You watch reruns fo shows from the 80's just to see the retro clothes, makeup, hair, interior decorating etc.  and you couldn't care less about the plot and what not.  I love catching Saved by the Bell the early years or even the later ones to brush up on my 90's memories.  And today while watching Who's the Boss, I saw some incredible dusty rose formica end tables, ahhhh...oh and I also browse vintage 80's fashion on ebay on a weekly basis too. Ok here's another...my favorite excercise video is an aerobics dvd burned from a vhs from 1984, 4 more, 3 more, 2 more other side, the 80's was the genisis of aerobics, got to love those striped french cut leotards with the skinny waist belt and leg warmers...

And you...your guilty 80's pleasures?

I know exactly what you mean.  Let's face it once you have seen a film or television show a couple of times the story quickly loses its relevance.  I watch movies for their classic 80's stylings all the time.  Obvious films that come to mind are Breakfast Club, and Ferris Buellers Day Off (I want parachute material curtains and many posters of Flesh for Lulu, and Bryan Ferry).  I like watching the British Merchant Ivory films because of the young British actors like Rupert Everett, Cary Elwes (not MI, but from a film called Another Country), and Julian Sands, and Hugh Grant.  I'm male, and heterosexual, but just really appreciate that classic borderline androgynous look.

From 'Big', and 'Coming to America' I just have to find a Empire State Building Lamp, from Back to the Future I need a Delorean,  I want to buy a classic synthesiser (the new strataverius).  I could go on and on.  I already have two vintage "Frankie Say" shirts. 

One thing though, if it were one area the 80's let itself down a little it was in interior decor.  Two things I like though: Large indoor plants, and glass bricks.

dcs84, I mean this in the most modest way deemable, as I'm a married woman, but I bet we'd have a blast together watching movies from the 80's, observing fashion and decour.  Do you have an interest in interior design?  My parents have the 80's glass bricks in their bedroom and believe it or not I can't remember if they have it in the hallway anymore, I think they do though.  I'm too busy chasing my toddler and hoping he doesn't break her chotchkas(sp).  I also dig the indoor plants.  What 80's tv shows do you remember that you just crave to watch for the stylistic memories?  I have too many to list!  And believe it or not I can't remember the name of a few.  One I am obssessed with though is Double Trouble with the Sagal twins.  I hope you stick around here, I'll be looking for your posts.  I don't know if your name is a reference to 1984, but that is the one year from the 80's that I am most obssessed with too, 1984-85, when I was in junior high.  ok, gotta go dh needs the computer.  oh and lol about your "I'm a heterosexual male" comment.

Hysteric et vous,

Yes indeed.  I do watch 80's televisual discourse for all that it offers.  I like to watch Family Ties because the interiors displayed in the Keating household were so lush, and thoroughly middle class, I guess I could relate, at least until the camera panned across to what now seems like the oldest sound system in the world.  Also, weren't the christmas specials 'to die for'.  The Alf one in the mountains comes to mind, and any on Family Ties, Happy Days, or Growing Pains.

Some of the other interior decorating touches that I like were the use of coloured light bulbs, you know greens, and blues, and pinks.  And faux blow up plastic palm trees, and neon lights.  I'm babbling.

There was an Australian band in the 80's called "Mental as Anything", and the lead singer was recently interviewed (god knows what for) and he described the 80's thus "In the 80's, and this may sound strange, everything seemed so modern".  I guess this is still how I view the 80's it was such a modern colourful time.

Uncanny, my title is a reference to 1984, isn't it a truly great year.  I was in eighth grade and it was the perfect time when everything was still, somewhat, tinged with innocence.  To this day the height of western civilisation for me began with new years day 1982 and ended with the closing ceremony of the LA Olympics 1984.

Okay enough, or as was said in "Pretty in Pink" I will die of an overdose of nostalgia.

When you can't walk through your garage because it is packed full with the arcade games you grew up playing as a kid.

http://www.krakboi.com/arcades/gameroom.htm

All I have to say is...got a quarter?! lol

That is remarkable! I can not believe that?!  How did you ever come to such an acquisition? Do you buy out an old arcade or do you circulate dying pizza pzrlors making your best offer, lol.  You may have Guinness material there, lol.  You may take the prize here my friend, that's just incredible.  Thanks for the pics!

That is some "man cave"!  I love it, I would, funds permitting, like to replicate the theme or  something similar.  I believe that Ben Affleck has an upstairs room in one of his abodes that has an 80's arcade, I think that you would give him a run for his money.  There is one game from that era you need to add.... Pooyan.....I used to love it, is there a Frogger?  I can't remember from the pictures.  Well done man, a garage is a small sacrifice for an 80's archive, I'm afflicted with the same fever/passion.  Do what I do, just tell everyone who squeals the ubiquitous "You're crazy/the 80's are over/quit living in the past/get over it"  say "Change equals death".  You're a curator, an archivist. 

"There is a war currently being waged between High Culture and Barbarism, I'm on the side of High Culture, what side are you on?"

hi dcs84, i think we're posting at the same time.  I forgot to comment last time that I agree the 80's had a certain modern aspect in their decour.  All of a sudden we can make furniture out of formica and we can see through our coffee tables, (glass top coffee tables) and houses were made with the slanted wood strips don't know what it's called but my parents had theirs like that back then.  And windows were trapezoid and other cool shapes.  I still love it, and want to decorate in a modern/contemporary flavor if not a little 80's too!  I think it's cool that you collect memorabilia, go get that Delorean!

There was an Australian band in the 80's called "Mental as Anything", and the lead singer was recently interviewed (god knows what for) and he described the 80's thus "In the 80's, and this may sound strange, everything seemed so modern".

Hmm when did Greedy Smith get interviewed? Anyway, he's a mature adult with presumably considered opinons backed by a lifetime in the industry.

The TV show The Panel last week has as one of its guests a 16-year-old girl who ahd been voted off the talent quest Australian Idol. She came across as taciturn, unprepared for being asked questions, let alone answering them, and inarticulate to the point where you questioned her intelligence.

Back to the original comment: what's odd is that in the 00s, eveything seems so retro! ;D

I have been building the collection up over the last 3-4 years.  Some come from local auctions, others from local collectors, and quite a few have come through local classifieds.  It really is a moddest collection compared to some out there.

I have played quite a bit of Pooyan, and it is very fun and addicting.  I would love to own one someday.

  One I am obssessed with though is Double Trouble with the Sagal twins. 

Are you familiar with this website:

www.geocities.com/jean_lizsagal  ?