Whippersnappers

While perusing the Blu-Ray DVDs the other day, I got into a conversation with a Costco employee over the battle between Blue-Ray and HD DVD, at one point commenting, “You’re probably too young to remember Betamax and VHS” (referring to the early 80s battle between the two video tape formats). She resoundingly responded, “I remember VHS!”

Of course, she had no idea to what Betamax referred. I gave a brief recount of the technology and, when she announced she was 20, I told her that explained why she wasn’t familiar with it. Then she asked, in almost an accusatory fashion, “Why, how old are you?”

I wish I could do justice in describing the look of alarm that crossed her face when I told her I was 34. I was so taken aback that I felt the need to assure her that that really wasn’t that old. I knew I should be pleased at her disbelief that someone so young looking could be in her mid thirties, but it was hard to get over her horrified gasp.

I felt old again a few days later when I was shopping in the Nordstrom shoe section and heard the shitiest cover ever of, 'Boys Don't Cry." It made me sad to think there is some teenager out there downloading that crappy cover and wondering who the heck The Cure is.