If you weren't a kid or a nerd in the '90s, these video game advertisements might look strange. Read the rest

When we ran out of bullets the noise from "Rave Camp" became intolerable.

After eating all my mushrooms I watched some dudes burn a poorly built mannequin thing.

A half-naked woman,

out of her head on MDMA,

whom I'd never met before and never will again,

snuggled up and fell asleep in my lap.

I drank a huge rum and coke. There was no ice.

A woman was carrying a live goldfish in a cup.

The van I borrowed from motorcycle.com mysteriously acquired bullet holes.

There were dogs.

...Burning Man, 1996.

Image via Ryan Powers Read the rest

Remember that "shame" video of the kid getting a Nintendo as a gift in 1988? Well, my former child actor friend Jared Hirsch saw it too and shared his own "shame" video from 1998 with me. His nearly two-hour long submission captures the splendor, joy, and robot sunglasses of his Bar Mitzvah reception on Staten Island.

I asked Jared if he had anything he'd like to say about the video. This is what he wrote back:

In 1988, I was a 13 year old growing up in Staten Island, the curious fifth borough in New York City. As all good young Jewish kids my age, my devoted parents threw me a classic 80s Bar Mitzvah. It was like a wedding, but for horny pre- and just-turned teens. Rented hall, live band, videographer, catered dinner, dancing, games, and all the attention I craved. I remember later that night sitting on their bed, counting all of the savings bonds I was gifted for becoming a man and feeling like a thousandaire. In 10 years, I cashed them and paid for a whole month of college. Behold in all it's transferred from VHS glory, my Bar Mitzvah party. Don't miss the Bar Mitzvah rap at 1hr10min, or my relatives not understanding how a video camera works. Delight in the snazzy renditions of your favorite 70s and 80 party songs. Cringe at the hair. Laugh at me for my overinflated ego, but don't forget that you too were 13 once.

Read the rest

There were shows 6 nights a week. The theater was my home.