“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw

Last night the Wednesday Club went to a pop up video game arcade in the Sydney Tower Eye. It's a neon 80's bar with sparking views of the city and all the games that I loved in my teens and 20's - Galaga, Sega Rally, the moto bike one and pinball. 

While I raced a friend on the bikes, I was reminded of in my work days in the 90's, I would make collegues spend a lunch break in timezone for the Sega Rally Championship and we'd race each other for the office winner. I loved it. It was so fun. We'd return to the office so hyped up and bubbly, buoyed on the fun and excitement - almost an adrenaline rush, if you will. It was the perfect antidote to stress or boredom.

I had a friend return from an interstate visit to her aging parents ring me and say "It made me realise the importance of not just focusing on your kids and work. I need to maintain my friends and get some hobbies. The problem is I don't really have any."  This seems to be quite common. How do we get to our age and have such a small world focus?

Another friend a week later, was talking about the need to find things she liked to do before she retired.  Having declined the Wednesday club a few years ago, she's joining now to add some variation into her evenings, now that her work is less consuming.

While cleaning out a wallet from those Sega Rally Championship work days, I found this card. It was for a business I don't recall, so I presume I kept it because I liked the quote. 

I know I ask this repeatedly, but why do we stop doing things we find fun?

Linking with #Weekendreflection - see the disco ball above the city?

It was a big turn out for the Wednesday Club, 11 of us for the event and the 7 of us kicked on at a bar. I can't remember the last time I wandered the streets and sat in a bar with a group that large if not going out to dinner. This is a simple thing but it really sparked happiness. Why do we stop? Laziness?

They also had the dance machine game, and I loved playing that having never really played it before. I am now determined to hire one for a party or hold a dance off in an arcarde somewhere....if only I can get people to come. It was hilarious, joy-inducing, energetic fun!

I know lockdown really heightened this feeling for me, that I'm wasting so much time (my life) not squeezing all the fun on offer out of it, but I find it curious that some of my friends are feeling it too. 

I'm hoping it means a few more friends will switch their default mode of NO to YES.

 "Make a commitment to having fun. See your best friends and make time for your hobbies and passions."

– Robert Holden.

Do you have a commitment to fun? What do you do?

Linking with#TellusaaboutPlay