Flashback Fridays: The Best of the 90s Blogs

If you haven't checked out my blogroll,  now's the time! I've decided to share a few of my favorite 90s blog. I often look at these as a source of inspiration. Today, I am rather uninspired, so I'm just bringing the source of the inspiration right to you.

Ruined Childhood: A lovely Tumblr gem filled with pictures that cross reference the popular culture of today with that of the 1990s. It's highly inappropriate at times, but that's what makes it so great. Take a cue from the title and don't check it out if you want to still keep all those sweet childhood memories pure and innocent. 

Probably the tamest thing you'll find on the site
Photo Credit: Ruined Childhood.com

Childhood Nostalgia: This tumblr is basically just a collection of 90s images, screen caps, and flashbacks. It's pretty good for a "scroll" down memory lane. You'll find everything from Power Rangers to Power Puff Girls

90s Girl Problems: A hilarious twitter decidacted to all those "problems" we experienced in the 90s. Here are a few samples:

• I'm not sure if Lori Beth Denberg's vital information for your everyday life is actually that vital. #90sgirlproblems
• #IHateToBreakItToYou but your hair is frizzier than Felicity's.#90sgirlproblems
• I cried when Mufasa died and I still cry thinking about it.#90sgirlproblems
• #MyCelebCrush is a toss up between all five Backstreet Boys, Cory Matthews, and JTT. #90sgirlproblems
• I'm having trouble inflating my furniture. #90sgirlproblems

FuckYeah1990s: Everything on Tumblr is "fuckyeah something something" You can find a FuckYeah blog for basically anything. This one is like the love child of Ruined Childhood and Childhood Nostalgia. It's mostly pictures and falls somewhere between the two on the tameness scale. 

"Where Are They Now?" Wednesdays: Hilary Duff

Photo Credit: Candicebeth.blogspot.com

I haven't watched Disney Channel for a while, but they seemed to have perfected this cookie cutter triple threat formula. Not only are their child stars expected to act in TV shows, they also need to be able to sing, dance, remain pure, and most importantly sell tickets/merchandise. Disney is a farm, and its child stars are all cash cows.

However, before Hannah Montana burst on the scene, before Selena Gomez started dating Justin Beiber, and before Demi went to rehab, there was Hilary Duff aka Lizzie McGuire.

I have fond memories of watching Lizzie McGuire. It was a funny show with a great cast. I liked the spots where we had side commentary from the animated version of Lizzie in her mind. It reminded me of my own personal snarky side. I found a lot of it relatable. The important moment of purchasing your first bra. Dealing with that middle school crush. Friendship troubles. Lizzie went through it all.

Eventually, Hilary started making some music, and thus began the cash cow forumla. I am not ashamed to admit I owned her Christmas CD and was overjoyed to find it when I was packing up to move to a new home three years ago. There was of course, the lovely Lizzie McGuire movie and a few other cinematic features.

Overall, Duff has maintained a relatively pure social image and turned out well, unlike most child stars. Really the only "scandal" of her career was that she was allegedly dating Good Charlotte Singer Joel Madden. She was 16 and he was 25. Age ain't nothin' but a number?

And Baby Makes Three
Photo Credit: Hillary Duff's Twitter

After this, she began dating some hockey star in 2007. They later tied the know in 2010. Hilary gave birth to their first child this past March. Wait...a celebrity having a legitimate child....after she was married to someone...that she first dated for three years?! That's like unheard of. Good for you Hilary. You go Hillary.

Joel moved on and married Nicole Ritchie, and Hilary moved on to bigger and better projects. She's written two Young Adult Books. I was not aware of this until I started writing this post. I bet they're not bad. They have to be better than Snookie's book right? She has also been involved with various philanthropic organizations.

Despite a few side projects and small film appearances here and there, Hilary has maintained a pretty low profile. I must saw she's probably the classiest person I've featured here.

Any other classy people I should look into? Or perhaps some more scandalous ones? Let me know below!

Memory Mondays: Terrapin Blog Hopping

This picture has nothing to do with anything.
It's me dressed as a cow.
It's precious. 

One of my fellow classmates decided that a blog hop/questionare would be a good idea. You can find the original post on Ezra's blog. Hope you enjoy my answers. This isn't quite a flashback post, but I figured this would be the most appropriate day to include this.

1. Where are you right now? (You can answer literally, or you can stop giving boring answers to every question you’re asked, and think outside the box.)

I'm currently relaxing in my on campus dorm. And by relaxing I mean avoiding doing any actual work even though I spent most of the day in bed recovering from feeling under the weather. I'll spare you the gross details. I'll do my work later...I promise. 

2. What keeps you blogging? Your pride? Your mom? Wanting someone other than your cat to tell you that you’re awesome?

I have always enjoyed writing, so I see blogging as my public place to put my thoughts out there. It would be cool to make a career of it someday. I keep my more private thoughts in my moleskine notebook, but you're not allowed to see those. No one is allowed to see those. 

3. What blogs or bloggers do you look to for inspiration, ideas, or just to get the blog side of your brain turned on?

In order to find some inspiration for the Flashback Friday posts, I often check out this Tumblr. It's just images, but that usually sparks some sort of idea for me. 

4. What is your most Terp-like quality? Is you’re not a Terp, well, I’m sorry, but you should be. Go out and get Terpy. Then report back with your newly acquired Terp quality.

Oh gosh, I'm not sure. Like the actual terrapin? Or Testudo? I love Testudo, so I will go with him. He's spirited, and I've been described at that as well. 

Testudo Hard at Work
Photo Credit: Testudo Times

5. If you could pick any celebrity or politician to give your blog a shout out via Twitter, who would it be?

It would only be appropriate to pick some sort of 90's idol. Nine year old Courtney would have loved a shout out from Aaron Carter. Said shout out would be much better than what he's tweeting now. 

6. Congrats. Wallace Loh stumbled upon your blog and wants to host an all-night party to celebrate your genius. You get to pick the campus building and the two professors who will be in charge of DJ-ing and food/drinks. Go:

My home away from home at school is Tawes, I study there, work there, and wish I could just sleep there. It's a beautiful building and the recital hall would be perfect for this all-night rager. The DJs depend on their musical taste. I'm just going to saw any professor can bring a mix CD and it will be potluck style. I can't pick favorites. 

7. And finally, a serious question. What have you learned from blogging? Did you learn about writing? Did you learn about people? Did you learn how easy it is to get distracted on the internet? (But jk on the last one; you already knew that, of course.)

I have learned a lot about creating my own voice. I've heard some of you seriously read it in my actual voice. I guess that's cool...sorry for the annoying pitch of it. I've also learned a lot about my classmates. Check out their blogs on the blogroll if you haven't already. 

Flashback Fridays: Disney Sing-A-Long Songs

Welcome to yet another edition of Courtney's feeling lazy today. Hey, three posts a week requires more than you think. Anyways, one of my favorite childhood pastime besides playing barbies, wishing I was Belle, and eating Kraft Mac & Cheese was watching Disney Sing-A-Longs on VHS. Let's take a stroll down good ole memory lane and enjoy a few sing a long songs. Don't forget to follow the bouncing ball!

Everybody Wants to Be a Cat: The Aristocats  

Everybody wants to be a cat! Because a cat's the only cat who knoooows where it's at. 

I'll let the dangling preposition slide. It's such a catchy tune! 

Or should I say "cat"chy tune ahahaha bad puns. Ok. Sorry. 

Be Our Guest: Beauty & The Beast

My favorite show stopping number from my favorite Disney movie. Can't get any better than that. Try to resist the urge to sing a long. I dare you. Just try my little pretties. Just try...

Hakuna Matata: The Lion King

Kids these days keep saying YOLO as their personal motto. Please, Hakuna Matata is the way to go. It means no worries for the rest of your days! 

I'll Make a Man Out of You: Mulan

LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS. TO DEFEAT THE HUNS. Classic. This one doesn't have the words to sing a long, but let's be honest...you should already know them. 

I just couldn't bear to leave it out. 

Poor Unfortunate Souls: The Little Mermaid

Just like the Mulan one, an actual sing a long version didn't exist, but I had to include. The villains often have some of the best songs. I think this one is my personal favorite. 

I just think Ursula was cool. Flaunt it Ursula. Work it girl. 

"Where Are They Now?" Wednesdays Tia & Tamera Mowry

Sister Sister, never knew how much I missed ya. Now that you have that snazzy theme song stuck in your head, it's time for another captivating investigation of "where are they now?" Wednesdays! Tia and Tamera were real life twins who starred in the hit TV show Sister Sister. Yes, they were actually twins, none of that Lindsay Lohan playing two twins in The Parent Trap voodoo magic.

Sister Sister aired on ABC and later The WB from 1994-1999. I'll admit I didn't start watching the show until a few years after it was canceled once it began airing on The Disney Channel. The premise was that two twin girls, Tia & Tamera, were separated at birth and adopted by different single parents. One day, they're both shopping at the mall or something and they run into each other thus realizing that they had been living without each other for fourteen years. Awww. Cute. Yay. Various 90s sitcom shenanigans then ensue. Theme song time!!

Now, both girls have enjoyed moderate and separate success. They recently starred together in their own reality show on The Style Network. The show chronicled both Tamera's engagement and Tia's recent pregnancy. 

Separately, the two continue to act in various shows and movies:

Tamera Mowry most recently starred in a TV movie called Double Wedding. Just listen to this premise from IMdb: 

Two sisters, no love lives. Both end up dating the same man, and inviting him to meet the family on December 17th. He doesn't know there are two sisters or that he committed to two different dates on the same day. 

Oh wait...two sisters? That can only mean...Tia starred in it as well. Seems they'll never break out of that twin typecasting mold. Tamera did find solo success on the short lived ABC Family series Roommates. Tamera just announced TODAY that she's pregnant with her first child. Look at me breaking big news. Top notch journalism right here.

Tia & Tamera Today
I still don't know which is which
Photo Credit: CentricTv.com

Tia Mowry: Already entered the world of motherhood last year when she gave birth to her first child, Cree. Aside from starring in shows with her sister, Tia has found a long term success with the BET Television series The Game. It's apparently been on for five seasons. That's like forever in TV years.

You can follow both sisters on Twitter if you are so inclined to do so.

It seems these two are the most successful "Where Are They Now?" Installment yet. Who should I research next?

Memory Mondays: Children's Books

Little Courtney enjoying a story with Madeline

I've always been a reader for as long as I can remember. As a child, nothing made me more excited than the announcement that we were headed to the library. There I could find walls and walls of anything I wanted to read. I still find that same excitement today when I enter a quaint bookstore. I think this all stems from bedtime stories.

Bedtime stories are one of my favorite childhood memories. My parents understood the value of reading and instilled a love of it at an early age. I can recall snuggling into my sheets, grabbing my blankie and stuffed animal of choice, and settling down for a story. I even had a small little bookshelf in my room filled with all of my favorite childhood classics.

I'd like to take a moment to reminisce about a few of them:

1) Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom: Chicka chicka boooom booom....wiiilll there be enough room? This book was rather repetitive, but I liked it. The pictures were simple yet filled with vibrant bright colors. The whole color scheme was very late 80s early 90s. It also served educational purposes since it taught me the alphabet. Someone made a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom cake. I want one!

2) Madeline: "In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines...the smallest one was Madeline." I cherished my Madeline anthology. I was filled with all the Madeline stories and the classic illustrations. I think what I really liked about this book was that everything rhymed. It severed as a nice beginning for the future poet within me. It was really cool when that Madeline movie came out in 1998. I think we saw it opening weekend.

Big Courtney still enjoying Madeline

3) Angelina Ballerina: I began dancing at the age of 2 1/2. For my first dance recital, I received an Angelina Ballerina book. I obviously don't have a vivid memory of this, but with each new recital, my collection grew. The books were cute and fun, but they also taught some important lessons.  I had a lovely Angelina stuffed animal complete with tutu and all. I still have it actually. When it's spring cleaning time year after year, I simply refuse to part with it.

4) Harold and the Purple Crayon: This picture book tells the story of a little boy with a magic crayon who could draw things in order to make them come to life. For example, he draws a boat and then sails off on it. I desperately wanted this magic crayon. It could certainly come in handy. For example, I'm really tired right now; I could draw myself a pillow.

5) If You Give a Mouse a Cookie: This story serves as the perfect example of the slippery slope fallacy. Apparently, if you give a mouse a cookie, he will want to do a bunch of things like sweep the floor, color, and drink milk. Then, he will eventually want another cookie. Sorry if I just spoiled the book for you. I always thought the book was cute, and the pictures were nice. It apparently resulted in a few spin off series as well.

Now my tastes in literature have grown quite a bit, but my love of reading has remained constant. Unfortunately, as an English Major there's little time to read the books I want to read for pleasure. I now reserve my own personal reading for the summer time. Nothing beats packing a bunch of books for the beach and relaxing with them in the sun.

I was fortunate to add quite a few books to my collection this weekend at the Annapolis Book Festival. I must thank my fellow blogger, Ezra, for telling me about it. For $25, I could take a bag and fill it with as many used books as possible. I ended up walking out of there with 32 books! Quite a deal.

I think my former childhood self would be very proud that I now have a larger library and quite a few more bedtime story options.

May all your memories be meaningful,

Courtney

Flashback Fridays: Neopets

Photo Credit: SyntheticStar, 4Shared.com

Hi, I'm Courtney, and I was once a Neopet-holic. (Hiiiii Courtneyyyyy). OK so Neopets wasn't exactly "90s," but it was a big part of my childhood in the early 2000s, so you're just going to have to deal with that.

How do I even begin to describe Neopets? Neopets was (well is) an online community where children (and creepy adults?) could adopt a virtual pet, play games, collect NeoPoints, and have fun in a safe controlled environment. It was also incredibly addicting.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit how much time I spent on it between the ages of 8 and 10. Probably way more time than any kid should have spent in front of a computer, but everything was so pretty and fun! I mean I had to keep my Neopet alive right?! Actually...I don't think they die. They just get really hungry? I never fed mine. I probably shouldn't have kids one day. Um anyway...

There's so much to talk about regarding this website, but I think I will break it down into my 5 favorite things:

1. The Advent Calendar: Every December during the (politically correct) "Month of Celebrating," you could log on and receive a prize each day of the month! They ranged from various items of swagger for your Neopet to thousands of neopoints or a special avatar. It was daily dose of holiday cheer in the form of tiny pixels on a computer screen, and I loved it.

Advent Calendar!
Photo Credit: Rzmont, Photobucket.com

2. Scratch cards: Neopets had their own form of the lottery. Every few hours or so you could purchase a scratch card in order to win rare prizes or a jackpot!!1!1!!1!!!11! I enjoyed buying these with my hard earned neopoints. I probably bought about three a day. I might have had a gambling problem.

Why do you mock me Kiosky Wocky?!
Photo Credit: Neopets.com

3. The Wheels: Wheel Of Excitement, Wheel of Knowledge, Wheel of Mediocrity, Etc. Neopets also featured various wheels that you could spin in order to win rare prizes or a jackpot!!1!1!!1!!!11! I recall spending lots of time watching the wheel spin round and round in hope of winning a paintbrush but usually coming out with a mere 50 neopoints. Whatever. I might have had a gambling problem.

Wheel of Excitement! Look at all the pretty colors!
Photo Credit: Neopets.com

4. Poogle Races: Every 15 minutes Neopets would allow you pick one of 5 "poogles" (One of Neopets many made up pet breeds) and bet on whether or not they would win. The amount you won depended on how much you bet. I always picked Poogle number two. Yes, I had a favorite number to bet on. I might have had a gambling problem.

Run Poogles Run!
Photo Credit: TheDailyNeopets.com

5. Cheat: Neopets had a lot of different games you could play. Many were flash based adventure games or puzzles. I preferred the simple card game of cheat. I later found out it's based off of a card game called BS. Well actually it is BS but with a child friendly name. I was pretty skilled at calling the bluff of various computer characters. I might have had a gambling problem.

Bring it on Little Timmy the Tuskaninny
Photo Credit: Neopets.com

There you have it! Everything I loved on the internet in my later elementary school years. I am really not sure if this gave you an adequate overview of Neopets or an insight into my compulsive and addictive tendencies as a child. I think I just came to a sobering realization that I might have had a gambling problem. Well, at least I got it out of my system early.

I need to go buy a lottery ticket or something.

"Where Are They Now?" Wednesdays: Kenan and Kel

Whoooo loves orange soda? Kel loves orange soda! Back in the day, before all this TEENick stuff, we had Snick aka Saturday Night Nick. One of the more popular shows was called Kenan & Kel featuring Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. It basically followed the misadventures of these two pals.

Both Kenan and Kel found their start on another Snick classic, All That. The two became standout stars in  sketches like GoodBurger. They were such a hit that Nickelodeon gave them their own show, and even a GoodBurger movie! (Welcome to GoodBurger home of the GoodBurger. May I take your order?) I think the classic everyone remembers is Kel's song "I'm Dude."

Eventually the show ended along with the 90s and most of the Snick line-up. Since then, the pair split off and went their separate ways.

Kenan has been the more successful of the two. After a brief hiatus and work in minor roles, he regained some stardom when he played Fat Albert in the movie of the same name. Shortly thereafter, he became a cast member of SNL. I'd hardly call him a standout cast member on the show, but he does have some pretty good recurring characters. It's fun seeing him going back to his sketch comedy roots. It's like a flashback to those All That days. I can remember sitting in front of the TV staying up "late" on a Saturday night in order to watch the latest episode. Now my "bedtime" isn't an issue, but I'll admit I rarely make it past weekend update.

Where were we? Oh right. The other guy. Kel. Yeah...he hasn't had much success since then. He's been out of the limelight so long that people actually thought he was dead. Sort of rings a bell doesn't it? According to IMdB, he's still acting. However, I don't see any titles I recognize as I browse his filmography list. It's kind of embarrassing and sad.

I'd love to see a reunion of these two on SNL one day. What about you?

Memory Mondays: Musicals!

Little Courtney and Dad!
Beauty & The Beast: Precursor to my love of theatre

*insert cliche opening about musical theatre here* "There's no business like show business! Like no business I know. Nowhere can you get that happy feeling when you are stealing that extra bow."

 Ok now that I've gotten that out of my system, it's on with the show! Musical theatre has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up on the Disney VHS tapes filled with plenty of songs and splendor. That love of story through song quickly moved over to full musical theatre productions.

I really have to thank my dad for that. My Dad took me to my first "legit" touring production when I was six. Beauty and the Beast was in town at the now defunct Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore. However, I told my Art teacher, "I'm seeing a show on Broadway tonight." My little brain did not yet realize Broadway is a place, not a concept of live theatre. I remember dressing up in my finest attire and heading downtown for the big show.  We sat in our mezzanine seats, and from the moment that the curtain rose, I was hooked. My favorite movie came alive right before my eyes. It was way better than any 3-D movie re-release.

A few years later, I moved on from the disney corporation generated musicals to the more classic musicals of the "Golden Age." My first was The Music Man. I again can thank my Dad for that. I remember coming down the stairs one evening because I couldn't sleep. My Dad and StepMom had just begun to watch The Music Man. They allowed me to stay downstairs, and I was once again enamored with what I saw on screen: the sweet songs, the big dance numbers, and the beautiful love story. Shortly thereafter, The Music Man came into town, and we went and saw it. I was probably the only eight year old in the theatre.

My collection of Playbills!
The Music Man was the first one I saved

I believe my next musical obsession was the movie version of Chicago. My Dad told me about it, and I thought it sounded pretty cool. I mean come on, a murder plot, snazzy songs, and all that jazz? I probably shouldn't have seen it when I was only ten years old but whatever. I absolutely loved it, and I even begged my Dad to take me to see it again. When the soundtrack came out, I wore that CD into the ground. I could probably still recite every line for you.

That next summer my parents enrolled me in theatre camp. There I really found my love of the stage. I had been enrolled in dance classes since I was in diapers, but hadn't thought of acting. I completely credit my quick thinking abilities and wit to all the improv exercises I participated in at camp. Those were my favorites.

Big Courtney & Dad!
Still enjoying theatre :) 

After middle school summer camps, I did the high school productions. (Fittingly, my first performance was in The Music Man) I can dance, but I can't sing to save my life, so I often stayed in the chorus. However I always danced and reacted my heart out on that stage. I even saw the behind the scenes aspect as Assistant Director for Suessical my senior year. Even though I no longer participate in acting, I still appreciate good theatre.

I'm a big fan of the TKTS booth in NYC, and I love seeing National Tours at the Hippodrome. A part of me misses the feeling of being up on stage, both my dance recitals in the early 90s and my high school productions.

Just this past weekend, I once again felt that longing for it. My Dad took me to see a production of my all time favorite show, Into the Woods. (Side note: If you like Stephen Sondheim we can totally be best friends). It was beautifully done and well cast.

I hope to continue this appreciation for theatre through old age. I will be that frail, little, 80 year old woman rocking out to a local production of Hair. I'm all about supporting the arts.

I guess in order to wrap this up I should bring it back to the beginning. Thanks Dad for sparking my love of theatre! Sentimental moment: I know I'll always cherish it for the rest of my life.

May all your memories be meaningful,
Courtney

Flashback Fridays: Power Rangers!

Go Go Power Rangers!
I'd totally rock those boots.
Photo Credit: FanPop.com

I will preface this by saying if you didn't have a favorite Power Ranger, you were not a child of the 90s. But like really. Ok that may be a little harsh, but these six heros were a huge part of the 90s childhood culture. I can recall many afternoons running around the cul-de-sac imitating killer karate moves in an effort to save the world before dinner time.

I would always fight for my right to be the Pink Ranger. I mean come on, I had brown hair just like she did. Shouldn't that be evidence enough? Anyways, we'd traverse through back yards and around the houses fighting off those imaginary bad guys that of course only we could see.

I always wanted to be the Pink Ranger. I totally had a pink ranger barbie doll, pink ranger costume, and pink ranger morphing action figure. I may have been a little obsessed. We'll chalk up to be embracing my inner theatrical side. 

I don't recall much of the television show, but I do remember that the movie was pretty kick ass. Just watch this clip: 

All those special effects! All that action! All that spandex! 

 OK so yes the girls were given the typical pink and yellow colors, but can we step back and think about how these girls showed just as much power as the boys? They weren't the damsels in distress often found in superhero stories; they actually were a part of the super group. They switched it up though. I think in one of the later series/spin offs the blue ranger was a girl and the yellow ranger was a boy. Yay switching it up from typical "gender appropriate" colors. 

If you're currently wanting to fulfill your dream of becoming a Power Ranger, I found a website selling t-shirts. I still want to rock the Pink Ranger one. Now accepting donations... not really, but my birthday is in July. 

Who was your favorite Ranger? 

"Where Are They Now?" Wednesdays: Your Favorite Cartoon Characters

Alright so this is a bit of a deviation from my standard "Where are They Now?" Wednesday topics. I typically indulge in some hardcore investigative journalism and dig up juicy details on our favorite 90s has-beens. Actually I just spend a few minutes googling, but that did sound pretty legit.

However, this week, I am taking the fictional route. On College Humor, someone posted a few illustrations of what all of our favorite 90s/early 2000s cartoon characters would be up to if they were now in college like most of us.

The pictures were too funny to resist sharing. I'm not going to post all of them because you should totally go give the original artist some love on their site. (The images are split between two posts)  I'm just going to feature a few of my favorites.

All photos are credited to Patrick Merryman of College Humor

All your favorite brainiacs and trouble makers in the library

I'm a little surprised by Timmy Turner in this, but I guess if you spent your childhood with Fairly OddParents this is what happens

Anime Fight Club? I can't decide if I would pick Pikachu or Hello Kitty

Hit the nail right on the head with the "cool black friends" one.

I have to admit, it's odd seeing some characters from my youth in a completely different light. I feel like I've been (POW!) kicked right in the childhood.

What do you think of this "Cartoon University?" Any characters you would have liked to see that Patrick missed? 

Memory Mondays: My Favorite Picture

I didn't even know it existed until a few weeks ago. Allow me to explain. I am an only child, which means I am my parents' pride and joy. This has resulted in photo album after photo album after photo album filled with pictures from my childhood. All of these currently fill part of a bookshelf in my mother's home.

No one really looks at them, but I guess they're there for when we feel nostalgic.

 Or maybe my mom looks at them when I'm gone and cries over them or something like that. I'm not entirely sure. (I'm not heartless, I really do love her, promise).

However, I decided to take a look at a few of the albums in preparation for writing this blog. I then came across this gem:

Little Courtney & The Awful Apple Juice Hangover

According to my mother, she snapped this as I was recovering in bed from a fever. Yeah...apparently that's kodak moment material? Not entirely sure, but I just find this picture amusing. Maybe it's because it doesn't have that typical family photo album happy go lucky feel. You know what I'm talking about. The vacation pictures where everyone is all happy smiley or even better, those awkward family photos. This just seems more real.

If only sick days today were as easy as curling up with blankie, relaxing with my ninny (the pacifier), and putting a cold compress on my head. I have some pretty fond memories of sick days. Most were spent curled up in bed watching daytime television and cartoons. They always included kraft mac and cheese. Here in college, it requires a bit more of an effort and perhaps a few trips to the health center. Plus lots of worrying about all the work you're missing.

Do you have any favorite pictures from your childhood? Feel free to share!

May All Your Memories Be Meaningful,

Courtney

Flashback Fridays: Holiday Television

Photo Credit: Nick.com

I'm not Jewish, but I can still write about Passover, right? OK I've never celebrated passover, but I do know about it. How? Not from friends, distant relatives, or good ole Wikipedia, but rather, from some 90s Nickelodeon!

That's right! Rugrats once had a Passover themed episode. Looking back, that was rather progressive of them. I can easily recall at least ten different TV episodes from childhood that featured some Christmas theme, but rarely did anyone approach Jewish holidays as source material.

Some shows typically lampoon the commercialism of various holidays, but this episode takes an appropriate stance. It manages to keep the same charming humor of Rugrats all while explaining this Jewish tradition. The episode tells the story of Passover but with the Rugrats characters in place of the historical figures.  Sure it's a little abridged, but for a half hour episode it certainly covers it well.

So even if you're not celebrating this evening, I encourage you to check it out. As a part of it's 90s Are All That feature, Nickelodeon has put the full episode online. You can watch it here! Even if you don't celebrate it, brush up on your culture a bit and learn something.

However, I am left with one question. (English Major Critical Thinking Skills). If they all end up locked in this attic, then how did they ever get out?

Do you have any fond memories of holiday television? Feel free to share!

"Where Are They Now?" Wednesdays: S Club 7

I recently received a "where are they now?' request from one of my fellow ENGL488B bloggers, Briana. She wants to know what happened to S Club 7. I'll admit I have a very vague memory of them. 


Here's what I remember: 

• They were a pop band from the UK.
• They had an American TV show.
• There were seven of them. 
• There ain't no party like an S Club Party:

This is a lazy Wednesday. I feel like no one really knew them by their individual names, but rather, they thought of the group as a whole. Seriously, if you can look at the photo below and match the names with the people, you're far better at this than I am. Here's a list of what a few of them are up to:

Photo Credit: BritRish.com

• Tina went on to have a relatively unsuccessful solo career in the UK
• Paul went on to have an even less successful DJ career. No joke he, Jo, and Bradley tried to form 'S Club 3' in 2008. Really? Really...? 
• Jon has dabbled in film and C list reality star competitions. 
• Bradley only remained active in a few featured artist roles on other songs
• Jo apparently went the reality route as well and starred on the UK show "Celebrity" Big Brother 2008. 
• Hannah moves back and forth between television and live theatre 
• Rachel ended up with the most successful solo career. She apparently had a few solo #1s on the UK pop charts. 

 They band split in the early 2000s, but luckily for Brianna they're going on a reunion tour!  You just need to go to the UK to see it. After seeing what they've been up to, I'm not surprised they want to get back together. Seems the Spice Girls have been much better off than these kids. 

Memory Mondays: A Glimpse at Me Today

Oh Hey There! It's Me. 

Hello dear reader! (Totally channeling a bit of Charlotte Bronte here) This blog has been going on for a few weeks now, but I just realized that you really probably know very little about the me that's not stuck in the 90s. I'm sure you've gathered that I'm an English major who loves, writing, disney things, pop bands, and anything that was on Nickelodeon in the 90s. But let's get a little more personal. Not like let's donate your kidney to me personal, but more of that hey here's some more about me personal.

Let's start with the basics. Let's pretend we're in Ms. Comstock's second grade class, and I was just picked to be the Student of the Week. Now you get to sit on the rug criss cross apple sauce and listen to me talk about myself. Enjoy kiddos. 

My favorite colors are coral and yellow.
 My favorite movies include Clue, Casablanca, Singin' in the Rain, and Airplane! 
(If you like these movies or even know them, we should totally be best friends) 
My favorite TV show is Jeopardy! I also enjoy Arrested Development, The Daily Show, Saturday Night Live, and The Big Bang Theory. Basically, I like anything that will make me laugh. Yes, even Jeopardy makes me laugh...have you heard some of the "cool stories" people tell on there? 

English Major PSA
Always use Oxford Commas
Photo Credit: The Gloss.com

Wait where were we? Oh right. Time for some random facts!  


I like books, broadway musicals, and oxford commas.


I am a picky eater.


If bargain hunting were an olympic sport, I would win a gold medal.


I guess I should use this spot to go a little deeper. I am really not sure what to say, so I totally Googled "What to say when you're talking about yourself." Mainly things for job interviews came up. I guess I'll follow this one. 




1. Tell Them Who You Are

Oh look you get a bonus picture of me.
It must be your lucky day or something?
Or unlucky..
Self-Deprecating Humor. Yay.

Hi. I'm Courtney, but you should already know that. The example said I should add something exrta along the lines of "I am an extreme sports enthusiast who jumps out of airplanes and learned to fly them" I'm not, but that sounds cool, so let's go with that. 


2. Tell Them What You're Good At
I am good at doing what I like to call "English-y things." People tell me I write well, and when I'm not in one of those self-deprecating moods, I like to believe them. I mean, if you're reading this far, I must be doing something right. 


3. Provide a Call to Action
This is where I would tell you to hire me if we were at an interview. We're not, so I won't. But I will tell you to keep reading my blog, and please feel free to tell me a little bit about yourself in the comments! 


May All Your Memories Be Meaningful,
Courtney