On Videos in the 80's with My Parents

               

I'm working and The Goonies is on in the background. What a great movie. It reminds me of some of the movies my parents and I would watch when we first got a VCR circa 1985(?). The Goonies was the first movie I ever saw with a curse word in it (e.g. when Chunk smashes his slushy against the window -- it may have been the first time I ever heard that word period -- I wish I was still as shocked to hear them in movies now).

Here are some of the VHS Gems that I remember renting during those days(by the way, at that time we rented movies from an old house in Sellersburg that had been converted into a video store -- I always felt a little like I wasn't supposed to be there, like I might take a wrong turn and stumble upon some guy sitting on his couch in his underwear eating a frozen dinner):

 

 

 

 

 

Kids build a spaceship from junkyard parts. Intergalactic adventure ensues.

 

 

An old man's house is slowly surrounded by frogs. . . for two hours.  I remember being dumbfounded rather than scared. Based on the cover, I can't imagine why my mom let me rent this. I guess she thought it was some sort of documentary.

 

 

I have no idea what this was about. I vaguely remember a burly guy with a beard and I'm pretty sure Savannah was an orphan.  A happy orphan, evidently

 

 

 

 

 

I don't recall watching this and thinking, "This is an amazing, unforgettable journey of humanity," as the cover claims, but I do remember thinking something along the lines of, "That man was in a block of ice and now he's not."  Although I specifically remember watching the beginning of this, I'm pretty sure I fell asleep about 20 minutes in, after the most important event had occurred (i.e. the thawing of the iceman).

 

I can't say which of the Pink Panther movies we rented, but I remember being severely disappointed that it wasn't a cartoon (I think the title sequence stars the cartoon Pink Panther).  I also remember my parents and some friends of theirs laughing at what I saw as unfunny people doing unfunny things; I distinctly remember asking my dad, "Is this supposed to be funny or what?"

He replied, "Or what."

After that enigmatic (although probably, in retrospect, fitting) answer, I remember quickly finding something else to do.   

 

 

Quote of the Day

"Phillip, we're going to need a barrette."

-Annie (a.k.a. Phillip's 2 yr-old daughter) to her daddy (a.k.a. "Phillip") while she was trying to eat applesauce and keep her hair out of her face at the same time.

On a Fading Opportunity

I'm beginning to wonder if I was mistaken in offering a prime bidding opportunity in this forum, as no one has yet stepped up to snag my one-of-a-kind, once-edible marvel. So, I must sweeten the deal (pun absolutely intended). To he or she who places the winning bid for the Kauai-shaped bran flake, I will throw in a mini wheat which is shaped like Colorado, and a mutant Lucky Charm marshmallow clover that bears a remarkable resemblance to Kramer from Seinfeld.

Plus, free shipping to Colorado and Hawaii.

On the Importance of a Hearty Breakfast - Part 2

"Why doesn't that happen to me?" It's a query we all find ourselves pondering from time to time when we observe the good fortune of others. Most recently, I found myself chanting this mantra as I read the tale of two Midwestern sisters who were fortunate enough to find a frosted corn flake shaped like the state of Illinois, and who were quickly cashing in on this discovery (see previous post). As I read my post on the subject, I cannot help but be ashamed of its tone, as I was, I now admit, experiencing a bit of jealousy at the find and its subsequent value.

That shame is amplified even now as I prepare to share with you the fact that I, too, have been showered with a similar blessing. That shame, though, cannot defeat the joy I have because of what I'm about to share. So, here goes . . .

When I read about the state-shaped flake (a true one-in-a-million, no one can deny), the initial fit of jealousy I experienced began to give way to a more subtle, slowly-building thought which increasingly gnawed at me throughout the day. Relentlessly, my mind kept wandering to my own pantry, to my own half-consumed box of Raisin Bran, to a certain something. Something I had seen (or had I?) while enjoying a well-balanced breakfast. A shape. What shape? A familiar shape. A unique shape. A valuable shape? Maybe.

To make a long story somewhat not as long, I could stand it no longer, and returned to the cereal box to silence the nagging thought once and for all. I was prepared to spend the better part of the day combing the box in search of the elusive, one-of-a-kind shape. However, and perhaps this is the most amazing aspect of the entire ordeal, I had to look no further than the very top of the box! There it was, the shape that had been torturing me for hours if not days. A flake shaped like, believe it or not, another piece of American land property! See for yourself!




For most people who see this it is immediately obvious which part of the U.S. this flake represents. However, for those of you out there who took siestas during geography class, I'll clue you in. What I have found is obviously the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. To be fair, it is not the entire archipelago of Hawaiian islands, and thus not technically a "state" but it is still an amazing representation of an important U.S. land mass.

Lest you think I'm posting this just to brag about my good fortune, let me dispel that. I am posting this now in order to let you, my friends, have the first opportunity to bid on this rare collectible before I post it on ebay (or contact Christie's or Sotheby's -- I haven't decided yet).

As for price, I want to be fair. The original Illinois corn flake is selling for well over $1000. But, come on, most corn flakes look like Illinois! Further, while Illinois may be known for corn, which admittedly adds a bit if irony to their find, Hawaii is known internationally as a prime locale for fun and frolicking in the sun, which is just better.

So with that in mind, and considering that this is open to friends and family only at this point, I would like to start this initial round of bidding at $2500*. Thanks for reading, and happy bidding!

*Hawaiian bidders please note that your actual cost will be based on the U.S.-Hawaiian exchange rate at the time the bid is placed.

On the Importance of a Hearty Breakfast

Below is a screen shot from an actual ebay auction item. If we can learn anything from this, it is that we all eat our corn flakes too hastily.





Actual quote from the ad: This is a great opportunity to own a frosted corn flake shaped like the great state of Illinois!

Could we not agree that this is THE opportunity to own a frosted corn flake shaped like the great state of Illinois?

On Gaming That's Kinda Educational

Who knew quasi-physics could be so cool? Now we just need a similar game that makes Chemistry look this fun and I can walk around with my head held high! (Or perhaps you hold the opinion that Gaming is uncool, Science is uncool, the word "Cool" is uncool -- that these three together make my assertion bogus, to which I would say "Touché")