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Have You Seen This? Paratrooper static line jump
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There is something hypnotic about this video of dozens of paratroopers jumping from a C-17. - photo by John Clyde


BELLY OF THE BEAST I have the utmost respect for the brave men and women who serve in the United States armed forces, and it's videos like this that remind us all these people are a special breed. Not just anyone can climb into a C-17 with over 100 pounds of gear strapped to his or her body while sitting and waiting to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.

The video is about seven minutes long and worth watching, but if you're on a time crunch the first four minutes or so are really solid.

There is something strangely hypnotic about watching paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions perform static line jumps one by one from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft over Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Also, be sure to catch the landing at 4:30; you won't be sorry.
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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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