We have so many devices today that we often forget what it was like not too long ago. Today, we take pictures on our phones. We always have them with us and we can capture moments as they happen. But we all probably remember, that this was not always the case. When Lori and I first started the adoption process of traveling, we were bringing with us a suitcase full of electronic equipment. We had a video camera, a traditional point and shoot camera, a mini dvd player, a special international phone, and of course all of the cords and power supplies to go with them. Today, all of that is on one device. A phone. On one trip, we even brought a small electric camping stove, but that is a story for another time.
1997
Our move from Florida to Charlotte was complete. We were settling into our new city, enjoying the adventures that come with new places to live, new jobs, new friends, new places to go and new moments to capture on film. We did not own a nice camera, but we had a Kodak C-110 which was sufficient. When we would go out, or travel, Lori would pull out our less than fancy camera and snap pictures. Then, when all of the film had been used, Lori would often ask me to drop it off to be developed. She would say “make sure you order doubles”, which was her way of saying that she planned to share the pictures with others.
I would sometimes end up at Eckard Pharmacy. Other times I would be dropping off at a Wolf Camera. Same routine at either location. Fill out the information on an envelope, answer the questions on the form, seal your film in the envelope and leave it with them for a few days to a week. You could of course pay more if you wanted them quicker. In future years the same process would evolve into 1 hour photo printing, but as of yet, it isn’t an affordable option. As it was, we often paid 30, 40, 50 dollars and more to get our prints.
It was always exciting to pick up the newly developed photos. There was an element of surprise, since unlike today, you have no idea what the picture you took will look like. Would they be blurry, is someone blinking, does motion cause strange color streaks on the photo? Many times, a single camera film roll might last weeks or even months. So when developing the film, often you may not recall what you had even taken pictures of. The camera typically took 24 pictures. And it is probably safe to say that out of the 24, maybe half of them turn out the way you had hoped and look good. 4-6 of them, you are squinting to try to make out what it was the picture was even taken of, and the rest were just clear pictures of things that you didn’t intend. Someone off center or moving, an accidental picture of the ground or sky, the giant thumb blocking half the picture, etc... All problems of yesterday compared to the cameras (phones) of today.
Fall 2021
Lilly asked for help on her Math homework, so together we sat in front of the computer to look through the questions on her homework. I struggled a bit and realized I need to go back a chapter or 2 to for me to catch up on my own knowledge so I asked her to get her text book, which she seemed very confused about. As if she was saying, I thought these text books were just giant paper weights. I jumped around the chapters immediately preceding the current unit and felt good enough to jump back in. This is complex algebra and the question seemed more complicated than the example, so I jumped back into the book. Near the beginning of the current unit, as clear and bold as it could be, was a note that essentially said that in order to solve the problem, simply type the formula into the scientific calculator. Well, seems simple enough. “Lilly, where is your scientific calculator?” Off she went and returned shortly after with the scientific calculator in hand. The only problem was that is was not charged and she hadn’t used it in over a year and had no idea where the charger was.
I looked through drawers and boxes, trying to find a charger that would fit the calculator. Dozens if not hundreds of cords, all with seeming different connections, none of which would fit the calculator. Into the attic to find the old container that housed dozens more cords, mostly from electronics that I’m sure I don’t even have any more. Testing more cords, working my way to the bottom of the bin, I found not what I was looking for. Instead, in a pile next to an old camcorder, there were 2 disposable cameras. How old must these be? What could possibly be on them? Where does one go these days to even develop film like this? Would whatever pictures that were taken even develop years later? All great questions. And all that I needed answers to. But first, I needed to find the charger for the calculator. Which I eventually did, in another bin full of old cords. I really need to start labeling these things.
Winter 2022
After the holidays I did the research to find how to develop these cameras. It was relatively easy, although there just aren’t a lot of places to do it, like there used to be. So the easiest way was to go to the old camera shop. Dropping them off, I discovered that I could have the pictures scanned directly to digital copies, which seemed to be the best option. And 2 days later, I had a thumb drive with my mystery pictures.
Eager to get home to look at them, I quickly made my way back and pulled out my laptop. I inserted the thumb drive and found a series of pictures that were..... interesting? There wasn’t any super secret mystery resolved, but it was fun. Some pictures I could quickly identify. Others, not so much. I assume many of them were taken by Lori, because she was not in a lot of them. As with many other things, the pictures tell a story. And that story is on a timeline. And figuring out the timeline was half the fun. Here are a few of the pictures and a few of the questions or answers I have.
Why in the world am I wearing this hat?
Answer: We were in Charleston with Vince and Shannon. It was one of the hottest and most humid days I’ve ever experienced. Vince and I sat in an outdoor sports bar while Lori and Shannon shopped at the market. Projected year: 1997
What in the world is Lori doing?
Answer: Apparently when you are 20 something years old, it is really cool to play pin the tail on the donkey at a birthday party. It was my birthday, but look at the overwhelming enthusiasm from our guests! Projected year: 1997
Not sure exactly what is going on in this picture. Shawn is cranking out the tunes on his guitar and we are drinking beer. I don’t have a follow up for it, so I suggest you just check out my really cool CD and DVD collection in the background! Projected year: 2001
What is this picture?
One morning the dog started going nuts in the house, wanting to go outside. In peaking out the window to see what was going on, a couple of giant turkey vultures were walking around in the back yard. Projected year: 2003
Look. A perfectly captured picture of Kevin that year he had a sniffle. Projected year: 2004
Who is Lori talking to?
She’s talking to Lilly. And I’m thinking Lilly did something she wasn’t supposed to and it looks like it has to do with her hair. Projected year: 2007
What is pretty amazing is that this disposable camera was used from approximately 1997 to 2007. And then sat around the house in a bin for another 15 years. The quality wasn’t great, but the memories are fantastic. And on this day, it’s all about remembering all of the ways that Lori touched the people around her and the positive attitude she used to influence everything she did. Mysteries are really cool and fun to solve. But memories are cherished forever. Whether you do it with your phone, your tablet, a camera or video camera, make sure you take the time to capture your own kodak moments.