I look at the early 80s as a coming of age period, realizing that I didn’t share most of the opinions my parents had. I compare it to noticing all of the flowers bloom on a Spring day. One day everything is dormant and then it seems like POW!, everything is alive and awake! Up until that point, I didn’t know I could have a different opinion. This was in part to me simply being naive as well as my parents essentially made it clear that kids were to be seen and not heard. It was total BS and I was slowly realizing it daily. I started to gain the courage to speak up for myself, which was not always met with love and kindness. However, I didn’t care about the consequences and it wasn’t about disrespect. It was about being able to see the things going on around me and have an opinion that was mine and mine only.
The explosion of entertainment, specifically music and movies, were big contributors to this awakening. One movie that was super instrumental was “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”. While turning 13 in 1982, and the fact Fast Times was Rated R, it did pose a challenge for me to see it. However, I found a way to sneak in, which only reinforced my passion for everything 80s. It was a trend-setter from fashion to music. It made checkered Vans cool and gave us the one and only Jeff Spicoli. Vans up until this point were cheap lace-up shoes usually in blue or white that we economically challenged kids wore. However, Spicoli rocked the checkered slip-on’s and they still reign today. I was in the 7th grade that year and the only kids I remember having those specific Vans were Robby Parks and Roxanne Morton. They were both cutting edge at the time and seem to be on top of that trend from the start. Some of the best lines came from that move such a “Hey bud, lets party” and “You Dick!” in reference to Mr. Hand tearing up Spicoli’s schedule. The movie also opened up the eyes, aka jump-started puberty, for most teenage boys when Phoebe Cates came climbing out of a swimming pool to The Cars song “Moving in Stereo”. It’s an iconic moment and movie. I still enjoy watching it to this day as it transcends generations and taken on a life of its own.
1982 was also the year that truly put the Ironman Championships on the world map. It had been gaining popularity since its short inception a few years before but this was the year that Julie Moss would forever change the sport. On the men’s side, Dave Scott was solidifying his name as the greatest athlete of the time but Julie Moss’s story was simply incredible. She entered the race for her senior college thesis, completely unprepared for what was ahead of her. Moss was leading in the last part of the marathon but hit her brick wall at mile 23. As she came near the end, only a few hundred yards, of the race she collapsed. She picked herself up and began running only to fall to her knees a few more times. While down, three other competitors passed her by for the podium. However, while she didn’t win the race, she did notch a victory for Ironman. On ABCs Wide World of Sports the world witness sheer determination as she crawled to the finish. It was the most amazing feat of human perseverance and courage I have ever witnessed. This defining moment in sports not only put the Ironman Championships on the map but it showed that you should never underestimate the power and will we have as human beings to overcome any obstacle in our path. If you need a little motivational nudge for the day then take a look at this video. Julie still stands as one of my heroes today.
As I reflect back on the years, it seems that so many amazing things took place during this period. It was about growth, learning, and exploring what was going on in the world. Most importantly it was about having the courage to open my eyes and begin to find my own voice. I may not have been as old or as cool as the kids in Fast Times or have the sheer strength of Julie Moss but I was certainly beginning to find my own path and what a journey it would turn out to be.
14 of 50 - 1982