Trump and Harris: Make America Like Detroit

There could not be a more clear divide in the direction conservative people and liberal people see the future of the U.S. going. Surprisingly, both have recently used Detroit as their ‘show and tell.’ While Donald Trump warns that if Kamala Harris wins, America will look like Detroit, entertainer Lizzo promises that if Kamala Harris wins, America will look like Detroit. See both in the clips below.

Like it or not, Trump’s not wrong about the frightening reality for anyone living in Detroit. Every list I checked for the most dangerous cities in America had Detroit somewhere in the top 5. Some folks are blasting Trump for talking bad about Detroit while he was in Detroit but when has he ever sugarcoated anything? Not to mention, Detroit news agencies are doing the same thing… this from the Detroit Metro Times:

DETROIT RANKED SECOND LEAST SAFE CITY IN THE U.S.

Detroit wins runner-up with to top spot going to Memphis, Tennessee (only go to Memphis to visit Graceland and do it during the day, or else). So what’s all the hubbub about Trump telling it like it is? It only made the news because basically Trump was calling Detroit a sh*thole, in not so many words. The ironic part is that Lizzo claims that Kamala Harris wants to make America like Detroit, citing a few of the good things Detroit has contributed to America: Cars and Lizzo herself. Full of yourself much?

This is the difference between a candidate who is a straight shooter (Trump) and one who changes like a chameleon to be everything to everybody (Harris). Right now, in regards to crime rate, assaults, traffic fatalities, Detroit sucks so to come into the city and blow smoke up their britches isn’t doing anyone any good.

-Out of the Wilderness

The Nike Stairs Commercial – The Music and More

If you’ve ever run further than you thought you could or killed leg day at the gym, this new Nike commercial might trigger your PTSD. In the ongoing campaign where Nike claims “Winning Isn’t Comfortable,” they couldn’t have nailed it on the head any better than they did in this ad. Check out folks descending stairs– or just generally trying to walk– with the soundtrack of a great 1970s song, then scroll down for more.

The Music. A heartbreak ballad with a guitar solo I love serenades these athletes who love running so much it hurts, it’s Nazareth’s cover of “Love Hurts,” and yes, yes it does hurt. The theme fits with another Nike ad that uses this phrase: If you don’t hate running a little, you don’t love running enough. How true. Love does hurt sometimes… here’s the full track from 1975. Note: It was originally performed by The Everly Brothers and another version by one of my favorite singers, Roy Orbison.

Legs Hurt, Too. How many times have your legs been so stiff and sore you can barely walk? One experience I can think of was when I had no business running 11 miles at Nashville’s Percy Warner Park. I don’t even want to think about the elevation but I remember in the last few loops and hills (after making at least one wrong turn), I was trying my hardest to run but my legs felt like aged, petrified pine trees. I literally could NOT make them move any faster than a walking pace yet in my mind I was jogging. It was painful in all the ways you can imagine.

[October 4, 2017]

-Out of the Wilderness

The KIA K4 “Like the Way You Look” Commercial – The Song and More

*The full song has finally been released on streaming platforms, click here for more*

Man walks backwards up the steps. This sounds like the beginning of a riddle but it’s actually just part of KIA’s commercial for the brand new K4 sports car. I don’t know who KIA hired to design their latest models but as the cliché saying goes– they deserve a raise. The KIAs are looking sharp! Even if their updated logo is crooked. Take a look at the ad (which is also really done well) then scroll down for information about the song…

BTS. The ad was shot in Vancouver, Canada. KIA posted a teaser clip from the shoot. This was before the ad came out… kinda cool to see a glimpse into what goes into an ad and I can tell you from experience: Even though the commercial is 30 seconds, it took at least 12 hours to shoot. That’s just how it goes.

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The Music. The song used in the ad is an original composition for KIA. It was created by Soundtree Music with offices in LA and London. Full track here. Credits of the track:

Composers: Daniel Phillip Eppel, Ross Finck, Rudolph Wilemse, Peter Raeburn, John Mourounas
Additional Music Production: Luke Fabia
Soundtree Producers: Shirley Chung, Colin Hickson
Soundtree Creative Director: Peter Raeburn

-Out of the Wilderness

Macy’s Fall Favorites Commercial – The Song That’s NOT by the Lumineers

We’ve been in the fall season for nearly a month now and I don’t know about you, but I’ve had the little space heater pointed directly at my feet for the last 3 afternoons. Yeah, I’m that unashamed to admit on the internet that I get cold feet (literally……………… and probably figuratively). Macy’s has a new ad embracing autumn in all its red, orange, and brown glory. Check out the ad then scroll down for more.

The Song. The song in the commercial is not by The Lumineers, I was wrong thinking this the first time I saw the ad. It’s called “Who You Share It With” released in 2023 by Layup. It’s a great choice of song with it’s warm and cozy sound, the message right in line with this time of year– being with family around a bonfire, watching your favorite football teams lose, and then of course, Thanksgiving with the relatives who always talk about politics.

Memories are made this season and Macy’s wants you to look good while you do it. What do you think about the commercial? Chime in below…

-Out of the Wilderness

Florida State Sucks at Football and I’m Here For It

It’s like hoping that partner you broke up with never finds love again. Hi. I’m a graduate from Florida State University and in 2014 we had a baaaaaad breakup. It’s kind of hard to believe it’s already been a decade. Some people *ahem my family cough, cough!!!* think it’s trivial and immature but I felt so slighted when the school updated the logo. The reason given was that Nike claimed the one being used at that time was too difficult to manufacture on clothing and whatnot. I believe with all my being that the logo change revealed a lot about the university (and Nike) and it was actually about money. From then on, I disavowed all things Seminole. So what do my nieces do when they graduate high school? Of course they went to FSU! I was hoping they’d pick a different school so I could start aligning my loyalties with whichever other one they picked.

So fast forward to the 2023 season and FSU is somehow good at football again. I was a little perplexed because just from proximity to so many FSU football fans (my family) I learned about some of the players and of course I want all players to succeed at that level. I love when athletes work hard, when they’re good people, and they achieve higher success. The team went undefeated in the regular season, got mistreated by the playoff selection committee, and went through a summer of change– players leaving for the NFL and new players joining the team.

Now, in 2024, they suck again and I can’t really share how thrilled I am with anyone (unless I want to be excommunicated from the family farm) so here I am… sharing it with you the reader. The football team is literally terrible this year. There are a number of reasons and a lot of blame is going towards the new quarterback who has a last name no one can say or spell. FSU fans might as well stop trying because I’m sure he’ll be gone once the last whistle is blown.

Like the lyrics go in the Elvis song “Where Did They Go, Lord”…

The heart that’s within me isn’t bitter, it’s just empty.

Maybe soon I’ll have another team to root for. I still have a couple of nieces who haven’t verbally committed to a school yet and one nephew who is at a very impressionable age. This Christmas he *might* be getting some University of Tennessee gear from his favorite uncle.

-Out of the Wilderness