Nicholas Sparks “Dreamland” – Final Book Review

I’ve written already about starting to read this book (read here) and also who I think would be the best actor to play the lead role if this book becomes a movie (read here), and now… the final review…

I had to keep telling myself, “This isn’t real life. This isn’t real life. This isn’t real life!” But what I really mean is this isn’t MY life. I haven’t heard many stories where love happens like it does in Dreamland and I guess that’s OK because it’s a made-up story. I’ll just be totally honest and give you the full picture, part of my frustration with the book isn’t because of the way it portrays love, it’s from my own jealousy. What I’m about to say next is a spoiler so if you want to skip it, just go down to after the Simpsons GIF and I’ll pick up there with no more spoilers.

In the book, the couple who fall in love go their separate ways because they both had lives and stuff going on before they met on their vacations. This is in the last few chapters. Life carries on and the two begin to live life without each other. But to tie the story up with a rose-colored bow, the woman (who had moved to Nashville to embark on a singing career) does a surprise visit to the guy (who works on a farm in North Carolina). Earlier, he was the one to initiate the breakup but when she came back to see him after awhile apart, she declared them “back together” and that they’ll give the long-distance relationship the old college try, as they say. That irks me because in my life, any woman I’ve broken up with has never come back and refused to stay apart. Not once. Jealousy. Exhaustion. Disappointment. I know deep down I want a love like Colby and Morgan have. Somewhere along the way I went from a hopeless romantic to just hopeless. I am aware that in this country (and maybe the whole world), romantic love is an idol. OK, that’s the only pity party I’m writing about today!

What can I say? It’s Nicholas Sparks. He has a way of weaving a story together that kept me interested. The twist at the end will stick with me because I didn’t see it coming. But still, nothing will top The Notebook for me. With that said, “Dreamland” should become a movie and when it does, I’ll watch.

-Out of the Wilderness

Amazon Commercial Shows That Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

They say that breaking up is hard to do. Instead of breaking up I wish that we were making up.

Neil Sedaka

I can’t help but sing those lyrics from Neil Sedaka as I’m watching this new commercial from Amazon. A couple fight and the dude leaves. It’s a tale as old as time. But the song in the ad isn’t “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” which would make sense. Take a look at the commercial then scroll down for more info…

The Music. The song is “(There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me” which you may remember from the 1980s, performed by the band Naked Eyes. Right about now you’re thinking of something that reminds you of an ex, aren’t you? My bad! Well, blame Amazon, not me. The 1980s version of this song wasn’t the first. That was something I didn’t know. The original version is by Lou Johnson and this is the one used in the commercial.

Other Songs. A couple of years ago I wrote a blog with a few of my favorite break-up songs, which is kind of an oxymoron, really. For instance, one of the best is “Jar of Hearts” by Christina Perri. There are a million songs about failed relationships but here is my short list.

I post every day at 1pm so I’ll let’s get back together then, mmmk?

-Out of the Wilderness

The Toyota Prius Commercial – The Music, the Dog, and Shadow Quotes

I’m going to start this post humbly, by admitting that over ten years ago I lost a street race to a Toyota Echo. It was embarrassing but not so embarrassing that I won’t write about it. I wrote about it. Those cars weren’t made for racing but in a new commercial from Toyota (not for the Echo, or else I’d be having major PTSD right now), the speed of the 2023 Prius is highlighted. Take a look then scroll down for more info…

The Green Hornet. You might recognize the music in the commercial. It’s the theme song for the 60s television show “The Green Hornet.” It’s called “Le Frelon Vert” by The Hollywood’s Martins. The song is loosely based on “Flight of the Bumblebee,” which was part of the show series in its radio form (according to Wikipedia).

The Dog. Appearing in the ad is a dog who watches the Prius fly by. It’s a blue heeler and he or she is a good pup! Some might call the breed an Australian cattledog but that’s the same as blue heeler.

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” Walt Whitman

“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t.” Blaise Pascal

“When walking through the ‘valley of shadows,’ remember, a shadow is cast by a Light.” Austin O’Malley

“My shadow’s my only companion and at night he leaves, too.” Caedmon’s Call lyrics from “Long Line of Leavers”

-Out of the Wilderness

American Idol – The Winner Surprises Nobody and Was That Dana Carvey?

Season 21 has wrapped up with two of my top three battling for the title of this season’s American Idol, and the winner shouldn’t surprise you. This contestant was an early favorite and his popularity never tapered off. It’s Iam Tongi! (as if you didn’t already know 🙃)

Megan Danielle ended up getting second place. I was hoping Zachariah Smith would win but somewhere about halfway through the live rounds he plateaued, maybe just not the best song choices. I started missing his spunk and his funk and my hopes sunk. Here’s a little bit of that funk in his finale performance with Dana Carvey.

ABC was milking the cow for all it was worth, making the show go on…and on… and on… for THREE HOURS! I think Zachariah adopted another kid in that span of time. Nutsa went to Georgia and back in that span of time. Oliver grew out his hair and shaved it again in that span of time. It was too long, ABC! You did us dirty, especially with performances we never knew we never wanted (see: two Pitbull songs). The whole show could’ve easily been done in an hour, but even two would’ve been understandable.

Other than the finale going way too long, I enjoyed the season a lot. From the introduction of Fire to the very last vote totals, it was a great season full of amazing talent… and that’s in spite of Katy Perry sometimes making a fool of herself without even knowing it.

-Out of the Wilderness

So you want to be a varsity cheerleader?

The other day my niece found out she made the high school cheerleading team… AS A FRESHMAN. Hello, someone’s got some talent! I don’t know much about cheerleading, and I’ll never figure out how the judges score competition cheer events, but I know making varsity as a freshman on any school team is quite an accomplishment. I’m very proud of her. But I’m a little confused about how the team made the announcement…

All kinds of numbers in no particular order. Just imagine the blonde cheerleaders trying to figure that out! I’m a brunette adult male and even I’m confused.

Complaints about my sexist comment can be submitted in the comments below…

-Out of the Wilderness