The Progressive Dog Park Commercial – Cuz It’s the Dog Park Song

There are two commercials currently airing that I love. One is from Hard Rock Bet, which has me conflicted because of this huge mistake I made a few months ago. But my goofball self aside, the ad is simple and hilarious. The other commercial is from Progressive Insurance and it features Mara, everyone’s favorite emo saleswoman. Check it below then scroll down for more…

The Lyrics. Sometimes less is more and the repeating line “It’s the dog park” is all that’s needed to make the song so funny. Of course, Mara’s deadpan delivery is icing on the cake. Or peanut butter in the Kong ball, if you will. For an insurance company, I’m impressed that Progressive was spot-on with the vibe of most dog parks. There’s nothing more true than this: “…and the people you see that you don’t really know, ’cause it’s the dog park.” IYKYK. You can name every dog in the park but the owners? Nah, haven’t gotten their names yet. Reminds me of that one time my dog got in a fight with this famous person’s dog. Yikes.

We haven’t been to a dog park in a month of Sundays, not because Asia wants to fight, but because… 1) For a long time, the park closest to me had a lake in it. Sounds fine, right? Except this is Florida. They say if the water is wet, there’s an alligator in it. So who in the world thought it was a good idea to section off a dog park around a lake!???? You’re fired. And 2) My dogs were never super social. So the visits kind of turned into us sitting on a picnic table or bench watching the world go ’round.

Mara was a great choice to star in the ad. Her emo era contrasts so well; all the dogs are happy and playful while Mara is definitely thinking the glass is half empty. Plus, did you see the great dane buddy up to her at the end of the ad? Gosh, dogs are the best. In fact, dogs are why I wrote “The Brave Bamboo.” Inspired by Piper’s long beagle ears, the story of Bamboo was born. Check it out and order a copy!

Buy Now

-Out of the Wilderness

The Ontario Canada Tariff Commercial – Full Reagan Speech and More

Oh, Canada. Bless your heart. I’ve seen tourism ads featuring specific destinations (see Visit California) but this has got to be the first time a province of Canada blasted a whole country in a commercial. Check it out below then scroll down for more…

I don’t think their ad comes across exactly how they intended. For instance, if the Buffalo Bills aired a commercial in Kansas City telling viewers how the Chiefs has off-the-books deals with referees, all it will do is two things; 1) Solidify KC fans to support the Chiefs even more, and 2) show that Buffalo *might be* a little scared of the Chiefs. Like, what’s in it for you Buffalo? That’s the vibe I get from the Ontario, Canada commercial. There’s more to the ad than can be fit in a short commercial but it’s obvious that the U.S. is doing something right. Canada has such strong feelings about the tariff deal that they called on a generally beloved president to appeal to Americans. In other words, Canada is on its heels, on the defense. So unless they’re playing chess and I’m stuck on a checkers board, I’m going to support my country and my president, instead of assuming you, Canada, have altruistic intentions for Americans.

For the full Reagan speech, see the video below.

Instead of Ronald Reagan, they definitely should have gone a step further. If they were serious, they would’ve called on the political expert– Robert De Niro. 🤪

Just watch how he swoops in with such enthusiasm to save the day in Virginia.

-Out of the Wilderness

I think I’m maturing – a softball post

Softball. Last inning. The other team’s winning by 7. Their baserunner on first makes a weird and loud noise to distract infield on a routine grounder on the third out.

After we got that out, I felt the familiar urge to make a snide comment to him as we were transitioning to the next inning.

I held my tongue. What? I’ve never held my tongue! I’m maturing right before your eyes.

I was proud of myself. We lost the game. But at least I didn’t get chippy like I sometimes do. A team winning by 7 runs has no business having poor sportsmanship. That’s what bothers me. But I trotted to the dugout and didn’t say a word. Am I getting more mature or was he just too far away from me to say something he would hear?

-Out of the Wilderness

The Apple Commercial with Jane Goodall – Good and Bad Ideas

There are good ideas. There are bad ideas. And then there are GREAT ideas and according to Apple, those start on a Mac computer. Here’s their new commercial featuring the voice of anthropologist Jane Goodall.

The truth is not so sparkly. While some ideas that start on an Apple computer are great, most of the ideas are terrible. Trust me, I have a Mac and I have some terrible ideas. It’s like players in a professional sport. Those are the tippy top of all the talent in the world. But there are many, many other really good athletes, even more average athletes, and multiply that by a thousand for the athletes that “try their best.” Trust me, I’m an athlete that tries my best.

With that said, I’ve had a few great ideas and yes, they started on a Mac! Most of my professional work is video editing and that is 100% on a MacBook. I have moments of brilliance cutting and splicing clips together. Take a look at some of my work below.

I’m totally bragging now. Two of my best (or most favorite?) ideas were also completed on my computer. About 10 years ago I was laid off which is, of course, not something people usually smile about… but during that season, I started writing a lot more. I had written quite a bit for the job I was leaving so it was natural to keep writing, however I was just not getting paid for it anymore. The writing turned into 2 children’s books and I love both of them very much.

The Brave Bamboo

Buy Now

Big and Small, God Made Them All

Buy Now

Fortunately for you, I’m not sharing any of the bad ideas that started on a Mac, those are probably deleted and gone! I’m hoping the good, and great, ideas keep rising to the top like a star athlete on the field. How about yourself? What ideas have you pursued, using your computer as a tool to help you get there?

-Out of the Wilderness

Kevin Hart in iPhone 17 commercial – bad jokes, good music

Technically it’s a Verizon commercial but double technical because it’s ALSO an iPhone commercial. And it stars Kevin Hart so I guess that makes it triple threat. A star, a phone, and the best network in under 30 seconds. Take a look then scroll down for more…

The Humor. I don’t want to be a Scrooge so close to Christmas but I bet someone else out there has grown tired of Kevin Hart’s humor. I used to think he was funny but now? Notsomuch. I’m gonna get coals in my stocking for saying that, aren’t I? I’m sure he’s a good dude and I like that he smiles a lot. Adding positivity into the world is a good thing, so I wish him the best and I hope he makes a name for himself. 🙃

The Phone. The iPhone 17 looks like the back end of the discontinued Pontiac Aztek. Shoot, so much for being positive, huh? At the end of the day, most flagship smartphones are great. The iPhone is a great tool. It’s just that I detest the design of the 17. I go into more details here but needless to say, you’ll never catch me with one. I’ve been team Android for a long time and the 17 has never made me more sure of that decision.

The Song. The soundtrack to this commercial, and the best part of the whole ad, is “You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate. Here’ the full track from the 1970s.

Speaking of Christmas, why not pick up my two children’s books for a kids you tolerate? Check them out below…

Big and Small, God Made Them All

Buy Now

The Brave Bamboo

Buy Now

-Out of the Wilderness