#photographicmemory is a feature in which someone sends in a nostalgic photo of themselves and writes about it. It was created because sometimes you can find out more about a person by asking them to describe a photo of themselves than by asking them a ton of questions. It was also created because it’s nice to look at pretty photos.
I was initially reluctant to write a photographic memory piece. Not just because, for an English student, I am an exceptionally crap journalist but because I have a lot of people and events to be nostalgic for. It’s not an easy thing to choose just one photo. So I apologise to those of you who should be but aren’t in the above photo but this sentiment applies to you too, (including Mr PTL himself).
This photo was taken on the most important day of any year: October 7th. My birthday. If it’s not in your diaries write it down. Most people who know me know that I. Love. Birthdays. Selfishly and unashamedly. So to give me the best birthday yet was quite a feat but 2011 – the year I turned 18 – may have been the year. Not just because my friends put so much love and effort into it, but it was also potentially the last time I would have them all with me for it. Having celebrated the previous seven years of birthdays with them, it is not such a nice realisation. As horribly sentimental and soppy as it sounds, it could just have been us sitting in our House drinking tea (as was the only thing we ever did or contributed to school life) and it would have been one of the best birthdays ever. This photo, like many photos taken that year – marks the end of a life spent with the same weird and beautiful people for years on end.
With, (fingers crossed), being abroad next year, a main regret of applying is that I will be missing out on everyone’s biggest of birthdays and I won’t have them with me for mine. So this is perhaps less of a fond recounting than a warning that however far away I will be IT WILL STILL BE MY BIRTHDAY AND I EXPECT RECOGNITION OF IT. (☺) Birthday brat has spoken.
When trying to think of a title for this photo I realised coincidently that the first song played on the record player they gave me was ‘Friends Of Mine’ by The Zombies. The lyrics don’t really match the intention but the title does, so I’m happy.
Beatrice Lawrence
Beatrice (Bee, Bebe) Lawrence studies English Literature at Leeds University. Other than being a birthday brat she is forever, in spite of age, a whacked out teenage drama queen. Her talents lie in coming across cool and aloof to all those around her whilst actually being a bit of a weirdo underneath it all. Don’t worry Babble – you’re secret’s safe with the internet.
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