Mirthfinkle

Sharon's Birthday Party

2009-10-19T21:45:00.001-07:00

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Last Saturday Sharon had her birthday party, and it was a blast. Great people, great energy, lots of candlelight. Everyone there was so happy for Ms. King, and she was feelin' the love. Music is Three to Get Ready by The Dave Brubeck Quartet.

makin' it legal

2009-08-09T20:39:00.001-07:00

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Moving to a new home + planning a wedding = no free time to make videos. However, I am trying to at least put a few shorter pieces up until the chaos has faded. This brief video shows Mark, me, and our officiant/friend Stephen on our trek to the Marin County Civic Center (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, fyi). We got our marriage license and Stephen got deputized to perform our ceremony next month. It's all very official and very real. Music is, appropriately enough, the theme song to the TV classic "What's Happening".

Laura's Birthday Weekend

2009-05-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

What better way to celebrate your birthday than by renting a great house on the river? For Laura's recent birthday, she and Krista invited Timmy and I up for a gorgeous and fun weekend in Guerneville. There was kayaking, darts, billiards, wine tasting and more. What a weekend! Music is by Sir Elton John.

Returning to Yosemite

2009-05-02T22:37:00.000-07:00

Mark and I returned to Yosemite again this past April with Mark and Stephen. The weather was the coldest and rainiest we've ever experienced here, but it brought a new kind of beauty to enjoy. Instead of going on ambitious hikes, we found ourselves indoors a lot more, but no one complained. After all, there's always next year. Music is "Free Ride" by Nick Drake.

Nuptuality

2009-04-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

Marriage is a funny thing. It's a festive thing. It's a tacky thing. It's a sacred thing. And apparently, it's an 'under attack' thing too. I'm starting my own this fall, which has forced me to enter the wacky culture of weddings and figure out where my fiancé and I belong. All I've figured out so far is that a wedding is an excuse to buy things, sell things, get publicity, and get drunk. But ultimately it's a very self-involved thing, so of course OUR wedding will be perfect. Music is "There is Love" by The Captain & Tennille.

Napa Living

2009-03-25T21:59:00.000-07:00

Our dear friends Mark and Stephen have friends who offer up their Napa Valley home for their use every once in a while. And sometimes (more often than we deserve), they invite us along. We've enjoyed being there at all times of the year, but I think summer might be the very best. Music is "A Summer Wasting" by Belle and Sebastian.

Cruisin'

2009-02-11T22:01:00.000-08:00

My wonderful, generous parents took the whole family on a cruise to Aruba and Curacao last week. It was my first cruise, and it was quite an experience! I've never done so much of nothing so many days in a row. Loved it. Thanks Mom and Dad! Music is "Sea Cruise" by Frankie Ford.

Englishtown Market

2009-01-19T20:07:00.000-08:00

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If you're ever in Central New Jersey on a weekend, check out Englishtown Auction. My fiance Mark went here a lot with his Dad when he was a kid (he still calls it Englishtown Market) and it's got it all. Whether you need to buy tube socks, perfume that hasn't been made since 1984, or a giant pickle, you're sure to find it here. Music is "Last Date" by Floyd Cramer.

Protest

2008-12-07T20:32:00.000-08:00

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Obama won on November 4, but the citizens of California lost when Proposition 8 passed. The people may have spoken, but what they said was a bunch of jive talking in my opinion. And, given the turnout at the protest at San Francisco's City Hall the following Saturday, a lot of people agreed with me. Music is by The Bee Gees.

Mission Wanderings

2008-11-10T20:25:00.000-08:00

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Spend the day walking in my neighborhood, and you might see discarded toys, Presidential phone banks and recycling in action. Music is "A Daisy Through Concrete" by The Eels.

Smoky Mountain Memories

2008-11-10T16:38:00.001-08:00

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Mark and I enjoyed a fall vacation in western North Carolina, in the heart of the Smoky Mountains (and just a stone's throw from Dollywood). The weather was great, the fall leaves were coming into color. We ate a lot of BBQ. Music is "Travelin' Prayer" by the one and only Dolly Parton.

A Wedding Parade

2008-10-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

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Our friends Ellen and Charles wanted to celebrate their recent nuptials with a costume parade through the Berkeley Hills. It was a joy to be a part of it. It was fun, it was festive, and good exercise to boot! Music is by the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band.

Labor Day

2008-09-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

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It was a beautiful day and Mark & Stephen's new backyard was the perfect place to enjoy it. There was delicious food, delightful company, and a deliriously happy cat named Griffin. Music is "Hot as Sun" by Sir Paul.

Home Sweet Home

2008-09-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

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Congratulations to Mark and Stephen, who recently bought their first home. Wow. This is our first visit -- unpacking boxes, exploring the attic, and assembling a coffee table were the order of the day. Music is "Hold on Tight" by ELO.

Offsite

2008-09-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

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Sometimes a company likes to get everyone away from it all -- for inspiration, team building, and steam tray tables of food. Music is a theme song you'll recognize.

Slots!

2008-08-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

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Sharon and I were in Vegas a few weeks ago and I was as transfixed as ever by the singing, flashing slot machines. Music is by the great showman Tom Jones.

Cloverdale

2008-07-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

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We recently got to stay at a KOA campsite up in the Anderson Valley. The forest fires made the sky a bit overcast, but the bizzare mini golf course and lovely local culture made it a very nice stay. Music is "Heart of the Country" by Sir Paul.

While We Were in Portland

2008-07-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

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Parents Visit

2008-07-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

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A few months ago, Mark's Dad Gene and his wife Diane came to town, and we showed them the greatest hits of this great city, including Stephen's braised short ribs. Music is "Honkey Cat" by Sir Elton.

Mountain Boys

2008-07-08T22:12:00.000-07:00

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Meet Slava and Steve, two nifty guys I'm happy to call friends of mine. We all went for a picnic at our favorite spot the other week, and of course the weather was perfect. The music is "Sawing on the Strings" by Alison Krauss.

Oakland Sights

2008-07-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

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The summer is getting away from me! I have too much footage, too little time to edit it all. So my new plan is to just. get. stuff. up. Last weekend Mark and I cat sat for Laura and Krista while they were on their honeymoon, so we got to pretend to be Oak-town locals. Saw lots of beautiful homes, vintage signage. Music is "Center of the Universe" by Built to Spill.

Al Fresco Feast

2008-06-16T21:05:00.000-07:00

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We just went to our second Outstanding in the Field dinner, held at Route 1 Farms down near Santa Cruz. There was lots of sun, food, wine, and talk about local and sustainable food. If it comes to your neck of the woods, I recommend checking it out. It's worth doing once. The music is "Chained to the Moon" by The Folk Implosion.

Happy Birthday Mark

2008-06-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

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A wonderful thing happened on this day in 1969. Someone was born who makes my life a lot more fun, so I feel like "mark" ing the date. The music is one of his favorite songs, by Van Morrison.

The Library

2008-05-19T21:07:00.000-07:00

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When I was growing up in Ft. Wayne, paying a visit to the public library was a weekly tradition. I visit the San Francisco library less frequently, but when I do I'm never bored. A library is a wonderful resource -- do yourself a favor and visit yours soon. Music is "Blistered Heart" by Badly Drawn Boy.

Windows II

2008-05-14T21:58:00.000-07:00

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Here's another (brief) installment featuring glimpses into the windows of San Francisco. Music is "Peekaboo to You" by my Dad's favorite, the great Glenn Miller.

Sweet Lafayette

2008-04-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

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Sharon and I recently spent a weekend in lovely Lafayette, California. It's not a very big town, but it has quite a few interesting things to see. Music is "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" by Spoon.

Yosemite in its own words

2008-04-27T22:40:00.000-07:00

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The TV show 'CBS Sunday Morning' was very popular in my household when I was a kid. My Mom especially likes the last few minutes of the show when they show wildlife scenes without comment. So while editing some of my video from my annual trip to Yosemite, I decided to forgo the music and let nature speak for itself.

Picnic on Mt. Tam

2008-04-15T21:24:00.000-07:00

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I spent my Easter Sunday sitting on top of the world, with the San Francisco skyline to my left and the Pacific Ocean to my right. It was a lovely picnic on a lovely day in my favorite spot on Mt. Tamalpais. Music is "Stoned Soul Picnic" by The Fifth Dimension.

The Ventana

2008-04-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

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Mark and I stayed at The Ventana in Big Sur recently, and did nothing but relax the entire time. Reading, napping, and eating cheese sure make for a great vacation! Music is "Goodbye Sadness" by Astrud Gilberto.

Happy Birthday Mary

2008-04-03T21:22:00.000-07:00

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April 3 is the birthday of Mary C. Matthews, whom I met at Emerson College in 1989. She's one of my oldest and dearest friends, and I thought I'd cobble together a short and sweet video birthday card for her. The music is a tune you should recognize.

Lunch at Cielo

2008-03-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

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Our vacation in Big Sur included a stay at The Ventana, where you walk along a woodland path full of wildflowers to enjoy a lunch al fresco with an ocean view. Sigh. Music is "Our Man in Bombay" by The Minders.

Big Sur Hike

2008-03-17T23:12:00.000-07:00

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Mark and I just got back from a wonderful weekend in Big Sur, which is a breathtaking piece of the central California coast. This was a hike we went on, and we will definitely be back to hike again. Music is "Around and Around" by Mark Kozelek.

Saturday City Walk

2008-03-05T15:18:00.001-08:00

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When Spring has sprung in beautiful San Francisco, it's nice to take a walk with no particular destination in mind. Music is "Take a Walk" by Edie Brickell.

Full House

2008-03-03T17:47:00.000-08:00

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Nothing goes better with Poker than a 7 month old baby. Meet Brendan, the adorable son of Dina and Davin. Music is "Colours" by Donovan.

A Night at The Oscars

2008-02-26T22:53:00.001-08:00

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Consider this your calorie-free Whitman's Sampler of the night's glitz, glamour, and veneers. Music is "From Blown Speakers" by The New Pornographers.

Windows

2008-02-19T22:21:00.000-08:00

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Some interesting, amusing, and confusing things I see in the windows of my neighborhood. Music is "C'est Lui Que Mon Coeur" by Edith Piaf.

A fine day off

2008-02-14T17:49:00.000-08:00

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Mark and I took a Friday off and enjoyed a beautiful day in a beautiful city. Music is "Let's Save Tony Orlando's House" by Yo La Tengo.

Scenes from a super bowl

2008-02-12T18:00:00.000-08:00

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I only watch one football game a year, when I go to Sharon's (always fun) super bowl party. This year I brought my camera along to record some images I liked. I hope you like them too. The music is "Sunday Afternoon" by The 88

iPhone Love

2008-02-02T16:32:00.000-08:00

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Just a typical love story about a boy and his gadget. Music is "At Last" by Eva Cassidy.

Game Night

2008-02-02T16:25:00.000-08:00

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Laura and Krista join Mark and I for a night of nonstop board games and feetie pajamas. Soundtrack by Grandaddy.

Brunch

2008-02-02T16:12:00.001-08:00

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Rainy Sundays are made for Bloody Marys, warm fires, good friends, and parlor games. The music is "Kathy's Waltz" by The Dave Brubeck Quartet.

And so it begins.

2008-02-02T14:34:00.000-08:00

This vlog is inspired by the talented and funny Mary C. Matthews, whose support and encouragement have been invaluable to me. Thanks, Mary!