Monday, April 27, 2009

Mutant Shirtlessness

Since "X-Men Origins" is opening this weekend, I thought I had to return to an old favorite of ours, Hugh Jackman. Now I think that this shirtlessness is a little bit scary with the bulgy eyes and the veins popping out of the arms and such, but I know that one person's scary could be another person's sexy. So here you have Wolverine, looking mad and working the shirtlessness for all that it is worth. Some friends of mine are organizing an outing to see the movie, and the topic that keeps coming up in the email chain is "Origins." Every time I see this subject line, I imagine that all these boys are attempting to get together to shop for facial products, and it makes me giggle. Sometimes shirtlessness can bring unexpected fun.

This weekend, we went from winter directly into summer. After wearing cords and a turtleneck a mere 7 days ago, I found myself digging around my closet for a sundress that would cover my legs which have not yet been prepped for the weather. Once I found said sundress, I was able to soak up lots of vitamin D in Bryant Park and observe a lot of decent shirtlessness. Let's face it, no one in New York has seen the sun in a very long time, and those few who have are now wondering whether they have swine flu. So I'm not going to be a stickler for the second point of my 2 point standard just yet, BUT I am encouraged by what I saw. New Yorkers do like to stay fit all year round, and in this transitional season, it is much appreciated.

I am now off to prep my legs for summertime, although I know that doing so will immediately prompt the sun to hide again. I don't care though since now that I've seen it, I know it exists. It's a little bit like shirtlessness - sometimes you just have to know that it's out there. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Friday, April 24, 2009

Royal Shirtlessness

I have become engrossed in "The Tudors" primarily because every episode contains at least one (who am I kidding? many) shirtless scene. Since I'm watching it on Netflix, I just keep going and watching more and more shirtlessness. Most of it comes courtesy of Jonathan Rhys Meyers who is not my favorite and yet keeps drawing me back with his extremely fit physique. Since the whole thing takes place in England in the 1500's, no one has particularly seen the sun, but I guess I don't notice so much when everyone is so pale.

I'm glad I have at least two more dvd's worth of guaranteed shirtlessness since GA had nothing to offer in its first new episode in 3 weeks. UB won't have a new episode until May, at which point I may wonder what is happening at all. But back to GA, I hope that Derek and Meredith's wedding has some shirtlessness involved because a very pregnant Lexie will not be doing love scenes with shirtless Sloan anytime soon and Owen's penchant for strangling his partners seems to preclude him taking his shirt off. I am placing all my hopes in McDreamy. May he live up to his name!

The weekend in New York promises 80 degree weather which means that very pale men will be taking off their shirts in Central Park. I can hardly wait! Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Monday, April 20, 2009

Reasons to Watch Brothers & Sisters

Just when I get to the point of hopelessness wondering why I continue to watch B&S, they give me Christian de la Fuente shirtless in a supply closet getting it on with Rachel Griffiths and I remember why. The episode started out with some unfortunate shirtlessness from Ryan, the latest unintersting Walker sibling to show up on Sunday nights. Since he is on the cover of W magazine, I take it that he is being groomed to be the next hot young thing, but he does not meet the two point standard of either fitness or seeing the sun. I audibly groaned during the shot and asked the television, "Is this it after three weeks of nothing?" Thankfully, that was not it. Because then Cal showed up with his tight pants and his sexy accent, and I literally started clapping when he took off his shirt. Sometimes, it is worth the wait.

I wonder why I am having such a reaction to men who give good shirtlessness, speak Romance languages, and do really well on "Dancing with the Stars?" I'm sure it is some sort of infallible recipe for sexy, and I clearly cannot get enough! I have to hold on to these two excellent leaders of the cause especially after reading an article in the New York Times last week about how male stars gain weight as they age but retain their star power and paychecks. While I am all for a realistic expectation of bodies as they age, I am struck by how this absolutely does not happen for women. Why don't any of the Jenny Craig ads feature men who are trying to get their bathing shorts bodies back? The article even points out the decline in Kathleen Turner's career as it related to her age and body image. This is where IMS comes in. Not everyone can be Christian or Gilles, but we can all strive for fitness and some sun exposure, men and women alike.

Somehow winter has returned to New York. If it hadn't been for B&S last night, I would have no bounce in my step at all. The vice president of IMS also wants it pointed out that I was happy that a woman in my age category was the recipient of the good shirtlessness, although I don't know why he wants to pack me off to 40 so soon. I am vindicated whenever I see the smart gal getting the guy (B&S) instead of the girl with the largest breasts (Bachelor, Season 1). So thank you, B&S, and thank you, Mr. Vice President.

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Friday, April 17, 2009

Tudor Shirtlessness

In all of my sadness about the lack of new episodes and therefore new shirtlessness, I forgot about a very important source of shirtlessness - "The Tudors." As you can see from the poster above, this mini-series continues to mix old-fashioned costume drama with modern shirtlessness, a combination which I find delightful. I don't have Showtime and am stuck watching Season Two on Netflix, but I find it comforting to know that there is a source of new shirtlessness out there. Perhaps when the recession is over, I'll be able to get Showtime and watch the current season with everyone else. But I wonder if the show will still be running at that time. I suspect that Henry will run out of wives before the economy turns around.

Nevertheless, I do find it hilarious that strapping Jonathan Rhys Meyers continues to play Henry VIII. By wife #3 in real life, he was not quite the sexy guy he was with Anne Boleyn, but I like how in the name of good shirtlessness, this Henry will stay very fit through at least wife #4. Good for him, and really good for us.

DH is new on Sunday, and one can only hope for some recession-proof network shirtlessness to break up the monotony of reruns. Am I dating myself by saying that when I was a child, I remember watching new episodes during the school year and only watching reruns over the summer? I suppose someday this will be a legend like like walking uphill in the snow both ways to school, and I'll be able to say I remember when.

At least the spring is here, and there is a man across the street from me doing shirtless chin-ups on his balcony. Oh Spring, I thought you would never get here! I continue to be...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Monday, April 13, 2009

I Just Can't Get Enough

I'm sorry but Gilles Marini seems to be the only person on TV who is helping our cause out, and so I have to post him twice in a row. Here's a little article from People magazine in which he states that his personality is better than his butt. After seeing him speak so effusively of his partner, Cheryl Burke, I can believe it. A gentleman and good shirtlessness! Swoon!

On other fronts, I have heard a lot of discussion about Ryan Reynolds and have to say that I had no idea that he was such a shirtless hit. At a dinner party last night, his was the first name requested when I described my blog. I don't know how the president of IMS missed this important pillar of good shirtlessness. If there is someone else that I am missing, please let me know. I want to be up to date all of the time.

I think there will be new television this week and hopefully that means new shirtlessness. I've given up hoping for spring after nearly being blown away yesterday as I was walking to an Easter brunch. Instead, I will just hope that all new episodes of new television include new good shirtlessness. I feel the need to hope for something that might actually come into being. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Friday, April 10, 2009

Dancing with the Good Male Shirtlessness

I am not a fan of reality television because I think it promotes poor values (like do whatever you have to do to beat the next person down so that you can win a million dollars) and takes away work from trained actors and writers, but I really can't help myself when it comes to this season of "Dancing with the Stars." Why? You ask. Take a look at what is going on above. Gilles Marini is definitely a contender for IMS Official Poster Boy 2009. First of all, he gives amazing shirtlessness. Second, he has that delicious French accent which he uses in full, polite, and gracious sentences. Third, the man can really dance. This "Sex and the City" hunk is the real deal, and I want him to win! Not just because he is technically superior and follows the ultimate rule in ballroom to make his partner look good, but because he seems to be helping the IMS cause by either ripping off his shirt in every routine or beginning the dance with no shirt at all. Bravo Gilles! IMS applauds you!

I can't really think of anything else to say because I just want to stare at his picture. If I ever get to be another show again, he will be my show boyfriend for sure. Just cross your fingers that the run is long! Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Monday, April 6, 2009

Suggested Shirtlessness

At a birthday brunch I attended yesterday, a lively discussion of Ryan Reynolds "Hot or Not?" kept the crowd enthralled for some time, and the birthday boy was kind enough to send me this picture in a clear vote for "Hot." He doesn't really do it for me, but I have to say that this picture does give me insight into why he does for others. I had no idea all that was going on under his shirt. It's very nice and does warm me up towards the man. I am feeling a little bit sad, though, that his knee pad shows under his pants. Having done 700 performances of "The King & I" in which I was constantly taking my knee pads on and off so that they wouldn't show makes me a bit of a stickler for these things. Clearly, I should stay focused above the waist.

In California last week where the sun actually does shine for days in a row (but I am not a bitter New Yorker), I saw quite a bit of live shirtlessness. I forget that in the spring, men like to take off their shirts spontaneously. That was a nice perk to my trip! Hurrah for spring! If it would only come here.

I also learned that there is apparently a lot of shirtlessness and, in fact, full frontal nudity in "The Watchmen." Since we advocate for shirtlessness only, I cannot vouch for the movie, but pickings have been so slim, I thought I should offer it as an option for all of you IMS members out there struggling to find some good male shirtlessness in the world. I continue to hope someone will take his shirt off in my yoga class. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS