The Secret Sisters “All the Ways” – The Music Video, the Actor, and More!

I’ve been a fan of The Secret Sisters for a long time, probably ever since I first heard their song “He’s Fine” from 2017. Then there was “You Don’t Own Me Anymore” and my appreciation for their music was cemented. Such a fan I was that when they came to Nashville one Christmas season, my top goal– well, the top goal was to enjoy their music– my secret top goal was to get a high-five from them.

The Video. I’m so awkward, aren’t I? But now I want to give them another high five for their latest music video. It’s a song featuring Ray LaMontagne called “All the Ways.” Their harmonies and the quality of their voices astounds and confounds me. A duet (or is it a trio?) with Ray, another favorite of mine, was a great idea, too.

The Actor. The heartbroken Uber driver is actor Linds Edwards. You may recognize him from The Hunger Games, or various other movies and TV shows. You can find more on his IMDb page or follow him on Instagram: @LindsEdwards.

The Resonation. I almost wrote “the heartbroken Uber drive is me,” because that’s how much I resonate with the character. Love is all around me. Couples holding hands, canoodling, being all lovey-dovey. Sometimes it’s sweet. Sometimes it makes me want to barf. Also, I totally recognized the ding on his phone at the beginning of the video. What, I told you I’ve been an Uber driver before! Wait, did I tell you that? Here’s a clip of me delivering a hot taco for a big tip the other day…

The Uber driver guy reaches out to a lost love, maybe for the last time. To his delight, she responds positively and it doesn’t look like he’s going to let the chance of loving her again slip by. He wants to love her in all the ways. It kind of reminds me of that classic love song from Weird Al…

Oh wait, that’s me. I’m white and nerdy. One day I’ll get the girl, you just wait! All kidding aside, this is a great song from The Secret Sisters and a perfect video to go along with it. I’m glad these talented sisters aren’t a secret! Not being able to listen to their unique, harmonized vocals would be a real shame.

High-fiving from Florida…

-Out of the Wilderness

Who’s still doing timeshares?

I heard an ad on the radio the other day about a law firm that helps people get out of timeshares. I wondered to myself… who the heck is still doing timeshares? I’ve never met one person who’s part of one, I’ve never seen an ad asking me to get into one, and the only commercials I’ve ever seen in the last million years about timeshares are the ones offering to help people get out of them.

If getting out of them is such a common need, how horrible they must be! If I had to make a guess before I Google it, I’d say that timeshares is something that will die off with older generations. No one my age (45) is doing timeshares that I know of. I would be extremely shocked if Gen Z or the people ages 20 to 30 have even an inkling of interest in timeshares. All I’ve ever heard is that it’s a nightmare to be part of one. And expensive.

*Googling it now*

OK wow. I’m shocked by what this USAToday.com article says.

Maybe the bad reputation timeshares have with Boomers and Gen X isn’t transcending to Gen Z and Millennials. That’s crazy. But in that article, it says that timeshares have expanded to include more than just one location every year. So if it can change and adapt as time goes by, I guess people will continue to see the benefits. Well, I’m surprised by what I discovered, I figured timeshares would become a relic of generations gone by but it looks like they’re taking on a new life with the young’ns.

-Out of the Wilderness

The KIA Ice Skating Ad – The Music, Post Malone, and More!

At this point in my life, KIA pretty much has me wrapped around their South Korean finger. Their commercials, just like their vehicles, have become such a force (going back to their robo-dog commercial from last year) I remember when the brand was sort of the butt of a lot of jokes in regards to quality and people taking them seriously.

*”We wanna see ya… in an KIA” – Nashville natives who know this, can I get an amen?

But now, even with the crooked logo, their cars and SUVs are sleek, sporty, classy, and the commercials will tug every one of your heart strings. Take a look at their commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, then scroll down for more info!

The Music. The song in the commercial is “Wish I Was Here” by Cat Power & Coldplay. Here’s the full track…

It’s a beautiful KIA car, a beautiful commercial, and a beautiful song. So let’s watch one more thing that’s beautiful from the Super Bowl. And no, I’m not talking about the results. I really wish the Niners would’ve sealed the deal on that overtime drive that ended with a field goal. You can’t give the ball back to Mahomes and MaAuto! You just can’t. Here’s a song performed early in the game broadcast by a guy I like more and more as time goes by. A lot of people consider him a beautiful human being so here’s Post Malone singing, “America, The Beautiful.”

The Super Bowl has been known for the commercials for a long time. I didn’t love that the very first one this time was an ad for a movie, but overall the commercials were really good. Better than they’ve been in the last ten years or so! What did you think? Meet me at the Tallahassee KIA dealership and let’s discuss.

-Out of the Wilderness

Monkeys at Silver Springs State Park!?

I had been hanging out at the end of the boardwalk overlooking the Silver River for probably close to an hour. It was beautiful as I waited for any manatees to swim by. Suddenly, a cackle-like sound and I thought to myself, “That’s definitely not a bird.” We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto! I turn back towards the forest as the sound of a rushing wind grew. But it wasn’t wind. It was a herd (is that what it’s called with monkeys? A herd?) of wild monkeys swiftly approached the boardwalk area. All of the sudden, an overwhelming experience was upon me as dozens and dozens of monkeys hurdled by, some going under the boardwalk and others hopping over it. Big ones, little ones, fast ones, bouncy ones, all headed in the same direction and in the chaos of the moment I had no chance of getting a good photo. I tried, of course, but it was a lost cause with all the things I was feeling and seeing. These photos are basically just to prove it happened because if you don’t have a photo, it didn’t happen, right? Here’s part of the moment that felt like Outbreak Part 2.

It was frightening and at the same time mesmerizing and exhilarating. Definitely one of the more notable wildlife experiences I’ve had in a long time and probably right up there with the time I jogged by a rattlesnake or watched bison surround my camper.

Oh, also I DID see manatees. They were far off but it was pretty neat to see them. Also came across a deer who didn’t seem to mind a whole lot that I was nearby.

Silver Springs State Park is a place you definitely need to visit whether it’s for a day or if you can book a few days at the campground. I don’t think you’ll regret it. Just watch out for the monkeys.

-Out of the Wilderness

Run, Forrest, Run… My First Duathlon Race

I’m not running across the country like Forrest did, but *bad pun forthcoming* I “du” have a duathlon coming up. It will be my first since I’ve only *here’s another one* “tri’d” short sprint triathlons so far. This race is a 2 mile run, 12 mile bike, and another 2 mile run. Thanks for stopping by “du”de! Read on for more thoughts…

One reason I’m more nervous for this race than the sprint triathlons is because of the training. This time especially, I want the training to mean something. It’s not that I didn’t train for the other races. I did. But back in early January I decided I’m going to really push myself for this duathlon. I even made a calendar.

There’s more at stake in this race because I’m more invested. I put a lot of effort into preparing and honestly, the training has been hard, challenging, not something I always wanted to do, but extremely satisfying. That’s sort of a win itself, even if I completely embarrass myself in the duathlon. I was told the course is hilly so I made a point to find hills to run up and bike up. I also practiced transitions, making sure I can do them as efficiently as possible.

Did I do enough? Was my calendar helpful? Will the way I race reflect the way I trained? This time, I don’t want to just get by. I want to go all out. I’m determined to tell my body to keep going even when I think I can’t go faster, and not let my mind hold me back… I believe my body is ready.

A little bit of the specifics: I did 5K training runs (thanks to Garmin workouts) which include running at 5K speed, lunges, squats, pushups, all within the same workout. I also ran in hilly neighborhoods and worked on my breathing pattern. Cycling workouts included 4, 8, 12, or 16 mile rides finding steep hills to strengthen my legs, and finding out where I can, should, or shouldn’t really press hard to go faster (up hill vs. down hill vs. flat areas).

I have a new pair of Brooks running shoes and this will be their first race. I swapped out the laces for Lock Laces to help speed up the transition to and from biking. Also, this will be the second race with my Trek Domane AL 4. I can’t wait to see what I can do with it.

I’m nervous. I’m excited. My goal is to finish in the top 15 male category and I think there are probably around 40 men. I want so badly for my training to pay off and to know that I gave as much as I could.

-Out of the Wilderness