Bird, You Weren’t Made to Walk

I wonder if this bird ever thinks, “This kinda stinks, I can’t even walk.” Then from somewhere a voice says, “Bird, you weren’t made to walk.”

I really wanted to write about how I’ve had friends who only think of the disadvantages in their life but, just to be honest, most of my friends are the opposite. They are like this bird; not dwelling on what they can’t do, but thriving in their ability to fly.

I catch myself thinking things I don’t excel at: I’m not good speaking in front of crowds, I don’t like having to delegate, I can be air-headed, I’m not cool like Matthew McConaughey. These thoughts can be discouraging and I wish I could say that as soon as they enter my mind I kindly show them the door, but sometimes I dwell on them. Sometimes I like beating myself up over the things I can’t do, or the abilities I wasn’t born with.

Maybe this bird was born with two legs but something happened on the lake and now he just has the one. A glass half empty mindset says this bird would lose a race with a cheetah. A kangaroo can jump way higher. He can’t even walk, forced to hop on a single leg. But the beauty of this bird is that he wasn’t created to walk. He was made to fly.

Where in our lives do we excel? Those areas are probably the “wings” God gave you and me. Have you discovered what God has designed you to do yet? I’m not sure I have, but I hope one day for you and for me that we find our groove and we fly like this bird.

“I’m thankful for my struggle because, without it, I wouldn’t have stumbled across my strength.”

Alex Elle

-Out of the Wilderness

Airbnb commercial… the “Landslide” song, and more!

Airbnb had an ad slot during the hometown dates of The Bachelor: Matt James (not that I was watching… I was definitely watching) and it stopped me in my tracks. Was it the ad itself, or the music that was so emotional, not sure?

Who sings this haunting version of the “Landslide”? Her name is Robyn Sherwell, and here is her longer version of the Fleetwood Mac song…

This song was used in another iconic ad, this one from Budweiser airing during the Super Bowl a few years ago.

Back to the Airbnb ad… from their official YouTube page, here is their description of the folks appearing in the ad:

Photographer Cole set out for the New England coast for a weekend of surfing and llama spotting with his wife and two daughters – it was their first trip as a family of four. Superhosts François and Ashley (a father-daughter duo themselves) set the stage for a memorable stay at their cozy cottage in Narragansett, Rhode Island. The family then visited Host Rob’s seaside apartment in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

AirBnb

Cole Barash, the photographer referenced above, has a portfolio of photos he’s take as a professional on his website.

Does the Airbnb commercial tug your heartstrings as I’m sure they are hoping for? Chime in below! Also check out other TV ad research here. You will love it 🙂

You can find more from Robyn Sherwell by following her on Twitter and Instagram. Also, why not go over to her website?

-Out of the Wilderness

Salt -N- Pepa “Shoop”…great song from the 1990s

OK, this is going WAY back but for those of you who haven’t heard (or listened to it in a while), take a few minutes to admire “Shoop” by Salt-N-Pepa, released 28 years ago (1993).

I heard it recently on SiriusXM’s 90s Channel and was reminded how fun and twisty turny the lyrics are. So much good rhyming and playing with words, it’s a great song that I sort of forgot to appreciate back when I was a young teenager just trying not to scuff up my Jordans. Or was it my Deion Sanders shoes? I can’t remember.

This song sample’s a portion of The Ikettes from 1962.

Listening to this song reminded me of when we could just have lighthearted fun, even lighthearted music, that wasn’t so polarizing. Maybe we can get back to a country where things aren’t so divided and not everyone is offended. Hey, maybe music can even be the thing that brings us back together!

-Out of the Wilderness

Allstate’s new ad “Duet”… the car, the music, the hood ornament!

This ad, titled “Duet,” features the music of the Pet Shop Boys performing “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)” while a guy drives his car down an undisclosed road in an undisclosed state. Even the license plate doesn’t give away any location info.

“The Beautiful State” and the plate number 2SBI653 are both used as props in film and TV. Keeps things generic and ambiguous, you know?

About the car itself… Obviously Allstate didn’t want to give any free advertising to an automaker, as you can see (refer to pic above) the car has no visible logos or emblems on the front grill where most car companies place their signage.

Based on the shape of the headlights, the lower grill around the fog lamps, my best guess is this is a 2016 BMW 435i Cabriolet with a custom front end. See in the pic below how the basic shape and structure of the BMW grill matches the car in the ad.

Now for that hood ornament… do a quick search for “flying woman” or “nymph” hood ornament and you will have plenty to choose from. There are also quite a few on Amazon here. Below is my favorite from all the images that come up…

via Flickr

What do you think of the ad? Does it conveys the intended message from Allstate?

Be sure to check out more popular ads by clicking on my TV Commercials page. Thanks for stopping by!

-Out of the Wilderness

“The Great Thaw” in Nashville

This has been a week full of snow, ice, and very, very low temperatures in Nashville. If you were to ask how long I’ve been cooped up at home, I’d ask you, “What month is it?” But to be serious, I haven’t driven my car more than 4 miles since Saturday, a week ago. In the beginning, it was really beautiful to see the snow falling in 2 big storms that came through. There was even enough snow that I saw half a dozen snowmen pop up in a matter of days. Some were better than others, just being honest 🙂

snowmen in the neighborhood (click photo to enlarge)

My dogs and I went out in the snow daily, one day I took them on two walks. I also wandered around the neighborhood to take some photos so those were fun outings.

Yesterday, though, which was Friday, I decided I was over it. I’m ready to see my yard again! I’m ready to drive my car again. In fact, I actually caught myself longing to mow the grass. You know something’s up when you are anxious to get the lawn mower out.

I just miss summer.

Yesterday afternoon the snow started melting because the sun was out for the first time in days. Today there will be more melting and I am welcoming it with open arms. One news station called it “The Great Thaw” and I was like, “Yes!” It’s not that I’m a party pooper or anything. The snow is beautiful and awesome. But… I’m over it.

OK, I’m a little bit of a party pooper. C’mon spring and summer!

-Out of the Wilderness