Monday, January 23, 2012

Shirless Dance (Tanz)

I had the great good fortune this weekend to see the Wim Wenders film, "Pina." The film was filmed with two things I really like, thought-provoking modern dance and male shirtlessness. I saw the 3D version which I must say filled me with skepticism, especially when the ticket taker told me that the price was $17. But as I watched the film at Lincoln Center, I realized that unlike many people in the US, I primarily see modern dance live, and seeing the film in 3D brought it closer to my other experiences of dance. Of course, most people in the US do not see modern dance at all which is a shame. I think everyone can benefit from watching a wordless form of expression, if only to learn that one can communicate without words. In any case, the above shot is a production still from Bausch's "Le Sacre du Printemps" which was featured quite prominently in the film. A lot of shirtlessness for sure as well as a lot of peat moss which covered the entire surface of the stage.

I am not terribly familiar with Bausch's work, but after the film I feel that I must see it live. Although Ms. Bausch has passed on, I hope that her work will continue to be performed. Her integration of the set into her choreography is unmatched in the dance world, and I'm sure seeing it live is nothing short of miraculous. Let's continue to hope then for miracles. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Friday, January 20, 2012

Happy Birthday, Muhammad Ali!

When I was a child, I imagine that my first exposure to shirtlessness was through boxing, a sport which my dad followed enthusiastically. I was not crazy about watching two men beat each other up, but my dad really did and so I would watch a little bit with him. And of course, the bouts that we watched were the big fights of Muhammad Ali. Mr. Ali turned 70 on Tuesday, and I saw a segment about him on my morning television show. I called my dad after seeing it who asked me why Muhammad Ali inspired me to call.

"I remember those fights, Dad. They were a big deal."
"Yes, Nandit, they were a big deal."

He continues to be a mythic figure for me, someone who stuck to his own path no matter what. He spoke without fear and did what he wanted to do, even when it was wildly unpopular like being a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. I admire him for that and the fact that his path involved not wearing a shirt. Happy 70th Birthday, Mr. Ali! You inspire with your courage and fortitude.

With respect,
Nandita
President
IMS

Monday, January 16, 2012

Celebrating Shirtlessness

I have been watching Idris Elba over the past few years with high hopes that he would break out as a full-fledged movie star, and while his Golden Globe win was not for a movie, I hope it will be the thing that pushes him over the edge. He has such a serious, and let's face it sexy, look, and yet his turn on "The Office" proved that he can also handle comedy. I do love a man who can be both shirtless and funny. All that plus his English accent practically sent me into a swoon last night during the Golden Globes. Hopefully we will see more of him, and soon!

Last night I basically made a "Downton Abbey" sandwich with my one hour episode surrounded by two hours of Golden Globe coverage. I missed some good speeches, but alas, I could not have waited another minute for DA. Right before the show started, I crashed my computer which would normally turn me into a sobbing heap of nerves. Instead I calmly changed the channel and continued to unscrew the insides of my laptop as the opening credits rolled. Nothing comes between me and my DA - nothing!

Martin Luther King Day sneaked up on me this year. The 16th seems rather early for it, and so I had no idea that I did not have to work today nor did almost anyone else. Last year, I went to Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church in Montgomery and narrowly missed the newly inaugurated Governor's remarks that anyone who wasn't a Christian was "no brother or sister" of his. This year, I am happy to be in New York where religion seems to be a very small factor in whose brother or sister one may be. I hope we can keep trying to be each others' brothers and sisters regardless of race, creed, or religion in 2012 and continue the dream that Dr. King first articulated. Until then, I continue to be...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Monday, January 9, 2012

Modern Shirtlessness


More than one person has mentioned to me the wonderful male shirtlessness in the new Pina Bausch film. I mean they told me about how amazing the film and the dancing was too, but they pointed out the shirtlessness. It's good, I'm told. And in select cities, it's in 3D! So please do check out this tribute to the late choreographer and her work. I know I shall.

In the meantime, I have been remiss in following the traditional shirtless shows this week, mostly due to my incurable addiction to costume dramas, namely The Tudors and Downton Abbey. While The Tudors was an excellent source of shirtlessness in the early seasons, the latter years had barely any, and yet I kept watching. Similarly, I could have eaten up last night's premier episode of Downton Abbey with a spoon. No one took his shirt off, and quite honestly, there isn't a person in that cast whose shirt should come off since no one has seen the sun in quite a long time. But I loved it. I loved it!

The cold of January can be difficult for an IMS member. I'm grateful that there is a shirtless picture of Gilles Marini in my spice cabinet to keep me going until the the spring. I hope you all can find such stopgap measures as well. Until then, I am...

Nandita
President
IMS

Friday, January 6, 2012

Shirtless Man of Steel

For Christmas, my brother bought me a wi-fi router that allows me at last to use my AppleTV and stream Netflix onto my flat screen. He also was kind enough to install said router for me. So now I am making up for lost time by streaming the final season of "The Tudors" every night. The three episodes I watched last night reminded me of how much I do enjoy Henry Cavill. Though neither he nor Jonathan Rhys Meyers takes off their shirts in the final season in order to "age" them (Grey hair would have been more effective than shirts, but that is only my opinion), he is still quite appealing. And I am very excited for him to play Superman next. I would not mind him flying in to save me anytime!

Due to a persistent hacking cough and my addiction to the final season of the Tudors, I have stayed in the whole week. So I don't have much to report on how our shirtless campaign is starting out in the new year. I hope that the trends will continue on the uptick, and that soon, good male shirtlessness will be the rule instead of the exception. Until then, I continue to be...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Monday, January 2, 2012

Kicking It Up A Notch in 2012

I have never posted Tom Cruise before, mostly because he has seemed completely nuts since this blog began in 2007, but in honor of his big hit at the box office and of my motto for 2012 "To Kick It Up a Notch" which he clearly appears to be doing in this photo, I'm going to go ahead and give it to him. I do not always agree with the views of the men posted on this blog (I did after all once post a Republican Congressman), but I admire their dedication to good male shirtlessness. In this area, I can never find fault with Mr. Cruise. My introduction to his good shirtlessness was "Top Gun" which featured one of the definitive shirtless scenes in movie history (Volleyball, anyone?), and he has really never disappointed since. I have not yet gone to see "Mission Impossible IV" but have no doubts that I will in the coming weeks.

And yes, I've declared that 2012 is the year to kick it up a notch! In every area, I hope to turn on the heat and achieve the next level. In the final months of 2011, I was feeling a bit restless, happy with life in general but longing for something more. I hope that even this blog can kick it up with more shirtlessness, more excellent accessories to shirtlessness, and more social activism aided by shirtlessness. I am open to suggestions from you, gentle readers and IMS members, but please do remember that pantslessness is absolutely off the table. I look forward to your comments. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS