Threads and stopping.

ThreadBleh.java

class ThreadBleh extends Thread {
    private boolean areWePlayingNow = false;

    public void run() {
        while(true) {
             if(areWePlayingNow) {
                 // do something
             } else {
                 // don't do something ;)
             }

             Thread.sleep(1000);
        }
     }

     public void pause() {
         this.areWePlayingNow = false;
     }

     public void resume() {
         this.areWePlayingNow = true;
     }
}