EVEN though ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ is darker than its predecessors, this one is visually inspiring and more interesting because of the interactions of the boy wizard and his gang.
It’s the relationships between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) that work wonders, not necessarily the potions and spells of the popular books.
A lot of the credit also rests with David Yates, who has returned to the director’s seat, and carries the mantle of loosening up the friends group.
IN ‘The Ugly Truth’, Katherine Heigl, a television producer and Gerard Butler, an opinionated relationship expert, are set on a collision course from the outset.
Abby is outraged when the popular personality Mike is brought on-air without her knowledge.
Unfortunately, this startlingly coarse battle of the sexes lacks the necessary chemistry between the two leads. It does not have the romantic reality which should be a prerequisite.
What a shame that director Robert Luketic ‘borrowed’ from some notable films including ‘When Harry Met Sally’, but did not deliver competently.
MICHAEL Mann provides a technical talent which commands attention in ‘Public Enemies’. Starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, this biopic of famous 1930s bank robber John Dillinger covers a lot of ground and outlines some intriguing elements of his life.
A FINE creation that breathes life into images of a dark fairytale, ‘Coraline’ sees an adventurous little girl (voiced by Dakota Fanning) doing a playful battle with an ‘other’ world.
Director Henry Selick’s offering could see the adults not accepting it as readily as their children.
Qantock forces us to wake up to the reality of climate change
Arguably the most important show in what’s left of human history.
STREET THEATRE 25-30 August 2009
Rod Qantock has been around the block. I just can’t the image of him prancing around in that nightie in the Capt’n Snooze TV ads out of my mind. But Qantock’s true gift is using his comedic talent to pounce on an issue and grappling with it until it lies, wasted, on the floor of our conscience. So effective is his commitment that he was the recipient of the 2005 Adelaide Justice Coalition Romero Community Award for his contribution to Australian social justice.
Shoving the facts of climate change down our throats has become Qantock’s new raison d’être – and he does it in his inimitable way so that we actually get to laugh out loud at our ignorance and lack of a sense of urgency about this issue.
“It’s the greatest challenge humanity’s ever had to face. And history tells us we’re not very good at cooperating, but that’s what we’ve got to work towards. The sadness is there’s so little time. And it’s just as urgent as urgent can be.”
In his words, “If climate change doesn’t scare you shitless, then you just don’t get the science.”
Qantock has done his homework, and when he gives you his take on the physics, chemistry, biology, geology, paleontology, cosmology and meteorology of climate science you’ll get it too. And then… you’ll be scared shitless!
He’s talked to leading climate scientists, read the reports and watched the documentaries; he has taken the news stories big and small and joined the dots: worst fires, longest droughts, most devastating storms, mass extinctions, ice caps melting, polar bears drowning… But, hey! Bugger the polar bears, this is serious.
And why the polar bears?
“I hate polar bears,” says Qantock. “Why is climate change always about polar bears? Who’s their agent? It’s not like they’re the only ones who’ll be extinct. Chances are we will all be extinct!
Bugger the Polar Bears will be Qantock’s first return season to Canberra after his 2007 sell-out called The Farewell John Howard Party.
SHOWS: Tues – Thurs 7pm; Fri-Sat 8.30pm; Sunday 6.30pm
TICKETS: $22 – $32 Tuesday all tix $20
BOOKINGS: www.thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223 or at the box office
We’re holding a trivia night this Friday to raise funds for the Canberra Handball Club and help them regain the NSW League title. We have scoured the Canberra business community for some great prizes which will be awarded throughout the night. We hope you can come along and enjoy a night with Canberra’s handball community and support the team on its quest for another NSW League title.
Modern love is a film for tomorrow
By Rama Gaind
In addition to acting the lead in the latest Bollywood film to hit Canberra – ‘Love Aaj Kal’ – Saif Ali Khan also co-produces it for director Imtiaz Ali.
The winning formula pits modern love, with the aid of mobiles, internet and SMS, against old-fashioned romance where commitment, restraint and respect were the underlying factors for affection. This film is anything other than the perennial formulaic tale where the story and a message takes precedence.
Shorter than most Indian films, Ali keeps a tight reign on the pace over two hours as the present seamlessly intertwines with the past.
At the start, there’s a fast fling between the progressive couple – Jai (Saif) and Meera (Deepika Padukone) – who have a zest for living in London without any emotional baggage. Fast-forward and you see their liaison blossoming, but like-minded and faithful as they are their relationship cannot bear the weight of legal bonding.
Instead, they call it quits when professional opportunities draw them elsewhere. Jai and Meera are the young lovers of today (Aaj).
This is the cue for Veer Singh’s (Rishi Kapoor) entry as his past is the Kal (meaning tomorrow) of the title. A successful entrepreneur, Veer is mindful of his past options and chooses to show Jai the craziness of his ways.
Amazed by current easy-going trends, Veer recalls the hardships he had to endure to win his love Harleen. He’s quick to point out – to a disbelieving Jai – that in his day when it came to pursuing relationships, there were no compulsions, choices and options. That’s what’s called a generation gap!
In a double role, Saif is fine as the young Veer, but flawed as Jai, even though he displays some charisma. While Deepika shows style, work needs to done on her voice modulation. Rishi is excellent as the mature Veer.
Irshad Kamil’s lyrics are set to music by Pritam and the songs are finely woven into the screenplay. One of them is a stand-out: ‘Twist’ featuring a snake charmer’s tune maybe inconsequential, but it is catchy.
Director Ali has pulled off his second success: ‘Jab We Met’ has been succeeded with an oddly appealing movie made up of flawed characters whose practicality tends to hinder their understanding of love. Here’s one filmmaker who knows how and when to push the scenes without delivering extensive sermons.
A popular and desirable fitness training goal is the increase in muscle tone. Quite often you will hear that an individual’s purpose towards their fitness training is to not only lose weight but to also increase the definition of what is their skeletal muscle. If the correct approach is taken, following factual training techniques and information; increases in muscle tone are very achieving outcomes.
Let’s start at the simplest point; to improve muscle tone you must both increase the size of the muscle and well reduce body fat levels. This is a simple fact!
What bodybuilders and strength and conditioning athletes and coaches have known for a long time is that to increase the size of a muscle it must be placed under progressive amounts of stimulus. What practical application and scientific research has shown is that by following the platform structure of hypertrophy weight training an individual will increase the size of skeletal muscle. Hypertrophy weight training consists of 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions, at a weight whereby you will be all but completing the final repetition that your body and will power can complete within this repetition range.
However, for someone just starting weight training it is important that they complete two initial phases before moving into their hypertrophy program. Firstly you will need to complete a phase of initial strength training. Initial strength training can be completed with the same repetition and set range as hypertrophy training, but with a more moderate weight, whereby you are comfortably completing your repetitions. Your second phase will be one whereby you will be strengthening your neural pathways, enabling more efficient recruitment of muscle fibres; known as neural strength training. Neural strength training consist of heavy weight – low repetition training; 2 to 5 repetitions over 3 to 5 sets with long breaks between sets. If following these two initial phases you will be stronger in your hypertrophy phase, consequently lifting heavier weight to facilitate increases in muscle growth.
Nutrition will also play a vital role in the effectiveness of your muscle toning program. It is recommended for increases in skeletal muscle mass that an intake of between 1.4 to 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight be consumed on a daily basis. For example, if someone weights 70 kilograms they will look to consume 98 (70 x 1.4 = 98) to 119 (70 x 1.7 = 119) grams of protein per day. This can quite simply be consumed through a combination of strategic and well planed daily food intake, as well as protein drink supplementation. Additionally, a one hour window exists post training for protein consumption which is highly effective. Pre training nutrition should consists of high glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates (to raise sugar levels for training stimulus), as well as a supplement such as caffeine to stimulate the central nervous system. Out of training should be covered with low fat, low GI foods to enable even flow calorie intake.
An often not realised but extraordinarily effective addition to your weight training based muscle toning program is the addition of boxing training. This original form – out of practical application -of fitness training will assist in the effective recruitment of fast twitch muscle fibres; which effectively form the basis of strength and conditioning training. You can combine a mixture of explosive punching on the heavy bag or handpads, and constant flow drill based work. Additionally Muay Thai also provides similar benefits for lower body work with the inclusion of kicking and knee strikes.
Quite often heard from females is the fear of ungainly increases in muscle mass if they complete a weight training based fitness training program. This line of thought is an extreme misconception. Increases in muscle mass certainly don’t happen just by picking up a dumbbell, quite the contrary in fact. Females will actually find it more difficult than men to put increases in muscle mass on their testosterone reduced and ectomorph frames. If a female wanted to increase muscle tone then they must do all that is required.
As initially mentioned, reduction in body fat will additionally pave the way for visually increased muscle tone. If you follow the outlined principles above you will find that by increasing your skeletal muscle mass you will be raising your daily energy requirements (Basil Metabolism) which has the consequence of reducing body fat levels.
Two muscle toning fitness training myths to recognise – and then ignore – are the use of high repetition weight training, and the fallacy of spot body fat reduction. High repetition weight training is only useful for endurance specific training, not a highly desirable weight training outcome. Results from endurance weight training for increasing muscle tone will be little to none at all. The thought of simultaneously reducing body fat and increasing muscle tone is a specific area is also a fallacy. Body fat will not magically disappear in a particular area just because you are exercising it.
If you follow these simple concepts with it placed in a well structured program you will enable yourself the best possible opportunity to see genuine increases in muscle mass, body fat reduction; and overall effective muscle toning.
Ylaria Rogers and Alex De Toth in Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen fans will be delighted with the Free Rain production of a much-loved Austen classic Sense and Sensibility.
When Mr. Dashwood dies, his wife and three daughters Elinor, Marianne and Margaret are dismayed to learn their inheritance consists of only £500 a year, with the bulk of the estate of Norland Park left to his son John from a previous marriage. John’s scheming, greedy, snobby wife Fanny immediately installs herself and her spouse in the palatial home.
Austen could be classed as the very first ‘chick flick’ writer – with her novels bursting with more romance and heartbreak than a woman of her young age should be privvy to.
Sense and Sensibility was the first of Austen’s classics, and was published in 1811. Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant went on to play the leads in the popular film version of the novel.
You will especially love this play if you are an Austen fan or love Period drama. Free Rain Theatre Company has an ability to recreate Period classics (Wuthering Heights 2007, Pride and Prejudice 2008) to a professional standard–so this won’t disappoint.
WHAT: Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility
WHERE: Courtyard Studio Canberra Theatre
WHEN: 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 August at 8pm. 15, and 22 August at 2pm & 16 August at 5pm.
TICKETS: $28.00 Conc:* $22.00; Matinees and Twilight Shows: $18 Bookings: 02 62752700
Balibo was screened at the Brisbane International Film Festival.
Engaging program at international film festival in Brisbane
By RAMA GAIND
The 18th annual Brisbane International Film Festival, which ends on August 9, has become an important feature of the city’s vibrant visual arts scene.
Screening an estimated 300 features, documentaries, shorts, animation, experimental works and foreign films, the festival attracts an ever-growing number of audiences.
With Queensland celebrating its 150th birthday this year, it’s only fair that Queensland films were highlighted beginning with the short film Auntie Maggie and the Womba Wakgun, from Leah Purcell.
The 11 days also saw the world premier of Subdivision, which was shot on location at Hervey Bay. It was co-written by Ashley Bradnam. This comedy/drama centres on the change a community goes thorugh when city developers move in. It stars Gary Sweet Sweet and Brooke Satchwell.
Another Australian film, Prime Mover, which centres on the dreams of a long-haul truckie, features a mainly Queensland-raised and trained cast including William McInnes, Michael Dorman, Gyton Grantley and Anthony Hayes.
Other Australian films screened included Jonathan auf der Heide’s Van Diemen’s Land, Khoa Do’s Missing Water and Blessed from Ana Kokkinos.
Among some interesting documentaries were Hair India which looks at how human hair is almost like currency for some poor Indians, while explaining the enormous trade in hair from both the buyers and sellers points of view.
Ending the festival is a tense, political thriller, Balibo, which recreates events surrounding the shooting of five Australian journalists during Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor in 1975. . Told through the eyes of Roger East, a sixth Australian who is lured to East Timor by Jose Ramos-Horta to investigate the truth behind the death of the five men, who were supposedly ‘caught in cross-fire’ during the invasion.
Apart from Balibo’s director Robert Connolly, four other Australian documentary filmmakers connect with Asia and have their works screened. They are Megan Doneman, John Hughes, David Bradbury and David MacDougall.
The festival’s exxecutive director Anne Demy-Geroe says that although BIFF has traditionally focused on directors, this year there had been an increased emphasis on actors, with spotlights on living legends Jeanne Moreau and Amitabh Bachchan.
“Once again we’ve maintained our commitment to Asian cinema, with a strong group of films from master directors such as Girish Kasaravalli from India, Prasanna Vithanage from Sri Lanka and Kore-eda Hirokazu from Japan and there are others from Iran, Turkey and hong Kong, Philippines and Kazakhstan.”
There were some notable Indian films on show: The Last Lear directed by Rituparno Ghosh with Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal and Shefali Shah; Amar Akbar Anthony directed by Manmohan Desai starring Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Neetu Singh, Parveen Babi, Shabana Azmi; Roots which is described as a ‘cultural document’ by director Father Joseph Pulinthanath of Kerala, and tells of the people displaced by the construction of the Dumbur Dam, which in 1979 submerged huge areas of arable land in the fertile Raima valley; and Gulabi Talkies which is set in a fishing community in Kannada, is a complex script based on a short story written by the well-known Kannada feminist writer Vaidehi. It is directed by Girish Kasaravalli.
Gandhi’s Children is an Australian/Indian collaboration with director David MacDougall spotlighting several hundred orphaned, abandoned and runaway boys who are accommodated, fed and educated in the Prayas Children’s School for Boys run by a non-profit NGO in a poor area on the outskirts of Delhi.
As another film festival comes to an end, it’s heartening to note that all the major sponsors have actually increased their commitment to the film festival in Brisbane.
This was another exhaustive program which enabled the festival to provide more than interaction with just the screen; it showed the importance of maintaining contact through seminars, juries, and talks with critics, academics, actors and filmmakers.
The modern day gym is a desirable option for many fitness participants seeking results from their fitness training. Modern gyms have elaborate pieces of equipment which certainly facilitate results based fitness training. Additionally the atmosphere of a busy gym can also increase motivation; being around likeminded individuals seeking results from their fitness training.
However if results for weight loss, increased cardiovascular function, core training and just about every other form of fitness training is what you are seeking, then you must not exclusively treat the gym as your only option as there are many other forms of exercise which produce effective results.
Running Getting out and completing a slow long distance jog is a highly effective training method for both weight loss and improved cardiovascular function. Facilities are only limited to your routing imagination. It is recommended to devise a hydration strategy if completing log distances.
Walking Like running, walking is a great option for increased fitness, especially those just beginning a fitness program or just looking to get active. You can appreciate the scenery and relax your mind and spirit. Keeping track of your walking pace (distance and time) will pave the way for effective fitness training from walking. Being outside in the sunlight will also provide you with highly beneficial levels of vitamin D.
Boxing Fitness
Although generally requiring a partner boxing fitness is a fantastic option for out of gym fitness training. Utilising a pair of gloves and hand pads you can run through a series of drills and exercises which will greatly benefits your fitness and overall health.
Sports
Often forgotten in fitness training circles is the benefits of traditional sports as being beneficial for fitness training. Sports such as tennis, indoor cricket, basketball and soccer provide excellent exercise options which are fun and can possibly outweigh the benefits of particular fitness programs. Sports often bring together different qualities of fitness, creating a fusion fitness effect; beneficial for all participants. Additionally, for those looking to just get active, the benifits of golf should be considered. Whilst not generally seen as a form of exercise, the fact is that a player will walk up to and beyond 10 kilometres in a round of golf. Whilst there has been a general perception that golfers are out of shape, it has to be considered that the greatest golfer of all time is arguably, physically the most developed athlete in modern day sports. This is no coincidence.
Swimming
Completing laps in a pool, either fast or controlled, provides great all round health benefits. Swimming helps develop muscular endurance, strength and stability, as well as improve cardiovascular function.
Next time you’re looking for exercise options don’t limit your decision to a modern day gym. Whilst the gym is beneficial there are many self sufficient and supplementary options.
Manu Melwani seen inside the door of Sam''s Tailor.
Sam’s elite clientele in Hong Kong
By RAMA GAIND
BEING humble is a trait that one does not find often. I found it in Manu Melwani, who was modest about the worldwide reputation enjoyed by his Hong Kong-based business – Sam’s Tailor.
What makes this tailor unique is its A-list clientele of the rich and famous. The names are too numerous to list here, but a small selection includes former US Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Regan, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton; former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani; former Australian Prime Ministers Paul Keating and John Howard; the late Lady Di, Prince Charles; former South African president Nelson Mandela and former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau; former US vice-presidents Dick Chaney and Al Gore, also an environmental activist; and entertainers Sir Cliff Richard, Bruce Willis, David Bowie, George Michael, Pierce Brosnan, Whitney Houston, Luciano Pavarotti and Michael Palin.
Isn’t that impressive?
The business was founded by Mr Melwani’s father, Narindas, in 1957 and the shop is still in its original location in Burlington Arcade at 94 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
After learning of the ‘celebrity’ status enjoyed by Sam’s Tailor, I made a point of visiting the store and meeting Manu Melwani. It was a hot and muggy afternoon, but my husband and I were welcomed inside the store. It was a tight squeeze as customers crowded inside the small confines. However, a cold Coke (ordered for us by Mr Melwani) was refreshing.
The walls, adorned with pictures of famous people, caught my eye as I waited for Mr Melwani to finish speaking with a customer. One could spend hours here trying to spot the familiar personalities…
Five minutes later, Mr Melwani came over, introduced himself and in his soft-spoken voice asked us politely how he could be of assistance. Was it an outfit for myself or a suit for my husband? I felt awkward, but had to politely decline. We’d already had our clothes stitched elsewhere.
I couldn’t resist asking what it was like to have superstars among their clientele?
“We are in a privileged position to have them come to us, but we pay equal attention to all our customers,” Mr Melwani modestly said.
“Everyone who comes to us is special – whether you are a superstar or ordinary citizens like yourselves from Australia or New Zealand, Britain or the US,” he said.
“We treat everyone equally – and we do everything we can to ensure that everyone is satisfied.” That includes the 25% of women customers.
Sam’s Tailor is a well-oiled business with 75 workers stitching countless number of pants, jackets, dresses, suits and shirts a week.
In fact, Mr Melwani insisted of making a shirt for my husband. We were in the midst of refusing his kind offer, when a young man appeared measured my husband for a short-sleeve shirt – and it was delivered to our hotel 24 hours later! It fitted like a glove. We couldn’t believe that we’d received such prompt service.
Sam’s Tailor is a family business which is destined to prosper for many generations. While Manu Melwani is assisted by his brother Sam, his son Roshan is now also a part of the business.
When next we visit Hong Kong, the first thing we do will be to head on down to Sam’s Tailor and place an order for both of us. That day is not too far away.
Owners of Sam’s Tailor must be held in high esteem because they were honoured with a postage stamp on the 50th anniversary of its founding.
What is especially impressive is that the business does not advertise: the publicity is word-of-mouth. Now that’s the best kind!
Picture this: a sunny Saturday morning in Canberra; birds tweeting, clean air and relatively relaxed traffic. And then…
‘Gahhhhh yaaa loserrrrrrrrr!’ Such was the garble of a yobbo hanging out the passenger window of a car weaving across the bike lane in the city. I just kept on peddling, but my mind nagged at me ‘That wouldn’t have happened in Europe.’
Maybe hindsight has shone warm on my memories of European bike tours: quaint villages and stopping for gelato outside a monastery—but is cycling in Europe any better to Australia?
Roads and facilities
For a country that’s only just over 200 years old, Australia’s more-up-to-date logical design of roads should mean that cycling would be easier, right? Actually, because Europe is older, the roads are perfect for cyclists because the regional areas were built when multiple transports shared the same space, eg horses, cyclists, pedestrians. There is allowance for bikes on any road, with space for the bike alongside a white line.
Australia is also a bit slow on the uptake when it comes to welcoming bicycles into overall transport infrastructure. Canberra thankfully is a cyclist’s heaven, with a network of shared paths and cycle lanes on roads. As for Sydney city though, the words ‘death wish’ spring to mind; to go riding anywhere safe means driving there first.
This is opposed to Paris, where cyclists weave around scooters, cars and buses as if they were just like any other vehicle. European public transport has bike racks on regional trains, ferries and some buses. This is also possible on some of Australia’s public transport, but it is not as common, nor as accepted by fellow travellers.
Overall, the quality of the cycling paths, common roads and facilities are better in Europe, particularly Western Europe.
Safety
A bit of common sense is required by cyclists on any continent in any conditions, and it’s certainly not advisable or allowed to peddle along on an autobahn with 200kph Alfa Romeo’s whooshing alongside.
Not that you need to ride on a highway when urban roads are safe enough. In France and Germany, there’s a rule of 1.5 metres width gap when overtaking a cyclist, and to go slow until a safe overtaking position is possible. Trucks slow down so their vacuum doesn’t pull you in when passing.
Cyclists in Australia instead face the prospect of riding in the broken glass of a roadside gutter, apparently still taking up car space—no wonder helmets are needed.
Stranger than seeing a Parisian chap in a suit smoking a cigarette while riding, was that he—and others—didn’t wear a helmet. I asked our cycle tour guide whether this was the European flair for flouting the law, or was it to save the coiffed hair? Incredibly, some European governments allow cyclists to ride without a helmet, and that cyclists would rather have their hair floating in the wind than their brain encased in a protective shell. In fact, the attitude is that helmets are unsafe. I almost choked on my Chandon when the tour guide said that—rather like the Pope saying condoms were dangerous. But the guide’s explanation actually made sense; if you don’t wear a helmet, people are more careful—the cyclist, and the motorists. I was about to tell him that was bullsh**, but then I remembered that cycling is respected in Europe.
Attitude
Unlike Australia.
Can you imagine if people started hacking potholes into cricket pitches for giggles, or pushing goalposts over because they ruined the view? Oh the outrage at such disrespect! If only cycling were an ‘Aussie’ sport.
Remember that yobbo hanging out the window like a drooling bulldog? To him, if a person doesn’t wear a helmet, they’re a ‘bloody idiot’. People like that view cyclists with disdain for riding a ‘poof-bike’, wearing all that tight stuff and shaving their legs.
Whereas, any comment from motorists in Europe would be the opposite: ‘Vite vite Bella !’ And general smiles as you conquered the alp.
Cyclists
While Australia has a range of cyclist types, it is a rare sight to see eccentric bike behaviour. In Europe, weird is normal. Why not have a baguette stashed under the arm that holds a cigarette, while the other hand holds a mobile phone. Businessmen in Gucci. Bohemian arts students with long flowing skirts.
Then there are the training types. These blokes whoosh past at car speeds wearing their team jerseys, barely cracking a sweat even after 70ks before 9am—overtaking with a smile the retired people who spend hours a day cycling along the lakeshore. What a life.
Bikes
If Australia is about all things big and shiny, then Europe is about chic and shabby. The more gaffer tape, twisted rusted spokes and half rubbed-off obsolete brand stickers, then the more ‘cred’ you have. Lots of squeaks, near-flat tyres, seat-stuffing leakage. It’s all an in-built theft deterrent. No one in the right mind would chain up a shiny racing bike.
Australia’s bikes don’t have as good a cycling vintage to pool from—these days it’s either the Huffy from K-mart that snaps as soon as you go over a footpath crack, or something more sturdy that’ll set you back at least $500.
So, which region is better for cycling? Overall, I think Europe is better—for serious cyclists and for the everyday person. But with Tour de France just finished, recent years have had the hope of an Australian win—this would be a complete boon to the attitude to cycling in this country. And maybe yobbos would tolerate blokes who shave their legs.
Feroz ''Happy'' Aftab at Shaniel Custom Tailors in Hong Kong.
Bargain tailoring in Hong Kong
By RAMA GAIND
MAKING the most of grabbing a bargain in Hong Kong, I deliberately shied away from being there for the annual frenzy which springs up for the mid-year shopping festival.
I’d been told that the festival was a mesmerising event which showcased the best Hong Kong has to offer with best values, superb quality service and some great take-home buys.
However. I knew exactly where I was headed because my husband and I had previously had clothes stitched at Shaniel Custom Tailors.
We had taken possession of made-to-measure slacks and shirts on our last visit and this time were prepared for more of the same.
The midday sun was crackling and so were we, anxious to get to the Comfort Building at 86-88A Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
Walking through the arcade and into the shop and it was nice to see friendly faces.
David Waheed was most attentive. He first asked what our requirements were; then many decisions had to be made relating to style, colour, type of fabric, costs and how many items of clothing needed to be stitched. We also needed to be measured.
Quick to assist was Feroz ‘Happy’ Aftab, who has been in the industry for seven years, as he rapidly spread out an endless array of fabrics. Swift decisions had to be made.
In between making choices on style cuts and colours, David said about 60 per cent of their business was for men and 40 per cent on outfits for women.
While making clothes for men has challenges, women tend to be more selective, seeking specific designs. David said the women “usually advise us on how to make the garments”.
Born in Hong Kong, David has been in the industry for eight years. “I enjoy my job … there’s freedom, have fun and meet with people from different cultures.”
While Australia and the UK is their main market, business partners also travel to Europe and the US. Their mail order business is flourishing.
Services of two eager teenagers – Umair Khan and Alex Naqash – were also used as they stood outside the arcade to Shaniel Custom Tailors inviting customers into the shop.
Shaniel has been Hong Kong-based since 1963. They specialise in making custom-tailored suits/tuxedos, shirts, over-coats, blazers, vests, slacks, leather jackets, shoes, uniforms and tie/suspenders sets for office wear, casual wear or formal wear.
“We welcome all the old and new customers from around the world who visit our showroom for updated fabrics and styles. Shaniel strives to provide customers with exceptional quality and timely completion of work, superior service and guaranteed satisfaction.”
After our stitching order was placed, with a promise of delivery within three days, we ventured out for further sightseeing.
There is just so much to see and do in and around Nathan Road. Named after Governor Sir Matthew Nathan, the road runs directly up to Boundary Street, the northern limit.
Today, this is one of the busiest commercial roads in Hong Kong; the lower end of the road is known as the Golden Mile because of the plethora of storefront neon signs. A walk along Nathan Road will reveal a shopping paradise with many boutiques, camera shops, street markets and restaurants crammed in side-by-side.
Other highlights include Chi Lin Nunnery, Festival Walk, Flower Market, Gold Fish Market, Hau Wong Temple, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Space Museum, Kowloon City Plaza, Lion Rock Road Market and Wong Tai Sin Temple.
The day was not only exhaustive, but invigorating – and what’s more – we walked out by remaining within our budget!
Reflecting on post-9/11 New York in Bollywood film
By RAMA GAIND
Screening at Hoyts Belconnen is the much-awaited Indian film titled New York.
Director Kabir Khan turns the spotlight on the Big Apple and tackles a complex and sensitive dilemma in post-9/11 New York with disarming simplicity.
Without being insensitive to anyone, this political drama touches on issues of ethnic profiling and terrorism and centres on loyalty, friendship and love.
The hook is cast from the opening scene as Omar (Neil Nitin Mukesh) is arrested by the FBI and interrogated for his terrorist links by FBI agent Roshan (Irrfan Khan). Flashbacks aid in telling the story as Omar recounts his college friendship with the campus hero Samir (John Abraham) and Maya (Katrina Kaif) who stole his heart, but loved his friend.
The carefree college days make way for a more turbulent present as Omar is sent back into the lives of his friends as an undercover FBI agent to expose Samir’s nefarious activities.
However, Omar is unflinching in his loyalty to his friends, seeking to extricate them from the treacherous terrorist games.
Through a Bollywood lens the film reflects the tragedy of everyday life, highlighting the plight of legal detainees without prejudice. However, the plot has some colossal holes. While the subject was sombre, the film lacked a concise, dispassionate tone of integrity, with a slower pace in the second half being accompanied by predictability. By being emotionally overcharged, New York trivialised the theme, except for the melodramatic and unpredictable climax.
Screenwriter Sandeep Srivastava can, however, take responsibility for highlighting career-defining roles for the three inseparable college friends: Neil creates a winsome character, torn between his conflicting loyalties – friendship and sanity – and the pain of unrequited love; John gives a promising performance that erases his muscle and brawn image; and Katrina displays serious acting potential. Irrfan convincingly adds layers of complexity to his character.
Pritam’s musical score left a lot to be desired.
A known documentary maker who debuted in 2006 with a blemished but engrossing Kabul Express, Kabir Khan deserves credit for illuminating the plight of South Asian and Muslim men after 9/11. It’s a shame that such enlightenment was not defined more explicitly.
A deficiency in leg strength and endurance is an area which can affect the function of individuals in everyday life. Whether it is your profession, family life, hobby or sporting endeavour it is more than likely that you will spend a significant amount of time using your legs. An efficient, worthwhile and enjoyable method of improving the fitness variables in our legs is through hill sprints. Hill sprints are also a superior weight loss tool, with the potential calorie expenditure being greater than the flat sprint relatives. Hill sprints could be seen as a cross between sprinting and weightlifting; this will have significant benefit to body composition, not to mention self discipline.
While by name it is a sprint, in essence the percentage effort required is relative to your current fitness level. A sprint may consist of a fast paced walk up the incline.
Hill sprints can be split into two categories; long and gradual incline, and short and steep incline. Attention should also be paid to technique and session preparation, and of course recovery.
Session Preparation
As with all forms of physical activity a full body warm up is a requirement. A good warm up should consist of movement which will raise your heart rate and prepares your muscles for action. This can be done either on electronic exercise equipment or by a series of dynamic stretches- stretching through a continuous range of movement. Static stretching (holding a stretch with no movement), exclusively done as a warm up is not a suitable preparation, despite popular belief. A sufficient warm up usually consists of a five to 10 minute period.
Long and Gradual Incline
Hill sprints over a long and gradual incline will primarily train your legs from an endurance perspective, with strength being secondary. Choose an area of relatively even surface which is on a gradual incline of 20 to 30 meters over a length of 100 to 150 meters. Complete two sets of five sprints at a 70 to 90% effort, slowly jogging or walking back to the starting point after each incline run. 60 second to 3 minute break between sets is appropriate.
Short Steep Incline Hill sprints on a short and steep incline will train your legs from a strength perspective, with endurance being an added benefit as you push through the anaerobic threshold. Locate an area of solid surface with three different inclines of approximately 5, 10 and 15 meters over a 30 meter length. Complete one set of 3 runs to each incline (total of nine sets) at a 90 to 100% effort. Have a slow jog or walk back to your starting point after each sprint. A 200 meter walk and/or slow jog recovery between sets is recommended.
Technique
A focus on technique is important to get the most out of your hill sprints. Pay attention to a strong leg drive and efficient arm motion. It is also important to maintain a stable core in the abdominals and lower back to prove a solid base for the limbs to work from.
Session Recovery Due to the nature of hill sprints being both concentric (muscle shortening- up hill) and eccentric (muscle lengthening- down hill) movements you will suffer DOMS (Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness) in the 24 to 48 hour period post session. To aid your recovery complete static stretching post session, with massage and hydrotherapy also being recommended.
It is recommended that you add hill sprints into your training regime one to 3 times per week, making sure of at least one day rest in between sessions. You will notice an improvement in strength and endurance, subsequently taking you a step closer to achieving your fitness and lifestyle goals.
The Australian Handball Federation [AHF] congratulates the ACT Handball Association and players in their first participation in the u16 National Handball Championships being held on 25-26 July 2009 in Coffs Harbour.
The players and the respective team management are as listed below:
