That Moment When You Suddenly Become Old (ish)
So when exactly did my likes and interests from childhood become retro? For instance, the Popeye candy cigarettes I pretended to smoke with my childhood friends are only found in specialty stores that sell retro candies. Standing in line to purchase movie theatre tickets instead of using a phone app is considered old-school. Even my job skills have become fossilized. It is doubtful an influx of employers would interview me if my current curriculum vitae included completion of a computer course that its highlights were Database 4 and MS Dos 6.0.
To support my desire for vintage things, last Sunday I suggested to my husband a drive to the town of Nanton. This town has lots of antique stores. There was one store that had three levels of rooms filled with heirlooms called Sentimental Journey Antiques. It had everything from fine china, antique clocks, vintage jewelry, tobacco cans, and record players, to photos you name it. On the upper level was a room full of beautiful vintage dresses, including a gorgeous wedding dress and head piece from the 1960s.
Then we ventured to my favorite antique store in Nanton called Mid-Century Antiques. Strolling through this store was like returning to my childhood. As I walked around this store the televisions, sofas, telephones, coffee and telephone tables reminded me of wonderful times spent at my grandparents’ houses.
My point of this anecdote was that while walking through this store I discovered some old-fashioned rotary telephones. I was instantly reminded of my childhood when everybody had that type of phone. I also recalled the rotary phone that hung on the wall in our kitchen. It was on that particular phone that one night I received a mysterious call. Warning, 80s flashback is about to occur.
In the late 70s The Archies was a popular Saturday morning cartoon ritual. I liked watching that show so much that I once said I wished I could talk to Archie on the phone. So like a fairy godmother, my Nan Priddle called my house one night; as soon as I picked up the phone and said hello, I heard a voice on the other end that said, “ello Kelli, this is Archie calling.” I was totally clueless of the facts that cartoon characters can’t make phone calls to 4 year old girls, and that Archie’s speaking voice was at that moment a British accent. I was so happy to get a phone call from Archie Andrews nevertheless.
After a couple of minutes of talking, the voice on the other end of the rotary phone explained that he was busy and had to go. I remember saying that it was ok because Betty could talk to me instead. Then I asked to speak with Veronica, Jughead, Reggie, and the rest of his gang. Unfortunately Nan had no idea at that time what she was getting herself into; I doubt she realized Archie had many friends, and that I would ask to speak to all of them. Nan was probably exhausted and had a sore throat by the time she hung up the phone after imitating all those cartoon voices in a fake British accent.
The present reality is that shows I used to watch during their original runs such as Three’s Company and Family Ties are now shown on retro TV stations. Newly released movies that I rented from Blockbuster and watched on VHS are now considered classics. Renting videos from a video store no longer exists, and is classified as old-fashioned. That being said, the recollection of fond memories that are generated from VHS tapes, candy cigarettes, telephone tables and rotary phones are as timeless as the antiquities themselves.
What are some things that you remember from childhood that are now considered retro?