I’m a Digital Packrat
I collect everything.
And, I throw virtually nothing out, either. I came across pictures that I couldn’t even date because they were so old yesterday. Earlier this evening, I was printing out e-mails from 1998. I have half-finished stories that go back to the early 90’s or late 80’s. Text files of mysterious and unknown origin.
Why?
Who knows. In some cases, I hold on to them “just in case they’re usefull one day”. In other cases, it’s a sense of impending nostalgia. And, in some cases, it’s a freaky sense of “I’m going to need to re-read this one day, just to remind myself what I was thinking.” It was mostly this last reason that I found myself printing e-mails tonight. Things I’d predicted, which have since come to pass, even though I tried hard to believe in another outcome. I’m continually amazed at mankind’s skills at self-deception, especially when I’m that particular “mankind”.
Well, live and learn. I cried a little tonight, for the things I’ve lost since moving down here in 1998. Things I think I was always meant to lose. But, then, I’ve gained so many things, too, so, it’s not all bad.
My advice to you, faithful readers? Keep those old files. Save them on CD-Rs or on tapes and look back at them years from now. See how their meanings have changed and reflect on what that means to your life. Change is inevitable, but direction is optional.
Advice from your Uncle Jim:
"There is no failure except no longer trying."
--Elbert Hubbard
