Summer of '73 (Intro)

 

I have had it in mind for a couple of years now to share some thoughts about the world we live in today by way of memories of the world as it was fifty years ago, when I was young and fancy free - or should have been.  Fifty years ago!  It seems incredible that I can even say that phrase, that I have lived so long.

Fifty years before 1973 was 1923, which seemed almost antediluvian to my generation, as no doubt the seventies do to the current crop of youngsters.  There are college graduates now who never lived in the 20th century, strange to say.

Sorting through a half-century of mental archives is not a simple task, however, and I may have to write this memoir in weekly parts. And to keep the narrative simple and protect my own privacy, I tell my loyal readers up front that I will sometimes obscure and conflate names, dates, places, and situations, while still conveying the real essence of what happened. 

In any case, you must not expect an exciting story; it's more of a psychological one, a slow awakening to liberation and sexuality and adulthood.  Of no real interest or importance to anyone but me, I admit, but it's my blog and that's what I want to write about.  You can always turn the dial if you get bored.

While I get Part I ready to post here, be my guest at the lovely beach seen above, complete with the live sound of breakers rushing to the shore. The drinks are on me - so have a pina colada or two, and just chill until I return.

And for your entertainment, here's Tony Orlando and Dawn singing their smash hit song of 1973. (This lackluster lip-sync does not begin to convey how wildly popular it was.) Tony was the model of fashion at that moment in time - the hair, the stache, the clothes, the high-heeled platform shoes.  That was the look of the day for young men in this pre-disco era - a blow-dryed, high-styled evolution of the rag-tag hippie look, sublimated into the wider culture.  

I was no entertainer and not exactly studly, but I so wanted to look like him, to dress like him, to be in the mode - but though I was old enough to do whatever I wanted, I didn't.  I will tell you why in due course. 

Update:  Sorry, guys, looks like it will be next week before I get my essay written.  Hey, it's hot AF here in Texas and I can't concentrate.  Meanwhile, just chillax and keep cool at the beach.  

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