I love hearing the stories of kids growing up, reminiscing about the toys and video games we played. It’s amazing how, despite our different backgrounds, many of us share similar childhood experiences. Whether it was battling friends in video games, collecting toys, or just enjoying the simple pleasures of being a kid, these memories connect us in a unique way. It’s a beautiful reminder of how our lives, though distinct, often intertwine through shared moments of joy and play.
Hi Dennis, very well said, and thank you for joining me here on Substack, and welcoming me to your inbox. The shared memories that connect us is what makes our generation so special. Also, CONGRATS! You are the winner of Marty's Pick Up Truck (Playmobil) I reached out to you on IG, please let me know your best shipping address and I'll get that over to you right away! Cheers my friend and stay in touch!
I was born in 83, so I was a little kid in th 80s. I do remember it (believe it or not). Anyways, I enjoy your Instagram and this blog. Thank you for doing them.
Hey Adam, 83 was a great year! Thank you so much for following me and for your support. I've got a lot of cool articles releasing soon steeped in nostalgia, so stay tuned, and stay rad! ps. Southern Cali is beautiful, I love living in San Diego!
Appreciate that Jamon! I'm posting more excerpts from my book every week or two, stay tuned. Appreciate you subscribing here and following my accounts. Stay rad!
I’d love to read more excerpts! I was born in 1985, so although I’m a bit younger, I get most of this! I miss the days of hopping on my bike and riding over to a friends house. We had a stream that flowed behind the houses on our street and we used to jump the rocks as far as we could go. I spent so much time outside as a kid and I don’t think we even had cable until the late 90s when my stepdad moved in and wanted it. Lol
Thank you Alexis, glad you enjoyed it! I’m hoping to post more excerpts in the coming weeks. I wrote a stream of thought first draft and now I’m scrubbing each chapter 😁 Glad it resonated, ‘85 is still in that window where you also experienced this feral life lol, I sure miss those days. Thank you for checking my article out it means a lot! 🙏
I love the analogy of the soda bottle—it was indeed exactly like that. As appropriate a metaphor as it is accurate.
Ditto about the origin of our wariness about technology. It's not because we're luddites; we've just experienced first-hand what's been forfeited in the name of progress.
And limited media is indeed something that uniquely connected us. I've heard Kevin Smith make a similar point, and I think you're right about this phenomenon likely not ever happening again.
Ramps and forts, exploring the dangerous places and unique experiences that our friends afforded us—it's crazy how similar our shared experiences are.
Absolutely love this. I’m two years younger, but the experiences you share here were mine as well. So happy to have stumbled across your newsletter today. Look forward to checking out each issue!
Hey thanks Mick! Appreciate you man. Just subscribed to your publication. I’ll be checking your writing out too. Us nostalgia dudes gotta stick together and share the past so it’s not forgotten — keep in touch my friend 🤜💢🤛
When I think about the 80s I travel back in time to when life for a child was innocent and simple. Mom woke us up to get ready for School, dragging my feet not wanting to. Eating a quick breakfast and off to the races, walking through Brooklyn during the crack era. Coming home throwing my book bag to the side kicking off my feet, eating a snack and jumping on the couch to watch Transformers, GI Joe, Thundercats, and every awesome toon. By 5 o’clock Fun House or Double date then Homework while dinner gets ready. Ahhh man those were the days. Minus getting in trouble in school by my teacher calling home. Saturdays woke up at 7am energized popping on the tv to watch Muppet Babies to start off the rotation. Some mornings was a big bowl of cereal, and some was my Mom cooking breakfast. Toys laid out in the zone on the floor playing while watching every single action cartoon from D&D to Jason & the Wheel watchers, Pole position, I could keep going. What even made Saturdays even greater was My mom would tell me to get dressed and we would go to the City to Macys or KB toy stores. She’ll tell me to pick out what I want…. 😢🥲 My moms was the best! I remember being excited getting some new action figures. GI Joes mainly, but Mask, Insectoids, Transformers, Mask… WoW! I remember how I felt when she bought me the T Rex from Jurassic Park and the Raptor. Rushing to get home with some Mc Donald’s sealed the deal. Those following weeks with my new toys watching John Hughes flick's….. priceless! The breakfast club introduced the Rebel in me. Ending was magnificent! Insert Song….. HEY HEY HEY HEY!!!! Entertainment back in the 80s taught us values, and respect. Today that’s lost! The innocence of a child is attacked, and imagination is gone in the youth. God Bless the 80s
This is a great read, and thanks for sharing your slice of 80's life! I think it's pretty awesome to see so many younger people fall in love with our favorite decade and it's cool to be able to see it now as an adult. Indianapolis, Indiana IG @mr_riddle_80s
Growing up in lower East side of Manhattan, NYc mid 80s early 90s were both frightening and exciting. So I definitely could relate to your experiences. Playing my Atari and Nintendo were highlights along with hanging with my friends. The movie “Sandlot” always brings me back to remembering that I had shared experiences with amazing people that shaped my life today. Although I lost touch with almost all my childhood friends, I want to thank them for being a part of one of the greatest times of my life!! Thanks John for your IG page which brings me back to amazing times and writing these Substack articles that amaze me at how far we came since the 80s.
Dennis from NY here. @rewind_80s_90s
Hey John,
I love hearing the stories of kids growing up, reminiscing about the toys and video games we played. It’s amazing how, despite our different backgrounds, many of us share similar childhood experiences. Whether it was battling friends in video games, collecting toys, or just enjoying the simple pleasures of being a kid, these memories connect us in a unique way. It’s a beautiful reminder of how our lives, though distinct, often intertwine through shared moments of joy and play.
Hi Dennis, very well said, and thank you for joining me here on Substack, and welcoming me to your inbox. The shared memories that connect us is what makes our generation so special. Also, CONGRATS! You are the winner of Marty's Pick Up Truck (Playmobil) I reached out to you on IG, please let me know your best shipping address and I'll get that over to you right away! Cheers my friend and stay in touch!
I miss the Saturday morning cartoons
Thank you so much! Love your content.
Hello John,
I was born in 83, so I was a little kid in th 80s. I do remember it (believe it or not). Anyways, I enjoy your Instagram and this blog. Thank you for doing them.
@adam_risley from Southern California
Hey Adam, 83 was a great year! Thank you so much for following me and for your support. I've got a lot of cool articles releasing soon steeped in nostalgia, so stay tuned, and stay rad! ps. Southern Cali is beautiful, I love living in San Diego!
I loved this excerpt! I loved the soda analogy and hearing about your childhood. Please share more and keep the spirit of the 80’s alive.
NY, NY @JBoltonShow
Appreciate that Jamon! I'm posting more excerpts from my book every week or two, stay tuned. Appreciate you subscribing here and following my accounts. Stay rad!
I’d love to read more excerpts! I was born in 1985, so although I’m a bit younger, I get most of this! I miss the days of hopping on my bike and riding over to a friends house. We had a stream that flowed behind the houses on our street and we used to jump the rocks as far as we could go. I spent so much time outside as a kid and I don’t think we even had cable until the late 90s when my stepdad moved in and wanted it. Lol
Thank you Alexis, glad you enjoyed it! I’m hoping to post more excerpts in the coming weeks. I wrote a stream of thought first draft and now I’m scrubbing each chapter 😁 Glad it resonated, ‘85 is still in that window where you also experienced this feral life lol, I sure miss those days. Thank you for checking my article out it means a lot! 🙏
I loved reading this, John.
I love the analogy of the soda bottle—it was indeed exactly like that. As appropriate a metaphor as it is accurate.
Ditto about the origin of our wariness about technology. It's not because we're luddites; we've just experienced first-hand what's been forfeited in the name of progress.
And limited media is indeed something that uniquely connected us. I've heard Kevin Smith make a similar point, and I think you're right about this phenomenon likely not ever happening again.
Ramps and forts, exploring the dangerous places and unique experiences that our friends afforded us—it's crazy how similar our shared experiences are.
Absolutely love this. I’m two years younger, but the experiences you share here were mine as well. So happy to have stumbled across your newsletter today. Look forward to checking out each issue!
Hey thanks Mick! Appreciate you man. Just subscribed to your publication. I’ll be checking your writing out too. Us nostalgia dudes gotta stick together and share the past so it’s not forgotten — keep in touch my friend 🤜💢🤛
When I think about the 80s I travel back in time to when life for a child was innocent and simple. Mom woke us up to get ready for School, dragging my feet not wanting to. Eating a quick breakfast and off to the races, walking through Brooklyn during the crack era. Coming home throwing my book bag to the side kicking off my feet, eating a snack and jumping on the couch to watch Transformers, GI Joe, Thundercats, and every awesome toon. By 5 o’clock Fun House or Double date then Homework while dinner gets ready. Ahhh man those were the days. Minus getting in trouble in school by my teacher calling home. Saturdays woke up at 7am energized popping on the tv to watch Muppet Babies to start off the rotation. Some mornings was a big bowl of cereal, and some was my Mom cooking breakfast. Toys laid out in the zone on the floor playing while watching every single action cartoon from D&D to Jason & the Wheel watchers, Pole position, I could keep going. What even made Saturdays even greater was My mom would tell me to get dressed and we would go to the City to Macys or KB toy stores. She’ll tell me to pick out what I want…. 😢🥲 My moms was the best! I remember being excited getting some new action figures. GI Joes mainly, but Mask, Insectoids, Transformers, Mask… WoW! I remember how I felt when she bought me the T Rex from Jurassic Park and the Raptor. Rushing to get home with some Mc Donald’s sealed the deal. Those following weeks with my new toys watching John Hughes flick's….. priceless! The breakfast club introduced the Rebel in me. Ending was magnificent! Insert Song….. HEY HEY HEY HEY!!!! Entertainment back in the 80s taught us values, and respect. Today that’s lost! The innocence of a child is attacked, and imagination is gone in the youth. God Bless the 80s
Rebel NYC Apparel
Brooklyn NY
This is a great read, and thanks for sharing your slice of 80's life! I think it's pretty awesome to see so many younger people fall in love with our favorite decade and it's cool to be able to see it now as an adult. Indianapolis, Indiana IG @mr_riddle_80s
I absolutely love this! Please keep posting more. Thank you sir! Fuquay Varina, NC @poskebility
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada @raymond.meloche
Growing up in lower East side of Manhattan, NYc mid 80s early 90s were both frightening and exciting. So I definitely could relate to your experiences. Playing my Atari and Nintendo were highlights along with hanging with my friends. The movie “Sandlot” always brings me back to remembering that I had shared experiences with amazing people that shaped my life today. Although I lost touch with almost all my childhood friends, I want to thank them for being a part of one of the greatest times of my life!! Thanks John for your IG page which brings me back to amazing times and writing these Substack articles that amaze me at how far we came since the 80s.
Yours truly,
Rocky A.
- Sayreville, New Jersey
- IG : Rockyrock6986
Nothing screams 80’s like going to Action Park in Vernon NJ. It was just as wild if not more so than the movie and documentary.
IG @cherconsigliere NJ
Lombard, IL
@josetteriffe
Brentwood (Nashville), TN
@Anneblewettferrell
Muskego, WI @ctbone53
Newport News Virginia