Am I Vintage?
The word vintage means “of age.” Most antique dealers consider an item vintage if it is at least 40 years old — some a bit older. Still, sometimes, when working with today’s teens, I am sure I am just that — vintage.
Who are the Beatles?
Does anyone know the name, John Lennon?
Has anyone in the class heard of Woodstock?
What does the term Kent State refer to?
What is a landline?
Yes, air conditioners used to be in windows.
What is vinyl or an album?
Yes, AM and FM refer to radio technology.
OMG yes, we stood inside a box to speak on a telephone.
Yes, it was ten cents to make a call, and we placed the money inside the phone itself. Insta, Snap, Twitter X — no, we spoke to each other.
A Taxi is similar to an Uber or Lift, and yes, they were mostly yellow.
No, we never paid for “designer” dogs- they were called “mutts” and we rescued them or helped other families out when needed.
No, I did not live with horses on dirt streets Yes, cars were NOT electric.
Yes, people lived in houses or apartments, not townhomes and condos with huge HOA fees. We were proud to take care of our property and many could afford to do so.
No, I could not “speak” into my watch. That was only on TV.
Yes, I had a color TV, it had 10 channels total.
A “stoop” is a reference to the steps outside where people gathered and talked. Yes, people used to talk to each other face-to-face.
Judgments, gangs, sure society has always had that, but we were never afraid to step into churches, places of worship, or any of our schools.
Politics- sure there have always been differences. Indictments and criminal charges- not in any memory of my life. A former president inciting riots- no. Lying- yes, surely people lie.
Climate change- yes it has been an ongoing environmental issue forever. However, the difference is we have the technology to realize our errors. Will it change even with our recognition and action? I honestly do not know.
Prices- yes quite different. My parents bought a 5-bedroom home with an acre in NJ for 25k — now it is 750k. No, I am not rich- I was impulsive and sold it long ago. Bread- I would pay about a dollar- cereal maybe a bit more- NEVER 4 or 5 dollars.
Incomes were different, change is inevitable.
They asked, I answered.
Now I see,
maybe I am vintage too.
Everything changes- it is the law of Nature.
It is the Law of Our Intrinsic Existence.
As Bob Dylan said guys- “Everything passes, Everything changes, Just do what you think you should do”.
Love, Brooklyn…
Buy me a coffee- I love coffee. Thanks.