Know When to Fold ‘Em – My Galaxy Flip 4 is Dying

You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em. Know when to walk way, know when to run.

Wait… know when to fold ’em?? I can’t even fold my Flip 4 anymore without it shutting off completely… I guess I know when NOT to fold it. All the time!

Those lyrics from the Kenny Rogers song “The Gambler” are eerily similar to my phone experience for the last few weeks. I’ve been using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 for a few years and it’s become a love/hate relationship. Do you ever watch YouTube for phone review videos and notice that everyone is like, “I’ve been using this phone as my daily driver for a month and it’s incredible! Battery is great, screen is great, this one is so durable!” Umm, you’ve had it for 4 weeks, calm down. I’d like to see reviews once they’ve had the phone for a year or two or three. I say that because my once-beloved flip phone is kind of just hanging on by a thread at this point, which means I’m hanging on by a thread, too.

OK I’m being a little dramatic. The phone is still functioning pretty good. But there are a couple of things going on that are making me think I’ll be upgrading before the phone is fully paid off in November. First, the flexible screen is wearing down and it shows. Kind of like that leathery guy you see at the beach. Too much sun. Too much everything. The plastic screen (because you can’t fold glass) is starting to peel and streak. This isn’t really noticeable when the screen’s on but when it’s off, the screen looks hideous. Secondly, like I said earlier, the phone powers off when I fold it closed. I’m pretty sure that’s not a feature, Samsung!!! I have a folding phone that I can’t fold anymore. I feel so…. regular. Gross.

I’m not sure I can make it 5 or 6 more months. Actually, this might be the point in my journey with the Flip 4 that I walk away… or run.

-Out of the Wilderness

Living On Tulsa Time – A Dance, Plus Connor Price and Alan Jackson

People are awesome! Just this week I came across three examples that prove it, too. First up is a video by Ben Christensen featuring a group of talented young dancers. This ought to make you smile. Check out the great choreography set to the song “Tulsa Time.”

Next up is a pair of creative guys. Connor Price and Nic D strolling around a basketball court telling us how they just “Dabble.” They might be dabbling in basketball, but they’re pros when it comes to rapping.

Those are cool videos, right? Well, if you’re a country music fan, this last one might blow your mind. From 1985, it’s a then-unknown Alan Jackson singing a George Strait song. Very cool!

-Out of the Wilderness

TV Show 9-1-1 Has Every DEI Possible

In the last few weeks I started getting interested in the ABC show “9-1-1.” With good actors and fantastical plots that may or may not be realistic, it’s something to turn on when you’re fooling around on the computer or doing dishes or unwinding before bed… even if the series is now airing three 1-hour episodes in a row. 👀

It wasn’t until this past week’s marathon showing that something dawned on me.

The characters are likable in their own quirky way. From Captain Nash to the reemergence of actress Jennifer Love Fefferman (IYKYK), the show is doing well as they’re 8 seasons in. Sometime during the three hours this week, I saw what other viewers pointed out years ago. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion. First off, there’s nothing wrong with those things. Diversity is great. Equity, well maybe. Inclusion is a must! But the show goes over the top with all 3 and it’s leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Every person on the show is gay or in an interracial relationship. Well, almost every person. The only one struggling with relationships– he’s a dad and appears to not have his ducks in a row– is the single white guy. How does this still have traction in 2025? I understand that it probably felt new and fresh and hip when the show first aired– 2018, I think?– but now it’s just predictable and irritating. The underlying message by making the heterosexual white guy the minority is that happiness, contentment, and success come from being gay or dating/marrying someone outside of your own race.

Straight, white guys be warned.

My interest in the show has dipped to an all-time low, which isn’t saying much since I just started watching it a few weeks ago. Needless to say, my Thursday nights are open again but I’ll give “9-1-1: Nashville” a chance because of my ties to Nashville, one of the best places I’ve ever lived.

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-Out of the Wilderness

Five-Photo Friday #6 – Red, White, and Blue

You’re back! Thanks for coming back for another edition of Five-Photo Friday. This is where I pick 5 of my favorite photos with a certain theme. Naturally, today is the ol’ red, white, and blue because we just celebrated Memorial Day earlier this week. So I’ve sorted through a bunch of photos to find 5 favorites related to ‘Merica. Hope you enjoy!

It would be unpatriotic to post about the United States and not include an eagle. Or in this case two eagles. This pair was spotted on the coast of Florida, hunting for fish in the Gulf of America. Is anything more American than that!?

Somewhere in Oklahoma.

Sunset on the Florida coast.

Ol’ Glory.

For more flag photos, click here. Or eagles and birds click here. Thanks for checking out today’s photos. If you are feeling wild, consider making a $1 donation to help me continue posting daily. See you tomorrow!

Donate to Out of the Wilderness here

-Out of the Wilderness

TobyMac “A Lil Church” – The Hat, the Chevy, and is it Lil or Little in the New Music Video?

TobyMac’s new video opens with him surrounded by a cloud of smoke. No, no, no, he’s not on Mount Zion… he’s standing next to a broken down truck! I would’ve guessed it was a Ford but they went with a Chevy. Artistic license, I guess. The story starts on the side of the road but quickly progresses to a bus full of joyful people (who presumably don’t own broken down trucks) rallying around Toby. Take a look…

Truckin’ On. One of the first things I noticed in the video is Toby’s hat– the outline of Tennessee with a heart where Nashville is. At first I thought Citizen represented anyone who lives in the city. I was wrong.

If you’re like me and you want one of these trucker hats immediately, I’ve got good news and bad news. Yes, you can get a Citizen trucker hat along with other merchandise from the Franklin, Tennessee shop called Citizen. But no, you cannot get the brown and blue version. At least not at the time of this post. They must have a rotation of colors and the current availability is the camo version. Citizen is partially owned by TobyMac so I was thrilled to see they have vintage DCTalk clothing there, too.

Little or Lil. We never find out if the Chevy got fixed but the real mystery doesn’t have anything to do with that. You came here to settle an argument didn’t you? Kind of like asking if the dress is blue and back or white and gold. Friendships are on the line! In Toby’s song, some will insist it’s “Lil”. It’s right there in the title, they’ll say. Others are confident it’s “Little.” Lil isn’t even a word you goofballs, they respond. Will anyone ever really know for sure? Like, for sure for sure? By the way, the dress is blue and black and if you think otherwise you’re delusional! But for Toby’s song the correct answer is…

Both!

It’s Lil and Little. See, you can be right AND still be a good friend. The title and the lyrics use “Lil” but Toby sings “Little” every single time (and yes I listened more than once to make sure). Just like the moral of the story from the movie Hitch, the song shows that there are no rules. You wanna call it “Lil” Church but sing “Little”? Go for it. Who’s gonna stop you?

An Original. TobyMac is so impressive. He’s been sharing his gift as a solo artist for decades and of course we can’t forget the incredible influence as part of DCTalk back in the 90s. I’ll never forget going to an outdoor festival when I was a middle schooler in Virginia. It was 1989 and there was a little band of three guys called DCTalk. My brother and sisters heads have been “Spinnin’ Round” since their very first (self-titled) album. The trumpets (or brass as Toby calls it in the lyrics) on “Heavenbound” and the incredible voice of Kevin Smith on “Hallelujah” and the smooth delivery from Michael on “Voices Praise Him” made us fans for life. I’ve had opportunities to see Kevin perform live in Nashville, I worked for Toby for a little while, and I continue to be impressed with the talents of all three guys, not to mention their longevity in the music industry.

This latest song and video from Toby is yet another example that he’s very gifted and has such an eager willingness to share his gifts with everyone whether you’re already a fan or about to become one. And Toby if you’re reading this, we want those brown and blue hats!

TobyMac @tobymac

Nate Lampa (Citizen) @natelampa

Damien Wong-Ken (Citizen) @asianpoprocks

Citizen @citizen615

-Out of the Wilderness