Sports aren’t that complicated Simone…

A few Public Relations teams are running around putting fires out this week, huh? Everyone and their mother is aware of the back-and-forth between former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines and former Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. In the words of every child, she started it! Wait, that doesn’t really clarify anything. Factually, Simone started it then Riley jumped in to defend herself. The most recent thing I read was from Simone where she said these are “sensitive, complicated issues.” Umm. OK? A lot of people are seeing right through her PR-prepared statement and disagree about the complexity of the situation. In men’s sports, men play. In women’s sports, women play. There. Now it’s all untangled.

Simone was once a beloved figure of the American work ethic, a championing voice for women and sports but her image cracked a little last year when she publicly called on Biden to “make some things shake” as he prepared to leave office. *Eye roll* She exposed herself as someone who has a lot of muscle but not a lot of original ideas. Now with the unprovoked blasting of Riley Gaines, Simone is turning into a villain. From being body-shamed to body-shaming. I guess we can say we’ve lived long enough to see the hero become the villain.

The people on her PR team are about to earn every dollar they make.

And then there’s Michael Tait, the guy from Newsboys and DCTalk. He recently confessed (after being found out) to some unsavory behavior– to put it lightly. His public image will never be what it once was. His hidden activities coming to light reminds me of a couple of other people: Comedian John Crist and also Elvis Presley. John’s character trajectory is kind of like Michael Tait’s. A big story coming out, he apologizes, gets help, etc. John is further along in the recovery stage, of course, since his dark side was exposed a couple of years ago. Both accusations of John and Michael are terrible, I want to start there. Nothing they did was beneficial to really anyone involved, and a lot of people close to the stories were hurt (or so I assume). But because both guys are Christians, there is an almost unspoken belief that they’re living “above reproach.” Had any other person not known for being a Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, etc, done what these guys have confessed to, it would be called… Tuesday. In fact, I’d say most people in the entertainment industry partake in the same thing, probably even today while I was writing this post!

Obviously, there is a need to comfort the victims who didn’t consent to what went on behind closed doors, do our best to help them recover and regain a zest for life, as well as love (which covers a multitude of sins) the sinner. After all, are any of us really good anyway?

Elvis. He was on drugs, sleeping around, and doing who knows what with who knows who. I wasn’t alive back then but I imagine if the culture was anything like it is right now, he’d have to go on a big apology tour, admit he’s a terrible human being, and withdraw into the shadows of society never to be seen again. Wait, maybe that’s what he did. People do claim they see him around. #ElvisSightings

We need to show each other grace. Justice when it’s needed, of course, but remember we’re all in this together. You have your background and opinion on things, as does the person next to you. They may agree with you, they may not. You may love what I wrote today or you may hate it. Actually, if you loved it chip in $2 and if it ticked you off, donate just $1. I’ll use this as an unofficial poll. 🙂

Donate to Out of the Wilderness here

-Out of the Wilderness

When the video doesn’t match the song

I love when people have a sense of humor. This week’s news is all about riots and Riley Gaines vs. Simone Biles, but let’s all take a second to forget all the drama and laugh a little. Where have these videos been all my life? Below are a just a few “video doesn’t match the song” clips. Enjoy!

If those don’t make you laugh, then something is seriously wrong!

-Out of the Wilderness

I do workouts next to a restaurant

It’s the afternoon and I’m walking through the parking lot in front of the gym. As I think about what I’m wearing– a dry fit shirt, athletic shorts– and carrying a water bottle and a towel, there are other people walking in this same parking lot but dressed quite a bit differently. They’re walking towards the restaurant connected to the gym. I’m underdressed… except that I’m not going to the restaurant. Now I feel uncomfortable but I don’t know if it’s for me or for them.

45 minutes later and I’m on the way out. Except now I have an empty water bottle and I’m really sweaty, walking alongside people arriving at or leaving from that restaurant. I guess it just seems weird to me that there’s a restaurant sharing a wall with a gym. Doesn’t it ruin the atmosphere for anyone trying to have a decent evening out? Pulling into a parking spot, making sure your shirt is tucked in, walking hand-in-hand with your significant other, but then glance around to see people in gym clothes trying to get buff. It must break the mood, right? Plus, connected to the other side if this restaurant is Dollar Tree.

It’s kind of like seeing an 8 in a group of 5s. Something just doesn’t fit. But I guess it’s nice that we can all coexist in this strip mall parking lot. Howdy, I’m Ben. I’m going to the gym to become a better triathlete. Have a good dinner!

-Out of the Wilderness

Truvada should sponsor pride month! 🤪

It’s Pride month so you know that that means– All the LGBTQIAs are flaunting their skirts in public. If that’s you, slay queen! It’s not Mabeline, you were born with it. Just shave those legs, mmmk? My first kiss was with a lesbian (I was such a good kisser, she swore off all men a few years later 😎😚). Hope Tracy’s doing well.

Let’s put aside the science that theorizes that if everyone were gay, mankind would cease to exist in about 100 years because, like Joni Ernst said a few days ago, we’re all going to die. Eventually. But if you’re a gay man, there’s a new reason to have hope you’ll die later, not sooner. Just take some pills!

Truvada is one of a handful of pharmaceutical companies trying to eradicate a virus that affects gay men more than any other group– HIV/AIDS. Admirable sure, but their commercials are just… sooooo…. gaaaaaay. In Truvada’s defense, commercials from Cabenuva and ads from Biktarvy are quite gay, too.

I found a video from 2012 with an expert giving his advice on how Truvada works and who it’s for (spoiler alert: men who have sex with men, primarily). The expert interviewed is Dr. Fauci so knowing what we know now about his COVID involvement, take what he says with a grain of salt. Some might think he’s trying to spread HIV just so he can be the one to save everyone from it (allegedly). 🥴

People in the homosexual community are usually some of the nicest people I meet. I have nothing but love and respect for them as people created by God to do good things, the same for everyone. What I find funny is how businesses and institutions treat homosexuality. Like this ironic “Love is healthy” post from the World Health Organization…

Love is healthy. Contracting AIDS from a male homosexual encounter is not. You’d think WHO would know that. Whether you’re gay or straight or bisexual or wondering about it all, do your thing. I’m not sure there needs to be a month celebrating who we love. There’s already a day for that and we all know Valentine’s Day is a manufactured holiday. But Truvada should really think about sponsoring June. Then they’d have more money to make more (less gay?) commercials.

-Out of the Wilderness

Who’s singing with Ed Sheeran in Sapphire video and what does “cham cham chamke sitare wargi” mean? Answers here!

Ed Sheeran clearly had a lot of fun making his latest music video (and here’s the behind-the-scenes rundown of the shoot). It’s for the song “Sapphire” and it’s shot in a handheld camera type fashion throughout India. The director was Liam Pethick and the director of photography was Nic Minns. Honestly, I wasn’t fully prepared for all the happiness. Check it out then scroll down for more…

Co-starring with Ed is an Indian musician/singer named Arijit Singh (@ArijitSingh). He’s only following 3 people on Instagram, maybe you can be the fourth so be sure to follow him so he can find you! While you’re at it, follow me, too… @TheBenWilder. Arijit isn’t the only Indian star in the video either. This article from the Times of India gets more specific including an appearance from a Bollywood actor.

According to a statement from Ed, there’s another version of this song coming out soon and it’ll have much more of a Punjabi influence and more of Arijit, too. So what’s with the title of the song? I think Ed must’ve done his research because a traditional Hindu belief holds that the sapphire stone causes the planet Saturn (a heavenly entity named Shani) to be favorable to the wearer. Sapphire is also the gemstone of those born in September. And for anyone wondering, Ed was born in February which connects to amethyst as its birthstone.

Did you catch Ed singing in Hindi in the chorus? I didn’t catch it at first and then I figured it was English and Ed was doing some kind of lyrical riff that singers sometimes do. Once again, I was wrong! The lyrics are “Cham cham chamke sitare wargi” which, translated from Hindi, means “the stars shine brightly.”

-Out of the Wilderness