As you all well know by now, we’ve been kept out of the stairs at the Hollywood Bowl for nearly two months at this point. This, however does not deter us, as we’ve been throwing down some slithering-sweet workouts in the b-lot. We’ve asked the tribe to submit letters about what the Hollywood Bowl and the stairs have meant to them, producing gems like the following post from Aari Reich. Take it away, girl:
I grew up in Los Angeles. And doing so imbued me with a few very specific notions- I already have my community and any place that makes LA iconic must be avoided.
My community, my circle, is comprised of friends who also have grown up here. People who understand that it’s okay to leave L.A. but we will always end up back here. Do you know that ironic (or not?) hashtag, #nonewfriends? I was incredibly content to let that be me. Or, at the very most, to expand my friend group minimally, as needed.
I am incredibly lucky that two of my best friends, who also grew up here, are not like me. One night in October, I was having dinner with them and they tricked me (not maliciously) into verbally committing to just show up two days later to November Project at the Hollywood Bowl.
Now here is where the second principle comes in. The Bowl. I had NO DESIRE to go there. Even at the crack of dawn. ESPECIALLY at the crack of dawn. The Hollywood Bowl was on my no-fly list. It was a deterrent to me- enormous crowds, impossible parking and terrible traffic are things I found synonymous, regardless of time of day. It didn’t matter that it is iconic.
Other no-fly places include Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade and Pier, The Grove (on a weekend, I would rather die), Hollywood & Highland (actual hell), and the Griffith Observatory.
But I respect the crap out of people who honor their words, so I honored mine. And that Wednesday morning, at 6:15AM, I showed up for stretch group. And was greeted with a hug.
I’ve always been a hugger, but hugs from strangers seemed so strange. I went with it, though, and scampered into the Bowl for the warmup bounce with the rest of stretch gang.
Immediately, I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself. I was welcome instantly into a community that didn’t care how fast I was (not fast), how strong I was (not strong) or how loud I was (super loud, but quiet in my nervousness, so I held back). And exhaustedly running(ish) up those stairs as the sun was cresting over the Hollywood Hills and the dome of the Bowl, I understood it. This place when paired with this community is absolute magic. There is nothing I can equate it to except to lamely suggest that it feels like home. And I left that workout feeling happier than I had been in a long time.
Months passed and I’ve grown stronger(ish) and faster(ish) and friendlier and I’ve embraced my loudness. And all the while, the Bowl has been this touchstone. It’s how I measure AND celebrate my progress. And now, the crowds and the traffic and the impossible parking that I have long associated with it seem tolerable, even welcome, outside of workout hours. This tribe of unique, encouraging and freaking STRONG human beings has helped me conquer most of my LA No-Way list (on Fridays, we work out everywhere!). And we always come home, to the Bowl, to pound those steps and make ourselves, our community and our city better and more full-of-love. I hug strangers outside of November Project now. I’ve fully embraced it. And as much fun as the Parking Lot B hills and lots are (and they are. They’re also super difficult), they’re not those stairs. It’s not quite the same. We will continue to work hard and love big, but the Bowl brings us to our peak potential. I know that because it’s bringing me to mine.
Please let us back in.
Love,
Aari
Thank you Aari, we’re really glad you’re here. Do Great, LA.
NEWS
FRIDAY – 6:27 am @ Fern Dell with the Babysitters!
- Location can be found on the tracker. Be good for Anthony and Lujan!
TNF Shirt Design Contest
- Video and info dropping soon… stay tuned!
