Tuesday, November 11, 2008

My Weekly Assignment

This weeks assignment over at Mama Kat's just may have me doing a couple again. Just as last week!

This weeks prompts are:

1.) Write a haiku about what you see out the window. (if you don't know what a haiku is click here.)

2.) Begin with "I thought I saw..."

3.) If I could live in any era of history, what would it be -- list 10 reasons why.

4.) Write a light hearted piece on how to get along with an enemy.

5.) The first time you...

And this week I will be doing.............#3!!


This one I think about all the time. I have a huge fascination for the 1930's, 1940's & 1950's! However, if I were to choose one of these to live in, I would have to say the 1950's and here's why:

1. Women didn't have to work like they do now and they were able to focus on their children which in return, they grew up to be a lot more well-rounded. Parent's knew where their children were cause mom was home whereas today, both parents have to work and in some cases, the kids are out creating trouble.

2. Television and movies were a lot more wholesome. Again, back to the children, parents didn't have to really worry about what half naked person was about to be shown on a commercial, for crying out loud!! Yes, I love my classic movies. I don't care if they are in black and white. They are All American, clean and wonderful movies! Today's shows, commercials and movies have just gone overboard. Sure, don't get me wrong, I love my Desperate Housewives and Sex in the City however, DH is on at a time that my child is in bed and Sex in the City are on my DVDs so that I can watch at my leisure. When you have certain things on at times they know kids are home, it should be left to different hours of the day. That's just my opinion. My child doesn't watch a lot of TV but when she does watch it, I don't need her seeing certain things on regular cable.

3. Prices of goods were so awesome! OK, I know the wages and such were much cheaper but come on! You could have bought 3 houses for the price of what my car cost. How awesome is that! lol! Gas was only $0.18. Gas only went up on an average of less than one cent each year. Movie tickets went for $0.70. Oh, and if you had to pay rent, it would only set you back $85/mo. But if you wanted to live in the more elite crowd and have a clock radio, be ready to fork out $59.95. :o)

4. The quality of life seemed so much better. According to my parents, things were better back then, then they are today. Clearly! You didn't have to worry about locking your doors, worrying that someone was going to break into your house. People were also a lot more respectable to one another. A friendly wave here and there didn't get the evil eye.

5. I would of had a better opportunity of having my chance at meeting Marilyn Monroe. ;o)

6. They didn't have that rap crap back then as they do today. That music is HORRIBLE!!!!! I would have to say, out of all the different genres of music, Rap and Opera are the two most annoying types of music that I could do without. I know the 50's had Opera but not Rap. Lucky them!

7. Disneyland opened!!! LOL! For a season pass holder, need I say more?! It IS the "Happiest Place on Earth"!! Although, as I'm sitting here thinking, I'm sure today's Disneyland is so much more than it was back in the 50's. However, I would of had my chance to meet Walt Disney and that would have been fabulous! I can say, my mom was there on opening day. She was only 2, but she was there, in all it's soft asphalt glory.

8. One reason I also choose the 1950's over the other two era's I listed is because I have a tendency of speaking my mind and if that means to my man, then so be it. I know I would have been raised differently and maybe I wouldn't be "me" back then as I would be today but send back in time with this mind of mine and I would fit nicely in with the Women's Rights Activist!

9. Oh jeez, two more to go. So this one was harder than I thought. OK, so crime wasn't as bad in the 50's. I know I mentioned this sort of thing on number 4 but to get more in dept with it. Crime today is really bad. It's even worse today than it was just 16 years ago. You could flash your headlights to nicely let someone know their lights aren't on without having to worry about that person being in some gang and now you've just become their next victim. Or better yet, road rage wasn't such a thing. Today you have to worry about someone pulling a gun on you for whatever reason. It's just scary and it worries me for my child. If it's gotten this bad over the last 16 years, I'm not looking forward to my child's future. One reason why we're wishy washy about having another child.

10. Yeah! And lastly, the younger generation, as I imagine, were less lazy than they are today. The quantity of people these days that want something for free I'm sure has skyrocketed. My husband sees this sort of thing everyday and it's disgusting. Oh, and I have to throw this one out. They didn't have to look at someones underwear while shopping, eating or even walking down the street for that matter. People back then actually wore their clothes properly. Can't wait for that trend to end!!!

I must say, after doing this list and thinking deeply about the pros and cons of my life's history and that of the 1950's, there are things I wouldn't change that I have today. The wonderful thing like women's rights and the opportunity to voice your opinion more freely, to the conveniences of computers, cell phones, electric fireplaces or even the great technology conveniences such as dishwashers or washing machines and dryers. Great places that we have like today's Vegas and the fabulous shows they offer that they didn't really have back then. These are great things to have. Again though, the 1950's had some fabulous pros themselves which I have listed.

I will just live in my time (cause I have no choice :o) and enjoy what I have as I feel grateful and blessed to have the family and friends and all the good things in my life. This has been a wonderful prompt. Thank you Mama Kat!

9 comments:

Katie Says So said...

I am totally with you on #5!!! The better our chances would have been at meeting the wonderful Marylin!! I too am very fascinated with the 30, 40, and 50's.....Sometimes I wonder if I was born into the wrong era! lol....

PS...I gave you an award! =) Check it out!http://knfelton.blogspot.com/2008/11/im-sparky-blogger.html

Take Care!

Michelle said...

Great job with the writing assignment this week. The 1950's did seem like a simpler time didn't it?

Diane said...

The 50's definitely has some appeal (I personally love big skirts, sweater sets, and saddle shoes ;). My mom is always saying how much better it was back then. But then I remind her that it was only better for some people... that there was still segregation and rampant prejudice... that women weren't taken nearly as seriously in business (or life!) as they are today... that many women had to stay in abusive or just plain bad marriages because they had no options, etc. What would be wonderful is if we could go back and recapture some of the good things while keeping hold of the best part of now. But it doesn't work that way, does it? Sigh.

Kelly said...

I agree with you on so many points!!! But there are many things that we have now that I would not trade for the world!

Sera said...

Ah, yes, it would have been nice to know what it was like to live in such a simpler time.

Sometimes Sophia said...

Your comparisons between now and then were great. Very thoughtful post... a pleasure to read.

Sam said...

for some reason the 1950's seems to be quite popular!!

I wonder if it really was as good as we think it was!

Carrie said...

I would be a 50's gal myself. Give me an apron and let me stay home and live the wholesome life please. No rap or underpants showing because boys can't pull up their pants is a huge bonus!

KatBouska said...

I want to bring poodle skirts back in a big way...I love your list!