And Now for Something Completely Different

I was recently reading the March issue of the "Advocate" and found myself laughing out loud when I reached "Talking Points" an article written by Josh Kilmer-Purcell. His topic: Teen idols.

It started me thinking about my younger days, when in my pre-teen and teen years, I was totally flipped out for the idols of my time: David Cassidy, the Monkees and Bobby Sherman. Those were the days...

I remember watching the "Partridge Family" on Friday nights, glued to every moment in that half hour. I wanted a maroon velvet vest. I wanted to play with the family. I wanted to be the 'adopted' Partridge! To this day, I still have my copy of the very first Partridge Family album.

And, I still know every word to the biggest hit of the time, "I Think I Love You."

Growing up in the 60's and 70's we didn't have the Internet, or blogs to keep up to date on the happenings of our 'fave' teen idols. The monthly teen magazines were the source of 'truth' that I looked forward to reading. My two favorites were "16 Magazine" and "Tiger Beat." I was shocked to see that Tiger Beat is still alive and on the newsstands. 16 Magazine seems to be long gone.

Life was so simple then. I didn't have to worry about the economy. I didn't have to worry about my investments or the stock market. I didn't have to worry about a crazy busy schedule at work. All I needed to worry about was being a good student, and waiting for the next issue of 16 Magazine or the newest single from the Partridge Family.

This year, I turn 50. While I am having some 'issues' around this milestone birthday, I don't think I would have wanted to grow up in any other era... life was good. I'll always hold on to those memories of teen magazines, fan clubs, and those concerts in my bedroom when I was, for a fleeting moment, the adopted Partridge. Hello world.. there's a song that we're singing...