Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Sometimes all your night needs is
some friends and half-price
drinks

I feel like my last few posts have been super serious - a divergence from my Reclaimed Self philosophy. Yes, I am still dealing with stress from work and from home. Yes, I am still dealing with lingering symptoms of PTSD. Yes, sometimes being Holly is hard. But when I stop and reflect, I realize something pretty incredible. 

Most of the time, being Holly is pretty damned amazing. 

Why? Well because I have a network of people around me who help me have fun. And, after all, sometimes the most important thing you can do is have fun. 

Our fabulous view

Tonight was a night for fun. My friend, Carrie, scored us some terrible seats to tonight's Pacers' game against the 76ers. But the view wasn't important. What was important is that I spent the past three hours laughing and leading a carefree existence. Half-price drinks at Kilroy's and a truly terrible basketball game made for a perfect recipe for unwinding and forgetting the troubles of the day. 

I firmly believe in the power of fun and the catharsis of laughter. I wish I laughed more than I do. But nights like tonight help me catch a glimpse of the less-serious, more outgoing person I could be. I like laughing Holly. I like outgoing Holly. She seems so much less fearful. So much less cautious. So much less reserved. Tonight's Holly is someone I should visit more often. 

The holy grail of the evening...

I like not having the pressures of work and my volunteer commitments weighing down on me. Tonight, my only goal was to secure a copy of a DVD from 2003 of Carrie dancing with the ENERGEE! - the Milwaukee Bucks' dance team. Supported by the texts and Facebook posts of friends and colleagues, I emerged triumphant (see photo). 

While I always like to win, the best part of this project was the fun it created for us at the game and through social media. Have you ever trash-talked a mascot? Not a team, a mascot? I'm not gonna lie, poor Bango took a verbal beating tonight. Have you ever had five complete strangers team up with you and work towards a common goal? It feels pretty great. And, if the end goal is something as awesome as a video of your friend with blonde hair, dancing for an NBA team, well all the better. 

I guess, what I am trying to say with this long island iced tea-fueled post is to not forget to appreciate the fun in your life. 

Seek laughter.
Seek camaraderie. 
Seek fun. 

I promise you, it's worth it.