Faded photographs

My parents used to take so many photographs of me that I officially have 3 albums full of faded, retro-looking photographs with rounded corners; 3R photos of course.

I think my dad got so trigger-happy that he ended up taking numerous candid pictures of me looking annoyed, crying, laughing, shocked and even of me doing silly things (that I still do to this day). He caught me dancing with a pail on my head, throwing a birthday present away when I was 3 because I didn't like what his friend gave me, looking ecstatically at a doll that was all boxed up nicely, rolling my eyes at my younger brother because he blew the candles of my cake when it was MY birthday; not his, and plenty more.

I took some time to sift through the photos and selected a few to scan and archive. The following photos were chosen because they represent how I've always been and how I'm like now, after 25 years or so:

Note that images are in chronological order. I did as minimal post-processing as I could because I wanted to retain the authenticity and "retro" feel of the photos.

A few weeks old, I would assume


The typical baby-in-a-bathtub scene


The OCD me - I only lie on the bed after I've showered. A habit I still follow today.


The loyal side of me - I've always had a crush on Snoopy.


The fun me - The rocking horse I remember so vividly up to this day. I even chanced upon it at an opp shop along Sydney Rd, Brunswick. I don't know why, but I bought it and I think it's still at CE's house...


The materialistic side of me - Looking ecstatically at a doll I received for my 2nd birthday. Prior to unwrapping this gift, I threw the rest of the presents away because I didn't like what was beneath the wrappers.


At the zoo - this was the last photo of a series of shots my dad took of me running towards him. I must have realised I was being photographed and hence I gave him the surprised look.


Moomba Parade at Swanston St, circa 1982. See how different it used to look. This is at the Carlton side of Swanston St.


The scaredy-cat me - my mom told me I was pointing at somebody's shadow. I used to be afraid of shadows.


Annual trip to the mountains.


The mischievous me - I smacked my dad with a plastic spade while constructing a snowman.


The ambitious me - I've always wanted to be a taxi-driver and I still harbour the thought of being one.


The nature-loving me - at some tulip farm somewhere.


He ain't heavy, he's my brother.


Evidence of how naughty he was. He blew the candles off my cake and it was MY birthday!


Look of innocence guilt. And I'm rolling my eyes.

I have sooo much more photos and to archive them would be a chore! Looking back at all these pictures brings back so much memories and nostalgia that it's hard to describe with words. Life was so different back then. I think I know why people like to have children - because they're so innocent and I guess they do bring a certain joy into our boring, monotonous, sterile and robotic lives.

No, I'm not contemplating on having children. Hahaha!