Good Old Days

Last night I watched Ashes to Ashes on the BBC and saw our antihero DCI Gene Hunt with a bottle of Gloy with its bendy rubber top. Oh what memories came flooding back. Gloy is still made but in a more 'practical' container, not the same though.

Any other repackaging that isn't as good as the original?

Looking back at your youth answer each of these questions:

1. Super hero you wanted to be.
I wanted to be Captain America cos I loved the costume.

2. Pop star you wanted to meet.
Has to be David Bowie.

3. First Silver Screen crush.
Jenny Agutter in Railway Children, always liked a bit of posh.

4. First TV Newsreader you can remember.
Think it must be Gordon Honeycombe

5. Favourite DJ of your youth.
Has to be Kenny Everett, mad as a hatter.

6. Favourite movie of your youth.
Sorry it has to be The Sound of Music

7. Your first single.
My dingaling - Chuck Berry

8. Your First Album.
Pictures at an Exhibition - ELP

9. Your Favourite toy.
A catapult rocket which had a parachute

10. First famous band you saw live.
Has to be Dire Straits

Over the years a number of toys have left me with injury's, in fact a lot of them would not be produced today. Injuries include:

Several cut fingers (still have the scars) on tin toys (various)
Black eye from a 'Wonder Ball' which disintegrated and smacked me in the face
Bruised wrist from 'Clackers'
Broken tooth going head over heals off my bike
Bruised coxix (several times)roller skates
Bruised face from tennis ball in pair of tights (a game we used to play against a wall - don't ask)
Grazed knees soapbox cart

But I am still alive....

Any other 'near misses'?

Found this interesting. Jobs they had before they were famous.

Rod Stuart - Grave Digger
Sylvester Stalone - Cleaned out lion cages
Jennifer Lopez - Legal Assistant
Lil Kim - Salesperson at Bloomingdale's
Jennifer Aniston - Waitress and Telemarketer
Dan Aykroyd - Mail sorter
Warren Beatty - Rat catcher
Jon Bon Jovi - Christmas decoration maker
Boy Geoge - Tescos and cloakroom attendent
Sandra Bullock - Bartender
Jim Carrey - Caretaker
Elvis Costello - Computer programmer
Simon Cowell - Post room clerk
Courtney Cox - spokesperson for Tampax tampons

Just proves we all have a chance at fame....

The 80's Quiz

1. Singer Axl Rose (of Guns and Rises) name was an anagram for what phrase?

2. Who sang with Aerosmith on 'Walk this Way'?

3. Who sang "She Blinded Me With Science"?

4. Which furry Alien Life Form had his own TV series?

5. What film was based on the DJ named Adrian Cronauer?

6. Who said "Snakes, I hate snakes"?

7. Which Olympics did the Americans boycott?

8. Which members of 10cc recorded 'Cry'

9. What flim stared a Prom Queen, a Jock, a criminal, a Brain and a basketcase?

10. What was Chris Hamill's stage name?

1989
Computer cost £4954 ($8499)
Prime Minister: Margaret Thatcher
Unemployment rate: 7.2 per cent
Inflation rate: 7.8 per cent
Interest rates: 15 per cent
Average wage: £7,975 ($13,681)
Average property price across UK: £36,284 ($62,244)
Average price for a loaf of bread: 48p ($0.82)
Average price for a pint of beer: 87p ($1.49)
Average price for a litre of petrol: 41p ($0.70)
Most popular car: Ford Escort
Best-selling single: Ride on Time, Black Box

Fashion Accessories
70's - Identity Bracelets - Hooped Earrings - Mood Rings
80's - Friendship Bracelets - Swatch Watches - Grolsh Beer Bottle Tops
90's - Plastic/rubber bracelets - Bum Bags

His clothes
70's - Ben Sherman Shirts - Stay Press Trousers - Afghan Coats
80's - Vests - Webbing Belts - Baggy Jeans- Relax T Shirts
90's - Hawaiian Print Shirts - Army Surplus - Chino's

Her clothes
70's - Hot Pants - Bell Bottoms - Boob Tubes -Tie Dye
80's - Leggings - Leg warmers - Ripped Jeans - Lace
90's - Cargo Pants - Union Jack Dresses - Anything 'Tommy'

His Shoes
70's - Loafers - Doc Martins - Platform Shoes- Clarke's 'Commandos'
80's - Cowboy Boots - Cuban Heels (with metallic toe caps) - Doc Martins
90's - Canvas Shoes - Doc Martens - Nike

Her Shoes
70's - Wet Look Boots - Clogs - Dr Scholl (sandals)
80's - Saddle Shoes - Saktwater Sandals - California Wedge shoes
90's - Canvas Shoes - Doc Martens - Mary Jane's

His Hair
70's - DA - Skin head - Curly Perm
80's - 'Rick Astley' - 'Highlights' - 'Gary Numan'
90's - Wet look Gel - Goth -

Her Hair
70's - Afro - Bob - 'Hippie' (straight/long) - Punk
80's - Bleach blond - 'Linda Evans' - 'Victoria Principal' (Lots of Curls and hairspray)
90's - The 'Rachel' haircut - Bleached ends - Tight Curls - Goth

His Aftershave
70's - Brut - Avon (cowboy boot) - Old Spice
80's - Paco Rabanne - Quorum - Aramis
90's - Calvin Klein - Davidoff - Kouros

Her Perfume
70's - Musk - Channel - Opium - Anais Anais
80's - Obsession -Giorgio Beverley Hills - Givenchy's Ysatis - White Linen
90's - Tommy Girl - Sun Moon Stars - Organza - Eternity

Over the years we have subjected our bodies to numerous 'torture devices' that are slimly disguised as fashion. What have you worn in the past that you would never own up to?

Me, where do I start.

Brothel creepers.

Bright red Cuban heel boots with gold toe cap and heel brace.
3 inch sole/6 inch heel black and red shoes as per Gary Glitter
Duffle coat with wooden toggles

Parka with fur that must have come from a cat as it stunk when wet.
Canary Yellow Bolero Jacketed Suit (got married in this)
Bright Blue (Buggles) glasses

Curly perm (looked like Harpo Marx)
Harlequin pattern waistcoat with matching tie
Kipper ties

Gangster hats (made from felt and brought from Romford market)
Balaclarva helmet

1940's army gear (during the Glen Miller revival early 80s)
anybody have anything worse?

Jane Fonda was my first movie crush saw her in Barbarella and Klute as a 12 year old ( I looked a lot older).

Understand they are looking at remaking Barbarella with Halle Berry in the lead role....

We all have our pet terms and words that are associated with an era. My son's is 'Gibolicious'.

What terms do you remember and in what relation?

I remember in the early 70's that we used the word 'sussed' (which was said along with using one finger to pull down a lower eye lid. This was said when somebody was caught out in a lie or found out by a teacher doing something they shouldn't.

Over to you...

The Scottish Daily Record runs with a story about predictions of the future made at the 1956'Ideal Home Exhibition'(the year of my birth).

I was surprised to see how the 'experts' were so wrong. They predicted:

* Self cleaning baths

* That we would not have fridges, as food and drink would be zapped with gamma radiation and last longer

* That we would only be wearing and sleeping in Nylon

* Electric saucepans will cook food on any surface, replacing hobs.

* Electric tables will rise from the floor and be set to dining or coffee level.

* Roofs will be covered with aluminum foil to deflect the Sun's rays.

* Front doors will all be electric and folding.

* Houses will consist of a series of plastic pods joined by passageways.

* Showers will dispense both water and hot air to wash and dry you.

Oh well, maybe they will still come ......

There have been countless adverts over the years that have used ditties to get the product into our brains. Like 1001, Tetley Tea, Fairy etc

Mine would have to be an advert for Weetabix in the 1980's sung to the tune of 'I will survive' by Gloria Gaynor.

"At first I was afraid, I was petrified,
She’s failed ten times already — this is suicide,
I should have used the steering lock, I would have thrown away the key
If I’d known for just one second she’d resit her test with me!
OK now go, watch that car door,
Don't turn around here, ease your foot up off the floor,
Weren't you the one who said you couldn't hear me cry?
Did you think I’d mumble? Did you think I’d really want to die?
Oh no, not I — I will survive
Oh as long as I've had Weetabix I'll get them all to drive;
I've got four more tests to do,
Looks like they haven't got a clue,
But I'll survive … I will survive"

What was your favourite?

In the 60's there were a number of products like Ajax - The White Tornado, Omo, Daz, Tide and Flash that ran adverts were either costumed characters or celebrities came knocking on your door cash in hand to see if you had their product.

Did anybody ever see their telltale vans in their streets, or even lucky enough to win some cash? Or was it a big hoax?

We in Britain have adorned our walls with a variety of objects over the years and it got me wondering to how many people had or could remember.

Nearly everybody had a copy of the Green faced Asian woman, one of the biggest sellers of the late 1960s. But did you have a set of plaster ducks or a cuckoo clock? Or did you have the poster of the girl in tennis gear scratching her naked bum?

I had a copy of Andy Warhol's Marlyn Monroe and an obligatory Roy Lichtenstein's 'Wham', but I was studying 'Pop' art.

How about you?

must know

Who were Bleep and Booster.

What was particular to eagle-eyes Action Man.

Bob Carolgees pet.

Whistle the tune to 'White Horses'.

La La the tune to 'Robinson Crusoe'

Name the trio on 'Rainbow'.

Harold Steptoe's catchphrase.

The name of the Woodentops pet

The names of Hector's cat and frog friends.

Good luck.........

In the late 60's I used to remember my old aunt buying quart bottles of beer (Watneys I think) that had a strange stopper. It was made of a sort of black Bakelite material that felt like polished stone with a knurled top. It had a rubber washer where the spiral of the stopper ended and the top started this allowed you to screw in the cap and get a perfect seal. I have tried to find an instance of it on the net with no luck. Anybody else remember them?

Texan
Galaxy Counters
Cabana
Frys Five Centres
Milk Tray Bar
Goldmine
Golden Cup
Pyramint
Bitz
Dainty Bars
Boxes of Weekend
Carousel
Mint Cracknell and Lime Cracknell.
Lime Barrels in Milk Tray selections.
Gooseberry Creams in Quality Street selections.
Old English Spangles.
Opal Mints (or if you must - Pacers).
Opal Fruits
Amazin Raisin bars
Spangles
Jolly Rancher
Aztec
Wispa Mint, Wispa Gold, Wispa Bite
Biarritz (boxes)
Ice Breaker
Lime Aeros
Orange Aeros!
Tiffin
Old Jamaica
Ovaltine Bars
Cadbury's Country Style
Savanna
Banjo

Any more?

1) Blue Peter or Magpie?
Even in my formative years I fancied Susan Stranks so it has to be Magpie

2) What was your favourite comic?
Used to read Topper, but when I could afford them it was Marvel or DC comics.

3) What was your favourite sweet of all time?
Still love them today. 'Army and Navy Paragoric'

4) Ever set light to something with a magnifying glass?
Yep, was a little sod....

5) How did you cover your school books?
Couldn't afford 'sticky back plastic' so used either wallpaper or brown paper.

6) Favourite lesson?
Has to be Technical Drawing, always wanted to be a draughtsman

7) Were you ever a monitor, prefect, headboy/girl?
Was a stair monitor, and playground monitor and was a bit like the SS in my approach.

8) Ever represented your school at sports?
Never good at competitive sports but was part of the Archery Team.

9) Ever played an Instrument?
Does a Kazoo count?

10) What did you play in the Nativity?
Shepherd number 2, normally hiding behind the stage curtain

Did you have one or all of the following:

A Candlewick Quilt?

Winceyette sheets?

Starched Cotton Sheets?

Nylon sheets?

Valance?

Patched Quilt made from fabric swatches?

Ex-RAF Blankets?

Or in my case (in the winter), the contents of my coat cupbaord?

In 1973 they introduced ring-pull cans for Coke etc, but for the life of me I cannot remember cans without them. Did we have to use those strange openers that we used on Party 7 cans?

This Group comes about due to a conversation we had at dinner last night. We always have something to drink with our dinner, and as I have given up alcohol for lent we all drank the kids fizzy pop.

We have taken to buying Morrison's 'Best' range and last night was 'Spanish Mandarin Crush'. It was then that I reminisced about a fizzy drink of my youth called Cresta. I was trying to describe it to the kids without simply saying 'It's Frothy Man'...

Couldn't be sold now as it was full of Tartrazine and other e-numbers that made it glow in the dark. But considering the alternative was either coke or R White's Lemonade, this was the height of sophistication.

Anybody else want to reminisce?