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Have You Seen This? Aspirational weathergirls report cut short by fiery lightning flash
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Hannah has dreams of being a weather person on TV, but this seven-second video may have scared her away from live reporting forever. - photo by John Clyde


THE BACK PORCH We all have dreams and like to pretend like we've achieved those dreams at times.

For example, I'm not afraid to admit I've accepted an Academy Award in my bath towel in front of the mirror more than once. Or that I've done a postgame interview after hitting a walk-off grand slam to win the World Series for the Chicago Cubs in my living room.

What I am afraid to admit is that these played out fantasies didn't occur just when I was a kid. They happened more like this week. Regardless, I'm not the only one who does this and this video proves it.

This is Hannah and I can't be positive, but it appears that she may have aspirations of being a TV weather personality someday. Not a bad gig. Pretty much all the weather personalities I've worked with over the years are nothing short of amazing people, so Hannah would be in good company.

But part of being a weather anchor means you sometimes do live shots out in the elements. These professionals are giving weather updates in snow, rain, heat and sometimes lightning.

Hannah looks like she's on her back porch practicing her live reporting skills, but within seven seconds she may have decided that weather is not her thing. I want to see more of this video, but Hannah's face after the lightning hits is a pretty amazing place to end the short clip.

Don't get scared off, Hannah, you can do this.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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