You know those people who say: "I was a mess until I got..." (Jesus, a therapist, Prozac, on a twelve-step program). Well, I was a mess until I stared Punk Rope. In short I depended on drugs and alcohol to go through the motions for several weeks after the break-up. Nothing too serious: I didn't need an intervention, just a new perspective.
May 6, 2009, changed this self-destructive cycle. Bitchcakes, whose company and advice was already helping me out of those patterns, invited me to the Punk Rope happy hour, and begrudgingly I went. Hanging out with her distracted my inner critic from calling me a failure, but this outing included socializing with other people, and I wanted none of that, having spent a year with a group of people I never felt particularly close to. As the pleasantries faded into chat about weight loss and eating habits, I told Joe Katz about my thirty-pound loss in college, and he replied that he joined the YMCA after straining to button his pants. We got a volley going, and my fear of opening up lessened.
Then I met Tim Haft, the founder of Punk Rope. After mentioning I work in publishing, he brought up his history in the industry: he wrote a few books, worked for a few publishers, and knew the founder of Not For Tourists, my high-school employer. Moreover, he worked at Hunter for a few years and advised students who graduated from my high school. Small world, right? Before the night was over, he gave me a free pass to try Punk Rope at the Greenpoint YMCA.
Two weeks later I nervously entered a gym for the first time as an adult. The Y hadn't changed much from my Swim and Gym days as a toddler, and Tim and energetic co-instructor, Shana, quickly put me at ease by starting the class with some stretches set to a soundtrack filled with the Clash, Green Day, and a ton of other bands whose high-energy songs get the class through the jumps and drills. Seasoned Punk Ropers impressed me with their fancy footwork, but the class focused more on teamwork than individual prowess. Think recess for adults, as the group alternates between rope jumping, relay races, and calisthenics, ending with some serious stretching to tunes more up my alley (like "Celluloid Heroes" by the Kinks).¹ I fell in love with Punk Rope during that first class, and I'm not the only one.
Tim and Shana's creativity shine through their exercises and speech. For example we split into "bobsled" teams during a Jamaica-themed night, and on beach night Tim instructed us to "stretch your sunburned shoulders." A core-strengthening exercise on '90s night required us to pivot on our sits bones, reaching to save Jack from Titanic, and during the squat-heavy salute to Joe Strummer Tim informed us that Joe started a band with fellow squatters when he was homeless. It's all in the details.
It's also all about the community. Tim and Shana regularly volunteer their time and recently offered a class on the last Sunday of the Astoria Water Walk. Tim's survey of the event scratches the surface in terms of the fun the participants had. As the unofficial photographer, I captured a lot of happy faces.
Punk Rope doesn't end at the gym, as class members stay connected through monthly happy hours² and other outings, including pizza crawls and the annual BBQ -- and no one's turned away. My five-party posse (of which I was the only Punk Roper) was welcomed at the Bushwick Country Club in July. My roommates won pins and CDs, and though I walked away with an at-home CPR kit what I really received was the irrefutable knowledge that I belong somewhere -- with the Punk Rope "gang of misfits" -- one of my goals for 2009.
In order to keep taking Punk Rope, I joined the YMCA for the summer and plan to become an official member after Labor Day to continue increasing my aerobic endurance at the same rate as my confidence. Not only have I learned some advanced jumps but I've also learned how to enjoy social activities. Unlike Groucho Marx, who didn't want to join a club that'd have him as a member, I'm grateful to the friendly company for helping boost my self-esteem. As Tim wrote in a newsletter: "Finding a healthy activity you enjoy is a great beginning. Finding a healthy activity you enjoy that you can share with friends is priceless."
Every Wednesday is a treat thanks to Tim and Shana, no matter how sweltering the weather is. Punk Rope is "the most fun you'll have with your clothes on,"³ and I truly encourage New Yorkers to check out the classes at the Greenpoint, Long Island City, and Prospect Park YMCAs, as well as the 14th Street Y. Tim also teaches workshops around the country, so e-mail him at tim@punkrope.com if your local gym doesn't offer it. To date there are over 600 certified instructors, and there's always room for more in the Punk Rope family. Hop on!
¹ For more specifics on how the class works -- with video! -- check out Bitchcakes's entries.
² Happy-hour details: For Punk Ropers in Manhattan, imbibing begins around 8:15 on the first Monday of every month at Otto's Shrunken Head (14th Street between Avenues A and B), where all draft beers are $2 until 10 o'clock. For Punk Ropers in Greenpoint, the party begins around 9:00 on the first Wednesday of every month at Beco (Richardson Street off Lorimer), for $2 Corona, $3 Stella & Guinness, $5 caipirinhas, and free grub while it lasts.
³ Quote from Bitchcakes. (Think I had a George Harrison moment when writing.)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Brazil comes to Brooklyn
The Greenpoint branch of Punk Rope recently changed its happy-hour spot from Diamond Bar to Beco. Though Diamond has a more convenient location for Greenpointers (it's in Greenpoint, specifically Calyer and Franklin), its drink specials never particularly thrilled me. Therefore, I cast my vote for change to Beco, where we get complimentary foodstuffs and cheap -- as low as $2 -- beer.
I'm usually one to try before I buy, but the opportunity to sample Beco didn't come along until July's happy hour, and I had absolutely no expectations. A few members of the gang of misfits¹ didn't particularly enjoy the longer walk to Richardson and Lorimer, but we instantly adored the bar's welcoming environment, with large windows that fold back to make a porch, and friendly bartender, Daniel. Though Hoegaarden wasn't a part of the beer specials, he made an exception for Bitchcakes, and he also makes some delicious caipirinhas that didn't scare away this sugar-phobe.
If you want something but don't see it just ask. During the August happy hour, the owner (another Daniel, and I haven't come up with appropriate nicknames to differentiate them yet) recognized me from a poker game. We chatted, and surprisingly in all his thirty-eight years this Irish runner never had a car bomb, so I taught both Daniels how to make them. We chugged two before calling it a night, and I'm happy to report that Beco may be the first Brazilian place to serve the Irish specialty. It also has the dubious reputation of being the first bar to give me my first honest-to-goodness hangover -- gratis drinks do that.
I sadly don't have any pictures from that happy hour -- a shame, as my outfit (a corset and tropical-print skirt) received a few compliments -- but went to brunch this past Sunday to take a few.
The happy face is a nice touch.
Daniel the bartender recommended steak and eggs with salsa, rice, and beans. I pounced on the bloody mary, made with home-made mix, with an asparagus stalk.
Digging in with large silverware.
Macro of the rice-beans-salsa mixture.
Meat macro! The rare filet mignon was delectably tender.
Other brunchers on the "porch."
I love the funky light fixtures. Also, pay no attention to size; great food comes out of that small kitchen.
I didn't didn't get the chance to snap a picture of the two Daniels because the place got busy on a hot Sunday afternoon, but I'll definitely return before the next happy hour to sample another brunch plate or dinner. The majority of dishes on the brunch menu are $15, drink included, and have enough food to be your only meal of the day. Though this concern doesn't affect me, vegetarian options are limited.² However, remember what I said earlier: If you want something -- including non-meat substitutions -- just ask, and your request will most likely be accommodated.
All in all, Beco's got a nice, community-based vibe, as Daniel the owner greeted neighbors from the bar. You'll be welcomed at this sweet Brazilian spot, and you should check it out during the gorgeous nighttime weather we've been having. Cool off with a caipirinha and visit Brazil -- it's closer than you think.
¹ Nickname copyright Bitchcakes.
² Alternatively, after a sampling from a Philly churrascaria, I'd like to some beef ancho on the menu!
I'm usually one to try before I buy, but the opportunity to sample Beco didn't come along until July's happy hour, and I had absolutely no expectations. A few members of the gang of misfits¹ didn't particularly enjoy the longer walk to Richardson and Lorimer, but we instantly adored the bar's welcoming environment, with large windows that fold back to make a porch, and friendly bartender, Daniel. Though Hoegaarden wasn't a part of the beer specials, he made an exception for Bitchcakes, and he also makes some delicious caipirinhas that didn't scare away this sugar-phobe.
If you want something but don't see it just ask. During the August happy hour, the owner (another Daniel, and I haven't come up with appropriate nicknames to differentiate them yet) recognized me from a poker game. We chatted, and surprisingly in all his thirty-eight years this Irish runner never had a car bomb, so I taught both Daniels how to make them. We chugged two before calling it a night, and I'm happy to report that Beco may be the first Brazilian place to serve the Irish specialty. It also has the dubious reputation of being the first bar to give me my first honest-to-goodness hangover -- gratis drinks do that.
I sadly don't have any pictures from that happy hour -- a shame, as my outfit (a corset and tropical-print skirt) received a few compliments -- but went to brunch this past Sunday to take a few.
The happy face is a nice touch.
Daniel the bartender recommended steak and eggs with salsa, rice, and beans. I pounced on the bloody mary, made with home-made mix, with an asparagus stalk.
Digging in with large silverware.
Macro of the rice-beans-salsa mixture.
Meat macro! The rare filet mignon was delectably tender.
Other brunchers on the "porch."
I love the funky light fixtures. Also, pay no attention to size; great food comes out of that small kitchen.
I didn't didn't get the chance to snap a picture of the two Daniels because the place got busy on a hot Sunday afternoon, but I'll definitely return before the next happy hour to sample another brunch plate or dinner. The majority of dishes on the brunch menu are $15, drink included, and have enough food to be your only meal of the day. Though this concern doesn't affect me, vegetarian options are limited.² However, remember what I said earlier: If you want something -- including non-meat substitutions -- just ask, and your request will most likely be accommodated.
All in all, Beco's got a nice, community-based vibe, as Daniel the owner greeted neighbors from the bar. You'll be welcomed at this sweet Brazilian spot, and you should check it out during the gorgeous nighttime weather we've been having. Cool off with a caipirinha and visit Brazil -- it's closer than you think.
¹ Nickname copyright Bitchcakes.
² Alternatively, after a sampling from a Philly churrascaria, I'd like to some beef ancho on the menu!
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