Red Peppers, Cocaine, and Milk
@johnacecil.bsky.social
Just some dude. I write songs about Zombie Queens from Outer Space.
I use Eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally" to remember which is which, doing the opposite of Clapton, which is a good policy in many areas of life.
January 20, 2026 at 10:19 PM
I use Eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally" to remember which is which, doing the opposite of Clapton, which is a good policy in many areas of life.
I spent a good amount of time thinking about The Lost Boys for this.
January 19, 2026 at 11:19 PM
I spent a good amount of time thinking about The Lost Boys for this.
With the possible exception of the collected Bond franchise, I'm not sure there's any more since then OR before then that have had its impact.
And while what I'm interested in here is why western GenXers are the way we are, Star Wars' impact is felt to this day by pretty much everyone, globally.
And while what I'm interested in here is why western GenXers are the way we are, Star Wars' impact is felt to this day by pretty much everyone, globally.
January 19, 2026 at 10:28 AM
With the possible exception of the collected Bond franchise, I'm not sure there's any more since then OR before then that have had its impact.
And while what I'm interested in here is why western GenXers are the way we are, Star Wars' impact is felt to this day by pretty much everyone, globally.
And while what I'm interested in here is why western GenXers are the way we are, Star Wars' impact is felt to this day by pretty much everyone, globally.
These are exactly the ones I came up with, before Ted opened my eyes to The Breakfast Club.
All 3 have the under-the-surface conservatism with a paint job veneer of smartass rebellion, which I think is a requirement.
All 3 have the under-the-surface conservatism with a paint job veneer of smartass rebellion, which I think is a requirement.
January 19, 2026 at 10:24 AM
These are exactly the ones I came up with, before Ted opened my eyes to The Breakfast Club.
All 3 have the under-the-surface conservatism with a paint job veneer of smartass rebellion, which I think is a requirement.
All 3 have the under-the-surface conservatism with a paint job veneer of smartass rebellion, which I think is a requirement.
LOVE Heathers, and in fact is one of my "we used to own 4 movies so saw them a thousand times" movies.
January 19, 2026 at 1:40 AM
LOVE Heathers, and in fact is one of my "we used to own 4 movies so saw them a thousand times" movies.
Yeah that's a good one.
January 19, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Yeah that's a good one.
I think TBC beats out Top Gun and Ghostbusters. I'm not sure about Back to the Future, tho.
January 19, 2026 at 1:18 AM
I think TBC beats out Top Gun and Ghostbusters. I'm not sure about Back to the Future, tho.
For these purposes, Grease is competing with Star Wars. And while I don't think it wins, it puts up one hell of a fight.
January 19, 2026 at 1:04 AM
For these purposes, Grease is competing with Star Wars. And while I don't think it wins, it puts up one hell of a fight.
I think it's a good suggestion. I'm not sure it beats out a few others, but it has a case.
January 19, 2026 at 1:00 AM
I think it's a good suggestion. I'm not sure it beats out a few others, but it has a case.
Also, in all seriousness, that period of entertainment was predicated on the accepted truism that country music & its culture was openly and deeply anti-cop. I miss that.
January 19, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Also, in all seriousness, that period of entertainment was predicated on the accepted truism that country music & its culture was openly and deeply anti-cop. I miss that.
We really should bring back calling a sucker punch a "right turn, Clyde."
January 19, 2026 at 12:36 AM
We really should bring back calling a sucker punch a "right turn, Clyde."
There's an un-fucking-criticizable fellow (musically anyway), who died young. All evidence says what he would have made in the decade following his death would have been dreck. But if you say it out loud, you can't imagine the pushback you get.
None will find my clever clue in there I bet.
None will find my clever clue in there I bet.
January 18, 2026 at 11:22 PM
There's an un-fucking-criticizable fellow (musically anyway), who died young. All evidence says what he would have made in the decade following his death would have been dreck. But if you say it out loud, you can't imagine the pushback you get.
None will find my clever clue in there I bet.
None will find my clever clue in there I bet.
Honestly, I think a case could be made that Temple is the MOST GenX of the series. The haha they're weird racism is RIGHT in our wheelhouse.
January 18, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Honestly, I think a case could be made that Temple is the MOST GenX of the series. The haha they're weird racism is RIGHT in our wheelhouse.
It's the 3rd best Starship song!
January 18, 2026 at 9:52 PM
It's the 3rd best Starship song!
Top Gun appealed to girls at the time, which is one of the reasons it's a strong contender. Pretty in Pink is a good choice, too.
January 18, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Top Gun appealed to girls at the time, which is one of the reasons it's a strong contender. Pretty in Pink is a good choice, too.
Absolutely.
January 18, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Absolutely.
See, this is why I don't think the Spielberg/Lucas side of the sandbox really meets the age. MTV showing a 3 minute ad for a movie once an hour placed things deeper in the Zeitgeist. A method of promotion those 2 gents never really used.
January 18, 2026 at 5:26 PM
See, this is why I don't think the Spielberg/Lucas side of the sandbox really meets the age. MTV showing a 3 minute ad for a movie once an hour placed things deeper in the Zeitgeist. A method of promotion those 2 gents never really used.
(it was BTTF and Ghostbusters)
January 18, 2026 at 5:24 PM
(it was BTTF and Ghostbusters)
Fuckin' Sherlock Holmes over here.
January 18, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Fuckin' Sherlock Holmes over here.
OK, this is a very good suggestion. Like, I don't think it meets ALL the criteria, but the ones it meets, it REALLY meets.
January 18, 2026 at 5:23 PM
OK, this is a very good suggestion. Like, I don't think it meets ALL the criteria, but the ones it meets, it REALLY meets.
I'd considered Batman. That thing was /everywhere/ for a year.
January 18, 2026 at 5:22 PM
I'd considered Batman. That thing was /everywhere/ for a year.