I always kind of like "We Built This City" until I was on a church youth mission trip where we were building walls inside a small church and reroofing it. My pastor kept singing that song, but all he knew was "We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll." He just kept repeating that. I hate it now.

Otherwise, I love the '80s since that's when I was in high school and college. I forget who it was (possibly Dave Barry) who said that people tend to get stuck in the era during which they attended high school, but in my experience, it seems to be true. Of course, now I even like the '80s pop that I hated then as stupid because now it's nostalgic. I can even listen to "Funky Cold Medina" now and think it's funny. Perhaps it helps that it's not on the radio every 30 minutes. I did notice several of the younger AI contestants wearing '80s looks, including the sweatshirt hanging off one shoulder.

I dressed as Madonna for Halloween one year. Didn't all Chinese teenage girls do it at one time or another?

You know what made me feel old? When they started running those K-Tel-style commercials for 80's hits. That, and having my brother ask, "Who's Pat Benatar?"

Aaah! My mom would never buy me the right really big while scrunchy socks to wear with my jeans like this. And she worked in a local clothing store in town, so I never got to get a pair of guess jeans or the like. I mean, the stuff in the store was actually really nice, high-end stuff, but at 12, I didn't care because it wasn't the labels everyone else was wearing (did I mention that I also used to get beat up at the bus stop in the morning because I didn't own the right reebok high tops?).

ETA: And I have the best Madonna story ever. When I was 10-11, my dad had a friend whose job it was to procure cars for movies. My dad drove a 1983 black Ford Mustang Convertible, and the friend convinced him to give it up for 2 weeks in exchange for $5000. That car? then proceeded to appear in Desperately Seeking Susan as Gary's car with the "Tub'n'Spa" license plate (why yes, I have watched that movie like 1,000 times). Madonna drove my Dad's car. I got to be the coolest kid in school for like a week. Then I went back to getting beaten up.

I found a CD today with "Rock Me Amadeus"!!! Now I KNOW this party's gonna be a hit.

Right now I'm building a Rubik's Cube out of cardboard for Mr. Weds to wear as a costume. Husbands are even better than Barbies! You can dress them up and they don't care. Next I have to make my own costume, then a giant Ghostbusters logo with the phrase "Who You Gonna Call?" It's a good thing I only work part-time, or these parties would make my head explode from stress. I always, repeat always, go overboard. I've already got Pac-Man and Miami Vice murals.

You're all invited, after all, Bogota is a direct flight from Atlanta, New York and now Toronto!

In fifth grade all I wanted for my birthday was Jordache jeans and Nike shoes. I got the jeans, and a Jordache shirt with teal stripes that had the little horse's head logo embroidered on it -- and the mane was loose thread, so you could flip it around. I loved that shirt.


When I was in junior high in the mid-80s we called it "pegging." As in "Dude, you gotta peg those jeans, they look way gnarly."

I got to feeling old on the way home from work today (leaving early due to a massive thunderstorm in which a tree fell on our building and crushed someone's car in the process). The only station that wasn't a mass of static was playing "hits of the 80s and 90s" and I heard "Summer of 69." I was happily singing along until I realized that I first heard that song, 1969 seemed like ancient times, and now we're farther away from 1984 than 1984 was from 1969. It would be like me singing about the summer of '89. And then I realized that the kindergartner I babysat that year is old enough to drink now. Oy.

Speaking of oy, Rachel, you have the weirdest life. I'm kind of jealous.

Wow 80's...big hair and aquanet. My whole high school day could be ruined if my hair went flat. I too rolled my jeans, remember pin stripes and the z caveriches? I really hated the main stream music. I won't even go to Culture Club in NYC. Thank god for punk (had to stop having the puffy hair at that point). Towards the end of high school you could get ahold of Nine inch Nails. I was saved by grunge in college. Oh yeah, love those Fame sweatshirts too.

Ouch! This thread is getting physically painful to read. I'm starting to feel ancient! The radio station is doing an All-80s weekend that started at noon today so I keep having that same experience. I'll be happily singing along and then the DJ will come on at the end and say: "And that was Jesse's Girl from 23 years ago!". Then I suddenly want to shoot myself.

Me too! Both the jeans & the boxers. God they looked stupid. And added nothing to my ability to spin or land jumps or do compulsories/figures- they probably hindered it.

And then when I wasn't skating, I wore them over bicycle shorts for running about because boxers alone were bad for biking & playing (on the bike, because of the crotch area, they rode up & showed a bit too much leg for a 10/11 year old.

I rode in Madonna's brother's car once while he was driving it. Does that count? Of course, that was before Madonna was Madonna, if you know what I mean.

AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!! (You're talking to someone who has a framed poster of Get Nervous, along with several Blondie posters, in his apartment.) But...but...she taught the world that when you're confronted with a creep, the best thing to do is get a group of your friends together and shake your breasts at him!

The first time I truly felt old was when I was in a record store when Annie Lennox's Medusa album had just come out, and overheard the following from a teenage girl:

"I love Annie Lennox! Did she ever do anything else?"

Years ago, I had like 20th row tickets to Madonna's "Who's That Girl" tour at Soldier Field, but unfortunately wound up in the hospital with pneumonia. And I liked "We Built This City" at the time (8th grade for me) as well, although now I'm kind of like, "What was I thinking?" That song always makes me think of "Never" by Heart, which was out at the exact same time and which I absolutely LOVED, even though now there's no way I could make it through the video with a straight face.

And I remember the jeans thing being called pegging as well.

I've always been of the opinion that TheLovelyRachel's life is inherently no more weird or bizarre than most people's-- it's her observant-ness, imagination, and inimitable snark that makes it so freakin' HI-larious.

HEE.

Heh. It's my gift: I can see the worst in any situation.

In about 1988 or 1989, my husband (then not even my boyfriend) was working with high school and junior high kids while he was in college. One day, one of the kids came up to him and said, "Hey, have you heard that great new band Aerosmith?" All he could think was, "I have greatest hits albums from Aerosmith that were released before you were born!"

Not too long ago, I was at a lock-in at church for elementary school girls. (I don't know why we did it. It was my idea, so I must be insane. All night long with girls in second through fifth grade -- and 18 of them were fifth graders. If we weren't nuts in the beginning, we were at the end.) Anyway, some of our youth have a band that's decent so I got them to do a mini-concert for the girls. As they're wrapping up, from the back I yell, "Play 'Freebird'!" and the 17-year-old lead singer/songwriter just looked at me blankly and said, "Huh?" I felt old.

We were just talking about this at dinner last night. Apparently Bryan Adams has been saying that the song is not about the year 1969, but, well... you know.

He was only 6 years old in 1969 afterall.

Whole new spin, isn't it?

You used to skate too, Skagirl? I usually get the weirdest looks when I tell people I ice skated in the summer. I had an injurly once and went to the emergency room. When I said I'd been skating the doctor said: "You mean rollerblading?" No. On ice. Indoors. Dumbass.

Auntlada if I go to a show & no one yells "Freebird!" I demand my money back.

I lived in Madonna's old dorm room my freshman year in college.


Not really. I just told people that because I lived in the same dorm. No one really knew what room it was so I told all my friends back home that I lived in Madonna's room and no one could prove me wrong. We had the best 80s parties in that room, back before having 80s parties was cool. In, like, 1996.

I have absolutely no connection to Madonna.

I was more into the early 90's neon everything phase, I was a little too young for everything you guys have been talking about. Except for the two pairs of socks that had to be alternating colors and all the big jewelry.

I'm getting tons of great ideas for my cousin's bridal shower in 3 weeks...it's 80's themed and appropriate dress is required. Since I wouldn't fit into anything I actually wore in the 80's, and damn anyone who can wear as an adult what they wore as an 8 year old, I'm thinking of either spending a lot of money on the current "80's fashions" or hitting Goodwill and seeing if I can scrounge something up. I'm thinking a t-shirt ripped across the top with a tank top underneath, a black lace skirt with bright lycra pants underneath, patent leather shoes, big teased hair, lots of bracelets and big earrings, and tons of makeup with blush that goes in a severe line up my cheek. Of course that's asking a lot from Goodwill so I might end up with torn acid-washed jeans instead of the skirt and pants. Does that sound about right to you guys?

Hey Rachel, I thought of you today when someone sent me a joke e-mail. The subject line was: "9 Things I Hate About Everyone."

Gah! Flashback! I bet if I looked hard enough, I could find a picture of me in that exact outfit. Except the shoes. When wearing a floaty skirt-leggings combo, it was mandatory to wear either high-top Converse or ankle boots. So sad.

Remember Gibaud Jeans? There wqs a joke at my school about this store we had called Solo Serve that sold all the defective Gibaud shit for real cheap. Whenever someone wearing Gibaud's passed by we would say, "Solo Serve Gibaud's?" Heh.

I saw Madonna driving around Santa Monica once, back in about '95; does that count?



That's right, destroy all my illusions! I always get this nostalgic lump in my throat because for me, that was a GREAT year, especially that summer. Spent it on my friends' John and Janet's front porch, listening to the Who's original Tommy over and over again, smoking cigarettes, and just hanging out. The next summer I was working and all the carefree was gone, and then everyone went off to college and it was never the same again.

So now you're telling me it's NOT about my favorite year? Ewww. Just.....ewww.

*seriously weighs staunch anti-marriage stance against the amusement value of seeing boyfriend in a pink tutu, platform shoes, Roman centurion helmet, and cape*

Here's my sad 80's story. 5 years ago I was packing up my school library to move to another school. I had 3 grade 7 girls helping me out. They are working along all quiet until I hear some giggles and one saying to the other "who is this weirdo?" I walk over to see what they are talking about and wouldn't you know it. It's a book on Cyndi Lauper. I was soooo sad and felt so old. What is weird is hearing teachers saying they were born in 1981 and such.
I did just get the "Best of WHAM" Cd from the public library which I will be playing along with the best of "the Pogues" I got too, at my housewarming party with all my friends who appreciate the 80's

Hell, you can do that with The Sims, and if they annoy you, you can drown them and no one will arrest you.

One of my great bonding moments with my niece was when we compared ways to kill Sims. One of my proudest moments with my niece was when I finally convinced her that she should make the Sims parent with the lowest income stay home with the baby, instead of defaulting to the woman. The following year, I showed her how to do a gay marriage on The Sims. That was fun. Anyway, the costumes become sillier as you move up in the versions. As do the houses and furnishings. I play The Sims when I need to stoke my sense of the absurd (not that much, quite frankly, but occasionally).

Wow, you're right. I just flashed back to a Halloween party back in about 1981, when I made my hubby go as a fish. He never even protested. (And we nearly won the costume contest, too!)

Heh. When I was working at a gastroenterology doctor's office in college, I made my boyfriend go to a costume party as an Upper and Lower GI. I wore the top half of my dad's old camos, and he wore the pants. Medical humor, ugh.

My boyfriend usually dresses himself funny which is great because I get to laugh at him. I did convince him to go as me and vice versa for Halloween one year. The man wore a wig, makeup, a bra stuffed with socks and a skirt that his mother went with him to buy (he was only 17 at the time) just so that he'd look like an absolute fool in front of our friends. To this day that remains one of my favorite memories.

This sucks. I fell asleep at like 8:30 and woke up at 11:30 so now I'm not tired at all and my clock is gonna be majorly screwed up.

Apropos of absolutely nothing we've been discussing here (but directly Race-related), I just saw on the Travel Channel, in a show about New Zealand, a building in Auckland where for $25 you can pay to do the face-first rappel down the side of a 13-story building. It didn't look like the same building they used in the TAR4 -- didn't have that balcony thing at the bottom that Kelly got hung up on -- so it made me wonder just how many buildings crazy New Zealanders are willing to rappel down face-first, or let crazy Americans rappel down face-first!

Mama Tiger, IIRC that building was used in the last season of Road Rules (South Pacific).

I was in New Zealand last year - they get tourists to pay for all kinds of crazy stunts - this is where the bungy jump was invented. You can bungy jump off the highest building in Aukland (similar to the CN Tower or the Space Needle).

Mama Tiger, I think that the building used in TAR4 was in Brisbane, Australia--that was right before the Shark Roadblock. (After which the Clowns were eliminated)

That's right, the face-down rappel was in Australia, not New Zealand. Sorry to our friends down under, I really do know the difference between the two -- and realize that their relationship is kind of like the US and Canada, awfully close but still totally different!

Later in that same show, they also showed another activity that is talked about in the spoiler thread here so I won't say anything else except to say that it looked FUN! For that and a million other reasons, New Zealand is SO the #1 place I want to visit next! (And has been ever since back in 1985, my hubby was sent to New Zealand by the Air Force, and when he called me at 4 am my time, collect -- don't even ASK what that call cost! -- and I asked him if it really is as beautiful there as I'd heard, he replied, "Actually, yes, it is." It was a good thing he was halfway around the world or I would have reached through the phone and killed him on the spot if I could!)

I love The Pogues!

Me too! If I Should Fall From Grace With God is one of my all time favorite albums. The first time I heard Fairytale of New York and it got to the, uh, tone change, I almost died laughing. Merry Christmas, my ass! A cynical and yet wonderfully heartfelt Christmas song. They tell such great stories with their songs.

I only know "Summer In Siam" from the "Basquiat" soundtrack, and that song is awesome. Is that song indicative of their other stuff? Because if it is I should check it out.

*laughs until she starts hiccupping at the image of Mr. Pseudo in that particular ensemble*

BWAH!!!

It looks like there is interest in Jeopardy/TAR premiere Con so its on. July 6 in Washington DC - more details to follow as we get closer to the date and my nervous breakdown (watching myself on tv - I still can't even imagine!). Of course, even if was just me and Daria, it would have been an awesome TARCon :-)

I was old enough, and snobby enough in my musical taste when she first came out (if it wasn't Brit, it was shit*) that Madonna had no impact on me. I do remember being at a party and remarking that all the songs being played were starting to sound the same to me, and someone told me they were all Madonna. I've never liked her and don't think I ever will, especially with this housefrau thing she's currently doing.

*exceptions being Talking Heads, Pretenders and Ramones

Shrek2 was very funny. I swear there were two people wearing hats with hidden cameras in them to bootleg the show I attended. I was sitting a few rows behind them and saw little red lights on top of their heads. I tried to see them when it was over, but they must have removed the hats before leaving their seats. Also, make sure you stay for the credits. Halfway through there is a very cute sequence that you'll be sorry to miss. Nothing at the very end though, so you can leave after that. Almost half our theater missed the real ending.

I can't wait to see Shrek 2! Well...actually, I can. Sorta.

I'm excited to see it and all, but I have an aversion to opening week crowds. I'm more the type that likes to see movies after the first few weeks. I try my best to avoid the loud-talkers, joke spoilers, arm rest hoggers, etc.

Guess what I got! CANNNNYYY....Wheeeee

This poor box has been through hell. I have idea how long it's been in my office either. One of my co-workers found it and had the decency to bring it to me. Yes, I said found. I rewarded him with half of the first Coffee Crisp. Mmmmmmmm

I am so glad that I just got a bike. This box + no exercise = me as big as 3 houses.

I look forward to eating the Yorkie bar, piperdown, just so that I can say "Screw the Establishment. Girls can eat candy too!"

The picture was a nice bonus. Thanks soooo much!

(Now I'm fighting box envy. I should have done more. So much more. I could have covered the box with 14 pieces of flare. Or something.)

No tutu, but I did make him wear a big silly hat for about 4 hours. Party was a huge hit - 45 diplomats dancing around to the Eurythmics. One guy came as Failed Movie Sequels of 1989 - he had memorabilia from Gremlins 2, The Fly 2, AND Ghostbusters 2. My New Coke costume went over very well. Everyone ate Pop Rocks, drank wine coolers, and had a great time. Until 4 am, when I finally booted all their asses out.

Just as long as they didn't eat Pop Rocks and drink cola at the same time. That can kill you, you know. At least, that's what we were told around 1971.

I don't have cable. Really, I don't. But I did catch the Pop Rocks thing on Mythbusters last Christmas while on vacation. And: It's. A. Myth.

Yeah, isn't that what killed Mikey? (ha, ha.)

Has anyone here ever flown on British Airways, particularly recently? Or have you flown overseas on the official airline of getting you there quicker? Obviously, some people in this forum -- if not in this thread -- have, as I watched them do it. I've never flown overseas on that particular airline, but am scheduled to do so later this summer, then connect in London to British Airways. I've never been just thrilled with the domestic service, so I'm a little wary of AA's international service.

I fly British Airways BWI-London at least once a year and I have never had any problems. And, as much as one can enjoy being stuck on a plane for over seven hours, actually enjoy the flights. Its my airline of choice :-)

Today at work, I encountered the twit who made me so angry last week. He had been sufficiently chastised by others last week, evidently, because he was a bit nervous around me. Therefore, I was super-friendly and charming and chatty, and asked the colleague he was with a lot of questions. Because I knew I'd "won."

Newsflash for the starry-eyed: One does not escape office politics when one is self-employed. If anything, they become amplified, because you usually have more than one organization to worry about, and you're usually not on the inside. I have one ear to the ground at all times, and I must aggressively cultivate allies.

Thanks, M. Darcy. While I was trying to find information about American Airlines' and British Airways' meal service, I found this website that has pictures travelers have taken of their airline meals with a description of what was served (since you can't always tell by looking) and a rating for the meal. What did you think of the food on British Airways?

Also, I'm told that each seat has it's own movie screen, but I'm having a hard time imagining that in economy. Is it true?

And my final question. My husband has flown BA, but it's been probably 20 years. He says that at that time, the flight attendants served tea at 4 p.m. GMT no matter what time it was where you were or where you had been. Do they still do this?

The movie screens depends on your fight - for example, when I flew out of Dulles I had an individual movie screen but the flights out of BWI don't. I like the food, even though I always wind up spilling the chicken on me. I don't think I've been served tea at 4 GMT exactly. The flight back would be the one when I would be on a plane at that time but I don't remember getting tea. But I can tell you in July for sure.

Awesome! Ramones are my favorite band of all time, so I have to cheer anytime anyone mentions them. Thanks, iMissEthan!

Sorry I can't be at the Jeopardy/whatever con, M. Darcy -- but I can respond to this:



I was on Jeopardy! in '94, and I can tell you that watching myself on TV was painful when it aired. Tolerable, but painful. However, in ensuing years the pain has increased to the level where I simply CANNOT watch it any more. So enjoy it while you can! (Interestingly, my family can watch it now with impunity -- they reported that it was MUCH harder sitting there in the actual taping sweating bullets and not being able to do a damned thing about it!)

And for those who are curious, I Lost on Jeopardy (tm Weird Al). But that's okay, my consolation prize was a trip to Ireland, which was pretty damned consoling, let me tell you!

I'm flying British Airways on Friday. I'm going on a ten-day vacation of Europe with my dad & sister that I think I mentioned a while ago on this thread--Belgium, Luxembourg, and Scotland. It was so much cheaper and easier to do a US-London-Brussels, Brussels-London-Glasgow, Glasgow-London-US itinerary all through BA than to try to do each one individually. I'll let you know how it went when I get back.



A friend of mine in college had the exact same reaction when her roommate found her tape of her, as a child, competing on the Grand! Prize! Game! on the Bozo show on WGN in Chicago. We watched it in the middle of a party. She was wincing, and we were laughing, the entire time. I think she only make it to the second or third bucket, IIRC.