Vintage board games of our past

 

   Before Tv and the internet got kids to do different things. Ride bikes, shoot hoops and even played bored games with the family. Some board games are very known now, even going straight into electronic versions. But which board games were the most popular ones? Here are some that I remember

 Operation, a game by Milton Bradley, started in 1965. A game that required skill to remove game pieces of a person that was known as...I think Sam, but I don't remember. This game made you pretend that you were a doctor as you remove pieces like a funny bone or an Adam's apple. There was also water on the knee, broken heart, Charlie horse. Many more pieces. You couldn't touch the sides, or else you would get buzzed. This game is still around today and has other versions besides the original, like SpongeBob or Simpsons or much more.

   One of the most popular board games to come from Parker Brothers is Monopoly. Started out in the 1930's, this game was considered the most played board game. Now, in almost the year 2023, there have been over thousand versions of Monopoly. There are even video games as well as slot machines showing how popular this board game is. There even is a Nelson Mandela effect on the character Pennybags.

   I used to play this game when I was young. Called frustration in the UK, Trouble is a game where four people have to get their game pieces to the winning spot. They had dice placed in a 'Pop-o-matic' where you would use your finger to press to see how many spaces you would have to move. Created around the 60's, this game is still played today, but not as memorable as it was back in the 80's and 90's when I played it.

 Another Milton Bradley game that started around the 60's and it was about the game of life. A game that shows your piece going through the life of getting a house, job, mortgage to pay and much more. It was a very interesting game. They had other versions like a kid friend SpongeBob where it's the same thing but takes place under the ocean. There has also been video game version of this board game. I never was big on this one. This game, like my own life, confuses me.

  A board that came out in the early 1980's Axis and Allies is about WWII and how you would control your Axis and Allies. Trying to be a board game that involves moving pieces around certain countries and defeating your allies with countries like Soviet Union, Germany, Japan and many more. I find this board game to be similar to another game that came out thirty years before.

   Risk is a strategy game similar to Axis and Allis, but this game came out first. A board game that was about taking territory as well as Risk to conquer another. You move your pieces around parts of territory that is yours and try to claim another and create a giant army in the process. There are video game versions of Risk that might be easier for people who don't want to end up losing a game piece. In my opinion, not bad. You do learn a little history while playing.

  I remember playing this game when I was little. Created by Parker Brothers, Sorry is a game where you move your piece around the board. If you hit another piece, they end up back to the beginning. Same for your piece if that happens to you. The first person to finish wins the game. This game is more like trouble, but the difference is you apologize when you make a move that could end up getting someone to go back to the start of the game.

 Not a board game perse, guess who? is a game where you figure out who your partner's card is. In the commercials, they would have the cards talking. They had many commercials portraying cards talking while a brother and sister play against each other. Whoever figures out the answer wins the game. I played this before with my brother, but we both cheated. This game is still memorable is still played today.

  Not knowing much about this board game, go to the head of the class is a game where you move your pieces to the finish. There are cards that have a "go to the head of the class" advantage. It's still known, but not a memorable game like it was back in the fifties. Adults' vs Kids most of the time would play against each other to see who was really 'head of the class'

 I have a confession to make with this certain game I was afraid of the timer that went off after you put the pieces in the slot. Yes, I would run and hide after finishing, and I would always finish before the timer went off. This game caller Perfection is one where you find the piece you need to put in the right slot before the timer goes off. For me, this game was scary.

One of the first board game any preschooler would play is called Candyland. A game where you travel through a land filled with sweets as you meet characters. Some friendly, some not. There's Mr. Mint, King Kandy, Lord Licorice (who is the villain), Fluffyputter, Grandma Goopy and many more characters. I think they made a cartoon movie that is based on this game. Fun and playful, and a memorable for children everywhere.

   A board game that was similar to charades. You have a team that one person cannot say the word, but the actions of the word. If you don't get it in time, your team losses. It's been a while since I played this game. Maybe because you have to play against a team. There's a buzzer, timer and many more. It's a game that is memorable for not saying much, because it's Taboo.

 Board games haven't died down. There are many new ones being created and with the regular ones, they get different versions or even upgraded. Trival Persuit is one of them. A board game where knowledge can help you win. Even other interesting games that are fun to play. Board Games will never go out of style, and a lot of them are here to stay. 

Comedians that are no longer funny

 

      Do you ever find someone who used to be funny now...annoying? They don't have to be stand-up comedians or anything, but someone that used to be funny but now, just can't stand them anymore. There might be a reason someone hilarious can end up going so low. Here are some that used to be funny, but now.... I don't care for anymore

 Andy Dick- I never found him funny. He used to be on a show called "News Radio". That show was funny until the tragic death of Phil Hartman. Some people think it was Andy's fault by getting Phil's wife hooked on drugs. No one really knows, but something did happen, and it caused a funny actor to die as a result. Andy Dick is the kind of person who would come and ruin a party. Never funny... ever

  Dane Cook- This comedian started out around the early 2000's. He was around a lot and used to be funny. Now...he's just boring and useless. His comedy styles are not that funny, and it seems he tries too hard with certain jokes. Why do certain people fall for it? No one knows; but some people have woken up and realized how un-funny he is.

    Amy Schumer- A comedian who is still funny to some people, but others feel that she is too much. She might have a good family and some of her jokes aren't always too bad, but for some reason, there is this itch that I need to scratch that I need reveal that she is pretty...disgusting. Her gross out humor can get sort of childish for some people. I don't hate her, but I don't like her.

   Carlos Mencia- This comedian turned actor is somewhat un-funny. He's the kind of comedian that you want to see fail. He talks about his past as well as his love life. A comedian who thinks he's funny but can only hear laughter inside his head. I'm not a fan

    Carrot Top- A prop comic who is a failure at being funny. He tries too hard to be funny, and I feel the props are failing him. He did one movie that failed back in the 90's, and now...he's only seen once in a while. I never found him to be funny. I found him to be an annoyance. I guess he's still around today, but isn't as popular as he was back in the 90's

  James Cordon- I used to think he was funny, now I don't like him. It's just he can get on my nerves, and a lot of movies he has stared or voiced in... have been failures. "Emoji movie", "Peter Rabbit", even cats where he played a cat.... box office BOMB!" 

  Larry the cable guy- This man was funny during the era of redneck comedians. Now....it's over. I never found him as funny as Jeff Foxworthy, but I never found him funny either. He can be annoying, but there is one plus with him...he voices a tow truck in the Cars movie. OK, maybe that's not a big plus, but he is how he's remembered more as than his comedy routine back in the day.

 Kathy Griffin- I never found her to be hilarious. She's ear piercingly an annoying person who thinks she can do what she wants, but now...she gets in trouble with a lot of people. She even posted something offensive online and well, nobody wants to work with her anymore.

 Louis C.K.- Once you end up on the wrong side of the talent industry, you stay there forever. Louis C.K. was considered pretty hilarious at one time. He wasn't bad at doing voices either. Now, he is more known for the #metoo movement when a few women explained about his actions when working with him. Let's just say.... you're out and no longer funny.

    Paula Poundstone- Nobody knows who she is much anymore, but back in the 80's and 90's, she seemed to be a comedian who was known for getting into trouble. Soon, allegations of child pornography started to rise suspicion, and she got in trouble for it. Now, no longer funny. Wait... she never was funny.

  Some other comedians are considered unfunny to other people like: Steve Harvey, Kevin Hart, Dave Chapelle, Sarah Silverman and a few more. But those people...to me, I think they're still funny (Well maybe not Sarah Silverman, but she's ok) Some people are different when it comes to comedy and comedians in general, I guess we all have different tastes in life.

Can you see into the future- poem

 

can we see,

into the future,

can we predict,

the next day,

if so,

how...

they read the palm of our hands,

thinking of our future,

with every line,

they see,

seeing the future,

in our psychic mind,

does it mean,

we can change,

what we don't like?

if so,

what will we see?

will the world look different,

for the positive,

or negetive,

will others see the future,

with their own eyes,

as something brilliant,

or terrifying

We want to change,

the future,

but we never will see it

with our own eyes,

it becomes,

the present,

as the future,

stays far away,

from us,

will there be flying cars,

jet packs,

tubes surrounding us,

as we zip through them,

as if walking,

was extinct

the children are our future,

yet,

their children,

will have another,

another future,

for them to witness

will we teleport,

like sci-fi novels and movies,

will we find,

faster ways,

to get from one place,

to another

it's hard to find out,

through our own eyes,

what the future holds for us,

we create,

what other generations,

want to see

all we know is,

we can only see,

what the next day gives us,

and the future,

we can only see,

in dreams

Backstreet Boys suffer a loss

 

   I've been a fan of the Backstreet Boys for a long time. Since I was in middle school actually. When anybody suffers a tragic loss, even if it's in a band, everyone is there for the singer. Backstreet Boys has suffered a loss just recently.

   Nick Carter's brother, Aaron, sadly died from an overdose recently and everyone is hurting. I am one of them. Aaron Carter used to be known as a talented singer, but fame can cost a price for young stars. He went to drugs in later years and even rehab.

  Sadly, Nick Carter's family has been through tragedy before. Having another sibling die as well as having a lot of family drama. Now, Nick Carter has a new family, but he never forgot his past. Aaron Carter was one of them. Even though his relationship with his brother was strained, he still never forgot about Aaron.

    Aaron Carter was pretty popular in the early 2000's. Having some music videos of his own as well as dating famous stars like Hilary Duff for a few years, he was pretty popular. When he got older, his family life was too much, and he went into drugs.

 

    Every one of the bandmates: Howie, Brian, AJ and Kevin were there to console Nick during his grieving stage. They've been doing live shows lately since Aaron's death. Nick tried to keep it strong, but it's hard and it isn't the first death he had to face.

  

  His sister, Leslie, was another. I forgot how she died, but it seemed to have made Nick sad as well but losing Aaron...well I believe that death is more tragic; not because Aaron was young or anything, but he was more memorable to us.

 He also lost his father, even after his family was divorced. It seemed Nick Carter has been through tragedy before, but I feel this one is stronger than the others. Aaron Carter died from drowning in his tub. Might have been an overdose of drugs that he was on.

  Aaron Carter was engaged yet he did break up with her before marriage. However, his ex-fiancé, Melanie Martin was concerned for him and wanted him to get sober. She was in tears when hearing about his death.

  We all were. Backstreet Boys were performing a concert in London and had a memorial for Aaron during one of their songs. Nick was moved to tears as he couldn't get a chance to finish a song he and the band were playing. Now when I hear, "Show me the meaning of being lonely," I'll always think of Aaron.

 When one band member grieves for a loss, we all grieve. Aaron was so sweet, but it seemed his personal demons got the better of him. It's sad when fame takes a turn to tragedy. This year hasn't' been great anyway for celebrity deaths. We will miss you, Aaron Carter.

Whatever happened to Richard Simmons?

 

   In the 80's, a lot of things were popular. Moose for your hair, exercise videos, long hair bands, weird clothing, and another was Richard Simmons.

  Richard Simmons was considered an interesting person to say the least. He would have work out videos around the 80's. He developed an interest in fitness and for others to be healthy. He had a sad life and was overweight. He changed that all with videos to exercise. 

 Work out videos in the 80's were very popular back then. He wanted people to feel better about themselves. He was still around then, but by 1999....it's as if he wasn't seen much anymore. Don't get me wrong, he would make guest appearances on certain shows like "Who's line is it anyway?" as well as certain game shows like that

So? Where did Richard Simmons go? Did he die, fall off the face of the earth or even vanish? No. He is much alive but is no longer in the spotlight. Why? Because he doesn't want to be seen anymore since he is getting older. He's about seventy-four years old and has stopped doing exercise videos

 He hasn't disappeared entirely since he is still seen on As Seen on TV products are still around. He has changed and aged like all of us do, but it doesn't mean he's completely gone, just moved out of the spotlight.

 He has been spotted recently, still dressed flamboyantly and still his old self. He hasn't made many appearances recently but has been seen as a guest judge in an extreme weight loss. He mostly is seen as a guest judge on tv shows for weight loss. He also was one in RuPaul's drag race.

 Richard Simmons hasn't really been "missing", he just has been out of the public spotlight for a couple of years. He's still around, not much of a household name like he used to be years ago. Although his legacy does live on through the 80's, it doesn't mean Richard Simmons is gone. It just means...his past exercise videos of the 80's still live on in our aerobic workout memories