About J.P.

I'd be glad to. My real name is John-Paul Annunziato but only those from my childhood remember me with that name. When I turned 12, I began writing, signing and saying my name as just John because of the constant teasing. Most people after that called me either John or J.P.

You can call me John, John-Paul or J.P. I don't care what you call me...so long as you call me! Hah! Actually, the past few years I've seriously considered reverting back to my original name of John-Paul or at the very least, J.P.

I was born and raised in Bronx, NY and lived my entire life in the Pelham Parkway and Morris Park sections of the Boogie Down.  I'm extremely proud of my humble roots.

Insane?

Yes it is both those things and the story behind it makes this collection that much more amazing and shocking.

My Parents died tragically years ago. Violently even. Their deaths forever changed me.

After their passing I became desperate to recreate my childhood. What started as a hobby quickly became an obsession and compulsion.  I started buying anything that reminded me of my past, back when things felt safer.

Everywhere! E-bay. Flea Markets. Yard Sales. Antique Stores. Thrift Shops. Craigslist ads. I did them all.

Anything that contained either a sticker, label or writing of 1980 to 1989.

I was born on October 2nd 1978 and the majority of my childhood fell smack in that era.

Are you kidding me? Where do I begin? The colors. The bright neon and fluorescent shades. The bold styles of rebellious clothing. The attitude. The toys that unlike the toys of today, actually required creativity and imagination. We were essentially the last generation that played outside. We were the last generation that actually kept our clothes on. We were the last generation for a lot of things and because of that I felt a burning desire to remain living in that period inside my head.

Yes and no. My ex's used to tell me that I needed to stop living in the past. That yesterday is gone and we only have this moment.

Pffffh. They're exes for a reason! Well yes, yes they're correct that this moment is all we have. But at the same token, there's much to be said about nostalgia and the memories that keep us young and alive. And for people like me that have lost so many loved ones over the years, you can't blame us for wanting to repeat yesterday. Is it an optimal way people should live their lives today? Probably not. But that's the miracle of living. There's really no right or wrong way to live.

Several years ago I applied to set that record and they denied my application on the grounds that my collection was "Too Complicated." That because my collection was too general there wouldn't be an easy way to quantify everything Which to me DOES’NT MAKE SENSE.. The majority of my 80's toys are brand new and still in their original boxes and packages. It's not that hard to count! They said in their denial letter that if I wanted I could set individual records, like "Most He-Man Toys" or "Most Care Bears."

Because that's not what my record was about. I'm sure there are people on this Earth right now that have more Transformers or Barbies or Wuzzles or G.I Joes or Rainbow Brites, Trapper Keepers, Women's Swatch watches or Men's Lacoste shirts than I do but no one I believe has more in total when you add up my entire collection from every brand, make, model and franchise from the year 1980 to the year 1989. No one. And I say that with confidence because if there was someone that accomplished that, we'd have heard about him or her by now. And we haven't.

Several years ago I was in a freak accident in downtown Manhattan involving two cars driving into me while I was parked still inside my car. I sustained numerous injuries to my Neck and Spine. Then three weeks later, while driving home from Physical Therapy some crazy woman ran a red light and drove right into my drivers side at 35mph. As the EMS, Paramedics and FDNY excavated me through the opposite side of my vehicle in a full gurney and neck brace, all I could see were a few clouds and the tops of some trees. In that moment I had what I guess you'd consider a "Life Review." My whole life flashed before me and I questioned whether I fulfilled my purpose here on Earth.

I'll be honest, after that second accident and dealing with intense pain all day, numerous surgeries, walking around like a crippled and having to rely on others really broke my spirit. Having to leave my career in healthcare and go on Long Term Disability not to mention saying goodbye to playing League Volleyball or doing anything physical really diminished my quality of life. I knew I really needed help when back in December of 2014, I went as far as writing a farewell note to everyone the night before I had planned to commit suicide.

I guess you could call it divine intervention. My parents "Visited me" overnight along with my Grandparents, Cousins, Uncles, Friends and anyone I've ever loved in a dream. I woke up that morning, still a physical and emotional wreck but with a renewed sense to get well again because I still had work left to do here on Earth.

The website and all the stuff you're looking at now didn't come until recently. I still had so much rehabilitation and counseling remaining that it took up all my time. Because Of the constant pain in my Neck, Spine and Shoulder I had difficulty going to and staying asleep at night. (I still do) I used this time to journal, which eventually led to writing a book which I titled, "I Finally Believe."

Not right now. I want to push this 80sThen80sNow project as far as I can first. It's going to be a huge undertaking and I pray to God that I have the health and stamina to give my collection its proper moment in the Sun. This project is a blessing and I hope to share it with everyone as long as I can.

And it will...

You'll notice on the site there's an 80's FAN CLUB page with P.O Boxes and everything.  I plan on giving away some of my collections to random winners.  I'm interested in reading responses from the fans about their favorite 80's stuff and what it meant to them. When I hear those types of stories I'll be glad to give my stuff away. Pay it forward, ya know?

After that maybe I can take this stuff on tour, like for museums to showcase everything for limited times. Im sure many people would love to see all this stuff up close and personal. You've seen Comic-Cons. There's a huge market for all things nostalgic.  Everything that's left over will probably be sold so I can buy a home for the #1 person in my life, my Sister!

It is. You know, I'll be honest. Money, Fame and Fortune sound tempting but it isn't my goal. My main goal is to release myself from the past and make peace with everything that didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. If I could do that AND make others happy in the process, hallelujah, all the better!

Well the web-sites primary purpose is to complement the other social media platforms. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have their own functions but it'll ultimately be the YouTube channel that'll showcase entire collections. Hopefully here the fans will fall in love with me almost as much as the possessions I own. If you notice most of the photos on here only contain samples. This is just a teeny, tiny preview of what's to come.

Oh God yes! I honestly stopped counting after hitting five figures of 80's memorabilia.

Don't say anything. Just watch.

Originally, I assumed my target audience would be Men and Women in their 30's and 40's because like me, they experienced the 1980's through the eyes of a child. But after much thought I realized those in their 50's and 60's experienced the 80's through the eyes of young adults, ready to conquer the world. Then you have people 70 and up that, like their children, remember everything from the Cabbage Patch Kids craze to Pac Man fever. Then on the opposite end of the spectrum you have kids and teenagers now raised by 80's kids themselves. What a perfect opportunity and talking point that would be for Parents to show their offspring, "Look what Mommy played with when I was your age" or "This is what Daddy owned." So to answer your question, everybody. Everybody is invited to share in this.

It's more than that. It's rad. It's cool. It's gnarly. It's totally tubular. It's bitchin!

I'm two steps ahead of you. The Internet, for all its wonderful intents and purposes is sometimes a breeding ground for viciousness, bitterness and contempt. I already guesstimate that for each video I post, there will ALWAYS be between 2 and 6% thumb downs and negative comments. It's going to happen no matter what I say. No matter what I do. No matter what I showcase. Chances are I'll probably offend certain people because I did something different than they'd normally say or do. There are always going to be those types of people in your life. Always! My job isn't to seek their approval. At the end of the day when my head hits the pillow, the only acceptance I need is my own.

Yes. First and foremost I'd like to dedicate all this to my Parents who in my opinion, still had so many amazing talents left to give. I also dedicate this project to my Grandparents, extended family and friends and anyone else that departed way too early. I draw strength from each and every one of them.

I also want to dedicate what I'm doing to people with physical and mental disabilities. Whether you have broken bones, Autism, Cancer, Depression, P.T.S.D, Anxiety Disorders or anything in between, it's important that you remember your worth and that you're more than just a diagnosis or someone else's label. For every one celebrity you see on television or on the movie screen, there are literally 100 people just as, if not more talented who for whatever reason cannot get out of their own way to share their gifts with the world. I dedicate this entire project to you, the person sitting at home afraid to do what you want to do, afraid of failure, scared of ridicule, rejection and judgment or paralyzed by negative self-talk and doubt.

Fasten your seatbelt Kids! It's about to get mighty bumpy up in here!