08.31.2010
I found this posted on my FB account today (thank you! – you know who you are.) It’s a beautiful vignette of moms and what they would tell themselves before they had their first child. One of the mom’s cards made me cry…and it’s not the one about the boy being sick…
08.30.2010
I read a story about a guy who shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and 2 other people at a birthday party and then later killed himself. The ex-girlfriend and he had two children together who are both, I believe, under the age of 5. Now they have neither parent and have to live with the fact that one parent killed the other.
I understand that life happens. I understand that there are situations that are out of my and our control. I understand that this isn’t the first nor the last time such a tragedy will occur.
But the selfishness that adults have (grounded in insecurity) can wreak such havoc and my heart aches for those kids and their families…
08.29.2010
Some brain exercises:
The following are the 3 albums I used to listen to all the time when I was a kid. I wasn’t allowed to watch TV and for the first 7 years of my life, I couldn’t even sneak-a-peek of TV because we didn’t even own one. So, I’d listen to these albums to pass the time away and get lost within the realms of my own imagination and dream…dream….dream of one day creating such worlds myself…
08.27.2010
I was at Ross and while standing in line I noticed a mother with her teenaged daughter and another child of about three in a stroller. I would normally make no comment on someone’s race, religion or ethnicity, etc, as I believe such information is unnecessary, but for my particular story it is.
Judging by the head scarves that both mother and daughter wore, I’m guessing that they were Muslim. (I acknowledge that I could be wrong but for the sake of my story, let’s say they were.)
I admit that, like most Americans, I know very little about this religion or its customs. And even though what I saw happened could’ve occurred to anyone, it’s the daughter’s attitude that struck a chord with me.
There were two things I saw. First, when the family was called to the register, the teenaged daughter went ahead of her mother who was having trouble carrying clothes in one hand and pushing the stroller with the other. When the mother dropped a pair of shoes, she yelled out to her daughter (in their native language) who turned around, with an attitude, and said what I imagined to be something along the lines of, “What?” or “How is that my problem?”
The mother said something to make her daughter walk back while at the same time kicking the pair of shoes at her. I was shocked. She was holding one other thing in her hand and I couldn’t understand why she didn’t just bend down to pick them up. Why did she kick the shoes at her daughter?
Once at the register, I observed the daughter giving total attitude to her mom. You know, the typical teenaged attitude that expresses you so totally and seriously don’t want to be seen with your mom because she’s so lame and doesn’t know anything.
This made me think about cultural differences. Does this kind of an attitude among teens exist in the Muslim world? What I do know about them is that they’re deeply religious and very tight with their families. Was this girl’s attitude a result of living in the States?
I’m sure this behavior is blamed on the Americanization of their culture…but is that really true? Yes, we value materialism. Yes, we value money. Yes, we value fame and power. But I wonder if teens act in the same way regardless of their family history and regardless of what part of the world they live in. Or is the “typical teen” as we know it purely a product of American consumerism?
08.26.2010
While at the fabric store yesterday, I watched a mother with her daughter (of about 8 or 9) get fabric cut for them for what looked like a costume. I can’t imagine it’d be for Halloween already but, hell, Christmas decorations have been out in some stores since last month, so why not?
As I observed the mother gently and playfully speak with her daughter about making the costume, it made me, for that moment in time, want to have a daughter too. There’s no way I’d be able to make a costume for her like my mom used to make for us or like what that mother was describing, but I can pretend.
It wasn’t that that she made parenting out to look like it was just good times. But her daughter was old enough with whom she could have a conversation and make plans, and do things together. And I wanted that kind of a moment too. But such moments come with a large trade-off and it’s that particular trade-off that complicates things for me.
08.25.2010
Two scientists, Dr. James L. Sherley and Theresa Deisher, may win their case against the Department of Health and Human Services because they are morally opposed to stem cell research. It is because of them that there is a current injunction on federal funding for research involving human embryonic stem cells.[1]
What about being morally opposed to scientists creating the atomic bomb that killed thousands of Japanese? Or bombs that kill Iraqi civilians? Or Afghanis?
What about being morally opposed to scientists creating methods to alter cells genetically so that we can engineer an ideal baby?
What about being morally opposed to the hunger of thousands of children already born and living in our own backyard? Or being morally opposed to thousands of children already born who die from neglect and physical abuse at the hands of their supposed caretakers?
My father-in-law has Parkinson’s disease. Stem cell research is one of the biggest hopes we have in finding a cure not just for that disease but also for MS and Huntington’s disease, among others. Is the plan to privatize this research? If so, who's paying for it? We're all going to end up paying for it in some other way; higher health care costs, anyone?
It’s so frustrating to me how much people are willing to fight (and kill) for the possibility of someone else's baby or just for the mere idea of a baby and yet, look away so easily at the death, destruction, and neglect that goes on around us on a daily basis. They may give a voice to the “unborn” but what about those children who already walk, already talk, and already feel? What about those children who already understand from the actions of adults around them that they are not wanted? What about those children…?
[1] Maugh II, Thomas H. “The Pair Behind the Stem Cell Suit,” Los Angeles Times, Wednesday, August 25, 2010, A10 and Kaplan, Karen, “Scientists Rush to Use or Redirect Stem Cell Funds,” Los Angeles, Times, Wednesday, August 25, 2010, A10.
08.24.2010
I have yet to see this movie myself (it’s on my list of things to do) but if you’re looking for a good indie movie, I highly encourage The Kids Are All Right. It stars one of my all-time favorite actresses, Julianne Moore and the amazing Annette Bening as a gay couple who have children by the same sperm donor. When the kids become teens they want to know who is their biological father and the movie tracks what they find and what happens to their family.
08.23.2010
I will eventually write a rant about our education system especially in light of the heavy coverage by the Los Angeles Times; however, I haven’t been able to contain my anger and frustration enough to be able to put everything into words and to make it a manageable read.
But until I can sit down and accomplish that, please watch the following trailer and seriously consider going to see this movie when it comes out. Whether or not you have a child, you owe it to yourself to know and understand the dire straits that America is in. Our future depends on our ability to invest in it.[1]
[1] Waiting for “Superman” official website: http://www.waitingforsuperman.com/
08.22.2010
I’m so angry about this that I don’t even know where to begin. A Los Angeles Times article on Sunday, August 15, 2010 reported on a rare genitalia disorder with which some children are born and how the proposed treatment has raised great concern for the gay community.
A prenatal pill is now available that can prevent “adrenal hyperplasia.” This condition affect 1:15,000 babies and almost all newborns are screened for it. What is it, you ask? A child is born with ambiguous genitalia. This is not an issue of being a hermaphrodite. Heavy accumulation of male hormones has collected within the body that the genitals are so masculinized that it’s difficult to determine the baby’s gender. It affects both boys and girls but, obviously, it’s more problematic for girls. Proponents for this pill argue that it will make sure that the girl will not “become” a lesbian.
The pill does nothing to treat or cure the condition once it happens in utero but the controversy behind it is the way it’s being marketed, as if being gay is a disease that can be fixed.
This pill hasn’t been researched enough on humans and on the tests in animals the risks have included: increased risk of high blood pressure, changes in glucose metabolism (what monitors your inter-conversion of carbs), changes in brain structure and brain function that lead to memory problems.
What appalls me is the wish to manipulate cells because they are a part of what will become a human who might be gay. Or let’s consider the argument that a human life starts at conception. This pill alters normal development risking this life so that, as believed by many, he/she won’t choose being gay one day.
Interestingly, most of the 143 girls tracked in a 2008 study who weren’t treated for the condition prenatally were found to be heterosexual. And of this 143, more women considered themselves bisexual or homosexual than in a control group.
Why is there so much need to control and manipulate someone’s life? And now this issue is affecting those before they are even born… If there is a God and this God creates a child in a certain way, why do we reject him/her because he/she is not OUR ideal? Does not God say to love, to respect and to accept each other because each of us is a part of Him? And if we are all a part of Him but we seek to manipulate cells and control a particular outcome of someone’s life because the lifestyle is unacceptable to us, aren’t we then rejecting God?
08.21.2010
A Los Angeles Times article from Wednesday, August 18, 2010, reports a story that finds today’s teens are losing their hearing at an alarming rate. About 20% of today’s teens have at least a slight hearing loss and over the last 15 years, this has increased 30%. The percentage of those with mild or worse hearing loss over the same time period has gone up 77%.
Some interesting facts:
1. In English, the letters “s,” “f,” “th,” and “sh” are soft-frequency sounds that are important sounds in our language but are the first ones to go when hearing loss occurs (meaning you won't hear them).
2. Factors such as genetics, certain medications, head trauma, extremely loud noises or already preexisting conditions of hearing loss can all contribute to a deeper loss.
3. Children with light blue eyes are more likely to have hearing loss than those with other eye colors.
4. If parents have hearing loss, they’re less likely to get a better job increasing chances of their kid(s) living in poverty. Also, poor people are more likely to not get ear infections treated which can damage hearing.
5. Once damage is done, it’s irreversible. Turn down the volume on iPods and mp3 players. Protect your ears at concerts or other places where you’ll experience loud noise for extended periods of time.
As the Jamba Juice slogan says: Your body is your temple. Cherish it.
08.20.2010
My cold won’t go away. I thought it did, but it’s a sly one. Now, it’s in my sinus cavity. And because I always try alternative treatments first, I search “alternative sinus treatments” and find five suggestions:
1) A homemade saline solution to use with a nasal aspirator (is this what I think it is?)
2) Drink chamomile and peppermint tea (check, already do that)
3) Inhale steam (fabulous, I can work on my pores too)
4) Eat a lot of garlic; it’s a natural antibiotic (no problem)
5) Take Echinacea (double the no problem)
My biggest fear is the nasal aspirator. I go to Rite Aid and find it in the newborn section. I’m thrilled to pieces that the very first baby product that I purchase for the house is something I need to put up my nose. Thanks, cold.
I then get to the steam. Wow, I forgot how awesome this is. Of course, one should remember that inserting your face into a pot of steam could burn your face off.
After 9 minutes of inhaling steam, I look in the mirror and relish the sexiness that is reflected back. Boy, am I glad Rob isn’t home. Yes, he loves me whatever the look but I am now a firm believer that some looks should be just between the mirror and me.
Then, the thought crosses my mind: baby. I cringe.
See, Rob and I often debate alternative treatments vs. western treatments. I recognize that had our child had my cold, I don’t know how acceptable it would be to feed him/her garlic and have him/her inhale steam. (Can you even feed a baby/young child garlic?)
I already know that this is going to be a dicey issue should we have a kid. And because it’s so explosive, I think we both avoid talking about it when discussing kids. At least, I know that I do.
But when the occasion comes to finally discuss our positions, I know that I’ll need to come prepared. Any good wine recommendations? I tend to like an oak-y chardonnay or merlot.
08.19.2010
I’m sure this post will offend moms. But oh well. Sorry. Sort of.
I hate those double-wide strollers. You know, the ones that take up ½ the sidewalk and are pushed by moms in overpriced jogging gear except that they’re actually walking because they’re on their cell phone and clueless that their sheep dog has pooped a mountain that they won’t clean up? Yes. Those strollers. I hate them. When I see one coming toward me, I hear the theme song to Jaws.
I don’t have a solution for this nuisance except that maybe if you’re going to insist on having two kids under the “I-can’t-walk-more-than-one-block” age, then at least get the 2-seater where one sits behind the other. In fact, I don't know why more parents don't use that kind of stroller; I see so few of them.
I don’t understand if children’s equipment designers can come up with seats that include mp3 players or strollers that can fold up to the size of a quarter, why can’t they come up with a double seater that’s comfortable and sleek but won’t need a sign that says, “Sidewalk closed. Use other side?” It’s annoying.
08.18.2010
While getting some work done yesterday afternoon, I heard a huge ruckus coming from the balcony of one of the apartments on the second floor. And by ruckus I mean stuff being thrown and slammed up against the wall. Then, the screen door got pulled open and slammed shut. The 7-8-year old boy who lives there kept yelling something about “not taking it.” I’ve been privy to this kid’s temper tantrums before but, this time, it was by far the most dramatic.
I could hear his single-mom’s voice react very calmly and soon, after one denial too many, he got sent to his room. After about 10 minutes of hearing nothing, I suddenly heard him shriek and then silence. I don’t know what happened or why but it’s enough to know this kid’s got issues. And he’s only seven.
And this fact isn’t news. The family moved in earlier this year and within days we had trouble with him. I started to notice different toys (some broken), pieces of pottery and an iPod shuffle tossed on our patio. I confronted his mom who, of course, denied recognizing the toys and claimed that her son (and daughter) wouldn’t toss stuff off their balcony. When I presented her with the pottery, she immediately recognized it as a project her son had done the year before. Interestingly, her focus was on how much she liked it and now it was broken. When I showed her the iPod shuffle she insisted that it wasn’t theirs. I later found out that it belonged to another neighbor’s daughter having gone missing after the boy came over to play.
My heart goes out to the mom only so far. I was raised with a single parent; I’m well aware of what kind of an environment those kids are in. But her son has problems and she won’t deal with it.
I saw two cops leaving our building not too long after his outburst and maybe they will serve as a wake-up call. I don’t know for sure if they went to her apartment but… The shrieking was gruesome.
I wish parents would listen to their kids. They might be little but they are humans who are very capable of feeling happiness, loneliness, and fear. Too many parents forget that.
08.17.2010
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about how unfair our world is, which is, I know, not breaking news. But the thing that goes over in my mind like a broken record is how unfairly women get treated and judged. There are men who look at women as objects. There are men who look at women as weaklings. There are men who have no respect for their talents and strengths.
This led me to think about the future. My future. If we had a child, what would I say to her about encountering men who dismiss her just because she’s female? Or, if the child’s a boy, what would I tell him about accepting women as individuals just like we accept him?
With these questions in mind, I sat down and wrote two letters.
Dear Daughter,
In this world, you will experience a lot of magic, mystery, and play as well as pain, suffering, and judgment. I won’t always be there when you experience these and I won’t always have the answers. But I hope for one thing: that by the time you’re my age, you will easily shrug off any feelings of inadequacy that a man may try to make you feel. You might feel weak at times and you might have moments when their words will seem to be truer than what’s in your heart. But remember what Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” These men, and anyone else who tries to keep you down, will do everything in their power to make sure you’re kept down. Use the wings of your imagination and don’t be afraid because believing in yourself is the greatest weapon a person can ever behold.
To My Son,
I wish for you to know your strengths and capabilities so that you can achieve whatever your imagination conjures up and whatever your heart desires.
I also hope that you understand compassion, love, and acceptance. I hope that when you look at a woman you see a person and accept her inner beauty, her unconditional love, and…her flaws. I hope that when a man belittles a woman you will stand up for her even if it means you’re the only one who’s standing. I hope you see that this strategy of judgment that so many men use in order to feel empowered actually makes them weak. I hope you know that you are better than that.
These convictions will be appreciated and even sought after. Believing in the right thing makes your heart feel full and this is the second greatest weapon a person can ever behold. The first is believing in yourself.
08.16.2010
Inspired by several true stories…
She was 23 and tired of boys. She wanted a man and made sure to waste no time in getting one but soon grew anxious. Of all her friends, she was the first to kiss a boy and the first to have sex. So, naturally, she thought she’d be the first to get married but with her two best friends’ weddings over she couldn’t understand what Sam was waiting for. She broke up with him and ignored his calls for two weeks until he draped a banner over the 210 Freeway asking her to marry him. Finally she’d get her Madeleine Lee dress!
One year of marriage and the daily routine was wearing thin. Sam worked a lot and her friends were busy being pregnant. “That’s it!” she realized. “I need a baby.”
Getting showered with attention from family, friends and co-workers was exactly what she wanted. She especially liked getting comments about how good she looked. She’d be damned if the baby took her looks.
She was told that the minute she held her baby for the first time that she’d fall in love. Three years later, she was still waiting for that feeling to kick in. “Maybe,” she thought to herself, “The second one would win her over.”
As the second baby screamed its head off in the other room, she found solace in her second glass of wine. Usually she waited until 5 pm but today was a hard day. Not being able to lose the baby weight made trying on clothes a nightmare. And the baby’s cries echoing throughout their big house hurt her ears. Maybe she’d insist on a bigger house; one where she could hide from the tears. Sam would do it. He’d do anything she wanted which is why she loved him. “Yes, a bigger house and a third baby,” she told herself while opening up another bottle of wine. “Third time’s the charm, right?” It had to be.
08.15.2010
I came across and article on Yahoo! last week about how girls are hitting puberty earlier than ever before.[1] Some girls are getting their periods as early as 6 or 7 years old. Ladies, imagine that! This bit of information, however, isn’t news to me.
I first heard this about 15 years ago when a friend was taking a health class at CSUN. This friend said that there was overwhelming evidence that a contributing factor to this was all the artificial foods, hormones, and preservatives that were being consumed by children all of which, also, contribute to obesity; the focus of the Yahoo! article.
In 1998, I got a job at Wild Oats and the information that I would gather just by working there coupled with my mom’s recovery from breast cancer in 1995, started opening up my eyes to the possibilities that all of this junk that we consume could actually be detrimental.
I gave up eating fast food in 2000 with only 2 slip-ups since then, the last one being 2004. And I don’t miss it all especially after seeing the documentary Super Size Me.
It scares me that all these girls are being affected and, interestingly enough, the majority of the girls that are entering puberty early aren’t Caucasian. They are African American.
The obesity crisis in our country is, I believe, our own fault. I know that fast food is convenient for parents. I know that fast food is cheap for the family on a budget. I know that fast food joints create a fun environment and experience for kids.
But I’m going to ask a question that was posed to Rob by a friend of mine when he was complaining about the prices at Whole Foods: Would you rather spend a little more now knowing that your food is clean or spend more money later on your healthcare because you didn’t take care of yourself now?
One of the most important lessons, I feel, that one could teach their child is how to invest in their future by making the right food choices now.
Top 10 Children’s Toys 1990-2000:[1]
1. Pogs – Originating in Hawai’i in the 1920s it didn’t make its way to the North America until the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. They consist of small cardboard discs with printing, artwork or pictures on one side with a larger, heavier disc called a slammer to play the game. Each player drops the same amount of pogs into a stack and uses the slammer to knock as many pogs off as they can. The one with the most pogs was the winner.
2. Tickle Me Elmo – In 1996, it was Rosie O’ Donnell’s show who propelled this toy to famedom. Tyco Toys gave her 200 of these and Rosie used the toy as a gag throwing one of them to the audience every time a guest used the word of the day. This created such frenzy that children and parents began to demand one quickly outnumbering the supply. People were going on EBay and charging exorbitant amounts of money and people actually paid thousands for one.
3. Furby – Created by David Hampton and Caleb Chung, the talking doll hit the markets in 1998. These toys could be taught words and phrases, were required to be fed and slept regularly. They originally sold for $35 but demand for them drove the price up as high as $100.
4. Super Soaker – Originally created in 1982, engineer and creator Lonnie Johnson experienced a series of setbacks before perfecting his model. It hit the shelves in 1990.
5. Beanie Babies – Invented by Ty Warner in 1993, what put these toys on the map is his idea in 1996 to retire the first eleven babies. They instantly became a collector’s item.
6. Game Boy – This game first came out in Japan in 1989 but it didn’t hit American markets until 1991. It holds the award for being the most successful video game system in history. Since its debut, it has grown with advanced models coming out in 2001 and 2003.
7. Buzz Lightyear – Here’s another story similar to what happened to George Lucas with Star Wars. No major toy company believed that the toys in Toy Story would sell as actual toys for children. But soon, they were proven wrong and the small toy company, Thinkway Toys, couldn’t keep up with the demand. The most popular action figure was Buzz Lightyear.
8. Power Rangers – The 1975 Japanese TV show Dinosaur Task Force Zyuranger eventually became The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in 1993 (in Japan). When its popularity began to fade, Saban Entertainment decided to alter its marketing strategy and sell the show with toys. The new Power Rangers with action figures emerged in 1996.
9. Tamagotchi – Aki Marita created this virtual pet that she could have as a companion. This toy created an entirely new toy category.
10. Pokemon – This was originally a game for Game Boy in 1998 although Nintendo released it in Japan in 1996. As a result of its success, a TV series and trading cards were created and when released in the US, it was paired with an animated TV series. In 1999, a movie was released.
Top 10 Children’s Toys 1980-1990:[1]
1. Cabbage Patch Kids – These dolls hit the shelves in 1983 and even though 3 million of them were made, they sold out. Originally created by Xavier Roberts in 1977 who designed them to put himself through college. In 1982, Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. produced the dolls for a wider market and the following year they made their debut.
2. Trivial Pursuit – Canadians Chris Haney and Scott Abbott developed this game over a conversation they were having about some missing pieces to their Scrabble game. Soon partnering with two friends, it took several years before it took off. In 1983, licensing was given to the US manufacturer, Selchow and Righter, who successfully marketed the game.
3. My Little Pony – Invented by Bonnie Zacherle, Charles Muenchinger and Steven D’Aguanno it was produced by Hasbro and debuted in 1982.
4. Koosh Balls – I totally remember these. Ha! Born from an idea that engineer, Scott Stillinger, had by tying rubber bands together to make a ball, the Koosh Ball is made from approximately two thousand rubber filaments tied around the core. Its name comes from the sound the ball makes when it lands.
5. Transformers – Although I remember these, ask any boy who grew up in the ‘80s if he had one and he’ll give you a “Hells yeah” look. Hasbro released these toys in 1984 with a story line coupled with a television series, a movie and comic books. Cross promotion at its best!
6. Pictionary –Another huge hit for Hasbro released in 1987. It was so popular that a TV game show was developed in the ‘90s based on it.
7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Boy I found these annoying. But I’m a girl. Back in 1983, friends Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird were goofing off with cartoon sketches when Kevin drew a turtle with nunchuks strapped to his arm. Peter then said, “Why not a teenage mutant ninja turtle?” They both liked the idea so much they developed a comic book that they self-published. As a joke, they took out an ad in the Comics Buyer’s Guide and were surprised when distributors made serious bids and calls. They called themselves Mirage Studios and sent a press kit to the Associated Press. The attention skyrocketed their popularity and three thousand issues of their comic sold out fast. They were connected to Playmate Toys who agreed to distribute action figures only if a TV deal was secured. In 1987, a mini-series was created and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had become an empire.
8. Chia Pet – I can still see the commercial. Animal figures that grow “fur” originally come from the south of the border but Joseph Enterprises Inc. trademarked the name and marketed them. The first Chia Pet was a ram and came out in 1982.
9. JENGA – Brought to the US by Milton Bradley, the word is Swahili for “to build.” Leslie Scott, an Oxford University student, developed the game in the early ‘70s but it wasn’t until the mid-late ‘70s that her friends convinced her to sell it. American Robert Grebler imported the game to the US and Canada and in 1985, creating a JENGA fund-raising tournament for the Heart Foundation, it came to the attention of Milton Bradley who bought the rights.
10. All Terrain Armored Transport (Star Wars Walker) – This is considered to be the most expensive toy ever in 1980. It is a fictional vehicle that made its debut in Empire Strikes Back.
08.12.2010
I’m taking a break from “history week” because I had an incident occur this morning that made me think of my post from last week re: signs.
Rob and I have two cats, three years apart. All pet owners, like parents about their kids, think that their pet is the most awesome, the most adorable, and all-around best pet in the world. I’m no different.
This week I’m sick and am desperately trying to get better because I have fun things planned for this weekend and I don’t want to cancel anything, although it’s not looking so good. On top of feeling crappy, my general emotional bar is very low. And a contributing factor to my current malaise is that not only am I not exercising but also I’m not doing my stretches for my back. So this morning, I told myself that after I fed the cats, no matter how hungry I was, I was going to do my stretches. Then immediately after I made that promise to myself, the negotiations kicked in. But I persevered.
I laid out my yoga mat and had my balance ball and other equipment all ready to go. Nothing was going to derail me. Both cats, bellies full, joined me in my room with the older one settling in on a blanket and the younger one on the windowsill. I got through my first stretch when all of the sudden I heard coughing sounds. I turned to look and found that the younger cat had thrown up all over the windowsill and it was slowly making its way down the wall.
“Really?” I said to myself. After all it took to get set up for my stretches and now I have to clean up cat vomit? And why do they always choose the carpeted areas?
As I cleaned up the mess, resigned to the moment, I couldn’t help but think how this just shows how I’m ready to have kids. I’m not saying that I’m jumping for joy and want to get pregnant now, but if we go that route, I’m ready. Kids are messy and they will turn your schedule upside down just like my awesome, adorable and all-around best cat in the world.
After cleaning it all up, I went back to my stretches and I completed them all. And now, as I sit writing this, both cats are in the room with my barfy one snuggled up on my lap.
There are people who don’t understand why I (we) have pets. They say they’re so much work and all you do is clean up after them. Yes, but these same people don’t see the other side: all the joy, the laughter, and the love that they bring. I wouldn’t trade that kind of enrichment for anything in the world.
I guess that same sentiment can be said about kids.
“Really?” asks the skeptic in me.
“Really.”
Top 10 Children’s Toys 1970-1980:[1]
1. Atari VCS 2600 – Founded in 1972, Atari, Inc. paved the way for the gaming industry future. Nolan Bushnell sold Atari, Inc. to Warner Brothers and when the Atari VCS 2600 was released in 1977 it sold for $199. But in 1982 with the release of Nintendo, Atari’s sales plummeted. Today people search garage sales, thrift stores and flea markets for this very system and its cartridges.
2. UNO – In 1971, an Ohio barbershop owner, Merle Robbins, created the card game and eventually a fan bought the rights. The new owner formed International Games Inc. making millions off the game. In 1992, International Games became a part of Mattel.
3. Rubik’s Cube – In 1974, Erno Rubik was a lecturer at the Department of Interior Design at the Academy of Applied Arts and Crafts in Budapest, Hungary, and created a cube to help demonstrate his idea that simple things could be duplicated and manipulated into many forms. Word of mouth spread about the Cube and, in 1978, the Ideal Toy Corporation went to Hungary to see the toy in play. One million were immediately ordered and its popularity spread throughout the world helping define the ‘80s.
4. SIMON – I loved, loved, loved this game. Created by Howard Morrison and Ralph Baer, it was the first of its kind. The game has a microcomputer inside controlling the game and keeping it competitive.
5. Dungeons and Dragons – Invented by Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax and has grossed a ton of money for its fantasy and adventure toys and games.
6. Hungry Hungry Hippos – Oh another favorite of mine! Created in 1978 by Milton Bradley and was designed and marketed specifically for smaller children.
7. Connect Four – I was definitely a child growing up in the 80s; another fave! Created in 1974 by Milton Bradley and in order to win, you had to rely on strategy.
8. Star Wars Action Figures – I love the story behind the movie Star Wars and even though I haven’t heard any good rumors about George Lucas, I have to respect his mindset when he was making the movie back in the ‘70s because he had every single odd against him including natural disasters and a studio that wanted to shut him down. When the movie did come out, everyone was blindsided by its popularity and Kenner Toys had sole rights to the toys but they had no toys made because, like everyone else, they thought the movie would flop. That X-mas, they realized they wouldn’t have the action figures made in time so they invented a marketing strategy where they’d sell an empty box to children with, basically, an IOU. In 1977, kids received an Early Bird Certificate Package for X-mas and months later received their action figure. Try doing that today.
Original packaging. These puppies goes for hundreds of dollars now.
Originals unpackaged.
9. Magna Doodle – Invented in 1974 and is a magnetic drawing toy with a drawing board, pen, and magnetic shapes.
10. NERF Balls – Originally created to be used as an indoor volleyball game, in 1970 Parker Brothers decided to nix that concept and market the NERF as “The World’s First Official Indoor Ball” and was released as such in 1972.
