Samourai Soundtrack

I always thought this was an underrated Bond song. (Underrated Bond film, too, I might add.) I especially like this remix by U.N.K.L.E.

Samourai Soundtrack

This is one of my favorite versions of the James Bond theme. I often listen to it on my way to summer snorkeling expeditions to Shark's Cove on the North Shore of Oahu. Makes me feel like I'm Sean Connery in Dr. No.

Finding Real Life Inspiration from Fictional Heroes, Part Two

The post below originally appeared on my fitness site, Fit Monkey Hawaii. 


I recently wrote about being inspired by fictional heroes. In this post, I'll take a look at some of my own sources of inspiration from films and television.


Caveat: The No-Atticus Rule... Atticus Finch is one of the most inspiring characters in fiction. However, my website is primarily about fitness and martial arts, so for the sake of simplicity I'll be focusing on fictional heroes who inspire physical greatness.

Films

Casino Royale (2006) I've been a James Bond fan since my early teens, but this film in particular had a big influence on me. In my previous post, I mentioned all the people who "Googled 'Daniel Craig workout'” after  Casino Royale inspired them to get into better shape. I was certainly among them. What I found was a short article by Craig's trainer, Simon Waterson. According to Waterson, to get fit enough to be the new 007, Daniel Craig did quite a bit of bodyweight work. Specifically, lots of Dips, Pull-Ups, and Push-Ups. By this point in my life I was pretty much fed up with the whole gym scene, so the idea of getting into shape using mostly my own body was very appealing. I quit the gym and started training outdoors, concentrating on running along with Dips, Pull-Ups, and Push-Ups. It worked, and along with some major changes to my diet, I dropped my body fat by nearly half in 18 months. I should also note that it was nice to see James Bond use some good fighting moves. Check out the great fight in the staircase. BJJ fans will surely note 007 of a rather fatal Rear Naked Choke. He even has his hooks in! 

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The Bourne Identity, 2002 I was very excited when I first heard about The Bourne Identity. The idea of an old-fashioned thriller directed by Doug Liman (who had already directed the excellent films Swingers and Go) and starring Matt Damon sounded very promising. And then I discovered that Damon would be training in the Filipino art of Kali for the role. That was just the icing on the cake! While I had not trained in Kali myself at that point, I was very interested in the art based not only on what I had read but on some family history. My grandfather--a Marine saber champion--knew some Kali from his time fighting in the Pacific during World War II. He was taught by Filipino rebels working against Japan. Plus, the idea of swinging sticks around just sounded fun. Then when I actually saw Matt Damon's Jason Bourne in action, I knew this was what I wanted to pursue. The mixture of Kali, Boxing, and Jeet Kun Do looked practical, efficient, and (I must admit) cool. After all, the fight scene in Bourne's Paris apartment is far and away my favorite fight scene in any film. 

When I finally got serious about martial arts training, I specifically looked for a school that would incorporate some Filipino martial arts as part of the curriculum. I ended up finding Burton Richardson's JKD Unlimited and Battlefield Kali,  which utilized not only Kali but also kickboxing, grappling, etc. I started training with Burton back in 2002 and haven't looked back. Not only am I still a student of Burton's, but I'm one of his instructors as well. And all in part because of Jason Bourne. No wonder I still sometimes listen to Moby's "Extreme Ways" on the way to train! 

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Miami Vice (2006) This is sort of a dark horse choice. Not many people seemed to like this film. As a big fan of both the original '80s TV show and of director Michael Mann, I loved it. It terms of inspiration, I really liked how both Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell--not actors best known for their action roles--both got into top shape to be the new Crockett and Tubbs. Plus, Michael Mann made sure they got realistic training in assorted combat techniques, as can be seen in this video by trainer Mick Gould:  

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Full Contact (1992) Probably the most obscure film on this list. In all due respect to John Woo and Jackie Chan, Ringo Lam's Full Contact is far and away my favorite Hong Kong flick. If you've seen Lee Marvin on Point Blank or Mel Gibson in Payback, this movie will seem familiar to you. Chow Yun Fat plays a Harley-riding crook out for revenge on those who betrayed him and left him for dead. While there's much I love about this movie--great supporting cast, awesome actions scenes, etc.--what earns Full Contact a place on this list is the short but cool montage showing Chow Yun Fat getting into shape and training himself to go wreak vengeance on his enemies: 

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The Crow (1994) Lots of people love this film. I'm not one of them. While it has some great scenes, a fantastic soundtrack, and a classic performance by the late Brandon Lee, I just felt the overall movie had some serious flaws. The screenplay in particular could have used some work. So why is it on this list? Simple: As  slender, sensitive guy with Goth tendencies, I loved seeing another slender, sensitive guy with Goth tendencies kick some serious butt. 

And to this day I find Stone Temple Pilot's "Big Empty" a great song to listen to on a rainy night, driving home from a hard evening of training.

 There are no doubt other films I could list, but these are sort of the "Big 5." What are yours?


 In Part Three of this series I’ll look at some of my own sources of fictional inspiration from books.

Recession Booze: Gordon's Gin

Times are tough, and for many people, money is tight. But that doesn't mean we have to consign ourselves to a teetotaler lifestyle. There are enough booze bargains out there to help us through the recession, drink in hand.

Today's recession booze choice is Gordon's gin. I've always had a bit of a soft-spot for Gordon's. It was the very first gin I ever had, back when I first tried my hand at making a Martini. Why did I choose Gordon's as my first gin? Well, for one, it's cheap. And two, there's the 007 factor: 

Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?--James Bond, Casino Royale

Of course, the Gordon's of Bond's time and the Gordon's you buy at your local liquor store are not quite the same. As pointed out in Esquire, English Gordon's gin used to be 94 proof; now it's under 80. For those of us who enjoy cocktails but also like sobriety, this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I still think Gordon's is a very good choice in bargain booze. Apparently, I'm not alone:

You can get a liter of it for about $15 and it's surprisingly good.--TheKitchn.com 

This is my go-to value gin and my personal favorite of the list.--About.com Cocktails

This one is bright and piney, with a nose-crinkling shot of black pepper — a lot like Tanqueray, its imported stablemate.--Esquire

My favorite review comes from GinReviews.com:

In the world of premium luxury gins, it’s often easy to take a sideline seat to the bigger boys. Let’s not forget that Gordon’s Gin is a Diageo product the same as Tanqueray. So although they are different products, they are indeed on the same team.  

Huge aromatics going on here, and Gordon’s Gin can be labeled as being overpowered by some. Not by me, keep them coming. Perfect as a mixer, or all on its own, by my standards.  But be warned, Gordon’s Gin is for the seasoned gin drinker, if you are not ready for it, Gordon’s Gin will devour you. 

I couldn't help but a connection to lemon head, as I sipped Gordon's Gin writing this review. Traditional indeed is what I like. Although I have an affinity toward the classic English bottle design displayed below. Lemon presence but not to the point of sweetness with enough bitterness to let you know you are drinking gin. A true English gentleman, Gordon’s Gin, through and through.  

Sweet like candy soothes my soul, sweet you rock and sweet you roll. 

This is the gin James Bond drinks, and if you want to be a 007 spy, this is where it’s at. If you want a traditional London Dry Gin, this is the Gordon’s Gin for you.

While Gordon's is certainly not as good as some higher priced gins--I still prefer Beefeater--it's a tasty spirit at an appealing price. Gordon's is a perfect choice for a bunch of Gin & Tonics, and contrary to many reviewers, it makes a very serviceable Martini.

Today's Femme Fatale

Finding Real Life Inspiration from Fictional Heroes, Part One

I admit it: I have some geekly fanboy tendencies. I'm not really an SF, fantasy, or superhero kind of guy. No, my passion is for well-done crime and thriller stuff, especially if there is an espionage element involved.

I'm not alone. We spend countless dollars on action films and thriller novels. But here's the question: What do we get out of them besides entertainment?

Personally, I find fictional heroes to be good sources of inspiration. By serving as larger-than-life role models, they help me to focus on what aspects of the characters I like and want to in some way emulate.

Some people may dismiss looking to action heroes for personal inspiration hopelessly pathetic and dorky. These naysayers are all too willing to say "Who do you think you are? You'll never be like [fill-in the blank]." And I will partially concede their point: You never will be just like your favorite fictional character. (Nor should you want to be; you are you!) But how about if you were just a little bit like your favorite fictional character?

Let's say you're a James Bond fan. I certainly am. Face it, you never will be James Bond. But you can be a little bit more Bond-like. Maybe, like me and all the others who Googled "Daniel Craig workout," you watched Casino Royale and got inspired to get into better shape. Perhaps you are impressed with 007's foreign language skills and decide to learn a second language. Or maybe you go back and read Ian Fleming's original novels, learn that Bond trained in Judo, and find a dojo to train at. Getting into shape, learning a new language, and taking up Judo won't turn you into James Bond. But perhaps you'll be about 10 percent Bond, which is better than when you started. Isn't that better than zero percent?

I also think fictional heroes serve as powerful visualization tools. We all know how important it is to use visualization to fuel success. Of course, if you really think about it, visualization is a form of fantasy, just like action movies and thriller novels. I once knew a mixed martial arts coach who told his fighters to imagine themselves as huge samurai, and to visualize cutting their opponents in half with a giant sword. This sort of thing works for all sorts of training, and since there are plenty of fictional heroes just floating around in your brain, why not enlist them to help you? Next time your running sprints, instead of just thinking, "Oh man, sprints are hard!," imagine yourself as James Bond running down a terrorist, or Jason Bourne sprinting along Moroccan rooftops in The Bourne Ultimatum. Going back to martial arts, I wonder how many professional fighters imagine themselves as Bruce Lee before stepping in to the ring.

The only real drawback to finding personal inspiration in fictional heroes are the naysayers I mentioned earlier. Luckily, there's an easy way to deal with them: Keep it to yourself. If someone asks you why you started to train in Keysi, you don't have to answer, "Because that's what Christian Bale used as Batman and I'm a big Batman fan." No, you can just say it looked like it might be fun and leave it at that. And keep in mind that those who would mock you for your source of inspiration might very well have no source of inspiration themselves.

I don't recall who wrote this (I think it was Pavel Tsatsouline), but I once read something along the lines of "Some people watch The Bourne Identity and think 'Kali looks cool... I'm going to find a place that teaches Kali. Others watch The Bourne Identity and think 'Kali looks cool' and grab a cheeseburger and sit down in front of the TV." Which are you?

This post originally appeared on my fitness website, FitMonkeyHawaii.com

Today's Femme Fatale

A new series... the women of Campari!

The Quest for the Perfect Bathing Suit

It's surprisingly difficult to find a decent men's bathing suit. Let's examine some contenders.

Not a look to emulate.

Board shorts have been the rage seemingly forever, yet they don't really fit the bill. Don't get me wrong: Board shorts are great for working-out, but they aren't particularly good for swimming. They are far too loose and baggy for even a short swim. And their image as the swim suit of choice for frat boys on vacation doesn't speak in their favor.

The traditional American option of a volley-style short with elastic waistband and built-in liner doesn't work either. For one, no one really looks good wearing something with an elastic waistband. Also, this type of swimwear has an annoying tendency to balloon in the water in a very unflattering way.

Competition briefs (erroneously called Speedos by many) are best for just that: competition.

Jammers look too much like the bike shorts popular in the '80s.

So where does that leave us?

There are some companies making men's swimwear in a more traditional vein, such as Parke and Ronen or Baron Wells. The Baron Wells sea pant is quite nice looking, but is rather pricey.

Another option is the square cut or "budgie smuggler" style famously worn by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. These are perhaps the most classic of all men's swimwear styles, but one must have the right physique to pull it off. Speedo makes some very nice square cuts, especially the ones made for the European market. If you are in good enough shape, these are a great choice, and are perfect for actual swimming.

Le Samourai's choice? Right now I'm a big fan of J. Crew's short, vintage-style board shorts. They are nothing like the oversized, overlong board shorts one finds in a surf shop. The fit is nicely snug without being tight, there is no unsightly elastic, and the leg length is good. I can go on a nice ocean swim without feeling unnecessary drag, and walk along the beach without feeling indecent. All in all, a good men's swimsuit with a classic, traditional appeal.

The Joys of Campari

Many Americans have yet to warmed to the joy that is Campari. Perhaps it is our childlike aversion to anything that taste remotely bitter. Maybe would-be John Waynes are put off by a drink that is so gloriously crimson in color, as opposed to the manly brown of whiskey. Whatever the reason, people are missing out on a truly glorious spirit.

Campari is a classic Italian apertivo with a heritage dating back to the 1860s. It's infusion of fruit, herbs, alcohol, and water remains a guarded secret. Like all apertivos, it is traditionally consumed prior to a meal to stimulate the appetite.

Perhaps the simplest, most classic Campari drink is the Campari and Soda, recently hailed by Dappered.com as "The Drink of Summer." Here's their recipe:

• Put ice in a rocks glass (or highball if you’re thirsty)
• Pour Campari over ice to taste (at least half Campari)
• Top off with soda water
• Garnish with orange twist

A close cousin of the Campari and Soda is the Americano, which adds a shot of sweet vermouth to the mix. This was the very first cocktail ordered by Ian Fleming's James Bond in the premier Bond novel, Casino Royale. 007 orders one again in the short story "From a View to a Kill." Remember, Bond's tastes in spirits go far beyond vodka martinis.

Speaking of martinis, another wonderful Campari drink is a Negroni. It involves equal measures of Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth. It's often served on the rocks, but Le Samourai sometimes enjoys serving them shaken over ice and served in a cocktail glass, martini-style.

If you want an extra dose of Vitamin C, another option is Campari and orange juice, which is far more refreshing than you might imagine.

With summer rapidly approaching, I look forward to lounging on the patio, sipping assorted Campari concoctions, bossa nova playing softly in the background.

Samourai Soundtrack

A theme from a James Bond film that exists only in my mind.

Today's Femme Fatale

Ode to Thunderball, Part Three.

Today's Femme Fatale

Ode to Thunderball, Part Two.

Today's Femme Fatale

Ode to Thunderball, Part One.

The Classic Harrington Jacket

One of the many great things about the Daniel Craig-era James Bond films is the return of 007 as a style icon. Consider, for example, the resurgence of interest in the classic Harrington-style jacket in the wake of Craig's use of one in Quantum of Solace.

Of course, the Harrington jacket has been around for decades. The original G9 Harrington was and is made by the U.K. firm Baracuta. The G9 was a favorite of the ultracool Steve McQueen.

The G9 doesn't come cheap. It's retails for a bit over $250. That's a bargain compared to the jacket used by Craig. Designed by Tom Ford, it runs at least four times as much, a nice sum for a casual cotton jacket.




For the rest of us, the renewed interest in the Harrington has led to more affordable options, such as the one at left by Land's End Canvas, or the one below by Old Navy.

Neither have anything near the panache of the famous Baracuta, but they are a touch more attainable!

The Walther PPK

What can be said about the venerable Walther PPK?

A fair amount of bad things, actually. It's an arguably obsolete design, with a questionable safety system. The slide can cut into a shooter's hand. And the 7.65mm caliber? Rather anemic, despite the claim of having a "delivery like a brick through a plate glass window."

And yet... I'd still love to own one. Yes, of course the Bond mystique has something to do with it. It would be a lie to say otherwise. While Connery was of course the first 007 actor to be armed with the PPK, I must say Daniel Craig's handling of this venerable pistol in Quantum of Solace has elevated my Walther-lust to new levels.

Of course, James Bond wasn't the only fictional hero who utilized the PPK. In the TV show "Magnum, P.I.," Thomas Magnum sometimes used a PPK as a backup to his .45acp 1911.

Interestingly, this same combo--1911 as primary weapon, with PPK as backup--was also the same combo used by Val Kilmer's character in the vastly underrated film Spartan.

The PPK is also just a gorgeous firearm, with smooth, classic lines. That's probably why it remains so popular both in fiction and with shooters 80 years after it was first introduced.

Literary Bond Returns!

Jeffrey Deaver's first crack at a James Bond novel, Carte Blanche, will be released in a few months. I'm looking forward to it, though with some hesitation.

With the strong exception of Kingley Amis's excellent Colonel Sun, none of the post-Fleming Bond novels have really impressed me. John Gardener's books had their moments, and Gardener was certainly a decent writer, but I have my doubts as to how much he really understood Bond. Raymond Benson seemed to get Bond, but just isn't a very good writer.

I've never read Deaver, but he is apparently a Bond fan, which is a good sign.
As to the title... rather bland. Sorry, but "Carte Blanche" just brings to mind a credit card no one uses anymore.

Samourai Soundtrack

Interesting tidbit: This song contains a sample from the soundtrack from Goldfinger.

Saab... Le Samourai's Car of Choice

I'm not ashamed to admit it. Despite their image as bland cars for tweedy college professors, I love Saabs. I've loved them ever since reading the first few John Gardner James Bond novels back in the '80s. Now on my third Saab, my love for the quirky Swedish auto has not abated. I look forward to wonderful new things for the company under its new owners, Spyker. Apparently, I'm not the only 007 fan who is also a Saab fan:

A recent poll conducted by CommanderBond.net asked James Bond fans, “Which car from the James Bond novels is your favorite?” From a selection that included an Aston Martin DBIII, a Jaguar XK8, a Porsche Gambella, and four different Bentleys, the surprise winner was a fuel-efficient, mid-priced, Swedish-made “everyday” car, the Saab 900 Turbo.

 Read more here.