Sean Reiser

Last night, on my way home I wondered down to Astoria Park where they were having a free screening of the family film Surf's Up. Many people associate New York City with an expensive nightlife, and where there's some truth to that, there's also full slate of free things to do. Over the last few years I've seen films including Casablanca, Superman, Star Wars, numerous Hitchcock films and now Surf's Up, and been to concerts with local performers as well as The NY Symphony Orchestra, Joan Jett and Bon Jovi all outdoors under the stars (or last night, the clouds) all for free.

No matter what's showing or who's playing, the cross section of people attending these events always surprise me. You have families packing a picnic supper looking for an inexpensive family night out. There are Groups of senior citizen in their lawn chairs kabitzing about the state of affairs in the world, rarely actually paying attention to the entertainment. Cliques of twenty somethings are on beach blankets sneaking in a bottle of wine served in fashionable paper cups. And, of course, there's the young teen aged couple on their first date, trying to pretend that their parents aren't also in the park. It's a scene out of a Donna Reid.

I've noticed that, where these have always been a part of NYC culture they have been more attended in the last few years. Some people may say "well the economy is poor, people are finding entertainment wherever they can". That may be part of it, but I think its much bigger then that.

Our lives have been overloaded. Between the longer work days for less reward we don't take breaks anymore. Not long ago, TV stations would go off the air after the late night talk shows and return for the morning news, now we have hundreds of channels broadcasting 24/7. I've been known to brag about being able to get good italian food in NYC at 1AM. I've never stopped to think, "who wants to live in world where you can get good italian food at 1AM?". When we go on "vacations" we take laptops and blackberries with us because we always need to be in the look. We consider it a badge of pride. Living this always on, always connected we've forgotten how to disconnect.

The more hectic times get the more people yearn for simple days and activities. There is something poetic about a picnic in the park on a warm summer's evening instead of a night of meaningless drinking and clubbing. There's an idea that if slow down we may just live better, fuller lives. A desire to enjoy ourselves. And, perhaps to return to the idealistic place of Willoughby.