About a month ago, my vinyl collection and my Vintage Stereo system was stolen.

Without getting too much into it, I have only replaced VH1, VH2, Women and Children First, Fair Warning and Diver Down with original pressings.

They aren't Mint grade or anything, and the stories aren't there, but I have them. I haven't been willing to buy 1984 yet. Part of it is the shit prices for really bad grades of albums. I found an VG+ grade at a flea market yesterday, and the guy wanted to charge me $30. I got him down to 20, and thought, no way I'm buying this album for $20.

My 1984 album story is probably similar to a lot of you that are my age. The buzz in 1983 was incredible for that album, long before it came out. Remember, we're talking the days of big malls, and record stores. My local mall had three record stores, and there were a few other places to pick albums up at...but I used to spend hours flipping through records. Anyways, that 1984 album signage was everywhere in the Mall that December...that smoking baby was more popular than any runway model...and being a regular at the local National Record Mart, I knew the first customer copy was coming to me. Still had it...plastic...price sticker still there...opening day $6.99.

Now, I don't know much about the cost of albums these days. I buy new albums when they come out...but don't pay much attention to the vintage market. That said, if ANYONE happens to have two copies of an original press of 1984 that you don't use anymore...I'd rather have that story, then buying this thing on ebay. They have them on there, with plastic, for around $20.

That's how I bought the first five...but now I want my stories back...

MAN...every album...

Missed the Army...I'll be back more frequently...if there's anyone still here from the days of youth...

Oh, and fuck you Von...