Joe's Musings

Happy 40th MPI Texas hill country! Let’s take a journey back to that first year of MPI THCC: 1983. What was going on in the world that year? The world saw its first-ever launch of the NASA space shuttle Challenger and Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. For you tech buffs, the first ever Apple Macintosh computer went on sale, interesting to think as I use an iPhone and iPad, every day, 40 years later. 

Some notable 1983 nuggets from google:

• World Changing Event: President Reagan referred to the Soviet Union as an “Evil Empire” in a speech in Florida.
• The final TV episode of M*A*S*H aired on CBS, an estimated 125 million watched in the US.
• Programmer Jaron Lanier first coined the term “virtual reality".
• Top songs: “Every Breath You Take” by The Police, “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock, Taco’s “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” “She Blinded Me With Science” by Thomas Dolby, Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money,” and “Flashdance (What A Feeling)” by Irene Cara.
• Top movies: WarGames, Yellowbeard, Zelig, Silkwood, The Outsiders, Yentl, The Big Chill, A Christmas Story, Vacation and Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
• Notable books: Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins, Stephen King’s Pet Sematary and Christine, and Danielle Steel’s Changes.

Memorable 1983 Quotes:
“Go ahead, make my day” – Clint Eastwood in Sudden Impact
“Say hello to my little friend!”  – Tony Montana in Scarface
“Would you like to play a game?” – NORAD W.O.P.R. in WarGames

One thing that stands out in my mind about 1983 (other than no wrinkles and a full head of hair!) was the prime-time soap operas all over TV; Dynasty, Dallas, Falcon Crest etc. There was plenty of prime-time drama on every channel! I was still several years away from starting my full-time meetings industry career however, I spent that summer working as a lifeguard at a hotel in San Antonio and considered that my first foray into the hospitality and meetings universe.  

Remember to visit the MPITHCC website for the chapter’s $40 For 40 Donor Wall to make a donation, and take a look at what your fellow chapter members have said on their bricks, and consider doing so yourself.  I look forward to seeing everyone in person in San Antonio on Monday, May 8 for the Secrets From the Source: How Iconic Locations Can Lead to Iconic Events breakfast event.