But when there are 12 teams…

I keep thinking that when 12 teams are in the college football playoffs (next season), the drama from how this season is ending will all but disappear. That’s what many people are saying, too. It makes sense– playing for the coveted 4th spot in a 4-team playoff certainly creates more tension than getting the 12th spot in a 12-team playoff. But it seems as though the committee’s decision to leave Florida State out, one of only two undefeated teams in the top 10, has exposed corruption (or the possibility of corruption) that we, as fans, didn’t know was there or just didn’t pay attention to.

What happen to the Seminoles can never be undone. It’s pretty shocking that one team ranked #8 made the playoffs and another team accused of a major cheating scandal made the playoffs, too. It just happens to be that those two teams have rich fanbases and where there is money, opportunity follows.

Years from now when Michigan’s wins are vacated from this season, it won’t matter in the present day, in 2023. Their punishment should’ve been swift and harsh. But the NCAA is greedy and it’s clear more now than ever that the only thing that matters is the dollar.

I’m still in favor of capitalism and the free market, but fairness ought to always outweigh greed. If a dozen or so committee members can make rulings that benefit a chosen set of people, then why does anything matter? In terms of football and bowl games, I guess things don’t matter anymore… unless you’re one of the teams invited to the playoffs, of course.

-Out of the Wilderness

Chiefs Football Curses, Cussing, and Cuddling

Is there such thing as the “Madden Curse”? That’s when the football star covering the case of the video game fails miserably in following seasons. It’s happened often enough to make people wonder if curses are real. Then there’s the Jessica Simpson curse. She was dating Tony Romo, who was quarterbacking the Cowboys at the time.

The Other Kind of Cursing. NFL fans all over the world witnessed Patrick Mahomes cursing after he and his team lost to the Buffalo Bills a couple of weeks ago. It was the most epic meltdown. Those meddling refs totally blew the game by making a fair call! How dare they? Mahomes embarrassed himself multiple times immediately after the game. Some might say that, like Snickers commercials, Mahomes isn’t himself when he’s angry. Just a short time later the CHEFS, yes the CHEFS, lost to the Raiders in what some might call a minor blowout. Mahomes didn’t lose his cool in public but Travis Kelce did.

I Knew You Were Trouble. Has Taylor Swift crippled this team by dating their “star” player? Too much sugar makes one sick and I think all the praise and adoration of the Chiefs, Mahomes as the NFL’s golden child, Kelce cuddling Swift, it’s just been too much for the team to bear. They’re crumbling like a cookie and while non-Chiefs fans are sick of the Swift coverage, I think most are feeling a sense of satisfaction that the team is not firing on all cylinders. They’ll probably make the playoffs, most calculations favor that scenario heavily, but if there was ever a team that stumbled into the post-season, it seems to be the Chiefs this year.

I wonder if anyone has mentioned to Kelce that it’s time to do one of three things: shake it off, tell Taylor they’re never ever getting back together, or keep losing and become the anti-hero.

-Out of the Wilderness

The iPhone 15 Wall Outlet Commercial – The Music and More!

A sentence I never thought I’d be saying: That electrical outlet really can sing! It’s 2023, I guess we oughta be expecting the unexpected by now, right? Apple has come up with a quirky commercial of an electrical outlet singing about a disconnected relationship. In fact, he’s pretty much shocked (pun intended) that the power of their love has gone cold. The iPhone has unplugged, pun definitely intended, from the relationship and visits only when it needs something. Typical toxic relationship! The sooner the outlet can find a new… outlet… for his affection, the better off he’ll be. Take a look at the ad boasting about the iPhone 15 Plus’s battery life then scroll down for more info…

The Song. The part of the lyrics used in the commercial are just perfect. Listen to the entire track below, it’s “Way Too Long” by Doe Boy.

Breaking up is hard to do, ain’t it. Don’t believe me? Check out these mostly modern songs about relationships ending. I’m a little worried that the next time I unplug something I’m going to be breaking up a relationship. Sorry lamp. It’s not you, it’s the outlet.

-Out of the Wilderness

You Mean You Forgot Cranberries, Too?

“You mean you forgot cranberries, too?” I’ve been repeating this question for a few days now. It comes from The Waitresses song called “Christmas Wrapping.” The song is a whole story about a missed connection x 3, but then the story comes to a very happy ending when she dashes out to the store to find those cranberries she forgot earlier in the day.

All About That Bass. I found comments about the killer Christmas bassline and I’ll admit, I hadn’t noticed it before. Busy fingers by an iconic bass player, Tracy Wormworth. Wow. I agree with other comments about the lyrics being fresh even 41 years later. Yeah, that’s right the song came out in 1981! I can’t really think of any other song I want to queue up the next time I sing karaoke. The last one I performed was Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and I must say it was a big hit! Meaning, I didn’t totally embarrass myself.

This song is right up there with so many great Christmas songs. However you’re celebrating today, I hope you have a great time with family, or friends, or solo if you’re like the singer of the song and need some time by yourself…

Just don’t forget the cranberries.

-Out of the Wilderness

The English Language is Funny Sometimes

I was in a conversation with family during an early Christmas celebration and the topic came up about a woman I dated many years ago. She and I presented a fun little routine doing the hand clap thing from the cup song by Anna Kendrick.

Our spin on it was just adding a kiss at the very end. A harmless peck on the lips and it got a quite a reaction. Fast forward to 2023 and some of my nieces randomly started doing the cup routine at the kitchen table. One of them mentioned this woman I dated. Another said that was the first time they’d seen people kiss. Then another said to me…

You kissed a woman??

The English language is funny because of the words we emphasize. Just that question “You kissed a woman?” can mean a few different things depending on which word has the most weight.

YOU kissed a woman? Meaning: You haven’t kissed anything is years.

You KISSED a woman? Meaning: Thought you only gave women high-fives.

You kissed A woman? Meaning: Just one woman doesn’t sound accurate.

You kissed a WOMAN? Meaning: Suspicion about who might or might not be a homo.

Interesting right? As it’s recorded in history, I kissed a woman. No caps. Just me, a woman, and a little public display of affection. I wonder if she’s missed me since I’ve been gone?

-Out of the Wilderness