Had this song going through my head today….

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Fast Car by Tracy Chapman

You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere

Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we’ll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove

You got a fast car
And I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money

We won’t have to drive too far
Just across the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living

You see my old man’s got a problem
He live with the bottle that’s the way it is
He says his body’s too old for working
I say his body’s too young to look like his

My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody’s got to take care of him
So I quit school and that’s what I did

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way

See I remember we were driving, driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped ’round my shoulder

And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
We go cruising entertain ourselves
You still ain’t got a job
And I work in the market as a checkout girl

I know things will get better
You’ll find work and I’ll get promoted
We’ll move out of the shelter
Buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs

See I remember we were driving, driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped ’round my shoulder

And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
And I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids

I’d always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me’d find it
I got no plans I ain’t going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving

See I remember when we were driving, driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped ’round my shoulder

And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so you can fly away?
You gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way

This week in history – 1989

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Ah, 1989.  The last hurrah of the decade that was the 80s.  Teased hair and spandex were making an exit (slowly) and grunge and plaid were queuing up to make a grand debut.  By the end of the year we’d see the Berlin wall tumble down – amazing really.  As a kid I never expected the cold war to end.  But in June, I was enjoying my first full summer living on my own in Denver.  I’d completed my first year of two at the Art Institute.  I had an amazing array of friends, and I got back in touch with an old high school buddy, my BFF Chris, who had moved to Chicago and returned home.

It was one of those years that didn’t really feel special, but when you look back on it – a lot of stuff happened that formed the future me.  I met my first long term boyfriend that fall.  He wasn’t meant to be (thank god for both of us) but I learned a lot about love and relationships.  I learned about money and how unfriendly collection agencies are when you bounce a check or two.  I got my first real job (the video clerk position mentioned in a post earlier this year).  And I met Ian Astbury from The Cult.

(Come on now, did the goth scene ever really die?)

What else was going on this week in June of 1989?  Let’s see…

Tim Burton’s noir-esque version of the movie Batman starring Michael Keaton was released on the 23rd.  Hyped as a summer blockbuster, it still raises heated debates over how good or bad it is depending on the type of comic book lover you are, especially with peeps that I know.  It’s definitely not my favorite Burton film, nor it is my favorite super hero movie (thanks to my husbands influence Marvel trumps DC in my world) but at the time I watched that film more times than I can count on both hands!

Satisfied by Richard Marx was the top song on the Billbaord charts. (???)

Quantum Leap and COPS were top TV viewing (note: Simpsons will debut later this year – in December – amazing that now it’s my kiddos favorite go to junk food TV program).

And Halliday uses the 1989 classic set from the movie Heathers in part in Anorak’s Invitation…

His surroundings are actually from a scene in the 1989 film Heathers.  Halliday appears to have digitally re-created the funeral parlor set and then inserted himself into it. - from Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Hope your having a great summer!

Poll Time: Lloyd vs Ferris vs Duckie

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Poll Time  – Poll Time – Poll Time

This poll was inspired by a re-watch of “Pretty in Pink” with my daughter (who is in middle school).  We started the film late on a school night so only got to watch the first half of it.  We plan to wrap up the 2nd half tonight – to which she stated – “Can’t wait until Andie dumps that jerk and ends up with the cool guy, Duckie.”  (Awwww, heart you little girl!)  That led me to think…. Which of these male 80s film icons (the character, not the actor) would you want to date, go to the prom, or hang at the Gas-n-Sip with?  Yes, this is an uber-scientific poll.  And, go….

Ferris+Bueller+bueller_lmjG2QzYZf753mh3WtV0yYCJNRNQMovie stills from "Pretty in Pink".

You’re choices are:

Lloyd…

Ferris…

or Duckie…

Vote for your favorite unsung hero of the 80s! I’m letting you fill in your own choice *ONLY IF* you hate all three of the choices provided (as if)!

And don’t worry, a similar – Leading Ladies of the 80s Poll is coming soon…

Geek Out!

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If you haven’t heard the news on Ernie’s blog or social media pages — he is working on a (supercoolcan’twaittoseeit) project with AMC called – Geek Out!  Yesssssss!

Here’s the gist of the story (from EC’s blog)…

The latest crazy insane news to hit Ernietown: Along with my friend Dan Farah, I’m working on an unscripted TV show pilot called “Geek Out” with AMC and Thinkfactory Media. This news blows my mind, because AMC is by far my favorite television network, and Think Factory Media was behind last year’s amazing Hatfields and McCoys mini-series, one of the best things that has ever been on television. And they’re letting me do a show where I find the biggest geeks on the planet and then geek out with them in the geekiest ways imaginable.

For more news read the entire article here!

This geek APPROVES!

socially-awesome-penguin-meme-generator-people-used-to-make-fun-of-me-for-being-a-geek-now-they-love-me-for-it-31fe8c

The Dark Tower (Game from 1981)

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So raise your hand if you remember this game:

The Dark Tower

The Dark Tower

See The Dark Tower Commercial here.

*I just love Orson W, don’t you?!?!*  I know he probably doesn’t consider this Milton Bradley ad to be the highlight of his career (::whisper:: Rosebud…) BUT, I can’t help but be a bit excited when my alter egos collide (game girl + film aficionado + child of the 80s).  KABAMMM!  The Dark Tower.  No not Stephen King (as much as I adore SK, this is a completely different Dark Tower).

And No, I didn’t own this game but I do remember putting it on SEVERAL Christmas wish lists, birthday pleas, and I think I even tried saving up for it at one point but when you make $2/hr at babysitting every other weekend, it’s slow going.  (Days before real employment were tough, man.  Crap, who’m I kiddin’ days of REAL employment are hard too.  One gets by the best one can).  Anyway, back to The Dark Tower.

Sorcerers.  Fantasy.  Electronic talking tower. Ohhhhhhh yeaaah!

If you owned (or currently own) this game then you know what I’m talking about.  Hell yes, it’s cheesy.  But if you had this as a kid, you know it was freaking awesome.  I’m on a HUGE board game kick these days.  And I’m always on the prowl for a good vintage board game.  Right now, the most vintage game I own is Monster Mash 1970something (hahahahaha, please stop teasing me now).  And maybe my 1980 version of Clue that I used to play by myself because I could never get anyone over to play with me (cue tiny violins).  However, this was how I knew I was destined to be a gamer-geek someday.  Proud, proud memories.

Currently,  My husband and I are in the middle of converting our teeny family room into a bona fide GAME ROOM.  Imagine, if you will, the 2nd hand sofa getting tossed curbside for a gorgeous gaming table.  Geek Chic tables (lusty sigh) are on my wish list but I doubt I can afford such amazing bling.  I did find a local woodworking artisan who makes amazing custom furniture – and he’s knowledgeable about gaming so – SCORE one for Tammy – this Game Room is going to KICK butt!  Future blog to come, I’m sure!

But back to vintage games.  If you own this bad boy (The Dark Tower) then you know that it is hard to find, especially in working order.  eBay has it for around $250 (I kid you not!).  So, if you have one of these games, I know a gaming family who would love to take it off your hands.  <shameless plug> We’d also be interested in Mission: Red Planet if you have that lying around too! </Shameless plug>  Chat me up, if you happen to know someone who knows someone who knows someone….

Until then, let me know more about your favorite board games of the 80s in the comments below.  And enjoy this YouTube great featuring four drunk dudes playing The Dark Tower…