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This Is Almost 40

Filed Under: 1990s Decade, Birthdays, BLOG, humorous posts, Life in General, lists, Nostalgia, One Word Challenge Tagged With: , , ,

Recently, my husband informed me that the newest intern lmt work was born in 1995.  I fell silent at the plain shock of this ghastly and horrifying admission.  See in 1995, I was a smart-mouthed, invincible 18 year old senior in high school. So, 40 was a lifetime away. Plus, forty was also a death sentence. Therefore, I wanted to hide from this frightening fact or stay forever 18. But I picked my almost middle-aged mom mouth off the floor. Then, I realized that I am almost 40. Plus, the 90s were another lifetime ago.

Yet this young intern, my own kids, or anyone pretty much under the age of 35 would be as Clueless as Cher Horowitz to the anger management, chair throwing Jerry Springer-like memories that sadly indicate that I am almost 40.

This is Almost 40

Are you almost 40, too? Well here are a few more things you can pretend not to know:

1.  OJ Simpson became a household name with first captivating prime time audiences with the juice being loose in the infamous chase and then subsequently changing the face of daytime TV with the even more notorious trial with, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit!“.

2.  90210 found you were either Team Kelly or Team Brenda. See most teen girls coveted the newest James Dean clone or Dylan McKay. Plus, they wished to live like the rich and famous in the famous zip code.

3.  Friends, we all wanted them. Why? Because they were there for us. Plus, girls all coveted the Rachel do. Simply because as Chandler would say, “Could it BE any better than that!“

4.  TGIF meant Friday nights were for Full house’s with Stephanie Judith Tanner’s, “How Rude” and Eurkel’s, “Did I do that?”.

5.  Seinfeld was solely the show about nothing with the best one liners, such as “The Master of Your Domain”, “I was in the pool”, “Shrinkage”, and “Yada, Yada, Yada!“, too.

6.  Saturday morning, we were all Saved by the Bell with the Zach Attack, The Big Bopper, Richie Belding and got “Just that excited” with Jessie Spano.

7.  The Simpsons were King with Bartman’s, “I Didn’t do it” and “Nobody better lay a finger on my butterfinger”.

8.  South Park became a contender with whining, screeching Cartman and “OMG, They killed Kenny. You bastards!”

[clickToTweet tweet=”‘OMG, They killed Kenny. You bastards!’ + 9 more signs you are nearing 40!” quote=”‘OMG, They killed Kenny. You bastards!’ + 9 more signs you are nearing 40!”]

9.  The Real World was where all Gen Xers wanted to live. Plus once upon a time ago chose between Pedro and Puck.

10.  Beavis and Butthead did “America” with “I Am The Great Cornholio” and “Do you want teepee for your bunghole!”

But on second thought, just like Claire Dane’s, Angela Chase,  this is still just, “My So-Called Life” at almost 40!

*This post was originally written for the One Word Blog Linkup that was hosted by Lisa of The Golden Spoons and yours truly, too.

*But also linkied up with Kristi for Finish the Sentence Friday for the sentence, “When it comes to death…”

*A version of this article has also appeared on The Huffington Post.

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Allie says

    Happy Birthday Janine!!!!! Of course I remember (fondly) ALL of these things and more. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. And really, 40 is not that bad and I would never want to go back to being an intern again 🙂 xoxoxo

  2. Leanne@crestingthehill says

    Happy birthday!! I’ve hit the big 5-0 and I still smile at some of those TV shows – the 90’s seemed like only yesterday and maybe it’s a good thing that they’ve gone (remember shoulder pads and perms??)

  3. Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says

    Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!! I think we are the same age (I turned 38 back in March) and I remember all of these!! I have never been a fan of Seinfeld or Beavis & Butthead, though. I was always team Brenda, but I had a crush on Steve – the underdog! 🙂 Loved Friends, Saved by the Bell, and Full House. I wasn’t allowed to watch MTV, but I would got downstairs to “do my homework” and secretly watch the Real World, too!

    • Janine says

      Thank you Lisa and we are most definitely the same and love that I have you to keep me company at this age. Oh and my mom actually got me into The Real World back in the day (true story!!). And don’t hate me but I was Team Kelly once they made Brenda have more edge!! 😉

  4. Dana says

    I’m almost 40 also, just in the other direction! Happy birthday, Janine – thanks for the walk down memory lane! In 1995 I was newly married, and now we are watching the entire series of Friends with our kids. Jeesh! Time flies.

    • Janine says

      Aw, thanks Dana and times does surely fly as I totally remember watching the whole series of Friends from the beginning back when it first aired, too 😉

  5. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    OMG, I totally remember being glued to the tv the night of the car chase with Al Cowling. It was so exciting. LOL.

    • Janine says

      I was actually out swimming at a friend’s pool that night, but watched when we came inside and dried off. Will never forget it either!!

  6. Kristen says

    When I interview athletes I always look up their bio’s in the media guide, they were born AFTER I graduated college! It’s amazing to me how old I am but I still FEEL 27! I miss 90210 and Cheers and all of the other good shows. Sigh.

    • Janine says

      I know I truly don’t feel my age most times and so have to remind myself, as well. And I miss all those shows and than some here, too 😉

  9. alisa/icescreammama says

    Well happiest birthday to you!!! And when i think about it or see a nostalgic (ugh) is frightening how long ago things happened. but hey, in my house, we’re still watching full house! haha. and this week i was a skating rink! 🙂

    • Janine says

      I know and loved that you were at the skating rink! Totally awesome in my book and thank you for the birthday wishes, too 😉

  12. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    Will you be 40 this year? This month? You know I turn 50 this year and I am still having such a difficult time with it. Probably because all my kids are getting older too and leaving me. BOO! Thank God Full House is coming back on t.v. I cannot wait to watch the new shows. I love following your blog!

    Many blessings,
    Diane

    • Janine says

      I still have two years for 40 and turned 38 today. But still inching closer to 40 definitely am feeling it myself. But like you so happy Full House will be back 😉

  13. Jhanis says

    South park, Beavis and Butthead, 90210 and Friends…Oh my… Those were the days Janine! LOL Wishing you the loveliest birthday! Have a fantastic celebration! xo

  14. Seana Turner says

    Sadly, I’m closer to almost 50 than almost 40:) But I know that feeling about the intern’s age… I had a similar moment when a babysitter told me she was dressing up as an 80’s girl for Halloween… and I had been an 80s girl, so that felt weird!

  15. Leslie says

    Solid mid-30s here, but I can totally relate to all of this. I can still clearly recall binge-watching the Real World Marathon with Pedro and Puck. All the drama! And whatever happened to the TGIF lineup? Those shows were so much better than all the junk that’s on these days.

    • Janine says

      I agree and definitely miss TGIF and so many of these shows. Nothing I watch truly is the same to me now sadly.

  16. Alexa says

    I LOVE THIS POST!!! This brought everything about my childhood right back. And My So Called Life. Best. Teenage. Show. EVER. Oh my goodness this made me nostalgic! I too was 18 in 1995. 🙂

    • Janine says

      Alexa, you are so right about My So Called Life and truly was so upset when they took it off. Never understood that and never will!

  17. Allie says

    Momma! I know he feeling. I am WELL into my 40s:(. I was at a store the other day and saw the signed about it you were born after this date in 1994, you cannot buy alcohol. Oh lordy…I almost died. I 1994, I was a twenty something living in Fort Lauderdale, working at my first job having recently earned my Master’s, having the time of my life. It really made me pause. People born in 1994 can now drink. Crap.

    • Janine says

      OK, that is so scary and yes god help me 1994 drinking might have just sent me over the edge a bit, too!! LOL 😉

  20. Bill says

    I know I was alive then but I don’t remember much of it. LOL Happy Birthday my friend. Have a wonderful day.

  23. Karen says

    Happy Birthday! From what you wrote I’m probably the same age as you. 90210 was the biggest thing with my friends and I. We would have viewing parties when it was on in the summer. Remember they used to have a summer season?? Happy Birthday again!

    • Janine says

      Thank you Karen and I definitely do remember the summer seasons and always tuned in for the Beach Club episodes 😉

  24. Bev says

    Happy birthday, Janine! I’m under 35 (though now by much) and I remember all of those references from my youth 😉 When I had interns at my last job I couldn’t help but to feel old when I thought about what years they were born.

  25. Melanie says

    I’ll welcome you to the 40 Club! 🙂 I remember all those things and in 1995, I was getting ready to graduate from college. YIKES! Where did the time go? I still remember it like it was yesterday. The best is yet to come! I didn’t believe people when they talked about how great turning 40 was going to be. I thought 30 was great. 40’s are amazing! There’s something reassuring about knowing who you are and not worrying about what other people think. It’s freeing! 🙂

  26. karen says

    Happy Birthday babe!!!! You look fabulous! I’ll be 40 in October and can’t wait.

    I know I make references to a few 90’s and early 2000 TV shows and movies and my HS students just look at me like I;m weird…it’s quite surreal.

    • Janine says

      Karen, totally surreal when I get looked at by my own kids like I have five heads when I quote something from our generation and they have no clue. Thank you again for the birthday wishes.

  27. Marcia @ Blogitudes says

    First and foremost – Happy Birthday dear #1Word co-host! 🙂 I hope you have a truly marvelous day! I love this post – this stroll down memory lane. It seems we were thinking along the same line this week. I love that you used the TV approach. I’m past 40 by several years and definitely remember all the shows and events you mentioned. The OJ thing. Wow! What a spectacle that whole thing was. And “yada, yada, yada.” Gotta say I’m glad that’s somewhat fizzled out. I had a girlfriend who WAY overused it. LOL 🙂 I greatly enjoyed your blast from the past! Thank you, Janine!

    • Janine says

      Aw, thank you Marcia and I was truly smiling this morning when I saw that we both did take a similar approach to this one 😉

  30. Tamara says

    I’m just three years behind you so I loved ALL OF THOSE THINGS. Except I was probably not ready or cool enough for most of them, and you probably were!
    Ah! Happy Birthday to one of my blogging best friends! (I can’t bring myself to say bestie but it’s valid here)

    • Janine says

      Aw, I love you totally 3 years behind or not and definitely are cool enough to hang out with hopefully very soon!!! 😉

  33. christina says

    Happy Happy Birthday!! Going against our words, I hope you have a wonderful day filled with large amounts of cake, presents and togetherness <3

  34. Sue Loncaric says

    Happy Birthday!!! I remember everything you have shown – maybe I watched too much TV LOL:) Anyway I loved your post and I’m Sizzling Towards Sixty so don’t worry about 40 you haven’t even started yet!!!

  35. My Inner Chick says

    Haaaaaaaaaaaaappy Birthday.
    Didn’t you know that 40 is the new 30?
    40 is when you slide inside your own skin and not give a sh*t what others think! How liberating.
    btw, I love love love Saved By the Bell!! x

  36. Anonymous says

    Ha! What a fun read! I was never into 90210 so Brenda and Kelly are BFFs as far as I know. But I’m with you on all other mentions here. Beavis and Butthead! I totally forgot about them. That’s totally something I would not let me kids watch right now. The infamous Thursday night prime time line-up with Seinfeld was not to be missed and an excuse for a weekly GNO at somebody’s uptown apartment or another. Thanks for the flashbacks Janine!

  37. Julie Jo Severson says

    Ha! Thanks for these fabulous flashbacks. Thursday night lineup with Seinfeld was not to be missed and another excuse to gather at somebody’s apartment to drink wine. Beavis and Butthead–I haven’t thought about that show for ages. Definitely not something I’d allow my kids to watch now. I wasn’t much of a 90210 show so I’ll stay neutral on that one. Truly enjoyed this.

  40. Amber says

    I have to say, I found myself nodding to most of the list.

    I love Friends! My son likes to say, “So you watched it a long time ago too when you were little?”

  42. Kristi Campbell says

    I miss the younger years! Happy happy birthday Janine. I think I already said this here but you know, old age hahaha has a way of making us forget (for real) so rather than scrolling through to remember whether I said it for real or thought it while reading on my phone, happy birthday. You have so much wonder ahead of you. <3

  43. Melissa says

    This was great. I’m 36 so this resonated with me. 90210 and Saved by the Bell were part of my weekly tv routine. Mark Paul Gosselaar even went to my high school. I think he was in my older sister’s class.

    • Janine says

      Melissa, that is truly awesome about Mark Pail and I totally had a crush on him back in the day so not sure how I would have acted if I actually went to high school with him!! 😉

  44. Kelly L McKenzie says

    Happy, Happy 40! I shudder to think of all the years that have passed since I last saw 40, however I refuse to dwell on that. They’ve been wonderful years. Yes, the best is truly yet to come for you! This was such a clever post, Janine. Loved how you handled it. Raising my glass up high and shouting “here’s to another 40!”

  45. Anonymous says

    Happy Belated birthday!! I saw it was your birthday on Wednesday but I could comment (chrome doesn’t work for me with your mobile site anymore so I’m in Safari!) I hope you had a great day and even though I’m not near 40 I remember all of these things!!!

  47. Kenya G. Johnson says

    Happy belated Birthday!!! So I missed saying it on THE day. So of these were my brothers shows (he graduated in 96) but someone of them we watched today ( I was still living at home in my early 20s). I think of them all I could still sit down and look at Seinfeld and Friends.

    • Janine says

      Aw, thanks Kenya and my brother graduated in 2001. So, I think we had that similar generation gap there with our siblings and did watch some of his shows, too, because I was also living at home at that point still, too 😉

  49. Jen says

    Some of these shows my kids have no idea about and never will. My birthday is next month and it is one step closer to 40. It is amazing how old and young you can feel no matter the birthday age. I am so much smarter than my 18 year old self, but inside I still feel younger than my middle aged self. Go figure?

  51. Ginny Marie says

    I didn’t read all the comments, so I’m sure someone mentioned that they are making a sequel to Full House. I wonder if it’ll be any good? Happy Belated Birthday, Janine!

  53. Anonymous says

    So cute post!! Better late than never, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY Janine! I’m so glad I met you in this online world!! 🙂

    I’ve learned about Friends, Seinfield, and The Simpsons from my husband. He was born in 1985 and I’m even younger than him.

  54. Rea says

    CUTE POST! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANINE! Better late than never for me! I’m so glad I met you in this online world!!

    I learned about Friends, Seinfield, and The Simpsons from my husband and he was born in 1985. I’m even younger than him but I love his fave shows too! 🙂

  55. Jack says

    Hey now, OJ was nationally known long before the chase and not just because he was in Naked Gun or worked as sideline sports reporter. Nor because we remember his Hertz commercials.

    But because some of us remember when he played in the NFL and were old enough to be very disappointed that our sports hero turned into a murderer.

  56. Nina says

    I love all these references! Ahh… the good ol days. One of my coworkers shocked me when she had no idea who Brenda and Brandon were. In my mind I thought everyone knew who they were!

  59. Kathy Radigan says

    Well I know every single reference so that gives you an idea of how old I am! I loved My So Called Life and my son and I have so much fun watching Friends reruns. How is it possible that so much time has gone by it really all seems as if it was happening yesterday!!! Happy, happy, birthday my dear friend! xo

  61. Aunt Gloria says

    Sorry…I’m a little late in catching up with your posts. I know you had a happy birthday and hope you have many more. Thanks for this trip down Memory Lane of TV shows. I’m still addicted to Friends on re-runs. Re getting older….Nanny always said….be glad you made it this far! Consider the alternative! Enjoy every year of your life and be proud to be almost 40! Enjoy the benefit of your investment in your life! Lots of love…..xxoo

  62. Aunt Gloria says

    I left a comment yesterday….getting caught up late. And don’t know where it went. But basically….be glad you got to where you are and enjoy your accomplishments! Many happy birthdays ahead……love and xxoo

  63. Rabia @TheLiebers says

    I miss TGI Fridays on ABC! That was some quality tv!! And my boys sometimes put their shirts up on their heads like Cornholio and I laugh hysterically and they just don’t get why it’s so funny. Of course, I’m not gonna explain it til they’re much older!!

  64. Echo says

    Happy Birthday, Janine and yes, I am right there with you because I remember it all too! Thank you for sharing this at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!

  65. Kenya G. Johnson says

    Pedro and Puck, what a throwback. Yep I was all up in watching that series and couldn’t wait for the next week. Wasn’t Andrea from 90210 on that particular show too? I think that’s when I found out how old she was in real life. I don’t remember how old she was then but I know she was way older than me and I called her “old”.

    • Janine says

      Kenya, I totally called her old too back then and I can’t stop smiling as you just reminded me and brought me back on that comment, too 🙂

  68. Allie says

    I’m commenting again:) (Cause I did the last time – lol). You know that Luke Perry is now 50, right? EEEk. The other day at work, one of my coworkers made the comment that Friends (my favorite show of all time) wasn’t fanny. I have decided I no longer like that person!

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