Let The (Olympic) Games Begin!

The Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 begin this Friday. It appears that tensions with neighboring North Korea lessened, evidenced by Kim Jong Un's sister attending the opening ceremonies. However, we saw how his brother was treated in Malaysia, so I will be happily watching from home!

I was fortunate enough to attend the Winter Games Vancouver 2010. It was an epic trip, and Canada was a wee bit more convenient than traveling to PyeongChang. Therefore, I will be planted on the couch watching the obscure sports that I learned to love! In this week's Loupe, I provide an ode to Curling and to South Korea.

Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony
35 Howard St, New York, NY 10013
Apparel

It all starts with the Opening Ceremony. Normally, that means an over-the-top production highlighting the unique culture of the host country. Inevitably, it becomes an obnoxious and gratuitous display of wealth. Fortunately, in this case, I am referring to an ultrahip NYC based brand that has been around for 15 years. And yes, they took their name and mission statement from the modern Olympic Games. They have their own line of apparel and sell an ultra edited line of clothing from a variety of rising fashion designers. You know a brand is cool when other major labels want to collaborate with them. Somehow, they haven't sold out, and the brand continues to stay relevant. It is noteworthy that I was introduced to this apparel company by my daughter and fellow Louper Morgan V. 

The Rest of the Olympics

PyeongChang 2018 Official App
App

This year's Olympics are happening on the other side of the world. If you care enough, you will be able to know the future before it actually happens on television. NBC has to grapple, once again, with the reality that the games are happening 14 hours earlier (the time difference). Therefore, if you want to be in the know as it happens, you need the official Olympics App. This way you can follow the sports that interest you and follow them in real time!

Curling Substitute

The Royal Palms Brooklyn
514 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Opening in Chicago soon...

I am not alone in saying that I am captivated by Olympic Curling competitions. I attended the Finals in Vancouver, and it may have been my favorite event. The subtle skill and strategy of the curler bowling stones towards the house while their teammates sweep furiously is simply incredible. However, I think the most striking feature is that the athletes look like you and me ... average folk (no offense!).

Sure, there are Curling Clubs here and there, but you can get much (some) of the thrill of Curling by playing shuffleboard! This Week's Find is the long forgotten sport (leisure activity) of shuffleboard where you can compete with your friends by using your Tang (stick) to push your biscuits (clay discs) into position. Bring your crew, or a date, and get ready for some friendly competition. There are plenty of courts (10), great music, oversized board games, and a lively bar with a kitschy aesthetic of flamingos, palm trees and umbrellas in your drinks. Best to go Wednesdays and Thursdays as Mondays and Tuesdays are league nights, and weekends can get very busy; however, groups of 10 or more can reserve a cabana in advance to avoid any waits.

Taste of Korea

Pelicana Chicken Koreatown
11 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001

In honor of the PyeongChang Olympics, we must recognize the time-honored tradition of eating Korean Chicken Wings. Pelicana to Korea is like KFC to America (remember SAT analogies) ... omnipresent! Their first foray into Manhattan is welcome and greatly appreciated! They are located in the heart of Koreatown on the 3rd floor of a food court. Once there, order a whole chicken, a chicken sandwich, or wings (my favorite). It will take about 15 minutes (from ordering), but is well worth the wait. I ordered the Classic sauce, and it was sweet and (very) spicy. I am not a fast food junkie, however, this spot defies logic (and my diet)! 

If you're feeling highly motivated, like an Olympian, head out and play shuffleboard with friends. Or, if you're like me, shop online at Opening Ceremony, Postmates some Korean chicken wings from Pelicana, and tune into Curling, and consider them all Found!