I asked myself “Do you really want to do this now?” several times before creating this site. (And yes, Def Leppard fans, it is also the opening line from their song “Let’s Go.” I’m a big fan of the band – going back to their early days – and I guarantee you’ll see more Def Leppard references in future posts!) Hmm, now that I think about it, maybe the “Let’s Go” lyric was ringing in my head while I was pondering the launch of this site. But I digress…
Thinking about the many things this blog could focus on, I ultimately decided on writing about the things I look back on fondly – after all, I must admit I have a nostalgic frame of mind – and go from there.
Why not create an outlet for all of us to share our appreciation of nostalgia? Great TV, great music, and so many pop culture references! I hope to reawaken some of the memories that reside within us all, some which might have been forgotten when life…um, happened.
But I didn’t want to just leave it that.
Over the years of my career, I’ve faced challenges, enjoyed successes and failures, and have learned my share of lessons. And no doubt many of you have gone through (or are going through) similar things. My hope is to touch on these topics as well as hopefully amuse, help, and inspire along the way.
In addition, I’ve had friends and relatives ask for tips and recommendations over the years across a multitude of topics – from products to services to whatever else. I plan to share some of my recommendations with you over time in hopes you too will benefit.
Here’s an even easier way to know if this site is for you.
I’ve put together a random checklist of just a few items to give you a better idea.
You might enjoy this nostalgia-loving site if:
You’re a classic TV fan — from “The Honeymooners” and “The Three Stooges” to “Taxi” and “Three’s Company” (a huge guilty pleasure) — and still watch some of these shows to this day. You also have an impressive collection of TV shows on DVD!
Hearing “Tom & Jerry’s” classic line “The white mouse will not explode” still makes you laugh. “Don’t you believe it!”
You were in awe of Speed Reader’s AMAZING talents on “The Great Space Coaster.”
Dr. Claw saying “Inspector Gadget may return after these messages” still bounces around your brain every so often.
You’re a fan of music — good music, REAL music. By that, I mean people who can actually play instruments and sing. (Queen and their masterpiece “Queen II” is just one example.) Pop, rock, hard rock, glam, classic, you name it! The bottom line is the main artist’s name is not Yamaha!
You always looked forward to watching “The Carol Burnett Show” because you wanted to see Harvey Korman crack up.
It’s nearly impossible to change the TV channel when you come across movies like Trading Places, Coming to America, Overboard, The Princess Bride, The Outsiders, Cocoon, Wall Street, Mr. Mom, and more!
You know that Benny Hill is not someplace on a map.
You believe “Quincy” was the original “CSI.”
You’re convinced “Matlock” could easily take on any lawyers on TV these days.
You played air drums during Rush’s song “Tom Sawyer,” trying to keep up with Neil Peart’s solo. (And for all you old school WCCW wrestling fans, Kerry Von Erich’s ring entrance automatically comes to mind.)
Shields & Yarnell freaked you out as a kid because of their eerily magnificent miming.
You miss falling asleep watching “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” because late-night television these days has been ruined. (Read an in-depth post here about how the good ole days of late-night TV are long gone, and why today’s very opinionated late-night hosts will always pale in comparison.)
Your news fix was HBO’s “Not Necessarily the News,” and you looked forward to the latest “Sniglets.” Remember “pajangle”? I still use the word to this day!
You believe current “Must-See TV” programming doesn’t hold a candle to the days when series like “All in the Family,” “M*A*S*H,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” were on the air. And you’re also sick of TV networks coming up with endless, poor reboots of classic shows — they need to give reboots the boot!
You had or still have a very impressive collection of 45’s (and cassingles). Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” for example.
And while we’re at it…You used to have a savings account that actually paid a substantial amount of interest! (Great news: you still can, and it’s super easy! Here’s how.)
Nostalgic Logic
I can go on and on (there’s so much more!), but I think you get the idea. These are just some of the things I’ll be referencing when discussing a particular topic.
As far as I’m concerned, I believe it sometimes helps to make a nostalgic connection to get a point across or simply use “nostalgic logic” to better explain things.
Rewind. Reflect. React.
So get ready to take a fun, indulging look back at pop culture from decades past and apply lessons learned over the years to everyday life.
I hope you find it interesting, informative…and, at the very least, entertaining.
So, do you really want to do this now? Let’s go!
The next post is here.