Happy Friday, which is also National Tater Tot Day (loaded tots are amazing), Bubble Gum Day (I don’t chew anymore but my favorites used to be grape Bubble Yum and watermelon Hubba Bubba), and most importantly, Groundhog Day. Punxatawney Phil predicted an early spring this morning and I’m just thankful that I don’t have to drive five hours to deliver a beating upon a beloved rodent.
My big news of the last few days is that I went to the library yesterday afternoon to work. And it was lovely! Being around other people doing quiet-ish things is good for me. I’m going to keep that in my back pocket for days I don’t have meetings in the afternoon.
Time for the Friday 5! This week’s theme is Mayday! Mayday!
- What does it take to make your way in the world today?
Patience and privilege. - Where do you go to take a break from all your worries?
Walt Disney World or anywhere near water. - Where does everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came? (or where did everybody know your name and were always glad you came?)
The last business that knew me by name was a Starbucks. It burned down in March 2020, three days before Covid changed the USA. They eventually rebuilt in a nearby spot but the original crew is long gone and Starbucks’s current model is more drive-through and efficiency-focused. It’s not a nice spot to sit anymore. Even the outside sitting area is at the intersection of the drive through lane and the shopping center exit lane. It’s one of my little desires to patronize the locally run coffee shop in Haddonfield more. It’s called Jersey Java and Tea. - Which no-longer-in-business establishments are you nostalgic for, and is nostalgia generally a positive or negative emotion?
I think nostalgia can be both positive and negative. For example…
I miss the mall. I spent many evenings there as a teen, many shifts at JCPenney and the Disney Store, and many Saturdays shopping. I miss the variety of stores, I miss real food courts, I miss window shopping, I miss seeing the same people. This nostalgia is sad, because there is no other substitute for the experience and community.
I miss Fuddruckers, a burger chain that still exists, but is no longer in my geographic area. Fuddruckers is a burger chain where you’d wait in line, order your burger, grab a seat, and then they’d call your name when it was ready. There’s a massive toppings bar. In the 80s/90s it was the fanciest hamburger experience you could imagine. I went on dates there. (We weren’t as picky with date locations then as some people are now.) This nostalgia is positive, because the chain still exists and there are other places where I can have a decent burger. - Which television shows have great opening theme songs with opening title sequences?
I mean, Cheers is a given. Friends is a classic. I also like Welcome to Wrexham’s opening sequence. Only Murders in the Building is great too for its animation.
Happy Groundhog Day!
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