Posting daily at 1pm central about all kinds of things. One day it's dating, the next it's TV commercials. I hope you're entertained. Professional photos on SmugMug – https://benwilder.smugmug.com
This will be part 1 because this weekend has been busy enough that I can’t possibly write a full recap of the weekend going over to Savannah, Georgia for a concert then out to Macon, too, for a sprint triathlon. But at this specific concert which featured two of my favorite bands– NEEDTOBREATHE and Judah & The Lion– I tried to leave my phone in my pocket (no pictures, texting, etc) so I could soak in every second of the show. I failed a few times, and one of the times I used my phone was to record the lead singer of NEEDTOBREATHE coming right by our seats during the performance of “Brother.” Take a look at the short video of my sister, brother-in-law, and I watching and high-fiving Bear as he sings and strolls by. More to come!
I saw a TV commercial for a men’s hair dye product and the thought hit me: Why do single men (who are actively dating) dye their beards? As someone who spends time on dating sites, I know that no one wants to be surprised when they show up for a date. In other words, the person you’ve been talking to looks like the 20-years-older version of the person in the profile photos. Catfishing is what that’s called. You’re not exactly who you projected yourself to be.
I totally understand putting your best foot forward. It’s not necessary to show all your cards on the first date (or even the first 10 dates!). But how’s it going to go, men, when you’ve been in a relationship for 6 months, a year, or after you’re married and your spouse finally sees the real you? Gray beard, gray hair, the part of you you’ve been coloring so you appear younger.
It all just seems dishonest to me. If discovering your date is fatter, skinnier, shorter, or taller than they led you to believe before meeting in person and you feel misled, then isn’t that the same as showing up with a brown beard when you know it’s really gray the same thing?
I have no idea where I was or when it was that I heard this song for the first time, except to say it was some time this year, 2023. That makes it 40+ years since the song was released that I *could have* heard it, but didn’t. Should I blame radio stations? Absolutely. Couldn’t have been my fault!
The song is called “Only You” and it’s by a band called Yaz, or Yazoo, depending on where you live. Here’s the music video from 1982.
I guess some credit is due, because I had to have heard the song somewhere, perhaps on SiriusXM? *Half credit restored to radio stations*
I don’t like being a sourpuss (that’s debatable, actually), maybe I’d be better described as a realist? At the same time I try to nourish the generous, encouraging side of my personality but then I come across a song from the legend Reba McEntire. She is very cool. An icon who sits in the rare company of musical artists and entertainers who can be immediately known by just one name. Reba. Garth. Cher. Elvis. Taylor.
But the dark side of me comes out when I hear Reba’s latest song called “Seven Minutes In Heaven.” Obviously, it’s a play off the phrase describing the teenage game where you go in a closet with someone and do who knows what for 7 minutes. Reba’s twist on the title gives it a much more meaningful purpose. Check it out then scroll down for a short rant.
What isn’t jiving with me is not Reba. It’s not her performance. It’s not the video, although it’s pretty boring. All that is fine and good. The lyrics, though, oh my goodness they touched on my last nerve with the poor grammar and conflicting sentences. How do lyrics like this make it past even the first revision? Here’s the first one that had me fit to be tied:
I wouldn’t spend all my seconds askin’ God questions ‘Cause He knows I’d be back soon.
The point of view is inconsistent. It would make more sense to say “I won’t ask questions because I know I’ll be back soon.” How does what God knows about the future have any bearing on what you ask in the moment? Case in point: You don’t know you’ll be back soon so you should ask things you want to know right then and there.
How it’s written is like the buyer not asking a car salesman which colors they have on the lot because the salesman knows the buyer will be back later. Huh?
The last chorus had me madder than a puffed toad. It’s set up the same way. With seven minutes in Heaven, I’d hang with you. OK, fine. Cool. But then it goes on to say…
But I might take a few seconds to ask God some questions I didn’t last time I was through. If I had seven minutes in Heaven I’d spend them all with you.
So are you spending all your time with this person or not? Get your story straight, Jack! If I could sum these lyrics up with a word, it would be this: Inconsistent. And now I’m all horns and rattles.
The most well-known Allstate campaign is probably the “Mayhem Guy,” some really great ads over the years. But recently they’ve introduced “Podcast Guy.” Take a look at the commercial then scroll down for the actors name and more info…
The Actor. Podcast guy is played by seasoned actor Jack Plotnick. Jack’s been in a little bit of everything from Seinfeld and Dawson’s Creek to Reno 911! and CSI: Vegas. Check out his impressive resume on his IMDb page. He also has original videos on YouTube and I’m not sure you’re ready for these. Check out his Disney clips, here’s an example…
You’re Annoying. Back to the Allstate commercial… no one really wants to be friends with podcast guy. People like that are super annoying if all they talk about is one thing. Come to think of it, podcast guy can be friends with the obnoxious Spectrum internet guy. Two peas in a pod.
What do you think about Allstate’s podcast commercial? Will it convince anyone to sign up with Allstate?
Out of the Wilderness 