Day 5 SOL 16: The Video Store

Sometimes I laugh over the books I find in our book room.  Yesterday was one of those days.  I went to find a book for a group of students.  Many books were checked out so I was reading books resting in their cardboard boxes that typically I might ignore.  That's when I pulled out, The Video Store.  The title just made me laugh.  Picking this book would surely require a bit of an extended introduction.  There was no way the six year olds sitting around me during reading would know what a video store was.

Holding the book I couldn't help but take a second to remember.  When I was younger a trip to the video store was one of our weekend highlights.  Living in a small town without a movie theater, our family was always behind on the latest movies.  Picking out a movie from shelves and shelves of possibilities was always enjoyable.

Of course the video store evolved in my world.  Years later our video experience would be amplified by video stores like Blockbuster with their multiple copies of the newest releases.  These stores were four times the size of the little video store I remember from my small town.  There were so many genres and movies to consider as we wandered the shelves of the store.  Bonus rental schemes encouraged you to borrow more than one movie.  On our trips with our children, we'd end up with a movie or two for the kids and a movie for us after everyone was tucked into bed.  One of the highlights was reading the large board that hung over the checkout that shared dates for upcoming releases.  It took strategy to be at the video store in time to snag a copy of a new release.

Fast forward years later, as I stand with this book in my hand knowing my students will have no idea about a video store.  Netflix mail programs ended the life of the video store, followed quickly by streaming of movies.  Smiling to myself, I place the book back into its box and take a moment to remember the video store.

For the month of March I will be participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge hosted at Two Writing Teachers.  It will be a busy month of writing, commenting, and learning with this community.  Stop by today's link up to join the conversation or find some great reading.




Comments

  1. Tammy and I had an experience like this in Alaska this year. We kept seeing video stores everywhere and couldn't figure out why. Then we realized that most homes do not have internet or cable connections so they still use video stores. We know some schools there you could send those books to.... love joining you in your school through your slice!
    Clare

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  2. In our small town we had a video store that I made many visits to. The man behind the counter would get the video and ring it up at the counter It was sad when they closed down and Blockbuster became the new venue. Great to remember those times that seem so long ago, I am glad I have the memory unlike your 6 year olds.

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  3. I hadn't thought about the video stores. I was sad to see the local Blockbusters close down. So many trips there! We still hang onto old ways but now we rent from Red Box. We know that new releases come out on Tuesdays. We are movie watchers! My husband and I watch nearly every movie that comes out. So we are always anxious to visit the Red Box on Tuesdays. Thanks for the nudge to think about those old video stores. Happy Writing!

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  4. It's like when students have to read "The Internet" in the F&P BAS. Its already outdated information. They are often so confused. Or when I was administering a test with a picture of an "old" phone on it and the student had no idea what it was. He called a computer. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

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  5. That is too funny! You are right, a lengthy introduction would be required!

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  6. So much fun to read and reminisce with you!

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  8. I smiled as I read this as it brought back many happy memories. I also remember you and your brothers trying to decide which movie it would be. I hadn't thought about the fact that the video stores are gone. I saw a clip the other day where a child was given an old fashioned dial telephone. I laughed watching them trying to find the button to turn it on!!! I have seen so much change in my lifetime.. I remember a slower time when family and friends were your entertainment and I never was BORED!!!!!

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  9. I haven't thought about video stores in ages, but I remember thinking what a gift it was to have so many movies to choose from on a Friday evening! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. When Kevin and I were first married, my second job was as an assistant manager at Blockbuster down the road from our apartment. I remember stocking videos, recommending old titles, and the battle for copies of the newest releases. We even had a system for picking out movies from our very different movie-watching tastes. It makes me a little sad that our kids will never know (or remember) that experience.

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