Something I’ve learned in the years since graduating college is the importance of randomness. And to have a good time.
I’ve always liked the idea of living carefree though I’ve never been very good at it. There’s always too much on my mind to worry about. Which is why one of my 5 reasons to travel around the world is simply to prove that I can do it (anything is possible, yo). A trip around the world, though I always say anyone can do it, does require a certain amount of flexibility in the individual.
Everyone has a comfort zone and I’m a firm believer that it’s a good idea to break out of it every now and then. That’s why when I read this article on The Middle Finger Project I was reminded of how much I enjoy doing random things. Add hula hooping into the mix, and where can you go wrong?
Cue a video of me hula hooping.
What would you do if you came across a lone hula hoop on the ground?
When I went to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory two weeks ago I stumbled on some hula hoops just sitting listlessly on the ground. I’m pretty sure they were for the children, but really, why should kids get to have all the fun?
Obviously I picked one up and we made a few quick videos. You can view the other ones over on my YouTube account.
Random acts of fun
The way kids are really should be our aspiration as adults. Just tonight I had dinner at a classy restaurant in Boston’s South End, but there were 2 small children running around the restaurant playing hide and seek with their mother. This went on for over half an hour. One of the girls even hid under my chair. Like seriously. The bartender even let the mother hide behind the bar while one of the girls ran around trying to find her.
Who’s to stop you from random acts of fun? So long as it doesn’t hurt anyone, I see no reason NOT to do it. Excluding nerves.
I hope that my trip around the world will help rid me of my nerves. Or at least teach me (and others) that it doesn’t matter what others think of you. Just do what feels right and have a good time while you’re doing it.
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If you can, you should quickly acquire a hula hoop and make a video. You can win $100 from The Middle Finger Project! Deadline is March 22, 2010.
I agree with the basic sentiment of this post, but I'm going to have to go on record as saying there are WAY better examples of the idea of random acts of fun than little kids playing hide and seek in a nice restaurant. There are actually several ways that situation could end up hurting someone- I would not want to be a waitress in a restaurant where small children were running around considerably below eye level. </debbie-downer>
That being said, I'd love to do what feels right more often, if only I could figure out what that was half the time. </nervous-nellie>
It must be spring because everyone seems to be contemplating just letting things flow.
I couldn't have said it better! After winter I always find people come out of hibernation and start doing things again.
I couldn't have said it better! After winter I always find people come out of hibernation and start doing things again.
Aw, these kids were harmless and most of the people in the admittedly small restaurant were well aware of what was going on. I assume if anyone would've complained they would've stopped. I think most people just wanted to play along with them, though. I know I did!
You are a much, much, much better hula hooper than me.
That said I have always been a major proponent of random fun!
Haha… thanks?
Random/fun activities always make for interesting stories. Even failed attempts. Such as No Pants Subway Ride which I have never successfully gone through with!
Yeah, well, you like children :-p
Let's get free ice cream tomorrow.
Randomness is great. It's so important to have fun and go with the flow. Being stressed sucks, trust me on that one. Great post Adam. Now I want to go to work and sit in the giant tea cup for awhile! haha
Oh man, I love this! So many people would be afraid to pick up that hoola hoop because it's embarrassing – really though, no one gives a shit what you do so you might as well have a good time! You'll def have amble opp on your RTW to get out there and have random acts of fun :-)
Do it!!! And take photos!
Exactly. Fear of embarrassment has stopped me a lot in the past, but I'm getting used to doing random stuff.
Definitely excited about all sorts of unexpected random acts of fun on my trip!
i surely do much more stupid things now that i am traveling since.. who know me?!
hopefully i will bring a bit more randomness back home with me
I love random acts of anything, especially fun, and those random meetups like the pantless day is amazing. It really makes me wish I lived in/near a large city. I think life needs randomness which is why I too love travel and have things on my bucket list like, show up at the airport with my bags packed and take the first flight leaving to some random destination for a week/weekend.
It's true—it's easier to be random when no one knows who you are. Travel & spontaneous fun seem to go hand-in-hand.
Yeah, I'm a big fan of 'flash mobs' and most of the work that comes out of Improv Everywhere. Always so much fun!
And your idea for showing up at an airport & taking the first flight is a great (albeit expensive!) way to travel! Could be called Travel Roulette….
Ugh I hate you… you can do it better than me!!! It is fun to do random acts of fun. As for my lil video it was so strange… a couple hula hooping and I of course jumped in on the fun. Now I want to buy a hula hoop and ask strangers to do it…lol! It could be the hula hoop project and just make people laugh & have fun!!!