Watching the 2023 Grammy Awards

I fully expected Trevor Noah, host of the show, to have a joke about conservatives and Donald Trump just about every other sentence but somehow he managed to only include one in the first 30 minutes of the show. Honestly, it’s so refreshing when a music awards show focuses on the music. What a shocker! Resisting a Trump roast must’ve been as hard as Michael Scott not saying “That’s what she said,” after a perfect setup from Jim Halpert.

I didn’t watch the entire show and after seeing some clips on Twitter, I’m grateful I missed the devilish Sam Smith performance. But from what I DID watch, I loved the appearance of Stevie Wonder along with Smokey Robinson, Chris Stapleton, and four young men singing background vocals. As soon as I can find a link for it, I’ll include it here.

The tribute to those in the music industry who passed away in 2022 was pretty special, too. Oh, and I can’t forget watching the Brandi Carlile performance. I’ve loved her voice for many years! In fact, she has a song on my top 5 songs of all time list (“The Story”). I love music, I always will.

See you all tomorrow…

-Out of the Wilderness

Smear the Queer

Funny how societal rules go in circles, isn’t it? Case and point:

When I was in middle school, a lot of kids boys my age played a game called “Smear the Queer.” If you don’t know what it is, it can be easily explained by saying that there were a group of kids trying to tackle whoever was carrying the football. It was a game a lot less harmful than how the name sounds. Actually, looking back to my middle school years, there were a few things said and done in school that would never work in 2023. Not that anyone back then was offended but it should be noted that in the game, pretty much ever guy WANTED to be the queer.

It wasn’t until some time later, two decades or so maybe, that the term “queer” became derogatory and there was a wave across the entire country eliminating that word from conversations. I guess it came across as being offensive.

Fast forward another decade or two and the rules seemed to have changed again! Round and round we go, huh? Now queer is back and I guess it’s OK to say. After all, there was even a hit cable show called “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” and if you come across a blue/pink/green/purple-haired person, chances are they will identify as gender-queer, whatever that means. It reminds me of when saying gay became offensive (just a few years ago). But when Florida drew up a certain bill which was given the slang phrase, “the don’t say ‘gay’ bill,” liberal people lost their minds and were using the word every chance they could. Rules change… again!

I guess I’m just tired of society in general. I should clarify, though. I’m not tired of people I know or new people I meet. I’m tired of the loud, obnoxious ones on TV and in the media. It’s almost as if they keep stoking the fire just to watch it all burn.

See y’all tomorrow…

-Out of the Wilderness

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

I remember deciding a while back that I’m neither a morning person or a night owl. Now, though, from years of having to wake up for a 9 to 5 job, my body pretty much wakes up around 7am every day no matter what. How unfortunate! I still don’t consider myself a morning person but then you’d think that makes me a night owl. Well, maybe in my 20s, sure. Possibly in my 30s too, but now in my 40s I’m pretty much OK if I’m in bed before 10pm. When I was a teenager and in my 20s, I didn’t know old people didn’t give a hoot! I kinda like not giving a hoot.

I had a friend many years ago and even though he was in his 20s, when our group of friends would hang out, at a certain hour of the late evening he’d always say something like, “I”m fading.” Back then, I’d never admit it (even if I was getting very sleepy) so I admired him for telling the truth. But like I said, now in my 40s I turn things down somewhat often if they haven’t started or been going since 9 or 930.

So how about you? If you had to pick staying up till midnight every day for the rest of your life but you can sleep till 9, or you can go to bed at 9 but have to wake up at 6 every day, which would you choose?

I also heard there’s a certain age when a person starts caring about bird-watching. People in their 20s don’t notice birds like people in their 40s and beyond. It’s true for me, too. Two decades ago I couldn’t even tell you there were different types of woodpeckers. Now I get all giggly when I see a pileated woodpecker and a red-headed woodpecker on the same day!

See you again tomorrow…

-Out of the Wilderness

The Bud Light “On Hold” Commercial – The Music and More

Bud Light has an ad that will definitely endear us to actor Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh…. not to mention the cutest little French bull dog named Bugsy. Take a look then scroll down for more info about the music and the commercial.

The Music. We’ve all been put on hold and what a dreadful time it is to be waiting, and waiting, and waiting. But this elevator music, as some might call it, is a song called “Opus No. 1” by Tim Carleton. Put your phone down or step away from your computer to dance to the full track below!

The Pup. In this Today article, Miles shares a funny moment from the commercial shoot with Bugsy. “They’re trying to give me directions to get Bugsy (to do things) and I was like, this is not ‘Air Bud.’ This is not ‘Lassie,'” he laughs. “She’s a domesticated house dog.”

Bugsy also appears on TikTok in a few videos from Keleigh’s account. Here’s a cute one with her and Miles…

@keleighteller

It’s her, bugzy 🫠. #tellertok

♬ Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift

Allegedly, this ad will air during the Super Bowl and even though past years have lowered my expectations, I’m hoping this Super Bowl has great ads we can talk about later this month!

See you tomorrow…

-Out of the Wilderness

What will she eat next? A beagle story.

By the title of this post, you might think I’m talking about “My 600-lb Life” but no, I’m just a beagle owner. Hi, my name is Ben. My cute, adorable, mischievous companions are Piper and Asia.

Piper, who is a pure beagle in every way possible, loves to eat… and I don’t just mean food! She’ll basically eat anything paper-related as I found out yet again a few days ago. I had checked out a book from the library and left it on the dinette table in my camper. I always leave things on the dinette table so that was nothing new. But then something new happened. I was out of the camper for about 30 minutes and found this…

Oh, you cute little troublemaker! It’s hard to stay mad, though, she’s just too cute for her own good!

Do you have a mischievous pup? I’d love to hear the story if you want to comment below. See you again tomorrow!

-Out of the Wilderness