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Have You Seen This? Pedestrian's close call with train
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I have a tough time paying attention, but let's all try and pay attention when our lives are on the line. Watch the video and you'll agree. - photo by John Clyde


SCARY TOWN I'll be the first to admit that I have a tough time paying attention occasionally.

I start focusing in on one thing and everything else is just white noise. I was writing once and four hours later I found out I'd missed a doctor's appointment, a FedEx delivery and car accident right outside my house. Like I said, I tend to not pay attention to my surroundings.

I do, however, pay attention when my life could be on the line. If I'm at a train stop I adhere to those yellow lines like I'll be struck dead if I cross them. And in a way, I could be. I lived in New York for a short time and rode the subway every morning to work. The anxiety that would build in me when people would wait for the train over that line nearly killed me every single day. That's why this video causes anxiety in me the likes I cannot describe.

This video is from Auckland, New Zealand, where a handful of people try to cross a train track at a pedestrian crossing despite the fact the warning bells and lights are going off. Most get across safely, but one woman decides to cross a little too late and only narrowly avoids disaster. And I mean narrowly.

The close call is way too close for comfort, and I beg you, please pay attention at railroad crossings, crosswalks and other dangerous spots. Let's all pay a little more attention.
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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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