Sunday, August 16, 2009

40 Years Ago This Weekend

I had my ticket. . . But when you got there, you didn't need one.

So I saved it all these years.



Yes, I know where I was

40 years ago

this weekend. . . .





It was a day and time when those of us who looked different, who had long hair and dressed differently were vilified and subject to rudeness, and even violence. We always seemed to be outnumbered. Suddenly we found ourselves in the largest crowd that anyone had ever seen. And it was US! None of us self-described "freaks" had dreamed that there were this many of us!
There was no sanitation, no hot food, or violence. Just people who looked like us and who wanted to celebrate
Music and Love.
What's so funny about peace, love, and understanding anyway?







Looking at footage of the crowds gives me flashbacks for sure! We were certain that the world was changing. It has in many ways. My eyes fill with tears, and I can't believe that it was 40 years ago. In some ways it seems like centuries ago. But it all goes by so fast!

Don't doubt that a single loving witness may tip the balance for good; The more loving world we thus create, becomes a new balance.

Thanks for dropping by my pad;

PEACE, Man!

Aloha, Cloudia
Read more memories of the Summer of '69 at this previous post: http://comfortspiral.blogspot.com/2009/07/40-years-ago-today.html
at

27 comments:

  1. the walking manAugust 16, 2009 at 5:01 AM

    Odd how a twenty year old was the one that reminded me of the anniversary of an historical event of a generation not her own.

    40 years and we look back at those teenage times and we have memory fogged by time. Hang in there baby, maybe as we approach senility we will be able to resurrect the dreams that died not long after that weekend.

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  2. SGAugust 16, 2009 at 5:11 AM

    Wow! I wasn't born 40 years back... and even when I was born, it was in a very different part of the world. Yet, your post evoked some emotions that probably us define human beings... and makes us different from all.

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  3. Travis ErwinAugust 16, 2009 at 9:52 AM

    Cool.

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  4. Reader WilAugust 16, 2009 at 9:59 AM

    It must have been quite a happening. What was I doing at the time? I was 35 1/2 years old and had a two year old toddler. We went to Norway for a holiday and we had no TV set, so I can't remember Woodstock. Sorry! I remember the first moonlanding, though!

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  5. CarolAugust 16, 2009 at 10:28 AM

    I was in 6th grade so it was a non-event in my life. I read once that the events going on when you're 10 affect your core beliefs. I thought that peace and working together for good would be ongoing in the world, that social/civil unrest were a logical response to wasteful idiocy and bad deeds. I've been disappointed ever since. Except maybe now we can turn a corner with our new leader.

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  6. AkelamaluAugust 16, 2009 at 11:22 AM

    WOW that's a great memory to have Cloudia. I wasn't there of course but I do remember the music. :)

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  7. TeresaAugust 16, 2009 at 11:58 AM

    I was 8 years old and on the West Coast, so there was no way my mom would let me go, but I saw it on the news and I always wondered what it would be like to be a hippie and go off like that. Thanks for sharing and giving me a glimpse of what I missed!

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  8. AnonymousAugust 16, 2009 at 12:00 PM

    Cool man...Peace. If only I'd saved my original peace medal and my hip hugger bell bottom jeans, with the heavy, wide belt/buckle made from skydiving parachute pack webbing and hardware. What a revolution from Ward and June Cleaver days.
    The original hippies are just gettin' older. I take care of lots of still-recovering / converted to hippieland Vietman vets....many with long gray ponytails and beards. They can handle some TLC after 40 years....DrumMajor

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  9. AnonymousAugust 16, 2009 at 12:24 PM

    Why peace value is known after war ?
    Why love is known after hate ?
    And vice-versa.
    Why ? Why ? Why ?
    Why we do not understand before there is nothing better than peace & love.

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  10. Feisty CroneAugust 16, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    I missed Woodstock (: But thanks for the trip back in time.

    Peace, and Aloha, Cloudia.

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  11. AnonymousAugust 16, 2009 at 1:37 PM

    You lucky dog. ;)

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  12. gigi-hawaiiAugust 16, 2009 at 1:50 PM

    Hmmm. In August 1969, I was teaching English in Bangkok, Thailand. A lifetime ago! Memories!

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  13. Charles GramlichAugust 16, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    The 60s didn't make it to Arkansas until the mid 1970s.

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  14. AkelamaluAugust 16, 2009 at 3:10 PM

    PS pop by my place tomorrow m'dear there'll be a little something for you. :)

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  15. Eric S.August 16, 2009 at 4:26 PM

    A time of hope and love to be sure. People have been trying to recreate the event for ever now, and I doubt it will ever be done.

    Unfortunately, I was too young to go, but I'm sure I would have had a blast if just a little older.

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  16. SandyCarlsonAugust 16, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    I enjoyed this, Cloudia. I appreciate your point of view. And I love that you didn't need that ticket!

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  17. Jenn JilksAugust 16, 2009 at 5:04 PM

    Cloudia, what a great look back!

    We said goodbye to our children today. They have been here for 2 weeks. They left right at the time, 30 years ago, when my daughter was born.

    Wonderful, wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing yours.

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  18. SandeeAugust 16, 2009 at 6:13 PM

    How cool that you kept your tickets. Way to go.

    I had just graduated from high school in June. I wasn't even 18 yet. Almost, but not quite. I wasn't there, but I was a flower child in San Francisco. That's was awesome too.

    Have a terrific day. :)

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  19. robertAugust 16, 2009 at 6:59 PM

    Where language ends, music beginns.
    Back than I was still minus five years of age, now fourty years later, try to make my small son love the music like me.
    You are also the first person I 'meet' who was there - wow and thank you for meeting you.
    Nice new week for you.

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  20. MargueriteAugust 16, 2009 at 8:51 PM

    Bravo, Cloudia! Great post and my dear cousin was there, as well. It's a hoot that you posted about Woodstock and yes, I can relate! Those were the days!!!

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  21. magiceyeAugust 17, 2009 at 2:58 AM

    indeed!!!

    peace!
    make love not war!


    namaste /\
    aloha!

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  22. Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades.August 17, 2009 at 9:14 AM

    I still cannot believe it has been 40years!

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  23. DeniseinVAAugust 17, 2009 at 11:41 AM

    Wow! Great to have those tickets and what an experience that must have been. While I was 19 and living my life in England, you were at Woodstock!!! I have always had an interest, but never knew anyone who went to Woodstock. I didn't find out about it until I came to the US.

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  24. DarylAugust 17, 2009 at 1:24 PM

    Let the sunshine in!

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  25. prashantAugust 17, 2009 at 11:57 PM

    It must have been quite a happening. What was I doing at the time? I was 35 1/2 years old and had a two year old toddler


    Work From Home

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  26. CloudiaAugust 18, 2009 at 3:58 PM

    What a great crop of comments!! You guys made me feel great!!!!!
    Aloha-

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  27. Erik Donald FranceAugust 19, 2009 at 2:37 AM

    Enjoyed that thoroughly. I'm lucky to have two older sisters who came in on the wave, as it were, and tuned me in to music and culture in general.

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