It’s ’80s week in the Council on our Socialcast site. The most fun I ever had in my life happened during the late 80s. It was an era that pre-dated digital photography, Facebook, DIY film (YouTube), etc. Because of the state-of-the-art technology, I was able to lead somewhat of a double life.
- By day, I was a corporate professional working for one of the most conservative corporations in the world, EDS. Women were not permitted to wear slacks in the 1980s and one of the qualifying questions during an EDS interview was whether or not you were co-habitating with a member of the opposite sex outside of marriage. Of course, I lied about most items about my personal life in the interview, including my salary which I bumped up $10K.
- By night, I was steeped in the New Wave scene. When I got home to my apartment, the corporate suit and white shirt was quickly abandoned for a black leather skirt, fishnet stockings, suede heels, and lots of trampy jewelry, as I headed out to see some late night pub band.
My friends used to laugh at this schizophrenic existence, but I loved it. What was most fun was the fact that I could get away with it. I regret not having more photos of that fabulous era in my life, but if I had been socially connected and transparent the way genY is today, I would not have been able to pull off the masquerade. I think about that from time to time. And wonder what life would have been like if we were narrating our lives on the social web for all to see.