fellas, welcome to what will hopefully be a useful guide in helping you decide how best to impress this new years eve. no matter what party you’re planning on attending, exhibiting confidence and individualism will be the key. we’ll start by breaking down new years eve parties by types of events, and we’ll review what will be appropriate for each. enjoy the ride!

the hotel party
whether you’re planning on heading to the grand hyatt in mumbai for their high roller’s gambling theme party or the taj land’s end lawns meditteranean bash, every 5-star hotel in the mumbai (and any city for that matter) will attempt to put on something grand. usually, the hotel parties will sprawl their entire property, including their restaurants. for this, you will pay a pretty penny, but how do you get noticed in such events? easy. don’t try to do too much out of the ordinary to get noticed at a hotel party. think class, elegance, suave, and comfort. you want to do something special, but you don’t want to look out of your skin.

deapthought’s pick: classic three-button single-breasted black suit with classic white shirt, no tie

what to avoid: do NOT pop your collar outside of your suit coat like a 70’s star. avoid shirts with patterns. if you want to wear a tie, go for the trendy skinny ties.

the club party
the poison’s of the world will have one thing in mind for new year’s eve: rage! the ambiance here will be defined by a crazy, dance-and-drink-till-you-drop crowd looking to party, so if this is what you’re in for, so be it! the main things to bring together here in your outfit will be comfort with some level of trendiness. the place will surely be packed to the brim, so think flexible, trendy, comfortable. don’t worry about getting noticed here -it’s simply the wrong place for that.

deapthought’s picks: worn out, inconspicuous jeans (think original diesels, joe’s, levi’s, rock & republic, etc.), branded t-shirt, and adidas sambas. add some flair with a funky trucker’s hat.

what to avoid: skip the chunky or white colored belt - yes i know it’s tempting, but half the world will be wearing one. skip the ugly, patterned “provogue” style shirts that are becoming way too common these days. no ugly, extra-pointy dress shoes on jeans.

the lounge party
perhaps one of the best parties to get noticed at, this is where you’ll need to get a little inventive, try some different things, and eventually, find your own style. i personally always lean towards casual, and then allow little flares of style define and differentiate myself.

deapthought’s picks: black or grey worn out faded jeans, grey long-sleeve thermal with fitted t-shirt over the top. for an outdoor lounge, you may be comfortable enough in a light jacket - go for a trendy, funky blazer jacket. for shoes, anything from adidas to pumas will do the trick, depending on the vibe of the place.

so as you go off to ring in the new years by getting retarded drunk, just remember that the most important thing above anything else when picking out your outfit for the night is to just be yourself. feel comfortable in your skin, and have the confidence to know that whatever you’re wearing, you’re pulling it off. you can be rocking the most amazing outfit of the night, but if you’re not exuding that to the outside world, not one soul will take notice. stay safe, take care of each other, and do not drink and drive!

I’m here to tell you all that there is a world outside of Kingfisher. Far out there, in the corners of the earth, awaits a world of delicious suds available in all colors, tastes, densities and strength. I’m here to tell you this revolution can and should take place in our very own land. I’m here to tell you that Dr. Mallya has put a curse on us all. I’m here to break that curse. Now that I have your attention, I’ll dive right in to the topic. Why can’t I get beer in India!? No, wait. Before you comment, I know - but that’s Kingfisher. I know I can get Kingfisher in India. What about a tall pint of Hefeweizen with a slice of lemon? Or what about a bottle of Newcastle Ale? No Guiness on tap? What about a hardy IPA? And what about a light beer for when I’m feeling fat and guilty? It’s time I expose you all to the wonderful world of suds that exists outside of the little evil green bottle. Read on:

Hefeweizen (Wheat Beer): Hefeweizen is a German style wheat beer in which the yeast is not filtered out. Wheat beers generally are paler in color and have a light flavour. It usually has a sweeter flavour and creamier consistency than others. Hefeweizen is known for its slight overtone of banana flavours and is usually served in a pint with a wedge of lemon.

India Pale Ale (Light Ale): India Pale Ale is yet another method of brewing beer and has its base in hops rather than wheat, giving it a much more bitter flavour. It is usually a light reddish brown in color and has a higher alcohol content than other lighter beers.

Guinness (Stout): Guinness is probably one of the most recognized beer brands in the world. It is a dry stout, extremely dark in color, thick in consistency. The distinctive flavour of tobacco, espresso, and chocolate comes from the roasted barley which remains unfermented. The thick creamy head (keep your mind out of the gutter) is the result of a nitrogen mix being added during the serving process. Guinness is primarily made from barley malt, hops & brewers yeast. A portion of the barley steamed, rolled and roasted to give it that dark color and distinctive taste. Despite its reputation as “meal in a glass”, it only has 198 calories per imperial pint (20oz), fewer than an equal sized glass of skim milk or orange juice.

Newcastle Brown Ale (Brown Ale): Newcastle Brown Ale is an English brown ale. Brown ales are typically made with dark or brown malt. They range from deep amber to brown in color and usually have caramel flavor overtones to it, due to the roasted malt. The British ales, such as Newcastle, tend to be darker, sweeter, and lower in alcohol content, whereas an American brown ale, such as Sierra Nevada Brown Ale, tend to be drier, more bitter, have a heavier body, and a slight accent of citrus due to the American variety of hops.

This is by no means even close to an exhaustive list of the wonderful suds that are out there, waiting to be consumed and appreciated. I’m sure you all have your favourite pint of suds. I await the day that India truly gets its first legitimate brewery or Beer Haus. Even the five star hotels won’t surprise you beyond a longneck of Corona. I’m asking for the real deal. Is that too much to ask?

Being a born-and-raised Californian now living in Mumbai, I’ve desperately tried to import California beach-bum like fashion here. I’ve tried my best, and I’ve pasted some pictures of the type of style I’m comfortable rocking, regardless of whether I’m going to Henry Tham’s or Chaurasia Paan:

Nothing beats a funny, attention grabbing comfortable t-shirt.

Roughed up polo tee always looks stylish while also showing people you’re not as pretentious as the prick wearing a body hugging tee and fashion sunglasses

Cargo shorts keep you cool in the hot summer while also giving you a nonchalant cool look.

The Hawaaiian print floral swim shorts are here to stay - versatile enough to wear to the beach, out and about, as well as at the pool

I can never pass up a good, comfortable pair of destroyed ultra low-rise bootfit jeans. Hard to find here, but you can find them. Perfect with a pair of flip flops and a t-shirt.

Cargos are definitely in this summer for guys, but extend your style a bit farther and go for a pair of camoulflage cargos. You could rock these with a polo tee or even a cutoff in the summer.

What California boy can forget his flip flops? Go for something a little funkier than usual. Yes, Crocs are in, but I don’t think they’re here to stay. Flip flops are, so pick up a funky, but comfortable pair. Leather is a no-no and for the yuppy who is wearing them with white linen pants.

Any other California boys out there? Even if you’re not from California, some of us are Californians at heart, so feel free to suggest your own California style!

Romance is dead. I’m 27, by the way. I have a strong sense that our parents believe our generation killed romance, and here I am boldly stating that it was not us. While I cannot hold completely responsible the current high school and college generation for skipping all the steps to hurry into naked twister, I do think it is important that we recognize some of the important features we are missing today when it comes to what we generally term as romance.

• Eye Flirting - what ever happened to that glance across the lounge, catching someone’s eye at that opportune moment, giving each other that slight yet suggestive smirk, and both of you knowing inside exactly what the other person is thinking? It moves from that first glance to a game of who catches whom looking at who now. As that sexy jazzy tune plays overhead, you feel good about the connection you established with a complete stranger, regardless of if you ever see that person again…

• The Chase - I was under the assumption that this was actually exciting - the perennial cat ‘n mouse game between two people. In most cases, mutual attraction has already been established, but one party always has to play hard-to-get, and herein lies the most delicious of paradoxes. So unattainable, yet always within reach; the chase is so real, yet deep down inside, in the realest part of your soul, you know that you will taste victory…it’s just a matter of time…sounds fun to me, so why is this a dying ritual!?

• Chivalry - Yes, we all know it is about as dead as George Bush’s sex life, but what about the small easy-to-do stuff? Opening a door for that special someone, asking them what they want to drink at the bar and ordering for them, making sure they get to sit down when there’s only enough seating for one - that’s not over the top or filmi people!

I am positive that I have certainly missed other nuances of romance that are on the verge of going the way of the dodo bird. Feel free to crumb away and tell us - what is forgotten in today’s version of romance?

checked out frank miller’s “300″ yesterday and i have to say it was pretty amazing. direction, editing, and the manner in which certain scenes were executed was simply brilliant. acting was a bit cheesy, but then this was one of those “mean to inspire” type of flicks, and to a certain degree, it did just that.

the story, about the legendary battle of thermapolaye between a few courageous spartans and the endless armies of persia, did offend in one way. i may be stretching this story too far into politics, but i did not much appreciate the idea of a pristine, idealistic “white” army against a hedonistic, obsessive “brown” one - again, perhaps my mind is too preoccupied with real world events and politics, but there was just too much of a parallel with current world affairs for me to not draw the comparison. of course, in it’s rawest form, someone here had to be the good guy and someone had to be the bad guy - and that i understand.

this is definitely one of those you have to catch in the multiplex - dvd/television will not do justice to most of the larger-than-life scenes here. be warned: this is not a flick for your kids! i was surprised to see little children accompanying their stupid parents to see this movie - something social services in other countries could take your baby away for. although this film does have it’s share of gratuitous violence, it is picturised very tastefully a la frank miller, sin city, et al. some scenes here will remind you of the timeless classic, the gladiator, but those comparisons, given the epoch, storyline, costumes, etc. are natural.

curious to hear what others thought of this, so crumb away!

Vikalp Films for Freedom is happy to invite you to Let It BE ! a six-day
festival of Indian and Belgian documentaries and shorts from March 20 to 25.

The festival will take place at the conference hall of the National College
in Bandra every evening from 6 pm onwards.

Let It BE ! brings a superb selection of Belgian independent cinema,
representing a wide spectrum of film making from the experimental to the
humourous to the political. Alongside internationally acclaimed films like
`Une Part Du Ciel’ (Cannes 2002), and the work of renowned film-makers like
Pascal Baes and Boris Lehman, the festival will also showcase the work of
Brussels’ famous film-making ateliers where master film-makers work in
collaboration with other artists and students.

Every evening’s screening will be kicked off by a new Indian documentary
film from a package specially curated by Vikalp Films for Freedom for this
festival.

The festival is also designed to create space for filmmakers from both sides
to meet, talk, and discuss future collaborations.

In addition, the festival audience can look forward to exciting discussions
with eminent Belgian film makers Boris Lehman and Benedicte Lienard, who
will accompany the festival and also take part in special interactions with
film makers and students.

Off-venue sessions will be held in the afternoons on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd
at the popular restaurant Seijo and the Soul Dish, a few minutes away from
National College. These session are designed for more intensive interactions
between Indian and Belgian film makers, students, and interested members of
the audience.

Following is the schedule and synopses of films … do spread the word

(more…)

Yeah, I said it! So let’s get past the initial cheap shock value of the subject heading and actually have a progressive discussion about this.

We live in a country where, paradoxically, we have the most well thought out and comprehensive piece of literature ever written in history on lovemaking and eroticism, yet even so, the subject is highly taboo. Of course, to my best knowledge, it does not cover the virtues or vices behind pre-marital sex, but the more I observe young couples in Mumbai, the more of a hunch I get that these kids are certainly doing the nasty. My fear here is not that they are doing it - in my mind, that choice is each and every person’s natural human right. My fear is that these kids are devaluing sex, demoting it to a level where, to them, it’s just one of the things you do once you are in a relationship. Now that is dangerous. Outside of the huge health implications this could pose, I believe this devaluation of our emotional and physical currency could end up irrevocably ruining the fabric of what makes us so human. Carnal instincts take over, and the rest falls by the wayside. What needs to be taught, understood, and even discussed at length is that relationships are not about holding hands, sharing ice cream and having sex for the sake of it. Going that extra distance has to mean something very special to you if you are with someone you truly value, whether you are married or not.

Just recently, I read about a particular survey where younger crowds (college students and working professionals) equated sex (all types of sex) with an act like kissing. Talk about a downgrade!

Of course, I am totally leaving out the whole “casual sex” culture here - that is a different dynamic in itself - two people with a common understanding of what they are in it for (I certainly plan on tacking casual sex as another article in itself).

Now it is quite possible that my inference from observation is totally wrong, making this whole discussion moot and a bit unnecessary - but if you have seen what I have seen, you will agree with me. Puppy love gone too far? I don’t know - but I do worry about the implications.

I wonder what you all have seen, witnessed, or experienced in your life when it comes to pre-marital sex. Do you have friends who rushed into it? Did they truly believe they were with someone that they saw a future with or was it more of a mechanical reaction to being in a relationship? Crumb away!

Being an avid wine yuppie, I thought it necessary to educate the masses about proper wine storage. It just makes me cringe when I go out to eat anywhere here and they bring me out a bottle of chilled red wine. Simply blasphemous….read on.

1. Why does wine require special stoarage?
Wine is a natural, perishable food product. Left exposed to heat, light, vibration or fluctuations in temperature and humidity, all types of wine, including red, white, sparkling, fortified, can spoil. When properly stored, wines not only maintain their quality but many will improve in aroma, flavor and complexity as their mature.

2. What is the ideal temperature for wines?
Temperature centered around 57 degrees Farenheit, 14 degrees Celsius, much like the cool caves used to store wine in Italy in older days, is ideal for both short-term storage and long-term aging for all types of wines. Keep in mind that white wines are better had the closer the current year is to their vintage.

3. Aren’t all wine cellars only necessary for the finest, more premium wines?
Not at all! All wines will continue to develop in the bottle, especially reds. Whether you buy an inexpensive wine or an expensive one, proper storage is necessary to preserve the qualities that led you to buy the wine in the first place. Certain wines (again, more of the reds), will need to spend some time in storage in order to truly unlock it’s potential from a flavour and complexity standpoint.

4. What role does humidity play in wine storage?
Proper humidity is required to prevent corks from drying out, therefore preventing oxidation that can lead to spoilage. There is a growing hysteria regarding the need for very high humidity when in reality it should not be a major concern if you are over 50%. Too high, and you could experience mold issues. An important thing to mention here are recent verifiable studies that screw tops can actually preserve a wine better than the age-old tradition of using oak corks. Most credit PlumpJack Winery to be the first high-end premium vintner to go out on a limb and use screw tops for all their varietals.

5. How should bottles be stored?
Storing bottles on their sides is also vital for keeping corks moist (again, screw tops aside). This horizontal position can be achieved with various types of racking, including individual bottle bins, diamonds, champagne, case storage, etc. that helps you organize your collection.

6. How does a wine cellar work?
The heart of a wine cellar is a cooling unit. A thermostat senses temperature variation, leading the cooling unit to turn of and off as needed to maintain constant temperature at 57 degrees Fahrenheit or 14 degrees Celsius, and humidity between 50-70 percent.

7. Aren’t wine cellars expensive?
Again, some are certainly more expensive than others, depending on size, as well as technical and decorative features - but a wine cellar is an investment designed to protect an even more valuable investment: your wine! Taken in the context of the value of your collection along with the added enjoyment you will get from tasting wine the right way, the cost per bottle of most wine cellars will eventually approach zero the more wine you purchase and store.

Welcome to blah, India’s first and only online lifestyle focused magazine, written by you! We will be covering a wide range of lifestyle related topics, such as fashion, health, professional life, and fine arts, just to name a few. Our authors are home-grown localites with a passion for particular lifestyle-related issues, and now, their voices are being delivered to you. So sit back, relax, and enjoy - and please feel free to leave our authors crumbs to share your own experiences and insights with our authors and other readers alike.