It Would Be SHOCKING to Grandpa

My Grandparents were constantly amazed at how things change. And continuously lamenting the loss of the things they loved. My Grandma died in 1991 and my Grandpa died a couple of years after that, both in their 60's. I began to imagine their amazement if they had been alive to see the world as it is now. Some changes they'd love and some they'd hate, but all are shocking

My List of Things That Would Shock Grandma and Grandpa:

• The World Wide Web. [period]


• Everyone carries around little telephones in their pockets.


• We were attacked on US soil and the attack was against civilians. [As a retired military officer, Grandpa would have been well beyond just angry by this]


• Cloning animals.


• Cameras show you the pictures you are taking, and store them on a tiny card. No need for film developing.


• GPS. A voice in your car can tell you how to get to where you are going.


• Reality TV.


• Botox and collagen. [I think Grandma might have signed up for that one]


• The price of education. Especially next year in California. And, what happened to the arts?


• What happened to the 49ers?


• The price of a movie ticket, popcorn and a drink.


• Satellite HDTV. 1000 channels.


• DVRs. [Great for all of Grandpa’s games and Grandma’s soaps]


• Just say No to fur coats. [Grandpa would have been upset that the “crazy” animal rights people with the red paint buckets outside of Macy’s actually kind of won]


• Hybrid cars.


• Starbucks. [I think they would have loved that]


• Where'd all the pay telephones go? [She used to make me carry 20 cents everywhere in case of an emergency]


• Remote locking and unlocking cars. [Does anyone use a car key anymore?]


• Airport security screenings.


• Oprah. [I think she would have been hooked in every afternoon]


• Man who gave birth – twice.


• The size and expanse of Las Vegas.


• What happened to the American car industry?


• Gone Out of Business. [Emporium, Mervyns, and so many more]


• H1N1.


• Advances in medicine, like the 5-minute strep throat test.


• Social networking.


• Lady Gaga.


• Their grand-daughter’s tattoo. :)