While the 1960s are far behind us, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be a hippie during the great counterculture of the 20th century. Yes, there were the low points like Charlie Manson and the Vietnam War, but there were some great points too like Woodstock and Bob Dylan. If I put on a tie-dye T-shirt and rose-colored glasses today, people would probably look at me like I was crazy. But, no one can stop me from reminiscing about a decade I never experienced as I list a few perks (or maybe I should say occupational hazards) that come with being a filthy hippie:
1. Free Love, Man
Love who you want, when you want. Or I should say, schtup who you want, when you want. The regular societal laws of relationships thought up by The Man don't bind me.
2. Liberal Drug Abuse
LSD and Pot and Shrooms, oh my! Hey, do you guys see that giant spider-unicorn in the corner, or is that just me?
3. A Return To Simpler Times
I'm talking about communes, my fellow flower children, all for one and one for all. Far out, man!
4. Groovy Psychedelic Music
Break out those sitars and tambourines because this music is the audio equivalent of tripping on acid. We're talkin' "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," "White Rabbit," and "2000 Light Years From Home." And, for that matter, all hail Jimmy Hendrix!
5. And Don't Forget The Folk Music
6. Peace
It's easy to IMAGINE if you try
7. Raging Against The Establishment
Your silly little rules and laws don't apply to me, a prodigy of the great Cosmic Universe.
So, you're basically the Joker?
8. Protesting, and lots of it!
Nam, Laos, Cambodia: if there's fighting in Southeast Asia, we'll protest it!
9. We Can Solve Mysteries
Sometimes, it just takes a doped-up private eye to find out what happened to his ex-old lady and her land developer boyfriend. Just call me Doc Sportello!
10. We're Not Picky
But we do frighten easily
This lifestyle just couldn't be sustained in the modern world, but there is a lesson to be learned from the humble hippie: enjoy life and treat one another with love. Rock on, my fellow flower children.
