Two students came in this morning to print flyers they made for next week’s Spirit Week, kicking off spring break ’22 (is it really that time already?). One of them is a student library helper that has taken on the task of checking out books to students so we can work on more pressing issues. Like making sure no one tries to bite a Chromebook. True story, but not under my watch.
One of the scheduled spirit days is “Dress as Your Favorite Decade.” They asked if I’d be participating. “Heck yes! Totally the 80s for me.” Then I began reminiscing. They asked what it was like and how I dressed. My answer? Pretty much like I do now, except everything was neon. Big hoop earrings. Side pony tails. Leg warmers. Fingerless gloves. Rectangular sunglasses. Rubber bracelets stacked from wrist to elbow. Miami Vice jackets with huge shoulder pads.
Miami Vice…my celebrity crush was Don Johnson, among many others. “Ooh, Ms. Garza, was he cute?” They proceeded to Google him. “No! Not yet! You can’t Google the Don Johnson now. You have to search for the 80s Miami Vice Don Johnson, they won’t look the same. Don’t do it!”
Too late. They give each other an odd look. Sure enough, it’s not the Miami Vice Don Johnson. We dig a little deeper and find one of Crockett and Tubbs donning their signature pastel t-shirt and suit combos. Sigh… “I know, he was way too old for me.” My library assistant chimes in, “But if it’s a celebrity crush, it doesn’t matter.” I mull it over. “True, but look at him now, ewww! It’s just ewww! He’s old enough to be my dad! Gross!” They agreed without having to agree with me. “Okay Ms. Garza, we’re going to come check out your outfit.”
“The flyer says you’re giving out candy if people participate. I’m totally going to get some candy!”
I print their flyers. We chat a little more about how we plan to dress up and other 80s celebrity crushes. For about ten minutes I was 13 again, swooning over a Google search instead of a poster in Teen Beat magazine.
Nerds Beget Nerds 
Thanks for bringing me back to my favorite decade too. Memories of neon colors, leg warmers and big hair held in place with Aquanet brought a smile to my face. Enjoy your spirit week at school!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aqua Net! It won’t be 80s day without it. Do they even make it any more?
LikeLike
Rob Lowe was one of my favorites and parachute pants were a mainstay. I remember when we were in high school we would dress up like it was the 50’s. How did we suddenly become our parents? At least the 80’s seems to have a specific look. When there’s a 90’s day I just where my regular clothes. Enjoy your blast to the past.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ending about the chat totally reminded me of the sleepover scenes from 13 Going on 30. Love this Slice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought Crockett and Tubbs were so cool but had no idea why. Love this slice, keep writing! đŸ˜‰
LikeLike
I love this little chat! Teaching older students sure has its perks when you can have these types of convos and they are independent… well, except for the Chromebook biter, lol!
LikeLike
So much of this post makes me smile, thinking back to my childhood in the 80s. And then that last line swooped in with a wallop–it contains so much about how things stay the same, and yet how the world, with all the changes Google has wrought, is also so different.
LikeLiked by 1 person