Monday, June 2, 2008

Things You Will Never Know

Dear Bronwen,
I was thinking about how different life today is from when I was growing up. I can't help but think of all the things I experienced that you will most likely never experience.

1. The feeling of using the World Book Encyclopedia for a report
2. Renting a movie from a video store
3. Writing a letter to a pen-pal. Receiving a letter from a pen-pal.
4. Playing a record or buying a tape, or even a CD for that matter
5. Looking up words in a book
6. Using a card catalog or the microfiche
7. Passing a handwritten note in a particularly boring class like Geometry (Tiff) or Educational Anthropology (Mel)

Added by others:
8. Recording songs off the radio
9. Making mix tapes
10. Using a pay phone
11. Watching a TV station that only played music videos
12. Riding a bike without fear of a head injury
13. Making popcorn in a pot on the stove
14. Remembering phone numbers
15. Using an AAA Triptych
16. Filling up your gas tank with $10.00
17. Programming a VCR


Most of these are items related to computers and technology, but they also tie in with the senses--the smell of old books, the feeling of thumbing through pages and seeing information about different things. The excitement of getting "real" mail or unwrapping the cellophane on a 45 that you desperately wanted.

Readers--add to my list. What are things that you think Bronwen may never experience for herself that we can share with her now? I feel like mine focus on the library--but I'm a self-professed bibliophile, so it fits. What else am I forgetting?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

**Hand writing a letter and putting it in the mail!
**Or receiving a handwritten letter!
**Recording songs off the radio or making a mixed tape!
**Using a payphone!
**Paying extra for long distance calls.
(I'm sure I could think of more!!)

Leslie said...

With the internet, i'll never need another cookbook...

Great one, melanie-i used to just sit by my radio all day long to hear my fave song:)

Babsy said...

*30 minute sitcoms (TGIF)
*MTV airing music videos
*Understand the humor of Gallagher; with her love of watermelons she would have really loved him.
*Riding a bike without a helmet :(

Babsy said...

Film and waiting on photos

Heather said...

Knowing what it's like to pay $1 for a gallon of gas.

Using a VCR.

Remembering phone numbers.

(I was thinking of the bike helmet, too. I never wore one of those, but I guess I'll have to make Aubrey wear one!)

Anonymous said...

-Using a map to plan a trip.
-Sneaking in her parents room to watch Dirty Dancing on Beta.
-Green and black monitors to play Super Space Wars.
-Making popcorn in a green pot.
-New episodes of Mr. Rogers.
-Writing checks (although I still refuse to pay my bills on-line)

Anonymous said...

A bit of a dispute of your list...
I believe Bronwen will still receive mail the old fashion way!

In fact, I can pretty much guarantee that.

XOXO,
Aunt Jan

Anonymous said...

Wow...Jen! Seven comments! Now there's eight! Is this a record? It is a great post!

Babsy said...

I wonder what gave you the idea....

Anonymous said...

I'm a little late to add~ Those are all good! Don't worry, there are still student who write notes, not all of them text each other. :)

~You will never learn about new medications from your doctor (but see it on a commercial first)

~Generic was not an option, and brand names were affordable. :)

~Remembering to Be Kind, Rewind