This was my third weekend in a row enjoying a tamale for breakfast/brunch at Beaner Bar, and I was able to collect my thoughts about this fabulous establishment, a pillar of business on Graham Avenue.
Lori, Rudy, Veronica, Jose, Karen, and all the other beaners greet everyone with a smile and serve up coffee with attitude in a colorful, punchy environment filled with Mexican mementos. Not only can you get a brew of Intelligentsia coffee to order, but they make a delicious concoction called a Mexican mocha -- spicy hot chocolate with a shot of espresso -- that'll leave you wired for the day. On weekends they serve chicken or cheese tamales with a side of elote (corn). The plate may be small (and cheap!) but the food is filling -- and not cheap on flavor. On weekdays, they open at 7:30, perfect to drop by for a brew or pastry before a morning commute.
The front of the bar has a table for local businesses to advertise -- those that I've tried are of great quality -- and outside there's a bench to sit and sip on nice days. Beaner Bar occasionally hosts special events, like el Día de los Muertos, during which sangria is served and candy given away in memory of loved ones who have passed.
Free wi-fi is available, but I prefer the days when customers convene in a communal conversation. (I have helped some people complete the New York Times's crossword puzzle.) There's also a loyalty program -- your tenth coffee is on them -- so give them your name when you drop by.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
in defense of body hair
Greenpoint's friendly neighborhood independent bookstore, Word, recently hosted a debate night about obsolescence with Anna Jane Grossman, author of Obsolete: An Encyclopedia of Once-Common Things Passing Us By, moderated by Faye Penn of Brokelyn. I decided to debate in defense of body hair, having never gotten into a regular routine of removing it as women are expected to do. Thankfully, the men in my life have never begrudged me my leg fuzz or stray eyebrow hairs. Here's my spiel, and thanks to Tim, David N., and Gentleman Caller for putting up with conversation on the subject matter in preparation for the debate:
"Hair just really isn't so necessary," Obsolete claims, and I disagree. Body hair insulates the body, whisks away moisture, collects pheromones, and indicates sexual maturity. Obsessive removal of body hair, especially when people do it for the reasons Anna Jane mentions, like to show off "post-Pumping Iron pecs," indicates vanity. Give me that unibrowed fellow Anna Jane describes as compensating with "extra personality and vim" over a vain body builder.
When it comes to my own habits, I'll readily admit I've never gotten into the practive of shaving in the shower -- I see hair removal as a chore and fit in a waxing appointment when the hair reaches a bothersome length or when I'll be baring my legs or wearing a tank top. I say this to note that just because I'm speaking out in favor of body hair, it doesn't mean I don't groom my own when warranted.
Regarding the argument of pubic-hair removal, that people who do it want to regain the vitality of their pre-pubescent youth, I counter that when my carpet gets unruly it needs a vacuuming. Also, at the age of twenty-three the look of pre-pubescence is the last I'm going for.
Finally, let's ponder why Homo sapiens, the so-called naked ape, retain some body hair. I happen to believe that sexual selection plays a big part. My female ancestors found something appealing in males with a hairy chest -- hence my proclivity to enjoy stroking the hairy chests of my own mates -- so give me a hirsute hunk over a manscaped metrosexual any day, and don't confuse personal preference with obsolescence.
Thank you, Word, for hosting the event -- and for donating a ten-dollar gift certificate (which I won!) -- and to Permanent Records for providing a ten-dollar gift certificate to the second-place debater, Alex, who argued for thesauri.
"Hair just really isn't so necessary," Obsolete claims, and I disagree. Body hair insulates the body, whisks away moisture, collects pheromones, and indicates sexual maturity. Obsessive removal of body hair, especially when people do it for the reasons Anna Jane mentions, like to show off "post-Pumping Iron pecs," indicates vanity. Give me that unibrowed fellow Anna Jane describes as compensating with "extra personality and vim" over a vain body builder.
When it comes to my own habits, I'll readily admit I've never gotten into the practive of shaving in the shower -- I see hair removal as a chore and fit in a waxing appointment when the hair reaches a bothersome length or when I'll be baring my legs or wearing a tank top. I say this to note that just because I'm speaking out in favor of body hair, it doesn't mean I don't groom my own when warranted.
Regarding the argument of pubic-hair removal, that people who do it want to regain the vitality of their pre-pubescent youth, I counter that when my carpet gets unruly it needs a vacuuming. Also, at the age of twenty-three the look of pre-pubescence is the last I'm going for.
Finally, let's ponder why Homo sapiens, the so-called naked ape, retain some body hair. I happen to believe that sexual selection plays a big part. My female ancestors found something appealing in males with a hairy chest -- hence my proclivity to enjoy stroking the hairy chests of my own mates -- so give me a hirsute hunk over a manscaped metrosexual any day, and don't confuse personal preference with obsolescence.
Thank you, Word, for hosting the event -- and for donating a ten-dollar gift certificate (which I won!) -- and to Permanent Records for providing a ten-dollar gift certificate to the second-place debater, Alex, who argued for thesauri.
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