The Sixties

This Summer marks the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, a famous music festival held in upstate New York (1969). Woodstock is widely regarded as the pivotal moment in popular culture when youthful counterculture took over America and re-shaped music, politics and fashion. It was so influential that for decades people called us "the Woodstock generation." Rolling Stone heralds the Woodstock festival as one of the Fifty Moments That Changed Rock and Roll History.

Woodstock was a gathering of "peace, love and music." Barely-planned, it attracted 400,000 attendees who pulled down fences and walked in without payment. It was a spontaneous assembly of young people eager to be with one another and listen to emerging musical talent like Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Joan Baez, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Melanie, Joe Cocker and Arlo Guthrie. Those musicians' careers soared after the concert which was recorded and turned into an album.

A film was also made ("Woodstock") which won the Oscar for Best Documentary. The movie shows how peaceful, fun and lively the large celebration was. Watching it encouraged many to join the hippie movement.

I was 12 years old in 1969 and when I asked my mother about going, she just laughed. I knew she'd never let me go but I longed to be part of the communal experience of my tribe so I had to try. For a moment I considered running away to attend but remembered my dad was a "law and order" cop who'd react badly to that move.

Since 1969 there have been a few attempts to stage Woodstock anniversaries but they've all failed miserably. Reunions in 1994 and 1999 were dumpster fires of violence and poor planning. Discussion has been floated about a 50th reunion this year but it similarly lacks expertise and money.

What do you do when commercial interests fail to offer what you want? You do it yourself! Which is my plan -- I'm going to host a Woodstock party of my own this year. In August, I'll throw a Sixties celebration at my place. Like the original event, doors will be open to everyone who wants to attend. Free food, beverages and music. Sixties outfits encouraged. Dancing applauded.

So, don't be square, man -- come party! I promise it'll be groovy.

What will you wear to my party?  Here are some Sixties fashions to consider...

Mishap

Oww... Oww... Owwwww....

I was riding my motorcycle in a parking lot this morning, at about 5 mph, when an inattentive driver clipped the back of my bike, knocking it over and causing me to tumble on the concrete. Fortunately I suffered no serious injuries but, man, am I sore. My left side is aching badly.

Damage to the bike was minor, mostly cosmetic. I'll have it checked out by my mechanic.

The psychology of bikers is that, after an accident, we immediately lift our motorcycles up with the insane belief that doing so will make the accident disappear. Fueled by adrenaline and unfazed by pain, I heaved 800 lbs. of metal to an upright position. Yes, that was crazy but it's how our brains work.

No pics with this post. In fact, I'd like to forget the whole thing happened. Pour me a drink, please.

The New Year

First ride of the year! Cold but refreshing. How did you start off 2019?

Next Year

What are your hopes and plans for 2019?

As we slide out of 2018, I'm happy to turn the page. My year started off right with motorcycle trips and fun events, but headed downward toward the end. Like the stock market, my third-quarter was diminished when health concerns came out of no where. They sapped my natural enthusiasm and kept me away from activities like blogging. I want to reverse that trend and am looking for support. Describe your optimism for next year and maybe your positive attitude will rub off on me.

With conscious effort, I'm putting aside negative concerns and striving to create fun new projects. One is to revive my previous series of blog-interviews with others doing good work online. One blogger -- whom I'm sure you don't know but should -- is hard at work on her interview. She has a passion for something super-cool (vintage makeup) and her expertise on the subject is extraordinary. You'll love learning from her.

Another project I want to pursue is a special photo-shoot of my new custom-made dress. I can't tell you how well this dress fits and looks. Its design and execution were chosen with me in mind and, given that most female clothing is not created for my body, the dress stands out in every aspect. Thank you to Aimee for creating the magnificent dress and to my photographer-friend for offering her expertise in capturing its beauty.

A third thing I'm pondering are new ways to express my femininity. This has been percolating for the past few years. I love buying and wearing pretty clothes but, at the end of the day, it's lonely without friends. I've had a few opportunities to shop and hang out with girlfriends (e.g., Suzanne, Sheila) -- the joy those experiences give me is intense and boundless. I want more of that. I *need* more of that. Somehow, I'll find new ways to get it -- even if I have to show up at your front door. <knock, knock>

How 'bout you? What do you want to do next year?

Merry Christmas!

Run-up To Christmas

This is either the busiest, most pressure-filled weekend of your year or the most enjoyable, depending on how early you did your Christmas shopping and chores. Which is it for you?

For me it's the latter. My cards went out weeks ago, my gifts are bought and wrapped. Everything is done. So I had free time today to do other stuff.

I suppose I'm hard for people to grasp. I did two things today which are incongruous to many. Almost contradictory. But that's my life.

I built a motorcycle shed -- a major pain-in-the-ass. Had to lift heavy wooden boards, use power tools, measure and adjust bulky metal pieces. A manly chore.

Afterward I went inside, took a bath and painted my toenails a pretty fuschia pink. That felt as natural and fun as the other activity. I'm not masculine or feminine; I'm both. I do most things both men and women do. Few cross the border as often as I.

Do you ever do activities associated with the opposite gender? I wondered about this a few days ago when I stumbled onto a cable-TV show on women motorcycle-mechanics. How cool that gals are doing that.

Sports Mishap

I know most of you don't follow professional hockey but here's something interesting even to non-fans.

In the sport, you can score a goal by shooting at the net and having the puck bounce off another player's stick, skate or body. That happens a lot. Pucks travel very fast and, when ricocheting, are hard for a goalie to predict their path.

Two weeks ago, in a NHL game, a player shot the puck. It hit a referee in the nuts -- right in the nuts -- and then bounced off him and dribbled into the net. Is that a goal?

NHL decided it was not. I believe they don't want to encourage players to fire hard objects at the referees' genitals. You can't blame them.

If you're not squeamish -- or male -- the event can be seen on video.