Horror Report

Category: Nostalgia

  • All the presidents’ heads

    All the presidents’ heads

    On a Mission for Presidents’ Heads

    So here’s the deal, and it’s been my deal for a few years now: I am on a mission to find and buy presidents’ heads. Let me explain.

    I’m talking about those iconic, oversized heads of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln that used to adorn classroom walls in the early 1900s. You know the ones—giant oval cutouts that loomed over children as they tackled their studies, offering a silent, patriotic presence, and in the case of honest Abe, a slightly melancholy and distinct stare..

    You might ask, Why on earth are you hunting for these heads? Well, let me tell you: it’s the thrill of the hunt.

    It’s also for some decoration to properly celebrate Presidents’ Day. For three years now in January, I’ve embarked on this annual exercise to find these elusive relics of American decor.. Because there are personal rules to this game, and I’ve set a strict rule for myself: no eBay, no online shopping. This is a boots-on-the-ground kind of mission, a real scavenger hunt for the presidents heads..

    My latest adventure took me to Rosie’s, a craft store in Minersville, Pennsylvania. It’s the kind of place that smells like nostalgia and glitter glue. I found an image when searching for craft and decoration stores that gave me hope.. a little glimmer of ABE in the picture made it appear I may have finally struck presidential head gold:

    Obviously the photo was dated–2021. Lots happened since.. and when we got to Rosie’s, the mission came to a screeching halt..

    While I struck up a great conversation with the cashier *(and presumably the owner) about old-fashioned decorations, I was told that the cutouts were long gone. And as a matter of fact, they may not even be in production anymore–something I sensed with their lack of availability. . The trip was not wasted, I walked away with some decent materials—Cupid cutouts, Valentine’s Day décor, a few cardboard constitutions (because why not?). I’d recommend Rosie’s for the old fashioned decor–can’t wait to go back around Halloween and get some cardboard cutouts of Frankenstein.

    But back to the heads.. it was yet another tragic blow to the mission, but not one that will deter me.

    I’m committed to this quest. I’ll keep exploring craft stores, antique shops, and every strange, off-the-beaten-path establishment I can find. Because let’s be honest: the thrill of finding these vintage gems in the wild beats clicking “Add to Cart” online shopping any day.

    And really, aren’t old-school decorations the best anyway? They’ve got history, character, and a certain charm that modern stuff just doesn’t have.

    I mean.. the online way is tempting. But even if I can get them such as this online store from Cappel’s in Ohio, they are “out of stock.”

    So the hunt continues. Presidents’ heads, I’m not done yet.

  • Nintedo cereal nostalgia is not really what it tasted like

    Nintedo cereal nostalgia is not really what it tasted like

    It’s a Saturday morning, and maybe we’re just feeling nostalgic. This morning, we came across a picture on Facebook of Nintendo cereal, and it made us feel all verklempt inside.

    Remember this stuff? We can’t really say it tasted great, but we certainly can say it was fun. For some reason, I remember not really enjoying the cereal as a kid, but I absolutely loved the box. To be honest, I would have much preferred Mr. T, E.T., or Batman cereal, but Nintendo cereal had its charm. While eating breakfast, you could stare at the box and pretend you were playing Nintendo—it was a whole vibe.

    Seeing this box now almost makes me want to turn on the TV, watch Saturday morning cartoons, and revisit classics like Pee-wee’s Playhouse.

    The Nintendo cereal was a marketing hit in the late 1980s, capitalizing on the booming popularity of the Nintendo Entertainment System. It came in a unique two-flavor box: one side featuring “Super Mario Bros.” cereal and the other “The Legend of Zelda.”

    It was a novelty —it wasn’t just cereal; it was an extension of their favorite video games and with that commercial lots of kids with imaginations were looking from an escape from their breakfast table reality. The bright packaging and tie-ins with beloved Nintendo characters made it a must-have for fans, even if the taste didn’t live up to the hype.

    But these are just fleeting memories, my friends, fleeting memories. And you know what? The more I think about it, the less tasty the cereal becomes in my mind. It wasn’t about the flavor; it was about the moment. Kids these days just won’t ever feel that.

  • For the honor of Greyskull! He-Man and the nostalgia of the Thanksgiving day parade

    For the honor of Greyskull! He-Man and the nostalgia of the Thanksgiving day parade

    It is that time again.. Turkeys, the trimmings.. the parades. And Al Roker.

    While time takes advantage of our good nature and nostalgia can be harmful, let’s just be nostalgic and go back in time. Some may consider 1986 the best of times…others the worst. But for He-Man Masters of the Universe fans, it the ultimate of times..

    Thanks to the fine folks at the Dinosaur Dracula page, we can go back in time.

    Showcased by this 1986 Macy’s parade moment: He-Man fighting SQUEEEZE…..

    Here is a great video of Pat Sajak attempting to explain modern day pop culture during the Reagan era..

    Yes.. we decided. Things were simpler…..

  • To the class of 2024

    To the class of 2024

    Its here. So many students graduating.. so many memories being herallded and speeches from valedictorians on turning the page and moving into adulthood are taking place now.

    It’s both a beautiful time of year but equally a monent on a calendar filled with meloncholy.

    The last day of school is a liminal moment, marking the threshold between the familiarity of student life and the uncertainty of the future.

    As graduates walk through the halls they’ve known for four years, there’s a strange feeling of alienation.

    A dark loneliness mixed with a haze of nostalgia.

    The once-welcoming environment now seems foreign, and they feel like strangers in a place that was once a second home.

    Suddenly they get an eerie feeling that they are not welcome.. lessons continue for those who continue to inhabit the rooms.. but the seniors must leave.

    They are done.

    It’s sudden and strange when it occurs.

    This transition underscores the bittersweet nature of leaving behind a significant chapter while stepping into the unknown.

    Good luck to the class of 2024. Please change the world for the best–you opened your high school heats in the midst of mask wearing and pandemic scares. You’ve come a long way.. there ate scars from that. We all have some. You were kids and maybe don’t know how much the scars stuck around. But we all have baggage and trauma–generational trauma–and we just persevere.. you will, too.

    But you also have work to do. So let’s get moving and good luck.. make this planet–and maybe space–a better place for all previous and soon to be graduating classes.

  • So much retro.. so little time. The Weather Channel nostalgia comes alive on Youtube

    So much retro.. so little time. The Weather Channel nostalgia comes alive on Youtube

    image

    While this existed for some time, I just discovered it today.. And thank God I did.

    There is a special place in everyone’s heart for the OLD Weather Channel. Those 90s graphics.. the elevator musaaac…

    Just the stats ma’am. It gave you what you needed to know every several minutes, followed by some talking head forecasters giving you the nationwide outlook and, during the winter time, mentally prepping you for the next big Nor’Easter that–maybe never happened–was about to come..

    The retro is a memory. But thanks to this Youtube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@cc17926, it is also still existent.

    For real… you can watch REAL weather now.. you can see the forecast, the latest observations. Just like it exited way back in the 20th century..

    This may be one of the most special YouTube channels ever found and bookmarked.. It will now be background sound in several rooms of my home.

    IF YOU WANTED TO DONATE, like we did, follow the link here.. It needs to continue.. this is so nostalgic it gives you the deep feelies..

  • Nothing says Saturday morning like Pee Wee’s breakfast..

    Nothing says Saturday morning like Pee Wee’s breakfast..

    Who emulated this when they were kids. Heck, who does it now?

    If only we still had MR T cereal– although Reese’s Puff cereal is the closest taste you can get..
    NOSTALGIA..

  • From the eyes of the past: New York City on new years 2000

    From the eyes of the past: New York City on new years 2000

    Admittedly, I must tell you this, this video was from TikTok. It Hit me so emotionally that I saved it and now broadcasting it for you to see.

    What you’re about to see are clips and images from New Year’s 2000. The dawning of a new century.

    Think about this, this was before pandemics, this was before 9/11. This is before endless wars for the past 20 years, destroying our societal fabrics and buildings across the planet. This was a different time. Hopefulness reigned supreme. We were on the cusp of destiny.

    Such hopeful eyes. What do those eyes look like now? Are those smiles still there, or have they been ravaged by the wreckage that time leaves behind?

    Just for a moment as we contemplate 2023, and move on to 2024, think back and find yourself there.

    The year 2000. If you are old enough to remember where you were, just consider how you feel now versus then. Was it really better or does nostalgia blind us, and if it was better, can we bring those days back again?

  • An image to remind you that the GATE was one of the greatest movies of the 80s

    An image to remind you that the GATE was one of the greatest movies of the 80s

    It was iconic. Weird.. graphics were shoddy and the acting was worse. But this movie is just elemental for kids and the time it came from.

    Here is a series of screen shots showcasing the GATE in all its glory.

    If you get the chance to find the film streaming in the platform in is housed on when you read this, enjoy ..

  • DID YOU CALL THE MICHAEL MYERS HORROR HOTLINE IN THE 80S?

    DID YOU CALL THE MICHAEL MYERS HORROR HOTLINE IN THE 80S?

    We were busy recollecting some nostalgia by watching this glorious VHS copy of when Halloween 4 appeared on television .. commercials galore. Edited for your TV viewing pleasure.. But when we get to the mark, we noticed something interesting. An advertisement for Halloween 5–and a 900 number.

    https://youtu.be/lfcOz4epj1E?t=2890

    Now 900 numbers were quite a thing when I still in single digits. If you were alive then you may recall the 900 Freddy Krueger numbers. The sex lines. The psychics.. It was a different time and era. But this number, 1-900-860-0700, produced an interesting response:

    Dialing 1-900-860-0700 prompted you to guide a potential victim of Michael Myers to safety.. Michael most likely always won. The hotline itself aired directly after the end of television promos for the film. The hotline itself aired directly after the end of television promos for the film. The voice on the other end would give you a variety of places that could be found in said film, like the Tower Farm or the Children’s Clinic, to send Michael’s prey for safety.

    Undoubtedly people who were alive at the time recall being in big trouble from their parents by racking up huge 900 phone bills. It was easy to do, you paid by the minute.

    Too bad no one recorded the actual audio from the call–we have tried our best but cannot find anything proving someone did.

    If you call it now, it is disconnected.. Which is good since in today’s dollars the call would be 5 bucks a minute..

  • The last time you hang out with friends

    The last time you hang out with friends

    We see this meme constantly posted everywhere, you do too.. every now and then you’re in that kind of mood where it hits harder.. Maybe it is rainy days. Maybe Tropical Storm Ophelia turning into a ‘depression’ had to 48 hours of rain and 48 hours of deep thoughts..

    But think of it.. this exact moment happens to every single one of us. As we age it becomes clearer and clearer. And if you are lucky, you remember the exact moment.

    If you are luckier, you are still in the moment and have yet to experience it.

    Make it last as long as you can.