Blasphemy

As a true 80's kid, there are any number of things that are sacred to me that many other people--younger people--wouldn't understand. Snoopy Sno Cone Machines, the He-Man cartoon, original Care Bears, Rainbow Brite, The Facts of Life. These are all experiences from the 80's that we thirty-somethings fondly remember, but deep down we know they weren't any good. It hurts to admit it sometimes, but let's be realistic. Have you watched a re-run of Family Ties? I adored that show as a kid, and now I'm aware that it really kinda sucked.

But there were some truly great things that came out of the 80's. Cheers was a great thing. The Slip'n'Slide. My Little Pony (although my mom wouldn't let me have one because it looked "like a pig fetus." Years later, my younger sister had several.). And Magnum P.I. Magnum was a great thing.

Apparently the carnies think so, too. There we were, walking down the Midway at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. And amidst the run-of-the-mill Gravitron, The Zipper, and the Himalaya, there he was. A poorly painted Thomas Magnum (look at the shape of his head! say it ain't so!) smiling down upon us, most likely trying to solve the mystery of what the hell is really in Deep Fried Pepsi. Either that or wondering why instead of the terrific Mike Post Magnum PI theme song, revelers were spinning around to the tune of Ice, Ice Baby.

*photos courtesy of Marc