The Little Kid in All of Us

Why is it that when kids are playing with their imaginary friends, we say they are creative, but when an adult plays with his imaginary friends, we say that he is crazy?

I remember summer growing up as a kid playing ALL day long without a worry. Once in the 4th grade, I was playing with my friends and completely forgot that I had a piano lesson. When I got home, the teacher was there waiting for me rather upset, but there was no real consequences other than having to do extra scales. Today as an adult, I cannot forget about my responsibilities. If I forget to "go to work" bills will not be paid, and I might end up on the street. Every so often, I'll think back about that time when it was so easy to just be a kid with no worries playing with my toys.
I found a place in NYC where it is totally normal for me to play and be a kid again. I brought Herbelicious along with me. It was a rainy day and we really had nothing better to do. It was totally fun, and totally free. It brought back so many memories, and just for an instant, we forgot about the crazy world outside. FAO SCHWARTZ.
The store is amazing and it allows for you to have fun and explore the possibilities of your imagination, whether you are young, or just young at heart. Upon entering the store, you are greeted by a cast of employees dressed as characters, like toy soliders, doctors, and even Harry Potter. Every where you turn is a wonderment--giant life size plush dragons and dinosaurs, and a ceiling covered with hundreds of color changing lights that remind me of a discotech.
I have been on a real safari in Africa, but if all you have is an afternoon and a limited budget, visit the FAO Schawartz petting zoo. It is just as good. Every animal from every continent can be found there. Tigers, elephants, kangaroos, horses, turtles, you name it, it is there all so soft and cuddly, and made to be touched.
In the Tanner doll section, you will instantly recognize characters from your past and present. Every girl and gay boy remembers spinning around, checking your belt, your crown, and your golden lasso as you transformed into Wonder Woman! Herbelicious and I even found a couple of boy dolls that looked like us! Clearly gay, clearly fashion conscious, complete with the same pair of shades Herbelicious and I wear.
In the next section, we found a nursery where a doctor greeted Herbelicious with a baby doll that could totally pass as his. It was lifelike in every way, even in weight. I would say it even had his hair and eyes. Herbelicious looked great as a father but when the doctor put a baby in my arms, it was clear that I was not ready yet for fatherhood. Or maybe it was because the baby she gave me was clearly too ugly to be my baby lol.
If you love Barbie, then you must visit Barbieland. FAO Schwartz has a fashion runway of barbie dolls that move along a conveyor belt stopping to pose at the end of the runway. We got there just in time to see what appeared to be TYRA BANKS at the end of the runway. In this section, you can also design your own Barbie. Once designed, you could have the doll made up for about $30 to $60 dollars. Herbelicious and I totally jumped at the chance to play Project Runway and design our own Barbies complete with outfits. I designed my doll RAQUEL though I think I shall call her Desiree.
Meandering through the store, you come across hundreds of toys that bring back memories. Hot Wheels, chemistry sets, Legos, and SMURFS!! How could I forget the little blue men who lived all alone in the woods. All those blue men (with blue balls), just one girl (who had such a raspy voice she could have been a guy}, one muscleboy, one daddy, and one always looking in the mirror..... How gay.
And for those of you who had piano lessons like me, a GIANT piano like the one in the movie BIG. All you have to do is take your shoes off and jump around.
It was a magical afternoon for Herbelicious and me. I think we spent a total of 45 minutes there, but it seemed like forever. We didn't buy anything, and the store didn't seem to mind as they encouraged us to play. Now that I think of it, I don't recall seeing any kids there, or maybe it was because I was just too busy being a kid myself. Go there, bring a camera, bring a friend, and forget about work, and forget about all your bills, even if its just for 45 minutes.