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Have You Seen This? The human fountain
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Who needs the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas when you've got these guys? - photo by John Clyde
THE FOUNTAIN About a year ago I was in Las Vegas for business and stayed in the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

When I checked in, I was told the hotel was overbooked and the room I reserved would not be ready for four to five hours. They said I could either wait or they could put me in a suite on the 57th floor for no extra fee.

I think I stared at the poor woman at the front desk without uttering a word for about three whole minutes before I said, "I appreciate the offer, but I need to ask why you gave me two options?" She stared back at me and then I told her I'd be happy to take the suite.

I took the elevator up and entered my suite complete with a sitting room, an amazing bedroom, complimentary snacks and a Japanese soaking tub. Don't know what that is? Neither did I until I stayed there. All you need to know is it's phenomenal. But out of everything that room offered there was one thing that made the rest seem mediocre: the view.

From my private balcony, I looked straight down onto the famous Bellagio fountains and it was stunning. Each night I'd hang out on the veranda and watch the light show with a Coke in my hands while wearing a plushy robe.

I never thought any fountain show could top that experience, but I was wrong because this video exists. These guys put on robes themselves and choreographed a fountain show that makes all others look amateur. The precise movements, the music, the high arcs of the water, the color coordination at the end, it's all mesmerizing and beautiful.

Prepare yourselves for this video, because you'll never be the same after watching it. Beauty will have a new meaning and all other art will be ruined because of what you have witnessed here this day.
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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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