Flashbacks…

My bro and I were watching videos the other day, and Kirk Franklin has this new song that samples an old school track. I’m blanking on the name of his song and the old school jam, but it was funny how that instance jogged back memories. My bro and I were laughing because we used to watch Vacation Video on PBS, and during the break between shows, they would show freeze frames of random kids being “active” – like kicking a kick ball, swinging on monkey bars, and doing some weird ass stretches and whatnot, all with the backdrop of funk music. My bro and I laughed even more when he mentioned that fact that we wanted to buy the vacation video activity book, but we couldn’t afford it. Well, we laughed momentarily at that. That shit was only $10, but it was $10 we didn’t have. Interesting. On Comcast, they have been playing this PSA asking people to donate clothes and such to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. I remember when I was a kid, we used to go to the center on San Leandro Ave. in East Oakland to get clothes and toys. We spend what felt like hours in there trying to get the good finds and such. I think one time I prolly thought to myself “man, I hope none of my friends see me in here.” But that was about only one time – I guess the fact that we were buying things from a salvation center didn’t really matter so much. Early on, my siblings and I learned the big difference between needs and wants. Like we didn’t need that damn Vacation Video booklet, as much as we needed to eat and have clothes on our backs. It’s funny how these memories come back full circle at the right time. And that we can have a little light hearted laughter about it, but still being cognizant of the fact that the experience had a much deeper meaning.
On a Super Bowl note, I’m pulling for the Steelers. Make Franco Harris and Terry Bradshaw proud! =)