I totally enjoyed the 1970s... my favorite decade!
Posted By: SkaterGirl on 2009-06-26
In Reply to: I love the Renaissance era but realistically, - Silly Girl
Of course, things were pretty primitive back then: No cell phones.
No digital cameras... you hd to use FILM.
No CD or MP3 players.
Tapes were 8-tracks, before cassettes came along.
No sunscreen - just suntan lotion. (We used baby oil or cocoa butter. And now we've got the wrinkles and precancerous skin-blotches to prove it!)
No personal computers.
No email or text messaging.
No YouTube or Craigslist! (How did we ever survive?)
No ATM machines at the bank.
No anti-lock brakes in cars.
Not one, but TWO 'gas-shortages', where you had to wait hours in line for gasoline, and they'd ration it to 20 gal. You bought gas on even or odd-numbered days, whichever matched your license-plate number.
However, I used the gas-lines to good advantage. They gave me the time to read a book, write long letters, pay my bills, do crosswords, or balance my checkbook.
I remember the first video-game, "Pong". I LOVED Pong. I was addicted, and could play it for hours. It was slow. Just my speed.
When you went to the airport to see off or meet people, you could go all the way to the ramp of the plane. Now, it's a wonder they let any of us in the airport at all. You could just wander around in the airport, visit gift shops, eat in the restaurants, watch planes take off and land. I've actually even been on dates to the airport.
Parking spaces back then actually accommodated full-sized cars.
Loved John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, and the whole folk music and 'back-to-the-earth' thing that was going on in the early 70s. Thought it would last forever. Was kind of sad when disco took over, but I loved the Village People, and of course now I still LOVE disco, and wish that had lasted, too. Not sure yet if I'll be saying that about Rap, 3 decades from now, but who knows, maybe I will.
JAWS was the big movie in 1975. Saw it with my sister, who had already seen it once and screamed and grabbed my arm every time the scary music started. After the guy's head bobbed down in to the opening of that bitten-up rowboat, I think we both had to be scraped off the ceiling. I haven't been back to swimming or body-surfing in the ocean since.
The Renaissance Faire was a really big deal in my area. We used to look forward to it all year long. My sister's friend had her face all painted like a mime (mimes were big in the 70s), and then came to our house for dinner after we all got home from the Faire. Totally freaked out my dad.
You could still go to Disneyland without having to take out a loan at the bank.
My friends were taking 'Hustle' dancing lessons.
People got 'Pet Rocks' as gifts.
In the 60's, for some reason it was suddenly very un-cool to ride a bike, especially for girls. Wouldn't be caught dead riding one to school, no matter how many books we had to carry. No one had backpacks then, either. So girls always piled up their textbooks on top of their loose-leaf binders, and carried them in their arms cross their chests. (Maybe that's why my elbows are now arthritic?) Suddenly, in the 70's, the sport of bike-riding exploded. Bike paths started being built everywhere. I had a beat-up old 10-speed my sister gave me, and I rode that thing all over creation. Back then we didn't need any of the fancy bike-gear. Few, if any, people wore helmets. I never owned a pair of bike-shorts until at least 2 decades later! Instead, since we all rode our bikes with our bell-bottom/flared pants, we had to fold the bottoms of the pants over and tie it with piece of string to keep the pants from getting caught in the bicycle chain.
Every summer my best friend and I would put on our bikinis and take our horses for a ride on the beach in Santa Barbara.
When I finally got ride of my old monaural, AM-only radio in my car, and got a stereo FM radio, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I SO appreciated DJ's who just talked in soft voice, instead of screaming all the time like the AM DJ's did.
I liked the bell-bottom or flared jeans. Also when everyone sewed patches to them. I had one pair with 92 patches and lots of hand-embroidery on the pockets. The popular color combinations were rust and forest green, also turqouise and lime green.
Everybody had long hair, including the guys.
AIDS didn't exist yet.
Saturday Night Live was in its early years, and had what is still considered to be the best cast. Loved Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, etc. My dad thought SNL was a degenerate show, and forbid my youngest sister and me to watch it. We'd yawn and say good night and pretend to go to bed at 9:30 or 10:00 PM, then set our alarms and get up at 11:30, and sneak out into the living room to watch it after our parents had gone to bed.
Everyone wore 'Wallabys' shoes. They were tan suede with thick crepe soles. They were REALLY comfortable, but had one fatal flaw: They were slippery as heck on wet floors. I was running to class at school on a rainy day, slipped, and actually did a COMPLETE BACK-FLIP, landing on my stomach right in front of a teacher, who at first looked horrified, then seemed rather amused.
I had a mood ring. I was extremely saddened to lose it some years later, when it slipped off my finger in the shower at a motel, and went down the drain. :(
Everybody wore hand-made jewelry. Lots of turquoise. One popular ring was a silver spoon handle curved to form a silver ring. (I still have mine.)
In around 1974 or 75, I had my first 'computer' job doing data entry for a pencil factory. It was on-the-job training. The computer room had to be kept freezing-cold. You had to wear Arctic expedition gear to go in there to work. The hard drives were the size of refrigerators, and there were 6 or 7 of them. Each one held several disks that were about an inch or two thick, and about a foot and a half in diameter. That computer was NOT user-friendly! If you typed the wrong keys in the wrong sequence, it blew the lights out in the entire complex, not just our office.
In about 1976, I started doing MT. My first job was on an IBM Mag-Card typewriter, but most of my jobs were on a regular Correcting Selectric. I worked a regular 8-hour day, had paid vacations and sick days (which were SEPARATE), and was appreciated and paid well. Now THOSE were the good old days! ;)
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I totally enjoyed the 1970s... my favorite decade!
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I totally agree. Melinda is my favorite!
nm
I was one of the ones who was able to drink at age 18 back in the 1970s
I really don't have a problem with it, at all, but maybe for the 18-21 year old crowd, there should be a license, the same for driving. In fact, link the two together. Take a written test to get a tag to the driver's license that will allow the young person to purchase alcohol. If there are any infractions such as drunk in public, for instance, not only is the drinking privilege revoked, but so, too, the drivers license.
Barring that, as another posted stated, I say raise minimum military service age to 21.
Back in the 1970s my dad call me outside. Over the field in
front of our house was a large orange ball just sitting in the sky. A couple of neighbors came over and we watched it for over 30 mins, it just sat/hung there and then finally just disappeared. To this day we have no idea what it was.
I found them! Those funky 1970s plastic decorations
It was driving me absolutely nuts and I finally found out what they are called! Google or do a search on E-Bay for 'Melted plastic popcorn decorations' and see what you find! I'm gonna try and make a bid for one or two because after seeing that one in 'MT of Oz' picture there, I suddenly felt this NEED to have one again!
Thanks for reviving happy memories MT of Oz!! 
I went back after 1 year in the 1970s in medical assisting, got my A.A.S.at age 55 and am returning
for occupational therapy assistant this fall at age 69. Was thinking about coding certificate as I used to do a lot of coding in the clinics I worked in over the years but after reading your more recent work history coding posts, think not;-) Actually decided on the occupational therapy so I could join a hospital to be a play therapist in pediatrics with positions offered at local hospitals. Figure the kiddies will think I am like their grandmother;-) You are never too old and I just checked into FAFSA and evidently I make so little doing MTing for a clinic part-time and a national part-time, I even qualify for some grants. Go figure. I didn't mind doing MTing when I started doing this 14 years ago - can't stand it now. Didn't burn out, just wondering why we are paid so little for the experience, education and responsilbility needed for this job.
You gals, get it done now, never give up or think you are too old. You can't put a price tag on a good education and a job you enjoy going to.
Wow - I really enjoyed that. nm
So glad you enjoyed it!
My copy is STILL in the bag sitting next to me on my desk here. I just can't bring myself to take it out of the bag much less open it up. I almost want to re-read the series all over again before reading this one. I honestly have forgotten a lot, because I always gobble them up the same day they come out.
I think what I'll miss most is the excitement that came with each book's release--even out here in northeast bumfu@$.. the fans lined up hours in advance, some even wearing black robes and striped ties and what not. Very fun! The energy was just phenomenal for a BOOK release! That woman is my hero for being the one responsible for creating all that. Just wow.
I have really enjoyed reading all of these.
Thank you for all your help.
Well, I enjoyed 'em
Doubt I'd have the guts to buy most of them, even if I could afford it. They are fun and certainly a conversation piece - if I had a business with a lobby, I'd go for at least one just to be memorable.
How sad! I enjoyed watching her on Jay Leno.
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Love piggies, too! I think I enjoyed them more than
s
Glad you all enjoyed the little diversion
I need to go there to be creative after a long day of ESLs.
I enjoyed that. Apparently my brain is
26! That's 14 years younger than the rest of me! LOL
Agree 100%, I enjoyed watching and listening
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Amen Sister! She is totally unrealistic! Totally. Loved your post! sm
My grandparents (from VT), will tell you that my grandfather began farming at 6-7 under the supervision of his 10 year old brother. haha No major incidents - his mother tended the home and ran a nursery and she did have the siblings watch over each other. I didn't even think about all of this until you mentioned the farming post. I loved it!
I, for one, need plenty of sleep - so I must work during the day while they are here...Oops, I gottah go! My 2 year old just fell off the kitchen table.
just kidding
Totally, totally agree.
You feel inadequate and no matter what you do - you feel like it is not enough - and that is depression. Get on some medication, or get some therapy and start taking time for yourself and enjoy life. Been there and done that myself - STOP FEELING GUILTY - you deserve better!!
Favorite sm
Melinda - humble, honest, what the world needs now - she is true, you can tell, nothing phony about her, need some good, old fashioned modesty, perhaps she will set a trend, I hope so!!! She is phenomenal - makes me cry, she is so not affected!!!
That was my favorite.
nm
That is my son's favorite
But if you are into Sci-Fi, we bond over Dr. Who.
My favorite new man! sm
Russell Crowe was recently interviewed. Here's what he had to say...
As for the future lessons he'll teach his boys about the opposite sex, Crowe says, "Look, when it comes to women, you are talking about mysteries that haven't been unraveled by the wisest scholars of all time. I'm not going to be able to do that. But I can teach my sons to respect them."
If all men could be this smart!
Here's my very favorite
Rugelach
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2-pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar plus 9 tablespoons
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup apricot preserves, pureed in a food processor
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash.
Cream the cheese and butter until light. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the salt, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour and mix until just combined. Dump the dough out onto a well-floured board and roll it into a ball. Cut the ball in quarters, wrap each piece in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
To make the filling, combine 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar, the brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the raisins, and walnuts.
On a well-floured board, roll each ball of dough into a 9-inch circle. Spread the dough with 2 tablespoons apricot preserves and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the filling. Press the filling lightly into the dough. Cut the circle into 12 equal wedges—cutting the whole circle in quarters, then each quarter into thirds. Starting with the wide edge, roll up each wedge. Place the cookies, points tucked under, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Brush each cookie with the egg wash. Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on the cookies. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.
When I was a kid, my favorite was
Interjection, but now I really like Unpack Your Adjectives. They are all so clever.
My favorite
For some reason these cookies are the best ever anywhere! Probably because I was a girl scout for 10 years and sold cookies every year with my sister. They too were 50 cents when I sold them and yes I feel like a dinasaur when they look at me like I'm the oldest thing they've ever seen. My favorites are the samoas and lemon cookies. Yum! I'm so excited...now if I can just find where to buy them around here. Hopefully some girlscout will come to my door like I used to go door to door when I was a girl scout.
They are my favorite, too....nm
that WAS my favorite
dark chocolate is a health food. I totally bought into that and after one year, I had to spend all summer on the eliptical just to get rid of my big booty!
my favorite
lazy peach pie - canned peaches with allspice and crushed vanilla wafers
lazy cheese cake - cream cheese on graham crackers with jelly on top
anybody else have favorite snack ideas?
my favorite example of
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH-oZeqmXmo&feature=related
Who is your favorite TV host?
Any type of TV show, news, entertainment, informational/educational, sales, food, decorating, whatever!
I think my favorite has to be Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs. He just cracks me up.
Who's yours?
my most favorite perfume ever!
and i love it!
Jordin is now my favorite . . .
I really liked her from the beginning. It's not just her voice I think she has the wow factor. All the other girls are great this year. Even Haley - even though she forgot the words she was adorable and I think she may get a lot of sympathy votes.
What's your favorite commercial?
I love the one where the guy gets up in the middle of the night and puts the diamond necklace around his wife's neck. When she wakes up he pretends to be asleep but right at the end he just barely starts to smile. He has the sexiest mouth!
What's your favorite?
Favorite book
I loved the Bobbsey Twins books. Boy, that dates me!
Ah...one of my favorite things to do!! (nm)
x
My favorite books
My absolute favorite book of all time is Paint the Wind by Cathy Cash Spellman. My next favorite which are hard to find (the author passed away) is by Day Taylor - The Black Swan & Moss Rose.
I used to like Danielle Steele until she started making her characters snooty, but her older books Thurston House, Palamino and The Ring are some of my favorites.
Another good one is Barbara Taylor Bradford's "A Woman of Subtance". Bout a woman from the 1800s/early 1900s who went from being a maid to being a successful business woman. My husband saw the movie and he loved it.
However, I wish I still had the book Paint the Wind. I could read that over and over and over.
what's your favorite commercial right now??
Mine is the hotels.com where they guy gets excited about having 2 shampoos in the hotel and the the wife goes, maybe they are trying to buy you off so you will write a good review...and he goes, it's working...and pours both bottles on his dry head. I don't know why but it just cracks me up every time I see it.
my favorite commercial is sm
The cell phone commercials with the old lady and her mom says who can you be texting and she says my BFF Rose.
favorite movie ever
"Queer Duck - the Movie"
What's your favorite TV show?
That's if you have time to watch TV. I record and watch them at night when I get off work or when I happen to find a free moment. Its nice to record because then I don't have commercials either so it goes by really fast.
I like the Young and the Restless and have been watching for years. It's the only soap I watch, the others just are not realistic enough for me to get in to them. I also like Old Christine but that has not been on lately. There's another show on Monday nights and I can't remember the name of it at the moment. Its about a husband and wife, girlfriend and boyfriend, and a single guy. I'm also a Food Network junkie.
Those are my very favorite books ever...!!!
I've read them all more than once and just LOVE them. Can't wait for the 7th book, but I think that's the last one, which makes me sad.
Sucks to not be mom's favorite....sm
/
Me too. My favorite was Shaggy - he would sit beside
me when I was a kid and "let" me read to him. He was a kitten abandoned in a snow drift outside an animal shelter in Alaska. Lived with us 15 years!!
If you know their favorite snack
You could buy a nice gift box, the sturdy ones that look like they have wrapping paper on them already...maybe something to match the office, and then fill it with their favorite candy, snack, or coffee/creamors...whatever you know they like. Then wrap it with a nice ribbon.
favorite new inventions
Dish Network Sirius Radio (no commercials)
Anti-smoking legislation (can you believe we used to smoke in the grocery store and movie theater?)
100 choices of shampoo that smells good.
Debit Cards
Dishwashers
I agree internet turned out to be much cooler than I thought it would be.
My favorite things
I personally love the Hubble telescope pictures and when I am feeling creeped out and my problems are big, and my house is a dump, and I look and feel like ______, I look at those Hubble pictures (which are very real) and I realize what a very microscopic little speck I am and how my problems are so stupid and who cares anyway? And then I realize that I am part of this universe and then I feel perfectly right sized and wonderful and happy.
http://hubblesite.org/gallery/
My favorite CA beaches:
For wild coastlines, rocky shores, big waves emptiness... the further north the better, such as Mendocino, and on up into Oregon. Upside: Great walks, quiet time & beachcoming. Downside: Colder weather in summer, surf to rough for swimming, and lots of seals = sharks.
For warmer water but more people: Santa Barbara county has outstanding beaches. Further north there are less-populated beaches with good surfing. Also some, like Emma Wood State Beach or Gaviota State Park, where you can camp.
UC Santa Barbara actually has a lovely beach, as well, and the campus is fun to explore on bikes. In town, there is Stearns wharf, warm sandy beaches, art shows along the Cabrillo Blvd. sidewalk on Sundays, a bike path, a zoo, great restaurants, lots of nice day-trips from that area.
Ventura Beach has some nice hotels right near the water, good bathing & surfing beaches.
LA county has many from Zuma to Santa Monica, too numerous to name. Malibu Creek beach is good for body-surfing, because the water coming into the ocean from the creek there is warmer and clearer.
Santa Monica, Venice & Marina Del Rey are my favorite choice because of all the things right along the water there are to do. The bike path goes all the way from Malibu from the north, all the way down to Huntington Beach and beyond. GREAT biking (you can rent them there) and skating (you can rent those there, as well). If you like to shop, there are lots of funky little shops along the Boardwalk near Windward Plaza. On weekends there's always some sort of entertainment going on. Lots of restaurants, from pizza joints to upscale eateries. Also just 10 min. away from the LA Airport, so a short, cheap cab ride from LAX will get you there.
More expensive hotels are along the waterfront, obviously, but with a family and a budget, stay on Washington street - the further from the beach, the cheaper the rates.
Between LA and San Diego, also too many beaches to count. Of course, the further south you go, the warmer. La Jolla, Oceanside, lots of good surfing down there, too.
San Diego - Mission Bay is a great family spot, tons of stuff to do, bike paths, etc. Plus there's Old Town San Diego, and the side trips of the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Wild Animal Park, that you actually drive through.
Now I've talked myself into wanting to go, too! I'd love to spend 4 or 5 days in San Diego or Venice Beach!
my favorite game
I played a really fun game at someone's baby shower that I have always remembered. You buy a few jars of baby food and take off the labels. Number the jars of food and keep a key around for you so you won't forget what they are! Try picking ones that look similar or might be hard to guess. Pass the baby jars around and get everyone to write down what they think it is. The person with the most correct answers wins. Good luck!
Also one of my least favorite of all time - nm
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Favorite Doc Drama
Well, it was Chicago Hope for a long time (I adore Mandy Patinkin), then nothing. Now, it's House but I have to wonder how in the world he got to be as good as he is, when he constantly misdiagnoses the patients for the first 45+ minutes of the show. LOL.
Many classics but I have to say one Amy Grant CD is my favorite
Breath of Heaven and Grown up Christmas List are just beautiful. If you have not heard these, you need to give a listen, you will want to buy the CD. :) I added a link to the song clips (if I did that right.)
My favorite oddball of the night . . .
That girl who sang the Wizard of Oz lion song - I just about died laughing. I hope they bring her back. I don't know how the judges could keep a straight face.
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