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Post by aln1982 on Apr 21, 2007 15:32:33 GMT -5
Even though they are nice names, the ones that get me are Elinor and Nina - and in the same family - because those are the names of two of my great aunts (both of whom are now dead and would be in their 90s).
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wanderingfrog
Sitting For The Arnolds
Official BSC Archivist
Posts: 2,552
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Post by wanderingfrog on Apr 21, 2007 18:46:32 GMT -5
I always wondered about some of the name choices. Karen? Nancy? Marilyn? Carolyn? I know a Nancy who's my age, so she would have been eight when the first LS book was published. I've known lots of people named Karen -- one of them was my roommate in my first year of university (come to think of it, another Nancy lived down the hall from us). I also had a neighbour named Carolyn who was several years younger than me, so I've never thought that those were old-lady names. Marilyn, though, seems kind of like an older name.
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lyricalangel
Sitting For The Newtons
Logan's love-bunny
Posts: 1,918
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Post by lyricalangel on Apr 21, 2007 21:04:47 GMT -5
I never got the name Dilys. Is that supposed to be pronounced like Phyllis? I have never in my life heard that name.
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Post by aln1982 on Apr 21, 2007 23:31:30 GMT -5
^ That one always got me too - couldn't decide whether to pronounce it like Phyllis or Dill-s. Either way, it doesn't even sound like a name to me but like a kind of pickle or something (hope that isn't anyone on here's name
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Post by greer on Apr 23, 2007 7:02:48 GMT -5
I think the one thing the ghostwriters did right was bring in more pop culture references... I recall Hanson, teletubbies, twist magazine, etc.
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Post by sotypical42483 on Apr 23, 2007 11:11:41 GMT -5
^Oh that is true. I remember the mention of Hanson (cause I'm a big ole Hanson fan), it's in Stacey McGill... Matchmaker. The kid of the guy her mom is dating asks Stacey if she has any Hanson cds, lol.
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magentanation
Sitter-In-Training
The girl with colitis goes by
Posts: 424
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Post by magentanation on Apr 26, 2007 10:36:46 GMT -5
And I know in The Fire At Mary Anne's House she says she knows every line of dialogue from Titanic, which was a pretty up to date pop culture reference at the time the book was published.
EDITEd to add: Add Sixteen Candles and Ghostbusters to the list of fairly current (for the time) references in the series.
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Post by aln1982 on Apr 26, 2007 15:15:24 GMT -5
I remember the Hanson and Titanic references now. It just seems like for the most part, especially early in the series, more of the culture references are from when Ann was a kid instead of from when the books were written. Agree, though, that this may be good because it makes the books more "timeless".
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Post by dawnomite on Apr 26, 2007 15:49:53 GMT -5
I remember a reference to "Rainbow Bright" (I THINK it was Rainbow Bright, might have been "Strawberry Shortcake" though...) In Kristy's Great Idea when Kristy was telling Watson off for not being a good father, something like if he saw Karen more he would notice that she probably has a Rainbow Bright Doll. I know in 1987 I was definitely playing with Rainbow Bright (although mine WAS a hand me down from my babysitter at the time) so that was pretty up to date as well.
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Post by aln1982 on Apr 26, 2007 15:57:45 GMT -5
I remember that too, now. I loved Rainbow Bright when I was little and had forgotten about her until right now. Thanks for making me smile - it's fun to think back on the things I used to play with and do as a little kid. When I was really young, I was into Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, and My Little Pony. I absoluetly loved Fisher Price Little People and so did my cousins who were the same age. Then we moved on to Barbies (which I know are mentioned) and Playmobil (anyone else play with those?) I think I like it when the books mention stuff from "my era" because it brings back good memories. Back more on topic, the obsession with I Love Lucy and seeming overuse of shows like Mr. Ed get a little old after a while, as does the use of the same boring names (how many dads are named John? I know I asked this in the names thread but it is annoying), some of which sound way too old for the kids.
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wanderingfrog
Sitting For The Arnolds
Official BSC Archivist
Posts: 2,552
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Post by wanderingfrog on Apr 26, 2007 20:56:43 GMT -5
I loved how Raina left the Rainbow Brite reference in the graphic novel. I was afraid she'd take it out.
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starrynight
Sitting For The Kuhns
The Royal Diner of Pizza Express
Posts: 4,004
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Post by starrynight on Apr 30, 2007 11:19:27 GMT -5
^Karen also mentions something about breakdancing in that book...I know people still do that now, but it was more of a widespread cultural thing back then.
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Lauren
Sitting For The Newtons
Posts: 2,026
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Post by Lauren on Jul 6, 2007 18:52:11 GMT -5
I think she was definitely fascinated with identical twins as there are so many sets in the series.
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Amalia
Sitting For The Braddocks
Her Original Point of View
Posts: 3,664
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Post by Amalia on Jul 6, 2007 21:41:32 GMT -5
I don't know if this was mentioned, but she seems to have some degree of fascination with things that she mentions that she isn't good at. (She mentions them in the little note pages at the end of the book.) Such things as Math, sports, etc.
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Post by aln1982 on Jul 6, 2007 23:36:15 GMT -5
^ Don't think that was mentioned that I saw but you're right. I never noticed that. Maybe she writes about them now to fulfil something she didn't accomplish as a child. Anyone know where I can find some bio info about Ann? I'm kind of curious about her background when I wonder where some of her ideas and obsessions come from.
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