"Lagniappe"
is an expression used in South Louisiana that
means "something extra". Each
year the local schools get a day off from
school. It's called Lagniappe Day.
Here’s the latest Trampoline World Cup. It was held in Jablonec, Chech Republic and I did the expert commentary in English. Watch all the way until the end to see one of the most incredible trampoline routines ever starting with huge 1 1/2 twisting triples. Click the link below to be amazed!
Finally! I uploaded my video of this summer’s Highland Games in Aboyne, Scotland on YouTube. It is a collage of the heart wrenching sounds of the Mass Pipe Bands, blended with images of the traditional sights of the Games. My husband ran in the Hill Race, a running race that starts with a lap around the stadium, then out towards a steep hill called The Fungle Mounth, sprint straight up approximately two miles, then down and back to the stadium for a final lap, totaling several miles in all.
I hear it’s as tough as a marathon. This year my husband pulled a muscle running down the hill. Albeit, he finished the race and enjoyed the whole adventure. The winner was an Italian in a kilt, which is friggin’ heavy!
There is no way to capture the actual experience in a video. You must go one day!
Here is the second World Cup Trampoline Competition that I have commentated for Acrobatic Sports TV. Enjoy all the thrills by clicking the link below (Note that the audio & video in the first event, Women’s Synchronized, is not … synchronized.):
I recently commentated my first trampoline competition. The Nissen World Cup was held in Davos, Switzerland July 11-12. The exciting competition featured a world record by Canadian Champion, Jason Burnette. He performed so many flips and twists in this routine that it’s best to watch in slow-motion to actually appreciate what he did.
Here’s all the thrills on Acrobatics Sports TV. If you have any feedback about the commentary, please let me know. I would like to improve the next time around.
The sport of trampoline lost a luminary yesterday. George Nissen, often referred to as the “Father of Trampoline” and inventor of the first competitive trampolines used in sports today, passed away. He was 96 years old and was likely still able to do handstands.
Mr. Nissen sponsored my travel to several international athletic events, including trips to Egypt, Russia and South Africa. I have too many wonderful memories to limit to one little blog post.
Several days ago while walking in the neighborhood, I spotted this cross on the front doors of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church on Louisiana Avenue, another joyful surprise on the colorful streets on this festive city. I snapped some shots and left them in my iPhone. However, because of a subsequent death of my dear Uncle Pete a couple of days later on March 5th (Mom’s birthday), I look at the photos and think of him.
My uncle was a relic of an era gone by. An era of farming. An era of rural America. An era of small-town religion and politics. An era of back-breaking work. An era of modesty. Even an era of sports. A devout “Bapti-costal,” Uncle Pete, also known as J.W., loved God, life and family. He also loved his team. In his final days on Superbowl Sunday, his five loyal children gathered in his hospital room to enjoy the big game with him. They cheered their favorite team together for three happy hours. As the game was winding down, Uncle Pete asked one of his kids, “How much time is left?” “Ten minutes, Paw Paw,” she answered, “Ten minutes.” With wet eyes and slight smile, he looked up and said, “OK, I think I’ll live that long.”
He knew his life on Earth was coming to an end and he made it. He had lived to see the day. Born in 1918, one of Uncle Pete’s last joys with all his children together was to witness one more unexpected miracle. A WWII vet (which I only learned about at the funeral, hence the flag-draped coffin), hard-working farmer who never missed a church service, pillar of Winfield, life-long Democrat,
unassuming cousin of Louisiana’s legendary Long family, dedicated husband of 51 years, widower for 14, proud father of five, loving grandfather and great-grandfather of dozens, he was a simple man with few needs who lived to celebrate every moment that he could squeeze out of his full life.
I never got to tell my uncle that even as a small child I always admired him. He was a decent and humble man. Although he wasn’t Catholic, I thought how he would have appreciated this sight.
This Mardi Gras season with the Saints Superbowl win has exhausted me. As fun as it was, I’m ready to get back to work. It’s like Lent for a non-Catholic.
That said, here’s one last video from the crazy 2010 Mardi Gras season. We took our dog to the Krewe of Barkus parade which was held on the afternoon of Superbowl Sunday. I made a video featuring him while harnessing the theme of the parade and finding a funny narrative.
Tuesday, the Tuesday before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, will forever be known as Dat Tuesday from here on out by the WHO DAT NATION. Another nickname for the occasion is Lombardi Gras. It was the day the Crescent City held it’s first ever Superbowl Victory Parade for the New Orleans Saints. A Mardi Gras style parade of marching bands and floats loaded with festive Saints players, coaches and staff traveled through the streets of the Big Easy to a cheerful crowd of 800,000 fans celebrating their 43 year climb to become the Superbowl Champs for the first time ever. It was undoubtedly the biggest Superbowl Victory parade in the history of the Championships because this town knows how to throw a parade best!
But, this event is bigger than a sports victory. It’s a mix of life lessons. Here’s a few: Never give up on your dreams. In life, you must take chances to succeed. Those who are willing to succeed work hard, perpare diligently, focus on execution and not fear failure. There are many more. But, it is also a message to a troubled city devastated by the blow of Katrina and poverty. New Orleans is a city of winners. This Championship season has lifted the spirits of the hopeless and given faith to the believers. The Saints Franchise understands that their function as ambassadors and role models is a responsibility to their fans and to the people of New Orleans. They fulfilled their mission flawlessly and are greatly appreciated for it.
New Orleans has gown crazy over the Saints Superbowl win last Sunday night. New Orleans is such a unique place. It has celebrated it’s underdogs for over 40 years, always believing. Finally, their faith paid off and it’s a heartwarming story. Never a big football fan personally, I ALWAYS loved the Saints. Once I sat on the 50 yard line in Washington, D.C. cheering the Saints as they played the then Superbowl Champion Redskins knowing the Saints would get squashed – and they did. But I cheered my heart out! So, for all of us, even the un-football fans, this is a great moment for those who believe, have goals, have faith and never give up on a dream.
Here’s what it looked like minutes after the Saint’s Superbowl win last Sunday night just a couple blocks from home. ENJOY in the CELEBRATION! (and more videos to come …)
The video doesn’t do the vision of our hike from our steading to the Balfour estate any justice. Nature is just far more beautiful. However, please enjoy.
