The '90s called...

And apparently wanted to remind me of some long forgotten childhood memories...

We'll start with this paperback I am quite certain I bought at my school's book fair.

Making your selections at that annual grand event was no small matter.

I'm glad to see I chose such a timeless, unauthorized piece.

Next up, my first phone.

Friends, you may not understand the enormity of what you see before you.

I wanted my very own phone in my room for what felt like ages... and not just any phone,

mind you, that phone.

Sweet mercy, I loved that thing. And yes, it did light up when it rang, only adding to it's glory.

MC Hammer, Can't Touch This / Amy Grant, Lucky One / Martina McBride, Independence Day /

Hootie & the Blowfish, Let Her Cry

Cassingles.

Or cassette singles to those of you born after 1983.

Wikipedia describes these jewels as a music single in the form of a compact cassette.

While accurate, this definition fails to mention the sheer awesomeness that was a cassingle.

Friday nights meant going out to dinner with the family

 and picking out a new cassingle to add to my collection.

Glory days, I tell you.

Quad City DJ's, C'Mon 'N Ride It (The Train) / TLC, Waterfalls / Selena, Dreaming of You /

Tag Team, Whoomp There It Is

All 4 One, I Swear / Deep Blue Something, Breakfast at Tiffany's /

Puff Daddy & Faith Evans, I'll Be Missing You (Tribute to the Notorious B.I.G.)

Cassingles were purchased at Camelot, the music store at our local mall.

I found my Frequent Customer Card inside my ole Dooney Bourke.

Lest you think all I did was jam out to cassingles and talk on my phone,

I'd like to  present other evidence.

I have enjoyed writing for as long as I can remember. 

 There is still a hint of the soft, powdery smell of those colorful, pastel pages locked safely away.

Lastly, not only was I a frequent flyer at Camelot Music, but also at Surprises Inside

or the Hello Kitty store as I called it.

The '90s may have called, but I'm keeping my cassingles.

And the Dooney.