GTA IV experience

I’ve played GTA IV about half way through now. I’ve noticed I’m not doing random stuff anymore such like stunt driving, playing pool or just creating chaos in the city like I did with the previous GTAs. Somehow I feel like I don’t have time for that (in real world on in game world? this im not sure) and I just go from mission to mission.

Am I only one getting annoyed when Niko’s “friends” keep constantly calling and I feel like I already have hands full with the main missions itself.

Maybe I’m just getting old and I don’t get excited of this “sandbox” stuff anymore :p