AN ODE TO PENNY CANDIES

An Ode to Penny Candies

When I was young,
once upon a time
I took my pennies
to the five and dime.

And there before me,
in such spendid array,
were candies galore
if I could pay.

Lined up by the dozens
wrapped in colorful papers
Were Red Hots and Black Jack,
Wax Lips, Necco Wafers!

There was Taffy, and Whoppers,
Double Bubble and Black Jack,
a Gazillion Gobstoppers,
and Chicklets by the pack

Tootsie Rolls and Teabury,
Mallo Bars, Chick-O-Sticks,
I grabbed all I could carry
and ran home to get sick.

All artwork and text copyright 2007 popartdiva.com

The Baby Boom Generation Grows Up - Part One

I promised it and, finally, here it is - my first youtube pop culture video - just for you! Now, I'm tired, I've worked 5 days straight, 14-16 hour days on this and my bio video and I'm too pooped to pop culture anymore tonight, lol:

ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND - 38 Years Ago Man Walked On The Moon!

38 years ago today the Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz"Aldrin walked on the moon. Neil Armstrong gave a short speech that has since become one of the all time greats in history and pop culture:


"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."


Enjoy the transcript of the entire log from that historic day directly from N.A.S.A.
Scroll down to 109:24:13 for the famous quote.

I will always remember where I was when I watched man walk on the moon on national television in the summer of 1969. It was the year I graduated from high school - one small step for me - one giant leap for my folks, lol. But seriously, how can anyone forget?

I have always believed in our space program and I still believe in our need to explore our universe. Now, more than ever, we should expand our horizons and enlarge our expectations. Our dreams are our ticket to a better future. Dear N.A.S.A. - Thank you for all your efforts and your sacrifices on our behalf.

COKE - PEPSI - WHICH POP IS TOP? And Who Cares?

So, are you a Coke or a Pepsi person? Or are you too edgy and you gotta have an RC Cola? Do you argue over which one is better or which one has the best diet formula? Do you have to try every new flavor that comes up the pipe? Tempura Pepsi - for those of you who like a little fat with your sugar! Did you know that at the Coke store in Vegas (yes, they have stores!) you can taste different sodas from around the world? And trust me, some of them are wild rides for the taste buds.

And when you ask for a cola, don't you always say Coke? Woohoo for the best branding ever. We have become a "pop" culture. I don't drink water, tea or coffee all day but I always have my "bah" full of Pepsi. (Yes, I am a Pepsi drinker - not a Coke fan - Okay Pepsi , send me lots of money for the plug so I can buy more Pepsi!) I'm a Pepsi fan but I still find myself asking for a Coke when I go out to eat. I'm happier when it's actually a Pepsi, but I will drink a Coke if given no alternative. Of course, Coke was the first and it was originally developed as a medicine!!! Yup, check it out. My mother used to give us Coca Cola syrup for upset stomachs - to this day I want a coke when my stomach hurts.

And when did it stop being Coca Cola and just become Coke? I seem to remember the big debate over that and the bruhaha over changing the formula. I do remember that at one time I liked Coca Cola better than I do now and it wasn't Coke then. But maybe I just liked anything with lots of sugar - I think I was around 12.

Is it "pop" or is it "soda" or is it "soda pop"? Depends on which part of the country you're from.

I wonder how the pioneers survived without artificially flavored caffeine and sugar?? Those poor people - living without electricity or running water is nothing to not having a nice cold Coca Cola in hand after a hard day of plowing.

Yes, we are a Pepsi Generation, we know The Real Thing when we see it, and we can Teach The World To Sing because we're all so hyped up on sugar!

William Hung She Bangs

Here he is - a future Pop Culture Icon - not exactly Elvis is he?

THE ONCE AND FUTURE POP ICONS

I realized lately that all this pop culture hunting has blinded me a bit to the pop culture that I'm drowning in - the blogging, YouTube-ing, MySpace-ing that's taking over the consciousness of anyone with a hi-speed internet connection.

We're watching a cultural phenonmenon happen right before our eyes - everyone has the ability to broadcast videos, write editorials, enjoy their (hopefully) 15 minutes of fame. We now have internet celebrities!!!! These people will probably be the icons of the future, along with the William Hungs (American Idol contestant - remember him?) of the world.

We are creating our own pop culture icons of the future by making regular people 15 minute stars. An interesting developement and I wonder just where it will take us. . . . .

And for your listening and viewing pleasure - Ladies & Gentlemen, Our Next Pop Culture Icon..... William Hung and "She Bangs". Hung has left the building.

OFFICIAL - PAUL MCCARTNEY- DANCE TONIGHT

Sir Paul - You still got it!!!!!!!

Werner Herzog on images, TV, and shoes

Found this while hunting for pop culture videos on YouTube. It raises the issue of social responsibility in creative endeavors. I kinda had to make a comment......

Yes, the media and entertainment industry has contributed to the "dumbing down" of the world, but ultimately aren't we responsible for the "crap" we let in? I take it all with a grain of salt and a sense of humor - a true necessity when being bombarded with billions of bytes of information! Not everything has to be "important" - our brains are overloaded with ugly and painful images on a daily basis. Sometimes "stoopid" and vapid is a very necessary release in troubled times. Here's to not always being socially responsible, politically correct and deadly serious. Burp, Scratch, Fart - yessir, that's my baby!

And it seems to me that eating a shoe for a film release is a publicity stunt - one of the tools of the "enemy".