Tyler Mayforth

Official Website of Tyler Mayforth | Delaware Born | NOLA Living

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Macklemore, Usher and New Orleans, Oh My!

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On January 18, 2016

In Life Stuff, New Orleans

I love live performance art.

Musicals? Been to several Broadway shows in my life, including The Lion King when it was sold out for months on end during its hey-day (Thanks a bunch, Grandma!).

Plays? Don’t get me started on Dickens  (My family still laughs about it).

Professional wrestling? Yes, that counts. It’s so different in person than on TV.

Let’s not forget about music, which is the crux of this blog post.

There is just something about live music that I can’t get enough of. Sure, you can listen to a song but until you hear the artist perform it live, you can’t feel it — if that makes any sense at all. Probably not, but you hear and internalize it differently.

Living in New Orleans has immersed me into the live music scene like no other. For as great as Athens is purported to be, it doesn’t hold a candle to The Big Easy. Now I know that’s apples and oranges, but the best part about New Orleans is that most of the music here is free (other than festivals like Jazz Fest and Voodoo Fest, et al).

These past three weeks kicked some major butt when it comes to free live music.

On December 30, the Sugar Bowl brought Usher to perform during their Fan Fest. That was within walking distance of my apartment and words cannot describe how great of a performer he is. Not only does he sing incredibly well, he can dance with the best of them and engage the crowd. I had no idea I knew so many songs by him until I sang and danced along to pretty much every song he performed that night.

https://twitter.com/tylermayforth/status/681943981803081728

https://twitter.com/tylermayforth/status/682596286403637248

Then on a random Sunday in January, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis brought down the house inside the Civic Theater and I was there to witness it. Earlier in the day someone from the kickball team mentioned it was free and there could be tickets remaining. Sure enough, they wanted to pack it and make sure it was “live” (as the cool kids are saying these days) for the webcast (which was the reason for it).

“The Heist” is easily one of my favorite albums of all-time and I can’t tell you how many times I listened to it while driving from Texas to Georgia and everywhere else since it was released. From the first time I heard it, I could tell Macklemore doesn’t just do music to do it. He lives it. He breathes it. It means something to him. Seeing him live on a random Sunday night in New Orleans cemented that idea.

Macklemore poured just about everything he had into the show and it showed. The crowd hung onto every word that came out of his mouth. And you could tell after he wrapped up “Same Love” and “Starting Over” that he bared his soul to the crowd.

Music is just incredible.

Maybe I’ll share the story about the time I graced the stage in college. Just maybe.

 

That Was RAW-esome!

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On January 12, 2016

In New Orleans, Wrestling

Nearly two hours into our excursion to Monday Night RAW last night, WWE ring announcer Lillian Garcia proclaimed that it was time for the fans to pull out all of the signs they brought to the Smoothie King Center and to show them off.

Needless to say, it was my time to shine. Yes, I created signs.

Before I go any further, I’ll freely admit that professional wrestling is my guilty pleasure. Go ahead and watch the following video and see if you’re appreciation for the physical performance art doesn’t grow a few times (like the Grinch’s heart).

I bought some double-sided foam board and on one side, it read “The Beast Is Back” in homage to Brock Lesnar’s return to the WWE after a three-month haitus. On the other side — after much deliberation — I wrote “I Love #Booty,” which refers to the stable The New Day and one of their catchphrases, which is simply “That’s booty.”

I looked at my friend Jon — who also plays on the kickball team — nodded and stood up to display our signs. His read “I’m Missing The Bachelor” on one side and “Bring Back Mizdow” on the other. We gave it a few minutes of thought on Sunday night.

Sure enough, the camera pans over to me and I go nuts. Garcia reads my sign, I cheer even louder, smile and give a thumbs up. Jon gets in the shot, too, and we just soak in the moment. The camera had to be on us for 10-15 seconds. People around us were laughing and I’m pretty sure I heard a “Booty” chant start. Unfortunately the third person we were with (Karlie) went to the concession stand at the time and when she came back, she bemoaned that as soon as she heard that it was time for “Sign of the Night,” she knew we’d be on. We could have had pictorial or video proof that we were on the big screen, but you’ll just have to take my word for it.

See those folks in that picture? Those are the people who make nights like these.

If I had to really break it down, I would say that 51 percent of my adoration for professional wrestling comes from the performance art aspect of it all. That other 49 percent has EVERYTHING to do with the company I keep at these events (whether I know them or not). Just like every other sport or art, you’re pulled together by a common bond. You get a completely different feel for it when you’re there LIVE as compared to watching on TV in the comfort of your own home.

I knew I was going to have a good time at Monday Night RAW, but those two folks I shared the experience with (Karlie and Jon) made it GREAT.

Back To Where It RAW Began

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On January 10, 2016

In Life as a Fan, New Orleans, Wrestling

Finally, Tyler Mayforth is headed back to Monday Night RAW!

Tomorrow night, I and two of my friends — as well as 17,997 of our closest buddies (if it’s sold out) — will head inside the Smoothie King Center to watch the live-action soap opera that is professional wrestling.

You know what’s crazy? Well, other than the fact that I’m a 30-year-old man who is unabashedly excited about going to see professional wrestling? This will be my third live WWE event that I’ve seen in New Orleans.

As some of you know I went to WrestleMania 30 two years ago on a whim. It was held inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. If you didn’t know I went or want to read about that trip, feel free to give this post a look.

That same trip, I attended Monday Night RAW the next night. For those who aren’t aware, Monday Night RAW the night after WrestleMania is a sight to behold. My seats weren’t as good for that RAW as they will be for this one, but just being in that crowd is the important part. Check out this video and feel the energy.

There is just something about attending a professional wrestling event. Most, if not all, people know it’s fake — but it’s the pageantry and the aforementioned energy that makes it such a great experience.

I used to ask for tickets to wrestling events ALL THE TIME for Christmas. I’m sure my parents can vouch for me on that. Now that I’m older and I can buy them myself, I’m not going overboard, but when I have an opportunity, I’ll take advantage of it.

Witnessing The Greatness Of LeBron James

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On December 7, 2015

In Sports

Count me as a believer.

It took me a while, but I saw the light.

LeBron James is THAT dude.

Don’t get me wrong: I always knew LeBron was a special player. If you asked me to name the best player in the NBA right now, I’d waffle between him and Steph Curry before ultimately deciding on LeBron. When all is said and done, LeBron could be one of the greatest players in NBA history — if not the best.

Here’s the thing about great players: They have the ability to take over the game at a moment’s notice and leave you truly to fawn over their talents.

Such a thing happened this past Friday night when the Cleveland Cavaliers visited Smoothie King Center in New Orleans to play the Pelicans. I was in attendance as part of the stat crew (running stats to the owner’s box after transcribing quotes from Cleveland coach David Blatt’s pregame press conference.

Through a little more than three quarters, it appeared as if New Orleans had the game well in-hand. The Pelicans drained 3-pointer after 3-pointer and a one-point deficit at halftime turned into an 13-point advantage early in the fourth quarter.

Then LeBron flipped the switch.

Play
Score
Time
4th Stats
Layup
83-94
6:23
4 pts
Free Throw
84-94
5:44
5 pts
Free Throw
85-94
5:44
6 pts
Layup
87-96
5:01
8 pts
Layup
89-96
4:31
10 pts
Assist on 3
92-96
4:02
10 pts, 1 ast
Layup
94-98
3:01
12 pts, 1 ast
Layup
96-98
2:39
14 pts, 1 ast
Free Throw
97-98
2:39
14 pts, 1 ast
Jumper
99-98
1:47
16 pts, 1 ast
Layup
101-98
1:15
18 pts, 1 ast

Just like that, LeBron dominated and gave his team a three-point lead in a matter of five minutes, eight seconds. By the time the fourth quarter ended, LeBron scored 23 points in that 12-minute span alone. LeBron finished with a game-high 37 points, in addition to eight assists and seven rebounds.

To show the other side of the narrative, LeBron also had a chance to win the game if his jumper fell with 0.09 seconds left. It didn’t. Many have criticized LeBron for his lack of late-game heroics, but he’s made some more often than not.

The Pelicans eventually won the game in overtime 114-108 and let it be known that a team can always beat one individual, but that individual can be fun to watch.

Kickball Recap 4: There is No Glory in Pitching

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On November 5, 2015

In Athletic Achievements, Kickball, New Orleans

As I watched run after run after run after run (you get the idea) cross home plate last night in an eventual 15-2 loss by Big Black Balls, I realized there is no glory in pitching in kickball. The same can probably be said — and is probably said — about pitching in slow-pitch softball.

No matter how hard you try or how much spin you try to put on the ball, it’s going to get crushed. I might have struck out three batters (I’m not even sure how I did that, to be honest), but everything else was belted.

If you want to make a difference in a game where the object is to score as many runs as humanly possible, you get in the outfield. You need to play deeper than you’d think because once that ball bounces over your head, it’s an easy triple or home run for the batter, regardless of speed.

Maybe I’ll pitch again at some point during the season. Until then I’ll settle in at my usual spot at third base or try to work my way in the outfield. I’m much better at chasing down the ball that got murdered than I am turning around to watch it go really, really far.

AB H R 1B 2B 3B HR RBI BB
Game Stats 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Season Stats 7 6 6 2 3 1 0 4 1

Kickball Recap 3: The Blackout

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On October 29, 2015

In Kickball

So there we were.

“Big Black Balls” ready to play “Drunk, And Looking To Score.”

We were 2-0, tied for first place in the league standings, while “Drunk And Looking To Score” was 1-1 and tied for second. I could sense we were ready to play well and a win would have put us in firm control of locking down one of four playoff spots.

There was only one problem: We didn’t have any lights. By the time we started to warm up, it was getting pretty dark — and that would be a major issue in kickball.

See, PLAYNOLA rents the field from the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC). Evidently the NORDC forgot to set the timers on the lights to the correct time — something to do with Daylight Savings Time, we figured — and thus the entire night of kickball was canceled. A truly disappointing outcome for all.

To PLAYNOLA’s credit, they assured us the game would be rescheduled.

Who knows? This one game could decide who goes to the playoffs and who stays home. Would we have wanted to play this game so early in the season then?

Maybe “The Blackout” — at least this part of it — was a blessing in disguise.

Getting Ready To Kick(Ball) It In New Orleans

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On October 9, 2015

In Athletic Achievements, Sports

The wait is over.

Prepare yourself, PlayNOLA.

Next week, your fearless blogger (That’s me, in case you don’t know) will hopefully play in his first Adult Kickball League game in New Orleans. I say hopefully, because right now I’m a “free agent.” I’d like to consider myself the LeBron James of Kickball and that hundreds of teams (OK, several of them) are vying for my bazooka-like leg.

I’ve been looking for something to occupy my free time and this could be a perfect thing to do once per week. Plus, it would get my competitive juices flowing again.

So what does this mean for you, my wonderful reader(s)?

Well, I plan on breaking down each of my games from my stat line (probably 0 for 3 with three fly outs based on how my pickup games went) to interactions with my teammates and everywhere in between. Because, why not? It’s something fun to do.

Be on the lookout for this series beginning next Thursday. Games are Wednesdays.

P.S. — Found out I’m on the team called “Free Kicks.” We shall see how it goes.

Who Dat: The Story of My First Saints Game

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On October 5, 2015

In Life as a Fan, New Orleans, Sports

Who Dat!?

Am I doing that right?

Good.

So I went to my first Saints game tonight. It was a religious experience.

Seriously, I saw the Pope. All right, not that pope — but it was one of four or five “Saints Popes,” who are mainstays in the Superdome and sit in the same section.

Whenever I meet someone new, one of their first questions is, “Are you a Saints fan?” I tell them I just moved down here not too long ago, but am not adverse to it.

Overall, I don’t think I could have been to a  better sermon than I did on Sunday.

From start (a Better Than Ezra benefit concert for their charity, in which I got in for free) to finish (Drew Brees’ game-winning 80-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Spiller in overtime), the experience was top-notch. Heck, even our seats — which were at the very top row of the upper deck — allowed us our own private “suite” area (OK. OK. There was a legit metal bar in front of us and a landing behind us, so we could stand).

There were two things that really stood out to me the most Sunday night as I took in the whole experience: Saints fans are unlike any others I’ve been around (and that includes my trip to the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Atlanta) and as much as this topic has been belabored about ad nauseam, New Orleans pulls together in those hours.

An incredible sense of camaraderie surrounded the tailgate and permeated inside the stadium. People of all walks of life love their Saints and just want to see a win. I heard the spirits of New Orleans residents are on high the day following a win and there is just a new aura about the city. So far I hadn’t experienced that, since there were nothing but losses before Sunday night. Then Brees found Spiller on a wheel route and the running back slipped one tackle and was off to the races to pay dirt.

As we filed down the ramps of the Superdome, cheers of “Who Dat” rang through the corridors. Then they got louder as we left the stadium. I couldn’t help but join in as I made my way through the crowd and walked back to my downtown apartment.

Addendums

There was definitely a different energy around the city today. As I walked to work, there were some people saying “Who Dat” to each other. Certain restaurants offered lunchtime specials thanks to the win.

And just to be clear: My No. 1 team is stil the Philadelphia Eagles. I had some great memories watching their games. And while I’m a fan of the Baltimore Ravens because of Joe Flacco (University of Delaware connection), No. 2 team is still up for grabs. Just might be the Saints now.

Catching Up Since the Move to New Orleans

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On September 23, 2015

In Life Happenings, Life Stuff

New Orleans.

Wow.

I never thought I’d call The Big Easy home.

Hell, if you told me after I graduated from the University of Delaware that within the next eight years I’d live in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Texas, Georgia and Louisiana, I wouldn’t have believed you. Life takes you where it damn well pleases.

So what have I been up to since I moved a little more than one month ago?

Primarily I’ve been trying to adjust to the 9-to-5 lifestyle — not so much in the sense of waking up earlier compared to newspapers and such, but the “extra” time. While I know 40-hour weeks are 40-hour weeks, working 9 to 5 frees up a lot more time in my mind than working in newspapers ever did. Maybe it’s because I have weekends off for the first time in my career — or that it’s still bright out when I leave the office.

With all of that ‘free time’ at my disposal, I’ve tried to put myself out there as much as possible and hit a groove socially — and that doesn’t mean I’m spending every waking hour on Bourbon Street even though I live four blocks from there. By the way, mix the smells of urine and bad decisions and that’s the odor of Bourbon St.

For the first few Thursdays I found a group that played pickup dodgeball in a rec center not too far from me. While the games were fine and I forgot how much fun dodgeball was, getting my iPhone 6 stolen the first week I was in town wasn’t fun.

Pickup dodgeball soon ended as the season geared up (I missed the signup date), so I have since transferred my talents to pickup kickball. That’s also an activity I hadn’t played since sixth grade. Soccer players really have an advantage in that I’ve found.

Where I’ve spent most of my time, especially since college football is back in full swing, is covering Tulane for a site called Underdog Dynasty. In case y’all forgot, the Green Wave is (and I really had that it’s a singular team name) awful. That’s why I take the Dr. Strangelove approach to the games and say “Tyler Covers Tulane: Or How I Learned to Stop Caring and Love Bad Football.” To be completely honest, it’s been great to be back in a press box again. I also love the thrill of covering a game and while I don’t have a ‘deadline’ since I’m writing for online, I pressure myself to get it done as soon as possible. That doesn’t make game nights much fun — but I love to write and it keeps me out of trouble. In my opinion, one of the best articles I wrote so far for Underdog Dynasty was this piece: From Goat to Hero: The Ballad of Tulane WR Devon Breaux. That’s also the first game I caught Green Wave Fever.

So yeah, I’m trying to find things to do — but more importantly, I’m trying to find my groove. They say, “You don’t call New Orleans. It will call you.” Baby, I’m listening.

Sky Photography: There Are 1,000 Words Up There

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On August 22, 2015

In Photography

For some reason — and I can’t name it — I always have been fascinated with the sky.

I never wanted to be a pilot to soar through the clouds or a meteorologist to know what was going on up there, but something about it called me. It’s just one of those things that you always think about, but you never understand you’re obsession.

Well, I wouldn’t call it an obsession, but I love taking pictures of awesome cloud formations as well as Picassoesque sunsets canvasing the sky before nightfall.

Up top is a picture I took during my family vacation in Savannah. Here are other examples of my wonderful — but rather simple — photography of the sky.

This view is from my current office building in New Orleans. I was told on the good days, you can see a storm rolling in over Lake Pontchartrain. This was one of them.

Took this one as my dad and I recently traversed the South to get to Louisiana.

Was lucky enough to snag this one outside of my hotel in Metairie, Louisiana.

This one is my favorite. Taken outside of Wednesday night trivia in Athens, Georgia.

If you follow me on Twitter (@tylermayforth), you’ll see me sporadically post these kinds of pictures. I don’t take them every day, but as you can see, when I take them they turn out pretty good. Like I said, there is just something about the sky.

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