Does SDN make you feel really old sometimes?

[Haemulon]

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After months of reading and responding to posts about whether or not someone can bring Mom and Dad with them on their interview day or how bad it might be to have to do your own laundry and pay for one's own rent, I have really started to feel out of touch with the typical med school applicant. I am sympathetic of course, I had all of those same concerns at that age too, but being out in the real world for so long now and having my own family its almost funny to think of having to do the "becoming a grown up" thing at the same time as starting a medical career. For all the drawbacks that come with being a non-trad, at least thats one thing we don't have to worry about. Then again, those years were really some of the best of my life in terms of freedom from responsibility and sharing experiencs with friends and just enjoying life, so I am envious somewhat as well. I love the diversity here on SDN.

 

[Pemberley]

My personal favorite: being advised that this'll be my last free summer ever, I should cherish it, life will never be the same again... yeah, that was a while ago for me. 😛

I wouldn't trade a single year of my pre-medical-school career for anything. But goodness, I wouldn't have wanted my parents holding my hand at interviews when I was 21! or even 18, for that matter. I've noticed the occasional apron string around here that needs some serious bolt cutters applied to it.

After months of reading and responding to posts about whether or not someone can bring Mom and Dad with them on their interview day or how bad it might be to have to do your own laundry and pay for one's own rent, I have really started to feel out of touch with the typical med school applicant. I am sympathetic of course, I had all of those same concerns at that age too, but being out in the real world for so long now and having my own family its almost funny to think of having to do the "becoming a grown up" thing at the same time as starting a medical career. For all the drawbacks that come with being a non-trad, at least thats one thing we don't have to worry about. Then again, those years were really some of the best of my life in terms of freedom from responsibility and sharing experiencs with friends and just enjoying life, so I am envious somewhat as well. I love the diversity here on SDN.

 

[IceMan0824]

After months of reading and responding to posts about whether or not someone can bring Mom and Dad with them on their interview day or how bad it might be to have to do your own laundry and pay for one's own rent, I have really started to feel out of touch with the typical med school applicant. I am sympathetic of course, I had all of those same concerns at that age too, but being out in the real world for so long now and having my own family its almost funny to think of having to do the "becoming a grown up" thing at the same time as starting a medical career. For all the drawbacks that come with being a non-trad, at least thats one thing we don't have to worry about. Then again, those years were really some of the best of my life in terms of freedom from responsibility and sharing experiencs with friends and just enjoying life, so I am envious somewhat as well. I love the diversity here on SDN.

I've just learned to accept it...and what's bad, I'm not even that old...at least that what I tell myself

I walk into the library, and held the door for this girl with a ton of books (I'm a nice guy). As soon as she walks by, she says "Thank you very much Sir". Ofcourse, being the curious fellow that I am, I asked by chance how old she was. 20 she says...a premed of course...Trouble is, I'm 22, but I guess all the living by myself and taking care of myself has really added like 8-10 more years to my life.

 

[Deepa100]

I love the thread on "Is 27 too old to start med school?"😀

I got my B.S in Engineering at 20.
I got my M.S in EE at 23.
I got my M.S in Computers at 31.
Got married at 36.
I am back in school completing pre-reqs at 37.

I was also working the whole time except the last one year. And some people are wondering if 27 is too old 😀

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I've noticed the occasional apron string around here that needs some serious bolt cutters applied to it.

Hell, more like umbilical cord in the case of a lot of those kids, especially the ones who take their parents along on med school interviews. My mom doesn't even know that I'm going to apply.

Trouble is, I'm 22, but I guess all the living by myself and taking care of myself has really added like 8-10 more years to my life.

I'm 26 and feel like I'm in my early 30's most of the time. Actually being independent at a young age tends to do that to people.....these kids have just never had to experience that.

 

[MJB]

I cannot even imagine taking a parent to an interview for med school...even when I was in undergrad...

Some of them seem to need some reality checks in a BIG way.

 

[Haemulon]

I cannot even imagine taking a parent to an interview for med school...even when I was in undergrad...

Some of them seem to need some reality checks in a BIG way.

Definitely. Sometimes I think of how the patients would feel knowing that their lives may be in the hands of someone who is still claimed as a dependent on their parents taxes, not having moved out and learned to take care of themselves yet. Scary. But I suppose that is more the norm than the exception.

I feel bad for not being more supportive about these issues at times, but I think you all can relate to some of the hard core issues and problems that some of us non-trads face. Especially pertaining to raising one's own children and having everything about their lives and futures directly impacted by your abilities and decisions right now. Juggling finances, child care, education, and maintaining a household seems to dwarf concerns about wanting parental support and guidance on an interview day. But 10 years ago I suppose it might have seemed very different to me. I laugh, and then I feel bad for not being more helpfull.

 

[Doctor~Detroit]

I cannot even imagine taking a parent to an interview for med school...even when I was in undergrad...

Some of them seem to need some reality checks in a BIG way.

It's not something I could imagine doing, either.

For the record, the one interviewee I've happened to witness doing this (we happened to be walking to the admissions office at the same time, and her father followed her all the way to the door) was an asian-american female. So in part this could be a cultural issue.

 

[medic11306]

That's funny! It's good you guys got to experience life as an adult, no offense, but being 30 something and watching some of the dribble posted, "Am I too old at 2?" It's really funny. Now I didn't have anyone's parents show up on my interview with the people I interviewed with but...they were fairly young, early twenties. I can fully relate, but I have been on my own since I was 18, working two full time jobs and going to school full time while I was single, so I know about feeling older a young age too.

 

[MJB]

To answer the question...No, it doesn't make me feel old...

It makes me wonder if I was the same way at that age...I know I'm more wise now, but I'm hoping I wasn't as naive as some I've seen on this message board.

 

[AdroitDarkHorse]

After months of reading and responding to posts about whether or not someone can bring Mom and Dad with them on their interview day or how bad it might be to have to do your own laundry and pay for one's own rent, I have really started to feel out of touch with the typical med school applicant. I am sympathetic of course, I had all of those same concerns at that age too, but being out in the real world for so long now and having my own family its almost funny to think of having to do the "becoming a grown up" thing at the same time as starting a medical career. For all the drawbacks that come with being a non-trad, at least thats one thing we don't have to worry about. Then again, those years were really some of the best of my life in terms of freedom from responsibility and sharing experiencs with friends and just enjoying life, so I am envious somewhat as well. I love the diversity here on SDN.

If we play the semantics game, then we can redefine "old." You are right, I love the diversity here on SDN as well.

👍

 

[Nasrudin]

Yep. I'm feeling what yall are saying. SDN is full of folks that are wet behind the ears in life, but I still find alot of things that I relate to people about regardless of their age. Like their philosophy or there experiences and so forth. To tell you the the truth I relate more to some of the younger people more than I do some of the non-trads who are successful bankers or lawyers or what have you who can't seem to understand the problem with not working for two years while they attend an exclusive post bac for 10's of thousands. Being a working class goon in my thirties I kind of relate to certain perspectives of my constituency regardless of how old they are. Having said that I feel most out of place on campus where most of the young people look like they are there to audition for the next Real World more than they are to study.

 

[DrMidlife]

SDN doesn't make me feel as old as does sitting in class with the Future of America. Anybody else cringe when on Friday your classmates can't stop talking about how much they're going to drink this weekend, and on Monday they can't stop talking about how much they drank? Laptops open to MySpace during lectures, that I just can't comprehend. Chip wrappers crackling in surroundsound, and sudoku, and ipods and cell phones oh my.

But I tellya, some of these kids blow me away. I was on a team of 10 in Mexico doing clinic work last month, and 8 of them I'd be happy to have as my doctor. The 9th was clearly raised on Nintendo. But it gave me hope for the 18-24 demographic.

On SDN what bugs me the most is people getting hostile and insulting each other and offering unsolicited commentary on other people's commentary. I want no part of this blog culture, if that's what it is.

 

[eggtart]

some of you here insipire me.

and now i realize, 30 and going to 31 is not old for 1st yr undergrad at a medic school

 

[eggtart]

some of you here insipire me.

and now i realize, 30 and going to 31 is not old for 1st yr undergrad at a medic school

 

[defboy]

I am 27-nice to know others are concerned with age but still willing to try to hit a grand slam. but I have been supported more by the "younger" students than by advisors. Many of the advisors feel I am a waste of there time. I'll finish undergrad in 2.5 yrs and apply while I do a graduate program, but those extra years of experience don't help me much unless my stats match or exceed theirs. As stated earlier the future docs from the 18-24 demographic are pretty sharp-I have met some dipsticks that have the heritage thing in their favor but most I meet intimidate me enough to make me try that much harder.

 

[Wackie]

I love the thread on "Is 27 too old to start med school?"😀

That doesn't bother me so much.
What makes me feel old is when someone is complaining or stressing over a matter that truely shows how young they are. Some of the girlfriend/boyfriend posts, "I've been in a very, very serious relationship for 3 months..."

 

[Haemulon]

That doesn't bother me so much.
What makes me feel old is when someone is complaining or stressing over a matter that truely shows how young they are. Some of the girlfriend/boyfriend posts, "I've been in a very, very serious relationship for 3 months..."

👍 👍 So true.

 

[defboy]

I have 2 kids and get looked at like I am some father wisdom and they start rambling off question about how to know if s/he is the one!😍 One thing I sure do not miss is the dating life. 😴

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

Does anybody know where you can find the average age of a medical school's matriculating class? I know I have seen this in the past, but I have been unable to locate it since interviewing.

Thanks!

 

[IceMan0824]

I have 2 kids and get looked at like I am some father wisdom and they start rambling off question about how to know if s/he is the one!😍 One thing I sure do not miss is the dating life. 😴

I'm going to stay on this side of SDN. Suddenly, I don't feel quite so old anymore. Thank You all

 

[Haemulon]

Does anybody know where you can find the average age of a medical school's matriculating class? I know I have seen this in the past, but I have been unable to locate it since interviewing.

Thanks!

Does the MSAR have that information? I don't have my copy near me rght now so I can't look.

BTW, you are slaying the adcoms this season Danjo! Great job!!!!

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

Does the MSAR have that information? I don't have my copy near me rght now so I can't look.

BTW, you are slaying the adcoms this season Danjo! Great job!!!!

Unfortunately, it is not in the MSAR. I may be thinking about the statistical data provided on some of the individual school websites - there may not be a central location that has that info.

BTW, thanks for the above comment. I have been very fortunate thus far with my med school admissions!

 

[keitaiKT]

I can totally understand the feeling of not relating to the med school kids who are still trying to relive their frat days, but don't be so quick to judge! I am an MS1 at age 28, and another girl in my class is 32 - we are the oldest girls in our class. The 32 year old has a very negative attitude towards the "immature, young students" and in many ways, I think she has limited her medical experience by closing them out. Meanwhile, I've tried hard to find people, younger or older, in my class who I have things in common with, and I've been pleasantly surprised. I enjoy conversations with the girl who just turned 21 last month just as much as my friends who are 23, 24, and 32. Yeah, their enthusiasm about beer pong is not a turn on for me, but they have a lot to contribute and their experiences are just as valid as mine, if ever so slightly less extensive than mine!

The best part about the younger students, though, is that they keep us young at heart! 😀

 

[Haemulon]

Unfortunately, it is not in the MSAR. I may be thinking about the statistical data provided on some of the individual school websites - there may not be a central location that has that info.

BTW, thanks for the above comment. I have been very fortunate thus far with my med school admissions!

The only summary info I have found is from the AAMC: http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2006/2006age.htm

Just shows average age's of matriculants for men, women, etc.

 

[Haemulon]

I can totally understand the feeling of not relating to the med school kids who are still trying to relive their frat days, but don't be so quick to judge! I am an MS1 at age 28, and another girl in my class is 32 - we are the oldest girls in our class. The 32 year old has a very negative attitude towards the "immature, young students" and in many ways, I think she has limited her medical experience by closing them out. Meanwhile, I've tried hard to find people, younger or older, in my class who I have things in common with, and I've been pleasantly surprised. I enjoy conversations with the girl who just turned 21 last month just as much as my friends who are 23, 24, and 32. Yeah, their enthusiasm about beer pong is not a turn on for me, but they have a lot to contribute and their experiences are just as valid as mine, if ever so slightly less extensive than mine!

The best part about the younger students, though, is that they keep us young at heart! 😀

Hey, I agree with you. I did say that I love the diversity on SDN. But you still still have to shake your head about some of the issues that seem so important to the college kids (and were important for me back then too). That is not to say that I don't look back with fondness to my frat days though, I definitely loved it.

 

[keitaiKT]

Hey, I agree with you. I did say that I love the diversity on SDN. But you still still have to shake your head about some of the issues that seem so important to the college kids (and were important for me back then too). That is not to say that I don't look back with fondness to my frat days though, I definitely loved it.

I will grant you, there are a few immature ones. There is this one guy that really makes me wonder how he managed to get past the interview process. The kind of guy who still thinks poop jokes are not only funny, but completely appropriate in all settings.

 

[Haemulon]

I will grant you, there are a few immature ones. There is this one guy that really makes me wonder how he managed to get past the interview process. The kind of guy who still thinks poop jokes are not only funny, but completely appropriate in all settings.

I try to thrown in at least one during all of my interviews 😉

 

[johnny pollen]

I followed around a med student for a day at a particularly young school (one with a skip-your-BA-go-straight-to-MD program), and felt ancient. I tried to keep it down during lunch but every once in awhile, I mentioned how old I felt.

Thanks to a great moisturizer and enough luck to have dark, thick hair, I look younger than I am. When I "outed" my age (27, people -- I don't think it's even a full SD away from the mean), jaws dropped. "That's really old," someone said.

"Hey, that's not nice," someone else said. He then added, dubiously, "Anyway, there's that clinical student in his forties..."

The woman I was shadowing said, "Yeah, but isn't he on prob..." And she cut herself off, and went back to selling the school. "Still, I love the non-traditional students here. They do everything the normal students do!"

The best part was when another asked, "What's it like to have a job?" Five wide-eyed faces turned to me, waiting for my answer.

"It sucks," I said honestly. "Be glad you haven't had to worry about it, yet."

 

[Beau Geste]

I'm 26 and feel like I'm in my early 30's most of the time. Actually being independent at a young age tends to do that to people.....these kids have just never had to experience that.

I'm 30, and I find myself saying "kids these days..." all the time!

Seriously, though, I have noticed that most of the kids in college today I have interacted with have little to no respect for just about anything. And again I have to laugh because I find myself saying "When I was in college..."!

Maybe it's a generational thing but my friends and I didn't rely on our parents that much except to work out a loan system and occasional emergency money. My parents helped me through college, but also kept a ledger and I paid them back once in the job market. If I needed extra cash, I got a job. At one point, I held 3 jobs in college and still made decent grades. Then again, it wasn't as expensive as it is today (I'm talking 13 years ago!).

I have to stop myself a lot and remind myself that the complexity of life just hasn't hit these kids yet. They don't have to worry about mortgages, supporting a family, raising kids, etc. I remember back to those Friday afternoons getting ready to go out for the weekend and sometimes I wish it could be that easy again!

Medicine for me is like that Friday night - I just think it's so cool! Cool enough to not miss party time anyway 😉

I'm rambling. Time for my afternoon nap

 

[Pemberley]

I'm 30, and I find myself saying "kids these days..." all the time!

I hear you on that one! The first guy that walked into my recitation section with his jeans exposing 8 inches of underwear nearly got chewed out and sent home to dress himself so that I could not see his undergarments... I remembered just in time that I was in Massachusetts and I would probably get fired and/or sued.

Here's something you guys may find funny: I was grading physics finals. There was a newspaper article that gave a level of "power" being generated in kilowatt-hours. The question was to identify issues with the physics in the newspaper article.

(The right answer: power is measured in kilowatts, energy in kilowatt-hours.)

The wrong answer that I read several times: kilowatt-hours is not a valid unit, because kilowatts already involve a unit of time (joules per sec) and you can't involve time twice. (The first time I saw it, I laughed. The fifth time, I started tearing my hair out.) 😡

At any rate, not only do they not understand basic units of energy... they've never looked at a power bill!

 

[Wackie]

Thanks to a great moisturizer and enough luck to have dark, thick hair, I look younger than I am. When I "outed" my age (27, people -- I don't think it's even a full SD away from the mean), jaws dropped. "That's really old," someone said.

I'm similar, but it's my facial features that make me look young I guess (or maybe I'm just act immature 😛 ). I mentioned my husband at work the other day. One person asked how old I was. I told them and another who was listening in said, "No sh--?!"
They decided I look 21.
If I wear a hat, I look 16.
I guess that's okay.

 

[Beau Geste]

At any rate, not only do they not understand basic units of energy... they've never looked at a power bill!

Not only that, but acceleration must be wrong too, then! Good story!

 

[abyssinianson]

nope. but its nice that I still get carded in every bar that I go. but seriously, everyone has a different and equally interesting story. i think medical school would not have had as much of a significance (for me) had I not experienced the things I did before going back to school. Hardships contextualized why I wanted to become a doctor and further affirmed that medicine really is what I want to be doing the rest of my life. Between the extra curriculars, working fulltime to send myself to school and conducting science research, I am confident that I am a better and more appreciative medical student as a result of the time I spent between undergrad and medical school. So, yeah, its all good. I may be 29 and not as young as the other pups, but I've put in my dues🙂

Some of the most interesting people I've talked to are the ones that transitioned from military duty to medical school. Hearing about combat experience and how that played a role in their motivation to become a doctor is truly humbling.

 

[Kateb4]

Ha, bringing your parents to an interview... how about bringing your baby?

I look young (actually am 29), so other students have always been surprised at my age and some don't believe me. I'm really interested to see what happens this semester because I'm pregnant, and will be showing soon. It'll be funny to see what reaction I get from the younger students and faculty for that matter. I guess I won't be able to go to those wild frat parties anymore, sigh... they were a little too loud for my 2 year old anyways.

 

[Shpamme]

sorry.. this isn't 100% on point.. but if it makes you feel any better, i am 28, and recently my 20-year old little sister (who also happens to be applying to med school...great...) said something that made me feel really old:

"dude, i heard this really good song by this new band called u2.. have you heard of them?"

uh....

 

[DropkickMurphy]

sorry.. this isn't 100% on point.. but if it makes you feel any better, i am 28, and recently my 20-year old little sister (who also happens to be applying to med school...great...) said something that made me feel really old:

"dude, i heard this really good song by this new band called u2.. have you heard of them?"

uh....

My sister said that to me. I told her I needed to show her something. I reached into my backpack and pulled out a copy of one of their early albums. She about croaked when she saw the release date and realized they'd been a band longer than she'd been alive.

 

[Shpamme]

Hahahahaha =) Nice!!
Seriously though, it was a good chance to show her some older music--the kind that doesn't have all that sexual innuendo or violence. James Taylor, Earth Wind and Fire.. the stuff my parents used to make me listen to when I was a child. She's getting into it more and more, which is really refreshing. Even the original hip hop and rap groups, like Tennessee, that engaged in social commentary--she's starting to like them too.

Then again, when I was younger.. I bet my Run DMC and Beastie Boys phase didn't exactly thrill my parents.

I'd just like to be able to show her a time when things were a lot simpler.. before the internet and all. I'm not that old, I know that.. I have to give major props to the people applying in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. But I think my age group was the last one to really appreciate the sweetness of life before the internet and this burst of technology started moving everything at warp speed. When I watch Cosby Show and Family Ties and Night Court.. that feeling of warmth and comfort I get--I wish I could share that with her. She and I went to the same high school, and she had to deal with things I couldn't even imagine--school shootings, e.t.c. And she was too young in the late 80's/early 90's to enjoy that brief feeling of peace and optimism that came with perestroika and the Wall falling. The event that defined my teenage years was the end of the Cold War. The event that defined her teenage years was 9/11.

I am so sorry again if I'm out of line with what the OP was getting at..

 

[oxeye]

Ha, bringing your parents to an interview... how about bringing your baby?

I look young (actually am 29), so other students have always been surprised at my age and some don't believe me. I'm really interested to see what happens this semester because I'm pregnant, and will be showing soon. It'll be funny to see what reaction I get from the younger students and faculty for that matter. I guess I won't be able to go to those wild frat parties anymore, sigh... they were a little too loud for my 2 year old anyways.

It's fun to take undergraduate classes while you are pregnant. I got a lot of stares walking around campus when I was pregnant with my second.

I'm curious what it will be like as a med student next year. My school is pretty non-trad friendly so I doubt I'll be the oldest (27) but I have a feeling I'll be in the top 3 or 4 age-wise. Maybe I should just see how long it takes before classmates find out I'm "old" (in quotes because I'm soooooo not old! LOL)

 

[Nasrudin]

Hahahahaha =) Nice!! I get--I wish I could share that with her. She and I went to the same high school, and she had to deal with things I couldn't even imagine--school shootings, e.t.c. And she was too young in the late 80's/early 90's to enjoy that brief feeling of peace and optimism that came with perestroika and the Wall falling. The event that defined my teenage years was the end of the Cold War. The event that defined her teenage years was 9/11.

I am so sorry again if I'm out of line with what the OP was getting at..

I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. It is hard to explain to people raised post-NWA what the aesthetic of the 80's was like and how happy-go-lucky alot of the culture was--Minus crack and AIDS and urban blight, I guess. British synth pop or someone like Robert Smith wallowing in his own morbidly romantic sensitivity would seem ridiculous in today's race to be the hardest most gangsta, fearless, ready-to-die-today fool on the block.
I love when we grew up. I don't envy these kids either, they've been media blitzed since day 1. It's no wonder you have such confusing phenomenon as teenagers in Beverly Hills pumpin' gangsta rap out of their brand new expensive cars. The materialism and violence has overshot reality to such a strange extreme.
Of course I don't think you can touch the 70's for pure revolutionary music and artistry, but I'm a funk music nut so I'm biased.

 

[Haemulon]

Hahahahaha =) Nice!!
Seriously though, it was a good chance to show her some older music--the kind that doesn't have all that sexual innuendo or violence. James Taylor, Earth Wind and Fire.. the stuff my parents used to make me listen to when I was a child. She's getting into it more and more, which is really refreshing. Even the original hip hop and rap groups, like Tennessee, that engaged in social commentary--she's starting to like them too.

Then again, when I was younger.. I bet my Run DMC and Beastie Boys phase didn't exactly thrill my parents.

I'd just like to be able to show her a time when things were a lot simpler.. before the internet and all. I'm not that old, I know that.. I have to give major props to the people applying in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. But I think my age group was the last one to really appreciate the sweetness of life before the internet and this burst of technology started moving everything at warp speed. When I watch Cosby Show and Family Ties and Night Court.. that feeling of warmth and comfort I get--I wish I could share that with her. She and I went to the same high school, and she had to deal with things I couldn't even imagine--school shootings, e.t.c. And she was too young in the late 80's/early 90's to enjoy that brief feeling of peace and optimism that came with perestroika and the Wall falling. The event that defined my teenage years was the end of the Cold War. The event that defined her teenage years was 9/11.

I am so sorry again if I'm out of line with what the OP was getting at..

I totally get what you are saying. I loved the 80's. I get those warm fuzzies thinking back to the Goonies, break dancing, MTV with actual music videos all day, garbage pail kids cards, and all kinds of stuff like that. I was on one of the Pre-Allo threads earlier and referred to one of the old Dr. Pepper commercials where they sing "i'm a pepper, your a pepper, he's a pepper, she's a pepper, wouldn't you like to be a pepper to?" They had no idea what I was talking about. How many of you remember the "Where's the Beef" commercials?? That huge time gap between the release of Back to the Future 1 and 2? How about those original Atari games? The Commodore 64? 5 1/4" floppy disks? We live in a different world now. But I remember my parents saying very similar things about their "simpler" times as well. But then again they didn't have Madonna singing "Pappa Don't Preach" on the radio. So it really is just a normal generational thing I suppose. 🙂

 

[RxnMan]

After months of reading and responding to posts about whether or not someone can bring Mom and Dad with them on their interview day or how bad it might be to have to do your own laundry and pay for one's own rent, I have really started to feel out of touch with the typical med school applicant...For all the drawbacks that come with being a non-trad, at least thats one thing we don't have to worry about.

I love that my BS meter has such a lower threshold compared to when I was younger. If I'm not getting anything from a prof, then I don't inflict that person's poor teaching style on myself. I go home and study. Less confusion, less wasted time, and I get more out of the classes that I do attend because I'm not reeling from the human confusion-beam. Med school, as some of you will find out, is a lot of pain no matter how you do it. But you don't have to make it worse for yourself!

 

[Beau Geste]

You guys are totally giving me flashbacks!

 

[Beau Geste]

I totally get what you are saying. I loved the 80's. I get those warm fuzzies thinking back to the Goonies, break dancing, MTV with actual music videos all day, garbage pail kids cards, and all kinds of stuff like that. I was on one of the Pre-Allo threads earlier and referred to one of the old Dr. Pepper commercials where they sing "i'm a pepper, your a pepper, he's a pepper, she's a pepper, wouldn't you like to be a pepper to?" They had no idea what I was talking about. How many of you remember the "Where's the Beef" commercials?? That huge time gap between the release of Back to the Future 1 and 2? How about those original Atari games? The Commodore 64? 5 1/4" floppy disks? We live in a different world now. But I remember my parents saying very similar things about their "simpler" times as well. But then again they didn't have Madonna singing "Pappa Don't Preach" on the radio. So it really is just a normal generational thing I suppose. 🙂

*sigh* the old days 🙂

I found this link to take me back.....

 

[Shpamme]

OMgaaaahh, Haemulon--Atari!!! Ah yes, and the Wii is pretty and all, but in my mind SpiroGyro and Duck Hunt are irreplaceable. And 5 1/4" floppy disks!!! Did anyone play those "Quest" games by Sierra.. like Police Quest, and King's Quest, and.. of course..Leisure Suit Larry? Scandalous.. Oh and drive-in movies..who goes to those anymore?!?! It was always so fun when I was little, and my parents were not too established and we had very little money, to grab blankets and cozy up in the car at the drive in.

By the time my sister grew up my parents were better established, and she kinda missed out on simple, cheap pleasures like the drive in as a result. NOT that I blame her for it or that it's a bad thing. But sometimes she has a hard time understanding why I'd rather sit on the curb and eat peaches quietly on a starry night, instead of going out to the local multiplex or going to Forever21 to shop.

I totally agree with Rxnman. Better to just go home and study till you get it. I'll try to remember that if I ever get into med school.

On a related note, the one thing I'm starting to realize as I get older is that I *CAN* usually trust my instincts. It was hard to do when I was younger, but it's getting better now. I still have lapses (like my two-day SDN binges where I ask for insight on everything bothering me about my med schools apps), and it's still always good policy to take the advice of others. But for the most part, I'm starting to feel more comfortable in my own skin, especially when it comes to taking ownership for decisions. It's a good feeling. =)

 

[spicedmanna]

I totally get what you are saying. I loved the 80's. I get those warm fuzzies thinking back to the Goonies, break dancing, MTV with actual music videos all day, garbage pail kids cards, and all kinds of stuff like that. I was on one of the Pre-Allo threads earlier and referred to one of the old Dr. Pepper commercials where they sing "i'm a pepper, your a pepper, he's a pepper, she's a pepper, wouldn't you like to be a pepper to?" They had no idea what I was talking about. How many of you remember the "Where's the Beef" commercials?? That huge time gap between the release of Back to the Future 1 and 2? How about those original Atari games? The Commodore 64? 5 1/4" floppy disks? We live in a different world now. But I remember my parents saying very similar things about their "simpler" times as well. But then again they didn't have Madonna singing "Pappa Don't Preach" on the radio. So it really is just a normal generational thing I suppose. 🙂

I feel you, bro. I can still remember the first day that I saw Michael Jackson's Thriller on MTV in 1983 on our huge family CRT television; mind-blowing. I remember retiring my out-of-style bell-bottoms, visiting the Wonder Bread store with my mom, who had a beehive hairstyle, the great blizzard in Virginia (ca. 1978), booting up an Apple IIe in BASIC, the short-lived 8-track and BETA, the end of Disco and the beginning of Synth Pop, playing "pong" on the original Atari system, the "I'd like to teach the world to sing..." Coca-Cola commercials, the first time that ET phoned home, when a farm boy from Tatooine realized his destiny, Axel F, when a small-time Phily boxer with a lot of heart beat Apollo Creed, when an Alien burst from people's belly (I couldn't sleep for days), when Harrison Ford retired replicants, Reagan-nomics, the Cold War, the first time Challenger went up into space and when it blew up, from Risky Business to Ferris Bueller's day off, browsing the Internet through Lynx (a text browser), being a part of the dot-coms, and I guess I could go on and on. 😀

Wow, what a trip down memory lane. Yeah, it's a different world now, but those were some good times. Here's to many more to come. 😀

 

[Shpamme]

Yeah, as much as I lament how the internet has made life fast-paced, being a part of the dot-com optimism was spectacular. I started college in 95, and I remember the internet literally exploded like the first few months I was in college. New business models were cropping up every day, there was something new to learn about tech every day. It really felt like for the first time the younger generations COULD change history--that's a stark contrast to how I (and, from what I understand, most people in their twenties) feel these days. I was in the Bay Area at the time, and I also remember going to fancy company dinners of friends who just graduated, or visiting their swanky startup offices overlooking the bay in San Francisco. The lil sis was too small to be getting on the computer yet, and didn't know too much about business yet, so I think she didn't know what the hype was all about. But Spiced Mama, you're right.. even THAT feeling couldn't compare to my first TI-82 where I learned to program in BASIC.


"Here's to many more to come!!" Right on. I'd put one of those thumbs up symbols here if I could figure out how. Oh wait, I figured it out!! 👍 👍

 

[Haemulon]

And 5 1/4" floppy disks!!! Did anyone play those "Quest" games by Sierra.. like Police Quest, and King's Quest, and.. of course..Leisure Suit Larry? Scandalous..

I was really into those games. I kinda miss the weird grinding noises of my "low density" drive as it loaded data from the disc. I remember this one joke from a character on Police Quest: "How do you tell the difference between an oral and a rectal thermometer? ................ by the taste."

 

[Shpamme]

I am going to try an experiment tonight. I'm going to take Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire" and ask my sister how many of those events from the 70's and 80's she knows about. If too few, I'm going to take her out for ice cream and explain some to her. In turn, she can to teach me how to make a blog and how to make flash animations.

 

[Haemulon]

Yeah, as much as I lament how the internet has made life fast-paced, being a part of the dot-com optimism was spectacular. I started college in 95, and I remember the internet literally exploded like the first few months I was in college. New business models were cropping up every day, there was something new to learn about tech every day. It really felt like for the first time the younger generations COULD change history--that's a stark contrast to how I (and, from what I understand, most people in their twenties) feel these days. I was in the Bay Area at the time, and I also remember going to fancy company dinners of friends who just graduated, or visiting their swanky startup offices overlooking the bay in San Francisco. The lil sis was too small to be getting on the computer yet, and didn't know too much about business yet, so I think she didn't know what the hype was all about. But Spiced Mama, you're right.. even THAT feeling couldn't compare to my first TI-82 where I learned to program in BASIC.


"Here's to many more to come!!" Right on. I'd put one of those thumbs up symbols here if I could figure out how. Oh wait, I figured it out!! 👍 👍

My first real computer was a Tandy 1000 (Go Radio Shack!!!!). And yes, I was really into programming in basic. When PC's finally got away from working from the "c:/" prompts, I was actually kinda bummed. Since then, I have known less and less about computers as each year has passed. ... sigh. 🙁

10 CLEAR
15 CLS
20 PRINT "I love BASIC"
30 INPUT "Do you love it too? (Y or N)";X$
40 IF X$="Y" THEN GOTO 100
50 IF X$="N" THEN GOTO 200
60 GOTO 10
100 PRINT
110 PRINT "Awesome, a fellow non-trad!"
120 END
200 PRINT: PRINT "Too bad, Young Whipper-Snapper"
210 END

I'm sure I probably messed it up (forget exactly how now), but you get the idea. 😉