Power Play

Mistake #1: Judging a business by its building.
Mistake #2: Judging a business by its website.

Redemption #1: Giving the business a try, anyway.
Redemption #2: Giving the business positive reviews.

Thanks to the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and my workplace, I was able to enjoy all I can eat, drink, and play for $10 at Power Play. I was in heaven. Power Play is a "family entertainment center" full of arcade games, a bowling alley, go-karts, tilt-a-whirl, and so much more I didn't have time to discover.

At first, I was leery to attend a professional event in such a goofy environment. Their website (powerplaykc.com) reeks of cheesy jingles and flashy graphics. I'm not sure when I thought I was too cool for this, but I was probably the most un-cool as I went crazy on the arcade games. I'm sure I had that look in my eyes. You know, that crazy look.

I never in my life thought someone would give me a play card and say, "You can play anything you want for free for the next few hours." Despite the fact that I had this shopping spree, I've concluded that I've enjoyed my time at Power Play much more than any other experience at Dave and Busters in KC. The game selection was more extensive at Power Play and so were the activities. I didn't feel overwhelmed at Power Play. I'm unsure if they toned down the bells and whistles for the event, but I did like the layout of the place.

At the end of the night, I indulged in one my favorite, yet unsatisfying games- The Crane Game. Tonight's potential prize... a 6-inch white teddy bear wearing an ICEE t-shirt, and I wanted it bad. I came home with this instead...

... it's a fish that expands 600% in size.

Power Play is definitely worth a return visit.

Fear of Status Quo

I choose not to be the living dead.

I write this in a zombie-like state. After an 8 to 5 day at work followed by an evening class, I know I will repeat the same pattern tomorrow. Going through the motions like a zombie from Night of the Living Dead, I am at least glad I don't feed on other people's brains. My salvation at the end of the day: food, books, internet, people, tv. Tonight it is food, a book, and the internet. I've waited 13 hours since I woke up to enjoy my two hour window of choice.

This pattern is a trap that is so entrenched into everyone's lives that people don't recognize it or know how to change it. I don't know how to change it. Yet.

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
-Mark Twain

Everything popular is wrong.
-Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

This is why I read. People have figured out how to escape this trap before, and they hide it in books.

Fireplace

After two years in my apartment, I am finally using my fireplace. It is absolutely wonderful.

I Choo-choo- choose you.

Valentine's Day is in three days. So, when I prepared to watch the CBS Sunday Morning News(one of my favorite shows), I expected at least one segment highlighting the holiday. I expected a segment discussing the holiday's origins or maybe discussing the holiday's commercial influence on the economy. I smiled when I learned that the Valentine's Day segment was about marriage and divorce.

Not that marriage is funny or that divorce is funny. Nooo... they are both very serious. However, it was funny that a news program that focuses on good news was taking a reality check.

Here are a list of statistics the segment provided that I found interesting:

- 50% of married couples get divorced
- Or if you glass is half full, 50% of married couples stay together
- The divorce rate doubled from 1960 to 1980
- The divorce rate has been stable since the 1980s
- The average male gets married at 27 years
- The average female gets married at 26 years
- 85% of Americans get married
- The 3 contributors to a lasting marriage: Education, Stable Family, and Income

I could write an essay for each of the bullets above, but tonight is not the time.

Here is a link to the article summarizing the segment: Un-tying the Knot .

... and one more thing, Happy (early) Valentine's Day to everyone. It is not just a holiday for just one significant other, it is for family and the dearest friends also.