Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade 2013

©Mary Beth Koeth

See the full set here

Miss Ruby C. Williams

Miss Ruby C. Williams from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Meet Ruby C. Williams, an amazing woman who is moving the world in her own special way.

Miss Ruby is a folk artist known for her cheerful spirit and brightly colored paintings. Her artwork is sold alongside a stand full of fruits and vegetables that she grows on her property in Bealsville, Florida.

"Her work is in private collections and galleries all over the world. But even today, she seems as interested in selling produce as she does in selling art." -folkvine.umbc.edu/ruby/home.html

Running with Raven Update: Imagination & Golden Ray

Golden Ray (age 8) and Imagination (age 10) receive the "Event of the Year" certificate at the Raven Run Banquet for being the youngest to complete the eight mile run and swim. Not only are these boys stellar athletes, they give some pretty amazing life advice.

Imagination & Golden Ray from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine Shoot, April 2013

When George Orr—aka “Hot Rod”—croons, South Florida swoons. The Life & Wild Times of a Rod Steward Impersonator. Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine, April 2013. http://spiritmag.com/features/article/almost_famous/

The Ground We've Covered...

After writing some 79,000 words for the manuscript and after sifting through two years' worth of video footage, Laura Lee and Mary Beth have covered some ground with Raven in the New Year. Check out our update for the play-by-play (kind of).

The Ground We've Covered... from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

CURRENTLY SEEKING REPLACEMENT

We are currently seeking a replacement for our best friend, Mike, who is moving to the Midwest because he is either geographically or climate-challenged and doesn’t realize that it’s March, and it’s cold everywhere else. We are hoping for a guy’s guy, someone who has never spent more than $7 for a pair of sunglasses yet occasionally says things like, “I’m just going to put this out there. I like to sew.” Or, “I can’t believe I lost in Battleship again. I’m pretty sure I had one less ship than my competitors. I have to stop drinking when I play board games.”

You must be available for biweekly “family dinners” and regularly offer to pay for McDonald’s ice cream. (For family dinners, you are usually expected to supply the cheese or garlic bread. When complimented on the aforementioned garlic bread, you will feign humility and deflect with a statement like, “Oh you like it? I just put that shit in the oven.” It’s spoken better than written, trust.) You should be on a first-name basis with Frandler at McDonalds and notice when the soft serve machine is creamier than usual. You will also usually drive to McDonalds and must be willing to risk your relationship with the corporation and order a milkshake for Laura Lee—half-chocolate and half-vanilla—if that is what she wants. (Disclaimer: Since discovering that the medium milkshake is 700+ calories, she has been ordering more of the cones.)

You must—must—laugh at our jokes. If laughing is impossible, a lip curl is acceptable, but your expression must reveal delight at being within earshot of our wit. Everything that Mary Beth says should be followed with an adoring look and a short but honey-sweet, “Oh, Mary.” When we cry that Mike has left us, you must put on Mickey Mouse ears and say something comforting, like, “We’ll always have Disney World.” Then you will put on a romantic comedy, call Mike on speakerphone, and spoon feed us ice cream.

If you are interested in filling this opening, please submit a cover letter stating your experience and the reasons you’d like to be considered. Please address why you think you need friends. Include four references, one joke, a list of current local friends in Miami (if this number exceeds five, you will automatically be disqualified) and three suggestions for movie nights. If anyone has ever described you as “creepy” or “clingy,” please close the window and move on to the next post.

We look forward to hearing from you and reviewing your submission. Thank you for your interest,

“Us” (Three tall, intelligent, creative women who all enjoy Mike’s company in different ways)

 — with Mike Czabatorand 2 others at South Beach, Miami.

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/stp/3664181216.html

Running With Raven Update Eight: Right Reverend Robert Running Raven

Running With Raven Update Eight: Right Reverend Robert Running Raven from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

“We wanted an intimate ceremony and someone who knew us, not just a stranger with authority,” explained Extra. “We thought Raven would be perfect. He’s someone we know and love and trust.”

“He’s a friend,” added Molder. “We wanted a friend to marry us.”

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mbk/running-with-raven/posts/390483
www.RunningWithRaven.com

Found Objects in Raven's Nest

"Decayed Condom"

"The Watch Graveyard"

"Note from 40 years ago"

"Arthritis Creme"

"Modern American Dictionary"

"Whistle"

"Lists"

"Song lyrics on scraps of paper"

"Raven Buttons"

©Mary Beth Koeth

www.RunningWithRaven.com

2013 Raven Run Swimsuit Calendar

As we promised to our $500 Kickstarter backers, the 2013 Limited Edition Raven Run Swimsuit Calendar is complete! This calendar features models who run with the Raven and make up the unique and diverse community that Raven has cultivated in the sands of South Beach during his 37-year streak. We hope it gives you a sense of this special group of individuals.

If you're not a $500 backer but would like to order a calendar, they are available for purchase here: marybethkoethphotography.com/proofing/products.php?gid=6

Raven and Miracle

Miss January, Jurisprudence

Mr. & Miss February, Floater and Chicken Fricase

Miss March, Sappy

Miss April, Skyscraper

Mr. & Mrs. May, Creve Coeur, Hollywood Flasher & Creve Junior

Mr. June, Gringo

Miss July, Purple Planner

Miss & Miss August, White Lightning and Yellow Rose

Mr. September, Hitter

Mr. October, Hurricane

Miss November, Fox Den

Mr. December, Butcher

The End

Raven Run Swimsuit Calendar Sneak Peek

As we promised to our $500 Kickstarter backers, the 2013 Limited Edition Raven Run Swimsuit Calendar is almost done. All models come from the unique and diverse community that makes up the Raven Run. This update gives you a taste of what's in store! Ladies and Gentlemen...get excited.

If you're not a $500 backer but would like to order a calendar, they are available for purchase here: http://marybethkoethphotography.com/proofing/products.php?gid=6

Raven Run Swimsuit Calendar Sneak Peek from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Results of the Travelocity Great Gnomenabbing Contest Announced . . .

The Great Gnomenabbing Contest: Results from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Thanks for all of your support friends! We might've had a lil' too much fun with this... ps - Check out the Grand Prize Video at Gnomenabbed.com

Nick + Christina = Love

©Mary Beth Koeth

Lovely day on the lake.

Running With Raven Update Seven: Raven & Phillip Clarkson

Phillip Clarkson is an incredibly talented singer/musician that has been recording Raven's music for over 20 years. (87+ Raven Originals!) After years of collaboration, Raven and Phillip met in person for the very first time. These two men know how to entertain!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mbk/running-with-raven/posts/351923


Running With Raven Update Seven: Raven & Phillip Clarkson from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Ralph & Eleanor

©Mary Beth Koeth Two of the most beautiful people I know.

Gnome Pain, Gnome Gain

Check out this message that I received on Gnomelovin.com...painful. 
Not the type of gnome I'm looking for. 

Dear Gigantic-overly-tall-gnome-loving-lady,

Gnot everyone gets my sense of humor, but after reviewing your personal profile on Gnome-Lovin', I feel my wit may match the size of your largely-scaled tallness. I too like walks in the garden. Not a big fan of dogs as they tend to soil my soil quite often. I will gaze longingly into the sunset, sometime for days, weeks and even years on end. While I may only be the height of a Pringles can, I have a very large garden hose … next to me. I hope to gnab some gnome time with you soon.

Yours truly,

Texas Sized Gnome, Aaron 

ps. Aaron, you make me laugh. Brilliant. 

Last day to vote for "Gnomemansland" on Travelocity!
http://gnomenabbed.travelocity.com/?v=721a4389-a700-4ba1-95e2-956b8bf106da

Support Group, Meeting One: Gnome Lovers Anonymous

Support Group, Meeting One: Gnome Lovers Anonymous from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Mary Beth and Laura Lee attend their very first Gnome lovers Anonymous meeting.
 Vote for their video, "Gnomemansland" at The Great Gnome Nabbing Contest

FInalist in The Great Gnome Nabbing Contest ~ Travelocity

I do an amazing drunken zombie impression...(please see photo above)

(The following was written by: Miss Laura Lee) 

About three weeks ago, Mary Beth's dear friend Kiley sent her an email with a link to a contest that Travelocity was sponsoring. “I know you and Laura Lee are really busy with the Raven project,” she wrote, “But this was made for you two.” The contest featured the Travelocity mascot, the gnome, and called for 1-minute video submissions illustrating why the gnome should “nab” you for an around-the-world trip valuing $65,000. At first, we were hesitant to participate, as we are both super busy with our current workload. Then we agreed, “Let’s devote one Sunday afternoon to concepting and see what we come up with.” I wrote an outline for a script, Mary Beth tinkered with it, we took an hour to film, an hour to edit it—and voila—our hats landed in the ring.

Today Travelocity announced our video has been selected as one of ten finalists. That means we have already won a $2000 travel credit, and we have a chance at the grand prize trip around the world. According to the contest rules, the decision will be based on two criteria: 49% public vote and 51% judges’ selection (judges come from the Travelocity marketing department).

You can watch the Travelocity call for entries as well as our submission, titled "Gnomemansland" here.
It should coax some chuckles. (Please don’t be scared off by the terrifying screen shot. We asked them to change the image, as Mary Beth looks like a drunken zombie, but they did not respond. Let’s just hope they focus on what we say and not how we look saying it.)

You can vote once a day for the next five days. If you get a kick out of it and really want us to win, feel free to forward this link to your friends and family and ask for their support as well. No pressure at all from us—only gratitude to you. Oh, and the grand prize winners might star in a Travelocity commercial. Wouldn’t it be cool if our faces flashed across the television screen, and you’re like, “Oh, I know them.” (This is obviously enticing people who, like us, can barely afford TVs, let alone DVRs, and therefore still watch commercials.)

Click HERE to vote! 

Big hugs from Miami, Laura Lee & Mary Beth