The Things We Don't Know

A Facebook friend posted this today and I thought it was really interesting. For those of you who have seen Food Inc, some of this will not be new information. But there were some interesting things here that I hadn't known or hadn't remembered. It's worth a watch if you've got 15 min or so.



Pretty fascinating and certainly sobering. And I think she's got a realistic approach in how to do something about it. I think at some point in her talk she says something like, "you can't make The Perfect the enemy of The Good". Meaning, just because you can't create a perfect food supply system or eat 100% organic or do everything right to protect your family from the scarily unhealthy GMOs and processed foods and all the other crazy stuff that's out there, you can do something. Or a few somethings. And that is so much better than nothing.

More about Robyn, her book and her ideas about what to do at her site, here.

Everybody Loves A Parade

Today was a rainy Sunday. One of my favorite kinds. Work this week has been a nightmare and it seems next week will be the same. So I was ready for a little fun and distraction while I could get it. We ventured out this afternoon to the annual neighborhood All Inclusive St. Patricks Day Parade (always held two weeks early). And Geoff decided to bring along his camera and test out a new funky gadget. This was the result. Forgive the grade school editing, this was obviously slapped together in 5 minutes. For my part, I'm trying to forgive him for filming me with a wide angle lens.

Happy Rainy Sunday to all!

Enjoy!

Viva La France!

You were promised Paris travel videos. And here they are. Yes, I am self aware enough to know how atrocious my French accent is. Extra points for anyone who can identify how many accents I go through during the course of these videos while attempting to have a French one.





I count at least Italian, German, Spanish and Czechoslovakian. And virtually nothing that sounds remotely French. Any others?

And Now, Your Host...LONDON (Part 2)

Don't worry, there's more......

And Now, Your Host...LONDON (Part1)

When we were at the Tower of London, Geoff turned the camera on me and this is what happened. Shouldn't quit my day job, huh?

Sean and Christina

Realized we haven't posted a video in a while. For your Christmas-wrapping procrastination pleasure, here's one we did earlier this year. Such a cute young couple. I liked that the groom seemed all tough, but you could tell he was really emotional all day. It was such a pleasure to be a part of their wedding!

The Ultimate Challenge

Marshmallow Test from Mission HS on Vimeo.

Richard and Cathleen

For your viewing pleasure....one of our weddings from last summer.



"Such a heartwarming and faith restoring story. On the surface this is the story of a simple charming little wedding at a quaint and serene lake house. But beneath the surface, this is the story of three lives from very different worlds coming together against rather remarkable odds to become organically intertwined into a family. This is a story for everyone who believes in second chances. This is the reason we love doing what we do. Richard and Cathleen thank you for the honor of allowing us to be a part of your wedding."

With Tissues at the Ready

This is pretty awesome. I cried. Which, if you know me, may not say a lot, as I am one of the great criers of my generation, but still.




This story was recorded (and I believe animated) by StoryCorps. It's a non-profit organization that makes audio recordings of the stories of everyday people's lives. A copy of every recording is kept in the Library of Congress and becomes part of the oral history of America. The interviews are conducted between two people who are important to each other. Children interviewing parents, immigrants recalling when they first arrived here or spouses like Annie & Danny remembering their first date. Lover of history that I am, this is so up my alley. Apparently they feature different stories every day on NPR's Morning Edition.

I dig it. I want to make one now.

friends

Alison and Sarah.
Like two peas in a pod.

Here they are at lunch in Brooklyn today. And as always, in classic form.

Friends from Geoffrey R. Boka on Vimeo.

Here's a link to the pictures

Jill and Mark

EDITOR'S NOTE: - Geoff posted this all by himself all secret-like without telling me. What is that even about?? Doesn't he want me to be able to appropriately brag about him? This is a video we shot together last fall of a wedding in NYC. Some really fun NYC shots in there. It's one of the longer options we do...probably about 15-20 minutes. So if you've got time, take a look. And if you have to wait until your holiday shopping is done, I will understand.

Let us know what you think. And extra points for anyone who can guess what one of my favorite shots of the whole thing is....?

Click to Play

Jill and Mark get married

Fridays are for Laughing

This one is for Mom....as a reminder of what I used to do every morning when I woke up...



And this one has been making us laugh this week. Which sometimes you just need.



And this is what might happen to me tonight if I move on to a second glass of wine...



Happy Friday!

Geoff is toying with doing a video for his business!

So what do you guys think? Geoff is thinking of making a video promoting his business. Something like this. Thoughts?

Memory Lane

We were out and about today, took some pictures on my little point and shoot camera and when we uploaded them to the computer, there were a ton of pictures from the past six months or so...including some pics from our honeymoon in Italy and a video from one of our best meals of the trip. That night in Cortona, where we sat outside on the tiniest porch ever, in spite of the rain. I'm a little windblown and a little rained on, so I'm looking slightly busted. But here I am, to share some thoughts...



And PS - although it may seem slightly like it, I actually am not intoxiated during this clip. And the proof is that, you'll notice as I pour the wine that the bottle is still half full, which means we've only had one glass. And it's usually not until glass #2 that things start to get a little..."wavy". I think we can chalk up my animation here as just general honeymoon/Tuscany/amazing food joy. Just wanted to be clear about that.

Mini Tantrum

Rough day at work yesterday. Stressful and overwhelming. Came home last night, and told Geoff I was going to throw myself on the bed in frustration. Which I did. And he, wonderful husband that he is, just laid there with me, stroked my hair and listened to me rattle off a list of things I was stressed/worried/upset about. Some legit and some irrational. (And one of which being how I have no time to blog...hence my MIA-ness). And he just listened. And I felt better just saying it out loud. The old cliche is true, sometimes you just want to be listened to. And that in itself fixes things. Cause half the things I was stressed about have gotten fixed or are on their way to being fixed. The work related things anyway. And that's a start.

Here is a video that helped me smile today. It's the little things that can get you through.

Fridays are for Laughing

I'm sure most of you guys have seen this by now, but I just saw it for the first time yesterday. And I love it. I want Gladys to live next door. Apparently she is a regular caller to Austin radio stations and you can download her "commentaries" from amazon and iTunes. I heart her. Enjoy!

Just cruel

You know what's not fair? Everyone knows I love puppies more than almost life. And a friend sent me this link to Puppies - Streaming Live and my work computer won't even play it.

Can you see it? They are so stinkin' cute. And I only know because it will play on everyone else's computer except mine.

No fair.

Secret Surprise engagement video!!

Click to Play

This is the video that I surprised Kate with last year at her 30th birthday party in order to "set the mood" for an even better second surprise-

A wedding proposal!