Commercials and Earworms
Last week’s short heatwave prompted us to drive to Bodega Bay, our access to the ocean. Although there are many Sonoma County beach access points, we most often choose Bodega Head, a high rocky cliff next to the bay itself. One can walk left to the top and see an island completely covered with seals (very noisy). One can descend steps to the beach itself (which is large or small depending on the tide). Or one can walk along the ridge to the right for views of Bodega Bay homes, boats,and hills, and finally the Marine Lab at the end of the trail. We chose the latter last week.
At this point we have started our hike. The beach is down some stairs from the parking lot. Our wet winter manifested in the path down being also a stream bed, so care is needed. Actually extra fun for the younger kids. The hills are covered with ice plants which are all in flower now.
Even on this spectacular day, we were the only folks on the path, which was blessedly free of garbage. Locals revere our coast and treat it with respect.
Looking east one sees the development along highway 1 and the prestigious homes on the hills. These have ocean views but are almost contiguous with each other; in the million dollar plus range.
At the end of the hike we can see Horseshoe Cove, where the Bodega Marine Lab is located. They do all kinds of sciency stuff there. It’s on our list to tour the facility someday. Tax dollars at work.
As we rested on the return, Mrs. side pocket saw foamy froth in the water and wondered what it was. It was wave-driven foam, but what popped into my mind was “So use Ajax, the foamy cleanser. Floats the dirt, right down the drain.”
That was followed by remembering so many commercial jingles from my past. I can never use the word delicious without my mind adding nutritious, makes you feel ambitious, and I don’t even remember what product was being advertised. Mention see the U S A and my mind will follow with in your Chevrolet. How many Kossacks have seen the user name Silly Rabbit and not fill in with Trix is for kids?
Now I think most of us have these slogans embedded in our brains. They were carefully crafted by highly-paid advertising geniuses and designed to remain embedded. Music is linked in the same way. If I ever hear the term “Good news”, a common phrase, my mind automatically adds “Chariots coming” from the kingston Trio song.
I found a website which lists playable commercials from the 20s to the 50s, called Vintage Commercials, Old Time Radio Shows. The list is comprehensive but dated. I thought it might be fun for KTKers to remember and mention some that are stuck in your minds. We have quite a range of ages here so some will be unfamiliar except to me because I’ve been around forever.
From a comment last night I realized that these are classic ear worms so let this be a trigger warning; don’t read the comments if you have anything to do tomorrow. I hope everyone ignores this warning, however.
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