A Usable Past

11th Street between F and E NW Washington DC, 1994

Prince of Petworth has linked to a neat Flickr set of photos by Michael Horsley called “Hidden Washington, D.C.” that document Washington, D.C. during the late 1980s and early 1990s.  I didn’t live in the area at this time, but these photos are truly a testament to how much the city has changed over the past 25 years.

“White House Tours Sign,” 6th and E Street Nw Washington DC, 1988

Check the rest of them out here.

Can R.J. Reynolds sell tampons?

From Slate.

Wow. I mean, seriously. Wow. How was this acceptable in the 1980s on a television show with children? He even attempts to bribe one of the girls with winning the Canadian game show Just Like Mom if she allows him to kiss her. When she still refuses him, he tells her, “Well, I guess you can’t win the show then, if I don’t get a hug and a kiss.” No, seriously. Props to her (I assume) mother for being the only adult on the show to call out his creepy perversion for what it is – she calls him a “dirty old man.” Disturbing much?

From Godless Girl.

Neal Schweiber: The dance is tomorrow. She’s a cheerleader. You’ve seen Star Wars 47 times. You do the math.

“Freaks and Geeks“, produced by Judd Apatow, 1999-2000. Possibly the best portrayal of 1980s high school life since John Hughes. An amazing supporting cast (Linda Cardellini, Jason Segel, Joe Flaherty, Dave ‘Gruber’ Allen, Thomas “Biff” Wilson, Jason Schwartzman) + killer retro soundtrack (Joan Jett, XTC, Styx, The Who) = comedy gold.

Mr. Weir: She’s hanging with a bad crowd. She’s lying and cheating and next thing you know she’s Patty Hearst with a gun to our heads.

Kowchevski: Ladies, this is just for tomorrow’s scrimmage. This isn’t the last chopper out of Saigon. Can we please just crank down the drama a notch?

Millie: You’re high!
Lindsay: How could you tell?
Millie: I know what high people look like. I went to a Seals and Crofts concert last summer.

Harold Weir: Everyone’s a Democrat until they get a little money. Then they come to their senses!

Neal: Everyone looks cool in turtle necks. That’s the point! We can’t both wear them; we’ll look like the Smothers Brothers!

Bill: Stop looking up my shorts.

Neal: Why would we? There’s nothing to see.

Sam: Just keep climbing, Wonder Woman.

Bill: There is something to see.

Inspired by “The Real 90s.”

Perhaps one of the most recognizable women in America, it’s time this Ms. got these props.

From Feministing.

From bitches get shit done.