Lately, not only have I been listening to old time radio shows, I had a new discovery that is quickly becoming a favorite. Did you know Pandora has an 80s Cardio channel?!?!? It is now all I listen to on my neighborhood walks.
Not only have I been listening to A LOT of the music of the era, I’ve also gone to an 80s-themed party and had some rad entertainment come my way.
It all started two months ago when I saw a daily deal for an Atari flashback set. I was all ready two buy it on impulse when the logical side of me kicked in and I researched what games were on it. I’m so glad I did because otherwise I would have been so disappointed: no Pitfall, no River Raid, no Asteroids. What’s the point in that?!?!?
My research did discover, however than earlier version did have all those games … and more. I found a set on Amazon for much less than that daily deal.
It is so much fun! Now I don’t know if it is because I’m older or because when I was younger I didn’t know any better, but Dang! Those controllers really hurt the hands! After about an hour, my palm felt bruised. Well worth it, though.
Just last month a friend of mine had an 80s-themed birthday party. My 80s cred felt instantly threatened by all the band and movie posters that she still had and were decorating the walls. Of course, being fellow 80s lovers, nearly everyone attending dressed the part. There was enough neon and leg warmers to put an early Madonna video to shame.
I hadn’t met all the guests before – or at least I didn’t recognize all of them in costume. I got into the most awesome conversation with a guy there who had actually read my favorite book of last year: Ready Player One.
If you haven’t already done so, read it!!!!! The book is set in the near future when the division of the haves and have nots is much greater. Most people are living their lives in a virtual world to escape the harshness of reality. This world is created by one company, whose founder (think Steve Jobs-esque) wanted it to be free to everyone.
Upon the founders death, his will stipulated that the winner of his contest will receive his entire fortune. This contest involved finding a series of Easter eggs in the world and completing various tasks.
What on Earth, you might be asking, does this have to do with the 80s? The founder was an 80s child, so all the clues and tasks related to television, games, music and movies of the era. What more could a sci fi loving, 80s girl ask for in a book?
It is a fun read with well-developed characters, lots of twists and turns, and a shout out to Wil Wheaton (I squealed like a little girl when I found that part!).
When was the last time you got your 80s fix? or Does anyone else remember Atari controllers hurting their hands?
Grown Up, Now What? 
I wish I had done my research. I bought an Atari callback game player too. Although mine was just a joystick with the option to play some games on it. I thought I would enjoy them, but they didn’t have pitfall or asteroids or some of the other fun games on it from when I remember playing Atari. Right now it is just gathering dust in my closet. Oh well, I got a little bit of fun out it.
Those Atari controllers don’t seem to hurt my hands, but I played them so much when I was a kid that I must have just got used to them. Nintendo controllers are just so much better to hold.
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Maybe my hands have just become weak because I hadn’t held a game controller since the last time I owned an Atari!
I’m glad you got a little bit of fun out of your Atari Flashback. It must have been disappointing to have such a limited number of games. At least you can always resell it if you still have the box. Let it collect dust at someone else’s house!
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