The recent covid-19 pandemic has changed the lives of many in ways that will never be forgotten. Getting back to what we consider normal might never amount to the reality we expect. That said, we should not just stand by and allow time to pass. Life must and should continue. It’s natural for humans to survive, and that’s what we need to do regardless of the odds.
For me, one of the most significant areas to be affected by covid-19 has been social interaction and recreation. Not having the opportunity to gather with friends and family members has taken a toll. To date, one of my primary forms of recreation, which has left me like an addict without a hit, has been pool. I’m a die-hard pool fanatic that always needs to compete, and this pandemic has not helped.
Now you may think that pool is insignificant in the scheme of things, but I would beg to differ, and here’s why. If I wanted to go out and have a restaurant-style steak for dinner before shooting some pool, Steinway Cafe Billiards had me covered. And they’re not the only pool hall out there that serves incredible food alongside great pool tables. As a matter of fact, many of the top rooms in New York City have taken on a café style setting to accommodate customers like myself who love to dine in.
But let’s say food and pool in a large pool room wasn’t my immediate intention. There was always the option to play in a smaller and more personalized bar while knocking back a few beers and hanging with friends, which brings me to my next point, bar-pool team competition. Believe it or not, I found that one of the best ways to unwind and enjoy playing pool is to play alongside your friends. There is nothing better than playing in a team format on small bar tables and enjoying all the ridiculous dramas that go along with it. Trust me, if you’ve had those days at work where your stress level seems to max out, an environment like this once a week could help keep you sane. By the way, my current picks for the top bar-pool team recreational leagues in NYC are the NYC APA, the Brooklyn Queens APA, and the NYGPL. If you however prefer to compete one on one in a singles environment then nothing comes close to the MAPL.
But it’s not all about shooting balls. Just the idea of getting out and meeting new people without restrictions is huge. Especially now that we’ve somewhat taken it for granted and have come to the realization that it may never be the same way again. Sure texting and communicating online can keep everyone you know in the loop, but let’s face facts, we are not avatars. We are human beings who need to interact in many other ways other than social media.
So here is my two cents in a nutshell. If you’re like me and want to continue living your life to the fullest then it’s time to implement a few changes. Be aware and acknowledge the situation regarding covid-19. Wear a mask, wash your hands, keep your distance and don’t stop living because this pandemic might be around longer than we all expect. Keep safe and I wish you all the best for 2021.
