The golden age of radio, which started before we were born, lasted through the 1950s until television became the medium of choice. But even after that, radio shows hosted by our favorite DJs and playing our favorite music pervaded our lives and may still play a role. From tabletop to transistor, from pop music to podcast, think back … to the physical radios or devices you listened to, your favorite stations, or a special time when radio provided the soundtrack to your life. Share your Remembering Radios stories forward.
In the Fifties, it was much more common for a mother to stay at home with her children than to work outside the home. More recently, the pandemic has given new meaning to the concept of stay-at-home parent. With children doing most of their schooling virtually since March, 2020, many parents have had to step back from their jobs or try to juggle their children’s needs while working from home. Think back … were you raised by a stay-at-home parent? Were you ever one? In honor of Mother’s Day, share your stay-at-home parent stories forward.
It is likely by now that most Retrospect writers have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. As many of us look to summer, we ask ourselves “now what?” In some states, masks are no longer required, restaurants and bars are open, and sporting events and concerts are inviting us in. Think back … how did you feel when you were fully vaccinated? What was the first thing you did? How has your life changed? Will you travel and how will you get there? Perhaps you have a story to share about a different vaccination in your life. Share your vaccination stories forward.
Zapped by Zoom? Flummoxed by your phone? While technology has improved our lives and has been a godsend during the pandemic, most of us have been frustrated with it at one time or another. Think back … to that heart-stopping swirling circle of doom, or system crash, or completely inscrutable software. Did you recover on your own or seek help from younger digital natives? Or, if you are lucky enough to take to technology naturally, it’s your turn to brag! Share your Technology Tribulations stories forward.
We all have favorite movies, whether we saw them first as children or as adults. Sometimes when we go back and see them a second or third time, they are not as good as we remembered; other times they are even better. Think back … what movie have you seen that is rewatchable multiple times? What do you think makes it hold up so well? Share your rewatchable movies stories forward.
As children, we were taught to mind our manners — from table manners to social manners, lots of dos and don’ts. Some of us went on to teach our children many of the same rules of decorum. Will they do the same, or have manners become old-fashioned, some even sexist? Think back…which manners do you miss in others, and have any of your own now fallen by the wayside? Share your Manners stories forward.
We hear a lot about inequality today, and rightly so. Differences in race, gender, economic status, and culture can lead to differences in access—to healthcare, employment, technology, education, and much more. Some people have advantages and others are left behind. Think back … were you aware of privilege and disadvantage growing up? How did this affect you and those you knew? What has or hasn’t changed since then? Share your Inequality stories forward.
Pet peeves are small annoyances that bother you every time they occur — in fact, they drive you crazy. While some are not important enough to say or do anything about, others prompt action. Examples might include loud chewing, talking during movies, or misusing apostrophes, but there are countless others. Think back … what were your pet peeves when you were young? What are they now? Share your pet peeves stories forward.
Pixie, bob, blunt, shag; mohawk, crew cut, buzz cut, fade. Haircuts can be routine, or they can signal a change, even a new lease on life. In any event, having your hair cut puts you in a vulnerable situation. Each of us has probably, at some point in our life, walked into a salon or barber shop for a trim and walked out feeling butchered. Think back…what was your most memorable haircut experience? Share your haircuts stories forward.
The year 2020 upended our lives in ways no one could have predicted. From virtual connection (Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime), to face masks (cloth, surgical, and N95), to vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), we have adjusted and coped in many ways. Think back … on the pandemic anniversary and about this unforgettable year. What has changed? What has frustrated you or made you anxious? What has given you gratitude and hope? Share your One Year of the Pandemic stories forward.
