I don’t suppose a person really knows at the time an event is happening that it will one day be noted in history books or grace the cover of Time magazine on the ten-year anniversary of said event.  At almost 50 I’m on the cusp of “senior citizen” so I’m sure there are many things that I should know about – but I never really had/have time to get too deep into the news. But when prompted, there are a couple moments that stand out:

I had to check the date on the first one, it was 1986, I was on my way to first period science and they announced over the PA system that the Challenger Space Shuttle had exploded on launch.  It only stands out because I thought it was odd, this wasn’t something we were studying or discussing and the rest of the school day was more of a counseling type vibe. That was the age I realized that other kids had parents that watched the news and then had family discussions on current events.  We didn’t do that.  

The Berlin Wall.  I didn’t really know anything about the history of the wall but I do remember it was a big deal when it came down.  At least in part it because I was a fan of the Scorpions and their song “Winds of Change” had bits of newsreel in the music video.  Yea, I’m so old I remember when MTV actually played back-to-back videos!

There was a huge earthquake in California in 1989. I don’t know if that is notable news to any other states – besides the delay of the World Series, but it was kind of a huge big deal to locals.  Bridges collapsed.  Houses burned down.  People died.  I was watching a VHS of Pete’s Dragon.  When the earthquake hit, I jumped up and stood in front of my mom’s china cabinet – the doors were swinging open and I knew she’d be pissed if anything broke.  In hindsight, probably not the smartest thing I’ve ever done, but again, I had the VCR going and no clue how widespread the damage was. I don’t know if I’d remember this so vividly if I relied on the power of my own brain, but every year in October all the local channels post “where were you..” so it might be some degree of brainwashing. 

The OJ Simpson Trial in ’95!  I had just started working at this huge company – they had breakrooms on every floor, all fully stocked with free snacks, designer coffee and tv’s!  It was like working in some weird sitcom or law drama!  Every tv was tuned to the trial.  I was the new kid but thought the company must not be very productive with so many people not working at work all day – but who knew that the OJ trial would turn into one of those events that everyone knew about.  Everyone.  Even kids born in the 10’s have heard about the glove! 

In the summer of 1997, we took a family camping trip to the “wilderness” 45 minutes from home.  My mom had made spaghetti for dinner and was annoyed at how long the water took to boil.  She had yelled at all of us kids (for the benefit of my sister’s kids) to put shoes on and moments later stepped on a bee. As night crept in, we’d set up a board game on the picnic table inside one of those mesh tents designed to keep the bugs out.  There was a small black AM/FM radio playing today’s greatest country hits but all merriment ceased on the announcement of Princess Diana’s car crash.  We were at the mercy of the radio, no television, internet wasn’t really a thing yet.  We just sat in the glow of the old coleman lantern waiting for updates.

Of course, there’s the big one, September 11, 2001. Most people have a story, mine, is the same as so many other nobodies.  I was on my way to work, I had a habit of taking the backroads because things weren’t quite so congested yet.  I was waiting at a red light when the news came on the radio.  I didn’t know the scale of the events.  I didn’t know how many planes or airports were impacted.  I knew the hair stood up on the back of my neck and I was actually afraid.  My boss was leaving for a trip that morning so I grabbed my cell phone and called him first.  He asked me “what the hell is going on!” I had no answers, but far from my normal employee cowering I told my boss to go out to the curb, I was on my way to pick him up. I didn’t ask, or suggest, I ordered. I don’t think airports had been officially shut down yet, I just knew I wasn’t going to risk my boss. As I drove to the airport I called my dad. He was on a business trip, I think it was Arizona? Maybe Nevada?  I don’t know, but i know it wasn’t  *that* far.  I told him to go get a rental car and drive home now. (I can’t remember now how he got home, or how long it took, but I know he didn’t take my advice, he never did) I tried to keep up with the current events on my computer at work, back then i had a lot of work to do so there wasn’t much time to goof around (much different than now, as i sit writing a blog) I spent every evening watching the news.  I couldn’t wrap my head around it.  I felt so small.  

I’m sure there are other things that are worth mentioning; the death of Osama – I got a call in the dead of night and knew about that one from a friend on tour.  I remember his excitement more than I remember what the news had to say about it.  Hurricane Katrina, everyone had an opinion on that mess.  Hurricane Sandy, my uncle lost his house.  It’s ok though because he now has a better house.  Obama getting elected.  Trump getting elected. 

I dunno…  it seems that as you age, the days get shorter.  Where you once had all the time to do everything, you get to the point where you must make choices on what things you will ignore.  I guess I just don’t have a head for vacuuming or world news anymore, – which is odd because I find I get much more riled up about the things happening on the local scale.  Probably just part of the transition to “old fart.”  In another 15 years I won’t be able to see beyond the whippersnappers on my lawn.  So goes the circle of life, i guess.