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
I’ve put together 5 pairs of images I’ve edited in the recent past. All birds. Nothing but birds.
Why birds?
Well, I have come to love them and you should, too. Such diversity, and quite sassy if I may say so myself. Attacks aside, let me know which of the before and after photos you like best. I like each of them for a few reasons, but I DO have a favorite. Can you guess which is my favorite? Comment below with the one you like the most, any critiques, and let me know which wild bird is your favorite. You can also see more of my photography work on this page…
Something I’ve learned about myself is that I enjoy variety, especially when it comes to work/career. In fact, I remember shuttering when I was working a full time job and a coworker said something about that job being my career. Yuck! While I can’t explain what it is that makes me think this way, I have acknowledged it, and try to find work that fits my personality and makes me happy. With that in mind, lately I’ve really enjoyed photography. I use my Sony to photograph everything from birds and fish to buildings and skylines. Even when I’m driving around town, I try to keep an eye out for photo opportunities. Sometimes I come across things I think are interesting, like this exterior wall of a building…
…or a Little League ball field that feels like a relic from the 1980s.
I definitely take photos of nature and the outdoors more than anything else, but every once in a while I’ll see an opportunity in a beachside gift shop…
…or the details of a guitar amp.
…but it’s animals I love the most.
I don’t know where this photo hobby/passion will lead, but I’ve really enjoyed snapping photos, editing them, and posting them on FineArtAmerica for folks to find and enjoy for themselves. In fact, (warning – shameless plug in 5…. 4…. 3…. 2…. 1….. ) if you like any of the photos above or want to take a look at dozens of other original photos and artwork available, all created by yours truly, take some time and browse through my collections. Here are a few easy links to take you there:
Whether you end up buying something or not, I appreciate you checking out my blog here, the photos there, and leaving a comment below. Thanks for stopping by!
Allstate has quite a few memorable ads lately. I have written about a few of them, one catching on because of the beautiful island featured in the ad titled “Island,” which you can read about here. Or another about a controversial hood ornament, more on that here.
Now, though, Allstate shows a woman driving into Allstate town, and she gets a wave of endorphins after learning she has saved a bunch of money by switching to Allstate. Here’s the ad…
The Location. It’s not really Allstatetown. Going by the bridge (Pont de la Baells) in the last shot, this ad takes place in Spain… a bit north of Barcelona. Notice the green railing and the wall of rock as you approach the end of this bridge in the screen shot below from Google maps, then compare it with the last shot in the ad. Kudos to YouTube user Dani Marin for figuring this out!
The Music… playing in the background is “Private Gondola” by Jung Youth. Here is the full track.
The Dog. The pup in this ad looks like a vizsla. Gosh are they beautiful or what?
The crabs. The crabs in this ad look like dinner. My guess is they wouldn’t be dancing if they knew their fate.
Every once in a while I make a list and post it because first of all, I LOVE lists. I also love music, so today’s post is combining two of my favorite things. If you don’t know who Needtobreathe is, I hope you check out some of these songs and begin to love their music as much as I do. As I made this list, I realized most of my favorites are from the same album… called “The Reckoning.” While this is true, each album they’ve released does have at least one song I like! I’m not sure why I connect with “The Reckoning” more than the others. Perhaps trying to decipher why that warrants another post, if I were to ever figure it out. For now, though, here are my top 10 favorite Needtobreathe songs, in random order. Thanks for checking out my list!
Who Am I – This song is great for two reasons: it is about humility and at the same time, the awe-inspiring love of God. You grow your roses on my barren soul. Wow. Just… wow.
Girl Named Tennessee – You didn’t catch her name. Don’t worry, she never told you her name. The playful lyrics of this one made me laugh, and I could relate so much to the idea of liking a woman but knowing it will never amount to anything.
Difference Maker – Somehow this song pumps me up.
Multiplied – A beautiful tribute to a loving God. This is the type of worship I love to sing.
More Heart, Less Attack – The last minute or so of this song is simply the best. Concerning the message of the song, I would love to live my life with more love and less anger.
White Fences – The form, or structure, of the lyrics and the melody are so attractive to my listening ears. I am struggling to find the proper musical terms but it’s the sure and clear beats and how the lyrics mimic the beats that are just great. Can someone explain what this is in musical terms?
Slumber – I love the idea of realizing what is real and important (waking up from my slumber, in a spiritual sense). Baby, open up your eyes!
Lay ‘Em Down – This was, I think, the first song that really got my attention with the band. Southern, gospel, almost like a chant. Encouraging lyrics that remind me everything can be OK… if I lay my troubles down.
The Outsiders – While making this list, I was reminded how much I love this song. Don’t shrink back when you think you’re part of the minority, or an outsider. Stand tall, stand proud. We are the outsiders.
Walking On Water – A sweet reminder that with God, all things are possible. Who can walk on water except by the help from the One who made water?
Welp, we’ve reached the end. I hope you can listen to a few of these, I think you’ll like them. Let me know if you have a favorite or two. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m dipping my toes in the water of a new phone because mine is starting to be on the fritz. I have the LG Stylus and just the other day I checked Verizon’s website to see what the new phones are like nowadays.
There are a handful (Samsung, Motorola) that are flip phones, but with screens that extend through the length and/or width of the fully open phone.
Then I came across an ad for Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold3 phone. Call me a skeptic, but folding a screen just seems like a recipe for frustration. Here is the commercial…
The music playing as the soundtrack is “Believer” by Imagine Dragons. Although I don’t love the song choice, it’s quite fitting to use a song about believing something that hasn’t really existed yet. Early adopters will be all over this phone but like I said, I’m skeptical about its durability and level of frustration with a bending screen. I will not be an early adopter for this phone or the Motorola Razr.
Marques Brownlee has a review of the Samsung, so check out his take on it here:
Do you think this type of phone will be the next big thing, or a big flop? Comment below with your thoughts, and thanks for stopping by!
Out of the Wilderness 