My experience on Rover.com

wpid-img_20150830_193640159.jpgFor the past few months, I’ve been hosting dogs in my home through a great site called Rover.com. Hosting has 1) tapped into my love for dogs in a fun and unique way and 2) helped me make an income since being laid off in March 2015. I’m so glad I came across this site… and not only am I a host, I’m also a client!

I’ve used Rover.com to find a sitter for my dogs when I went on a trip (more on that trip can be found here), and it was a great experience. If you have a pet and you’re interested in an alternative option to kennels that definitely love dogs, but can’t afford to dote on them throughout the day (and night!), you should give Rover a chance. I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Here’s a gallery of dogs I’ve hosted. But be warned, it contains adorably cute dogs!


-Out of the Wilderness

Kentucky Fried Chicken misses the mark

Am I the only one slightly confused and slightly annoyed by the new KFC commercials?
20150817174851-kfc-colonel-harland-commerical-videoWell, evidently not. Even the brand CEO revealed that 1 in 5 people don’t like the new ad campaign. He’s OK with that statistic, and more power to him for sticking with it, but it’s a swing and a miss. Because 1) Everyone exaggerates, so that 1 out of 5 is probably more like 2 or 3 out of 5. And let’s say it is 1 of 5, that’s 20%. Pretty hefty lot of folks, don’t you agree?

And 2) They’re making the Colonel out to be a clueless senior citizen that would definitely be the one you get stuck behind on a 2 lane road, driving 20 in a 35 mph zone.

And 3) If all a viewer comes away with after seeing the ad on TV is the question, “Why?” …that’s a failed marketing campaign, which is how history will remember this one.

What throws me even more is why they started with Darrell Hammond as the Colonel, then without any warning subbed in Norm Macdonald. Why? If they don’t get a more clear direction, then it’s time cut bait. But I don’t like to point out problems without also offering solutions. So…

Revised-Seal-copyIn the day and age we find ourselves– more people having genuine concerns about what’s in their food, eating healthy, and being exposed to some of the gross practices of the fast-food world– let’s come up with campaign that addresses those concerns. Show the viewers a glimpse into the soul of the company. Why did Colonel Sanders create KFC? What should I, as a human that eats food, love about eating there? There’s so much talk about GMOs, growth hormones, and the link between diet and behavior, what is KFC doing to calm people’s fears?

If I could tell KFC one thing, it would be this: use humor as a compliment your product, not a distraction from it. That is, unless all your meals look like this one posted on Reddit… ODsqGOSYummy!

-Out of the Wilderness

Nick Jonas “Chains” vs. “Closer”

I recently heard Nine Inch Nails “Closer” and was immediately reminded of the Nick Jonas hit, “Chains.” If you listen to the two back-to-back you’ll hear the similarities, I have no doubt. Here’s a pretty good remix.

The Reawakening: Part 12

The subtitle to this post is “Worth more than many sparrows,” because that’s exactly how God feels about each of us. Even in our most scary moments, maybe especially in our most scary moments, we can exhale knowing that He knows what we need and He will do it. He will. If he takes care of the birds, he’ll take care of me and you, because we’re much more valuable than birds!
bird2You may be reading this with a skeptical or unbelieving heart. Maybe you’re a Christian and maybe you’re not. That’s OK. God’s concern includes everyone; you, me, them, us, her, him, even…that one. You know the one. That guy or girl who’s so unlikeable or annoying.
annoyI’ve learned along the way that sometimes I’m that one.

But anyway, that’s another post for another time. Or just ask my siblings, they’ll tell you how annoying I can be! I like knowing that this one little human in Nashville is important to someone so big. A good comparison is a nationally-recognized, respected, winning coach looking over to his player sitting on the end of the bench, and giving him a nod that says, “Hey, I’m glad you’re on the team. We wouldn’t be the same without you and come Hell or high water, I will look out for you as a member of my team.” Feels good, right?

Well, moving right along, and tying this all together with my Reawakening series, I’m calling today Day 1 since my generous severance package from CMT ended yesterday. I should be nervous. I should panic a little. I should be losing sleep because I don’t have a full-time job. But I’m not. I won’t. And I haven’t. Because the more I read in the Bible, and as each day passes, I learn and see that I’m worth more than many sparrows. And I like that. So why would I worry? Why would I be nervous? This morning I came across the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples.

“Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.”

Having health insurance is important, taking care of myself and my dogs is important, finding work I can thrive doing is important. But it seems that what’s also important is trusting God to take care of me. I think I can do that today, on Day 1. Seems simple enough, and a great reason to sing like a bird.

-Out of the Wilderness