I love the 80s

"I don't like this one too much...Also I don't like the ridiculous shirt my mother made me wear." (via)

Things I remember from the 80s:

Wham.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
Parachute Pants.
Acid Wash.
Paint Splatter t-shirts made in my backyard.
Jams, and pretending I was interested in surfing.
Rolled Sleeves. Rolled Jeans.
Neon.
Pastel.
Guess jeans, with zippers on the ankles for girls.
My cousin asking if visiting me would "really be like that movie Escape from New York."
Benetton.
Scrunchy socks.
Reebok hightops I never had.
Ocean Pacific.
Buying my first Prince album.
D**** C**** (Yeah, you know who you are. Sigh.)

The Polka Dot Pilgrim

Elementary school memories can be traumatic on many levels--bullying, multiplication tables, handwriting lessons, and that month in 3rd grade in the seventies when they tried to make me learn the metric system.

For poor "Margarite", the trauma is captured on film. Here she is on her first day of kindergarten.

"Nothing says good taste," says Margarite, "like high-waisted acid wash on your first day of kindergarten. The t-shirt advertising Memere's Restaurant is also a real winner. Sadly, it was the haircut that ensured a year of gender confusion. Thanks, Ma."

"First grade's polka dot pilgrim outfit is no better. This wide collar is just asking to act as a bib come lunch time." But, she will be ready come the Thanksgiving Pageant.

"Jumping to third grade. This sweater is an inappropriate choice for picture day, if only for the questionable color-combos. Teal, pink, and yellow is not a good idea, especially in abstract patterns. Is that a triple-X across my chest?" Yes, Vin Diesel, it is.