent admission to taking part in performing his own circumcision aside, the man is an ego inflated tool. But Christmas is not really the time to give a 'self help' book no matter who wrote it. No one wants to open a bright red package on the happiest day of the year only to be reminded how much weight they need to lose, drinking they have to stop, smoking they must quit, diet that must begin, personality trait that needs to be fixed, changed or suppressed. No matter how witty the cover title might be, we all know it is basically saying that we're a loser??? Really...there are 364 other other days to feel like shit!


You don't need money to create a great gift but you do need to be creative, but...unless given (to me) by Cam Gigandet, those cute little homemade gift vouchers scream lame.


Anything related, connected, associated, involving, starring, appearing, featuring, endorsed by, sold by, made by, tied to or in anyway related to either of the following two sudo celebrities.



Socks: I am pretty sure that socks are one of the most frequently given, and most frequently not appreciated gift, of all time.


Underwear: I know from experience it can be pretty hot picking out underwear for someone your in love (or in lust) with...


But...sometimes it is really better to just pick out your own.



Most penis related apparel should generally be avoided...


Especially these penis pants (and yes they are real!) Designed by Isabel Mastache just be grateful I did not post the velcro vagina version.

Merry Christmas!

Above: Scott Herman

To those celebrating, best of the season to you all!!!
I not around much the next couple of days but will be back posting on the 26th.

In the mean time check out some of my favorite holiday shots, some new (FLYFOTO) and some re posts!

If your really feeling festive and want a sugar overload, just click HERE: for all my previous Christmas themed posts and photos!

Tye

The Spirit Of Giving: Mark Grantham

Photographer Mark Grantham caught the holiday spirit with these humorous holiday themed shots. Mark says although this is not his regular type of work he believes we've got to laugh at ourselves and our art some times too! Mark has been one of many artists who has been generous over the past 12 months sharing with FH. Thank you so much Mark!





Speaking of giving, if your looking for one more way to give over the holiday season how about a donation to AIDS/LifeCycle to help Mark with his 2011 ride.


'When I first did the ride (California AIDS Ride 8, in 2001) I walked into in blindly. I had no idea what I was in for as far as training, fundraising, life on the road - any of it really. In fact I had to buy a bike to participate that first year. But, I was in my early 40's and figured I'd better do it while I was able.'

This year marks the 10th anniversary of AIDS/LifeCycle and is also Mark's 10th year in the race. Every couple of years Mark takes 6 months off and train to bike 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the AIDS LifeCycle. If you want or can help him on his 2011 journey please find out more about Mark and the ride at Mark's page at AIDS/Cycle HERE:

Zalig Kerstfeest From Gert Kist -Part 2-

The week at FH began with Part 1 of Gert Kist's holiday themed shots. It is fitting to close the week with the remainder of the festive images. Gert, who is based in Amsterdam specializes in glamour and nude photography which he displays on his site Malemodel.nl. I first saw Gert's holiday themed shots last Christmas and wanted to share more on FH. Of course if you check out MaleModel.nl you will see more than just holiday shots, Gert has an extensive Glamour, art and erotic series as well.

Thanks again Gert for sharing your shots with FH!

Zalig Kerstfeest From Gert Kist

I love sand and beaches as much as the next person but...
When it comes to Christmas I like to be where there is snow. I have never understood those in North America who travel to Florida, A Cruise, Mexico or some other hot destination to celebrate the holidays. I am sure many of you (a couple in particular, you know who you are) who would like nothing better than to be in the hot sun on Christmas morning, but I will take my Christmas with skiing, snow boarding and sledding. I shall sweat the old fashion way!



If I were to travel over Christmas, Europe is where I would head to. A Charles Dickens London trip, maybe Germany, France or Switzerland. But...if I had my choice my number one Christmas destination might just be The Netherlands. Seems to me when I was a kid there were so many Christmas specials with Dutch toys and St. Nicolas and of course Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas is actually the origin of the mythical holiday figure of Santa Claus in the United States and the rest of the world. Sinterklaas is a traditional Winter holiday figure in the Netherlands and other countries that was actually celebrated last week with Saint Nicholas' eve on the 5th of December. The celebration includes a feast honoring Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children, sailors, and the city of Amsterdam.



It is through this lens photographer Gert Kist photographs his holiday themed shots. Gert, who is based in Amsterdam specializes in glamour and nude photography which he displays on his site Malemodel.nl. I first saw Gert's holiday themed shots last Christmas and wanted to share more on FH. Of course if you check out MaleModel.nl you will see more than just holiday shots, Gert has an extensive Glamour, art and erotic series as well.

Thanks Gert for sharing your shots with FH!