Friday 29 April 2022

“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


21 comments:

  1. I really like this post, although I think my fun likes to play hide and seek with me. That martini glass or whatever it is, is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely night photos. I do at least one thing fun for me every day. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice post. I love your pictures of the city and that apple martini looks delicious! Movement, laughter, gathering with friends, all good stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That saying about stopping play and getting old is one of my fav quotes. You sure know how to have fun Lydia and it's great to see. We need all the fun we can get at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Lydia - I love how you're such an "out and about" person and SO social! I'm a bit of a hermit in the evenings, but do enjoy keeping busy during the day now work doesn't fill my life. It's so important to get the balance right - and to adjust it before boredom starts to creep in.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ...this reminds me of the song, Bright Lights, Big City!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful night photos and fantastic quotes.

    -Soma

    ReplyDelete
  8. You had me at, Galaga :-) And you're so right. I miss the days of being able to call someone at the last minute to go out and do something. Now it seems like it takes 3 days of back and forth to schedule something 3 weeks out. Part of the problem is that between work and family, we don't have energy for much else, so then when the kids are grown, we're out of the habit of hanging with friends, and those friends have moved on. Plus it's too easy to choose a night in, because we can amuse ourselves with TV and games and the internet.

    So glad you were able to have such a wonderful night out with friends! I hope you have many more.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This week we are enjoying a visit for a cousin and his husband. We did a tour yesterday and found a few interesting places to visit we had not discovered since moving here. Thanks for sharing your fun evening!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful city!

    WOW! The views are awesome!

    Happy Wednesday, Lydia.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love that GBS quote at the start! As adults we get bogged down with routine and responsibility rather than finding the wonders around us. Thanks for linking up with the #DreamTeam linky

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love this post so much Lydia, and also the quote you included at the top. Yes, exactly that. We definitely need to let loose and allow ourselves time for the happy moments. It sounds like you had a brilliant time out :-) Thank you for joining us for the #DreamTeam x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Lydia I needed to read this post today as lately I've fallen out of love with life and having fun. Loved that quote by Lewis Carroll and thanks for the reminder. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is not you at all!!! You are the active dynamo! Send that monkey (mind)-back to the jungle!

      Delete
  14. I love both quotes in this post! I know I need to play more! Life has gotten too serious and full of responsibility!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I know I played more when the little grandkids came to us for care but recently my enjoyment of the fun in my life is being increased with playing with art and no judgement drawing and pattern making. I am doing it just to do it...and as I do this in books, I get to go back & think, wow, I did a great job there or I may embellish it more. Nothing is every really over is it? Until we die. Soz! Thank you for joining in this Monday’s #LifesStories on Denyse Whelan Blogs. The community of bloggers here connects us wherever we are in the world. Looking forward to seeing you in two week’s time on Monday 23 May. Denyse.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I loved," make a commitment to having fun!" Having Fun n dreaming are fundamental to a happy life!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a line in the song 'Can't be happier' that goes "Dreaming is what keeps you from growing old" I really love that bit

      Delete