Almost-Fun
Very seldom are we having unadulterated (childlike) fun. Usually something is detracting from the fun: we feel a little restraint, anticipation, and sometimes also a little pain, regret, fright, or even horror (when watching a horror movie, perhaps). Almost-fun is often accompanied by a steady awareness that the present enjoyment of the situation is contingent, and the fun will almost-definitely end (or be significantly reduced) soon.
Types/Categories
1. It is not Fun enough: Only a 6, 7, 8, or 9 on the fun scale. (Driving your car, after it is no longer new. Doing what you think you like, but when you are at a tedious part. Playing in a sandbox with the other kids as usual, but you are getting too old to play in sandboxes.)
2. Other stuff is making the Fun not so much fun: You are distracted from your fun. The phone rings in the middle of your fun. You are having the most fun you've ever had in your entire life, but there's an annoying thorn in your shoe. (See the almost-fun-itudes below.)
Examples
Most TV shows: partly because they are not quite to your liking, partly because of the commercials that keep interrupting, and partly because you get that nagging feeling that you could be doing something more productive.
More
The Almost-Fun Rules
You can buy a fast car, you just can't drive fast.
You can enjoy the great outdoors, just watch out for the mosquitoes, the reptiles, and the bears.
You can lounge in the sun, but beware of the harmful rays.
You can sail around the world, just watch out for the big waves, storms, pirates, sharks, and dehydration.
You can go to Disney World, you just have to get in line a lot.
You can travel into space (if you're a billionaire), but there is a long lineup for this fun activity too.
You can gamble and bet big, unless you don't want to loose.
You can go fishing, and not finish important business.
You can live for today, but then tomorrow comes.
Links
| Almost-Fun | Comment |
| agencyspy.wordpress.com | Jeep Is Almost Fun (a near miss) |
