I've been doing stuff (leave me alone, I'm doing stuff!), so here's something I've been saving to bust out on a busy day. It's a local news segment from 1988, when a crew came to our fourth-grade classroom to film our reactions to the Discovery landing (this was significant because the previous shuttle was the Challenger and we all knew how that ended):
The thing is that I was never particularly affected by the Challenger. I thought it was sad and all, but it didn't traumatize me. I doubt I would have cared about the phoenix potential of the Discovery at all were it not for this film crew. See, my heart was "pounding" not because of NASA's triumph but because of mine: I was going to be on TV and SO FUCKING EXCITED. I mean, I think I actually swooned. All of this is to say: gay.
Well, at least you didn't say you were "over the moon."
Posted by: Rose | July 17, 2009 at 10:54 AM
"my heart is pounding" I love it!!!!!! Thank you for cheering me up.
Posted by: lucy | July 17, 2009 at 11:03 AM
This is such a treasure. Be busy all the time, yeah?
Posted by: Dennis N. | July 17, 2009 at 11:08 AM
This made my week! Rich was always a star.
Posted by: lindsay | July 17, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Jessica Adams was totally your fag hag, wasnt' she?
Posted by: Bapril | July 17, 2009 at 11:15 AM
That was the cutest thing ever. I'll bet that girl who spoke after you--the fourth-grader fretting about the pressure of it all--is exceedingly awesome today.
Posted by: Christin | July 17, 2009 at 11:17 AM
omg...i'm totally having a retroactive 4th grade crush on your lisping, swooning self, Rich!
Posted by: artemio | July 17, 2009 at 11:19 AM
OMG, I love this shit. MADE MY WEEK!
Posted by: Erin | July 17, 2009 at 11:35 AM
DItto Bapril's comment. Jessica Adams better have been your BFF.
Posted by: Darren | July 17, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Your hair is amazing.
Posted by: Delilah | July 17, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Your. hair. was. SO. BIG. Forgot boys had big hair, then!
Posted by: Wendy | July 17, 2009 at 12:01 PM
This is so great - from the enthused clapping to the (fairly gay) swooning. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Amanda | July 17, 2009 at 12:08 PM
out of all the clips ever posted on this blog, this is officially the best one. god love exasperated 11 year olds. this is epic. send it to your mom or something.
Posted by: kat | July 17, 2009 at 12:15 PM
WOW! Your breathlessness and exaggerated clapping was so Broadway. And, yes, please do tell us where Jenny and Jessica are today. I love Jenny's slight eye-roll with "all the switches and buttons you have to push..." Tell us about the time she peed herself when she had to do long division on the blackboard in front of the class, or some such.
Posted by: ihaveneverinmylifeyelledatagirllikethis | July 17, 2009 at 12:23 PM
whatever happened to those two little girls?
Posted by: jackie | July 17, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Today is a happier day because I got to see this vid. Now let's al 'aaawwww' in unison!
Posted by: Eline | July 17, 2009 at 12:28 PM
I love the 4th grade girl concerned about being under too much pressure... I have a feeling weed changed her life at some point down the road...
Posted by: JP Californian | July 17, 2009 at 12:40 PM
You can tell it's the '80s because of the reporter's hair and clothes and the fact that your classmates' names are Jenny and Jessica. Also, way to rock the grandma glasses, Jessica.
Posted by: Jenn | July 17, 2009 at 12:41 PM
It's always so weird to revisit our childhood selves. Thanks for sharing your heart-pounding moment!
Posted by: Miss Lisa | July 17, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Now you have to do a What-Happened-to-them post about your co-stars...
P.s. this is awesome.. The way you sat in your seat before your interview part was cute
Posted by: Jiri Hämäläinen | July 17, 2009 at 12:53 PM
so cute! i love the way you talk and your barely noticeable accent! thank you for sharing :)
nice 'do, by the way :p
Posted by: nene | July 17, 2009 at 01:00 PM
OMG I am surprised the flames of your latent faggotry didn't somehow telepathically burn the Discovery down. SO ADORKABLE. <3 you!
Posted by: chasgoose | July 17, 2009 at 01:02 PM
You were in fourth grade in 1988? God, I feel old. And surprisingly I don't remember anything really from the Discovery mission. I guess I must have been busy doing something else.
Posted by: gi_janearng | July 17, 2009 at 01:23 PM
you were meant for the screen, rich!
your range of emotions are oscar worthy. love love love love love this clip!!
Posted by: MissNee | July 17, 2009 at 01:32 PM
Look at you swooning like a Southern belle, you little nelly. Love it!
Posted by: Matt | July 17, 2009 at 01:33 PM