I love coming of age movies! They remind me so much of being twelve, growing up in the 70's. I had a very close group of friends that would find adventure in everything we did, much like the characters in Stand By Me and Now and Then.

We spent almost every day together in the summer and would skip dinner just so we could play late into the night. We were always outside running around the neighborhood playing games and tricking neighbors non-stop.

I've always wanted to write a book based on our summers of fun with a few added twists and turns. The movies listed below are the closest examples of the good times we had as youngsters. I know there are many more coming of age movies but these top my list and have bits and pieces that remind me of days gone by. They are in no particular order. Enjoy and if you've missed any of these, they would make great weekend rentals...

1. Stand By Me
2. The Goonies
3. Now and Then
4. Pretty in Pink
5. Dead Poet's Society
6. St. Elmo's Fire
7. October Sky
8. Breakfast Club
9. My Girl
10. American Graffiti

Update: 07/11/09

This list has gotten so popular I've decided to add another 10 movies. If you have not seen the first 10 watch those first and then check these out. Again these are in no particular order.

11. Sixteen Candles
12. The Sandlot
13. The Outsiders
14. Almost Famous
15. Dirty Dancing
16. Breaking Away
17. School Ties
18. Summer of '42
19. Mona Lisa Smile
20. The Man in the Moon

Bonus: 13 Going On 30 (A great little girl in big body movie)

Labels: 70's, Fun Events, Getting Old, Memories

Okay, look what I dug up! This could very well be the ultimate 1970's photograph. This photo is dated June '77. It is a picture of me (skateboard) and my friend Bruce Bradley. Can you spot all of the cool 1970's references?

A list of 1970's coolness:
1. Hair, longer with bangs.
2. Cut off shorts with pockets sticking out
3. Knee socks with stripes
4. How about my shoes! Those were the coolest sneakers!
5. Plastic skateboard from OTASCO
6. Ten speed bike
7. Ringer T-shirt
8. Sleeveless sweatshirt
9. Teardrop glasses, tinted.
10. No iPods, cell phones or electronic gadgets

Labels: 70's, Curtis Tucker, Getting Old, Memories

We were at a group Easter party this weekend and had a really great time. As the evening cooled off and we moved inside we all ended up in the living room with the TV on. Being Easter Eve there could only be one show on the television - The Ten Commandments!

We all sat around talking and studying what a classic this movie was. The acting and effects were so over the top but seemed so cool when we were younger. Many people in the group could not believe that watching TTC was an Easter tradition. There was a long discussion about when color TV came along and when TTC was made. All of the talk about old shows got me to thinking about some shows I had not thought about for a long while.

There are some really obscure TV shows that I remember as a kid. I think they were all imports from other countries. Not many people know what I'm talking about half of the time. Did you ever watch these shows?

Here Come The Double Deckers - A Saturday morning show about a bunch of kids that had a cool fort with an entrance through a wooden fence.

The Goodies - This was another Saturday night show much like Monty Python. There were a group of guys doing very odd skits.

Pippi Longstocking - Stories about a very strong girl with orange pony tails that stuck out to the sides. She wore long striped socks.

Remember back in the day when we only had three main channels and at times channel 13? Can you imagine only three stations from which to choose? How did we ever survive? And how about the fact that we had to get up and turn the knob if we wanted to switch channels. Yes! TV's used to have knobs!!

Then there was the whole TV antenna thing which I won't even get into.

My how things have changed. Now, if the remote goes out we have no idea how to turn on the TV let alone change channels. I remember getting our first 20 ton VCR and the coolest thing about it was that it had a remote control on a cord for channel changing. The cord could reach across the room and we thought that was the bomb!!

Gosh, remember when TV shows had all new episodes one right after the other. They lasted the entire season. Unlike today, where we are supposed to feel privileged if we get three new episodes in a row. And then they throw in more reruns and play up the fact that there will be another new episode in two weeks! Woo Hoo! Big fat deal.

TV has become as much a part of life as a light bulb. You come home, you flip on the TV. You wake up in the morning, you flip on the TV. You eat dinner, you flip on the TV. Most restaurants even have TV's now! Even McDonalds!

Well, enough of that. I've got to stop blogging and finish my day. My favorite TV show is about to come on don't ya know.

Labels: 70's, Getting Old, Memories

Update! No skin cancer! My bump was actually a sebaceous hyperplasia. All is well, stitches are out and the healing is on.

Way back when, maybe in the late 70's, it was all the rage to bake in the sun and get as dark as humanly possible. There were no warnings about using SPF-95 and staying out of the sun. And you sure didn't hear many people talking about skin cancer.

Fast forward to today and see what that sun may have given you after all of these years. As long as I can remember, like the late 70's, I've always had this "growth" on my forehead. I went years just ignoring it and never thought that much about it. As I got older I grew tired of looking at it and assumed it might be some kind of super-human wart. So, I began to use all sorts of home treatments to remove it.

Trying to remove this thing went on for years. A few times I thought I had it burned or frozen off until it was almost gone only to have it return once more. It never really spread or hurt so I wasn't worried about it. Late last year a doctor friend of mine walks up to me in the mall and asked what the thing on my head was. I explained I wasn't sure and he nonchalantly told me it was basal cell carcinoma and I had skin cancer. Wow!

After the initial shock he informed me it was not really dangerous but should be removed. Well, last night I had him remove it and just for grins told everyone I was going to have him cut out a lightning bolt design to look like Harry Potter's. See photo above.

The moral of the story is watch your kids and their exposure to the sun. We didn't know as much about skin cancer in the 70's and all loved to get that dark, rich tan. Many of us will be paying for that exposure as we get older. Get yourself checked out if you suspect a growth anywhere.

(P.S. The photo above may have been tampered with in PhotoShop. My doctor was not to keen on giving me the lightning bolt design.)

Labels: 70's, Curtis Tucker, Getting Old

Well, it's my 46th birthday and I'm thrilled I've made it this far. This may turn out to be one for the record books. As I sit here typing, Wizard of Oz on in the background, my mom is in the hospital after having surgery last week, my wife has been throwing up and is aching on the couch. Daughter #1 has also been throwing up and is asleep on the other couch, my mother-in-law is not much better off and my sister is on the road picking up her daughter out of town.

Daughter #2 and I have been holding down the fort today and so far, knock on wood, we have been immune to the ills of the day. Fortunately I was able to have a great evening last night with our fantastic tennis crew and friends. We had a fun dirty Santa party and the luck of the Irish was with me as I drew the #1. We also had a cake and celebrated dual birthdays with another member of the crew.

My hot wife reserved a room at the local Bed & Breakfast last night and we were able to relax and got up without having to worry about the kids. I played a bit of tennis and after that all heck broke loose.

All in all, even with the set backs, it's been a great birthday. My precious daughters drew me pictures and put them in frames. My friends left me messages online and my phone kept ringing throughout the day. I visited my mom, a.k.a. Granny Ann, and she is doing good. I'm blessed and I'm very thankful for my health, my family and my friends.

Labels: Curtis Tucker, Fun Events, Getting Old

Many posts on my blog deal with my fond memories of growing up in the 70's. The kids of the 70's are now adults and are influencing the world. The events of those years shaped us and made us who we are today. They were awesome times and I look back on those memories with great fondness.

It seems I'm not the only one trying to remind people of those eventful years. Architect Darryll Sherman, a fellow 70's youngster has turned author and written an account of his 1970's childhood. His new book, My '70s Book, has been released and is poised to bring back all of those 70's memories.

Do you remember having to do real chores to earn your allowance? Do you remember a time when you had to make up your own games and use your imagination when playing? Or how about getting one big gift at Christmas and sometimes even having to share it with your brothers and sisters? If any of these memories ring true for you, you will this new book.

Many of us easily identify with My '70s Book as it takes a sentimental journey back to a typical childhood in 1970's suburbia. What child of the '70s doesn't remember riding around on their stingray bike with the banana seat? Or playing yard games like croquet with the whole family? There were no cell phones, no computers, and no Gameboys to constantly entertain kids. Children had to use their imagination and make up their own games. Squirt guns were the ultimate outside toy! An electric light saber was created by waving a stick around and making noises with your lips!

My '70s Book includes lists of many of the bands, movies and television shows that defined the decade. Sherman even includes some of the popular commercials and advertising slogans that will have readers reminiscing about their days in front of the tube. Who can forget "Ancient Chinese secret, huh?" or "I can bring home the bacon; fry it up in a pan!"

Perhaps the most poignant part of Sherman's book is the chapter "Things we had and took for granted" where we realize how much life has changed for American families since those simpler times. Back then, the neighborhood was safer and kids could stay outdoors all afternoon playing until dinner time, when the whole family would sit down and have a home cooked meal ... together.

Find out more about this walk down memory lane at bookstores like Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Borders and others.

Read more http://www.my70sbook.com

Labels: 70's, Getting Old, Memories

Well, I'm only 5 days away from making it to my 46th birthday, hint, hint (I wear a medium, like green and never have enough gadgets). I've really tried to stay in shape since I now have to keep up with five and six year old active girls.

I workout every day doing an aerobic exercise 7 days a week and lifting weights 3 days a week. I'm actually stronger and in better shape than I was in my twenties. I've also taken up playing tennis and play a couple of times a week. I know that even the most fit individuals have no guarantees in life but I'm hoping an active lifestyle will keep me young.

Nearing this birthday has opened the door to that monumental birthday of turning 50! My oldest daughter asked how old I was going to be and when I told her 46, she exclaimed, "That's almost fifty!"

Events this week also reminded me that if we're getting older, our parents are getting even older. I've had several close friends lose parents recently and also know of several in the hospital. My own mom ended up in "urgent" surgery this weekend which makes this her third major surgery in the past few years. Having a parent in the hospital is an eye opener and should shed some light on how important it is to stay fit and healthy.

My daughters "Granny" is doing well and should be out of the hospital soon. She's only 68 and will have many years to spend watching her grand-kids. My hot wife's grandmother is now into her 100's and will be 102 or 103 in January! That's staying power!

My advice is to stay active, take care of yourself and strive to see your grand-kids. Since my daughters will not be getting married until they are 35 I know I will not be seeing grand babies until I'm in my late 70's.

My wish is that my daughters will stay fit and teach their kids to be fit. We're all getting older but with a little mind control we can be as young as we want to be. I've locked in on about 32 years old with a splash of 22 here and there. The calendar will say 46 but I won't be listening.

Labels: Getting Old, Parenting

As long as I can remember, going all the way back to junior high school, I have had a "thing" on my forehead. The first decade or so I didn't think much about it and always wrote it off as a growth, wart or birthmark. I've always been asked what it is and never really knew what to tell people.

It's never really grown much or changed. It never hurts. And it has kinda become my mascot. I did get annoyed with it a few years back and took the Compound W to it. I almost had it gone, when what'ya know, it came right back. That's when I figured I wasn't dealing with any ordinary wart.

The other day, hot wife and I were shopping with a couple from our tennis crew. He's a doctor, she's a shopper. He looked over at me and without much emotion asked, "What's that on your forehead?" I answered with my standard, "I don't know, it's been there as long as I can remember. I think it might be some kind of wart." He very casually stated, "That's basal cell carcinoma. You need to have that removed."

Wow! Needless to say I was a bit flabbergasted. I asked what that meant exactly. He told me I had skin cancer but not to worry, I wasn't going to die. Thank goodness! I just started my own blog and I've got lots more to say!

I'm now going to schedule surgery and have my little friend removed. I'll most likely replace my "thing" with a scar but at age 46 (I think) I'm too old to really give a hoot.

So let this be a warning to all parents and kids. Wear some sunscreen and when you have a growth you're not sure about, go see a doctor. I'll keep you informed on how things go.

Labels: Curtis Tucker, Getting Old, Memories