Journey back to Woodson: January 2011

Saturday, January 29, 2011

An update -- and an apology -- on "64"

I wanted to update all of you on the progress of our book, but I need to combine the update with an apology.

I had been hoping to finish "When I'm 64" by the end of the year, which is what I told Dale Morgan when I saw her in Northern Virginia in early November, but a combination of our move from California to Georgia, some health problems for my wife and the first real case of writer's block I've ever had has brought me to almost a dead stop for the last couple of months.

It's strange. I have 12 of what I expect to be 24 chapters completely finished, and a number of others partially written. I've been bouncing back and forth between three or four chapters, with a couple that are almost done, but for the moment, I don't seem to be getting anywhere.

I'll say that come Tuesday, with the beginning of a new month, I'm going to chain myself to my keyboard and just start slogging ahead. I'll follow some great advice I got once from the late Mike Royko. When there's no wind and the sails won't fill, row.

I'm not Shakespeare or Bill Faulkner. Just trying to write a nice little non-fiction book.

So bear with me and accept my apology. We'll get there.

Sad News About One of Our Classmates

HARRY WAYNE KEMBLE

On Monday, January 25, 2011, son of Jean Dunham and nephew of Carol Caviston peacefully passed away. Memorial services will be Tuesday, February 1, 5 to 7 p.m. at American Legion Local Post 177, 3939 Oak St., Fairfax, VA. Memorial contributions may be made to Medi Home Health and Hospice, 9625 Superior Ct., Manassas, VA 20110.

Published in The Washington Post on January 29, 2011

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

Saturday, January 29, 2011

An update -- and an apology -- on "64"

Sad News About One of Our Classmates

The questionnaire

One year and still going strong

Contributors

Other Mike Rappaport blogs

Counting our visitors

America, who's your daddy?

Blog Archive