I have an interest I'd like to share with you.
A fondness.
A predilection.
Here's my interest:
I like it when there is a visual (or audio) documentation of change/growth over time.
I first began to realize my affinity towards this type of thing when I was in junior high. For the first time, I saw one of those baby photo + graduate photo school yearbook features. All the graduating 8th graders submitted a baby photograph. Yearbook readers get to try to match baby pictures with current pictures of the graduate.
I love stuff like that.
Also, at some point in my childhood I saw a photo series that a father took of his daughter. He put her in an adult bathing suit (when she was still a child) and took a picture. He took the picture in the same location, with his daughter wearing the same bathing suit, over a period of years. At some point, the bathing suit began to fit correctly. It was such a cool concept.
Another example: In the Planet Earth video series, every once in a while they will feature a time-lapse photography segment. I remember one such segment on the Rain Forest episode. They showed a fast-forward version of a flower growing up from the forest floor. So beautiful.
Another example: there's a RadioLab episode called Time. In this particular episode, there's a series of audio clips. An uncle (radio producer Tony Schwartz) recorded his niece speaking each year. After he had over a decade of audio clips, he streamed them together.
You've got to listen to it. Click on this episode (Radio Lab, Time) and fast forward to 6:50 in the broadcast.
(note: First click "listen." A new window will pop up. Let the show get started...then you can click on the little bar to get to whatever part of the program you want. Click on 6:50.)
Audio clips, pieced together. From Birth to Age 12 in just over 2 minutes.
SO INCREDIBLY COOL.
I am definitely doing the audio clip thing with my 3rd child if we have another baby.
I remember when I first heard that RadioLab episode. Hunter and I were sitting in the backyard on a Saturday morning, filling up water balloons for Superboy's upcoming birthday party. Much to my delight, a lot of that particular episode is about documenting change over time.
* * * *
So: over the years, I've come up with a word which I use when I come across something that falls into this category of interest.
When I encounter another one of these type of things, I like to say I found a new d-cot.
Yes, I know, that word sounds like it's a bunk assignment in a cozy little hostel nestled in the Swiss Alps.
However, I can't come up with another word which describes this concept any better. (Can you? What am I missing?)
d-cot = documenting change over time
The only reason the hypen is there is to divide the word into two syllables for proper pronunciation.
I have more to write about my hobby of collecting d-cot examples. Also, I've saved some links over the years fall into the d-cot category. (It seems like this must be an interest for a lot of people....I see d-cot stuff a lot.) So I'll be sure to post about d-cots again sometime in the near future.
* * * *
D-cots can be appreciated at face value (i.e., At first, the person was 3 feet tall. Look; now they're 5 feet tall.)
Additionally, d-cots can be contemplated on a philosophical/existential/spiritual level. Case in point: If you take a series of photos of a concrete block over a period of years, you're not going to end up with a very interesting d-cot. In fact, the only elements of your series which will capture my attention are the elements which include some sort of life which changes over time. (i.e., is there moss growing over the concrete block over time? Is the concrete block gradually covered by ivy or something?)
Basically, existence = change. I enjoy the process of rolling that thought around on the marble run that is my brain. I also enjoy the process of pondering that type of concept with my resident philosopher/theologian.
* * * *
For now, I'll leave you with a d-cot which I captured in 2002-2003.
The first picture is Superboy as an infant. (a few days old, I think.)
The second picture is when he was 7 months old. We like to call that era his "chunky petite" phase of life. :-)
My, what a lot can happen in 7 months!
And please note: Superboy was the CUTEST infant. This first picture does not do him justice. I think I'll post a cute baby photo at the very end just so you can remember what a cutie pie he was as a little newborn. Unfortunately, in the first photo he looks a bit forlorn. Let me reassure you that the problem was me, not him. Alas, Anne Geddes I am not.
(also, he's probably thinking, "What's the deal with this hat? Are we about to go catch a few bass out on the lake, or what?!?")
A few comments about this last photo...
a. It's a shame we didn't have our Nikon DSLR when Sprboy and Pmpkn were little. I sure do love the camera we have now. Oh well.
b. Mom & Ellie, this photo was taken out on our townhouse patio. Hunter was sitting on that metal rocking bench. I think it was one of Superboy's first times to be outside. He was a little squinty in the sunshine.
c. Mom, I think this picture was taken at about the time when you were in the kitchen cooking that dinner: salad, chicken + veg over rice. That was the BEST DINNER I've ever had in my entire life. I think it might've been somewhat related to a post-delivery endorphin surge---but whatever the reason, that was some of the best food I've ever put into my mouth. Thank you!!
d. The blanket which is around Superboy was made by Ellie as a baby gift for Superboy. He still sleeps with it every night. (9 years and counting!) Thank you, Aunt Ellie!
{edited to add}
I've been thinking about this a bit more.
Existence = change is not actually accurate.
Even the concrete block exists, right? (Or does the word "exist" imply life?)
I guess I should say this instead: biological life = change
Thoughts?
