Journey back to Woodson: June 2008

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Mike Willis in "Two Bit Taj Mahal"

Eleven of our WTW 67 classmates watched Mike Willis perform in the play "Two Bit Taj Mahal" last night at the George Mason University. All I can say is that if any of you have an opportunity to see him perform, it is well worth your while. He truly is a natural. Our group met early for dinner, carpooled over to the theater and were totally enthralled with the entire performance. Afterwards, Mike was kind enough to meet us again at a nearby establishment where we laughed and picked his brain all about the play. We just had a great time!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Now's the time to keep it going

I'm really pleased with the way you have responded so far to the request for questionnaires. I've already got answers back from eight or nine people and the promise of answers from a half dozen more.

We still need more, though, and I have been pursuing some of them on my own. In addition to asking more of you to send in your own, I would appreciate it greatly if you would go to the other blog -- When I'm 64 -- and help me in a different way.

I'm going to post a different file for each of the people who have sent in their questionnaires, and as I get more, I'll add them to the list. If you know these people now, or if you knew them in high school or later, please take a couple of minutes and write at least a paragraph or two (more is welcome) about them that I can use in the stories about them.

Thanks.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Off to a very strong start

The response from many of you has been good to our initial request for participation in "When I'm 64," our proposed book about what a long, strange trip the Class of '67 has been through.

We're going to do something that could help tremendously with the research and reporting for the book. I have set up another blog site, called "When I'm 64," on which I'm going to post people and topics for which I'm seeking memories. When you check it out, the idea is that you will add comments of your own that can be used in the book as we see fit.

I hope you will visit the site frequently as I add things to it.

Thanks.

The questionnaire

We're still looking for more people to participate in "When I'm 64." Below is the questionnaire to fill out and send to Mike Rappaport at m_rappaport@earthlink.net.

Thanks.

Please answer the questions as fully as possible. Short answers are not useful, although they can be helpful in providing areas for follow-up in an interview. An answer of 2-3 paragraphs or longer to many of the questions will be appreciated.

1. Short answer here, and be honest. How did you view yourself in high school? (popular, jock, politico, nerd, school-spirited, etc.) And how did others view you?

2. How did you see our years at Woodson (1963-67) in the context of the same period in the U.S. Remember that there were race riots all over the country in those years, that Vietnam protest was beginning, etc. Were we involved? Were we sheltered?

3. A lot of fascinating things happened in the years immediately after we left high school – assassinations, Chicago ’68, the moon landing, Woodstock, more war protests, etc. What involvement did you have with any of these things?

4. In those same years, were you hippie or straight, military or protester? In other words, how did you finish the ‘60s?

5. Moving ahead, how did you enter adulthood? The traditional college and job model, or in and out of school finding yourself? Or have you resisted growing up all these years?

6. Here’s one you can skip if you like: Was the sexual revolution a part of your life, or have you been fairly traditional?

7. An important one: Has your life been relatively similar to that of your parents or very different? If so, how?

8. How much has high school remained an important part of your life? Lifelong friends, contacts, etc.?

9. How has your life so far turned out compared to what you thought it would be when you were 18? Very similar? Very different? How and why?

10. Tell us about your family.

11. Tell us the most interesting thing that ever happened to you.

12. Tell us – if you want – the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you.

13. When was the time you stopped thinking of 64 as extremely old? What do you expect to be doing "when you’re 64?"

14. Philosophize a little – if you’d like – about the long, strange trip our generation has been on since 1967.

15. Tell us the best way to get in touch with you for a follow-up interview.

Journey back to Woodson

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Mike Willis in "Two Bit Taj Mahal"

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Now's the time to keep it going

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Off to a very strong start

The questionnaire

One year and still going strong

Contributors

Other Mike Rappaport blogs

Counting our visitors

America, who's your daddy?

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