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Have You Seen This? First monster truck front flip
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I'm not a monster truck rally guy, but if this kind of stuff happens a lot maybe I should be. - photo by John Clyde
John Clyde
KSL.com
Published: Apr 1, 2017, 4:51 PM
MONSTER TRUCKINGDOM I have attended one monster truck rally during my three-plus decades here on this planet. I was about 7, and it blew my mind and my eardrums. I remember having the time of my life, but for some reason, I've never been back. After seeing this video, maybe it's time 7-year-old John made another appearance.

During the 2017 Monster Jam World Finals XVIII Freestyle, the Mad Scientist monster truck and its driver, Lee O'Donnell, did something that's never been done before: a monster truck front flip.

Apparently, back flips are fairly common, albeit really difficult, but a front flip is another story. Getting the massive truck headed in the right direction and then going airborne and flipping forward is an idea that would leave most physicists scratching their heads. Actually, that's probably not true. I legit got an F in physics one semester. I blame some of it on my terrible teacher, but most of it on not doing homework and making an effort to not pay attention. Everyone focus, this isn't what we're talking about right now.

Anyway, O'Donnell did what most monster truck drivers only dream of I assume, I really don't know what they dream about and completed a front flip during competition. Afterward, O'Donnell crashed while going for a backflip, but my guess is that was the monster truck equivalent of dropping the mic. Again, I have no idea; I'm making a lot of guesses on this one. Just know this is awesome. If you just want to see the front flip, jump to about 2:20. If you want to see monster truck mayhem for three full minutes, watch the whole thing.
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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
Martha Ostergar
KSL.com
Updated: Dec 30, 2018, 5:00 PM
Published: Dec 29, 2018, 1:57 PM

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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