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Have You Seen This? The swing of all swings
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When you were a kid on a swing you often thought you were touching the sky. This video proves we were all wrong. So, so wrong. - photo by John Clyde
John Clyde
KSL.com
Published: Oct 13, 2016, 1:01 PM


THE HEAVENS I remember as a kid running to the playground at recess, knowing that I only had 15 minutes before class started again.

I'd dart for the swings as fast as my chubby legs would take me in order to be the first on the swing. Those things were in high demand, and even if you got to one of the swings first, you still had to deal with someone devising to "count" on you to shorten your turn. Kids figured out their clever ways to count to 100 way too fast, and then you'd argue that they cheated and you didn't get your full turn.

But when you had those few moments to yourself on the swing, you thought you were flying. I'd look down and I knew I was at least 200 feet in the air, if not more. I'd see planes flying overhead and thought, if I kept swinging and Zach Taylor wasn't "counting" on me, that I'd possibly hit that plane.

In my 7-year-old mind, this was the case. In my 33-year-old mind, I know I wasn't getting that much lift, but for some reason I still thought it was pretty extreme until I saw this.

Red Bull built this mega-swing attached to two hot air ballons, and the most intense reccess play thing was built. How intense is this swing? Well, you need a parachute to ride.

Check out the video while I head to my elementary to see if I can break my old record. As long as Zach's not around, that is.
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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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