The Side Effects of Endorphins

What are your favorite bands and brands and why?

REM

I remember living in Williamsburg Virginia. It was a warm spring day and we were about to have a little backyard gala. A friend of mine slipped a cassette tape into my pocket. It contained the first two R.E.M. albums.i’ve been a big fan ever since. I still play the song South Central Rain when I’m waiting to hear some news.

Did you never call?
I waited for your call
These rivers of suggestion
Are driving me away

The Cure

It’s also going back to my grad school days. I worked delivering oriental carpets to put myself through grad school. I had an undergrad who worked with me who introduced me to good music. One day he slipped in a Cure album. It hit my ear perfectly.

I recently reconnected to this group. Their most recent album and movie that goes along with it is brilliant.

The lyrics are vivid and clear.from the song Pictures of You

Remembering you standing quiet in the rain 
As I ran to your heart to be near 
And we kissed as the sky fell in, holding you close 
How I always held close in your fear
Remembering you running soft through the night 
You were bigger and brighter and wider than snow
You screamed at the make-believe, screamed at the sky
And you finally found all your courage to let it all go

The Tragically Hip

Music that’s withstands the test of time is a definite definition of a classic. I had a friend who was driving through the Canadian Rockies and heard the HIP and called me and said Mark this music is so you.

I finally got around to listening to them hearing them for the first time in Ocean Shores, Washington, after a long running relay.

They tell stories of Canada and I’ve listened to it often.

Here’s the line about a little town in a corner of Toronto.

When I left your house this mornin’
It was a little after nine
It was in Bobcaygeon, I saw the constellations
Reveal themselves one star at a time

Since I modified this prompt, I only listed bands. I listen to all genres of music and probably listened to Miles Davis the most in my life. I’m on top of the music scene and seek out alternative bands constantly. I even went to a punk rock show in Berlin with my son.

As for Brands

Since the homework assignment included talking about brands, I’ll have to talk about them.

I can’t say I am much of a brand person. I have to say, even though I only own a pair of shoes by this company I am impressed by their presence in the skateboard community.

Vans (originally called the Van Doren Rubber Company) is an American apparel, accessories, and skateboarding shoes brand, established in Anaheim, California, and owned by VF Corporation..

Toyota

I personally don’t like to drive but when I do, I want something that’s reliable and is not going to break down. My wife and I have only owned Toyota’s. So there you have it.