Kayaking on the Chestatee River, 2023

I was inspired to create a short video of our family adventure down the Chestatee River this year in the style of a Super 8 home video.

The black box on the left of your screen is intentional, the “sprocket hole” of the Super 8 film. In Super 8 cameras you use only a half frame of the film at a time, thereby doubling your captured images with the same roll. Depending on how the film is then scanned into a digital format, you can then capture the entire half side of that film (revealing the sprocket hole) or not.

Super 8 home movies tend to only linger on a shot for 5 seconds or less (due to the short duration of the film roll overall), are often a bit shaky due to the handheld nature of the filming, and frequently involve the subjects smiling directly into the camera (vs ignoring the camera).

This is not real Super 8 footage, but the editing and footage were inspired by that overall look. I wanted it to have the feel of a vintage home movie, a family memory on celluloid.

Listening Lately

Da, wo mer zosamme groß jeworde sin, da
Ziehen mer alle irgendwann wieder hin
Damit die Kinder, die mer krieje könn
Alle in Kölle jebore sin
Jebore sin
Jebore sin

Tommi, I think I’m homesick…

Where we all grew up together
Where we’ll move back to someday
So that all the children we will have
All in Coligne will be born
Be born
Be born

All roads lead to Rome, and sometimes back home.

Key West Recs

Photo: one of Hemingway’s cats, June 2023. His name is Alfred Hitchcock. Now let’s cut to the chase and get you those links.

My recommendations for Key West, FL

  • https://blueheavenkw.com — go for brunch and jazz, this used to be a boxing ring where Hemingway refereed matches- eat the best key lime pie of your life! If you happen to go when they are closed (in September, annually) go to Salute! on the Beach for the exact same pie.
  • http://www.louiesbackyard.com — this is your dinner date destination, for a truly exceptional experience, arrive shortly before sunset and ask if you can sit upstairs on the balcony. Beautiful food, cocktails, and views!
  • Latitudes on Sunset Key — for an even fancier date (aka, my birthday!), consider dining on nearby Sunset Key. Boat ride to ferry you to dinner is included. Reservations required, call: 305-292-5394
  • https://www.bagatellekeywest.com go for brunch or lunch or dinner, their Eggs Benedict was amaaaazing and their tuna with cold noodles was one of the best tuna dishes I’ve had in years.
  • https://moondogcafe.com for brunch or lunch or coffee — get a cream cheese & guava danish and an iced cafe con leche. Their “feel good bowl” will cure any vacation-related ails you may have.
  • https://firstflightkw.com for a beer tasting flight (or a banana daiquiri) and some brisket mac n cheese. I haven’t tried their fried Pb&j served with ice cream yet, but it’s on my list.
  • Cuban Coffee Queen — multiple locations, we like the downtown one best, but the waterfront has a very instagrammable “key west” sign.
  • https://rodriguezcigarskeywest.com — they have an educational tour on the history of cigar making which includes a lesson in cigar rolling, super worth the time.
  • https://www.oceankey.com/key-west-fl-spaterre/ — get a massage or facial and you get a free pool pass- and their pool bar is excellent!
  • https://www.hemingwayhome.com to visit Hemingway’s house and polydactyl cats.
  • https://keywestbutterfly.com — surprisingly magical.
  • https://www.keywestpottery.com — fun and unique pottery. Two of my favorite mugs are from here.
  • Fort Zachary Taylor has the best beach. Spend a morning or afternoon, there are sandwiches and drinks available on site.
  • If you do find yourself on Duval Street— pop into Wicked Lick for ice cream (their peanut butter ice cream with mixed berry compote is my fave), enjoy Guild Hall Gallery, and step inside St. Paul’s Church.
  • Go for a kayak tour in the mangroves– sunset is especially magical out on the water.
  • Rent a scooter! Or a bike! Or a golf cart! Google for this- or ask your hotel to arrange a drop off.
Hope you have a great time in the Conch Republic!