For my birthday this year, I decided to do something completely for me. Every year my wife tells me to plan something, and I usually just shrug—“Sure, let’s do dinner, but nobody better fraking sing to me or plop a sombrero on my head.” This year, though, I made actual plans.
I wanted to go to Astoria and see the Goonies House, the Kindergarten Cop school, and Stephanie’s house from Short Circuit. I also had my sights set on the Next Level Pinball Museum in Hillsboro, Oregon. And you know what? We made the plans, and we stuck to them.
Growing Up Different
I grew up in a family where “manly” meant grunting, farting, fishing, and hunting. My brother fit right in. My dad loved that. Me? Not so much. I loved books, toys, games, sci-fi, movies—you get the point. I wasn’t your typical reservation Indian kid.
My grandparents raised us a lot while my parents worked hard—my mom excelling at everything she touched, my dad grinding in a lumber mill so we never had to go without. I’ll always be grateful for that.
But birthdays and Christmases? Those were mine. G.I. Joe figures and vehicles, Star Wars ships, Hot Wheels, Legos, and most importantly… Atari games.
The Golden Age of Arcades
Atari ruled our living room, but the arcades ruled my imagination. My two favorites were Starbase 1 and Tiffany’s Ice Cream Shop.
Starbase 1 had it all—black carpet, low lights, and row after row of glowing cabinets. Defender, Asteroids, Centipede, Joust, Afterburner, and my all-time favorite, Mr. Do’s Castle. People argued that Dig Dug was better. Nah. Watching a clown chuck a ball and erase enemies? Way better than pumping them up like balloons.
Then Tiffany’s came along. Suddenly we could play Smash TV and have a hot fudge sundae. Absolute paradise.
Growing Up… and Growing Back In
Of course, life crept in. Adulthood buried the toys, the games, the nerdy passions. I told myself I was too old. For years I only let myself peek in—dropping quarters at a Tilt arcade in a mall, or browsing eBay for toys I “shouldn’t” buy.
But on my 52nd birthday? I leaned in. Hard. I drove six hours to relive 80s nostalgia and spent the day in an arcade, shoulder to shoulder with my little brother and my oldest son, mashing buttons and grinning like kids again. Honestly? Best birthday I’ve had in decades.
The Point
Never stop loving the things you love—no matter how old you are.
I get just as much joy out of building Legos and models now as I did when I was 10. I can lose hours in front of a video game and come away just as happy as ever.
Society will try to tell you to grow out of it. Don’t. Follow your passion, and life will be far more enjoyable and fulfilling—I promise you.
Take the time to be who you are.
And enjoy the things that make you smile.
Leave a Reply