What's My Biggest Gripe Of The Week?

An apple a day keeps the doctor away: When it comes to your diet, making a healthy choice is always the right choice.

My biggest gripe this week? Receiving a letter from my health insurance company which stated"... after reviewing your latest health tests, we noted that you are obese and therefore you should take steps to remedy this problem...." After which they proceeded to list of the proper channels that are able to help. Why the gripe? Well, I am an older man who is 5'10" and weigh 160 lbs (11.5 stone to my Brit friends), and when I first arrived in New York I weighed 165 lbs. It's a miracle I lost 5 lbs and not gained 100 lbs considering the food consumption culture in the US!

Obscene, or just delicious? This 'cake' is made up of four layers of pizza topped with caramelized onions, mushrooms, bacon, truffle oil, goat's cheese, and mozzarella on each layer

In New York, we are surrounded by delicious food, and in every street and avenue, temptation cries out, "come on! make a glutton of yourself." I may have some health issues but excessive weight isn't one of them. I do love my milk chocolate for instance. However, I realized that moderation is my middle name, when it comes to that score. 

Below you'll find a series of "real" food sold to the naive public. Are they tempting? Perilously close to causing a heart attack would be my warning. By the way, if you live in the United States, make sure that your health insurance is up to date. You'll thank me later for that.

Jeremy from https://peepmyeats.wordpress.com came up with the idea of a deep fried Big Mac as he likes to indulge in a spot of deep frying. The burger contains 1,563 calories. Should be called a Deep Fry Heart Attack In The Making!

Would you use a doughnut as a bun? This fast food fan placed a piece of crispy fried chicken between two glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts. This head-shaking chicken doughnut burger is actually served at some restaurants in the UK and the US.

Carb-loading - but not as you know it. One fast food lover combined his two favourite foods in one meal: spaghetti and pizza. Wow.

This 'pizza' is divided into sections with individual toppings. Most are sweet, and use products  such as chocolate spread, nutella, peanuts, blackcurrant jam and almonds - but one slice is inexplicably covered in cheese.

Could you eat this much ice cream? One fast food fan's local gelateria serves an entire rub of salted caramel gelato covered in salted caramel sauce and an Oreo biscuit crumb.

One creative foodie covered his pizza in French Fries for the ultimate hungover lunch.

The fast food fan who created this monstrosity calls it The Gut Splitter. The creation is pulled pork, caramelized sweet onions, French Toast, sunny side eggs with strawberry-turmeric jam, hollandaise sauce, crumbled cotija and French Fries.

One fast food fan decided to take a break from unhealthy eating by making a salad - but topped his lettuce and tomatoes with a chopped up burger and plenty of ketchup and mayonnaise.

What's next? This isn't just a hot dog. It's a sausage cheddar bacon-wrapped pretzel dog. 

Dubbed the 'Big Ben burger,' this is a custom built double Big Mac that savvy fast food fans can create using the unofficial McDonald's secret menu.

A plate of fries topped with melted cheese, bacon and pieces of hot dog make for the perfect hungover lunch.

Too many carbs - or not enough? This foodie made himself a grilled cheese sandwich using macaroni cheese for the filling.

Quesadillas are traditionally filled with pinto beans, cheese and pork, beef or chicken. However, these wraps are filled with breaded chicken dippers, sweet peppers, ranch sauce, and sriracha. The quesadillas at the back meanwhile contain ham, pepperoni and cheese.

After a review of these over the top food meals, I hope that you do not be put off visiting New York or the United States. Believe me, there's a great deal amount of places to eat exquisite burgers and pizzas that are not over-loaded with calories. I would be more than happy to have you experience some of the best eateries in the world. 

Loving Vincent, an unexpected portrait of the man who "invented" The Starry Night

Loving Vincent is a new movie which portraits Dutch artist van Gogh. It is the world's first fully painted feature film.

The buzz about Loving Vincent has been circulating for months. And the movie has been well-received by critics from the WSJ, and the BBC. The film opens in New York on Friday, September 22, 2017.

 

Left: One of the film's crew working behind the scene, putting together the images for Loving Vincent. Right: Each of the film's 65,000 frames is an oil painting on canvas, using the same technique as Van Gogh, created by a team of 115 painters!

Last month, I received an invite for a film screening for the world's first fully oil painted film called "Loving Vincent", a new portrayal of the circumstances that surrounded the death of acclaimed Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. Although I'm not a professional film critic (not even a novice film critic, mind you), like most of us, I've been going to the movies for years, and I do have my own opinions when it come to films. Heaven knows I've watched enough of them.

Vincent van Gogh lived an incredibly remarkable life. According to the film, he didn't pick up a brush until he was well into his late twenties. His life was plagued by doubts, and negative issues that steamed from his relationship with his parents - mainly his father. How sad, because judging from his paintings, there's little doubts that he found some personal relief, and happiness while creating his art.

"An animated masterpiece! An absolutely stunning film that not only does justice to the art of Van Gogh, but also to the art of movies. I have never seen anything on a screen like it before. You will be amazed and lifted by this extraordinary film." Pete Hammond, Deadline

Hollywood's 1956 Version of Van Gogh was originally starred by the golden boy himself, Kirk Douglas.

There are those who get their history lessons from Hollywood, but forget Kirk Douglas (still alive, and seemingly healthy at 100 years old) who once portrayed Van Gogh as a crazed genius - mad as a hatter - and someone prone to unpredictable behaviors. Loving Vincent departs from that notion, and moves towards a better understanding of the artist's illness. As an art lover, or someone who may be remotely interested in the artist's life, I encourage you to see this film at your local cinema. If you live in New York, make sure you catch the opening on Friday, September 22, at Lincoln Plaza Cinemas.

One of the many fun facts about Loving Vincent: A well recognized actor from the hit cable show Game of Thrones is one of the character from this ground breaking film.

Jerome Patrick Flynn is an English actor and singer who is best known for his roles as Kenny "Rambo" Baines in the 1986 television film London's Burning. He currently stars in the hit HBO Show, Game of Thrones.

'Portrait of Armand Roulin’ played by British actor Douglas Booth in the upcoming film Loving Vincent. Out in theaters in September 22nd.

"Never has there been a film that spoke to the heart of an artist like “Loving Vincent”. Animation and fine art painting come together in this loving tribute to the work and life of a master artist." Tony Bancroft, SIFF Animation Jury

Starry Night, an immensely popular oil on canvas painting by Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh. The painting is currently housed at MoMA.

The innkeeper’s daughter, Adeline Ravoux played by Eleanor May Tomlinson who is an English actress, known for her roles as Princess Isabelle in Jack the Giant Slayer, and Demelza in PBS's Masterpiece Series Poldark.

For more reviews about this ground-breaking film, visit Professor Google.

My British Motorcycle Days

 Bonneville

New Yorkers love their motorcycles. And I consider myself one of those New Yorkers-at a pinch. My wife Vyna will tell you if I see or hear a bike, I have to check it out and if possible have a chat with the rider. In this town, you can rent classics like the Harley Davidson, Indian Chief Classic, Big Bear Choppers, Big Dog Motorcycles, K9 Chopper. No kidding, escaping the city, even for a day, has never been so easy!

Indian Chief Classic

BSA A7

The first motorcycle I rode in my youth was a BSA A7 500cc Twin.

In the 'good old days' of the 50 & the 60s, BSA Motorcycles were on top of the world. The Gold Star was a mega hit too, some of my friends owned them, The Gold Star was winning races and selling like hotcakes. Even so, my A7 always remained my first love, and my favorite because of its smoothness, performance, and reliability. My other bikes included a Norton Dominator Model 88 500cc Twin. I believe the Norton was the most popular, and the sexiest of all Classic British Motorcycles at the time. Norton dominated GPs and Isle of Man TT's for over a decade. I also owned a Manx Norton 500cc single cylinder and rode it around the British countryside. I will never forget its black and silver body, and of course, the SOUND!!

Norton Dominator 88

Manx Norton 1954

My Triton in 1973 

The Triton (Triumph Thunderbird engine 650cc and a Norton Featherbed frame) was another favorite bike I owned. The Triumph 6T Thunderbird was the top-of-the-line Triumph. The Featherbed frame was a state-of-the-art in its day, the “Roadholder” telescopic front forks helped the Triton (Norton/Triumph) established itself as one of the best handling motorcycles in the world.
Any idea what motorcycle Steve McQueen used in The Great Escape film?

Steve McQueen

The motorcycles used during the chase scene in the film The Great Escape were 1961 Triumph TR6 Trophy models disguised as German BMW R75 motorcycles.

I first saw the film in 1963 and wondered how he stole a British bike in war time Germany and a 1960 model at that!

Remember the scene in The Wild Ones when Marlon Brando rode the Triumph black model? Gosh! What a Bike that was...the film was okay!

1950 Triumph Thunderbird 6T

For several years I owned a Velocette Viper 350cc. This bike was better than its contemporary, the 500cc. It was truly a beautiful looking bike.

Viper 350cc 1960

Ariel 1951

I nearly forgot to mention my everyday bike, the Ariel Red Hunter 500cc twin a work horse if ever there was one. I called it a plunger killer because going around bends in the road it would try to unseat you!

Do I have a wish list for a motorcycle? Yes! A Vincent "Black Shadow" or a Vincent "Black Lighting" (You haven't heard of a Vincent? Stay tuned for my next post). Vincents have an aura and a cache that is vastly out of proportion with their production output. In 9 years (1946-1950) although Phil Vincent built his first motorcycle in 1927/8, the company produced only 11,000 motorcycles. Vincent Motorcycles have an aura of greatness about them, like old Ferraris' command at car shows. They’re legendary, and rare, which made them some of the most sought after motorcycles.

 Vincent Black Shadow

My most memorial ride? A few years back a friend in Phoenix Arizona arranged a day out with his biker friends. I was riding on the back of a Triumph Bonneville when we rode through the Arizona desert passing through old mining towns with 100 degrees burning down on us. At one point, we stopped at a parking lot with a water tap/hose, while we all took turns to put the hose down the back of our leather jackets with the water turned on full...heaven! A brief mention of how I enjoyed my time visiting the Ace Cafe North London we were called the Ton Up Boys or the Rockers famous worldwide as Cafe Racers.

My greatest regret? Selling all those magnificent bikes. I would give my right arm to ride them now in New York City!

Cafe Racer

Last word. To those who have never owned or ridden a motorcycle, they will never understand, the exhilaration and recreation feelings it brings to a biker. Here I am living in New York and I have never even sat on Harley Davidson. How sad is that? The picture below: Can you name the bike?

The Day I Gasped For Air

Gigi  was a 1958 American musical-romance film directed by Vincente Minnelli.

Maurice Chevalier & Hermione Gingold sang in the musical film GiGi "I Remember It Well." 

In the early 50s, I experienced the worse fog/smog in the history of London and "I remembered it well!"

St Paul's Cathedral London, 1952. The original church on this site was founded in AD 604.

It's so easy to take our clean air and water for granted. Living in London in the early 1950s, we were a long way from having both clean air and water, and now I understand why my mother would always warn me "before drinking the water let the water run awhile." We wouldn't drink the lead from our lead pipes. To think we were slowly being poisoned by our own drinking water! And now my friends, if you think I'm a little crazy, blame the water.

Today We Take for Granted Clean Water

In the months of November, and December of each year, we aptly call it the fog season. In December 5 - 9, 1952, London experienced what became known as the Black Fog, The Killer Fog. The fog in question was so thick. It was a yellowish, greenish, blackish sort of fog. No wonder it was called 'Pea Soup Fog!

Arial View of London, 1952 

Pedestrians Crossing a Street, London 

London City Policeman on Duty. The City of London is widely referred to simply as the City and is also colloquially known as the Square Mile 

House of Parliament and Westminster Bridge which opened in 1862

A young boy listening to the radio which we called the wireless.

My mother banned (not the phased she used) me from leaving the house during the fog my biggest flaw here, which was not always listening to my mother, and believe me when I say it was impossible to see a few yards from our window, it truly was. As always, I went out and got lost within a few yards of my front door. Fortunately, my mother heard me choking because the air was so thick with pollution, soot, poisonous sulfur, and dioxide gas, that she was beside herself.

Pea Soup Fog, London, 1952 

The news reported that over 4,000 people had died in London as a direct result of the smog, and 100,000 more became ill from its effects. More recent research suggests that the total number of fatalities was considerably greater, about 12,000 (mainly the elderly and children) and 200,000 suffered illnesses. No wonder my mother was so protective of me.

Before the fog came, Londoners tended to accept pollution as part of their city life. Not anymore! The Clean Air Act in 1956 was passed by the House of Parliament. New York did the same a few years later.

Sir Winston Churchill absolutely did the right thing as regards to The Clean Air Act in 1956, don't you think?

During the fog, The Thames River was declared biologically dead, an environmental disaster. However, after decades of cleaning up the river, today it has turned into a success story. London does, however, still earn its nickname as "The Big Smoke" - that means it always needs to do more. A story for another day.

A young couple walking home. London, 1952.

The Tower of London has become an iconic symbol of London.

A nostalgic image of central London during 1952.

A modern image of House of Parliament, located in central London. The first royal palace was built on the site in the 11th century, and Westminster was the primary residence of the Kings of England

Hard times: Two Londoners struggling with the fog, 1952.

In 2010 The River Thames won the largest environmental award in the world – the $350,000 International River-prize. I lived by the Thames and yes I am a proud Londoner

A joyful group of young boys in London during their week off from School