Day: September 19, 2022

Rock Concerts Of The Years Gone By

- Roshan

During my teenage years I used to go to a bunch of rock concerts held in my hometown of Kochi. Most were by bands from Kerala who played solely covers of famous hard rock & metal bands. A couple of them were big names at the time in India – 13 AD from Cochin and Shiva from Calcutta – both long since disbanded.

There were many others for a while since I turned 15 a couple of my cousins and I went to almost all of them. Despite no internet or any promotion from radio or tv, we would get to know about the concerts atleast a few days in advance and ensure that we would go and see them on the Friday or Saturday nights that the event would happen in. Most were open air concerts in one of the small stadiums we had at the time but there were a few that were held in closed venues as well. We went for all of them and had a great time singing along with the songs that we knew and would usually head to the cold drink stalls during the ones that we didn’t know.

When I moved to Bangalore for a year back in 1995 I also went to two awesome concerts held there and one of them had two established bands from India. Those were really awesome but unfortunately I have never been able to see an international act in my life, despite several coming to India since then. Someday I hope to see one of my fav bands live.

ROSHAN’S ELEVEN : Fun Oktoberfest Facts

- Roshan

1. Oktoberfest is called October but starts on September.

The name “Oktober” is misleading because most of the festival happens in September. Fun fact: The event started in 1810 and at that time it took place during one week of October. Along the years, it was extended and the starting date was changed to September because the weather is warmer and more pleasing. Therefore, it’s easier to attract more visitors to stay even longer and enjoy the beer (and festival) throughout the night.

2. Munich beer only

Oktoberfest is, above all, a celebration of Bavarian traditions, so the only beer you’ll find during the festival is brewed within the city limits of Munich. Only beers that fit this criteria are considered Oktoberfest Beers.  Fun fact: It’s considered one of the best beers in the world and according to the Bavarian Purity Requirements there are only 3 ingredients used in the brewing process: water, barley and hops.

3. It is a 204-year-old tradition that wasn’t originally a beer festival.

The first Oktoberfest was held to honor the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, in 1810. Now that’s what we call a wedding party! Fun fact: The wedding party ended with a horse party.

4. They’ve cancelled it 26 times.

You can’t stop beer pouring! In 200 years, Oktoberfest has only been cancelled 26 times. The causes were mostly due to the war and cholera epidemics. The last two years the event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

5. Vomit-proof sneakers for Oktoberfest.

With so much beer being consumed it’s obvious that some people might feel sick and end up puking
 And that’s why Adidas recently released a limited edition of vomit-proof sneakers inspired by the Oktoberfest. They’re priced at 199,95€ with “Prost” stitched on the side and surprisingly, they’re already sold out.

6. Locals call it “Wiesn”.

It’s named after the Theresienwiese, which is the name of the land where it takes place, and it’s also named after Therese, the Princess that was married there. It’s pronounced as “Vizen”. Fun fact: The “Oide Wiesn” is a part of the festival that features more traditional elements such as music, dancing and costumes, in contrast with other parts of the festival that are dedicated to beer and partying.

7. Nobody raises their mug until the Mayor says so.

Since 1950, the festival has only started after the official gun salute and the mayor shouting O’ zapft is! (“It’s tapped!”) and offering the first mug to the Minister-President of the State of Bavaria. Only after that, the festival can start. Tip: On the 21st of September of 2019 at noon, the Mayor will tap the first keg of beer and the festival will (officially) start.

8. The hairier the hat, the wealthier the wearer.

During Oktoberfest, traditional visitors wear Bavarian hats (TirolerhĂŒte). The more tufts of goat hair on your hat, the wealthier you are considered to be. Except nowadays the tufts are synthetic and everybody can look as wealth or as poorly as they like.

9. Beer prices start at 10.70€ / £9.50 / $12.

It’s the price of one liter of beer
 Not for those looking for a low budget festival. Tip: Beer can be bought in the tents from 10:00AM to 10:30PM on weekdays, and from 9:00AM to 10:30PM during the weekend.

10. People drank 7.5 million liters of beer in 2018!

Fun fact: In 1910, on its 100th birthday, 120,000 liters of beer were poured – that’s about 1,500 bathtubs worth of beer!

11. The beer is specially brewed for Oktoberfest and it’s extra strong.

One mug of beer here is equivalent to 8 shots of Schnapps.They’re specially brewed for the festival and they have at least 6% alcohol.

Aliens (1986)

- Roshan

Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action film written and directed by James Cameron. It is the sequel to the 1979 science fiction horror film Alien, and the second film in the Alien franchise. Set in the far future, the film stars Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, the sole survivor of an alien attack on her ship. When communications are lost with a human colony on the moon on which her crew first encountered the alien creatures, Ripley agrees to return to the site with a unit of Colonial Marines to investigate. Aliens features Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, and Carrie Henn in supporting roles.

Aliens is now considered to be among the greatest films of the 1980s, and among the best science fiction, action, and sequel films ever made, arguably equal to (or better than) Alien. The film is credited with expanding the franchise’s scope with additions to the series’ lore and factions such as the Colonial Marines. With its effect on popular culture and fan following, Aliens has inspired a variety of merchandise which includes video games, comic books, and toys. The film was followed by two sequels â€“ Alien 3 (1992) and Alien Resurrection (1997), neither of which were as successful, as well as the prequels,  Prometheus  (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017). A standalone film in the Alien series is in development as of 2022.