Lesson One: how to feel old...

[Paddy]

Remember 'ejecting a video'?

And remotes on wires?

And copy protection that tried to scare the tulip out of you, threatening to break the video machine?

That's disgusting

[mudskipper]

You've got funny taste, SY.

There's loads here: Google Search

Here's some to be going on with: freakipedia

Surely moobs are the perfect accessory. Surely you'd just stand in front of the mirror all day admiring them.

[mmarotta]

When she was about 12 or 13, my daughter (now 32), was surprised to discover that cowboys did not listen to rock 'n' roll. Also, she thought that homosexuality was invented in the 60s as part of the general permissiiveness of the era.

When she was five and we were putting our quarters (like 20p now) into machines, she once asked, "What video games did you play when you were a kid?"

The other day, shopping for beers, I found one that was 4.4%. I said, "I think that's legal for children in Ohio." When we were kids and the general age was 21 with exceptions at 18, the State of Ohio allowed 3.2% beer to be sold to 18-21 year olds. (My first college was in Charleston, South Carolina, a military port in a dry state, so drinking was allowed at 18.) Now, of course, it is 21 everywhere.

On the other hand, the age of consent has come down. When my first wife and I got married were living in Ohio, but had to goto Illinois because she was 18, not 21. Now, it's 18 everywhere because of the federal voting law 26th Amendment 1971 - another change.

Speed limits came and went. Michigan is the automotive state (or was), and always had a high speed limit and tolerable threshholds for enforcement: like 75 MPH posted with no ticket until you bumped 10 over, so cars going Autobahn speeds were normal -- as was the annual death toll. Then, with the Energy Crisis of 1973, speed limits of 55 were widespread. Lately, those have been lifted and 70 MPH is new norm.

Tax rates. Reaganomics was 30 years ago. No one remembers when the rate over $100,000 was 90%. ... or when $100k seemed like a million.

I found a box of 5-1/4 inch floppies. Would have been nice to archive them. Should have thought of that sooner.

[stek]

When she was about 12 or 13, my daughter (now 32), was surprised to discover that cowboys did not listen to rock 'n' roll. Also, she thought that homosexuality was invented in the 60s as part of the general permissiiveness of the era.

When she was five and we were putting our quarters (like 20p now) into machines, she once asked, "What video games did you play when you were a kid?"

The other day, shopping for beers, I found one that was 4.4%. I said, "I think that's legal for children in Ohio." When we were kids and the general age was 21 with exceptions at 18, the State of Ohio allowed 3.2% beer to be sold to 18-21 year olds. (My first college was in Charleston, South Carolina, a military port in a dry state, so drinking was allowed at 18.) Now, of course, it is 21 everywhere.

On the other hand, the age of consent has come down. When my first wife and I got married were living in Ohio, but had to goto Illinois because she was 18, not 21. Now, it's 18 everywhere because of the federal voting law 26th Amendment 1971 - another change.

Speed limits came and went. Michigan is the automotive state (or was), and always had a high speed limit and tolerable threshholds for enforcement: like 75 MPH posted with no ticket until you bumped 10 over, so cars going Autobahn speeds were normal -- as was the annual death toll. Then, with the Energy Crisis of 1973, speed limits of 55 were widespread. Lately, those have been lifted and 70 MPH is new norm.

Tax rates. Reaganomics was 30 years ago. No one remembers when the rate over $100,000 was 90%. ... or when $100k seemed like a million.

I found a box of 5-1/4 inch floppies. Would have been nice to archive them. Should have thought of that sooner.

Fook me what's wrong with you people - I was straight on Tennett's Super 9% at 18...

I really, really wish they'd do a 10%, after all it's been 35 years....

[SueEllen]

Fook me what's wrong with you people - I was straight on Tennett's Super 9% at 18...

I really, really wish they'd do a 10%, after all it's been 35 years....

You really have no taste in beer. There are some real ales that are that strong (and stronger) and taste much better.

I only started drinking them when I discovered that it helped conqueror my fear of heights on walks in the country as a uni student.

[stek]

You really have no taste in beer. There are some real ales that are that strong (and stronger) and taste much better.

I only started drinking them when I discovered that it helped conqueror my fear of heights on walks in the country as a uni student.

Actually I can't stand the stuff! I do like Lee's Moonraker though!

[Ignis Fatuus]

The 60's

Only some of the middle class upwards had cars and telephones - we used to walk or catch a bus to speak to people in person, or put 1d in the non-vandalised telphone box.

Put 4d in the box. Don't press Button A until you're through.

NB in the 1960s "through" meant "connected", not "finished".

[RichardCranium]

Fook me what's wrong with you people - I was straight on Tennent's Super 9% at 18...

I used to be quite partial to Tennent's Super Duper Dapper Druper.

You really have no taste in beer. There are some real ales that are that strong (and stronger) and taste much better.

You completely misunderstand what Tennent's Super is all about.

It is not a beer. It is a mission. A pathway to relief. A portal to oblivion. An 12 hour Pass of Exemption from Everything.

Drinking Tennent's Super is devout worship to the Macedonian Dionysus.

Want to stop the world so you can get off? Tennent's Super is the Spanner in the Works of the Great Roundabout of Life.

It is Victory Gin for those waiting for the Glorious Revolution.

It is not a beer: it is sweet, sweet nectar. An elixir so perfect that even chilling it cannot improve it.


And for those who say alcohol never solved anything:

a) you're clearly not a chemist;
b) nor did milk.

[Ignis Fatuus]

... and ask the operator for the number you want to call

One summer in the 1960s I had gone with my mum to her parents in the Highlands for the school holidays. Dad had to work so he had to stay behind for a few weeks.

My grandparents didn't have a phone but their next-door neighbours Mr and Mrs Jack did, so when my dad did need to contact mum, he called them. The connection was completely manual, finally put through by the old woman who was the village's only telephonist, and sub-postmistress.

She said to my dad, so you want to speak to the Jacks? Yes, he said, well actually I want to speak to Mrs Smith next door. Oh, said the telephonist, she's just left the post office ten minutes ago, she won't be home yet. She'll just be in the bakers by now, I'll put you through there.

So she did, and my dad got through.

Location-based social networking, or what?

[escapeUK]

Only some of the middle class upwards had cars and telephones

I hope that becomes true once again.