Thursday, November 29, 2012

No Internet, No Shirtlessness

Although I did take the day after Thanksgiving off, figuring that the day after the country has gorged itself in turkey and sides was perhaps not the best day for shirtlessness, my silence since then has not been intentional.  I currently have no Internet service due to an "outage" from Time Warner Cable.  While no one can tell me where this "outage" is occurring exactly, or why it is happening, or perhaps most importantly, when it will be fixed, they do keep assuring me that "technicians are working as fast as they can."  I am not convinced.  So I am currently in the public library.  Somehow I don't feel comfortable posting shirtless pictures in a library filled with children, and so I have to skip the shirtlessness for this week.  Hopefully a new week will bring some new Internet access and therefore some new shirtlessness.  All I can say is that it is currently a very dark time for the President of IMS.  It makes me feel like I'm in the early 90s.  I'm just waiting for someone to take my hair products away.

Sorry gentle readers for the delay.  I hope to be posting again by next Monday.

Yours in shirtlessness in spirit,
Nandita
President
IMS

Monday, November 19, 2012

Military Shirtlessness

Gentle readers, I'm having a military moment.  Yesterday, I took part in the Day of Service organized by the Clinton Global Initiative to provide help to the citizens of New York City who continue to be effected by Hurricane Sandy.  While Manhattan has almost returned to normal, just outside the commercial center of the city are communities that still have no electricity or running water three weeks after the storm.  The Clinton Initiative organized over 1000 volunteers to lend some much needed help to these communities that are struggling to salvage what they can from the storm's path.  My bus load of volunteers was paired with a group of Marines from Team Rubicon, a service organization for retired military personnel, to help home owners fix their homes.  Watching these ex-Marines mobilize their groups to do good was really inspiring, and I won't lie - I definitely wished my team leader Marine would take off his shirt while he was hoisting a sopping wet washing machine out of a flooded basement.  I think public service is an excellent accessory to shirtlessness.  But seriously, working with a group of veterans gave me a moment's perspective on how the military can use its skills to get big jobs done.  A group of 30 volunteers was able to take down all the dry wall in one man's house in just a couple of hours so that he can begin the process of rebuilding.  It was humbling and inspiring.  There is still so much left to do that I encourage all IMS members to make an effort to help out.  There may not be any shirtlessness, but there is certainly a great feeling in helping people in crisis.

So in honor of our ex-Marine team leaders, I offer you a remake of a Britney Spears video.  I have a soft spot in my heart for them.  Would you hold it against me?

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Friday, November 16, 2012

Latin Shirtlessness



I was in Mexico at the beginning of the week on a gig and could not post, but in honor of my trip and "Skyfall" which I am still talking about, I present you with Javier Bardem.  I know M. Bardem is not Mexican, but I thought I would go for a Latin theme.  And also, after the performance he gives in "Skyfall," I wanted to post him.  He is such a delightful mix of creepy and compelling in the film.  I did not want him to take his shirt off in this particular film, but I know for most of "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" I wondered why he was wearing a shirt.  And no matter what the role, M. Bardem is simply a sexy man.

While I know world traveling sounds very glamorous, I assure you that it isn't always.  This is the second time that I have been to Mexico for work and had a difficult time finding Mexican food.  Last time I stayed at an Japanese resort outside of Mexico City that only served Asian food, and this time I stayed in a hotel in Mexico City that was celebrating the flavors of Indonesia for some strange reason.  Mexico is not where I would normally go for Asian cuisine.  Luckily I was able to find a delightful taqueria next to the hotel and stuff myself full of chicken and bacon tacos.  Also the weather was overcast from the moment I checked in to the hotel until the drive back to the airport which dashed all my hopes of live shirtlessness.  Sometimes things just do not go my way, and I am grateful that I have this blog to rely upon for my shirtless fix.  May you all have better luck with live shirtlessness than me, dear IMS members.  Until then, I continue to be...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Late Skyfall



In the better late than never category comes today's post, late because after going to the opening of the latest Bond film, "Skyfall," I was to swoony to turn on my computer and post.  We all know how I love the Bond films, and how Daniel Craig started it all for me by helping me discover that I am a visual person.  This film, however, went beyond my expectations of an action-thriller and my expectations for shirtlessness.  After the iconic water scene in "Casino Royale," I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie, having been so disappointed in "Quantum of Solace."  In "Skyfall," Sam Mendes went in the other direction for shirtlessness; instead of creating stand apart moments of shirtlessness, he simply peppered the film with Mr. Craig going about his business, shaving, showering, sleeping with beautiful women, swimming, all shirtless.  It was very laissez-faire, and frankly I loved it!

The other thing I loved about this movie was the twist on the "Bond girl."  While this film like the others features several beautiful ladies, I emerged from the theater asking my friends, "But who was the Bond girl in this one?"  There is usually one woman with whom Bond forms an emotional connection and partners with to destroy the villain.  On the down escalator, I realized that in "Skyfall" the female partner was M, Dame Judy Dench!  I love it!  A septuagenarian Bond girl is amazing.

So I'm feeling very happy these days - we have a shirtless-ready President and a constantly shirtless Bond.  For today, all is good in the world.  I'm going to enjoy this rare moment of contentedness, and gentle readers, I hope you will too.

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Monday, November 5, 2012

Hurricane Shirtlessness

Sorry for the lack of posts last week. While Frankenstorm Sandy did not disrupt my power (I'm a very lucky girl), she did displace two of my friends, one of whom is the vice president of IMS, to my apartment. So for the past week, the three of us have been living in a one bedroom apartment which has been cozy to say the least. I'm happy to report that our fearless VP is a fantastic dishwasher, but for some reason, he would not take off his shirt while cleaning up the kitchen. I think he didn't want me to feel his loss too greatly when his power returns. Too late, I have been spoiled thinking that I can cook anything and have the dishes magically disappear for a week. It almost makes me hope his power will never come back!

In other news, I did spend time on Friday afternoon volunteering to take food and water to people who had been stranded on the upper floors of powerless buildings. Carrying food and water up 22 flights of stairs has given me a new appreciation for firefighters and the special kind of fitness it takes to do that work.  While many people had evacuated, there were still a fair number of people in high rises on the East side, mostly elderly, and they were very grateful for the sustenance that we brought to them.  It was probably one of the best afternoons of my life, feeling like I could really help people in need.  For those of you not in the greater New York area, please know that the devastation is real, and still so many people are in need.  Please consider donating to the Red Cross here.  Shirtlessness is enjoyable only when it's a choice.

On a lighter note, another IMS member sent this clip to me of storm-related shirtlessness.  I can't say I understand why someone would take a run in a hurricane at all, much shirtless and wearing a horse head, but it does take all kinds.  Enjoy!  And don't forget to vote tomorrow!

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS