Tyler Mayforth

Official Website of Tyler Mayforth | Delaware Born | NOLA Living

New Orleans Is Absolutely Beautiful

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On February 3, 2016

In New Orleans, Photography

Let’s go to sleep in Paris/
Wake up in Tokyo/
HAVE A DREAM IN NEW ORLEANS/
Fall in love in Chicago

Those lyrics by Lupe Fiasco in “Paris, Tokyo” bounced around my head as I walked back to my apartment from his concert* at Republic New Orleans this past weekend.

Something caught my eye near the halfway mark and stopped me in my tracks.

I crossed Poydras Street and looked down a desolate St. Charles Avenue.

No less than six hours earlier, revelers packed St. Charles Avenue as krewes rolled down its broken and bumpy asphalt celebrating carnival season. Now it was empty.

Beads and trash covered the street earlier. Now it was spotless.

The afternoon and evening were gorgeous with sunshine. Now a fog and mist rolled in and left an eerie allure around The Big Easy, especially on St. Charles Avenue.

So I took a picture. You can see it in the featured image up top.

There was something haunting, but indescribably beautiful about that scene.

New Orleans, in itself, is a beautiful city. I’ve tried to capture some of it.

https://twitter.com/tylermayforth/status/691761833066283010

Speaking of carnival season, I’ll try to have a post recapping my first Mardi Gras next week. Just like the city, the USTFCCCA shuts down on Tuesday for the big day.

* I thought Lupe Fiasco put on a heck of a show. It started slower than I would have liked, mainly because of his song choices, but by the end everybody got involved. It worried me that he didn’t incorporate the crowd at first, yet by the end he had us eating out of the palm of his hand as “Lu-pe! Lu-pe! Lu-pe!” chants rained down.

Putting Up Numbers: USTFCCCA Website Style

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On January 21, 2016

In USTFCCCA

Ever since I got out of newspapers and began working for the USTFCCCA in August of 2015, I had to figure out a new way to quantify my impact as an employee.

In newspapers, particularly during my time as a page designer at the Athens Banner-Herald, I relied on certain benchmarks like how the elements on my pages accentuated the stories, the physical layout and things of that nature. From the first page I designed in Athens to the final one in August of 2015, I felt I made progress.

Now that I’m in more of a public relations/marketing role, my focus has changed. No longer am I creating something that I can hold or see on a newsstand. Everything I put out now ends up on our website; so with that, I began focusing on page views.

No matter the medium, page views are driven by the quality of content and I knew with my journalism background that quality content wouldn’t be a problem.

And the numbers prove just that.

Since August of 2015, page views have increased quite a bit on the USTFCCCA website. I could almost call it a coincidence, but I know we’re doing great work.

If you look at the graphic I made for the featured image, the red bars signify the numbers from 2014. The green bars are what we’ve done with me on the staff.

Both September and October saw 23-percent increases over the previous year. Then in November, we shattered single-day and monthly page view records. And while December’s numbers dropped, the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships were held in December last year, so that accounts for many of those lost hits — and even knowing that, those numbers aren’t bad in a down month.

From here on out, my goal is for those numbers to continue to trend upward and to grow our reach on Facebook and Twitter. I already started doing great things on Facebook with our “Facebook Feature Friday” series (more on that another time) and Twitter has been strong, but I would like to see it as strong during track season as it is during cross country season.

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.

Flipping The Calendar From 2015 To 2016

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On January 8, 2016

In Life Stuff

Once again I have been awful about updating this blog.

December was quite a busy month around these parts.

Before I knew it, January hit and that means 2016 came with it.

Let’s backtrack a bit and fill you in on what happened in December.

From December 10 until December 19, I was in San Antonio with my coworkers putting on the annual U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Convention. I’ll spare you the boring day-to-day details of what we did during the Convention, but I will say that we knocked it out of the park.

Two of our biggest events at Convention went off without a hitch — 2015 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and The Bowerman Award Ceremony. Both were a hit, even though the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony lasted way longer than it should have (but those coaches need their moment in the spotlight). I thought I wrote some great pieces about those events, so feel free to read them at your leisure.

Read about the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony right here

Marquis Dendy and Jenna Prandini Capture The Bowerman Award

Bonus: Recapping the Female Coaches Roundtable

I also got to catch up with Joe Vozzell, a former coworker of mine at the San Marcos Daily Record. I actually hired Joe in January 2014 and groomed him to take over for me as I knew my time in San Marcos was drawing to a close. Joe has blossomed as a journalist in the seemingly short time he’s been at the helm of the Daily Record.

After Convention, I took a week at home for Christmas and to recharge. I planned on having enough time not only to enjoy the holiday, but to welcome my newborn nephew into the world, but The Stork had other plans. My wonderful twin sister’s due date was December 26, but by the 28th, he hadn’t arrived so I had to head back to New Orleans and eagerly anticipate a text from my mother. A few days passed, but sure enough as of January 1st at 1:14 a.m. ET, I am a first-time uncle.

It’s unfortunate that I live so far away from my family. I joke that I’m going to bribe my nephew to love me since every time I visit I’ll bring Christmas/birthday gifts.

So what else happened since the last time I blogged on here?

  • We wrapped up the kickball season. I couldn’t play in the playoffs since I was in San Antonio (bummer), but they were ready to go in my stead. If it hadn’t been rained out, we would have had enough people to try to get to the championship game. Yet it rained and the next day was tough to pull enough people together and they had to forfeit.
  • I went to the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. That was a great experience, not unlike the one I had two years ago on New Year’s Eve at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta. That makes two New Year’s Six Bowl Games in a row for myself. Can I make it three in a row next year? Time will tell.

I promise I’ll blog before 2017. Quote me on that.

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 5: From Right Field, With Love

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On December 3, 2015

In Kickball

One out stood between us and the third seed in the playoffs.

For us to have any hope at making the championship, that’s the seed we’d need.

Coming into Wednesday, which was the final day of the regular season, we were in sixth place — but as fate would have it, the playNOLA Kickball scheduling gods smiled favorably upon us. Since an earlier game got rained out, we had a doubleheader lined up against the teams in third place and fifth place. Plus, we owned the tiebreaker over the team in fourth, so if we handled business the path was clear for us to jump three spots on the final day.

Well, only two players showed up from “Drunk & Looking To Score,” so we won the game by forfeit and waited around for the second game of the twin bill against “Late Night Pizzas.” The hour gave us valuable time to bond as a team and I must say that “Black Balls” is a solid unit despite being comprised solely of free agents.

Fast forward to the game and it was a back-and-forth affair the entire time.

Our opponent jumped out to a 3-0 lead, then we swung back to tie it up.

We inched ahead 6-3, then our opponent rallied to even the playing field.

Finally we got some separation when it counted (read: top of the seventh inning) and scored four runs to go up 10-6.

We got two outs pretty easily in the bottom half of the frame, but then they pushed across another run to make it 10-7 and had runners on second and third before we could blink. So you could say the pressure was on.

The next kicker drilled a sinking line drive into right-center field, right where I was standing. Knowing I had to keep it in front of me, I charged to nab it off the short hop and fired a throw to first hoping two things: that it wouldn’t bounce off the first baseman’s hands and I’d be able to record the final out. Sure enough, it was a bang-bang play at first and the gracious referee called the runner out.

Game over.

Third place secured.

Celebration commenced.

Bring on the playoffs.

AB H R 1B 2B 3B HR RBI BB
Game Stats 3 2 1 1 0 1 0 2 0
Season Stats 14 9 8 4 3 2 0 6 1

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.

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