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Isn't it fascinating how we've divided the human timeline into these quirky categories? We've got the silent heroes, the booming boomers, the effortlessly cool Gen X, the tech-savvy millennials, the Zoom-loving Gen Z, and hey there, Gen Alpha, you're next in line. But right now, let's turn the spotlight on you, you awesome Gen X'ers – the original latchkey kids, the masters of retro-cool. Born in 1965–1980, you know all too well about neon clothes, jelly bracelets, stirrup leggings, pay phones, big hair, and strawberry shortcake...

From the cosmic dust of the '60s to the neon glow of the '80s, the r/GenX subreddit captures the essence of what it was like to grow up and live in this era. We've curated our favorite posts from the group, so grab your VHS tapes, dust off your Pogs collection, and get ready for a journey through the era of neon fanny packs, grunge anthems, and a world where the only social network that mattered was the one you actually attended in person.

#1

I Feel Like As A Gen-Xer, This Resonates With Me

I Feel Like As A Gen-Xer, This Resonates With Me

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Remember when Cindy Brady said that by the time she got the attic room, it would be the year 2000? It seemed so far away.

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The Gen X'ers, now comfortably middle-aged, could tell us a lot about life and how it used to be. Today's trends, including music, fashion, and TV shows, often take cues from the vibrant '70s and '80s. A lively Reddit group, r/GenX boasts 98.1k members and is a hotspot for sharing nostalgic and funny content from that era.

#2

Trying To Think Of A Clever Caption, But I Can’t Top This

Trying To Think Of A Clever Caption, But I Can’t Top This

MotorCityTrucker Report

Besides the fun things we associate with the '70s and '80s, there was much more to it. Gen X was the first generation with both parents working outside the home, but childcare options were limited at that time. Known as the "Latchkey Kids," Xers grew up preparing meals and maintaining the household after school. This often led to a feeling of being overlooked, with Baby Boomers soaking up the limelight.

#5

This Sums Up The Genx Music-Purchasing Experience

This Sums Up The Genx Music-Purchasing Experience

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Jay Son
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also did minidisk for a while somewhere between tape and mp3. Oh, and now records are making a comeback -_-'

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#6

I Feel Like Gen X Is The Only Generation To Just Embrace This Reality

I Feel Like Gen X Is The Only Generation To Just Embrace This Reality

ActuallyCausal Report

A recent article in the New York Times defines Gen X this way: "A relatively small cohort sandwiched between baby boomers and millennials, this demographic consisting of Americans born between 1965 and 1980 seemed to dominate the cultural conversation for only a brief stretch of the 1990s, when Seattle seemed like the music capital of the universe and ‘Gen X' served as shorthand for all things edgy and cool."

#7

Sit, Ubu, Sit. Good Dog. Does Anyone Remember This?

Sit, Ubu, Sit. Good Dog. Does Anyone Remember This?

Deedeelite Report

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Fenchurch
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8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TIL the dog wasn't called Boo-boo like the little bear in Yogi Bear. DOH!

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They were the first to experience widespread cable television access as they grew up. In 1981, MTV, the 24/7 music video channel, arrived, capturing the hearts of countless Gen Xers and earning them the moniker "MTV Generation."

#10

Just Had To Leave This Here. Had No Choice In Fact

Just Had To Leave This Here. Had No Choice In Fact

takethelovepill Report

#11

How Everyone Else Thinks The 80s Looked Like vs. Reality

How Everyone Else Thinks The 80s Looked Like vs. Reality

fart-debris Report

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#12

"Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner!"

"Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner!"

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Gen Xers grew up during a time of significant events. They faced the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, leading to a focus on safe sex. They witnessed history unfold with the end of the Cold War, marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. They saw both the triumph of the first successful space shuttle flight in 1981 and the tragedy of the Challenger explosion five years later. Gen Xers lived through the U.S. government's anti-drug efforts, epitomized by the "just say no" campaign, and they also navigated the energy crises of the '70s and '80s.

#13

Who Else Grew Up Learning To Question Authority From This Character?

Who Else Grew Up Learning To Question Authority From This Character?

reddit.com Report

#15

How Very

How Very

VAinTX123 Report

Gen Xers are known for being resourceful and independent due to their latchkey upbringing. They value a work-life balance, having seen their parents' work demands affect family time. Their cynicism can be attributed to the economic and societal challenges they faced during their childhood and early adulthood.

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#16

I Suspect We Can All Relate To This

I Suspect We Can All Relate To This

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Alisa LaVine
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why am I in tears from laughing so hard over this? Really, I don't understand Gen Z speak.

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#17

What Would Some Of Our Disproven Facts Be?

What Would Some Of Our Disproven Facts Be?

monsterpupper , ericnakagawa Report

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Satan Laughs
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1. Bees are NOT led by a Queen. The hive’s workers are an organization which makes collective decisions. If the Queen ain’t pulling her weight she’ll be defenestrated and replaced. 2. Bermuda Triangle: total crock. 3. Sugar is better than fat in a diet. Lies. 4. You can literally eat five ham sandwiches in a pool and never cramp. Forget the 30-minute wait to swim after meals. 5. Words sometimes DO hurt more than sticks and stones. Shall I go on… wow 🤪

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#18

My God... We Suffered... Suffered So Much

My God... We Suffered... Suffered So Much

JoshOfArc Report

Now, aged 43 to 58, the "Coolest Generation" finds joy in simple activities like trips to Costco or Target, cozy Friday nights in, excitement over a new shower or lawnmower, and even crafting jelly from hand-picked crabapples.

#19

Does Anyone Else Still Do This?

Does Anyone Else Still Do This?

calrammer Report

#20

Stuck In The Middle With You

Stuck In The Middle With You

reddit.com Report

To offer a point of reference and comparison with Gen X, we've gathered information about the next two generations. The revolution was influenced by millennials, also known as Generation Y. Born between 1982 and 1994, they're digital natives, seamlessly incorporating technology into their daily routines. They moved from an analog to a digital world. Unlike earlier generations, millennials face intense competition due to the economic crisis, prompting them to strive for better qualifications. Unlike their Generation X parents, they're ambitious and determined to achieve their goals.

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#22

Who Had A Car Stereo That Had A Removeable Faceplate?

Who Had A Car Stereo That Had A Removeable Faceplate?

jsakic99 Report

Generation Z, aged 8 to 23, will be the leaders in the future. They're also called centennials, born between 1995 and 2010, and came into the world with tablets and smartphones. Who are they? They're the Internet generation, it's part of them – in their homes, education, and how they socialize. Finding jobs might be even harder for them than for Generation Y. They're tech-savvy but might prioritize screens over people. Yet, they use the Internet for social causes. They expect instant results due to their digital lives and are influenced by YouTubers. They can multitask but have shorter attention spans. As consumers, they're independent and demanding, and their future jobs might not exist yet.

#25

Yes We Turned Out Just Fine

Yes We Turned Out Just Fine

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Jill Rhodry
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Klinger, Dame Edna, Rocky Horror, Bugs Bunny, Freddy Mercury (I wanna break free), Monty Python, Bosom Buddies, Some like it hot, Tootsie, Divine, Boy George, Marilyn, and a little later, To Wong Fu thanks for everything, Priscilla Queen of the desert, Mrs Doubtfire, Birdcage, - why is cross dressing such an issue now?

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#26

So... Umm... There's That

So... Umm... There's That

JoshOfArc Report

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#27

Only Genx Has This Specialized Skill

Only Genx Has This Specialized Skill

OttieandEddie Report

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Annik Perrot
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now that's not true. I'm à boomer, with millenial kids, and I was the one who knew how!

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Continue scrolling for a dose of nostalgia and fun from the Gen X era – the generation that gave us leg warmers and the modern smartphone. Upvote your favorite ones and drop a comment on the ones that resonated with you the most.

#28

The Blockbuster Strikes Back

The Blockbuster Strikes Back

Fickle-Rutabaga-1695 Report

#29

Little Bit Of Truth To This. My Mind Is Still 30, But My Body Says Nice Try

Little Bit Of Truth To This. My Mind Is Still 30, But My Body Says Nice Try

Fleegle1834 Report

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From the age of six, I babysat my older brother after school because I was the responsible one. He was nine.

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#30

Phil Basically Raised A Generation

Phil Basically Raised A Generation

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Paula Pattison
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a period of about 6 months in around 1985 when it was Phil Collins or Philip Bailey and no-one else

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#31

We Ate King Dongs And Listened To Gregorian Chants. What A Time To Be Alive

We Ate King Dongs And Listened To Gregorian Chants. What A Time To Be Alive

37thFloorAstronaut Report

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Kristy Marion
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh dear. Enigma Sadeness will now be stuck in my head all night. Grrrrrr 😂

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Robert T
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parents and I were on holiday and were driving along, and just as we got to a big bridge, the cassette in the stereo completed it's auto-reverse and started playing this. My mum thought she was about to meet her maker!

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XenoMurph
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those who disparage gregorian chant...Two words... Sea Shanties

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sturmwesen
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember the chants (with fear and hate) but I love the shanties to push my work flow

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Jay Son
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still listen to it from time to time. Enigma was awesome.

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xczechr
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The f**k is a king dong as a food? To me it's just my lil' buddy.

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MichelleDonut
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hostess chocolate snack cakes with cream filling. Looks like a hockey puck. They sell them under different names in different places: Ding Dongs and King Dons. Not actually King Dongs.

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Nizumi
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was the Bulgarian Women's Choir for me. Ambrosian chants are nicer, IMO. :)

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I agree with you but...
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, thanks for that one. They were amazing. The voicings of those harmonies. I'm off to dig that up.!

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ॐBoyGanesh
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let’s not forget Baka Pygmy spoken word & singers with Solomon Island chants set to French ambient music. Particularly Sweet Lullaby by Deep Forest.

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Jessica Shookhoff
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know, it's funny 'cause everything was XTREME and so YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND 'CAUSE YOU'RE OLD & LAME, but also, Enya, Enigma, Gregorian. We were very complicated souls.

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TheBlueBitterfly
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a gregorian chants cd, was great for studying background music.

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Disfunktional
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And there was also a week or two of the indigenous tribal drums and chantin of Deep Forest.

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TheBlueBitterfly
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember I had some cd called Thunderdrums that had all kinds of tribal drums from around the world. (Or at least their take on it, lol)

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Mary Ross
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In parochial school, we were taught to sing Gregorian. Nuns with sticks strolling around to see if we were doing it right. Oh yeah, happy memories.

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Sue Phillips
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At the risk of seeming ignorant, what the hell is a King Dong?

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Caroline Driver
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But, there was also those godawful...mish mash singles, like songs of the Beatles, or bits of classical music, and others, all rammed together by a single beat. Geez I hated those.

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SinéadQ
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Enigma!!! Wow hadn't thought about that tape (yeah I had it on tape) in years!

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Lene
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom got 3 cds with Gregorian. 3 CDS! So unfortunatly for me it was a few years in the 90s that was about that music. Gregorian and also that Native American electro-thing that happened at ca the same time. My mom has always had a very romantic view of Native Americans so she felt very spiritual when she listened to that Native American electro-music.

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Baali Venomax
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dont know why but I had to stop listening to Enigma because for some reason, that entire album made me very unstable mentally and I kept wanting to hurt myself. I wont listen to that kind of music to this day, just in case I get a flashback trigger. Plenty of other great music from the 80s to listen to instead.

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WayoftheStarPrincess
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm Gen Y but I do love those chants. Gregorian chants and Enya (even before lotr) was a whole thing when I needed to lay down and be sad about stuff for a while.

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Dawnieangel76
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, yes. The "Pure Moods" days. Or nights, rather. It was the only thing that could make me sleep.

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Omima mimi miki
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a huge white computer at home called " macintosh" lol and i remember it had those CD ROM programs you could rummage through and I loved discovering gregorian chants!!!! I remember loving one so much and i vowed that i would find it when i got older - during university years i went to borders to try and find the CD and low and behold there she was - " Thomas Luis De Victoria" - now i have it on my itunes lol ;)

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Anxious Aardvark
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm. I always was out of step. That was 1979 for me. Along with a Tibetan album with chants, bells and very loud horns. The guy next door swore he kept hearing trains.

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Ken Beattie
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read the "We ate King Dongs" bit and thought "Oh my!" Had to look it up (carefully). Apparently they're a treat we never got here.

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️Crystal️
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This millennial had Gregorian chants on cassette and her gen x parents were concerned... though not as concerned as they were about Enya

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Demongrrrrl
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still listen to my Gregorian chant album. It helps when I can't fall asleep.

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Bertha Madott
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was born at the beginning of the Baby Boom. 1948. Italian Canadian catholic family. I grew up learning Gregorian chant. I loved it then and still love it now. This music is part of my life.

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Ozymandias73
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Man, I had a cassette of those chants just because. Listened to it a few times then it sat in my cassette drawer chest holder thingy w/the rest of my dozens of tapes.

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similarly
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've still got my Gregorian chants around here somewhere.

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Janet Sparrow
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was in an Uber and the guy had on a group that sang regular songs as Gregorian Chant. Nah.

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Alyssa Phillips
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was reminded when I heard my 3 children singing The Wellerman and was baffled as to how my 13,9, and 5 year old know a shanty from the late 1800s.

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#32

Not A Gen Xer, But The Ones I Know Are Exactly Like This

Not A Gen Xer, But The Ones I Know Are Exactly Like This

darienhaha Report

#33

This Place Was A Friday Night Out

This Place Was A Friday Night Out

Alexandria_Scott Report

#34

My Daughter Found My Old Walkman, So I Left Her A Note

My Daughter Found My Old Walkman, So I Left Her A Note

Bubbasteed Report

#35

You Can Add Driving During The Day In Any Season, Really

You Can Add Driving During The Day In Any Season, Really

momosandmumus Report

#36

Who All Laid On One Of These Bad Boys As A Kid?

Who All Laid On One Of These Bad Boys As A Kid?

OttieandEddie Report

#37

It’s Not Even Funny. It’s A Big Source Of My Stress

It’s Not Even Funny. It’s A Big Source Of My Stress

sub_machine_fun Report

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#38

Hilarity On A Level That Never Gets Old

Hilarity On A Level That Never Gets Old

JoshOfArc Report

#39

This Post Is To All The Genx's With Uncommon Names And The Bitter Sting Of The Gift Shop Keychains

This Post Is To All The Genx's With Uncommon Names And The Bitter Sting Of The Gift Shop Keychains

OttieandEddie Report

#40

I Learned Opera From A Cross Dressing Rabbit

I Learned Opera From A Cross Dressing Rabbit

rafster929 Report

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Gustav Gallifrey
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Domain (large public open space in the city of Sydney), 1980s. 'Opera at the Domain'. Orchestra start playing Wagner. A low, but very distinct murmuring from the crowd: 'Kill the rabbit, kill the rabbit...'.

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#41

What Was Your "Must See" Movie You Shared With Younger Generations?

What Was Your "Must See" Movie You Shared With Younger Generations?

ForceDisturbed Report

#43

Yes We Did. F**king Gop Idiots

Yes We Did. F**king Gop Idiots

ReturnFun9600 Report

#44

Peak Genx - Riding Your Bike Down The Middle Of The Street, Standing On The Banana Seat, No Helmet

Peak Genx - Riding Your Bike Down The Middle Of The Street, Standing On The Banana Seat, No Helmet

Lonestar-Boogie Report

#45

This Post Needs To Be 25 Characters But I Think The Fella Below Said Enough

This Post Needs To Be 25 Characters But I Think The Fella Below Said Enough

clalach76 Report

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Corvus
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great music, great movies, great video games... and there was still some sense of "innocence" in the world because the Cold War had just ended peacefully, and 9/11 had not happened yet.

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#46

Most Accurate Description Of Growing Up Gen X

Most Accurate Description Of Growing Up Gen X

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Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just remember, kids. If it all kicks off, there's fück all you can do about it, so don't waste your time worrying.

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#47

Who Had School In A Portable?

Who Had School In A Portable?

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#48

Some Humor Needs No Explanation

Some Humor Needs No Explanation

PinkOutLoud Report

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Paul Rabit
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That feathered hair. That slightly leathery skin that only comes from a decade of sunbathing and cigarettes. Those were the days.

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#49

X'ers Were Scrappy Little Hooligans

X'ers Were Scrappy Little Hooligans

glxym31 Report

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Rob
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, come on, we ALL had mullets, and glasses the size of patio doors.

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#50

I Thought This Sub Would Appreciate This Cosplay From Superman (1978)

I Thought This Sub Would Appreciate This Cosplay From Superman (1978)

5_Frog_Margin Report

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