Yesterday - Quite a day in history

Some dates just stick in your mind, I don't know why, but they just do. Today is one of those for me - June 12.

On this date in 1987, exactly 20 years ago, President Reagan said the Fox News Channel's national anthem for the first time at the Brandenburg Gate in West Germany: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" (Above)

I can't believe it's been 20 years.

It's Reagan's most replayed speech, and there's no question it made a difference in the Cold War. Just how much of a difference is what's in dispute. For all of Reagan's warts, his most notable achievement was helping win the Cold War. Where I part with Reagan sycophants is not believing that he single-handedly won it all by himself. If you think I'm exaggerating, listen to the GOP presidential candidates fawn all over Reagan. You'd think the man never did any wrong, but I digress.

Also yesterday, apropos of nothing, marked 20 years to the day that I began an ill-advised career with Shoprite Supermarkets, at the tender age of 15. Thank God I smartened up - after nearly eight years, five of them full-time, I decided I didn't want to put yogurt and frozen pizza on shelves for the next 30 years. Two degrees later, here I am. By the way, the chain's old-school logo (left) is much nicer than its new one - (below right).

To this day, I carry with me several things from my time in the business - an intense dislike of going to the supermarket; pain in my knees from being in the cold, since most of my time was in the dairy and frozen departments; and an appreciation for the career I have now. After getting my first of two degrees, I vowed that I would never take a Monday through Friday job for granted, and I never have.

Weirdly enough, I still shop at Shoprite - I guess out of a strange loyalty to the place. Hey, I'm familiar with the place, and it really does have the best selection and prices. Plus, I know logistics - their annual Can-Can sale is Can't-Can't for me - I hate the mob. Okay, full disclosure - I do go stock up, but not too much, because we don't have much room in our condo, and I go early in the morning when time permits to avoid the crowds.

I know the chairman of the board of Wakefern Food Corporation, the distribution arm of Shoprite, too - I need to write him and ask him to change the Muzak station the stores use. Even though I last worked for the chain 12 years ago, it's the same songs, and I get sick of them all over again.

I now never go into a Shoprite without my iPod.