Can I Kick It – The Music in the Samsung Galaxy Flip Commercial

Have you been tempted by the release of Samsung’s Galaxy Flip 6? I have a Flip 4 and if I was closer to paying it off, the 6 would definitely be a contender for the next phone I get. Although, I’ll admit the large outer screen kind of defeats the purpose of one of the phone’s original intentions: when the phone is closed, you can focus on what’s right in front of you, no distractions. The Flip 6 (and the 5) has a pretty big screen even when the phone is folded, sooooooo…..

There’s a new commercial featuring the translating abilities of the phone. Take a look then scroll down for more info…

The Music. Savvy ATCQ fans pointed out that the song in the ad is not the original. I’m sure the band got their royalties, though, so that’s good. Here’s the original version of “Can I Kick It” by A Tribe Called Quest.

Which phone do you have? What is one thing you like about it and one thing you don’t like?

-Out of the Wilderness

Triathlon Races – Success Comes Easy for Some

I’m guilty of watching triathletes I know (and some I don’t know) and being in awe of their abilities! They are incredible swimmers, strong cyclists, and swift runners. While I admire their strengths, my thoughts sometimes spirals into self-doubt (which is good for nobody). Then I catch myself in this lie: I wish it came as easy for me as it does for them. I’m not a great swimmer. My cycling legs aren’t strong. I don’t run fast. But those “other” people are just good at everything. It’s so easy to use “other” as some sort of excuse, isn’t it? I’ll never be a good swimmer like person A, I can’t power up hills like person B. Such a foolish, unhealthy thoughts! Plus, those thoughts serve no purpose in making me stronger. But the thoughts are real for me and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I don’t think it’s necessarily good to sweep those thoughts under the rug, though. A better defense is to combat those thoughts with truth. Yes, those other athletes are bosses! In fact, I train with some of them. Sometimes when I’m running (not biking or swimming), I think about people in my past that have inspired me in one way or another. Some are new friends. Some are old classmates. Some I barely know.

Jake, Justin, Nathan, Shane, Michelle, Emily, Erin, Claire, Mark, Matt, Brittany, Brent, Averi, Daniel, Jeff…

…just to name a few. These people (and many others) train so hard. I’ve seen it firsthand. Are they gifted? Sure. But whatever might appear to come easy for them is anything but. It’s like watching pro athletes in whatever sport you enjoy. For example, I like professional football. The players on the field are so talented, skilled, and determined to be the best that they’ve, in fact, become the best. But they didn’t wake up one morning and all of the sudden they’re the best quarterback or fastest receiver or strongest linebacker. The true grit of these athletes is not formed on Sunday (or whatever day the sport plays). It’s all the days leading up to it. Where are they on Monday? Tuesday? When the cameras aren’t on them? They’re in the gym. They’re on the track. Or baking on the hot sun to learn a new skill. They’re pushing themselves in training so when the matchup comes, everything they’ve learned and worked for is on display.

It’s no different for triathletes. The people I train with didn’t wake up one day and all of the sudden swim like a dolphin. Or cycle like their bike has a motor on it. Or run a 6-minute mile. They take time out of their days and weeks to train. So you’ll never catch me, God forbid, saying that it comes easy for them! That’s diminishing the work they do on long bike rides, hot runs, and practice swims. Sweat dripping to the ground. Tired legs after riding for miles and miles. The anguish on someone’s face as they cross the finish line.

That’s why I’m so inspired. Thinking about how these athletes have risen to their status through hard work is a great way to dispel the lies we make up in our minds. If they can be their best, I can be my best, too. If they work hard, I can work hard, too. The title of this post is meant to be misleading. Triathlon success isn’t easy. Whether athletes are finishing in the top 10 or just sneaking in just before the cutoff times, the success is in the work put in. Taking on the challenge should be just as gratifying, just as admirable, as crossing the finish line as the first person or the last person.

-Out of the Wilderness

Joe Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race – My Best Biden Posts From the Last 4 Years

News broke today that Joe Biden won’t be seeking another term as president. This comes after he said he WAS seeking another term. Of course, that was after he said he was only gong to be a one-term president. Things are getting wild and will only get wilder in the coming days and weeks. Poor guy should’ve gone out on his own terms but pride and power brought him to this point in his political career. An embarrassing way to go, being forced out by your own party. Over the years of his presidency I’ve created a portfolio of Biden-related posts. Here they are…

Anyway… A Joe Biden Story

Four More Years Pause

Scrabble to Release New “Joe Biden Words” Edition

Biden Replaces White House Physician With Dr. Seuss

Joe Biden Hosts Grassroots Event with Room Full of Cardboard Cutouts

Did Joe Biden actually die in 1988?

Is Joe Biden wearing a “vest posey”?

Three Joe Biden Moments Nobody’s Talking About

Joe Biden Tells Woman to “Shush”

-Out of the Wilderness

Morgan Wallen “Lies Lies Lies” Video – Crumbs the Fans Eat Up Gratefully

Country music superstar Morgan Wallen can apparently do no wrong. If you said his career was over after his candid camera moment, or that time he threw a chair, those are just lies, lies, lies. His popularity has only gone up, whether you like his style of country music or not. Of course, it helps him a lot if you do ;).

Many years ago, lyric videos became a thing… maybe as a way to get music out fast and test the waters for how a song is received by the masses. Morgan’s offering of this type of video comes to us with his song “Lies Lies Lies.” I’m not going to pretend the video makes any sense but for his fans, making sense doesn’t matter anyway. Take a look then scroll down for more info!

I don’t really like the song– I prefer country music that sounds more traditional and less like pop music– but beyond my personal taste, the video itself is a little perplexing. Incongruous. I’m trying to think of other words besides lazy. It comes across as something thrown together with one purpose: to rope in more eyeballs with as little effort as possible. I’m sure there’s a reason behind putting the lyric video online (keeping Morgan on the top of everyone’s mind, in the front of other aspiring artists, advertising revenue, etc) but could they do even just a little bit more for those of us who aren’t already fans? Videos like this probably won’t reel in any new fans because what we’re seeing is so completely disconnected from what we’re hearing. In other words, what does concert footage have to do with the lyrics of the song?

The song is undoubtedly full of strained emotions, hurt feelings, regret, and you’re going to show me Morgan on stage, greeting fans, smiling? It almost feels insulting.

I know I’m being nitpicky. There’s no way Morgan’s fans won’t eat this video right up because, like I said before, he can’t do anything wrong. The crumbs from his table are met with praise and admiration, no matter how stale, no matter the aftertaste.

-Out of the Wilderness

JoJo Siwa isn’t in on the joke, I guess? Her new music video…

I can’t decide if the people around JoJo are treating her like a Make-A-Wish kid or they all know this whole charade is a joke but they’re genuinely hoping JoJo doesn’t find out. Of course, it might be difficult to be in on a joke when you ARE the joke. If “Karma” wasn’t embarrassing enough (read my recap here), she’s back for another round of good old-fashioned American roasting after posting her latest music video called “Guilty Pleasure.” Every single person who keeps telling her she has good ideas needs to be fired. No no, that’s too generous. They need to be locked in a room and forced to watch this video all day for 7 consecutive days. Then for 4 days they have to let a fully-clothed JoJo hump them while she smiles and says “Kaaarrrrma.”

Here’s the video her ‘yes’ people apparently think is a sure home run.

JoJo’s trying way too hard and it’s coming across as the most inauthentic thing since your last order from Temu. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? You bought something late at night and it’s just like the name brand stuff except made with questionable materials and it lasts about 3 days. You rascal!

JoJo also has a 10-minute reel from her “Guilty Pleasure” release party– oh, excuse me, it’s the release party for “Guity Pleasure,” my bad. Wait, did they really misspell the name of the song!? Temu, y’all.

Yep, THEY MISPELLED THE NAME OF THE SONG!! There’s a proverb that fits for JoJo at this stage in her embarrassing “bad girl” career. Fish or cut bait. For her, the time to cut bait has come and gone, huh? Here’s the clip of her release party where she interacts with approximately 7 people who fit another old proverb: I’m with stupid.

If you watched those videos, God bless you. You didn’t have to endure such torture so for that you deserve something better as this post ends. Here’s a picture of a house fire.

-Out of the Wilderness