Gratifying oneself was the fad of the day

Towards the end of the 60's decade, Pop Culture was spreading it's lifestyle across the country like a prairie fire. With music as its messenger, the record business continued to sizzle with activitiy supported by an unprecedented stage of retail traffic. In an on-going effort to maintain this economic drumbeat and attract new customers, record companies began offering more diverse forms of music into the market; particulary Rock Fusion, Progressive Jazz, varying forms of Folk and Classical Rock and Middle Eastern music. Labels also introduced innovative marketing techniques by featuring extravagantly designed album covers in addition to jackets being canvassed by famous artist in lieu of catching the eye of the art lover. The purchase of a record now offered a variety of new experiences whereas a record buyer could view attractive art on the jacket and read the song's lyrics from the insert while being entertained by the music's content. Additionally, the marketplace introduced supporting products such as larger stereo systems with technical gadgetry along with non-conventional items such as lava lamps , bean bags and water pipes. Gratifying oneself at home was the fad of the day and was easily provided by these trendy creature comforts.

The birth of the Flower Power generation had been born and in addition to being active record buyers they had also adopted marijuana as the drug of choice. Despite its reputation of ill repute, marijuana produced astute awareness to the user's senses while listening to music. Certainly, I make no claim to mirror Timothy Leary here, but smoking pot seemed to trigger additional senses towards enjoying a records' intensity. Every puff magnified the powerful trance of enjoying music combined with the overwhelming urge to indulge in a bag of Doritos. Once under the influence, your confidence level escalated while your instinctive judgment went on Spring break. Achieving herbal fulfillment might entice you to engage in a series of daring experiments such as attempting to communicate in a normal voice after inhaling a balloon filled with Freon gas. Another trendy exercise was streaking naked across the college campus in full view of classmates. Never one to be outdone, my former roommate's favorite prank was blowing marijuana smoke into his dog's face only to witness his aroused pet drool slobber on his pants while humping his leg. We enjoyed doing all the wrong things right.