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Video Gaming as a Form of Escape from Big City Life

Video game escapism is a common subject, although often, it comes with negative connotations.

The concept of escapism is literally to “escape” the banalities of everyday life, and for big-city dwellers, it also extends to the stress and problems of that reality.

Video gaming is a popular form of recreation around the world. It’s also the earliest form of internet gaming before online casinos and esports. While you would recourse to an online casino guide to learn about standard casino gameplay, video games are so versatile that there is no specific ruleset to follow.

Their popularity stems from the fact that they offer new, artistic, and interactive experiences. Considered in this light, it’s no more a form of escapism than any other lifestyle habit. However, they’re one of the most potent forms.

Unlike popular opinion, video games can, in fact, provide a form of escapism without necessarily destroying your life in the process.

A different reality is not always a bad thing

Many believe that the desire to escape reality has links to anxiety, eating disorders, alcoholism, addiction, and even suicide. This is understandable given some statistics which revealed that people spent 300 million minutes per day playing Angry Birds, or 170 hours per year in Call of Duty. However, other studies have shown that gaming also leads to happiness or higher grades in youngsters.

It’s easy to realize that the effects of video game escapism are subjective, and for the most part, depend on the reason for playing games in the first place. Are you running away from unpleasant perceptions and emotions, or are you seeking more positive experiences, stronger relationships, and new skills?

Gaming isn’t just about having fun or draining time, as is the case with playing your favorite sports, for instance. The art of gaming is a strong form of expression and a powerful storytelling mechanism. It engages not merely on a physical level but also mentally. It’s intellectually stimulating, especially when involving plots or circumstances that are challenging. The level of immersion is unmatched.

So, what does it entail?

Big cities certainly have their appeal, but it’s impossible to deny that we live in a world where distressing headlines are the order of the day. After a rough day, a game of Super Mario, Pokémon, or Grand Theft Auto will let you experience things you can’t do in the real world. Each of these is set in a different virtual world, so you get to live a thousand lives.

Because video games are so vivid, they could also invoke memories of the happier parts of your youth when you enjoyed carefree days of gaming, probably alongside siblings and friends. And the nostalgia from reliving those memories provides immense solace.

Single-player games are one thing, but the multiplayer realm is a whole different ball game. Whether corporative puzzle games or intense MMORPGs, the social aspect of gaming adds a different dimension to the experiences. These social games also eliminate the adverse side effects believed to be associated with solitary gaming.

In a nutshell, playing games doesn’t always mean you’re running away from reality. You’re simply taking some well-deserved respite from a harsh one.

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Entertainment Lifestyle Living NYC

Summer Date Ideas in New York City 2021

Photo by Joanna Nix from Unsplash

It’s about to get romantic

Have you been searching for some new summer date ideas in New York City? Well, we’ve got you covered! Here are our picks for romantic summer dates in New York City.

Coney Island

Image by Guusje Weeber on Unsplash

For a fun-filled day with your significant other, visit Coney Island. Complete with rides, a beach, and shops, there are fun activities that all couples will enjoy. Also, while you’re here be sure to visit Nathan’s Hotdogs. Founded in 1916, the original Nathan’s Hotdogs is on Surf Avenue in Coney Island. These all-beef hotdogs have built a reputation, making them a famous staple of the Coney Island experience. A trip to Coney Island is the perfect date for a sunny summer day.

Classic Harbor Line Cruises

Manhattan Photo by Classic Harbor Line

How about a late-night cruise on the Hudson River? With Classic Harbor Line, you can go on relaxing cruises while enjoying the beautiful sights of the city including the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and Ellis Island. One of our favorite tours is the Jazz Cruise, a 1.5-hour cruise complete with live, talented jazz musicians. This cruise is aboard the Manhattan, a stunning 1920s style yacht. A night on the water with Classic Harbor Line is most definitely a night to remember. 

Museum of Modern Art

Image by Alex Palmer on Unsplash

Otherwise known as the MoMA, this popular museum is the perfect summer date to escape the heat. Featuring modern and contemporary art, the MoMA is open from 10:30 am-5:30 pm Sunday-Friday and Saturday 10:30 am-7:00 pm. Admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $14 for full-time students with ID. 

Rooftop Reds

Image by Rooftop Reds

Calling all wine-loving couples: Rooftop Reds is the perfect date for you! Located on 299 Sands Street, Building 275, Brooklyn, Rooftop Reds is the world’s first rooftop vineyard. This vineyard makes around 20-25 cases of wine every year. This is a romantic rooftop date you won’t want to miss this summer.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Image by Yasir Eryilmaz on Unsplash

For a romantic escape into nature in the heart of Brooklyn, plan a date at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden! This 52-acre garden was founded in 1910. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden has over 14,000 taxa of plants. Admission is $18 each for adults and $12 for seniors 65 and up and for students with IDs. 

Tokyo Record Bar

Image by Tokyo Record Bar

If you and your significant other are looking for a unique date in the city, you definitely should check out Tokyo Record Bar. Tokyo Record Bar describes itself as “an underground listening room dedicated to quality and obsession through music, food, and booze.” In order to enter this lounge, you need to walk through Air’s Champagne Parlor. 

Tokyo Record Bar does two seatings a night, Monday through Saturday. Once seated, guests are given a song list and a drink menu. Tokyo Record Bar has a large variety of genres of music so everyone can find something they like. The song requests are handed to the DJ who then will then make the playlist for the night and sometimes add some more songs of their choice. Guests will also receive a seven-course tasting menu, complete with various traditional Japanese snacks and food. To experience a taste of Japan from New York City, Tokyo Record Bar is the perfect date.

Dreamland Roller Rink

 

Image by Dreamland Roller Rink

For a summer date that will send you back to the age of disco, visit Dreamland Roller Rink with your significant other! This themed roller skating rink encourages visitors to journey to the past by coming in retro costumes. MCs and DJs will narrate this spectacular night of disco. Dreamland Roller Rink also hosts themed parties, so that each visit is unique. Dreamland Roller Rink is a must-visit this summer for a unique and unforgettable date night.

Jetty Jumpers Jet Ski Tours

Image by Jetty Jumpers

If you and your significant other are looking for some adventurous summer date ideas, you should definitely check out Jetty Jumpers’ jet ski tours. These exciting tours are about three hours long. While jet skiing, you will see some of New York City’s most prominent landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, the Freedom Tower, and more. This is the perfect date for adventurous couples who want a day out on the water.

Color Factory

Image by the Color Factory

The Color Factory is the perfect date for couples looking for a unique experience and a lot of photo opportunities. The Color Factory is an art exhibit that revolves around the beauty and varying palettes of color. Each room is a different experience of color and encourages guests to embrace their imagination and creativity. The Color Factory is an experience unlike any other, the perfect date to escape into air conditioning. In addition, all summer you can visit Eataly Downtown and Color Factory’s collaboration.

Bryant Park Movie Nights

Image from the Bryant Park Corporation Website

Bryant Park movie nights are back this summer, the perfect romantic date under the stars. Admission to these movies, are free. The concession stands open at 5:00 pm and the movie starts at sundown. The movie schedule can be found on the Bryant Park website. If you and your significant other are movie buffs looking for a romantic movie night, be sure to check out Bryant Park movie nights this summer.

 

For more New York City date ideas, click here

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Fashion

4 Ways the Coronavirus May Influence How We Dress

4 Ways the Coronavirus May Influence How We Dress

It’s probably safe to say that you’ve been wearing sweatpants, leggings, or even pajamas a lot more often than usual recently. Maybe you’ve even customized your own facemask to wear outdoors. For many people, the statewide lockdown orders have had an influence on how we dress and how we think about clothing. And the way we dress is closely related to our lifestyle choices. As COVID19 changes day-to-day life for millions of people, it might also be set to alter the clothing choices we make. 

In fact, over the centuries, the biggest shifts in fashion trends haven’t come from runways but have rather followed events that have disrupted society on a huge scale, such as wars. The effect of these events has an impact on the economy, supply chains, social behavior, and daily life, often speeding up and normalizing changes that were already underway. 

Dressing Down

The current coronavirus crisis means that many of us get to wear comfortable clothing throughout the day while working from home. This new surge in remote working might lead to even more dressing-down in the workforce once people are able to go back to the office. And it’s nothing new; social standards have loosened over the past few years and comfort and leisure clothing has become more of a priority for fashion shoppers. Hoodies and leggings have become everyday fashion and have even made their way into the office in some industries. And with online sales of tracksuits and sweatpants currently booming, fashion experts believe that the current situation is likely to prolong the strength of athleisure. 

Online Shopping

As clothing stores shut down and more people turn to e-Commerce in order to get their retail therapy, the coronavirus crisis is not only set to impact what we wear but how we get it. In the future, it’s expected that those people who are shopping online more often than ever before nowadays are going to continue that behavior, and we’ll see the recent uptick in online shopping continue. On the other hand, others can’t wait for the retail stores to be open again and there’s likely to be a huge boom in people going out for the shopping trips that they once took for granted once the situation has passed and the lockdown orders are lifted. 

Dressing Up

While working from home for months might normalize the idea of dressing down in many offices around the country once the crisis is over, there’s also expected to be a boom in sales of ‘going out’ clothes and people dressing up once they have the chance to do so again. After months of living in sweatpants and tracksuits, it makes sense that people are going to revel in the chance to get dressed up and enjoy a night out once the bars and clubs reopen again, and there’s expected to be a boom in the sales of party dresses, heels, suits, and other event-style clothing. 

Safety First

Finally, the coronavirus crisis is going to forever change the way we think about protecting our health and keeping germs at bay. After the crisis, there may be an increase in hand-washing stations and the use of hand sanitizing gel in public places like supermarkets. And, it’s also expected to change the way we think about clothing. Many people might go on to wear face masks in public for a long time after the coronavirus crisis has passed, as face masks have never been more important as people realize their use for combating the spread of germs. 

From dressing for comfort to clothing designed for safety, the coronavirus crisis is expected to have a big impact on fashion.  

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Fashion Featured Lifestyle News Wellness

Getting Around NYC Efficiently: Are You Ready to Commute by Bike?

Getting Around NYC Efficiently: Are You Ready to Commute by Bike?
https://bikelist.org/?msID=77b57efb-0683-4e77-9ef2-4dbed6f34e9f

Something very interesting happens in New York City every morning. Thousands of affluent professionals, many of whom are wealthy executives, ride their bicycles to work. Despite the fact that they could easily afford to drive a Bentley, they actually choose to ride a bike. What exactly is going on here? 

Well, daily commuting in New York City can be challenging, tiresome, and even dangerous in some situations. The fact is, many wise business people have realized that riding a bike is the most reliable and efficient way to get to work. You can search for the best commuter bikes recommended by Pedallers

Cycling vs Other Commuting Methods

There are so many factors that make almost every form of transportation a hassle in NYC. However, after a brief comparison of the perils involved with each, you’ll find that cycling is generally the most reliable and preferable, particularly in scenarios that involve typical commuting distances of less than 5 miles. Here’s a rundown of cycling versus other commuting methods:

  • Bike vs Personal Vehicle – If you choose to drive your own car, then you have to contend with the absurdly crowded traffic, inflated NYC gas prices, and extreme parking difficulty in many places. Cycling might seem physically difficult, but many commuters have started using electric bicycles like these EMOJO bikes to reduce or eliminate the burden of pedaling. So, in a way, it’s sort of like a one-person, slow-moving automobile that can go more places than a vehicle can. 
  • Bike vs Public Transportation – If you opt for public transportation, you have to deal with unexpected delays, crowding, a complete lack of privacy and the possibility of sitting next to an odorous derelict, violent criminal, or anyone else that fate happens to throw your way. You don’t have to share your bike with other passengers and conform to routes & schedules. 
  • Bike vs Taxi or Rideshare Cab – Taxi cabs and rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are options, but then you’re dependent on the timely arrival of the driver, and even if they pick you up on time, you could still wind up stuck in traffic in the back of a cab or Uber long enough to make you late for work. 

Ultimately, the best way to get around New York City is to use an electric bike. For traveling longer distances, use a rideshare app to get within biking distance.

 

Electric Bike + Rideshare is the Formula

Taking an electric bike with you in an Uber or Lyft ensures that you’ll never be completely stuck in traffic jams because you can always hop out and bike the rest of the way. An electric bike also makes it easier to get from one stop or station to another if you choose to go the public transportation route, so it’s a compatible accessory to every form of commuting. Of course, make sure you choose a rideshare driver who has a bike rack. 

 

 

Getting Around NYC Efficiently: Are You Ready to Commute by Bike?

 

Other Perks of Commuting on a Bike

By now, you should be thoroughly convinced that riding a bike to work is the smartest move in many scenarios, especially for people who live within a few-mile radius of their job. As an added benefit, it’s also great for the environment and it’s better for your health than sitting stagnant in a vehicle, train, or bus. Even if you choose to ride an electric bike, you still have the option of pedaling when you want to, so your bike can also be used as a tool for exercise. Additionally, studies have proven that boosting blood flow raises alertness and improves cognitive performance, so you’ll arrive at your job feeling ready to tackle the day after a morning bike ride. 

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NYC Travel

6 Unusual Places To Visit In New York City

6 Unusual Places To Visit In New York City

When visiting the USA, finding the perfect location is something that can take time, but with a number of amazing locations in New York City, you will want to grab your ESTA and hop on the next flight to the states. In this article, we will be giving you a list of 6 unusual places for you to visit when spending time in this beautiful city. 

The Mmuesumm 

If you are looking for someone weird and unusual to the city then the Mmuesumm is by far one of the strangest. With the aim of telling a story about the modern world, the Mmuesumm is the perfect representation of modern journalism that evokes thought and is great for all the family. This interesting location is free to visit and has a number of different objects on show at any one time making it perfect for those that want to steer clear of the regular tourist traps. 

  • 6 Unusual Places To Visit In New York City

The Highline 

Another way for you to escape the city is to go above it and visiting the Highline is the perfect way to do exactly that. A public space located on the last remaining piece of freight line in Manhattan, this stunning public space is the perfect way for you to escape the noise of the city below whilst enjoying the very best of the music design and art. 

  • Photo by Iwan Baan

Hess’ Triangle 

The story behind this unusual triangle is one that dates back to 1928 when the Hess estate was pulled down to strengthen the road network and build the subway, however, he was not letting it go so easily. All that remains of this estate that is not public property is a 27 ½ inch triangle to with mosaic title claiming that the Hess estate was never dedicated for public purposes. This is now located outside a cigar shop off of seventh avenue and Christopher street if you want to take a look. 

The Dream House 

Another unusual location for you to visit in New York City is the dream house. Located off Church Street in TriBeCa this art installation located in a third-floor apartment building. This is a series of rooms filled with neon lights giving you the perfect escape from gyms and specialist restaurants. This is the perfect place to visit for those that love photography as the lights make for the perfect backdrop regardless of the time of day that you choose to visit.

Photo: John Cliett

The Elevated Acre

Much like the Highline, the elevated acre is the perfect location for those looking to enjoy a garden space without the noise of the city. Located high above the hustle and bustle, you can enjoy a number of food carts as well as some greener areas, to give you the perfect space to relax and unwind. Whether you venture here to watch the sunset, or you want to look at the moon, the elevated acre is perfect for you and your family. 

https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/elevated-acre-new-york?select=3rXvVFm5F10Ez8jg-SllzQ&utm_campaign=www_photo_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Houdini’s Grave

The final unusual location for you to visit is the grave of the great escape artist Houdini. This grand escape artist was buried in queens following his death in 1926 from a ruptured appendix. This grand escape artist was beloved by millions around the world and drew in crowds with his amazing escape acts, however his death remains somewhat of a mystery. Some say it was a punch from a McGill university student whilst others fay it was poison from spiritualists that cause the rapture. However, this grand grave is well worth visiting should you find the time. 

Whether you are traveling to New York in the summer or you are making your way to the city in time for Christmas, you can find a number of weird and wonderful locations for you to visit regardless of who you are traveling with. 

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Fashion Uncategorized

Best Jackets for Summer Evenings

Best Jackets for Summer Evenings


Summer is the perfect season to wear whatever you want. In summer you aren’t restricted in what you can wear by the cold chill of winter. You can wear absolutely anything as long as you feel comfortable, trendy and cool – like these summer street styles we found in Lower Manhattan.

You can wear a plethora of jackets too. We know it seems like a cool-weather kind of outfit but evenings,
even summer nights can still be chilly. Here are some of our best picks.

Best Jackets for Summer Evenings

Cardigans – are comfy, light and can be elegant – which makes a cardigan a great choice for a chilly evening.
They usually come in neutral colors like black, brown and white – but this bright orange cardigan by Eloquii delivers the same amount of elegance. Wear it with a dress, shirt or tank and it’ll still look great.

Windbreakers – are usually worn on cold, rainy days, but they work surprisingly well on summer evenings. They used to be worn exclusively for track and field. But with athleisure taking over mainstream fashion, almost everybody owns one now. After all, windbreakers look perfect with a pair of shorts or jeans.

Hoodies – are great they’re soft, easy to slip-on, and something you can wear with or without a shirt underneath. The lightweight hooded jacket on Woman Within is perfect for transitional weather and a great piece to have on hand. They look great with bottoms too like skirts, jeans, leggings; they can be adapted for just about anybody type.

Bomber Jackets – As aforementioned, summer evenings can get cold sometimes, and the insulation provided by bomber jackets are guaranteed to keep you warm – perfect for casual walks in the park. And if you get warm, all you need to do is roll up the sleeves.

Best Jackets for Summer Evenings
Nature Sunset Summer Evening

Denim jackets – are another classic. Denim isn’t suffocating, which means that you can wear it in the mornings, and the fabric is thick enough that you won’t be able to feel any cold weather. LiveAbout provides a full rundown of what to pair denim with including floral dresses, plain white dresses, maxi skirts and even track pants for a killer, unique look.

Crop Jackets – a shorter jacket looks amazing with high-waisted shorts or pants, without making you look like you’re drowning in fabric. It’s trendy, cute and easy to remove if it suddenly gets too warm. It also makes for good streetwear when you tie it around your waist.

Blazers – shouldn’t only be worn for work – if you pick the right one, you can have it loose so that it feels lightweight and breezy. In particular, this pink Auline travel blazer is clean and easy to dress up (or down) and doesn’t even have an inner lining so that it feels super light. In general, blazers can come in short or long fits – it all comes down to your own personal preference.