Thank you for giving Parker his props. Now I’m recalling that I felt the same way after moving from my Shaun Cassidy debut album era to the Hardy Boys. (But how was that Lake Geneva rendezvous? I must know.)
okay. it’s all a little blurry, but I think maybe he played at Alpine Valley music venue? and then afterwards, he was at my friend’s condo building in the atrium. (exposed brick, skylights, thatched roof. v 70’s) why was he there?? i have no idea. but my friend got to sit on the couch next to him. I was on the other couch, alone, and sick with envy. as it turns out, she was jealous of me because the overwhelm of sitting on the couch next to shaun cassidy almost made her throw up. we were like 7. their condo was new, and we were feeling fancy saying things like “condo” and “atrium” and then there’s shaun cassidy on the couch! what life are we living?!
I feel like you have all the chapter titles for an excellent Gen-X memoir (or work of fiction/episodic TV show) here: "The Atrium in The Condo" ... "Why Was He There??" ... "Sick with Envy" ... "Feeling Fancy" ... "Shaun Cassidy on the Couch." It practically writes itself!
I named my parakeet "Shaun" and even had an outfit with his face... a pic on the t-shirt and then a little pic of his face on the front of my bell-bottoms 😂
Deemed fit by Jimmy C. himself! The entire Shaun Cassidy clip I had a stupid grin on my face. There was just so much to like - from the baseball jersey to the silky hair (and did he have a bit of an overbite?!?!) At any rate, I love the way you pulled it all together. There isn't a more honest word than "probably" because how in the world do any of us ever know? With 'probably', the willingness to see it through is there at least 50%. Being on the other side of a divorce, 50% is actually a LOT. TY.
Such a nostalgic and thoughtful piece, Alexa. I'm now thinking about my first elementary school crush, and how that compares to the reality of a long-term marriage. My marriage certainly isn't perfect, but it's durable, which feels like a win. Thanks for this!
Aw, thank you for reading and relating, Cara. Show me the person who claims to have a perfect marriage and I will show you a liar (or at least someone who's not paying much attention). Durable is most definitely a win!
Love this, Alexa. Not only because it brought this Gen-X girl right back to elementary school, but also because of the raw honesty held in the word "probably." If I've learned anything over the last five decades, it's that even with the best of intentions and some serious Gen-X, eldest daughter "if you try hard enough" energy, there are no guarantees in life or in relationships. And maybe some of that uncertainty keeps us in the game - makes us try harder and not take things and people for granted. Sometimes, "probably" is all we can offer - and sometimes, it's more than enough.
Thanks for the love, Laurie! And yeah, I think that "try hard enough" message was drilled into most of us, and it's a whole lot of bullshit IMO -- especially when we're trying for things that were never meant for us, or are no longer working. I'm a big fan of "probably," and am finally warming to the word "no" when appropriate :)
I met Shaun Cassidy IN PERSON in Lake Geneva, WI. I was actually secretly more of a Parker Stevenson fan, but still.
Thank you for giving Parker his props. Now I’m recalling that I felt the same way after moving from my Shaun Cassidy debut album era to the Hardy Boys. (But how was that Lake Geneva rendezvous? I must know.)
okay. it’s all a little blurry, but I think maybe he played at Alpine Valley music venue? and then afterwards, he was at my friend’s condo building in the atrium. (exposed brick, skylights, thatched roof. v 70’s) why was he there?? i have no idea. but my friend got to sit on the couch next to him. I was on the other couch, alone, and sick with envy. as it turns out, she was jealous of me because the overwhelm of sitting on the couch next to shaun cassidy almost made her throw up. we were like 7. their condo was new, and we were feeling fancy saying things like “condo” and “atrium” and then there’s shaun cassidy on the couch! what life are we living?!
I feel like you have all the chapter titles for an excellent Gen-X memoir (or work of fiction/episodic TV show) here: "The Atrium in The Condo" ... "Why Was He There??" ... "Sick with Envy" ... "Feeling Fancy" ... "Shaun Cassidy on the Couch." It practically writes itself!
ha! yes!!
OMG! Shaun Cassidy was my first crush, too!
I named my parakeet "Shaun" and even had an outfit with his face... a pic on the t-shirt and then a little pic of his face on the front of my bell-bottoms 😂
Deemed fit by Jimmy C. himself! The entire Shaun Cassidy clip I had a stupid grin on my face. There was just so much to like - from the baseball jersey to the silky hair (and did he have a bit of an overbite?!?!) At any rate, I love the way you pulled it all together. There isn't a more honest word than "probably" because how in the world do any of us ever know? With 'probably', the willingness to see it through is there at least 50%. Being on the other side of a divorce, 50% is actually a LOT. TY.
Ooooofff. I love this and I love you.
ILYSM!!!
Such a nostalgic and thoughtful piece, Alexa. I'm now thinking about my first elementary school crush, and how that compares to the reality of a long-term marriage. My marriage certainly isn't perfect, but it's durable, which feels like a win. Thanks for this!
Aw, thank you for reading and relating, Cara. Show me the person who claims to have a perfect marriage and I will show you a liar (or at least someone who's not paying much attention). Durable is most definitely a win!
yes, precisely! Give me a partner to endure lentil loaf with on Meatless Mondays and a shared brain for Thursday Trivia nights, and I'm good.
YAAAAS! 😍
Love this, Alexa. Not only because it brought this Gen-X girl right back to elementary school, but also because of the raw honesty held in the word "probably." If I've learned anything over the last five decades, it's that even with the best of intentions and some serious Gen-X, eldest daughter "if you try hard enough" energy, there are no guarantees in life or in relationships. And maybe some of that uncertainty keeps us in the game - makes us try harder and not take things and people for granted. Sometimes, "probably" is all we can offer - and sometimes, it's more than enough.
Thanks for the love, Laurie! And yeah, I think that "try hard enough" message was drilled into most of us, and it's a whole lot of bullshit IMO -- especially when we're trying for things that were never meant for us, or are no longer working. I'm a big fan of "probably," and am finally warming to the word "no" when appropriate :)
Agreed! I think that finally learning to say “No” may be one of the best gifts of midlife. So freeing! Worth every hot flash.