Spare Change

sung to the tune of back in time

Posted by Bryan

The Blogger Idol theme is "The 80s." No doubt, had blogging been around in this formative decade, I would have partaken. Had such a blog existed, it would have looked a little something like.....

this....

The Big Mac Attack
insight from the coolest guy in Northwestern Colorado


August 30, 1984
Finally, I'm a 7th grader! Football is going good. I made first team on both offense and defense. We are gonna rock this year! If we're half as good as we were in all our intramural games last year, the other teams don't stand a chance!

I'm psyched because I got second lunch with Al, Jon, Troy, and Beaver. All the cool girls are in there too Angel, Tracey, Ronae, Stacy, Jamie, Cherylee. I kinda like Becca Watkins, too. I might ask her out.

It's just awesome not to be caught up in all that junk that seemed so important back in 6th grade.

October 18, 1984
Well, football is over. We didn't win a game. I guess it's cool that I scored two touchdowns, but it's not cool that those were the only ones we scored all year long. Troy *did* have that 90 yard touchdown, but it was called back because I held a guy. Basketball is going to be different. We're unstoppable in basketball!

The fall social is getting close. I really want to ask Becca, but I think I'll ask Ronae instead.

November 22, 1984
Becca said YES!

December 25, 1984
Well, basketball is over. We lost every game. Coach said "you've had enough 'character building experiences' to last you a whole lifetime!" I agree.

Jon brought this tape to school today. It was called 1984 by Van Halen. I've heard of them before, but this tape is awesome! If we had that song Jump! for ball season, we woulda won every game!

Becca and I broke up. I think she likes Al.

July 19, 1985
Today is my 13th birthday! Woohoo! I'm just about the last one in my class to turn 13. We've been out at the lake all day today! I made out with Regina! I hope no one tells Becca.

Stacy almost drowned today. We had like 10 of us on a 5 person innertube. I needed to pee real bad, so I just rolled off, and that tipped the whole thing over. Yeah, Stacy's not a real strong swimmer. So we had to save her life. That woulda been a real bummer if she hadn't made it.

Someone made up a song for her called Careless Swimmer, like a rip off of Careless Whisper by George Michael, that dude from Wham! I bet he gets all the girls...

8th grade starts in a few weeks. We are going to rule the school!

September 18, 1985
Becca broke up with me at the Rollercade last night. She said she heard someone saw me kissing Regina. At least I had on my red parachute pants, so I looked really cool. I just wish I could breakdance like Trevor. He is sooooo good at The Robot. He really looks just like a robot!

September 19, 1985
Becca and I are back together. I am so in love with her. We are going to be together forever!

September 20, 1985
I totally broke up with Becca today. I found out that she and Alan were totally kissing at the rollercade the other night.

September 21, 1985
I dedicated Why Can't This Be Love to Becca. Hagar and Van Halen really know how to say what's in my heart.

April 19, 1986
Becca told me she's moving to Fruita. I'm too sad to write. If I go to the Rollercade tonight, I'm not going to even get off the bench. Not even for "Shoot the Duck."

April 20, 1986
I went skating last night. I stayed on the bench and I bet 20 people kept coming up asking me "what's wrong?" I kept saying "nothing." Finally, Lori came over and we started talking. We ended up kissing. I am so in love with Lori.

August 28, 1986
"Dawg Days" are in full heat. We're practicing twice a day, in full pads. All the freshmen are getting swirlies. Except me. I guess it helps having a senior for a brother.

August 30, 1986
Jamie gave me a swirlie today, in front of everybody. Three times.

September 8, 1986
La profesora made us choose Spanish names today. Call me Ustedes. I think Diane and I will get married someday.

February 20, 1987
Track has started. I think I actually have a chance at making varsity. Diane apologized for cheating on me like, thirty times. I told her it was cool and we could still be friends.

May 12, 1987
School's almost over. I'm a sophmore now! I gave Kelli Cotter a secret admirer note today. I told her I just found it in the hall. I signed it "your silent worshipper." I'm such a dork. At least she'll never know its me.

May 24, 1987
Jamie graduated. He's moving out next week. I'm taking his room as soon as he's gone.

September 4, 1987
School's going fine. Now that I'm in 10th grade, we don't have to sit up in the school attic before class starts. Everyone sits on the edge of the commons area. We all exchange homework before first hour. I found out Kelli is an office aide during lunch hour. I think I'll stop by and say "hi" today.

December 18, 1987
Kelli pretty much crushed me today. At lunch, she basically told me, "you know, you don't have to come by here *every* day." Oh yeah, I got the hint.

February 23, 1988
Diane and I are seeing each other. I gave her a note before computer class. Kelli's in that class with her. I think it might have made Kelli a little jealous. What do I care? She's still dating Terry.

May 23, 1988
Kelli graduated today. I gave her a card. I told her I'd always be here as a friend, but she needed to watch out for Terry, because he'd just break her heart. She smiled and hugged me. She's so cool. I'm really going to miss her. She's leaving like, tomorrow, for Texas. I hope I see her again someday.

June 12, 1988
I met this *cute* girl today. Her name is Mary Beth. I've known her, but never really talked with her. Anyway, we were over at Stacy's at a party, and we started talking. We're going to go catch a movie together tomorrow next week.

We were going to catch the show tomorrow night, but then I got grounded. Troy told his parents he was staying with me, and I said I was staying with him. And we both ended up crashing at Stacy's. Well, this is the one day my parents decide to pick me up for a 6 AM breakfast, and we're nowhere to be found. Yeah...not too smart.

November 5, 1988
I love Mary Beth. We talked about getting married after college. I am the luckiest guy in the world!


January 18, 1989
I kissed one of Mary Beth's best friends last night. oops!

January 19, 1989
Happy Birthday Mary Beth!

May 20, 1989
MB graduates today! Thank goodness! Maybe once she goes to school I can finally breathe.


July 15, 1989
MB is leaving for college in two weeks. I feel like I'm about to lose the only source of oxygen.

August 18, 1989
SENIOR YEAR BEGINS! WE RULE THE SCHOOL!

September 24, 1989
I've got to make up my mind. Either the University of Denver, the University of Colorado, or Stanford.

September 29, 1989
I've pretty much come to terms with the fact that I only applied to Stanford to see if I would get accepted. So that narrows it down.

November 21, 1989
DU has won the Bryan sweepstakes. I really dig the school except they don't have a football team.

December 6, 1989
MB is coming home from college. I better break it off with Kristie.

December 31, 1989

Resolutions for 1990:

• Live fast!


• Be crazy!


• Have more fun than you!


• Not get caught doing any of it!


I was invited to a church lock-in tonight. I will never be into that stuff! Jesus freaks!