The start of it all
I grew-up in a mid-sized Midwestern town. My friends lived all over the neighborhood. Calling a friend on the phone was lazy back then. You rode your bike or walked over to their house. From sun up to sun down were we always doing something. In the summer it was mostly outdoor activities. When it got to hot then bowling and the arcade became an option. During the winter it was Dungeon and Dragons.
For years this was my spring and summer break mixed in with some organized sports. My friends were the first to get the Atari 2600 and then Commodore 64. I was always a late adopter in my group of friends. Better late than never. I worked my butt off one summer so that I could buy my own Commodore 64 with tape drive. Many lawns were mowed so I could jump into the computer age.
It was an awesome purchase and one that even today I can point out as being one of the things that got me started in my love of electronics. Which in turn got me interested in radio. Many hours in front of the computer with local radio on in the background was greatness. I may be turning into that old man but I just don’t see any kids doing those kinds of things these days. Maybe I am missing it.