Koopa Wall-art
Super Mario framed Koopa Wall-art for sale. Perfect for Mancaves or kids rooms! Quality product. Free shipping in the US!
$12.99

Koopa Wall-art
Super Mario framed Koopa Wall-art for sale. Perfect for Mancaves or kids rooms! Quality product. Free shipping in the US!
$12.99


He moved so slow/ He went through no door/
When you jump to soon he’s there to send you down below/
As a kid, think back to how many times you actually died?/
Trying to jump over the goomba, the greatest villain of all time/
V.R.

I was a huge Megaman fan growing up. The music, the gameplay, and the bosses were classic. It is one of the few games i loved the bosses, because you got to choose the order in which you completed the game. So which was your favorite Megaman boss?

The year was 1988. It was the year that the Iran-Iraq war ended after 8 years of fighting and 1.5 million casualties. It was the year that an earthquake in Armenia killed 60,000 people. It was known to be the year that crack, a derivative of the drug cocaine, exploded into the streets of the inner cities of the United States. That drug has addicted, incarcerated, and killed countless millions of people in the U.S. and abroad. That year was also the year that although the Soviet Red Army withdrew from Afghanistan, tensions remained high between the USSR and the United States in the ideological “Cold War.”

It was a also a year of great achievement when the first transatlantic fibre optic cable was laid, the first laser eye surgery was completed, and Carl Lewis won a Gold Medal for the U.S. in the Summer Olympics. 1988 marked an end of an era with Ronald Reagan completing his 8th year as president of the United States, and his successor George H.W. Bush being elected as the 41st President of the United States.

It was almost the end of the decade I was born and grew up in. 1988 was also a great year in music, with the Billboard top 100 filled with hits from major recording artists such as Michael Jackson, Elton John, George Michael, Whitney Houston and Steve Winwood among others. Within the music scene, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) as a genre continued to grow in mainstream success. Artists such as Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Newsong continued to make strides at topping the charts, while remaining true to their Christian faith.

It is my opinion, that one of the most defining artists and songs of not only Contemporary Christian Music, but music in general is the worldwide classic song entitled “Awesome God” by recording artist Rich Mullins. “Awesome God” was recorded on his 1988 album, Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth. As this was the first single on the album, it rose to number one on Christian radio and has since become a worldwide reproduced classic in different genres. Just a few artists that have remade the classic song include but are not limited to:


One little known fact I think is very interesting about the song “Awesome God” is that Rich Mullins himself did not seem to really like the song! According to an interview with The Lighthouse Electronic Magazine in 1996, years after the song’s mainstream success, Mullins admitted: “You know, the thing I like about Awesome God is that it’s one of the worst-written songs that I ever wrote. It’s just poorly crafted. But the thing is that sometimes, I think, that when you become too conscientious about being a songwriter, the message becomes a vehicle for the medium. This is a temptation that I think all songwriters have. I think a great songwriter is someone who is able to take a very meaningful piece of wisdom – or of folly or whatever – and say it in a way that is most likely to make people respond. But, what you want them to respond to is not how cleverly you did that; what you want them to respond to is your message.”
Wise advice by Rich, because that message has been responded to over and over again. Although Mullins life was cut tragically short by a car accident in 1997, his legacy lives on not only through song, but by his amazing ministry work and travel throughout the world. The song has become a significant worship song in church congregations around the world. It can be sung as a full length song, or a hymn chorus repeated in worship.
I’ll have to write about Mullins life in a future article as it was a very interesting one. Rich Mullins was truly a rebel for Christ in his day. There are several quotes and articles I have researched that have truly given me an even greater respect for Rich Mullins legacy. His zeal for truth, his love for people, and his deep poetic nature as a person set him apart from many other artists in his day and our day. But for now, just kick back, relax, listen and sing along to this classic song while thinking about just how awesome God is.
V.R.
Awesome God lyrics, by Rich Mullins
When He rolls up His sleeves, He ain’t just putting on the ritz
(Our God is an awesome God)
There’s thunder in His footsteps, And lightning in His fists
(Our God is an awesome God)
And the Lord wasn’t joking when He kicked ’em out of Eden
It wasn’t for no reason, That He shed His blood
His return is very close and so you better be believing that
(Our God is an awesome God)
(2x) Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God
And when the sky was starless in the void of the night
(Our God is an awesome God)
He spoke into the darkness and created the light
(Our God is an awesome God)
Judgment and wrath He poured out on the Sodom, Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross
I hope that you have not Too quickly forgotten that
(Our God is an awesome God)
(4x) Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God
Our God is an awesome God (Our God is an awesome God)
He reigns from heaven above (He reigns from heaven above)
With wisdom, power, and love (With wisdom, power, and love)
Our God is an awesome God
Our God is an awesome God
Our God is an awesome God
Songwriters: Rich Mullins and Vernard Johnson
XL Super Mario “Know your Mushrooms” retro t-shirt
Pre-owned, Pre-shrunk in good condition. XL shirt with free shipping!
$15.00



1) What were the first 2 things Rick Astley promised to never do in 1987?
2) Where was the location and time that Luther Vandross promised to love faithfully?
3) According to singer Cherrelle, although she mentions everyday of the week in the song, what specific day of the week does she reference that her love will not end?
4) Roger Troutman and the group Zapp used a certain item of technology to describe their love for a young lady. What was that specific item?
5) Singer Prince sung about which of the following types of precipitation: (2 part question)
In addition, what color did he mention the precipitation was?
6) The music from this 1983 Isley Brothers classic has been used in several hip-hop songs, including Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa” and Da Brat’s “Funkdafied”. Which song is it?
7) According to the group Maze, Joy and Pain can be compared to what?
8) According to British rock band Queen, another one bites the what?
9) True or False: According to the 80’s duo Air Supply, even the days are better.
10) According to iconic singer George Michael, what did he vow to never do again in the hit song “careless whisper”?
I hope you enjoyed the 2nd VR retro quiz! Answers below! More quizzes on the way!
V.R.

Early 90’s toy collection
Annimaniacs cycle, Max from Goof Troop, and Lil from Rugrats keychain. Gently used, great condition. $7.00 for all 3 with free shipping.
$7.00


I recently took a weekend trip to Miami, FL with my wife. We met up with extended family and really enjoyed ourselves. As we walked the bustling strip of South Beach enjoying the sights and sounds, I came across something that caught me off guard and made me laugh. There was a young man who appeared to be in his late teens or early 20’s, wearing a T-shirt from the classic 1980’s hit show Golden Girls. On the shirt was a classic printed photo of Sophia, Blanche, Rose, and Dorothy along with a large red #Miami logo. The show was about 4 women sharing a house in Miami in the 1980’s, and all of the shenanigans that came along with it.

The show was critically acclaimed, and the original episodes can still be found on Hulu. I did not get a chance to tell the guy how cool I thought his shirt was because it was so busy on the strip, but afterwards I did look online for the shirt in hopes of finding one for my wife. Like many people in generation X, my wife loves Golden Girls. I began to think, what is it about seeing the things we grew up with that’s so appealing in 2018? It seems that even Millennial’s and those in generation Z enjoy the music, movies, TV shows, and fashion styles of the 1970’s, 80’s, and 90’s. If you don’t believe me, check out one of the most popular shows currently on Netflix, Stranger Things. It is a fantastic science action thriller show, set in the 1980’s about 6 crazy kids on a conquest to defeat these strange demogorgon creatures! What could be better than that?

Truth of the matter is, for many of us the characters from classic TV shows and movies were like family. Blanche Devereaux from Golden Girls was like a funny big sister to millions of women. Uncle Phil from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a father figure to millions of black men across America. Rapper J. Cole even referenced this in one of his songs entitled No Role Modelz, where he stated “First things first rest in peace Uncle Phil, for real, you’re the only father that I ever knew.” I have heard several people refer to pop iconic music artists like Michael Jackson, Elton John, or Stevie Wonder as family. It is my opinion that most of us are in love with the media and culture of the past decades.

Later on the drive back, my wife and I had a conversation and she shared a thought with me that I thought was very accurate. She said “It’s the feeling you get when you see or hear something from back in the day, that brings back a flood of memories and for a moment it’s like you’re right back there.” My wife went on to say “Just like this past weekend, when we hung out with our family and friends in Miami, it reminded me of when my cousins and I used to hang out as kids and the fun we had.” I thought about this, and it reminded me of a time when the world seemed slower. Technology was not nearly as advanced as today, yet people seemed to connect more. Families would still gather around the TV to watch shows like Golden Girls, Family Matters, The Cosby Show, or Full House. Those friday night trips to Blockbuster Video were a full out family event. My mission as Vintage Retroman, is to make sure those feelings never die. I know times change, I know styles change and I know culture changes. Still, the feelings of Nostalgia should never leave you when you see that retro item, watch that retro show or movie, or go to a retro place like an arcade. I am here not only to bring awareness to the culture I grew up in, but more importantly to never let it die. Never let life dictate how far you can make it.
V.R.
Listening to this song I think back to the feelings I had when I first met my wife. This track is unique, because it captures the simplicity of love. The fun element of love that so many relationships are lacking these days; What I like to refer to as “Bestfriendness”. The lyrics capture how I felt then and still feel for my wife, years later. Anyone in a serious relationship or aspiring to be married I highly recommend this song and video. Lyrically it is well written and I enjoy the comedic elements. The instrumentation and beat are catchy and easy to vibe to. The official video has a fun retro feel with retro references throughout. Enjoy!
Many of you know, I LOVE retro! Come take a virtual tour of my home project I’ve dubbed The Retrodome. I’ve been working on this space for about a year in my sparetime and it’s still a work in progress. If you need help building your mancave or have any suggestions for me please leave your questions /comments below! Song is by Christian rap artist Tony Tillman entitled “Thankful”. Enjoy!