the other big gift ...

I have a feeling that among my small circle of bloggy friends who visit me here, all of us grew up right around the same time and were therefore exposed to pretty much the same pop culture memories along the way.  For example, the original Star Wars movie in 1977 ... I was younger than little ladybug is now, but boy do I ever have strong memories about that one - it was so crowded when we went to see it for the first time (b/c we all saw it more than once, right?) that I sat on the floor at the front of the theater with a bunch of my school friends and was totally captivated by the entire thing - unforgettable - a fond childhood memory...

And though 4 years later I didn't sit on the floor for Raiders of the Lost Ark, I remember a very similar experience - it was the summer of 1981 and I saw it at the old-school (long since torn down) one-screen theater in the town by the lake where we spent summers ... I vividly remember giggling with disgust with my friend Mandy when the guy's face melts off at the end.  Despite the melting face, another fond memory.  And then the following summer there was E.T. ... I mean, please.  This movie is one of the true greats and ranks as one of my personal top 5 favorites of all time.  At 13, just a bit older than my big ladybug is right now, I was with Mandy again in that same theater up by the lake ... I'll never forget the experience of crying our eyes out one minute over E.T.'s assumed death and then laughing through the tears as he and Elliott escaped in the van ... only to be reduced to tears again as the 2 friends said their goodbyes by the waiting spaceship ... now that's what I call a good movie!

And other than slurpees from 7-11 (that came with 'collectible' rock-n-roll cups at one point) and those great bikes with the big handles and the banana seat, I have one more very fond childhood memory from these golden years of my childhood.  It's an item that's gone the way of the dinosaur ... or has it?  Perhaps a certain Manbug has a wife who was able to find this beloved item and resurrect some great memories ... anyone recognize it?

If you recognized this as an Atari 2600 and your heart skipped a beat as you saw it for the first time in decades, then we're on the same page!  Though we didn't know each other back in the late 70's/early 80's when these things were hotter than an iPad-2, both Manbug and I were huge Atari-heads and often share fond Atari memories with the kids - like the time when Uncle John unplugged the Atari just as Uncle Jamie had surpassed the high score in Space Invaders and was having the game of his life ... to say that mayhem ensued does't say enough about that aftermath - a famous story at the Thanksgiving table each year.  So imagine my excitement when by chance I found this Atari in like-new condition for sale at a nearby game store that recently repaired a wii for us.  As soon as I saw it, I couldn't resist the draw - the draw to those "golden years" of my youth - and I knew that Manbug would feel the same way.  I was able to get 4 game cartridges for it as well - Asteroids, Combat, Space Invaders, and Pac-Man - wahooo, game on!!

Seriously, I was a gift hero twice over this year ... not sure how I can outdo myself from here!

Combat ... 

Space Invaders ...

time to teach a new generation ...

It required a small converter cable from Radio Shack to make the connection to our 'modern' (10 years old) playroom tv, but once it was all hooked up, the 'new' Atari worked like a champ ... the ladybugs loved it too and have become young Jedi knights in training with dad, the Obi Wan Kenobi of Atari - how fun is that?!

We're hooked all over again!  Next up, I'm going to call the store to see if they have Pitfall or Frogger ... anyone else want to play?