Is anyone NOT on Instagram?

I totally understand that I’m not young and even this ol’ 46-year-old is on Instagram. It’s not that I want to be, per se. In fact, my skewed opinion is that it’s an app mostly used by women. I’m wrong, of course. All the stats I found show that more males use it than females. That doesn’t make me want to use it any more than I already do. It just seems like a chore to keep up with it. Like Betty White said about Facebook, it seems like a waste of time.

She’s not wrong but also there are a lot of good things about Instagram. Mostly that people can use it to make money. Business. That’s the only redeeming quality of Instagram, I’ll fight you about that.

Every once in a while I’ll post something about my dog or about triathlons but then I think to myself, does anyone really care? Maybe Gen Z does but I’m Gen X and I just can’t make myself care. I’ve tried forcing it. I’ve tried a routine. Nope, I just don’t care. Maybe it’s part of my “behind the scenes” type personality– I don’t love being in the spotlight and what is social media if not an attempt at attention? Not that that’s a bad thing, it’s just what most of social media is.

So of course I want you to follow me– @TheBenWilder. You’ll get to see pictures of my dogs, my books, wildlife in 3 or 4 pictures spaced out over the course of 10 weeks. Lucky you! If you actually want to help me in some way, not just stroke my ego, consider making a tiny donation to my blog site so I can keep posting daily. Then, and only then, I know you really care. 🤪

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-Out of the Wilderness

I’m worried about this Top 7 American Idol contestant

What a season it’s been on American Idol. As of last night, the hopeful contestants have been winnowed down to 6 plus 1 judge “save” and I’m sure we can all agree these 7 are solid! Who gets eliminated next, no matter which one, will feel like a tragedy (although I have a prediction on the two that might not make it to the next round). In the episode Monday night, judges picked songs for the singers and to fill up the 2-hour episode, there were also renditions of judges’ songs performed by groups. Mattie and Breanna did “Something In The Water” by Carrie Underwood. Gabby, Jamal, and Josh did “Dancing On The Ceiling” by Lionel Richie. But a performance that might be talked about for seasons to come was from Slater Nalley, Thunderstorm Artis, and John Roberts. They did “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day” by Luke Bryan.

Goodness gracious. I haven’t heard an Idol group sing something this memorable in a month of Sundays. Also, thanks to Jelly Roll for reminding me of that southern phrase ;). If Jamal was in that group, making it a quartet, we’d have watched the top 4 singing together. But it’s not that easy to predict, is it?

I’m worried about Slater.

He’s my pick to win it all and I’m sticking by that but the numbers have my attention. I check YouTube pretty consistently and his view count is usually near the bottom of the group. Who’s at the top? Jamal… and by a long shot! Others in the upper levels are Gabby and John Foster (who’s sounding more and more like Kenny Chesney every passing day). If it were up to me the top 3 would be Slater, Jamal, and Thunderstorm but I only get 30 votes! And yes, their voting system is weird but who am I to judge? I sometimes ‘like’ my own Instagram posts. 😵‍💫

If you like what you read today, consider a tiny donation to help me continue posting daily at 1pm central. Thanks for coming by today…

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-Out of the Wilderness

The Volkswagen Little Boxes Commercial – The Song and More

Color outside the lines.

Take the road less traveled.

March to the beat of your own drum.

All of these well-known adages about living the adventurous life capture the sentiment in a new Volkswagen commercial titled “Best Day.” Take a look, then scroll down for more…

The Song. The ad ends with a modern stylization of a song that’s over 60 years old. But how it starts is with that very song from the early 1960s. Here’s “Little Boxes” by Malvina Reynolds…

What do you think about this commercial? Comment below and if you like what you read today, consider a small donation to help me continue posting daily at 1pm Central.

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-Out of the Wilderness

100 Men vs. Gorilla – The Debate Continues

When I first heard this dilemma– who’d win in a fight, 100 men or a gorilla?– I thought it was an easy answer: 100 men. How could anyone defend themself against 100 people (let alone the best 100 men the world has to offer)?

We all know the question will never have a definitive answer, at least not by trying it. But when I read the quote below from wildgorillasafaris.com, I had my answer. That particular web link will take you to an explanation of the strength of a gorilla whether it’s arm strength, leg strength, bite power, etc. You’ll also come across this…

You would only survive if that was what the silverback wanted.

Which of those 100 men are getting close enough to disarm such a powerful beast, enabling the 99 to jump in and help? None. The gorilla wins. Plus I had no idea a gorilla’s bite is twice as strong as a lion, around 1,300 pounds per square inch. Half as strong as my beagle, just saying. Humans are around 162 pounds per square inch, as a comparison.

Who wins, gorilla or man? Explain your answer in the comments and if you enjoyed today’s post, consider making a small donation to help me continue posting daily, thanks in advance!

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-Out of the Wilderness

35,000 – Almost A Triathlon Story

This was supposed to be a post wrapping up the results of a sprint triathlon I participated in today. I would write about reaching (or not reaching) my goals, how each sport went, where I can improve, what was my favorite part. But as my truck crossed the 35,000 mile-mark, I was driving back 2 hours from a cancelled event.

Rain. Thunder. Lightning. Stupid weather! Am I frustrated it didn’t happen? Of course. There was a lot of training leading up to the triathlon. Maybe the payoff is the training, though? Plus, we’ll never know what tragedies might have been avoided by calling the whole thing off. Not to be dramatic, but lives might have been saved and if that’s the case, then it’s sure as heck worth the inconvenience. In this case, it’s hard to be in a good mood– when things happen that are out of our control. I want to believe there’s a purpose behind it all. What’s God up to in my life? I guess I don’t know yet.

But at least I got a t-shirt.

If you enjoyed today’s post, consider a small donation to help me continue writing daily. Thanks in advance and thanks for reading today.

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-Out of the Wilderness