Sympathetic Shirtlessness

This photo made its way to my Facebook Wall over the holiday weekend.  Although the US loss last week was disappointing, I am happy to know that the shirtlessness continues on throughout the tournament.  Above please enjoy a Brazilian player, David Luiz, comforting a Colombian player, James Rodriguez after defeating him.  I like that they are both shirtless - they just seem so vulnerable.  James Rodriguez was one of the players in Elle's list of hot players sent to me earlier by another dedicated IMS member.  Overall, I am very pleased with the effect that the World Cup has had in terms of shirtlessness and the world.  Carry on!

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

National Pride

Though I still don't quite understand how we advanced to the next round after our loss to Germany, I'm happy to continue my support of the US Soccer Team in the World Cup since they celebrate their victories by taking shirtless pictures in the locker room.  Go USA!  I'd also like to point out the diversity of this team.  Although unfortunately there do not seem to be any players of Asian descent on the team, I'm happy to see a diverse group of athletes representing the United States to the world.  This is what (male) America looks like to me.  I hope this is what America looks like to the world too.

Yours in shirtlessness and soccer,
Nandita
President
IMS

USA!

On the eve of my birthday, I am scouring the internet for shirtless images of American soccer players because the team seems to be doing well.  I know yesterday's match was a disappointment with a tie against Portugal, but honestly, America is not really known for its soccer team and to have them almost beat a rather famous team seemed pretty exciting to me.  So go team USA!

In middle school I used to play soccer, and my favorite position was goalie.  So I am happy to post Tim Howard, Team USA's goalkeeper, tonight.  His shirtless shots leaped from the web, given that he has taken numerous shots sans shirt for ESPN and PETA, and I think we can all agree that Mr. Howard gives some good shirtlessness.  Here's to hoping he has reason to rip his shirt off in victory soon!

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

World Shirtlessness

As the days inch closer to my birthday, I am overwhelmed by the fever for a certain sporting event that appears to feature shirtlessness as part of its victory dance- the World Cup!  Currently, the Vice President of IMS is reachable only by text since he is glued to the television, and my Facebook feed is filled with names of countries followed by exclamation points and nothing else.  These are heady days.  Cristiano Ronaldo is the obvious poster child for this event on IMS since he seems to have no issues with ripping off his shirt for any reason at all.  May every team that wins, win big and take off their shirts!  Perhaps this year instead of chanting the names of countries as a cheer, we can start rounds of "Take Off Your Shirt" in various languages?

I'm glad that an event like this happens every few years for some guaranteed shirtlessness.  Other than episodes of "New Girl," there are few such instances left.  So let's celebrate summer, gentle readers, and watch the World Cup with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.  Until next week, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Happy Birthday, Lenny!

Gentle readers, many a moon have passed since I last posted.  Since I work as an event planner to support my theater habit, the last six weeks have been crazy with gala fundraisers every Monday night.  Lest you think that I'm standing around looking fabulous and drinking cocktails, my job usually involves me checking people in and telling them where to sit, where the bathroom is, and where to get another drink while wearing black and remaining sober.  I do look fabulous, of course, but in an understated "May I help you?" kind of way.  And sadly, none of my events this season have involved any shirtlessness.  So I'm very happy to report that this Monday,  I have had the day off and just found out that today is Lenny Kravitz's 50th birthday.  I can't think of two better reasons to post!

It is unclear when this photo was taken, but I don't think it was that long ago.  He certainly makes the late 40s look damn sexy as well as that ceramic mug.  Thank you, Lenny, for the inspiration and the continued shirtlessness.  You give this Indian hope that there is still the possibility of good, live, age-appropriate shirtlessness out there.

It is finally summer here in New York after an interminable winter and one week of spring.  I think this means that the shirtlessness will be dicey for a few weeks but then amazing.  I'll keep an eye out for some good New York shirtlessness.  Until then, I remain...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Awarding Shirtlessness

Take heart, gentle readers, because our work is apparently having a farther reaching effect than even I could have imagined!  I found out yesterday that MTV has a "Best Shirtless Performance" category in its famed Movie Awards, and last night, Zac Efron accepted his award shirtless - very appropriate!  I find this clip amusing because the host keeps playing the shirtless moment over and over.  Enjoy the above clip as I did.  Even though I still feel a touch icky about enjoying the shirtlessness of someone so young, I can't deny that his abs are rock hard and ready for many shirtless scenes to come.  I'm pleased to report that the nominees were four men and one woman, a sign that the shirtless tables have indeed turned.  Thank you for all the hard work you have done, IMS members.  Savor the sweet shirtless victory!


Yours in triumphant shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Remembering the Greats

I got some very sad news of the passing of an old friend this morning and am still trying to make sense of it.  The last time I saw this friend, he picked me up and carried me into the theater we were attending, and so it seems impossible to imagine that today he's no longer here.  On Facebook today, I saw the above image and remembered how this friend introduced me to Gregory Hines.  Actually, it was less of an introduction than a work assignment to take care of Mr. Hines while he attended our event, but still.  When I was accompanying Mr. Hines and his wife into the theater, he insisted on taking the stairs while his wife and I took the escalator.  He told me that Mary Tyler Moore told him the secret to aging well was taking the stairs whenever possible.  And to this day, I still do, even though Mr. Hines left this earth far too early as well.  Remembering them both, I can't help but think that all the stair-taking and superfood-eating cannot stop the inevitability of death.  They were both men who seemed to take great pleasure in life.  And that is perhaps all there is.

Yours in shirtlessness and friendship and love and life,
Nandita
President
IMS