KEEP ON TRUCKIN' RE-VISITED ------------------------------------------------------------------ Volume 1, Issue 1 August 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------ ** PREMIER ISSUE ** Contents: INTRODUCTION FLASH BACK SPECIAL OFFER COOL LINKS SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE & CONTRIBUTE INFO ****************************************************************** INTRODUCTION: For the past year or so I have been thinking how nice it would be to create a _moderated_ newsletter/list about the time between the mid 60s and mid 70s. Why would I want to do that? Well, it was quite a time in history. I think back about many things then that had a major influence on my life and those around me. Some of these things were the Vietnam war, Woodstock, the back-to-nature movement, the Whole Earth Catalog, Kent State, Mother Earth News and the increased environmental concerns just to name a few. I also feel there were many others who were greatly influenced by this time period as well and I would like to provide a forum for others to share their feelings, thoughts and experiences. So, what's it all about man? I would like to examine and present a positive nostalgia of a time since past. Also, I would like to impose on anyone who would like to share with other like minded individuals their feelings, experiences, and ideas from that time frame. As with any time in history, there were good times, and bad and I would like the readers and (hopefully) participants to reflect and concentrate on those good times. I will throw out some ideas and see where the flow will take us. In addition to the subjects listed above, here are a few more - cross-country hitch hiking, communal living, your own route to expanding your consciousness and self awareness, cool music, slang of the times, and of course, the hip clothing. Sure, there are many other areas, so if you have any other ideas please pass them on. There will be links included to cool sites, newsgroups, happenings, and to other newsletters or lists that may apply. If you know of anything that would fit, please send me any info you might have. Send your stuff to . At present, this newsletter will start out as a monthly. The plan is to post the newsletter mid month. If there is enough support I would like to make it more frequent - perhaps twice a month. Where did I get a title like that for a newsletter? I have always enjoyed the Crumb comics and in particular the ones about my main man, Mr. Natural. To me these comics and the Keep On Truckin' dudes in particular, seem to capture the spirit of the times and it seemed like a natural (pun intended.) How can you help? Please provide me with feedback - good or bad that might help make this a better newsletter, but be kind. Taking suggestions for books relating to the time frame - any ideas will help. What next? Put on your love beads, your headband, bell bottomed pants and do whatever it takes to put your mind in the proper state and kick back, experience the newsletter and if you can, please drop me a few lines and we'll see where it goes from here. =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+==+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= Flash Back The early 70's were a big turning point for me. It felt like I was living a line from a Frank Zappa song - "I wish I was back in the alley, with all of my friends, still running free, hair growing out every hole in me" and I was having a hard time living in an apparent _plastic_ world. I was reading books such as the teachings of Don Juan, the series of Lobsang Rampa the Tibetian monk, checking into Zen Buddhism, and many books on meditation. I experienced a revelation of sorts. Don't really know how it happened but somehow I became aware - I discovered my conscience- ness. Up to that point, I had always taken my ability to think for granted. All of a sudden I could hear myself think - and for quite a while it was kind of frightening. I was very lucky to have friends who had a farm just a few miles from where I lived. At the back of the farm, just a few hundred yards from the river bottom, on an un-disturbed piece of property they had an 18' Cheyenne style tipi set up. Some of my fondest memories were centered around this tipi. We would spend many days & nights living in the tipi and working on the farm. This was very good for me as it helped me get a fresh and more natural understanding of my place in the universe. From preparing the soil, planting the seeds, the harvest, then waiting for the whole cycle to start over again this gave me the chance to experience the subtleties of the seasons, first hand. Watching the stars & moon pass across the sky between the open smoke flaps, or doing a sweat bath and jumping into the icy cold Arkansas river in the middle of November helped me to find an inner peace and harmony with myself and with others. I still cling to this wonderful time in my life when things get a bit hectic and crazy. It has helped me to maintain some balance and understanding for the way things really are. ->vip<- =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+==+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= Special Offer! As you have seen in the newsletter above, I am really trying to get others to participate. Well, for the first six folks who contribute something _I can use_ in future newsletters, I will send a nice white t-shirt with a nice black pocket print featuring a hamburger, fries and a drink, all with glazed eyes, in a nice cozy group with Munchies written just below. For the time being, all articles posted will be done anonymously. I will use something like, "Bill, Colorado" as the by-line. Just send the article, and if I accept it, I will email you and request your mailing address. Seems pretty simple. To contribute, please email your article(s) to: ************************ COOL LINKS ***************************** Hippy Haven - a must visit site. Take the "Are you a Hippy" test, check out the definitions of a hippy and follow some of the cool links. A full time RealAudio site for the Grateful Dead. The official Web site for the Grateful Dead. Haight Ashbury Free Press - Very Cool! Hippie's Online - A great site with tons of the best links I have seen - check this out! The Children of the 70's 'zine is brought to you by Cal State Fullerton's Communications 380, Interactive Multimedia Production class. Great listings of movies, cartoons, cars, and TV shows of 70s. ****************************************************************** Hey, don't Bogart this newsletter - please pass it on to all your friends. Thanks! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE & CONTRIBUTE INFO List Owner/Editor - Vincent P. Gearhart KEEP ON TRUCKIN' RE-VISITED E-mail Address - Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information: To SUBSCRIBE, send e-mail SUBJECT: SUBSCRIBE To UNSUBSCRIBE, send e-mail SUBJECT: REMOVE To POST to the newsletter, send e-mail Visit us on the WWW at, For a complete FAQ go to: or send e-mail SUBJECT: FAQ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-== Copyright 1997, VIP Graphics & Video. All rights reserved.