Flashback Friday

Ok it's been a while since my last Flashback Friday, but I was inspired again looking at Sesame Street oldies with my toddler...

B is for Bubble
What child doesn't love "rounds" type songs



Sing
This isn't the original version, but it's still a great feel-good song for all ages




Muppets - Bohemian Rhapsody
I love the Muppets! Same Henson, same irreverance, no curriculum



Happy Friday everybody!

Flashback Friday - Sesame Street... not for preschoolers?

Those of you who've been around since I started doing Flashback Friday will remember it got started in honor of the Sesame Street that WAS. The Sesame Street of the 70s that has morphed into this sugary fantasy of some boardroom exec that kids find too lame to watch. Sesame Street! Lame! Never would I have imagined I would hear little kids use those two words in a sentence describing this show that shaped so many of us.

Well I came across this article last night and learned that DVDs of the older Street episodes from the 70s come with the DVD Disclaimer: 'Sesame Street' Classics 'These early Sesame St episodes are intended for grownups and May Not Suit Needs of Today's Preschool Child'

May Not Suit the Needs of Today's Preschool Child.

How can they downplay their legacy, and the millions of fans who are adults now but became fans in preschool and throughout life. The lessons of Sesame Street were primarily for preschoolers of course, but there were life lessons that appealed to all age ranges as well!

What was it in the earlier episodes that was INTENDED for adults?
There's more to a book than its cover? (Look closer - Apple Tree)


How to make Peanut Butter?


I agree that there were things in the 70s programming that wouldn't measure up by today's standards, but then again we drove around with kids in the back of station wagons in those days... Things were different then.

But come on, classics live on forever...

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Flashback Friday - Heartthrobs :-)

And now folks, it's time for another Friday Flashback to the way things were.

Starting things off as always, an ode to the way Sesame Street USED to be!
This one really takes me back (and my daughter loves it!)

Letter B (The Beetles)


I miss Grover... he definitely brought the giggles...
but Kermit... now HIM I looooved. :-)
Grover the salesman


And switching gears totally... from one of my fave movies of all time...
The One That I Want (Grease)


Hope you enjoyed! See you next week for more flashbacks. :-)

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Flashback Friday - More Joe Raposo

As with every Friday, I'm bringing back memories from the 70s and 80s...
Each week, there'll be at least one Sesame Street clip and one other memory-evoking clip of the time.

This week we're starting off with some Joe Raposo classics from Sesame St, and ending with a classic TV show theme with one of my favourite actors (I'll let you guess which one!). Enjoy!

Trying and trying again

Learning to walk

Welcome back, Kotter

Hope you enjoyed the little trip down memory lane. See you next week!

Monday's Muse - Making a Difference

An old employer of mine was fond of talking of building his business and legacy and likening it to the story of the 3 bricklayers. If you've never heard the story, it's basically about these 3 bricklayers working and how only one of them really sees the vision that he's crafting brick by brick. It's a motivational story told to businessmen to teach the importance of having a clear vision in order to achieve that dreamt-of success.

Those of you who follow me know that I am a Sesame Street fan, and that I'm disappointed in the show that it's become. I look at it as symbolic of business in general today. I imagine that the creators had a vision that centered on making a difference in the lives of others, and never imagined that it would become a worldwide phenomenon of the 70s and 80s. And while I think that the company still believes it's focused on education, I think it has fallen short of that, and is just another business. When we look around us it's all about the dollar. It's about profitability today. Profitability first, passion second.

It's not enough to strive for passion that makes itself sustainable, we have to fill the pockets of shareholders and directors. We have to pay bonuses and demonstrate just how important we are. If we were focused on people-first, we wouldn't be in the mess that surrounds us today. So what do we do about it. I can't say I have the answer, but I know that it's not enough for me to just sit and complain.

I can look back to the messages of old Sesame Street - take care of each other, TRY to be a good example to someone else, accept yourself for who you are, celebrate your strengths but don't be a show-off, accept criticism with humility, value other people (no matter how straaaange they look). And don't take yourself too seriously.



This was my Monday Muse, hosted by Cinnamon and Honey. Check her out for more Monday Muses.

Flashback Friday

Sorry about the late post today! I am making some changes to the blog and hope to have a few pleasant changes for you on Sunday. So come back and check me then!

I had such a great response from you about the Sesame Street flashbacks, I'm definitely going to keep this up every Friday. Without further ado, here are this Friday's Flashbacks!

What I love(d) about Sesame Street:

Biology lessons weren't boring...

The teachers had a sense of humour...

We learned important lessons about the weather...

This one is a True Classic. Enjoy.

See you next Friday!

Flashback Friday

Ok so in last week's Writer's Workshop I talked about Sesame Street, and how the new Sesame Street just doesn't match up to the old. A few of you responded and expressed that you felt the same way. So to you fellow original Sesame Street fans (I hear "Vintage" is what they're calling it - to which I respond "Do I look Vintage to YOU?!") I thought I'd share some of my favourite "Street" songs with you.

Capital I and Lowercase N


Everybody Sleeps (Classic Joe Raposo)


Now a more recent one, but before they gave the show to Elmo. Gotta love Kermit. Gotta love Joe Raposo.

Alphabet


Now this list can go on and on, so I think I'll make this a running Friday theme from now on. Check back every Friday and I'll post some memories for ya. :-)

Let me leave you with a quote from Joe Raposo himself, which I think expresses the vision that made Sesame Street the icon it became for my generation.

"Some educators have complained that the music on Sesame Street is too sophisticated for little ears, that we should curb the spontaneity of blues and rock and instead teach the children "Mary Had a Little Lamb." But what most educators don't realize is that the lamb left the nursery the day they brought the TV set in. Children are now exposed to and learn to love every conceivable style of music... And the beauty of our music is maybe that the child in the Grosse Pointe home is hearing gospel and blues for the first time and the black child in the urban ghetto is hearing the harpsichord and the flute for the first time. Someday, when they grow up, they'll have one more thing in common." - Joe Raposo

Happy Friday everyone.