What happened to Schapelle Corby ?

 

Years ago, in 2008 to be exact, I talked about Schapelle Corby. Schapelle is an Australian woman who was jailed in Bali,Indonesia for nine years after being accused of drug trafficking. Corby has publicly maintained that the drugs were planted in her bodyboard bag and that she did not know about them.

Corby was convicted in 2005 and sentenced to 20 years in jail. In May 2012, she was granted a five-year sentence reduction. Corby was released on parole on 10 February 2014 after serving nine years in prison. On 27 May 2017, she was deported and returned to Australia.

The case was really big in Australia; there were many calls to set Schapelle free or for her to be allowed to go back to her country. During this media frenzy, there were a few rumors accusing her whole family of being drug traffickers and dealers, dragging them into the controversy back at home.

While jailed, Schapelle suffered from mental health issues and needed medication to keep her healthy and sane. As you can imagine, Schapelle's situation also took a toll on her family. They had to keep paying for legal fees—probably for her safety—and her sister had to travel to Bali many times. Her sister ultimately established her life there while Schapelle was in jail, all to be there for her.

Once she went back to Australia, many reporters were waiting for her. She had to spend many weeks hiding because she first needed to deal with the past nine years spent in a jail in a different country. Corby settled on Queensland's Gold Coast, where she has kept a relatively low profile.

Because of Australian Proceeds of Crime laws, she was strictly prohibited from cashing in or profiting from any media arrangements regarding her conviction or time in prison. Australia's Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 features strict provisions called "literary proceeds orders." These laws ensure that a person cannot financially exploit their criminal notoriety.

Currently, Schapelle is single and has even shared publicly that she’s looking for love. Her most famous relationship was a long-term romance with Ben Panangian, an Indonesian surfer and paddleboard instructor she met back in 2006 while she was in Kerobokan Prison.

Since returning to Australia, Schapelle Corby has rebuilt a quieter life on Queensland's Gold Coast. While she is well known for creating and selling beach-inspired epoxy resin art clocks through Instagram, she has explained that it is a creative hobby rather than her main source of income, and she continues to work a regular day job. Corby has also returned briefly to public life through appearances on SAS Australia (2020) and Dancing with the Stars (2021). In 2019, she was required to forfeit earnings from the updated edition of her autobiography, My Story, under Australia's Proceeds of Crime Act. Today, one of her most consistent public contributions is encouraging Australians to donate blood, regularly sharing her own donations to the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood network and promoting the importance of giving blood to help others.

She co-wrote a book with Australian journalist Kathryn Bonella in 2006, and in 2019, they presented an updated version of the book. She keeps working on her life and letting people know that she is innocent because, according to her, she was wrongfully accused, nowadays she mainly keeps a quiet life.

Today, Schapelle Corby's story is no longer just about one of Australia's most controversial criminal cases. It is also a story of rebuilding a life after years of intense public scrutiny, finding normality, and quietly moving forward. Whether viewed with sympathy or skepticism, her journey continues to spark debate about justice, redemption, and the lasting impact of media attention.

Have you ever heard about this story? Did you believe her ?

 

Apeman: This Commentary on Modern Society Was Written 56 Years Ago

 

Have you ever felt like life doesn’t matter, or more broadly, like humanity doesn’t matter? We grant ourselves so much importance, but when we look around at the rules of society, our human “rules”, that sometimes rarely make sense. In appearance, we have evolved, but we remain the same homo sapiens found in history books or museums; we have simply changed our surroundings and rules for everything, to govern each other.

The Illusion of Progress

The world’s population has multiplied to the point where many hesitate to even start a family. There are so many of us, and we are all haunted, living in fear that there won’t be enough for everyone to survive.

We believe we are completely free because we don’t live behind bars, yet a part of civilized life is another form of mental captivity. We chase luxuries and strive for sophistication, yet these pale in comparison to the true beauty and luxury of the nature we are currently destroying.  

We feel unsafe, worried, and anxious.  We live in an unstable society, defined by economic hardship and incompetent leaders. We are closer to a global catastrophe, yet many think that progress means building expensive cities and industries that contaminate our forests and poison our water.

The Search for Sanity

At the end of the day, we all want someone by our side on our team, our connection to sanity in a  world that feels increasingly wrong. We want to feel safe and cared for.

In a society that often measures success through productivity and possessions, genuine human connection can feel like a rare luxury. We are searching for someone who reminds us that we are not alone in questioning the direction the world is taking. Someone to face the chaos with. 

Everything you've just read is my personal interpretation of The Kinks' "Apeman." It was released in 1970—56 years ago—yet its lyrics feel as relevant and urgent today as they did when they were first written.

-Do you feel like we’ve evolved as a society, or are we just living in a more complex 'cage'? 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. 

Now, listen to this song while you read the lyrics:

The Kinks - Apeman

I think I'm sophisticated 'cause I'm living my life
Like a good homo sapiens
But all around me everybody's multiplying and
They're walking round like flies man
So I'm no better than the animals sitting
In the cages in the zoo man
'Cause compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees
I am an apeman

I think I'm so educated and I'm so civilized
'Cause I'm a strict vegetarian
But with the over-population and inflation and starvation
And the crazy politicians
I don't feel safe in this world no more
I don't want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore and make like an apeman

I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
'Cause compared to the sun that sits in the sky
Compared to the clouds as they roll by
Compared to the bugs and the spiders and flies I am an apeman

In man's evolution he's created the city
And the motor traffic rumble
But give me half a chance and I'd be taking off my clothes
And living in the jungle
'Cause the only time that I feel at ease
Is swinging up and down in the coconut trees
Oh what a life of luxury to be like an apeman

I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
I look out the window but I can't see the sky
The air pollution is a-fogging eyes
I want to get out of this city alive and make like an apeman

Oh come on and love me, be my apeman girl
And we'll be so happy in my apeman world

I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
I'll be your Tarzan, you'll be my Jane
I'll keep you warm and you'll keep me sane
We'll sit in the trees and eat bananas all day, just like an apeman

I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
I don't feel safe in this world no more
I don't want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore and make like an apeman

Beyond the Coffee Table: Style Your Space with Dark Academia Goth Decor books

 

There is a distinct shift happening in interior design right now. The sterile, ultra-bright minimalist look is quietly stepping aside for something much richer, warmer, and arguably more intellectual: Dark Academia. People don't want to be told anymore how to dress, how to style your closet and your home, we are tired of the algorithm and the trends. We are aiming to be again unique and different.

Centered around a love for literature, vintage details, and a moody palette, this aesthetic relies heavily on layers. And the most critical layer of all? Books. But you don't need a sprawling, floor-to-ceiling library from the 19th century to capture that energy. A curated stack of notebooks with the right visual edge can transform a flat surface into a vignette that tells a story.

Why Curated Notebooks Are the Ultimate "Secret Weapon" for Styling

We’ve all seen standard, mass-produced coffee table books. They are beautiful, but they often lack a certain personal bite. If your style leans toward the alternative, the elegant, or the slightly macabre, standard home decor stores don't always hit the mark.

That is where specialized  notebooks come in. Instead of just buying a book for its size, choosing notebooks with freaky-morbid titles and striking goth imagery serves two purposes at once:

• The Aesthetic Anchor: A bold, edgy cover acts as a conversation starter on a coffee table, a nightstand, or a media console. Stacking two or three horizontally builds height and structure in your room styling.

• Everyday Utility: Unlike traditional luxury coffee table books that sit untouched for years, these double as actual journals, sketchbooks, or daily planners. They look expensive from the outside, but they are fully functional on the inside.

Simple Ways to Style Your Gothic Aesthetic Books

If you are trying to lean into a moodier room setup, a few small styling tweaks can make a massive difference. Try using your notebooks as design accents in these high-traffic areas:

1. The Low-Profile Table Stack

Place a stack of three notebooks on your coffee table or entryway console. Place the largest book on the bottom and graduate to the smallest on top. To finish the look, place a brass candle holder, a small specimen jar, or a dried crystal cluster directly on top of the stack to add texture and variance.

2. Vertical Shelf Breathing Room

Bookshelves don't just have to hold books vertically. Break up long rows of novels by turning a few of your favorite gothic fashion notebooks face-out, displaying the cover art like a framed print. This adds breathing room to heavy shelving and catches the eye immediately.

3. The Moody Nightstand Vignette

Pair a single, beautifully dark notebook with a dim lamp and a ceramic mug. It immediately evokes that late-night, studious dark academia vibe—giving you a beautiful view right before bed and an easy place to write down your thoughts or dreams.

Check out these notebooks ! 

• Get it here:The Single Corpse

• Get it here: Blood Stains

• Get it here:Deadly Tea Time 

• Get it here:Grave Digging

• Get it here:Witchcraft

• Get it here:The Victorian book

How Cosmetics Shaped Beauty, Status, and Female Identity Through the Ages

 

Like this Image? available here:  Shutterstock 

Throughout history, humanity has constantly sought ways to advance through science, medicine, economics, and politics. People have always looked for opportunities to improve their social standing and secure a better future. Yet there is another human history that is often overlooked: the role of personal appearance, particularly for women, and how it influenced their place in society.

Research shows that cosmetics have existed since Ancient Egypt. Historians believe their use began with the discovery of scented oils, which were thought to possess healing and protective properties. These oils were used not only for medicinal purposes but also in religious ceremonies. Similarly, herbs served multiple functions; they were consumed in rituals, and transformed into pigments for bodu decoration.

Both women and men applied colored clays and mineral-based pigments to their faces or bodies, depending on the region and culture. Evidence of these practices has been found in Egyptian tombs, while ancient artwork reveals the elaborate colors, shapes, and designs used to enhance personal appearance. 

The fascination with beauty rituals spread throughout many civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, Asians, and Arab cultures, all of whom incorporated cosmetics into both medicinal and aesthetic traditions.

By the 18th century, pale skin had become the ultimate symbol of beauty and social status. The trend was embraced by both women and men. One of the most popular products of the era was Venetian Ceruse, white cosmetic famously associated with Queen Elizabeth I. Members of the upper classes covered their faces, necks, and chests in this powder to achieve a porcelain-like complexion. The mixture made from white lead and vinegar produced a striking effect. While we now recognize lead as a dangerous toxin, it's harmful effects were largely ignored at the time.

During Queen Victoria's reign, attitudes toward cosmetics changed dramatically, the reason? The death of Prince Albert. After his death, Victoria's ideals promoted modesty and restraint. Painted faces were considered vulgar, and a more natural appearance became fashionable. The Industrial Revolution made cosmetics widely available throug mass production, although many women still prepared beauty products at home. Despite their growing popularity, make-up remained controversial throughout the 19th century and was often sold discreetly.

The beauty industry continued to evolve. In 1916, film director D.W. Griffith popularized false eyelashes for the silver screen. Modern nail polish was introduced in 1917, while lip gloss was developed in 1930 and became commercially available two years later. The French manicure, now a classic beauty staple, was created in 1975. 

Between the first and second World Wars, women increasingly embraced beauty products, inspired by glamorous actresses and flawless models featured in fashion magazines. During the 1950s and 1960s, television brought cosmetics advertisements directly into people's homes, transforming beauty products into everyday necessities. 

Mascara became one of the most essential items in a woman's handbag, with brands such as Maybelline leading the market. The 1980's also saw the return of mascara applied to the lower lashes, reviving a trend popular in the 1920s. New beauty tools, including eyelash curlers and eyebrow stencils, helped women recreate the looks of their favorite stars. 

Today, makeup is no longer simply a tool for meeting social expectations. While beauty standards continue to be shaped by trends and the cosmetics industry, makeup has also become a powerful form of self-expression and creativity. Some women prefer a natural look, others embrace vintage styles, and many use cosmetics as an artistic medium to create entirely new aesthetics.

Thousands of years after the first pigment was applied and the debate surrounding makeup continues. Society's beauty standards have changed each decade, but cosmetics remain deeply woven into women's culture and everyday life. As for me, learning about the history of makeup made me wonder how much of what we wear is influenced by society and how much is a reflection of our true selves. 

Tell me about your relationship with makeup, does it make you feel more confident, do you use it to shine or hide? Do you prefer a natural look?  I would love to read your opinion in the comments!