Arcade

Okay so I am not a 'gamer'. We had an original Nintendo when I was around 4 or 5 years old, so I played Duck Hunt and Mario Bros. When I was older and babysitting, we would play Mario Kart or Mario Party.
That's about it.
When I was in University, I maybe played the Wii a total of 6x. It has just never been something that was especially important. I always enjoyed myself, by all means, but it was never something I felt like I had to participate in.

Over the weekend, a friend of mine had his birthday party at a massive arcade facility (one where adults can walk around with their alcoholic drinks if they would like)! It was totally cool. It had a huge variety of video games, carnival games, air hockey, modified beer pong, oversized Mario Kart consoles, first-person shooter games, even a climbing wall and a section for VR shooting games.
I felt like a kid.
We had a lot of fun!!
There was even a 'rollercoaster' ride game, where the seats moved and tilted and you got knocked around and you had fans blowing on you simulating the wind.

It was a perfect place for someone like me.

In my usual style, I pushed too hard, tried too hard, and stayed too long, which means I am STILL suffering today from it, but I also had a ton of fun. The mini basketball game was awesome because I stood in one spot and shot the ball in a small setting. Same with the football game. And ski-ball. And 'beer' pong (minus the beer).
I was still incredibly sore afterwards, but it was really nice to play these games and get this tiny little taste of the athletic life I used to lead. (Too bad there was no volleyball game - at least not that I saw).

It was a great night out that was relatively inexpensive, included a ton of laughs, and made me feel completely nostalgic.

I think it is important to find places like this and activities that are condensed like this to feel like you are out and enjoying yourself without actually risking your health in a dangerous way.
This place, along with my kayaking, camping, and playing pool or darts, as well as playing piano and singing, are all activities that I can still participate in once a month or so. The sessions might be few and far between, but at least I have options!!
This arcade might be my new top place during the Winter months...
Now that it is Springtime, kayaking will be my focus. And riding my little one-speed bicycle.