Yesterday was Mother's Day and I hope all you moms out there had a wonderful day full of great gifts, good food and lots of pampering. But today's Monday, so back to reality I guess. Heh. And since yesterday was all mom, I figured I'd take today to talk about dads. Or specifically, my dad.
I know today's kids are way different then my generation, back in the "just-starting-out" VCR days of the early 1980s. The only war we knew then was a cold one that was all scare and no real fighting. Music videos were risque if they showed a bunch of women in halter tops and mini-skirts. And other then Eddie Murphy's "Raw" or George Carlin's anything, cursing wasn't the the average norm that anyone could hear/find on a regular basis in normal conversation. And the internet? Hah. Yeah, no such thing. We were limited to super-slow dial-up modems that would connect you to a local BBS so you could play really lame games. So yes, it was a very different time back in the early '80s.
My dad had a great philosophy in regards to me as a kid, in terms of movies. He'd much rather have me watch or see nudity, then let me see violence. So I guess that's why I really don't care for war movies or horror films. And show me a teenager who'd argue with his dad about seeing naked chicks. With that in mind, though, it didn't mean he'd go renting crazy X-rated films for me or anything. But, it also meant that I could practically get away with a lot.
Probably the best story to sum up my dad is with this anecdote. I must've been about 12 or 13 at the time I'd guess and we were at the local video store at the time. (Yes, this is way before the birth of chains like Blockbuster.) Somehow he came across the movie "Porky's." I don't remember the details, but I'm sure I conveniently placed that box near his line of vision. He ended up renting it, and as he was checking out, the woman behind the counter reminded him that it's rated R and not really appropriate for kids. My dad thanked him and we left. Then I 100% will never forget this. We go home and pop the movie in the VCR. My dad's in his big comfy chair, leaning back with his feet up. I'm all decked out on the white couch, laughing my butt off. (We both like comedies, so it definitely was the right type of movie for us.) It's certainly adult in tone and there's some quick nude flashes early on. Then it comes to... "the scene."
If you've every heard of the movie, you know what I'm talking about. It's the girls' shower scene, where a few of the guys are peeking at the girls through holes in the wall and it's... gasp... full frontal nudity. (Hey, that was realllly big and unheard of back in the '80s.) It was also the one moment I was waiting for. The very reason I wanted to see this movie. And as the scene starts, without moving from his chair, my dad actually says, "Uh, I don't think this movie's really appropriate for you, Andrew." My heart starts racing like mad, while my eyes are literally glued to the boob tube. (Pun intended.) I think I managed to mutter an "Uh huh" or something. And... well... that was it. I didn't stop watching. My dad didn't stop me. Nor did he say another word. I guess his saying it once validated him in his mind. And I had no problem with that at all.
COUPON TIME:
Now THIS is tough one. How do I tie this post into coupons. No way I'm hunting down codes for adult sites or anything, so get your mind out of the gutter. But since that shower scene was the highlight of my youth, I'll work with that and get you guys a bunch of home-improvement/hardware store coupons. Go, dad!
10% off select Appliance Purchases of $399 or more
Plus Free Delivery & Haul Away via mail-in rebate
Valid through: May 14, 2008 11:59pm ET
$399 minimum excludes taxes, warranty, delivery and installation fees. Offer not valid on prior purchases.
FREE shipping on select Power Tools at HomeDepot.com
Offer ends: July 31, 2008
Offer includes: combination tool kits, drill presses, cordless drills, corded drills, impact drivers, screwdrivers, screwguns, sanders, polishers, grinders, hammer drills, chippers, breakers, lathes, staplers, planers, joiners, routers, recip saws, spiral saws, cut-off saws, circular saws, jig saws, band saws, worm drive saws, mitre saws, table saws, heat guns, nibblers, shears, stationary table saws and nailers. Offer excludes garden tools, plumbing tools and electrical tools. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount, offer, promotion or special incentive program, and is not valid on: (a) the purchase of gift cards or certificates; (b) prior purchases; or (c) certain items containing weight and/or size shipping restrictions.
15% off all washers and dryers at Sears.com
Plus Free Delivery & Haul Away (after rebate)
Valid through: May 16, 2008
Excludes Great Price items, Electrolux, LG Brand, Kenmore PRO, closeouts, and outlet store purchases
Shop at Northern Tool + Equipment through Shop.com and save:
$5 off a purchase of $50+ with coupon code BRDH5.
$10 off a purchase of $100+ with coupon code BRDH10.
Do not use Guest Checkout if you want to use a coupon!
Valid through: May 31, 2008
You MUST use this link to use the coupon. It will NOT work at NorthernTool.com. Coupons are valid only at select Shop.com stores. Computer/Electronics stores excluded.
3 Responses to “Violence vs. Nudity”
I think Porky's was definitely the highlight of the 80s, at least from the perspective of a teenage boy. I remember laughing my arse off through the entire movie. And for those of you who remember, this is the movie where Kim Catrall of "Sex in the City" got her start, or at least that's the first time I remember seeing her on the big screen. Every time I've seen her since then, I think of that movie and how I howled during her big scene. LOL
All I got is 3 words Andrew: "Your Dad Rocks!"
I love how the only 2 people to comment on this post are both guys.
@Mark - I totally forgot about Kim Catrall! Hah! Nicely done. Howling indeed!
@Kyle - On that instance, I agree.