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Have You Seen This? Ice surfing
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Surfing is cool, Iceland is cold, surfing in Iceland is both cool and cold. - photo by John Clyde


THE LAND OF ICE AND SNOW I love watching surfing videos because, to me, surfing is like flying. I want to be able to fly like Superman or Peter Pan, but it's never going to happen. Same goes for surfing.

I'm over 6 feet tall and weigh about 220 pounds (can't believe I just admitted that to the world) so it goes without saying that balance-based activities aren't really my forte. Many people with my build have the balance and grace of a gazelle, mine is more along the lines of a manatee. So, like the manatee I like being in the water, but staying on a small board is not ideal.

All the set up is to let you know that I watched a new video from O'Neill called "Surfing the Frigid Iceland" because I love to watch people surf and dream of a life that could have been.

I enjoyed this video as much as the others, but I wasn't ready to jump in the water like usual because this was in Iceland and it looks as cold as it sounds. I should give you a warning that you may want to grab a cozy blanket and some hot chocolate before hitting play on this video.

Enjoy the short film, and I'll continue to wallow in my manatee-like state.
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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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