Archive for the 'Personal' Category

…I became more keenly aware of how proud they were of their family and sons through the many photographs they left behind. Pictures of us growing up, on the beach, vacations, graduations, sports, picnics, summer camp, scouting, special Sundays and special moments that are a part of and involves a lifetime. There were many many pictures and, in spite of my father having made attempts to sort these out and classify them in a historical manner, many are undocumented other than what my own memory recognizes. Their pictures were their memory and life. Only part of mine.

To save or not to save? And, for who?

For myself, I have “tons” of pictures. Some of historical importance. Some of commercial value. Some of interesting people, places and events now gone. But, most images are for my own remembrances so that my memories don’t become blurred in time. My children or grandchildren or great grandchildren or….will never really know the story behind these. Image meaning is often personal.

So, I’m not going to burden my descendants with my personal trivia but have chosen to sort out my pictures. The next to important images will be scanned and CD’ed (thank God for digital photography and its archival possibilities) and the important ones will be archived with references and comments. The others will be re-cycled celluloid.

But, as I look at these I sometimes wish I could re-live those moments and had savored them longer than I did, like my own boys’ growing-up and the truly great times I had with them as a father…as a friend.

I will try to be better with my images and try to savor life’s moments more!

…which is just fantastic! I mean, as a person of “maturity” and reflecting upon past communicative methods, sending a digital message to a recipient has powerful advantages. I love that it’s quick and, with an email client like Thunderbird, you can save or keep track of correspondences easily as well as allowing almost immediate answering to incoming emails.

I mean, think of what it was like without email! Consider how much paper was consumed in the years B.E. (Before Email) and the carbon emissions, use of energy and water. Consider sending pictures to newspapers or files to publishers or orders to companies or… Consider the rising costs and decreased service of postal services. Consider how many vats of glue on postage stamps one saves through email? Consider…

These last couple of weeks I’ve been filling 4 giant garbage bags with shredded documents and papers to send to re-cycling. I’m so glad that email allows me to use less paper and, perhaps in my lifetime, look forward to avoid seeing the following when walking my dogs…

Oh, by the way, should someone argue that paper manufacturing and all these clear cuttings provide jobs…and I have empathy with their thoughts, consider the 19th century wheelwright! If a wheelwright’s job was argued in this manner, we’d still be driving with wooden wheels. Changes can be positive! Now-go shred some paper for re-cycling and think about how you use paper. Email is great!

TIP: When just wiping up water off something with paper towels, lay the towels out and let dry to re-use. Food fell on the floor? Get a dog…works great!